Happy Birthday Mom and Happy New Year...

January 1, 2009 marks the beginning of a new era at Iowa Lakes Community College and the northwest Iowa area as we bring college soccer to the area.

But, January 1st always marks a special day for the Farley family as we celebrate the birth of a very special person who has had a very special place in many peoples hearts...my Mother.

Jo Nell ("Jody") Farley was born on the first day of the year in the year....well, she likes to keep that private. But, it is no surprise to me that such a beautiful person was brought into the world on the first day of that year.

I know that my twin brother, both of my sisters, and I, could never put into words what a special person she is and what a tremendous impact she has made on all of our lives. Much of the things that I bring to the student-athletes that I teach come from my Mother somehow and I appreciate who she is as a person. I can never thank her enough for being such a wonderful person.

I look forward to 2009 and will talk about that more in my next blog. But, for now, I would like to say a few days early....Happy Birthday Mom! Thank you for who you are and for teaching me to become the person that I am today. I love you a ton!

Merry Christmas to ALL and to ALL a good....

It is unbelievable to me that 2008 is almost history! I have spent a few days pondering over the year and it simply amazes me where I am sitting right now and all the events that happened in our lives over the year of 2008.

To me, the year 2008 will always be a year of bitter sweet.

2008 started for me in a place that I TRULY LOVED! Mitchell, SD will, surprisingly, be one of the highlights of my life. When I think of Mitchell, I will think of great friendships that were built with the like of Tim Jones, Cully, Dosh ("Here's the deal"), Dan & Bert Davidson, "D" and last but, not least, I will remember "G"...just to name a few! When I think of Mitchell, I will think of an incredible group of players that hurt almost as bad as I did when I left for a better opportunity. I will remember a great motivator in Ruth Haidle who not only was always there for my players academically, but is still there for "coach" to this day; a true motivator. I will remember good times, bad times, happy times and sad times, good wins and bad losses. I will remember Mitchell and never forget.

But 2008 will also be remembered as a year of new beginnings for me. It is no huge secret about how excited I am about the Iowa Lakes Soccer Program. The school continues to be incredibly supportive to me and there is no doubt in my mind that 2009 will be full of great memories and new, successful beginnings. I am beginning to build new friendships here and the community has been amazing. I am very thankful of where I am at. There is no doubt that I was placed in the Iowa Lakes area for a reason and I look forward to seeing where we go with this opportunity.

But, aside from me this Christmas, I am thankful for so much more! I have an amazing Mother who has recovered 100% from some terrible health problems over the year of 2008. She is an amazing woman who will forever remain a role model for me. Thank you for everything you do Mom...I love you. I am thankful for Keegan who is attending the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in New York...there was never a doubt in my mind that he would be truly successful. I am thankful for my twin brother and both my sisters...and their entire families. I am thankful for Brad Smith...even though he is, well BB! I am even thankful for Lucien "LD" Roden even though I didn't recognize the guy while we lived in the same town...good thing I moved. I am so thankful for Ray and Netty Martinez and their new baby...what an amazing story. Born 3 months premature and weighing in at 1 lb. 3 oz...we all wondered if it was possible for him to survive. HE DID and what a surviver he is! Tristian Martinez is now at home and very healthy. Ray and Netty are the most deserving. I'm thankful for the Bill Clarks, and the Jill Bukowsky's of the world. I am thankful to be blessed with so many friends.

I have only touched on a few names of people that have made a difference in my life...but there are many more out there and you know who you are. I love you all and thank you for everything you have done to make a difference in my life and others.

2008 has been life changing and a good year...but, I am so excited about 2009 and building relationships with all the new soccer players who will become my family like Willy Kappie, Patrick Gikundiro, and Hugo Ramirez who will be here on January 8th to start it all off for Iowa Lakes Soccer.

So....without further due....MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD......

Winter is here...and in Texas too!

Everyone told me that I was heading to Texas for vacation. Everyone said that I was going to get a tan. Everyone was jealous that I was leaving the great northwest of Iowa. The lakes were already beginning to freeze over when I left...I bought into the hype. I was excited to head home to Texas or some nice warm weather!

Then I arrived and realized what I already knew...it is cold in Texas too!

Now don't get me wrong, it doesn't get into single digits too often. But, the cold and the heat is all relative to the region you are in. Sure it was in the upper 40s and low 50s in Big D (Dallas, TX). But it really didn't feel much different than the 25 degree temperature that I left in Arnolds Park, Iowa. Fortunately, the wind wasn't as bad as normal...so, it was manageable. But, coats were definitely required.

Oh...I guess you are wondering why I was Texas? Recruiting as always.

Every year I attend the Sportsource Soccer Showcase in Dallas, Texas. It is a great opportunity to see a ton of really good players from all over the country. It is a very nice time. Charlie Kadupsky and the entire Sportsource crew do a great job of making all the college coaches have a very enjoyable weekend while watching a lot of talented players. The days get long, but they do a great job. It is also a great opportunity to catch up with fellow coaches accross the country.

AND for me...it is always a great opportunity to see Mom! She is doing great and the only negatives we experienced all weekend was the Cowboys losing in the last couple of minutes and the ONLY Steelers fan in the entire establishment standing in front of Mom for a little too long (fortunately she wasn't tall enough to block her view...or it would have gotten ugly ;-). Mom loves her Dallas Cowboys.

The travel home was a bit rough with all the bad weather along the way..but, I made it and was very glad to return home and see my new "family" here in northwest Iowa! Christmas will soon be here....make sure you all enjoy it and I will enter a new post in a couple of weeks.