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 12, 2009

ONE YEAR


It has been a L-O-N-G time since I posted, but I felt today we needed to post. Today marks one year that Ella Grace Ana Payne has been home! It seems sometimes like just yesterday and other days it seems like she has always been here. She is a remarkable child and I say that not just because she is our daughter, but because I look back on this year at all of her accomplishments and just think WOW - what an amazing little person and all that she has endured in her short little life span.


So today, we will celebrate her arrival home and the coming together of our family. We are fortunate and so very blessed.

I promise to back track and fill in the gaps from the last post now that life has slowed down a bit.
We'd love to hear from you at

3 comments:

The McEacherns said...

Congratulations! I hope that we come home with two little girls as cute and wonderful as your Ella Grace! Blessings!

12/9/09 18:36
Conethia and Jim Bob said...

Happy 1 year!!! Ella is an amazing and beautiful girl! What a life she has had in her short time here. I know the future holds to many hugs, kisses and happy thoughts/memories to count! Bless you all!

14/9/09 07:52
Staci said...

I cannot beleive how much older Ella looks!! She is obviously thriving in your family!!

21/10/09 13:16

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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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