RANDOM PICTURE CHALLENGE...28th picture August 2008

Bryna Mae....floating....or maybe she was hanging on for dear life....in the ocean....Gulf Shores Alabama!

Random Picture Challenge created by Brittany!

Great Minds Think and Giggle Alike!

NPayne and I had a delightful mexican dinner alone last night. Our babes had been begging to spend the night with their grandma, so we happily obliged. We dropped them off and then headed to a restaurant near grandma's house....a restaurant we never visit....because grandma lives about 30 miles from us. While we were gorging on, I mean eating, our chips and salsa and talking with each other; we both stopped talking at the exact same time as if straining to hear something...which we were.....remember this post.... I am an eavesdropper...especially at restaurants, so it's not unusual for me to strain to hear something. Again simultaneously we looked at each other, and as I made eye contact with NPayne....he had a grin on his face....it's a familiar grin; so I knew we were both thinking the same thing. I then said...."LISTEN!" And he just nodded, then I said..."What song is that?" And he said, "It's 'HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE'" in SPANISH! We both giggled as we finished our dinner dinner. I continued to giggle throughout the evening as NPayne attempted to sing 'HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE' in Spanish....the only thing he got right was the word AMOR which means LOVE! I guess if your husband is going to serenade you in Spanish, and you can only understand one word....that's the word you definitely want to understand....I AMOR you too honey!

Should I Be Alarmed???

My girls and NPayne have been watching American Idol for the last few months. I have not been keeping up with it and have never really watched it. NPayne started watching last season, so he would be "in the loop" when everyone at his office was talking about who they liked best, etc. Music is a big part of our day to day life....we listen to music basically all day, my girls all love to play instruments; and I even have a few dancers and singers among the 5 children. Cal also really likes music, and music therapy is one of his favorite things to do. NPayne is really into music, and he use to be quite the rock 'n roll type.....oh who am I kidding....he still is quite the rock 'n roll type....just with shorter hair and 5 children (wink wink). He likes all sorts of music, but what he really likes are musicians who can write great songs and who can play an instrument really well....I mean really well. His love is the bass, but he is....in my opinion....a really great drummer as well. Our house is full of all sorts of instruments, and it's something that I really love about our family....our love for music. When folks talk about playing "Guitar Hero" on their WII....NPayne says, "We don't have a WII. We have the real thing" referring to our kids playing the drums, piano, guitar, etc. I am a person who is often moved to tears by a song, and I worship through music daily. As you listen to the music on my blog, you can probably tell that I LOVE Contemporary Christian music; but I do like many other types of music as well. But I will have to admit, that I am not a hard rock fan....as is NPayne. Tonight the kids and NPayne were watching the finale of American Idol, and although I hadn't watched all season; I was watching with them. I thought it was kind of fun seeing the many famous musicians from my genre and before. As each former contestant came on stage, he/she sang a song with someone famous....Keith Urban, Cyndi Lauper, etc. When the contestant Adam, who was one of the final 2, came on stage....I asked NPayne...."What famous musician do you think he will sing with?" NPayne gave a few guesses...then Adam started singing "Beth" by KISS! Now NPayne is a huge KISS fan....which sort of makes me giggle for some reason that I can't explain, so I said, "It's going to be KISS!" He said, "NO it won't!" But it was....out came the guys from KISS (NPayne pointed out that there were only 2 original members....like I would have known the difference). Anyhoo....the girls were all watching in sort of a fascinated like way, because honestly they had never seen KISS or really any rock bands before. THEN....I heard the following statement come out of Drew's mouth....

"I like the tongue guy!"

HELP ME HENRY....that is NOT something you want to hear your 8 year old daughter say EVER! Good Golly Miss Molly!!! Maybe she has the rock 'n roll bug....after all she is my child who plays the guitar! Should I be alarmed? HAVE MERCY!

When NPayne showed the girls his guitar with the KISS sticker on it, Elliot took one look and said...."It's scary!" Now that's what I want to hear coming out of my daughter's mouth....GOOD GIRL BABY! Darn tootin' it's scary and don't you forget it (wink)!

