Merry Christmas!

Getting settled

We're hoping this post finds you in good Christmas spirits! We are very thankful this Christmas: we are safely moved to the Kansas City area, we are healthy, and we have s p a c e in our new home!

This picture is in Joshua's room - he finally gets a nursery! It's plenty big and he loves playing and being mischievious in his own space.

Curtis' new job is going well; he just started his normal schedule of working evenings at Ozanam youth home. He works in the Intensive Treatment Unit for girls. Even though the atmosphere is very professional and clinical, he is hoping to transfer to the boys side as soon as possible.

Thanks for all your prayers and support - we love you!

AND A HOME!!!

I was just informed that we DO have a place!! Through Curtis, God blessed us with the perfect place - the one that we wanted!!

So we are now the renters of a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2 car garage, dishwasher, and laundry room townhome!! We are thrilled and thankful!!

It's so funny how everything was pulled together at the extreme last minute. Our original plans didn't work out - but God had something better planned that would unmistakeably bring glory to Him! We feel very blessed.

"Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds — his name is the LORD — and rejoice before him."
-Psalm 68:4

MOVING! And a job!!

As I type this, over half of our household is boxed up. We will be "officially" moving to Kansas City this weekend! Curtis is in KC today, he interviewed at Ozanam Youth Home - got the job (full time position) - and is trying to secure a place of our own. A job is what we were waiting on... so hopefully we can get a nice place!

Assuming we don't get a key to a place by today, we will be staying with Curtis's parents until we do find a place. Our stuff will still be in Moberly, waiting for us (we have until the end of December at our Moberly place). So this will probably we a transitional time for us - moved, but not settled.

To our Moberly friends - you have been such blessings to us! We love you and will miss you! We will especially miss house church on Sunday nights and guys and girls nights on Monday nights. Thank you for your support, love, and Godly example. We will come back to visit! And you will always be welcome in our home!

Blessings!

Updating...

Hey family and friends! Here's the latest from us...

1. Curtis is now part-time at the Youth Center. Finances will be altered, but it is actually a better situation than before. We are content.
2. Renee has been doing some babysitting from home - I'm really enjoying it. It's a blessing to able to contribute to expenses without leaving Joshua! And he enjoys having a friend who can walk ;)
3. Joshua is a baby food fiend. He just can't get enough.
4. Curtis is applying at some youth homes in the Kansas City area. One is in Olathe and one is Peculiar. Prayer is appreciated.
5. We are the watch for housing in KC as well.
6. We are making some new friends and building community here in Moberly. It's encouraging... and kind of depressing when thinking about how we will be gone in a few months!
7. We are in prayer about the college's mission trip to China in the spring. Curtis will most likely be going...as for me, well, not sure. It would mean weaning Joshua by April and leaving him for two weeks. Either way we are excited to make some contacts with the mission in China.

Blessings! <3

Chilly weather and Joshua

Early this week was one of the first times I've had to "bundle up" Joshua when venturing outside. I just had to share it with you.


Not much else to update tonight. Please, if you will, pray for us. We have many decisions weighing on our hearts and minds.

"For he has showed you, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you:
But to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."
- Micah 6:8

Blessings!

We're goin' to Kansas City, Kansas City here we come...

I thought I'd post this picture I took today of Joshua sleeping. He slept so, so peacefully. 

I also wanted to update everyone that we have decided to go ahead and move back to Kansas City in January. Curtis will be finishing up his degree in December, so January is just about the right time for it. We are very excited to be back, closer to much family and many dear friends.

Love, 

Renee

Our big boy eats cereal!!

Let it be recorded that on August 11th, 2008, Joshua Douglas had his first real food.
He did great > he ate it up, made a good mess all over his face, bib, and high chair, and all around had a fun time. Here are some pictures....

See that mess on his bib??

He had to be the one to hold the spoon.

Here he is reaching for daddy to give him more. He is not a very patient little one.

some questions for us

What were you doing at 11:00 AM?
Renee was changing Joshua's diaper, Curtis was at work reading.

Do you have a friend that you talk to 24/7?
We are almost in constant contact with Richard Matthews, Curtis's mentor

Are you ticklish?
Curtis is only ticklish if you make it a game or surprise him.... Renee is ticklish when she wants to be... and Joshua is like his dad and wants it to be a game of surprise.

How is your hair?
Curtis's is short and dark, Renee's is blonde and medium length, and Joshua's is nonexistent

How's your life?
Can't complain! There is always something... but all in all we have a great life and enjoy it.

What do you spend most of your money on?
Bills and household items.

How long does it take for you to take a shower?
It takes Curtis 5 minutes or less, Renee 20 to 30 minutes.

Do you have plans today?
Curtis works 12 hours, Renee has plans to clean up the kitchen, do laundry, play with Joshua, go for a walk, etc.

What did you do Saturday?
Wow, that would be last week... um, I think Jessica and I went out to eat at Long John Silvers and then went to the park.

Would you make a good parent?
Well, we try...

Morning or night person?
Curt and Renee are night people.... Joshua is most definitely a morning person

What were you doing an hour ago?
feeding Joshua

Where were you friday night?
That was last night... we were home with some friends over

Catching up with Curtis, Renee, and Joshua

This blog was made for the family and friends of the Bichel family, especially those who live away from us. We want to be able to update you on what is the latest happenings with us here in Moberly... and of course, a more detailed view of Joshua's little life.

This last week has been kind of a lazy week for Mom and Baby.... Renee was sick with another breast infection, so her and Joshua rested around the house for the early part of the week. Meanwhile, Curtis has been working as much as he can to add some needed income. He is still working one-on-one with a 15-year-old boy. Although there have been some bumps in the road, he is continuing to mentor and influence at work.

Renee has come alongside some of her pregnant peers and has had the blessing of being able to educate and support them during such a special time. Praise God!

Joshua has been doing super. He can now hold his body proudly with only his arms, and roll over completely from his tummy to his back. He can sit up by himself for seconds at a time, and he is a very sociable person - he always wants to be included in the conversation where he can see and hear everyone.


That's about it for now. Feel free to comment! <3

“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”- Jeremiah 32:17

God Bless!
All our love,
Renee, Curtis and Joshua Bichel