First Christmas Together

This post will need to be quick because I'm sitting in a very crowded Starbucks, trying to catch up on some work and do a little blogging before heading back to my mother-in-law's condo (which has not internet service). 

Opening one of his remote
controlled cars.

Marci on his long ride up to Oma's house.

Our family's first Christmas together has been different than what we had originally imagined it to be. It has still been great, but just different. We are currently in Milwaukee, WI visiting with Bruce's mom. We had a wonderful Christmas celebration with her, and even had a visit from some extended family members from Michigan. Marci had a great time meeting some new relatives. 

Our extended family from Michigan
(with my mother-in-law)

Along with our Christmas visit, we are helping my mother-in-law pack up her condo and prepare to move South to Georgia. So her otherwise beautiful and "everything-in-its-place" condo is currently filled with boxes, bubble wrap, and miles and miles of packing tape! At first Marci didn't understand why we were packing up his Oma's things. But now he is quite excited and is a big help as we get things packed and moved to her garage... awaiting the moving men to come pack the moving van on Friday morning of this week. 

Marci having fun in the snow!

In the midst of opening

Marci with his second cousins.

presents and packing things, we did find time to visit with Bruce's cousin's family yesterday. Marci loved every minute of his time with his second cousins. The four boys spent quite a bit of time outside in the snow...running, jumping, having snowball fights, and trying to build forts (with snow that wouldn't cooperate). Our little boy came home tired and happy. Needless to say, he slept well last night! : )

This morning he is out with his dad, picking up more packing supplies. I chose to sit and sip a cup of coffee at Starbucks instead. When we get back we will pack furiously and hope we can get everything done in time for us to hit the road Friday afternoon.
Marci has handled all the changes extremely well. Our family members continue to marvel at how well he is adapting, and we continue to praise God for HIS goodness to us in sending this little boy into our lives.

Bruce, Karen, Marci & Oma Treu

We hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends, and are looking forward to the new year and all of the possibilities it holds. Certainly, as we look back over 2012, we could never have imagined the changes our family would go through this year. We THOUGHT we knew how things would be, but we didn't really truly understand until Marci came into our lives (and hearts). I'm excited to see what's in store for us in the weeks and months ahead!