It's a BOY!

I'd better prepare myself for snakes and snails and puppy-dogs' tails because a little Rice boy is on the way! If he's anything like his daddy, he'll be catchin' snakes and shootin' squirrels and getting into who knows what before age 2.

I do realize that this post is a week overdue and old news by now, but for the sake of documentation, I'm writing it anyway. Of course I want to remember the details of finding out that our little Ric-a-roni is a "he." We went in a week ago today for our 20 week ultrasound. My heart was pounding as the ultrasound tech moved and pressed that wand (is that what it's called?) all over my stomach. She told us she would do the "work" first and then show us the baby. Images flashed up on the screen, but I couldn't really make out a baby. The "work" seemed to take forever, and the tech didn't really say a much as she was working. She would move the wand around, apparently locate an organ, and then label the organ on the screen: "kidney" etc.

Finally, I couldn't wait any longer: "Can you tell what it is?" She pointed to the screen and responded, "Penis. Scrotum. Could've seen it with my eyes closed!" Adam and I just started laughing. We were surprised and thrilled at the same time. Neither of us really had a strong intuition either way, but it seemed that most family members and friends were predicting girl. The Lord saw fit, however, to bless us with a little boy, and we couldn't be more excited. I just loved finding out...I feel like I know that little baby inside me so much better now.

Of course it really didn't matter if the baby was a boy or girl. We were just so, so thankful to hear that he is healthy and developing properly. I was anxious to have the ultrasound and see that things were progressing since I hadn't seen the baby since the 7 week ultrasound (and at that time he was just a little speck on the screen). Both the ultrasound tech and my doctor told us that everything looked healthy and normal and right on track. Baby weighs about 13 ounces. I think the heartbeat was around 149 bpm. I have just the right amount of fluid, etc. They kept saying, "You have an absolutely beautiful baby. Everything looks perfect." They probably tell every patient that she has a beautiful baby, but just the same, it was good to hear. Adam and I truly feel blessed beyond what we deserve. Thanks be to God for His kindness and grace! We pray that everything continues to go well throughout the rest of the pregnancy.

I should probably refer to the baby by his name! Yes, we have already got the named picked out... Luke Stevens Rice. Luke because that's been my favorite boy name since I was a child. Don't ask me why. I just like it. I'm a fan of one syllable names for boys (Luke, Jake, Will, Sam, etc) They just sound strong and masculine! Luckily, Adam's a fan too. Stevens because that's my maiden name, and I like the idea of carrying it on. Also we needed something with two syllables between the two one syllable names. Mom described his name as simple, masculine, and biblical. I like that description....

So, now it will be fun to start planning things for a boy. I've actually already picked out nursery bedding, which is a good thing since I was spending way too much time at potterybarnkids.com trying to get ideas and decide what I liked. But nursery details will have to come in another post. This one has gone on for too long.

I'll just close by saying that we are so thankful for our little Luke and we already love him dearly! I pray that God will continue to sustain his life and form him to be exactly who he is supposed to be. I especially pray that God will already be softening his little sinful heart (you hate to say that about a baby, but it's true) and preparing him to one day receive the gift of faith in Christ! Pray with us as we continue on this journey!

Spring Break...HALLELUJAH!

My Spring break has officially started, and I could not be more thankful. Let's just say that I've been counting the days until SB2011 since day one of the school semester. I don't know if my classes have required more work this time, or if it's just the combination of work/school/pregnancy, but this semester has nearly taken me out. Ok, I'm exaggerating a little, but it has been super BUSY and somewhat stressful. So, I'm taking off from work this week and going to good ole' Jackson, Alabama for a few days. My parents are actually here in the Lou now, so I am riding back south with them. We're going to stop in TN to watch Jen play some ball. Should be fun. If only we could see Sir William as well...

I'll probably be back with a post about my much needed little vaca, but for now I will leave you with some pictures of the baby bump. Since I'm still having to dress like I live at the North Pole (sigh), most clothes don't expose the slowly growing tummy. Every now and then I'll break out a tight shirt, so I figured I would document it. These were taken at 17 weeks 3 days...

In a little less than two weeks we find out if baby Rice is a boy or girl! Predictions?

Glory Thieves

Sin makes us glory thieves. There is probably not a day when we do not plot to steal glory that rightfully belongs to the Lord. Sin causes us to steal the story and rewrite it with ourselves as the lead, and with our lives at center stage. But the story of Scripture is the story of the Lord's glory. It calls me to an agenda that is bigger than myself. It offers me something truly worth living for. The Redeemer has come so that glory thieves would joyfully live for the glory of Another. There is no deeper personal joy and satisfaction than to live committed to His glory. It is what we truly need.

