Superman, not yet super-sleeper

It's been an amazing first couple of weeks since the little-man arrived; a lot of staring at his funny expressions, sleep deprivation, honing diaper changing skills, fun evening walks (Janay's only time to escape the house), and sneaking naps whenever possible. Now that the playoffs have started, Aricin wants to watch all the games (apparently he's a huge Lakers fan). Thankfully he is healthy and gaining weight (just over 6lbs 6oz at the last appointment).

As a family, we have finally made a decision about next year - we're heading to Colorado. Aaron will be teaching Philosophy, Ethics, Logic, and Worldviews at Valor Christian High. We are getting super excited about the move, and looking forward to a change of pace now that school is winding down and Aricin is here. We will be in Visalia for the most of the summer, and will head into the Rockies around the beginning of August.

Here are some fun pictures of Aricin: with mom and uncle jon-jon, sporting a new faux-hawk, thinking, and just hanging around.

Baby Aricin has arrived!

On Thursday, April 3, 2008 we went in for a normal doctor's appointment and were told that we were already 4cm dialated, over 80% effaced, and contractions had set in. Our doctor advised us to head across the street to the hospital. At 12pm he broke my water and started us on Pitocin to intensify the contractions. When things got really uncomfortable i requested an Epidural. Unfortunately the Epidural did nothing except make me sleepy. I was in back labor and apparently when your in Back Labor there's nothing they can do to lessen the pain. I spent the last few hours of labor on all fours, trying to lessen the back pain and trying to get our little one to turn around. He eventually complied and at 7:22pm he came into the world.

He weighed 5 pounds, 14 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long. We named him Aricin Riley Marshall, which means courageous son of the eternal king. (it's pronounced "Arrison") He is one of a long line of A. Marshall men.

It's been a bit of an adjustment taking our little guy home. He's so fun to look at and we are having fun with the new addition. Night time has been a challenge as he is wide eyed and ready to party from 3 to 5am. We are getting closer to deciding our plans for next Fall, and should have some conclusions in the next week or so.

Our last trip to the beach... for a while

37 weeks preggers at Huntington Beach

Finished with Finals!

After another challenging and exciting semester, the Marshall's are approaching a Christmas vacation.

Janay has been working hard this semester as a social worker. She puts in long hours making sure foster kids are well taken care of. All the while, she has a life growing inside her - much of her energy goes to building lungs and kidneys, thumbs and tonsils - she has been very busy! Our baby boy has started to clear some space for himself over the last couple of weeks - revealing an adorable 'baby bump.'

I just finished up finals and some job training. This week will be spent filling out PhD applications and ordering transcripts before we head to Visalia for Christmas. School has been wonderful. I am closing in on a May '08 graduation. Courses have been both difficult and formative. This semester I took several seminars studying Philosophy of Mind, Classical Theism, and Christology. I also studied Social and Political Philosophy independently with a professor. Just 18 months ago, course topics like these would have held no appeal, but I have come to embrace philosophy - along with all the reading and writing it entails - and I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing right now.

These last two years - though filled with their own difficulties - have been a wonderful time for Janay and I. We have grown as a couple, walking together through hard times, and carrying burdens we used to try carrying individually. We have been encouraged by God's work in our lives - answering specific prayers, and providing unexpectedly for significant needs. What a blessing to know there is a God who wants to interact with his creation, and speak into their lives in tangible ways!

Moving & Midterms

The last week and a half has been rough. Smooth sailing is a thing of the past, and the almost settled transition has ceded to new challenges

Last week our landlord told us our rental property was not properly zoned. As such, the city is requiring them to vacate the property. So for us, it means finding a new place (that is Jeremiah friendly) and moving before Thanksgiving. The challenge is finding anything affordable (grad student) and dog friendly.

And so we search...

This week also marks the mid point of my first semester here - which also brings forth the first season of exams! So this last week has been filled with study groups and reading, coursing over notes and then starting over again. It is likely that I have spent more time in the library this semester than in all of my undergrad experience.

But for all the complaining, I am loving school. I have enjoyed diving into a subject I don't understand, but value highly. Lectures are a joy, and I relish this time of learning - as it will not last forever.

As for the housing search, that is more difficult. Searching mid semester is a challenge we face with faint hearts, and it is difficult to remain encouraged. We know in our heads that God has a place for us - that as we seek, he will provide - the difficulty is trusting that, and letting go of our anxieties. We look forward to moments of settling that must exist just beyond the horizon - we just hope to arrive sooner than later!

This weekend should be a joyful time of encouragement as we visit with friends from Visalia - what a joy to experience fellowship when you are hungry for it!

So maybe this is a weekend of rest from those worries, as we prepare for the adventure of midterms and moving that approach. It is easy to forgot, but important to remember, that God is for us!

Transitions...first two months in so-cal

After a splendid retreat in early August, Janay and I settled in to a new adventure in Southern California. We moved into a "cozy cottage" with a large living room and a loft bedroom. Jeremiah immediately tested the pool and has done so daily since.

We finally did it, the anticipated move has come to be. A great friend is now owns my business, and we are diving headlong into this adventure of grad school. I am enrolled at Talbot Seminary, working toward an M.A. in Philosophy of Ethics and Religion. And Janay has been a huge encouragement and support as we begin this adventure together!

I began classes with fear and trepidation but things have settled a bit since. The "fog" that sets in when starting the program should lift sometime before Christmas, but even now I am becoming comfortable in not understanding everything - knowing it will come together sooner than later.

Janay counsels elementary school students at a high need Anaheim school. Her work is difficult, and the grant which hired her has lofty objectives without much direction for reaching them. She has embraced the task of developing a program and is running with it.

The attractions of Los Angeles have kept us busy & we love being close to the beach again, but we desperately miss our friends in v-town. Trying to build new friendships has been a tiring challenge in the midst of this transition. But we know these things take time.

We are excited for the adventures God has for us here - because we know He guided us to this place.