Samuel Jaylon Rice

Would like you all to meet our fourth child! Samuel was born on April 21 at 130 in the afternoon.He was 6 lb 13 oz and 19in long! He came home on Easter Sunday. Sorry I am so late to post but I am sure you can image why! Life has been a bit crazy however summer has been nice. I have been home and Michael had a lighter schedule since he taught summer school. Four kids under four, or better yet three under 19 mo. is well... Hard but good. God is better to us then we will ever deserve.
So I know what you really want to see are some pictures of us. Well we have yet to do a family portrait however we can show you a few of us.

New House

So we bought a house in Clear Lake, Texas.
We are loving it and we are trying our best to get though this crazy semester, with Michael working long hours at his new teaching job (which is hard but he loves) and me working every night of the week teaching at San Jac. God is good all the time, he is giving us rest when we need rest, He is making our marriage stronger, He is providing support with all the children, but mostly He is not leaving us to do this on our own, because we could not last a second outside of Him.
Update on baby number 4, we don't have much news which makes us sad, but we are trusting the Lord as He knits this child the way He wants them knitted.
Here are some pictures to enjoy!

Catching you up...

So our life seems to be moving much faster then I could keep up on blogging about it. All the kids are in bed right now, I find it to be a small victory if I can get them all a sleep especially at nap time.
Anyhow, we have been able to see Jennifer once since Isaiah was born and since we learned that she was expecting again. She seemed... well I am sure you can image how she might be. We have posted a picture of Jennifer with Isaiah. She is due late April early May, please keep her and our next child in your prayers, we are already terribly in love.

Other news, It looks like Michael may have a job. As some of you might have heard Michael is being laid off on Jan. 6th. He was going to student teach for free for 14 weeks however he has been able to find a job with the help of God (of course). He will be a Jr high teacher at a charter school for children in the CPS system. It is a Depelchin school and it is govern by the state of Texas so he will still be able to get his certification at the end of a paid year!!! So he is set to start after going to Austin for training on Jan. 10. Thank you for all who prayer for this.

We were set to move in with Carol, Michael's mom at the end of Jan. however we are still very much on the fence about it all. Too much change for all of us to handle. So with that being said, maybe pray that we find an amazing house that fits all the Rice tribe.

Also I have posted some home made gifts, Tilda, Evie and I made.They are stationary. Isaiah helped by sleeping while we worked. The boy is CRAZY!! All boy and no crafts makes a sad mom and Tilda. So he naps and we craft away. I also made pillows for a few family members no photo of that.

Holloween 2010

So life has been busy to say the least. Who knew 3 kids would be so much work. Wink!

So it is looking like Michael's last day of work will be Jan. 7, 2011 and he will start his student teaching the same month. It is non paying so it looks like I will step up teaching at the community college. I was hoping to teach 5 classes but it looks like I will be teaching 6 maybe even 7 classes.

We are going to stop doing Apartment life also in Jan. and move in with Michael's mom. We still deeply miss Gary (Michael's daddy) however we know that God is good and that he will give us peace. We are excited about this next chapter in our life.

Isaiah's tummy mom is due with our forth child in May, she would like me to be at the delivery and I could not be more honored. Please pray for Jennifer during this very hard season in her life. Pray that God will reveal himself to her in a mighty way.

Isaiah Is truly a Rice and talk of baby number 4

Here is a pic of Isaiah's finalization! Great day for the rices!

Also we have learned that Isaiah's birthmother Jennifer is expecting again and is due in April. As of now she would like us to raise this baby also. While we already know that we would be honored and excited about this next baby. We are in deep prayer for Jennifer as we know this is not easy for her. We are also trusting God to provide for ALL of us.

Enjoy this pics.

Another BABY!!

We had our 3rd child on July 31 at 340am after just 6 hours of labor. I got to the hospital an hour before she came! Her name is Evelyn Estelle Rice and she was 9 lb and 22 in long! Big girl but not as big as her sister. So now we have three beautiful children with the oldest being 3 yrs old!! We are so busy I don't even know where to begin, Michael is working, I am teaching 3 classes at night and we are still doing Apartment Life. I must admit that something has got to give soon, it is a little over whelming, but God is good and our children are amazing, as is our family so we are going strong and are hopeful at what the future will hold.
So enjoy some pics

a long overdue update

Not sure who even reads this any more or even checks this blog, but here is a quick update.
1. We adopted our beautiful son Isaiah Christopher Rice on Jan 7th 2010. (It will be finalized some time soon, we are hoping Aug.)


2. I am 38 weeks pregnant and due July 19th (But think I will be late like Matilda)

So here shortly we will have 3 kids under 3 years old, until Aug 16th when tilda will be 3 years old.

3. We are still doing Apartment Life Ministries. In January we will have finished 3 years and that is the length of time we thought God wanted us to serve.

4. Michael's dad passed away on March 30th and the loss has been much harder then anything we have ever had to face. He was loved and is missed greatly.

All of these updates could each have a long post of their own. But like I said at the time I am trying to cope with Texas heat while I am big and fat with a baby and trying to keep up with 2 little ones.

here are a few more pictures to enjoy: