NOT ME MONDAY

Welcome to this weeks session of Not Me Monday. If you would like to share what you DID NOT do this past week, go to MckMama's blog! The following are things that DID NOT occur in my presence or WERE NOT done by moi!

I did NOT let my little Elliot watch the same video over and over and over again, just so I could watch her act it out by playing the guitar and singing; and I DID NOT catch NPayne doing the same thing. Because we DO NOT think she is absolutely fabulous, and I DO NOT tell her so quite often.

I did NOT celebrate/mourn the 12th birthday of me eldest Addison Jo, and I DID NOT follow Payne family tradition by letting her eat whatever she wanted for breakfast on the plate that sings Happy Birthday. She also did NOT get to have whatever she wanted for dinner. NPayne and Addi did not wait to start the food stamp diet for Lent (eating on $3.00/day) until after her birthday passed, so they could NOT eat whatever they wanted for breakfast and dinner that day. I DID NOT embark on the food stamp diet (and that's a for real DID NOT)! Addi is NOT planning a huge bday party for herself, which is NOT a little frightening for me, but also a good thing.....she does not want everyone to bring a food donation for our local food bank....the more girls, the more donations!!

Just a few short weeks ago, we DID NOT honor the exact same birthday family tradition with Drew when she turned 8. She did NOT want a nice warm chocolate eclair from the donut store for her birthday, and she DID NOT enjoy it. She did not follow the Payne family tradition of not receiving gifts but taking a donation for something, and Drew did NOT give all of her donations to help feed children in Kenya! I was NOT thrilled that she chose that particular charity to give her money to, because the $30.86 she gave will NOT feed several Kenya kids for a month. I was NOT thrilled that she did so with such a happy heart, because when she first learned of this tradition on her 5th birthday.....she was not quite as eager to give donations in lieu of gifts. If I remember correctly, her response when told that she would no longer receive gifts was something like "WHAT????" She has NOT come a long way baby!

I am not going to visit my friends in Athens next week, so I am not trying to figure out how to post a NOT ME MONDAY post for next Monday and have it automatically set to post.....I have more important things to do. I am NOT very computer saavy....seriously!

That's it for NOT ME Monday!

Sunday Sermon Summary....."Identity Theft"

Pastor Ken started a new sermon series yesterday entitled "Identity Theft". He began the sermon with a short story. He and his wife had been driving down the road the day before. As they came upon a red light, they noticed that the car in front of them had one of the Christian fish symbols on it; so he said we knew they were Christians. Then they noticed a bumper sticker on the opposite side of the rear of the car. He said he was trying to read it, but he really couldn't believe what he thought it said (since they had the Christian fish on the other side of the rear of their car); so he pulled a little closer to read it. When he and his wife read the sticker, they both looked at each other with perplexity and confusion and shock. Ken wouldn't even tell us, in church, what the sticker said; because it was not appropriate and definitely not Christian. Then he asked the following quesiton....What is identity? He answered it this way....We are given identity by God. He made us each unique and distinct. How we are distinctly and uniquely made by God is a gift. We are children of God. I am a child of God.
Then Ken read the following scripture....Psalms 139:14
14I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.[a](A) Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
God made us!!!!
John 3:16
16"For(A) God so loved(B) the world,[a](C) that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not(D) perish but have eternal life.
God loves us!!!!
Romans 8:16
16(A) The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
God wants us to be part of His family!!!!
It says it right there in The Bible.....God made us (Psalms 139:14), God loves us (John 3:16), God wants us to be part of His family (Romans 8:16).
Ken then went on to explain that if we are christian, we need to be Christ like. In other words, we don't change who we are behind closed doors or depending upon who we are keeping company with; we are who God intended us to be at all times. We are that distinct and unique person that He made, loves and wants to be in relationship with ALWAYS! This statement really made me think about my actions....Do I act the same way in every circumstance? Do I need to try to be how God intended me to be around certain people that I may tend to act differently around? Do I need to be more Christ like with my children? Ken said, none of this is about us. It's about God. The moment you start thinking this is all about you, you lose your identity. In The Bible, when God changes someone's name; it's because they are changed. It changes their identity....the identity that He gave them....Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel. He might not change your name, but He still wants you to fulfill your identity. Be what He intended you to be in all circumstances.....to be christian is to be Christ like. Being like Christ.....those are hard shoes to fill, and we will never be perfect like Jesus; but I think Ken's point was that we should strive to be Christ like.....we should accept our identity, our gift, with gratitude and live our lives for Him.
In the following story about Daniel, we see that Daniel remains the same no matter where he is or no matter what challenges, temptations or circumstances he is faced with.... Daniel 1:8-17
8But Daniel(A) resolved that he would not(B) defile himself with(C) the king’s food, or with(D) the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. 9(E) And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, 10and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king." 11Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12"Test your servants for(F) ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat(G) the king’s food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see." 14So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. 15At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate(H) the king’s food. 16(I) So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them(J) vegetables.
17As for these four youths,(K) God gave them learning and(L) skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had(M) understanding in all visions and dreams.
To eat this wonderful food that was laid before them, would break the Jewish food laws. The food laws held them together socially, and they were extremely important. Although the delightful variety of royal foods were available and offered to Daniel, he does not "defile" his beliefs by temptation. He remains true to his identity.
Ken closed with the following.....If people know you're a christian, act like a Christian in all circumstances. Does your life have 2 different bumper stickers? The next time, I lose my temper, start to gossip, place a jugdement on someone; I'll think of Daniel and how he held true to his identity.....the gift that God gives us. I want my life to have the one and only bumper sticker, the one that shows that I am Christian and striving to be Christ like.

