Greetings from the Marsh Family.

1999 was a busy year. We moved from Wichita Falls to the Dallas area at the first of January. Our house sold very quickly and turned our visions of a calm move into a mad scramble. Taking out Christmas ornaments this year we have been amazed to find unopened gifts from last year. If you didn't get a thank you note last year, it may be because we are just now unwrapping your gift! We also discovered that gourmet jelly beans are quite marginal after a year in the attic.

The important news this year is Rachel Elaine Marsh. She was born today - December 21, 1999 -- at 3:54 p.m. She started life at 8 lbs 6.5 oz. and 21 and 3/4 inches long. A wonderful baby girl. She is so snugly to hold and fits "just right" in our arms. She has a full head of light brown hair and makes the most glorious baby coo noises. As very biased parents, we can assure you that she is the most beautiful baby born this year - and possibly since our last child.

Win was accepted into a graduate program in Anesthesia and was set to start the program this past Fall. Babies are a much higher priority than graduate school -- so school will be put off until next Fall. Until then, she will be the working two or three shifts a week at Columbia Plano's Intensive Care Unit.

Heather is in sixth grade this year. That is Middle School in Plano. She is learning to play the cello and reads in every spare minute. Her current favorite books include Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy, Harry Potter and the Everworld series. Plano schools have an intensive academic program. Heather usually has 2 to 3 hours of homework each night and is already starting Algebra. We are pleased with the academic progress, but get tired of our lives revolving around Heather's homework schedule. Sometimes, I see advantages to finding a school system that doesn't push quite so hard. This has been a mild Fall, so Heather's science fair project involves our second crop of tomatoes which finished ripening just in time for Christmas. We stripped the vines right before the first frost. Our house is filled with buckets and bowls of tomatoes ranging from very green to very ripe. All visitors have been required to take a bag full of tomatoes before we let them out the door.

Heather still loves rabbits and horses. We hope to keep "boys" off her list of favorite things for as long as possible!! She isn't jumping - or even riding - this year. There are just don't seem to be enough hours in the day.

Steve replaced the back fence this Fall with a lot of help from Win's brother Ted, Ted's compressor and Ted's nail gun. (Thank you Ted!) Steve made shareholder (partner) at his firm in July and was elected vice president/comptroller for the new year. He will be teaching a class at Southern Methodist University this Winter in their graduate Arbitration/Mediation program. He likes the way "Adjunct Faculty" sounds.

As a family we had a great trip to Galveston this summer. Compared to other places, the beaches might not be the best - but we had a blast teaching Heather how to use a boogie board. Heather was so excited the first night that she couldn't sleep. She harassed her mom until she agreed to take her to the beach -- so Heather and Win ended up at the beach at 4:30 am eating doughnuts and watching the sun come up. That turned out to be a great way to start the day.

This Fall we were able to visit with the Sarciones in Colorado for a week. Steve and Heather spent their time cruising the mountains on a four wheeler. Win slept. Pregnancy and high altitude don't always mix. Her memories of Colorado consist of a comfy pillow, soft sofa, soft bed, and many naps.

We have a great ward in Plano and really enjoy the church here, it is nice to know that wherever we go, we find home. We've been busy and have had great support from friends and family.

With love, and wishes of a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

Sincerely yours,

Steve, Win, Heather & Rachel Marsh
December 21, 1999

Guestbook -- Leave a Comment

[adrr.com (mediation)]	[Ethesis]	[Surviving Loss]	[©1996-1999 Stephen R. Marsh All Rights Reserved]		[e-mail]