---Paul David Tripp

I don't know about you, but I struggle every day not to be a glory thief. Can I get a witness that it is so easy to slip into the mindset that life (even the Christian life) is about ME? The world trains us to spend all of our time and mental energy seeking my glory, my happiness, my success, and my personal fulfillment. I have been convicted, of late, that I spend far too much time seeking these things and far too little time working for and seeking the glory of King Jesus. The beautiful reality, though, is that true personal fulfillment and joy come only in living and working for the glory of the Lord. Yes, pleasant circumstances, thriving human relationships, worldly success, riches, honor and praise all may bring "happiness " for a season, but none of these things will ultimately fulfill because life isn't about me. This thing that I call "my life" is not really about my individual story. It's about a bigger story--God's story--the story of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. We will only find true joy and fulfillment when we realize that our lives are part of God's grand story, and when we begin to seek the glory and renown of Christ, rather than our own. I need daily reminders of this truth. Praise the Lord for his patient forbearance with me....

15 Weeks

I had my third prenatal appointment Wednesday, so I thought I should give a little baby update. Really, I just want to record a few things so that I can remember this stage of the pregnancy. I have yet to journal one thing! So, this post is really for me. My apologies for a lot of words and detail with no photos!

A few things...

• Like the second appointment, this last one was quick and easy! The highlight was hearing the baby's heartbeat with the doppler. What a precious, reassuring sound! Sometimes I still have a hard time believing that a little life is inside me because I haven't grown much yet, and I can't feel kicking and moving. Needless to say, the sound of that little heartbeat reminds me that this is all real and that my little Rice baby is still in there and doing well. Heartbeat was 144 beats per minute. Doctor said it is supposed to be anywhere between 120 and 160, so baby Rice is right in the middle. The old wives tale claims that anything above 140 is a girl and anything below is a boy. Of course, medical experts say that this is absolutely false, but it's fun to be a little superstitious!
• Speaking of gender, we are set to find out boy or girl on April 14! I sure hope I can wait 4 and 1/2 weeks ...I'm dying to know. I feel like most people are predicting girl, but I have absolutely no clue. One day I think girl and the next I'm guessing boy. My doctor has predicted a girl. I guess we shall see soon enough. We will both be thrilled with either.
• At my second appointment I had lost 4 pounds (a result of being constantly nauseated and not eating much). Thankfully, at this visit I was up 5 pounds (1 lb above my starting weight). This was good news! I still don't have much of a baby bump, but after eating at Panera tonight with my pants unbuttoned, I would say that I'm growing! My regular jeans have fit relatively well all week, but tonight they were just unbearable.
• Speaking of Panera, my only craving (thus far) has been their Greek salad! I.Love.it. Yes, I've always loved the Greek salad, but now I could pretty much eat one every night. Something about that dressing...yum! S0 picture me at Panera (alone, mind you, since Adam is working in Lexington) with my pants unbuttoned, inhaling every last morsel of that salad. I was literally sopping up the leftover dressing with my bread!. Yes, humorous vision, I know!
• Finally, I must say that my sweet husband has been SO wonderful during these first few months of this pregnancy. Adam has cooked dinner almost every night since I've been preggers because after work I've been just too tired and (usually) nauseated to brave the kitchen. He has dealt with my moodiness and meltdowns with much graciousness. He is already in love with this child in my womb, and I know he is going to be a great dad. I couldn't be more thankful!

Jen the Jag

My sister is such a little baller! After a short stint away, she decided to return to South Alabama and play her last year of softball for the Jaguars. She's having an awesome season so far--7 homeruns in the first 15 games! WOOHOO! I like to brag. Read more about her last tournament here....

http://www.usajaguars.com/news/2011/2/27/SB_0227112417.aspx

Jenny would object to my bragging. She would only want me to boast in the Lord, and she is right to object. It is God who has gifted her with amazing athletic ability, and He has purposed for her to use it to bring Him glory. I am so overjoyed to say that Jen is using this time in her life to make a difference for Christ both on and off the field. She is a leader to her team and is using every opportunity to point each young lady toward the Lord. I believe God is truly blessing her decision to return to South and play her last season.

But still...I have to brag...just a little!

