It’s been a tough week around our house. We received disappointing news on the job front for Bryan. It’s been very discouraging for both of us. I am challenged to remain hopeful and trusting in God’s plans as we continue to struggle. At this point in time, I really just want the wait to be over. I know we are not alone, but it feels that way most days. Please continue to pray for us.
Around the Ries household, we are very thankful for the change in weather! This past week has been full of “perfect” days to spend outside. The only downside has been the numerous mosquitos from the previous week’s rain. However, it’s easy to remember that they don’t carry malaria and then I’m happy again.
Yesterday, we visited Gentry’s Farm, a working farm established in 1849, near our home for a fun fall afternoon. They had chickens, ducks, a turkey and goats to observe behind pens. It sorta reminded us of Togo, but not really. 
We also walked through a corn maze and took a hayride. Here are some pictures from our adventure! Just for fun, check out last year’s
Pumpkin Patch pictures and compare the boys’ heights!
The Ries Family
Isaac: How Tall this Fall?
Graham: How Tall this Fall?
Owen: How Tall this Fall?
Graham is lost in the corn maze!
The boys start their search for the perfect pumpkin.
At Gentry's Farm, there is a huge patch where you can pick your own pumpkin!
Hello to all 12 of my faithful readers! At least that’s what my stat report is telling me.
What’s new with the Ries family? School and sports are in full swing. The boys all like their teachers and classmates. They are also playing flag football. It brings me a lot of pleasure to watch them in their jerseys.
My pregnancy is going well. I am over the extreme nausea and have my appetite back again! Since I am working full-time I am tired during the evenings, but I am thankful that I have work. Did I mention that we are expecting another BOY!!? We are very excited and spend a lot of time thinking up names. Nothing has caught our attention yet.
Bryan completed his accounting coursework in August and is currently studying for the CPA exam. He takes the first section in October. He has had several interviews this month, so hopefully he will land a job soon. We are so thankful to our family and friends who have helped us through this tough financial time. Keep praying for the right job for him!
Thanks for staying tuned. Blessings!
This summer has been an interesting one! We’ve been blessed with visits from 2 families from our former mission team. Certainly this has been the highlight of the summer for our family! Unfortunately, during the Reeves’s visit I was at my sickest with my pregnancy. However, David, Becky and Bryan all shared meal time responsibilities and made it easy on me. During the Miller’s visit, Andrea made pancakes for the crew on Saturday morning. I am blessed with some great friends!!! Here are some pictures from our times together.
Elijah & Graham
Isaac & Hannah
Me & Becky
Gabe & Owen
A Coke & A Smile
- Bryan & David
- Miller & Ries Kids
- Bryan, Tracey, Andrea & Matt
- Graham & Aidan
- Me & Abby
Around the Ries household we have a tradition of taking “nice” pictures of the boys around birthdays. However, I didn’t take them for Owen and Graham’s birthdays in January and March due to the cold weather. (I know, I’m used to a tropical climate!) So, today was the day for all three boys to have their nice pictures made by mom. I don’t have a fancy camera or anything, but I think they turned out nicely. Here are my boys ages 11, 9 and 5.
As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been so sick during this pregnancy. I’m in week 13 and I keep hoping the nausea and vomiting will subside. However, I’m not seeing much change. I’ve already lost over 20 pounds and I throw up at least one meal a day. I am typically “out of commission” for about 6 hours every day. This is difficult considering that I’ve got three energetic boys at home that need food and water at the very least! So, I put the pressure on my ob/gyn to prescribe for me an anti-nausea medication that won’t knock me out. I was given the run-around due to the fact that my insurance won’t cover the expensive pills. My grandmother came to the rescue and offered to cover the cost of the meds. (The generic brand is $12.50 per pill!) So, with much hope I filled the prescription on Monday. I took one when the worst of my nausea hit – around 3 pm- and I didn’t really notice much of a change. Then I took a second one around 7 pm. Not much change, but I didn’t vomit before bed. So, that was a positive! But the hope that I had that all the yuckiness would be wiped away did not happen which brought me to tears. Yesterday, I took the pills again in the afternoon when the worst of my nausea hit. A noticed only a slight improvement compared to how I’ve been feeling, but once again I made to bed without vomiting. So, at least it’s helping on that front. Today, is day three of the meds and I hope that it’s effectiveness gets better over time! I am ready to get my appetite, my energy and my strength back. I’m also praying that my sweet baby is getting everything it needs to grow strong and healthy.
I’d love to hear your stories about pregnancy- especially nausea and vomiting and what worked for you!
I’ve been blogging often about our struggles with relocation. It’s been hard on so many levels. But, I want to take some time today to share with you some of our blessings during this time. We have had friends…lots of friends…give to us financially to help us through our “lean times”. This money has come without our asking, but from their generous hearts.
A check slipped into Bryan’s pocket with a whispered prayer.
A phone call to let us know that a check is on the way.
A group of friends from Harding who pooled their resources to get us through the summer.
We’ve also had some family members give us financial gifts, take us grocery shopping or pay for the boys’ sports programs. I am amazed and humbled at how God has used these special people to reach out to us during this tough time. I will be forever grateful. Thank you! You know who you are.
It’s been awhile since I’ve posted, but I have a very good reason!! I’m pregnant and I’ve been sick with nausea every day for the past month. (I’m due Jan. 29th) I was never this sick with my previous pregnancies! I’m just now starting to turn a corner and feel the energy to write on my blog. I also have job as a teacher’s assistant for the upcoming school year. I am very excited to work at the same school where Graham and Owen attend. Please continue to pray for Bryan as he attends school full time. He’s been such a huge help around the house during my sickness. He’s got a lot on his plate these days. Much love, T
Our family has been on an incredible re-entry journey this past year! Many of the bumps in the road were expected, but many were not foreseen. God has continued to bless us through it all.
We have encountered our biggest struggles in the job market. Where do we want to work? Who will hire us? Etc. This has been especially true for Bryan. After many conversations with mentors, family, and friends he has enrolled in a 13 week Certificate in Accountancy program at Lipscomb University. This will enable him to have a skill set that is desired and easily recognized. Hopefully, he will secure an entry-level accounting position this fall and begin to study for the CPA exam. We are still living in a tight financial position and ask for your prayers as we “hang-on” a little bit longer. Please pray for our family’s strength, endurance and spirits as he tackles this new direction.
The Ries boys have been very busy lately! Here are some photos of their activities.
Graham chose Steve McNair as his historical figure to research and present at the Living History Museum.
Isaac and a few of his Bucanneers teammates.
Owen and one of his soccer buddies.
My three athletic sons!
Isaac made the A/B Honor Roll for the school year!
Graham at his desk during the year end party.
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