The Payne Hair....

My children all have a ton of hair....literally enough for 2 people....which is truly a wonderful thing. Although there's a lot of hair to deal with, it's really very low maintenance. I have many comments, daily, about their hair....I've had some that could have been taken as a little offensive but most are very complimentary. Just this morning, at church, we were referred to as "The family with the beautiful hair"; BUT the best comment I have received is the following...."Wouldn't you love to have that hair? Women pay lots of money for those curls!"

Wait a minute... I do have that hair, but I tame mine as much as possible; BECAUSE.....

This look isn't nearly as cute on a 42 year old woman as it is on a 2 year old little girl.

A Princess's Worst Nightmare!

Tiara on backwards....

Bum exposed for all to see....

Tutu tucked into her diaper....

At least she's wearing a diaper!!

A New Day.....

Can I just say that I've been in a funk for the last few days. After my Bible Study yesterday and the women's event that I attended last night, I decided that I need to spend more time with Jesus being my focus. I need to give my sorrows and concerns to Him, and I need to let Him take control. With that being said, I would like to ask you to pray for the following....
My sweet friend, Joey, who suffered a miscarriage.

Drew's sweet little friend, Jayla, who is dying from leukemia. She only has a few more weeks to live. Pray for her family. We know Jayla will be fine in the end, but pray for her family.

My sweet Drew herself who is suffering from some health issues that we can't seem to rectify.

My loving husband who laid his Nana to rest this week.

My precious Addi who is facing some decisions about school.

My sweet son, Callahan, who is still facing occasional bullying at school....oftentimes physically.

There are weeks such as this and trials such as this, and I know there are many whose trials are much more troubling than mine. I often find myself trying to take control of the situation with my worry, but today I am going to do my best to let God have my worry. I am going to trust in His plan and purpose, and thank Him for his love, grace and mercy.
Whew.....I feel better already!

Wordful Wednesday

I decided to post another picture of my eldest daughter, since her birthday was yesterday! Here is my precious Addison Jo at the beach in Gulf Shores Alabama. She was actually really really sick when we took our million, no billion, beach pictures; but you can't tell in this picture. She looks beautiful.
For more Wordful Wednesday, visit Angie's blog. Thanks for hosting Angie.