40 for 40

On May 9th, a good friend of ours, Steve celebrated his 40th birthday by attempting to run 40 miles in 8 hours. Now your first thought might be the same as mine was....Why in the world would anyone do that? Of course I am not a runner at ALL, so I can't even begin to imagine running....walking....biking....or doing anything but driving 40 miles! Steve's goal was to run 40 miles in 8 hours and take plegdes from his friends and family. He wanted to raise money for a local charity in our city GRACE....it's a large charity which provides tons of assistance to low income families or families who have fallen on hard times. One of the things they do is provide housing for people, mainly single women, who are trying to get back on their feet. It's truly a WONDERFUL thing, and they are funded basically by community support. When he mapped out his route, he asked us if we would be a pit stop for his run. WOW!!! We were truly humbled and honored to help out in this way, and we were really excited. Steve started his run about 2:00 am. YES, I said, 2:00 AM; so he could finish at 10:00 am. NPayne made signs and posted them throughout our neighborhood and along his route.
Steve first came to the " Payne Pit Stop" about 7:45 am. One of his co-runners, who happened to be Kenda our pastor's wife, would run ahead and get his gel packs and water and stuff ready for him; so he wouldn't have to stop to do all of that. Each time they would come back around, she would run ahead and get everything ready for him. He had different companions running with him throughout the 8 hours and sometimes he ran alone.

Addi and Elliot waiting for Mr. Steve to come by, so we could cheer him on, as he approached 10:00 am! He really seemed to enjoy the cheers, although I wouldn't doubt that he may have been slightly delusional and completely delirious by the time he reached our pit stop.

Each time we would see Steve and Kenda at the end of our block, NPayne would walk Drew and Bryna down to meet them. Then the girls would run up the block with Steve and Kenda. The girls LOVED it, but I think it really gave Steve the extra boost he needed.

Here are the girls, Kenda and Steve approaching the "Payne Pit Stop"!

Cal giving Mr. Steve a high five for a job well done!!!

Elliot waiting to toot her horn in celebration of Steve and his running companions big finish!!

At the end of the 8 hours, Steve was joined by his family (wife Kristi in the red tank, son Grant, daughter Reagan in the purple, daughter Audrey behind Kristi), several friends, and my Drewby (running alongside her buddy Reagan).

Crossing the FINISH LINE at the housing authority! HE DID IT!! I never doubted he would, but Help Me Henry....I can't begin to fathom running for 8 hours straight in the middle of the night nonetheless!!

CONGRATULATIONS to Steve and all of the people he helped by doing this run!! What a blessing!

He doesn't even look that tired!!!

Okay....well maybe he looks a little tired!!!

Steve ran 41.73 miles in 8 hours and took pledges for about $7000.00!

When he told the people at GRACE and the housing authority what he wanted to do for his 40th birthday, I imagine they fell on their knees as well....but not because they were exhausted....but because of how the glory of God was shown today. The housing authority was nearly out of money....isn't it amazing how God lays something on your heart right when it's suppose to happen? I pray that next time God lays something on my heart, I am as open to it and pay as close attention to it as Steve did!!! It was a blessing to be a part of this....even in such a small way as being a "pit stop"! It touched my life, NPayne's life and our children's lives! We are changed, in a better way, because of the good deed of our friend!

It was a wonderful experience to be there watching them cross the finish line....watching those women, some weeping, who were going to benefit a little longer from his generosity.

Now do I think NPayne will want to run 40 miles on his 40th bday.....FAT CHANCE, but he may be motivated to reach out in another way and that wouldn't surprise me! And since my 40th has already passed, I'm out of the woods (wink wink)!!!

Welcome to this week's session of Not Me Monday....created by MckMama....for those of us who really need to get something off of our chest that we most certainly DID NOT do and wouldn't dream of doing!!!

