House hunting - fun, challenging, stressful...
Some really nice ones out here...choices, choices, choices.
November 12, 2009
Update
Seem like a Monday today since yesterday was a "day off" for Veterans Day! To all our veterans and active duty - thank you for your service and for the sacrifices you have made, are making, or will make.
So far it has been a quiet week. Daddy Payne just came home from a trip to Korea and the kids (and I) are so thankful to have him home. I can remember when we were first married it was so hard to say "see ya later" when he would have a field problem (for weeks sometimes). As we grew wiser and more experienced it wasn't as difficult - until the deployment to Iraq. That was really difficult especially living overseas, but I was very fortunate to have wonderful friends and the ability to bring the children back to the U.S. to see their grandparents. Now, for some reason, just saying "see ya later" when he leaves for a trip seems more and more difficult. Sure we are able to put ourselves into a routine, but gosh it is so hard when he leaves. I pray God gives me the strength to support not only our children, but other families when he deploys again.
The kids are all doing well. Report cards came out - everyone is doing great! With the nest empty during the day (it was a hard adjustment) I was spending 3 hours shopping for groceries! Crazy! Crazy! I have since solved that issue.
I am working out regularly now - see improvements and enjoying "my time" during the day until the 3 little people come home...then I enjoy hearing everyone trying to talk at once and tell me about their day at school - BEFORE the arguing begins! LOL
Birthday's and Thanksgiving are right around the corner - I can't believe it!
So far it has been a quiet week. Daddy Payne just came home from a trip to Korea and the kids (and I) are so thankful to have him home. I can remember when we were first married it was so hard to say "see ya later" when he would have a field problem (for weeks sometimes). As we grew wiser and more experienced it wasn't as difficult - until the deployment to Iraq. That was really difficult especially living overseas, but I was very fortunate to have wonderful friends and the ability to bring the children back to the U.S. to see their grandparents. Now, for some reason, just saying "see ya later" when he leaves for a trip seems more and more difficult. Sure we are able to put ourselves into a routine, but gosh it is so hard when he leaves. I pray God gives me the strength to support not only our children, but other families when he deploys again.
The kids are all doing well. Report cards came out - everyone is doing great! With the nest empty during the day (it was a hard adjustment) I was spending 3 hours shopping for groceries! Crazy! Crazy! I have since solved that issue.
I am working out regularly now - see improvements and enjoying "my time" during the day until the 3 little people come home...then I enjoy hearing everyone trying to talk at once and tell me about their day at school - BEFORE the arguing begins! LOL
Birthday's and Thanksgiving are right around the corner - I can't believe it!
November 7, 2009
We Are Safe....
First a HUGE thank you to all of you who sent emails or called wanting to know if we were okay. Yes, we are fine - we are stationed at Fort Bliss which is about 8 hours away from Fort Hood. While we are all physically okay, our Army Family is saddened by the tragic event at Fort Hood and ask that you pray for our extended family.
October 6, 2009
Still Sick
Christian is still sick. I took him to the SFMC today - thank you Dr. Yeary! He is now on antibiotics and a cough medicine. Hopefully, he will be feeling better in a couple of days.
No, it was not the swine flu!
September 30, 2009
A Beautiful Fall Day....
I love cool crisp mornings! Coffee outside and watching all the joggers go by - knowing I finished my workout at 0615 is so satisfying!
Christian still sick - I think he has the flu.
September 29, 2009
September 28, 2009
Say It Isn't So...
I did NOT accomplish my mission today. I fell short by a trip to the post, UPS and ToysRUS for a return. Oh well, I did manage to finish the grocery shopping to the tune of $391.78! I feel pretty good though - I saved $113.50 with 91 coupons bringing my total down to $277.50! Not bad for groceries in our house for 2 weeks - remember who I am feeding (3 growing boys, hubby, and Ella Grace who eats like a growing boy!). I wrapped up a few phone calls of the pending several and I picked Christian up from school early since he had a migraine.
On to tomorrow with a new list!
Ahhhhh Monday
Monday - again.
I am armed with my list and ready to go - I am going to fit all my errands into today so I can stay home and clean out closets, drawers, and cabinets this week.
First, groceries followed by Target, PetSmart, Phone Calls, and then dinner prep.
September 25, 2009
Change
The weather is changing and it is lovely!
Time for fall clean out! If it was not used it is gone...in the fall yard sale of course. Then, wipe it all down and rearrange it all.
Time for changing around of the furniture to. I have a difficult time leaving rooms the same for long periods of time - so if you hear me shuffling furniture around at 2:00 a.m. - go back to sleep!
September 21, 2009
Manic Monday
Would it be wrong to fit EVERYTHING into one day - today (Monday) so I could have the rest of the week off?
September 20, 2009
This weekend we caught up on some much needed family time. We also ran a few errands and bought a new family board game for "game night" before bed. The kids all bathed early and are ready for some hang out time, with the game on in the background (of course).
Have a great start to the work week everyone!
P.S. Carly, Ella Grace wanted you to know she bought some shorts like yours. She can't wear them to school unless they are under her dress - the teacher clued me in that her panties are showing during gym time. Guess with boys you don't have that issue!
Have a great start to the work week everyone!
P.S. Carly, Ella Grace wanted you to know she bought some shorts like yours. She can't wear them to school unless they are under her dress - the teacher clued me in that her panties are showing during gym time. Guess with boys you don't have that issue!
September 19, 2009
Blogging More...
Okay, I am going be begin blogging more...