12 Years Ago....The Best Day of 1997

Twelve years ago at 10:13 pm, NPayne and I became parents for the first time. Addison Jo Payne was brought into our world. Little did I know that this baby, this precious daughter lent to us by God Our Father, would change my life completely. I knew I wanted to have children, but I really had no idea how much I wanted to be a mother until I became one. Addi made me realize how much my own parents, especially my mother, loved me. I remember calling my mother and apologizing for anytime I was ever mean, hateful or disrespectful to her and thanking her so very much for loving me so much; because now I knew that love. That was a love that I never completely understood until I experienced it. I knew my parents loved me, but I had no idea how much the love for your child envelopes you and fills you up. It's simply glorious. Addi is truly an amazing young lady....we couldn't have asked for a better daughter, big sister, granddaughter, cousin, friend, servant....she is so much more than I could have ever imagined. Addi was a planned pregnancy. We had been married 5 years, and I was almost 30. I loved being married with no children and being able to go and do and travel, but we were ready for an addition. Addison Jo was due on March 18th, but she arrived 15 days early and in quite a speedy fashion. She was not my most difficult delivery, but she came in a close 2nd. No drugs, no epidural....all natural....she entered this world approximately 5 hours after I was admitted to the hospital and about 6 hours before my doctor expected her to arrive. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 11 ounces which made her our second to smallest babe. That is so hard to imagine now as I sit here wearing her jacket and shoes. I often find myself staring at her in amazement....I can't believe she ever fit into my belly, I can't believe God blessed NPayne and I with this person, I can't believe I'm her mother, I can't believe I'm so blessed by her. I cried a lot when she was born and actually for the first year of her life....and honestly even still, because I am so amazed at being her mother. I remember hearing the following saying after I had Addison, and it explains being a mother better than I could.....Having a child is like watching your heart walk around outside of your body!

Today you are 12....did I just say 12? Yes, 12! Last night, I said...."Next year, you will be a.....(and a big smile came across her beautiful face as she waited for me to say it) TEENAGER!" My daughter is 12! WOW! I'm going to have to change my profile information to say...5 sweet babies ages 2-12!

Addison is my maiden name, and I love hearing it over and over daily. NPayne swore that he would always call her Addison and never Addi, and he calls her Addi or Addi Jo ALWAYS. I still call her Addison often, because I love hearing that name....my name!

Addison is an exquisitely beautiful girl, and yes she is physically beautiful, but it's her inner beauty that shines through. As I type this, my heart is about to burst when I think of her, of her generosity, her kindness, her compassion, her heart for serving, and her gentle attitude. She is like me some, but she is a lot like her daddy.....laid back, not in the least bit argumentative, extremely easy going, and sensitive. She has a gift for music and is not shy, in the least, about performing....whether it be solo or ensemble. She has a beautiful voice, is a talented musician, and is an absolutely exceptional writer. Addi writes the most amazing stories.

I love that she loves church and her church family. She enjoys going, learning, and oftentimes can teach me things about the Good Book and Our Savior. She practices what she preaches, and she has the light of Christ shining through her. She is growing and developing her own personal relationship with Jesus, and she knows that He is the most important part of her life.

I love that she loves life, she still likes to play outside, she still likes to play dolls, she still likes to play with her sisters and brother. I love that she is kind to all she knows, and I love that she will say she's sorry when there's been a tiff. I love that she plans fun activities for her sisters to do on a daily basis, and I love that she is so good at planning activities for their birthdays. I love that she is extremely smart and thinks outside of the box. I love that she likes to try new things, and I love that she still loves her favorite things. I love that she will give up her free time to help someone else. I love that she is so genuine, and I love that she is still very literal and a little naive.

I love that she loves school, her friends, and likes to be involved. I love that she is a good student and is working so hard on becoming more organized. I love that she has become so self motivated to get her schoolwork completed, and that I can trust her to get it finished.

I love that she is a deep thinker and has asked me to explain many things to her. I love that we have an open relationship, and I love that she is so easily forgiving and doesn't hold a grudge. I love that she respects her parents and that she is a good example for her siblings.

I love that she is still such a little girl at heart but is also becoming such a young lady. I thank God that she is thriving. I love that she was my first child, and I love that she loves being a part of a large family. I love that she would gladly welcome anyone else into our family. I love that she is a little sad that I am not having anymore babies, and I loved the excitement in her face each time she saw her newest little brother or sister for the first time. I love that she teaches her sisters and brother wonderful things, and I love that she will let her sisters or brother win at a game. I love that she is always encouraging to them.

I love that she has a face full of freckles, beautifully shaped eyebrows, full lips, and a round face. I love that she is starting to look like a lady but also still looks like my little girl. I love that she will still hold my hand.

I love that she enjoys doing things with our family and would prefer spending time with us than being anywhere else. I love that she has made sacrifices for her brother....when she knows he isn't comfortable with something, she is always willing to be flexible and change. I love that she is so proud of him. I love that she has sacrificed many things and is content with what she has. I love that she is willing to work for something if she really wants it.

