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!

November 12, 2008

Fall Foliage

OMGoodness!
Flying in over east Tennessee was so beautiful! Fall has arrived here and the sight of all the colors below was just breathtaking! Oranges, yellows, reds, greens, and golds all across the landscape; when you have sand and desert landscape you forget the beauty of fall.

What a perfect time to fly!
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Okay, back to the purpose....we arrived here in Tennessee with my family. It's nice to come back (especially in fall) to see everyone! I am not so sure Ella Grace knew what was going on but when I told her she was going to see her Grandpa and Grandma she squealed with delight!

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We have been here almost 5 days and she is finding her "way in" with Grandpa and Grandma - FOOD! She will resource one of them waiting until a drawer or cabinet is opened to see what is hiding behind it. When Grandma or Grandpa opens it, Ella Grace can hardly contain herself! Of course the find is more than anything she hoped for and her squeal is a true reflection of her desire to consume it! I have given up on telling them she shouldn't have this or that....hey, they are Grandparents ~ their job is to spoil her and send her packin'!

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Yesterday we went to the park with some of her cousins ~ the pictures from our outing are below.



Sliding and climbing

Big brother Carson


Big brother Christian


Waiting to zip line Carson, Ella Grace, Carly, Caden and Christian



Time to go home.....I'm cold.

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1 comment:

Conethia and Jim Bob said...

That sounds like a TN granparent. You can never, ever leave a granparents house feeling hungry. The trees are always so beautiful here in TN. We often take them for granted. Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip.

13/11/08 07:00

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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.

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