Should we begin with last week? I had a conference on Wednesday with Christian and Carson's teachers...outside of the tendency to "finish first" and turn their test quickly they are adjusting very well and enjoying their new school.
Ella Grace....my heart aches! The first week, someone pushed her down "my friend" she says and she has a "cut" on her forehead that requires stitches! These people in the ER know me by first name - something is wrong with that! Second week of school, is going great - on green (behavior indicator for parents) all is well and she seems happy. Third week of school - HOLY COW what happened!?!?! My sweet little girl is on ORANGE (not a good color) with remarks "not following direction and not listening." Then, I receive a call from the school - Ella Grace took her skort and panties off on the playground and tinkled....oops! When we ask her why she just says, "I not suppose to?" - I don't think she fully comprehends how to explain why she did or didn't do something. I am sure it will come in time, but she is just not there yet. I really wanted to say - be glad it wasn't number 2! So Friday, I was approached by her teaching staff (conference set for later in the week) that perhaps we should think about counseling for her.....WHAT?!?! She is 5 - she has a grasp of the English vocabulary, but it is still developing and this whole school thing is new to her - can we not give it a chance to work before we send the kid off to counseling?!?!? Come on bloggers, friends and family post your thoughts...
Should we begin with last week? I had a conference on Wednesday with Christian and Carson's teachers...outside of the tendency to "finish first" and turn their test quickly they are adjusting very well and enjoying their new school.
Ella Grace....my heart aches! The first week, someone pushed her down "my friend" she says and she has a "cut" on her forehead that requires stitches! These people in the ER know me by first name - something is wrong with that! Second week of school, is going great - on green (behavior indicator for parents) all is well and she seems happy. Third week of school - HOLY COW what happened!?!?! My sweet little girl is on ORANGE (not a good color) with remarks "not following direction and not listening." Then, I receive a call from the school - Ella Grace took her skort and panties off on the playground and tinkled....oops! When we ask her why she just says, "I not suppose to?" - I don't think she fully comprehends how to explain why she did or didn't do something. I am sure it will come in time, but she is just not there yet. I really wanted to say - be glad it wasn't number 2! So Friday, I was approached by her teaching staff (conference set for later in the week) that perhaps we should think about counseling for her.....WHAT?!?! She is 5 - she has a grasp of the English vocabulary, but it is still developing and this whole school thing is new to her - can we not give it a chance to work before we send the kid off to counseling?!?!? Come on bloggers, friends and family post your thoughts...
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.
July 5, 2009
OUCH!!
Patrick was out running today listening to his iPod as he usually does. Then, out of nowhere, his iPod fell out of his arm snuggy and crashed to the ground.
Needless to say the ground won and Patrick is without an iPod. It will cost $200.00 to repair - he is asking if anyone wants to help him out to send visa cards (the kind you can by at Walgreens) to him or make a donation to his account through USAA gift giver....email for account or mailing address:
Thanks in advance for any contributions!
One Birthday Closer...
...to being a teenager!
Christian celebrated his 11th birthday today with a trip to Peter Piper Pizza and chocolate cake!
Tuesday, we will celebrate again with a party at the theater.
We will see "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs"
each child will receive 1 kid pack (popcorn, coke, & candy), and we have use of the party room for food/cake/and presents! Christian is really looking forward to Tuesday!
P.S. On a side note, I am not liking the growing up part of this kid thing....I cry every birthday!
July 4, 2009
Happy 4th of July
Happy 4th of July to everyone!
As a military family we are very sentimental and proud of this day and of our soldiers. airman, and sailors who protect and defend our country and those who need our help. Thank you to the local, state and federal employees who serve our great land!
This is Ella's first Independence Day - for us it has such a special meaning that one day she will fully understand is more than just hot dogs and hamburgers grilling on the grill, more than just fireworks and sparklers in the night - although it is a great way to celebrate!
June 29, 2009
Where are you from?
Yesterday, I went to Verizon to change out my blackberry (long story) and as I was at the counter being helped I hear this conversation:
Ella: "Where are you from?"
Lady: "I am from California, where are you from?"
Ella: "From the orphanage."
Lady: "Oh, oh okay is it nice there?"
Ella: "No, I no like it in the orphanage, I have family now."
At this point someone walks over to help the lady and she walks away....
We have explained to Ella she is from Ukraine, but she always says she is from the orphanage.
June 22, 2009
Mommy why....
Okay, we have all (many of us) been through the "why" stage. Most of the "whys" we can answer...
Why does Izzy pee outside and not in the potty?
Why does Thor eat off the floor?
Why do we eat?
Why do we clean the house?
Why does daddy go to work?
Easy enough, right?
Well, what about these:
Mommy, why did I live in the orphanage?
Where are my baby pictures?
Did I grow in your belly?
She is 5! She gets she didn't live here forever and she gets there are not any "baby" pictures of her sitting around the house. How did you answer these?
I said, "Because a long time ago this wonderful lady carried you in her tummy and brought you into the world. She tried very hard to care for you - to give you food, clothes and a place to live. She loved you, but realized she was not able to take care of you like she wanted to. She took you to the orphanage and asked the ladies there to care for you, to give you food, clothes and a place to live, and they did until daddy and mommy came to bring you home."
She often asks now if Christian and Carson lived in the orphanage or if daddy and mommy lived in the orphanage. I know in her mind she is trying to put this picture together. I have to admit, I thought these questions would come a bit later.
June 12, 2009
June 2, 2009
19 Years Ago...
...I married my best friend
and today, we celebrated our friendship, love, and our committment.
Where did 19 years go?
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