Welcome to Kansas

...but there's no place like home!

In case you haven't already heard...we're moving to Topeka, KS!  We're getting a lot of questions, so I thought I'd do a little Q&A for you.

Q: Why are you moving to Topeka, KS?

A: Matt received a promotion within Caterpillar.  He will be the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Professional at the Wamego, KS facility, which is part of the Work Tools Division (click the link to see what the facility makes).  He will also oversee, EHS at the Waco, TX and Jacksonville, FL facilities.  

Q: Why will you live in Topeka instead of Wamego, where Matt will work?

A: Wamego is a very small town with approximately 4,000 people.  Topeka is the next large city that will provide more opportunities (regarding shopping, entertainment, hospitals, location to Kansas City, and the airport, etc).  However, it will be a 45 minute commute for Matt to get to and from work.

Q: When are you moving?

A: The official date is TBD; however, it will be the last week in August.

Q: How long will you live there?

A: Cat has asked Matt for a three year commitment.

Q:  Is Cat moving you?

A: Thankfully, yes! They will be taking care of all our moving needs.

Q: How long is the drive?

A: From Raleigh and Charleston, it's 19 hours (plus stops).  However, I hope we never have to make that drive.  (We will be flying for our final move.)

Q: Do you plan to work?
A: Yes, I am seeking a new job.  Although, I will miss my lovely ladies at MUSC!

Q: How do your families feel about the move?
A: Obviously, they are sad about us being so far from home.  However, they are all very supportive and excited about our new adventure!

Q: How do you and Matt feel about the move?
A: We are a bit stressed, anxious and excited all at the same time.  We have prayed a lot and we know this is God's blessing for us; although, we welcome your prayers for a smooth transition.  Also, I couldn't be more proud of Matt and all his hard work.


Well, those are all of the questions I can think of, but feel free to leave me a comment and I'll be happy to answer more.

Kansas State Flag...it's just not as pretty as SC's

Here are a few quick facts about Topeka:

• Topeka is the capital of Kansas
• Population: approx. 128,000
• Square Miles: 57 total city square miles (a little bigger than Cary, NC)
• Weather: they get 4 true seasons (yes, that means snow in the winter)
• Kansas City is about 1 hour east, and Wichita is about 2 hours south
• Landscape: much to everyone's surprise, KS is not completely flat.  We'll live in an area called the flint hills; which includes gently rolling, lush green hills with few trees.  It's actually quite beautiful and peaceful. 

•  It's the founding sight of Brown v. Board of Education

Don't Forget Toby:

When we move to Kansas, Toby will get another opportunity to fly.  (He did well when we moved down from IL.)  We are blessed that Toby is a great traveler!

Everyone seems to be interested in knowing how Toby feels about the move, so here's how the conversation went: 

Matt: What do you think about moving to Kansas?
Me: They have snow there, just like when we lived in Peoria, IL.
Toby: As long as Mommy and Daddy are going I'm ok with it, but I  really don't like wearing my booties.

*I have a feeling, he'll change his mind once he's in the snow again!

Here's a picture of him in his coat and booties when we lived in Peoria.

Nana's Famous Fudge

Everyone meet Nana (Rosella)!  She is Matt's grandmother (his dad's mom), and even though I'm not blood, she has always treated me as her own.  She is so sweet, loves everyone (and sports, especially Tennessee) and everyone loves her. 

Nana and Papaw (Matt's grandfather-Leon) live in Tennessee, and whenever Matt and his family would visit them over the holidays Nana always had a stash of homemade candy in the freezer.  She makes the best cakes, buckeyes (peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate), peanut butter fudge, chocolate fudge, and sooo much more.  Once Matt and I started dating, we would take trips up to see them and Nana and I would sit at the kitchen table talking while eating my favorite-buckeyes.

Over the past few years, Nana and Papaw have been able to take extended trips to Charleston...which is great because not only do we get to spend more time together, but she also brought along her candy making skills!

Now, I must say...I won't be revealing any famous recipes for you today.  For those of you who have never had Nana's candy, you don't realize what you're missing...but for those of you who have...you may be a little jealous about the following. ;)

This past weekend, Matt and I were able to spend time on Sunday afternoon with Matt's Aunt Brenda and Uncle Walt, and Nana and Papaw.  We had lunch on Daniel Island at Queen Anne's Revenge, and then went back to the house to hang out together.  As soon as we walked in, Nana tells us she's going to make some fudge and asked if Matt would like to help.  Matt's face lit up because he's always wanted to learn how to make her fudge (his favorite).  So, he finally got his chance!

Below you can see the pictures of Matt helping and taking very detailed notes.

 

I'm not sure if you know, but this is the proper way to open marshmallow puff!

Nana let us take this batch to our small group.

I can't wait to make our own! Thanks Nana...we love you!

Don't forget Toby:

Toby isn't allowed to have fudge, but he does like an occasional marshmallow treat...  

By the way, the marshmallow is on his head because he won't let you put anything on his nose.  So, we put it on his head and tell him to stay, then when we say OK, he flips it off and eats it.  He's such a good puppy! :)

 

 

Welcome to The Writing Rice!

I've been thinking a lot about all our friends and family and wanted to find an easy way to keep everyone updated on the Rices...so what better way to do it than through a blog?  

This will be a perfect way to let you know about our adventures and everything else going on with me and Matt...and don't forget Toby! :)

I'm very excited because I love the holidays, so what better time to start a new blog than July 4th...the birth of our nation!  Happy Birthday USA!!  

Below you can see how Matt and I celebrated the 4th at Lake Gaston.

We both got a chance to ski....although, I will not be posting a picture of me in a bathing suit!

My Dad knee boarding!

Haley spotted an eagle while we were boating...how patriotic (yes he does have a fish)!

My sisters, Haley and Melissa

My sisters made 4th of July shirts for the entire family...they are so cute!  We all wore them to watch fireworks...check them out below.

  

Me, Haley and Melissa

Matt's

Grandma's

Mom's...totally perfect for her...she cries every time she hears the song, haha!

One of my favorites...my Dad's!

My family on the way to watch fireworks on the boat

My parents bought glow sticks to tie on the boat to be festive (and so you could see the boat in the dark).  I couldn't get any good pictures, but my sister got a great video of my Dad using his glow necklace as a hula hoop and then accidentally throwing it overboard.  It was very funny.

Here are some interesting pictures of the fireworks...the boat was rocking so that's why they turned out the way they did.

We wrapped up our night by getting lost in the dark, on the lake trying to find out way back to the rental house.  Thankfully my Dad was able to use his GPS and we found our way back..about 45 minutes later. :) 

Overall, it was a wonderful trip and I absolutely love spending time with my family!

Don't forget about Toby:

Our sweet puppy, Toby, spent the weekend with his friends at Hannah Vet Clinic.  They are wonderful and he has a friend named Kat that comes in (even on her weekends off) just to play with him!  

Here's a picture of him in front of Matt's new ECU grill cover.

Isn't he just the cutest!?!