Favorite Things Party

One of my favorite holiday traditions is my friend, Steph's "Favorite Things Christmas Party". It is our own little spin off of "Oprah's Favorite Things". 10 of us girls get together and we all bring something that has been one of our favorite things in the past year for each person there. I absolute love it. It is a chance to try to new products and oftentimes they become one of my favorite things too. This year was especially fun for me because I didn't get to go last year due to the death of my father-in-law.

You can count on some things to be the same every year....

Bobbi will always have her gifts wrapped up really cool and I will be embarrassed by mine. (wish I had a picture of the cool bags she brought her gift in this year)

Stephennie will hug every single person when she gets there.

Steph will make delicious cream cheese bread and I will eat way too much of it.

I will get some WAY cool gifts.

We will laugh and laugh and laugh...sometimes until it hurts.

Shannon and I will get a little silly.

I will go home and thank God for bringing these beautiful women into my life.

Thank you ladies for your sweet friendship. I love each of you. And Steph, please don't ever stop inviting me.

Back from Turkey

My brother, Ld is in the Air National Guard and has been in Turkey since November. (Turkey in November, isn't that funny?) This is the 2nd time he has volunteered for active duty over the holidays so that someone else can come home. We are grateful for the sacrifice he makes for our country and VERY grateful that he is home safely.

Alli wants facebook

Alli wants to get facebook. I've put it off long enough and it's time. Randy and I decided to make her sign a contract first. So, I have copied it below in case some of you need one in the future. (I'm sure we missed some things and by the time Ethan wants facebook it will be more than just one page! ha!)


Alli Rice Facebook Contract

This contract is between Alli Rice and her parents, Randy and Sara Rice and shall begin on 01/07/2010.
The following rules apply to Alli's facebook account and computer use:
1. She has to be a friend of Sara Rice (and Randy Rice if he ever gets Facebook).
2. She can only be friends with someone she has seen face to face.
3. She cannot join any fan sites.
4. She cannot play any online games through Facebook.
5. She cannot change her status more than twice a day.
6. No profanity or vulgar language.
7. Randy and Sara must have her Log-in and Password and she cannot change either one without notifying them.
8. Computer time will be allowed AFTER all homework is done and there will be a set time to get off so that she will have adequate time to shower and get to bed.
If any of these rules are broken once, it will result in 1 week of no Facebook. If the rules are broken a second time, it will result in her losing her Facebook account.

______________________ ___________________________
Alli Rice ___________________________
Randy and Sara Rice

Also, I changed it so you don't have to have gmail to leave a comment. If you are stopping by, I'd love to hear from you.

Happy Birthday To My Sister (on the 31st)

L-Listener....my sister listens to me for hours. Sometimes about things that are really important, my hopes and dreams , my questions about faith and direction. Sometimes about things that don't matter so much, what I ate for lunch, how I need a break from my kids.

I can't imagine who I would call if I didn't have her.

I-Intelligent...my sister is so smart. She worked so very hard to pay her own way through college and graduate with high honors. Now she works for a tax accountant...what a brain! She really thinks through decisions that she makes and is not an "emotional thinker" like me.

She is definitely my "go to" person whenever I need advice.

S-Super Mom...my sister is a super mom. This mom of 4, can often be found volunteering in her kids' school, helping with Little Flowers, preparing something for something (boy scouts, teacher luncheons, you name it she does it). At the end of the day, she doesn't go to bed without tucking in her sweet children. Even when her tank is empty, she keeps on giving. She is a great example of motherly love.

A-Alli and Avery's godmother...my sister is the best godmother. She takes the role very seriously, encouraging them to grow in their faith. She definitely earned the title of "mother" with Alli as she walked up and down the hallway with me for hours never complaining. It was her face that Alli first saw that glorious day in October, thirteen years ago.

I can't imagine sharing that special moment with anyone else.

Lisa, when I think about our relationship, it makes me so glad that God blessed my girls with sisters. I hope you have a wonderful day and a year filled with God's love and grace. Thank you for the many ways you bless my life.

Merry Christmas!

We pray that you will feel the love and peace that comes only from Christ our Lord this blessed Christmas! Love, The Rice Family

The Egg Drop

Ethan had a big project for school. "The Egg Drop". When he brought home the paper detailing all the specifications, I wanted to cry. When I saw the section that said you could not use a parachute or any gases besides air, I knew I was out. I definitely do NOT have a scientific brain, so I promptly assigned Randy to help him with that one. The whole concept was to create "something" that would hold an egg and keep it from cracking while it was dropped from the window of the press box at our football stadium.

Friday was the big drop and here is his "contraption" as it was about to be dropped.Mid flight.

Ethan's teacher, Mrs. Huxman coming to inspect the egg.

SUCCESS!!! His egg did not crack! (notice all the cheering in the background...they were chanting Ethan Rice, Ethan Rice!)

Ethan and Randy had a great time taking apart a couch cushion and making a safe little home for his egg. Randy even tested it... by throwing it up in the air as high as he could (a few times) in the street. I bet our neighbors were wondering about us. In the end, it was a really cool project to be a part of. We are so amazed at all the ways our teachers here in Moundridge make learning a hands on experience for our kids. We are truly blessed and I am grateful to have a husband and son who's brains work just a little differently than mine.

A Dozen Anniversaries

I promise I will do a better job updating this blog. I'm sure some of you have stopped checking, but don't give up on me.

Today is our 12th Anniversary. I am so blessed to be married to this wonderful man. I pray that God will grant us dozens more.