Death to Marc's website

Marc has decided to destroy www.marcvasquezonline.com in the interest of doing three things:

1. Saving money
2. Creating a new personal blog which can do pretty much the same thing
3. Linking it to this blog for better viewing by his fan club

So, with that said, if you have not gotten a chance to read our Christmas letter yet which was posted on that page, please see it below. We will have a full report on Christmas posted New Year's Day.

“Stand in awe and worship. Raise a voice and worship, come adore
the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

As many of you know, this year has been a year of rejoicing. To everything there is a season. In past years, it has seemed like we have had more times of despair than happiness. This year, God provided us with a landmark time of rejoicing.

In January, we hoped for a “child added” 2007, a new year began and Kim heading back to school at South Valley Junior High for the spring semester with her kiddos. Marc headed to the annual client conference his company helps organize events at which takes place in January in Orlando, Fla., the same weekend Kansas City was hit with its first major ice storm. Also that month we had a new addition come into our lives. . . with Marc’s father arranging for a new half bath to be installed in the basement.

In February, we watched as the Indianapolis Colts, having defeated the crappy New England Patriots, went on to win their first Super Bowl championship proving sometimes good guys do finish first. Marc headed to another client conference in Las Vegas to help launch a new product and execute a media event at the House of Blues and got to see the Cirque du Soleil show “LOVE.” Later that month we also took a baby care basics class in the hope of being able to use it soon and received the first of a few adoption opportunity “false alarms.” To help us feel better we went and registered at Babies R’ Us and Target.

At the beginning of March, we painted the nursery a new color that was a bit more pleasing to the eyes. Kim’s mom and Marc’s mom worked with Kim to complete crib bedding and nursery decorations. We had a Tastefully Simple couple’s party where we got to enjoy friends, family and food and Marc celebrated birthday number 33. In addition, we met with our case worker at Christian Family Services to discuss our situation and check in.

In April, Marc helped oversee a client symposium event in Miami, Fla., and yes, for those keeping track, that is two trips to Florida in one year for Marc. We mourned the death of our good friend Mark’s father, who left behind an incredible legacy of ministry, and Kim celebrated with friends and family at her first baby shower. We also began attending Vineyard Church and love it. It’s a place that has really helped us grow and use our gifts for God like never before.

May brought the beginning of the blockbuster movie season, and Kim organized the second annual Special Services dance at South Valley. The last weeks of school Kim prepared for summer school, her sister Jill and her husband Tony came down on their motorcycle for a visit and we hoped Kim would see her last Mother’s Day watching and waiting. . .

In June, our pool officially opened! The month also brought more bittersweet moments of wondering if we would ever hear back about being selected for the adoption of a little one. We also officially joined Vineyard Church and went through their 101 and 201 classes to get equipped for serving.

July was a big, big month. Independence Day in July brought a viewing of one of the best movies we’ve seen in years, Transformers. Also later in July, we celebrated nine years of marriage. We’ve had more than a few bumps and bruises, but we’re still on track. We went to Dave and Busters with Marc’s family to celebrate brother Nic and mom Delene’s birthday and also attended the Jeremy Riddle concert with Paul and Ann at Vineyard. Marc also attended a client conference in Washington D.C. to oversee a media event at The Willard InterContinental Hotel unveiling a new product to the media. That same weekend Kim’s mom, niece Becca and nephew Daniel came for a visit. This all was overshadowed by one major event. On Thursday, July 26, our prayers and the prayers of many friends and family came full circle. We received news that we were selected by a birthmother to become the adoptive parents of her baby set to be born September 25. We met the birthmother at Christian Family Services on Tuesday, July 31, to get acquainted and learn more about each other. It was a fantastic visit.

July was big, but August turned out to be bigger. On August 9, at 9:10 p.m., Jakob Marcus Vasquez came into the world, seven weeks early at 4-lbs, 1-oz. After calling everyone we could think of, we headed to the hospital to meet him and check on his birthmother. When we met him we both fell in love immediately with this perfect little boy. We ended up having to miss Marc’s cousin Tony’s surprise going away party which was that same weekend. Later that month both of our workplaces threw us a shower further blessing us with so many things for Jakob. The last weekend of the month Marc’s friends from Nebraska Scotte and Jason came down to hang with him and Matt for a guy’s weekend, and Marc and his friend Mark celebrated their birthdays late at the Rock the Light concert.

Beginning the Monday of Labor Day weekend we “roomed in” at the hospital where Jakob was at and took care of him under the watchful eyes of the NICU nurses. Later that week, on September 5, we had our initial adoption family court date. This month, Marc created Jakob’s first major motion picture to post on YouTube to follow up on the other short clips posted in August.

