The Big Four!

There are certain milestones in our lives that we reach that remind us as to why we get up each morning. For some it may be a wedding and for some, the birth of a child...or children. Today we celebrate Luke's 4th birth day. Luke's birthday , each year, reminds me of a defining moment in my life and in the life of our small family.

In April of 2004 I received word that I was going to be deployed to Iraq in October. I had been married less than a year and this period of time was going to provide a great deal of uncertainty for Amber and I. As the date for my deployment grew closer we began to prepare ourselves for what was to come. As Spring turned into Summer we began to make final preparations and as luck would have it, we were thrown another curve ball. In late September, exactly one month before I was to go on active duty, we found out we were expecting a baby. Many will say that a baby is a gift and does not involve luck, however we were taking necessary medical steps to prevent a pregnancy, so the stars had to align and the moon had to be full and God had to posses a need for a really good laugh in order for us to get pregnant.

On my 24th birthday in late October Amber and I went for breakfast, had to finalize some business with the courts and had a doctors appointment to get to listen to the heart beat of our new baby. The following day I left for Oklahoma for training and in early January I said good bye to my family, possibly for the last time, leaving behind a wife that was 4 months pregnant and rightfully scared.

After five months in Iraq I began to make preparations for my time at home, knowing I was going to cut it close to the delivery. After 3 days on the tarmac at Baghdad International Airport I finally caught a flight to Kuwait and within 24 hours made it on a plane bound for the US.

Finally we reached the big day. No one in my family knew exactly when I would be home and none of us knew exactly when the baby would be here but we all knew about when these things would take place and our hope is that we can orchestrate them together.

I landed in Dallas and quickly began making phone calls to get a ride from the airport. My father was the one that answered first so he came to get me. After the customary formalities he informed me that he needed to go to his Doctors office and pick something up and then we could go home. Still dressed in my uniform I opted to use the bathroom in the lobby and wait for him there while he went to see his doctor. He insisted I go up stairs with him and use the bathroom up there. We made our way up the elevator and when he exited I did too, still not sure where we are going. Has he went through the double doors leading to his "doctors office" there was a group of nurses that we all excited to see me and my dad stopped in front of a door and, through his giggles, said "congratulations you had a son yesterday morning". I was completely unaware of what he was trying to say until I read the name on the door " Amber and Luke Rice". Amber was unaware that I was there and up until a few seconds ago, did not realize I was a new dad. We spent that night in the hospital and went hoem the next afternoon. For the next few weeks we spent some time getting to know one another again and make an attempt to forget that I had to leave in just a few short days.

Each Year on Luke's birthday we celebrate the day that he was born and reflect on the experiences we have shared with him and each year is a reminder to me of how far I have come and the path that has brought me here. Happy Birthday Luke and thank you for all you have taught me.

"In Memory..."

In light of todays meaning I felt it only fitting I share a brief story and a request of remembrance for my fellow soldiers whom have fallen.

In the winter of 2005 we made our way by chopper to Baghdad International Airport to take our post as maintenance support for a large National Guard Unit out of Ohio. The 612th's task was to search out and destroy roadside bombs in the Army's newest machine, The Buffalo.

During our time there we met several soldiers from the 612th and they became our primary source of work. As maintenance soldiers we often saw the aftermath of IED's yet we would rarely travel outside the wire. However the stories and pictures that many soldiers returned with, gave us plenty of reason not to volunteer.

We often saw members of the 612th return banged up and wounded, but the true soldier in them appeared on the day they were allowed to return to duty...and they did so without any visible hesitation and Spc. Hodge was no different.

As his tour carried on in 2005 he saw many of his fellow soldiers escape death and return to duty willingly. Hodge was killed in combat in October of 2005 from an IED explosion. He was the only soldier the 612th lost during their time in Iraq and his loss was a difficult one to bear for them. He was an outgoing promising soldier that we will all miss dearly.

I ask that today...as we remember our fallen soldiers...we remember Spc. Hodge and the sacrifice he made. Thank you to all who have served and for the price we each have paid.

When it Rains it Pours

I am always amazed at the lack of excitement that life displays during the times that I have the ability to manage the excitement and the abundance of excitement that comes on the days that I really could do without it.

Amber and I have worked out a schedule to help make sure that our kids get to the places they need to be in the morning with little fuss and more importantly...few tears. On Tuesdays she has to get up and get Luke and Zoe ready for their respective activities for the day and therefore I take Seth to school. We all got up on time this morning and managed to get out the door early to ensure that the tardy bug didn't get him once he got to school. There was minimal waiting in the car pool line that allowed us to make a quick drop off and hasty retreat before the parents that failed to wake up early get there and begin to disrupt the flow of the carpool traffic trying to toss their children at the door of the school in hopes that they too won't get caught by the tardy bug.

As I pulled away from the school a great sense of relief came over me knowing that we made another successful,on-time trip to school, for one of the last few days of the year, unscathed. However Officer Hunter of the local municipality saw things differently.

One of the tough sells of living in a small community is that often times the local Law enforcement tends to get bored easily. Which means there will be multiple radar stations to ensure that the posted speed limit is followed and that any other infraction they should see will get their attention and they will address it accordingly.

As I passed officer Hunter he made a quick glance at his dash, a quick glance at me and an even quicker "U" turn. Immediately , excuses began to fill my mind in an effort to have one prepared accompanied with the necessary facial expression in hopes that we could just look past this minor infraction...whatever it may have been...and allow me to move on with my day that, up to this point, was just fine.

After informing me who he was and asking me for the necessary info he needed to facilitate him doing his job, we made small talk and he informed me that my vehicle inspection was expired and that I needed to remedy the issue AND that the next time I come through here I need to monitor my speed because he was able to clock me with his ray gun at an astounding 32-34 mph in a 30 mph zone, down hill. He was gracious enough not to embarrass himself by writing me a citation for doing an average of 3 over the speed limit yet he did write the citation for the expired inspection.

When It Rains, It pours!

The Begining

I have spent several hours reading into the lives of other people and their respective families through way of their blog and felt that making the lives of the Rice family transparent through a blog, could provide its readers with a little laughter, insight and the occasional story that reminds us all that the events that we believe only take place in our home, actually take place in other households, although they seem far more comical under the roof of another family than when they happen to us.

But first lets introduce the actors in this series:

My name is Mike and for the purposes of script I am the lead character. Many of these stories will be told from my point of view.

My wifes name is Amber and her and I have an odd relationship...we have to share sanity and it is very obvious on the days that it is her turn to have it. Those that follow long term will see that she uses it far more than I do.

Seth is our oldest son (9). he has reached the point in his life where the old puberty machine is starting up I fear for all of us once it gets going full steam ahead.

Luke is our middle son (3) and more of my side kick than anything. He appreciates hard work and is always full of energy, sometimes too much energy.

Zoe (2) was our big surprise and we love her dearly despite that. She shook things up a bit from managing 2 boys to now having to find an outfit that matches her shoes and hair bows. She keeps us on our toes though.

We have animals and extended family members that we will introduce as they come into their respective scenes. I look forward to sharing our lives with all those that follow.

But for now...good night all

Mike