Bathtime Routine

Michaela has a wonderful daddy! Ever since she was newborn, Josh has helped in whatever way he could (even that first week when he was taking finals as well as trying to be a new daddy). Part of her nightly routine now is bathtime with daddy. She loves splashing and playing with her rubber ducky. But her new fascination is with the running water. She tries to grab it as it comes out of the faucet! If only we could see God's amazing creation like a baby - fascinated by its every facet.

Michaela's First Christmas

The presents are out from under the tree and the hype of Christmas is past, but I know I will treasure the memories of this first Christmas forever.
*my parents with Michaela
*Michaela's beautiful smiles in her red dress
*the last Christmas for a long while with my family
*my grandparents, both 80, enjoying presents and dinner with us
*snow on the ground outside
*Christmas cookies and pie
*reading "Clarabell" together
*the 8th Christmas since Josh and I met
God has truly blessed me! Most of all with the gift of His son. But my other greatest blessings are the family and friends he has placed in my life.

Livonia Happenings

It has been a busy few weeks for the Marcums, even though some assume that this time is a "vacation." My parents told us we've been able to experience a furlough even before we go to the field and it truly has felt that way. We have been blessed with many at the Livonia church hosting us for a meal in their home (here we are pictured with the Fralicks) and have sampled some true hospitality. It has been a little draining on us all, especially Michaela, but she has born up well under it all. She especially enjoys the variety of pets, well dogs. She has cried at every other animal including cats and birds. So I guess she is truly a dog lover like her daddy. In addition to our social life, Josh has preached 3 times and we have been busy adding to our last minute pile of "stuff" to take with us.

Time with Family

One of the biggest blessings about this time of transition is being able to see and spend time with all of our family and friends. We were able to stop and see Josh's grandparents, cousins, and aunts and uncles in Oklahoma and York. We visited friends in Kansas and Nebraska, and we spent Thanksgiving with my grandparents in Michigan. Michaela especially enjoyed meeting all of her cousins! She loves other "little people!"

Winter Wonderland

The Marcum family is officially homeless! We moved out of our apartment in Brownwood and took the long trek to Livonia, MI where we are living with Julie's parents for the next 6 weeks. It started snowing the day we arrived, and Michaela doesn't know what to think of this winter wonderland!