This of course spawned a Jakob movie sequel in October which was immediately posted on YouTube as well. After a short 6-week maternity leave, Kim headed back to school and Marc took a week off in an effort to keep Jakob home one more week. Toward the end of the month, with the support of friends and family, we took part in our church Child Dedication Sunday service at Vineyard pledging to raise Jakob with a Christian love that will hopefully lead him one day to make Jesus the central part of his life. Kim celebrated her “29th” birthday. . .again. Jakob started daycare and had his first Parents as Teachers visit the week of Halloween. On Halloween, Jakob went wrapped in silver material as a Chipotle burrito.

November found us getting more and more involved with our church small group and preparing for Thanksgiving. In addition, Kim and her friend Dianne celebrated their birthdays by heading to the Sprint Center to see Garth Brooks. This concert series was a Kansas City exclusive drawing individuals from around the U.S. to the sold out venues. Thanksgiving weekend we had Marc’s family to the house and it was a full day of football, catching up and enjoying being together. Jakob spent his first Thanksgiving. . . asleep. Kim also braved Black Friday and got 90 percent of the shopping done while Marc stayed back to take care of Jakob.

December is here and while we seem to become more and more busy with work stresses and things to do around the house, we’re trying to take every moment we can to focus on the birth of Christ. We’ve had cookie exchanges, dinner with family and friends and soon we’ll be around the tree exchanging gifts and introducing Jakob to Christmas Eve service and the Christmas story.

Next year will most likely prove to showcase more adventures with Jakob. In March, we will officially finalize him being part of our family. Even through the downs and especially through the ups, this year has been a real blessing to our lives. Finding a church home, rekindling relationships with family and friends and most importantly, adding Jakob to our lives gives us reason to sing praise.

May God bless you this Christmas season and into next year. Don't forget to check in with us from time to time in 2008 for updates and movies on Jakob as he continues to grow into his own personality.

“In awe of the cross I must confess.
How wondrous Your redeeming love,
and how great is Your faithfulness.”

Short but sweet

This has been a whirlwind holiday season. Needless to say, we've been slacking on our posts. Sorry about that. BUT, we're making it up to you. Head to www.marcvasquezonline.com/xmas07.html to see our Christmas letter. We've posted it online so if you want to read it you can, and if not, you can just enjoy the killer photo.

". . .and then there was a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God saying, 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and goodwill toward men.' And that's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown."

- Linus from A Charlie Brown Christmas

Turkey Santa baby

Like most posts, this one begins with a lot that has happened. In October, Marc surprised Kim with tickets to the Garth Brooks concert in Kansas City. On Monday, November 12, Kim and Dianne went to the concert which proved to be downright amazing and one of the coolest experiences for Kim. The seats were great and Kim was able to be one of the first to see an event at the newly constructed Sprint Center.

Thanksgiving went quite well at the Vasquez house. We had Marc's Aunt Sandy, Uncle Willey, cousins Gina and Tony, Marc's parents RJ and Delene and Marc's brother Nic and his wife Lindsey at the house. Jakob had been recovering from a slight fever and even though he still had a cough and stuffy nose, he was in good spirits. We spent the day enjoying time together and showing off many of Jakob's different outfits. He started out in the great My Little Turkey: Baby's First Thanksgiving outfit his Nanna bought him.










After spitting up on himself, his daddy and REALLY BIG on his cousin Gina (which consequently forced her to change clothes as well), we decided to move onto sleepers for the rest of the day. He's got tons of those. We're looking forward to updating the Baby's First Thanksgiving portion of his baby book with the words "Slept through it."






On Friday, we decided Marc would stay home with Jakob and Kim would brave the 4:00-7:00 a.m. crowds and do most of the shopping. She was a real bargain hunter and got 90% of it done that morning. After having to stand in line outside for 15-20 minutes in 18 degree temperatures, we were glad we went with this plan.


Saturday, Jakob made his first of many future visits to see Santa (after we woke him up). We put him in his "Elf in Training" outfit and he and Santa hit it off very well. He said he just wanted to be surrounded by family and friends this Christmas and hopes to receive only toys that are small, quiet and that don't require his daddy taking hours to put together. That's a direct quote.





Sunday, we decided Jakob has reached the age where he can finally take part in nursery at church. We went ahead and waited until this week to begin it, mostly so we would have the week to get information about Vineyard's nursery. We had him in his "big boy" outfit for his debut in the nursery and minutes before we left he spit up on the sweater and mock turtle neck. We then put him in his "Rockstar" onesie and jeans which . . . well . . . rocked.




This weekend we were able to catch up on a few movies (both in the Theatre and Blockbuster) that we had been wanting to see and Jakob cooperated very well with helping us make that happen. He had gotten a little better from being stuffed up a week ago but now has taken a few steps backward. He's wheezing like a little old man so we're going to try to get him into the doctor tomorrow to find out if it's anything we should be concerned about.


The weeks ahead will be filled with baby showers, Christmas parties, get togethers, family fun and so much more. Also, we're working on completing and sending out Christmas photo cards and the release of the next Jakob Marcus movie tentatively entitled, "Jakob Marcus: Real Love." Like Johnny Mathis sang so well, "It's the most wonderful time of the year."


More soon.