1. This week, I did NOT clean out my suburban only NOT to find tons of trash, crayons, jackets, dirty socks, empty water bottles and much more. As I was loading Elliot into her carseat and noticing that she needed a tissue, I DID NOT use above mentioned dirty sock to wipe her nose...well because I just wouldn't do that...that's just plain gross! GET A TISSUE FOR PETE'S SAKE....I always wondered....who is Pete?
2. On Saturday, I did NOT slide down the gigantic slide with Elliot perched on my lap while at the Street Festival, and I did NOT nearly hyperventilate while climbing up those thousands....okay hundreds....well if you must know....about 50 steps....while lugging my sweet little bundle of joy and the hemp sack that you sit on with me. Then she did NOT say...."AGAIN!" as I was still trying to catch my breath. I did NOT then hand her over to her big sister and let her hyperventilate, I mean enjoy, climbing up those thousands....hundreds....about 50 stairs. And of course she was NOT at all out of breath!!! I did NOT attribute that to the fact that she's a mere 12 year old, and I am NOT a mere 12 year old!
3. I did NOT let my girls take off their flip flops and NOT dance in the streets at the Street Festival...and I did NOT get completely grossed out when we had to wash their "grocery store feet" before we could even put them in the bath, because they were NOT so disgustingly dirty. I am NOT a fan of feet, and that is a real NOT!
4. I did NOT thoroughly enjoy watching and listening to my 8 year old Drew play her first piano recital, and I WAS NOT EXTREMELY PROUD OF HER when she won an award for practicing the most....I did NOT then tell her that all that practicing paid off, and she did NOT completely agree; because she is NOT THE MOST COMPETITIVE PERSON in our house! NOT DREW!!!! YES DREW!!!
5. I did NOT jump for joy when the man that was running the little train ride at the Street Festival agreed to let Cal ride it, even though he was too big, and I did NOT jump for joy again when Cal agreed to ride a few more rides that he has never ridden before. I was NOT thrilled to see him branching out a little!
6. I was not the least bit IRRITATED when the fresh out of college, with no children of her own, and a whopping 22ish years old, long term sub....in Drew's class....got a little self righteous and used that "I know more than you do" tone with me. I did NOT want to tell her in a nice but EXTREMELY FIRM voice that she really doesn't know more than me, and once she's had 5 children and taught school for 20 years then she might could cop that attitude; but it is still very unprofessional and quite IRRITATING! I am not thrilled that Drew's, regular classroom teacher, will be back from maternity leave for the last week of school....NOT ONE BIT THRILLED!!!
7. I am NOT ready for summer, so I can have my children all to myself and NOT have to deal with 22ish year attitudes!

That's it for this week....see you next week!

Can You Say Street Festival?

We live right in the middle of downtown in a fairly large city. Where we live is the historic part of the city, and it is very quaint and has a wonderful small town feel. Two times per year....we have a street festival, and since we live right down the street from Main St.....we go ALL WEEKEND LONG! There's lots for the children to do and tons to see! NPayne and I always enjoy it almost as much as the buttercups! We're HERE!
MMMM.....MMMM.....Ice Cream!
BRAIN FREEZE and some dirty feet!!

Don't wanna spill any.....

Sisters having fun together!

Weebles Wobble....I want one of those teeter totter contraptions for our backyard!!

Lookin' oh so stylish in the tea cups!

Waiting our turn!!!

HELLOOOOOO!!!!!!!

HELLOOOOOO!!!!!!!

What are they looking at?

Oh, they are looking at Drew and Cal in The Funhouse!!

THE BIG SLIDE!!!! Fun or Scared???? "Frightening" as Bryna said, but she rode it again!

I want one of these for our backyard too!!!

Ending the evening with a little dancing in the street to the live music!!!

Walking home after a fun evening at the street festival!

Random Picture Challenge September 2008....18th Picture

This week's Random Picture Challenge, hosted by Brittany, honored the 18th picture of your September 2008 picture folder. September is a wonderful month at our house. Both Bryna and Elliot have September birthdays. This year we doubled up, and they had a celebration together....Bryna's 5th birthday and Elliot's 2nd birthday. It was a ROYAL GARDEN PARTY theme! On the day this picture was taken, we were outside taking pictures for their invitations and thank you cards (which we make).....here you can see Bryna is teaching Elliot how to curtsy! What little ladies I have....or should I say what little princesses I have!!!! These 2 are definitely the girliest girls in The Payne house, as for the other 3 ladies of the house, not so much!!!!