I love that she wrote and recorded a song that we played at my father's funeral, and I love that she sang "Jesus Loves Me" at my uncle's funeral. I love that she loves the Lord.

She has been my rock so many times, and I love her more than I could possibly ever explain. I hope that someday she will experience this kind of love when she becomes a mother. I thank God for her every minute of every hour! She is an angel!

NOT ME MONDAY....That's what I get for whining!

If you read my NOT ME MONDAY post from yesterday, then you know that I don't do throw up....my husband so graciously cleans up any sort of regurgitation when he's present. I mean seriously, he cleans up 99.9%, of the time UNLESS he is not home. THEN this task becomes part of my daily duty....ewwww! Let me start the following story by saying.....NPayne was NOT home today.....you know where I'm going with this, don't ya? ewwww!
Today is Addi's 12th birthday, so I took B and Elli-0000 to have lunch with her at her middle school....by the way, I'm not a fan of middle school either (but that had to do with my own personal struggles as a middle schooler)....anyhoo we are sitting at the lunch table with some girls I didn't know waiting for Addi to get her lunch.....when the following occurs:
Elli-0000 crawls up into my lap and puts her head on my shoulder (I had noticed that she seemed tired today but didn't think much of it), then she started to cry; and I heard her stomache gurgle. A small amount of panic overcame me, and instantly I knew it was coming.....remember B had thrown up on Saturday at Drew's slumber party (but only the one time). I immediately stood up with her and started walking towards the exit....I didn't want her throwing up all over the lunch table, or the children who are trying to eat, or even in the presence of middle schoolers if possible. I wanted to try to avoid as much embarassment for Addi as possible, although she does have a heart of gold and would be more concerned than embarassed, so I guess I wanted to try to avoid as much embarassment for me as possible. As I was walking to the exit, carrying Elli-oooo with B close behind, it came hurling out all over the floor! WHEW....the floor, not her or me! Still in the cafeteria, I began to walk over to a teacher to let her know that my baby had indeed left behind that enormous amount of vomit, when....you guessed it.....here it came again. This time we weren't so fortunate, because I was holding her in a cradle position; so she threw up all over me and her. I didn't say anything else to the teacher but just started walking as fast as possible. I made eye contact with Addi, who was still in the lunch line, and mouthed the words "she is throwing up". She said, "I know"; and I responded with "We're leaving" as if she couldn't have figured that one out on her own. I took Elli to a bathroom and tried to clean us up as much as possible. Fortunately I was wearing 2 shirts, thank goodness the layered look is in style, so I removed the one with the majority of the regurgitated breakfast on it. Elli, on the other hand, left the school shirtless....B said "Mom, she's naked!" I replied, "No dear, she's just topless!" Boy that's a phrase I hope I don't have to repeat often. We walked to the school office, where the secretaries looked a little curious, so I filled them in and said we would try again another day. Needless to say we came directly home, bathed, and Elli is now sleeping!

Who knew a little girl could throw up so much....who knew?

Who knew?

Oh and speaking of Addi's birthday, my tribute to her will posted shortly....after I figure out why I can still smell throw up....that needs to be alleviated promptly!

Time to listen to me NOT whine!

Join in our weekly therapy session by clicking here. Share what you did not do this week, or if you are not ready to admit it; just read what everyone else did not do.



1. This week, I did not have my 5 year old daughter tell me that I needed Bare Minerals makeup to keep my cheeks from cracking. This did not come after she, and her sister, talked incessantly about how my hair was getting gray. Remind me NEVER to ask them if something makes me look fat.

2. I did Not write this post on Sunday, because I knew I would NOT only have time to hit publish on my computer on Monday morning.

3. We did NOT host a slumber party for my little Drew's 8th birthday, and I did not plan all sorts of fun stuff for them to do: give the girls makeovers, make our own pizzas, have a scavenger hunt, decorate t-shirts....really I didn't....my other daughter Addi planned it all. My best friend Cynthia and I just helped orchestrate it.

4. During the above said makeovers.... I did NOT make Cynthia do the pedicures, because I can't stand feet (except baby feet); and she did NOT have to clip some toenails. That did NOT make me laugh hysterically and want to throw up all at the same time.

