About Our Family

El Paso, Texas, United States
We are James, Lisa, Patrick, Christian, Carson, and Ella Payne a military family serving our country via service in the U.S. Army. Jim and I have been married for 18 years and have 3 wonderful home grown sons -Patrick, Christian and Carson. We recently adopted our beautiful daughter Ella Grace Ana from Donets'k, Ukraine in September. Jim and I began our Army life together at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas and every assignment thus far has extended unique opportunities and challenges for our family to grow and learn; to become a stronger, committed, and a prepared Army family. Having recently lived abroad for six amazing years, we cannot express how thankful we are for the opportunity to have represented our great country and to discover the cultures and customs of other countries; to become close to the people and learn from them; to open our hearts and minds to the unfamiliar languages and way of life in other countries. Having now moved back to the United States, we are looking forward to discovering what new adventures await our family. Rest assured, wherever the Army sends us we will continue to serve you and our country proudly. Army life, we wouldn’t trade it!

September 27, 2008

Two Weeks Home

We have been home 2 weeks - where does the time go? We are finding our new normal and figuring out how this wonderful new combination works. We are having so much fun watching her explore new experiences. She is an amazing little girl. These are some pictures of our homecoming and of the past to weeks. Her little nose is almost all better now....




Carson, Christian and my niece Astryd waiting for us at the airport




Finally, with Papa




Ella and Patrick - her knight in shinning armor




Happy to be home




Presents for me?



I am working this new princess role



Such a cutie!


Thank you to Carly & Caden for the box full of fun and accessories. Ella loves to wear her beads, accessories and her pretty glitter shoes you sent!

Thank you to everyone who came to the airport to welcome us home and for the lovely gifts you gave to Ella. She looks adorable in all those cute outfits!

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This is our "spot" we began at the beginning of our journey in May 2007, to adopt a child from Ukraine. In August 2008, we traveled to Ukraine to bring our daughter/sister Ella Grace Ana home; and on September 12, 2008 we did just that.

While our journey to bring her home is complete, our journey together is just beginning. We will continue to keep our spot here, posting as frequently as we can; and keeping you updated on our next journey in life...maybe a second adoption is in our future.

Please join us by following us by clicking on the "Follow" link to the left and posting your notes at the bottom of any post we have made.

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