Meet The Nash Family

We live in a big city with a small town feel which I really LOVE....downtown we have an Opry House, a real live Main Street where they hold parades, festivals, concerts and all sorts of great things for children. We also have a working farm nearby....remember it's a big city, so this is a unique attribute....a working farm right smack dab in the middle of the city. On the farm, lives the Nash Family....hmmm....I found myself humming the tune to "Old McDonald" when I typed that...."And on this farm, there lived The Nash Family, E-I-E-I-O!" Anyhoo....I don't know what their real name is, but that's the name I have given them. The Nash family consists of a mama, a daddy, a toddler (who I think is a boy) and a pet dog....the interesting thing about The Nash family is that they're scarecrows!!! Yes, I mean perched atop a large stick standing out on the farm to scare crows. Do they actually scare crows???? I honestly don't know, you would have to ask them; but they sure do look darn cute and not one bit scary. I do wonder if they wish for a brain, or a heart, or whatever it was that The Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz wished for. We drive by the farm and The Nash family just about every day, since it is walking distance from our schools. The Nash Family is always hanging out (LITERALLY....geesh I crack myself up sometimes), scaring off crows, or whatever it is they do. They are always dressed very stylish and oftentimes their clothes and accessories coordinate with the upcoming holiday or season. I wish I had taken a picture of their little one when he was just a baby, because I'm here to tell ya....it was so stinkin' cute....Mrs. Nash had him all swaddled up in a sling; but as you can see....he's growing up way too fast as all children do....sniff sniff! I do know, from reading an article in our local paper, that this is Mrs. Nash's second marriage....as her first husband (who will remain nameless out of respect and, because I have no clue what to call him) was destroyed by vandals leaving her completely brokenhearted and alone....you might be snickering as you read this, but I know that part is true! Poor Mrs. Nash, BUT then someone had the brilliant idea to introduce her to Mr. Nash (the dashing scarecrow of a man) and wouldn't ya know it....they hit it off fabulously. Was this an arranged marriage? Frankly I have no idea, and it's none of my beezwax! They were united in a scarecrow marriage...and not too long after....they welcomed baby Nash. I know what you're thinking.....and I have no idea what the gestation period for a scraecrow is, so it's really none of our business :)! Since then, my family has enjoyed watching The Nash family add a pet to their family as well. It's always interesting to see what Lil' Nash is doing when we drive by. In the picture, you can see that he's attempting to climb a ladder, as mothers....we might think that seems unsafe....but what's acceptable in their home doesn't have to be acceptable in yours :)! As things change and evolve with The Nash Family, I'll keep you updated! For now, try to enjoy my "drive by" picture I took of them the other day....actually it was a "Stop in the middle of the lane and take a quick photo while holding up traffic picture!" Nonetheless I got a picture.

The Nash Family

Wordful Wednesday

Gulf Shores Alabama....if you haven't been there, GO!!!!

If you have been there, GO again!!!!

For more Wordful Wednesday, visit Angie's blog!

If you have been praying for the Freeman family and their sweet little Kayleigh, you know that their prayers were answered last night...but not in the way they had intended....Yes Kayleigh was healed...but not on earth....she was healed as she entered into the presence of our Lord. She finally left the hospital but not with her earthly family. Their hearts are broken, and their grief is deep and painful. Please pray for The Freemans as they grieve the loss of Kayleigh. It's so hard to remember that God is in control, and He will bring good out of sorrow. Below is what Adam posted to his sweet angel, Kayleigh, after she left this earth....

"Kayleigh, we know our life on earth is just a spec of time compared to the life we have in eternity with you and our Lord. We look forward to the day that we can pick you up and swing you around, dancing, singing and worshipping together. I am sure that your journey to Heaven was greeted with many open arms. We are so very proud of you for everything you have done in such a short period of time. You've showed us what strength truly is, what determination truly is and what love truly is. There will not be a day that passes that we won't look at your photos and remember how awesome you felt in our arms. Your soft skin that brushes our lips and your tiny little hands that grip our fingers for comfort will always be missed.

We will never get to tuck you in your own bed at night and we will never get to pick you up when you fall. We will never get to hold your hand while you cross the street and I will never get to walk you down the aisle, but please know that your Mommy and I are so blessed that God gifted us with your love, even if it was only for a very short period of time. You will always be in our hearts and we can't wait until we meet again. We love you endlessly and we already miss you so very much! Goodbye Sweetheart...for now."

Love, Mommy and Daddy

After you read what this loving father wrote to his daughter, sit down and thank God for your families....your children! If you have ever lost a child, you know the pain The Freemans are feeling; pray specifically for them. If you really want to be touched, go to their blog and view their last pictures with their precious child!