5. Speaking of throwing up, my Bryna did NOT throw up all over the bathroom as soon as it was time to get in sleeping bags and go to sleep. I did NOT walk into the bathroom, call NPayne from the other room, and say "You're up" as I walked away from the bathroom covered in vomit, because I don't do throw up unless I absolutely have to. He is NOT the greatest husband/daddy in the world, because he cleans up throw up about 99.9% of the time. It makes me.... well want to throw up! I did NOT just realize that I sound like a big whiner, because I don't do feet; and I don't do throw up. GAG A MAMA!

6. I did NOT haul most of these girls to church with us on Sunday, and it was really NOT that easy.....these girls are NOT very self sufficient.

7. As Drew and I were picking up today after church, we did NOT find someone's pajamas, t-shirt, baby doll, slippers and hair bow. I did NOT have a really great time at the slumber party, and I am NOT a fan of slumber parties....that NOT is for real....NOT a fan! Are you confused? I'll speak clearly....I am not a fan of slumber parties, but this one was really a lot of fun. The girls were fabulous, had a great time and got along great! So all in all.... I don't particularly care for feet, throw up, or slumber parties....not necessarily in that order.

Have a great week!

Sunday Sermon Summary-Share God's Love

Matthew 20:20-28
Jesus Teaches about Serving Others

20 Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “What is your request?” he asked.
She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”
22 But Jesus answered by saying to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?”
“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”
23 Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”
24 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

In this passage, would you consider this mother to be an overbearing mother? Is she a mother who doesn't mind embarassing her sons to get what she thinks is best for them, OR do you think her sons convince her to do something on their behalf? Either way Christ gives them a very straight forward answer. First He asks them if they are willing to martyr themselves ("drink from my bitter cup") to which they reply that they are. Do you think they really realize what He is asking them? Do they really realize what He is going to do for us? He then tells them that it is not up to Him who sits beside Him in Heaven, but that decision is made by His Father. Christ then tells all of the 12 that if they want to be great, they need to serve others.

Proverbs 24:3
Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. Pastor Ken said, "Greatness is not found in power but in service."

Romans 15:20
20 My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.
Paul doesn't want to go into a church where people already know about Jesus, but his ambition is to establish new churches and reach out to the unchurched. His attitude is one of serving others. Ken says that service turns our lives from an inward experience to focusing on others. If we do this, we find meaning. I believe this to be so true in my own personal life. A famous mommy quote that I often say to my children is....."it's not all about you", but I often have to remind myself of that quote as well....."it's not all about me". I believe that teaching our children to serve in their very early years will help them share the love of Jesus, it will help them thank our Lord for providing for us, it will let them see that there are people in the world who really don't have everything they need; and it's our privelege to help those people. I want their lives to have meaning. I don't want their ambition to be for power or money but for a relationship with Jesus, their own personal relationships, and serving others through Him. I believe serving has helped me realize that "stuff" isn't important, don't get me wrong, it's nice to have "stuff"; but how much stuff we have is not important to God. What's important to Him is our relationship with Him, our love for Him, accepting His love for us, and taking that love and sharing it with others. Our "stuff" is not part of His plan....it's just part of ours. He created us all equally, so whether you live on the street or in a nice comfortable home; He wants a personal relationship with you. He longs for it. We make the choices about the "stuff"....not Him.

Our church has had many ups and many downs. About 4 years ago, there were many circumstances that literally had me on my knees for the survival of my church. I saw it crumbling right before my eyes, and honestly I was scared. Cindy, the pastor that had been my shepherd, had resigned. Katie, one of our other Associate Pastors whom I greatly admired, was moving to lead another church. Members were leaving, the church was falling apart. Then 3 1/2 years ago, we had a change of leadership in the form of a few new pastors. Our church still has ups and downs, but the difference is the focus of the church. Before our new leadership came on board, the focus of our church was more inward (by the choice of our former Lead Pastor); now the focus is outward. Our church is focusing on serving....serving those close to us, in our state, in our country, and abroad. For me, it is a wonderful blessing to be able to serve in so many different ways. A recent survey that many churches in our area completed, in order to find out how to help people grow spiritually, revealed that once a person accepts Jesus Christ....if they are not serving, they won't grow spiritually. Serving does help you find meaning, at least it has for me. Ken's right when he said, "It's not about being good enough but about God's goodness".
AMEN!