September 2016

September was another exciting month in our household. Read on for more details.

The very first day of the month saw both boys walking into Grace Academy. This is Eli's second year attending this 2 day a week academy for home-school kiddos. They are taking science, history, Spanish, PE, and Language enrichment. The boys both LOVE it! Thad especially loves that two of his friends from church are in his class. Eli loves PE and the chance to be competitive.

In the next couple of weeks the boys started soccer and Bible Study Fellowship (with Mom). It is a blessing that both boys are on the same soccer team this year. They really enjoy soccer and it is such a great way for them to burn off all their extra energy! This is the first time the boys have been at BSF in a couple years. We are studying the book of John this year.

We continued with our all our other usual activities but Daddy added a Men's Bible Study on Monday nights. He is enjoying studying the book of Isaiah with Explorers.

At the end of the month, we headed to the Humane Society and met the next member of our family. Bella is a boxer mix (supposedly). The vet estimates her age at about 5 years old. S
he is a sweet, spunky, lover who thinks she is a lap dog. So far she is a nice fit for our family!

Marie turned three this month! I can't believe that she is three already. She is a sassy, silly, spunky girl. She loves to sing and "ride" her bike. She really enjoys her new play kitchen, food, clothes, toys, and bike. We were so excited to find out just two days after her birthday that we can finally continue the adoption process. The Court of Appeals made the decision to uphold the termination! After waiting for a year and a half for the decision we are having to pinch ourselves that it is finally over and we can move on! PTL!!!

Anna has been loving the cooler weather and often asks to be outside. She loves to swing and go down the slide as well as ride her tricycle.

Eden turned 6 months old a few days ago. She finally ate baby food and didn't spit it out. She cut her first tooth. She also goes everywhere in her walker. You have to watch out for your toes as she will run them right over!

Our house is always buzzing with activity. We absolutely love all the space we have in our new house and are finding ways to make use of every room! We are certainly blessed and are so thankful for the way God provides each and every day!!!

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August 2016

The end of summer in August doesn't mean the end of heat. Thankfully, we were blessed with many ways to keep cool this month. Read on for more details.

At the beginning of August, we made a decision on very short notice that if we could find someplace for Eden to spend a night or two we would make a last minute venture to Branson. The Lord provided by allowing Eden to stay with some sweet friends of our from church who also happen to be foster parents and without any current kiddos besides their own. So, we quickly made the necessary arrangements, packed the car, and took off. We spent one day at White Water and the next at Silver Dollar City. This was a first for both Anna and Marie and neither had any complaints (other then maybe one ride). From swimming to riding rides to getting to stay a night at a hotel, the fun was endless. We were also blessed when our friends asked to keep Eden for an extra night, thus allowing us to unpack, catch up on laundry and prepare for our yearly re-evaluation. What amazing friends!

As I mentioned above, we had our yearly re-evaluation for foster parenting. We managed to pass the inspection even though the house was not completely unpacked and filed all the necessary paperwork in order to continue on for another year. We recently received the "official notice" that we will remain open for another year!

While the temperatures stayed high, we remained cool. Thanks to Jeff and his handy-man abilities, we have a new a/c unit in the addition of our house. He spent many hours putting it together and preparing the unit so all the a/c guy had to do was hook it up and turn it on! It is a beautiful thing to be able to come in from 100 degree temps and actually get cold sitting on the couch!

The next week we got to go to Russellville and celebrate Isaiah's birthday and visit with family and friends. Then Nana and Papa came to our house and we laughed ourselves silly playing cards and telling stories.

We then celebrated with friends over the completion of Jeff's master's degree in Education. He has spent many hours the last two years working towards this goal and we are so thankful that he completed it and did it with a perfect 4.0 gpa! We are so thankful that for the most part the Lord protected his health as he worked a full-time job teaching, a part-time job teaching, and worked on his master's all while being an awesome Dad to 5 kids and an amazing husband! God is so good!

August means the beginning of a new school year. Jeff started his 6th year teaching. Eli started 3rd grade. Thad started 1st grade. I cannot believe how much the boys have grown and changed since this time last year. Sorry for all the start of the year school pics but I couldn't choose!

The boys also started their After School Kids Bible Study. They are studying the life of Joseph this semester. They were so excited after their first class that it does this mama's heart good to see her boys excited to learn more about God's Word!

Once again, the boys competed in the Kids Triathlon held locally. Thad did great this year, especially on his bike WITHOUT training wheels. Eli also did well. I am so proud of them for pushing themselves to do hard things!

The month ended with us hosting our small group. With the blessing of a larger house, we in turn are able to bless others. It is an amazing thing to be able to seat 33 people for a meal! Thank you Lord for the provision of this house and some new furniture to put in it.

September begins another crazy season of soccer so stay tuned next month for more exciting happenings in the life of the Rices!

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