American Saturday Night

Adam and I don't often agree when it comes to our music and movie preferences. Marriage has taught us how to compromise, though. I watch his "shoot em' up" movies and he watches my romantic chick flics, and we get along just fine. We do, however, share a common love for country music (well, most country music), particularly Brad Paisley's music. While country music can be a little (ok...a lot) cheesy and contains a WHOLE lot of bad theology, I love that the songs tell a story about life. Granted, a lot of those stories involve alcohol, lost love, and empty religion, but not all of them. I think Adam and I love country music because it reminds us a lot of where we came from. Paisley is a favorite, not only because of his witty lyrics and mad guitar skills, but because we can relate to the things he sings about in his songs. Adam said, "You feel like he's singing about you in so many of his songs." I told him that not every person feels that way, but he does because he's a good ole' southern boy who can truly relate to songs about "tractors, trucks, little towns and Mama." I understand where he's coming from. Growing up he spent a lot of time on the lake fishin' and ridin' around gettin' a little mud on the tires. Now, he spends a whole lot of time waitin' on a woman, but his eyebrows SURE aren't plucked and there's a gun in his truck (or several in his closet). I could go on, but you get the idea.

Anyway, all of that long discourse was just to eventually say that Brad Paisley came to Louisville last night, and we got to go see him in concert! A few months ago, we heard he was coming, and we both decided that was something we didn't want to miss. Luckily, we got cheap tickets and sort of had a late Valentine's day date (since we studied and ate dinner at home on the real V-day...so romantic, I know.) Besides the fact that the people next to us made us get up about 25 times during the show so they could get by to get beer re-fills, the concert was great. Darius Rucker opened for Paisley, and we enjoyed him almost as much. He has so many hits that I hear on the radio all the time that I didn't know he sang. Paisley played for 2 hours---pretty much all his hits. All in all, it was a nice night out and a much-needed break from work and school. Brad ended the show with his song "Alcohol," which was an appropriate choice since much of the crowd was...well, you know....gone!

Here are a few poor quality photos from our seats in the upper deck.

Baby, Baby!

So, the news is finally out that baby Rice is on the way. I almost made it to the 12 week point before going TOTALLY public (although tons of people already knew), but I'm married to Adam Rice. So, of course, we ended up spilling the beans slightly earlier than planned.

We are thrilled about this new season of life, but I have to admit that the whole idea of having a child is still completely surreal. In the moments when I'm actually not nauseated (which have been few and far between), I start to wonder if the little Rice-a-roni is really, truly in there! The idea of parenthood, particularly Christian parenthood, is both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. We have been given the awesome and massive responsibility of raising a child to know, love, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ! For many years of my life this child (and hopefully others) will be my greatest mission field for Gospel ministry! I am already praying for wisdom, discernment, and grace for this task...often!

Even in these first few months of pregnancy, I have been humbled and driven back to utter dependence on the grace and provision of Christ. Developing complete trust and satisfaction in Christ alone is not necessarily a fun process for sinful, self-reliant flesh. I am so inclined to try to find security in myself! This week, I have been stripped of that. On Sunday, we discovered that my car has some major problems that are costing us a significant amount of money to fix. We've been trying to get around to different jobs/classes with only one vehicle this week. On Tuesday, we found out that all the money left in our checking account had been stolen (fraudulent charges) and that we were going to have to wait a day or so to have it re-funded. Combine these things with Adam's search for a full-time job, crazy pregnancy hormones, and intense nausea, and it makes for a somewhat stressful week. I would love to say that I handled all these (very minor) trials in a godly way by remaining calm and completely trusting God's provision. I have to admit, though, that I had some melt-downs. Poor Adam. In spite of my unfaithfulness, God is faithful to complete the good work He started in me. He will not allow me to wallow in worry, anxiety, and self-pity. In His Word, God has commanded me not to worry and fret about my circumstances but to trust Him because He has promised to faithfully provide for his children (Matthew 6:25-34)! Throughout this week, I have been reminded that God is good ALL the time and that HIS provision in HIS timing is perfect. There will be hard times and trials (ours are so small compared to what some are facing) for all Christians. Life is not going to be easy, but God is sovereign, and He will take care of his children. It has been faith-building to watch the Lord provide already! He has never let us down before! So, why do I fret and worry and "melt-down" when my circumstances aren't ideal?

Matthew 6 reminds me that God knows exactly what I need in every life circumstance. He will provide all that is necessary to accomplish His purposes in me and to bring Himself glory. This applies to the great task of providing for and raising a little Rice to love the Lord! In my utter inadequacy, this gives me deep hope and deep purpose. Praise the Lord for His goodness and grace!