A Special Mother's Day (2013)

On Mother's Day, Justin and I took the kids to 2PC's early service.  It was a beautiful morning, and I was one proud mommy :)

The best picture we could get!  Ha

Then we went to Central Church's 2nd service to be with my mom and family for Mother's Day.

After church, we all went to Pizza Hut for lunch and to spend time together.

The girls :)

Mom and Me ;)

Ok, so notice in the picture that my mom is on crutches.

Here is the story.

One day I was headed to Walmart to get groceries.  I always take my kids in the grocery stores to shop, but as most moms know, it's never really easy.  Most of the time it's really hard especially if you have a huge list!  My sweet mom decided to meet me in the parking lot and sit with the kids in the car, so that I could shop by myself.  Luxury!  So she sat and I shopped.  When I got back to the van, we loaded up all the groceries, and started getting kids put back in their carseats.  Mom held on to Reese and walked her around the back of the van to put her in her seat on the other side.  At the same time, I pushed my automatic trunk "close" button and, and it started closing at the exact time my mom that my mom was walking under it.  It knocked her back and she stumbled, still holding on to Reese.  Momentum formed and she tried to take long strides to catch herself, but her shoulders just were too far in front of her legs. As all she was thinking is "I can't drop Reese", she slammed her body into another parked car and went straight down hard on her knees, and slid to the concrete.  I saw the whole thing in slow motion, even though it was only a few seconds.  

Outcome:  She literally saved Reese from hitting the ground, but sacrificed herself, ending up with a broken knee and fractures in her nose and forehead.  

That's my mom.  Always sacrificing.  She loves her family with more love than I have ever seen!  She loves spending time with the family and makes it a huge priority.  I have learned so much from her.  I have learned to value family and to not take moments with family for granted.  You never know when it's someone's last day.  So I am trying harder to make family moments count and not let them pass me by.  

My kids love their Meme because she spends so much time with them.  I am so thankful to have a mom that loves my children probably just as much as I do!

Another trip to the Merry Go Round at the Mall :)

Small moments, Big smiles :)  

Thanks Mom, for always giving me breaks, taking the kids out, watching them at your house, and feeding them HOTDOGS!  Hahaha.

May Play

Here are some pictures throughout May where the kids are just playing:

Pushing her shopping cart during a walk.

Getting a tan before our Florida trip!

Playing with the frisbee and balls :)

Having fun in a box! :)

Watching their cousin, Anthony, graduate from Preschool in TX.

Watching a funny video Aunt Rachel sent.

Or maybe this was "Happy Birthday" video to Reese from Adde and Payne :)

Playing at the neighbor's house!

Oh, and boys will be boys!  I sent this text message to Justin.  YUCK!

May Outings

Some places we went to in May:

MUS to watch Daddy help the Thorntons coach the High School Girls' Track team.

P.F. Changs after the meet!

Each month we ALWAYS make a stop at Chick Fil A!

Silly!

James was such a good big brother.  He pulled Reese up each step like this!  Ha

Shopping for birthday party supplies, only to discover fun hats!

Goober :)

Sweet Sunday morning picture :)

Using a gift card to grab dinner one evening at Holiday Ham!

Another Chick Fil A stop

With Daddy this time!!

Two and Four

Sometimes it's hard to believe I have a two year old and a four year old.

I feel so blessed.  Now don't get me wrong, some days are absolutely awful...breaking up fights, constant discipline and training, lots of tears (mostly mine:)...etc.  But other days, God blesses me with the beauty of what it means for me to be able to stay at home with these kids, and watch them grow up every minute of the day!  I just love it!  I love the way they communicate with each other and how James knows exactly what Reese is saying (when I can't figure out one word!).  I love seeing James teach Reese.  I love seeing Reese's independence coming out (well, sometimes :).  I love hearing them pray.

God is so good to help me get through the tough times, and shower me with precious, little family moments I wish I wouldn't ever forget :)

Love those silly faces;)

I knew the end of May was going to get crazy with 3 birthdays!  

(Justin- May 25th, Reese- May 27th, James- May 28th)

So I took the kids a couple weeks early to their wellness checkup.

The kids wait in the lobby and play with trains until we get called to the back.

I was so fearful this time, because at the last appointment, James was awful!  He was so scared of everything.  He wouldn't get on the scale or get measured.  And he of course loses it when the shot nurse comes out.  Dr. Julie Ware, our amazing pediatrician,  has a way about her that somehow calms James down.  She can actually work with him and check him out without too much whimpering.

BUT!  At THIS appointment, James was wonderful!  I reminded James that he needed to show Reese how to do everything.  He hopped up on the scale to get weighed.  So she did too.  He stood perfectly still against the wall to be measured.  So she did too.  He let Dr. Ware check him out, so Reese did too. It was a pretty amazing appointment.  And the shots weren't that bad either!  Yay!

Their Stats:

James at age 4 weighs 35 1/2 lbs and is 41 inches tall.

Reese at age 2 weighs 23 1/2 lbs and is 32 inches tall.

Hopefully each time will get easier and easier.  Wondering how it will go taking 3 soon!

15 Week Appointment

On May 10, I had my 15 week appointment.  

Baby looked great!

Heart rate: 148

My weight: 135 (lost 2 pounds)...

...I have been feeling so much better lately!  Not nearly as tired.  I'm motivated to run a couple times a week and it feels good to have energy.  This ability to move more is probably why I lost a couple of pounds.  Back to my first appt. starting weight.  

Even though I feel good now, the veins in my right shin and foot are really starting to pop out, and it is down right uncomfortable.  So I used my splash cash to get me a pair of runner's compression socks.  It is amazing how my leg doesn't hurt while wearing them!

And this is my crave as of late :)

Vegetable juice mixed with wing sauce and Worcestershire sauce, topped off with black pepper :)

My New Business: Thirty-One Gifts

I LOVE being a stay at home mom, and I will as long as I can.  And I wouldn't trade Justin teaching and coaching at ECS, because he LOVES his job, and I believe that is sooo important.

But with just one teacher salary, it's sometimes difficult to make ends meet, do little extras, and put money into savings.  I was really praying about finding a part time job, especially with knowing next year I would not be coaching track and receiving income from that.  As I prayed, a few things fell into my lap suddenly.  I looked into them and realized that some of them would be over-night work, and others would be jobs that I would have to consistently pay sitters to watch the kids while I worked, which completely defeats the purpose of working.  

But then I was introduced to Thirty-One.  It is a direct sales company that sells unique gifts that are beautiful and functional, mostly consisting of totes, purses, thermals, wallets, and home/office organizational items.  

I realized I could have flexible hours and work on my own time.  I could do as little or as much as I wanted.  When Justin got home from work, I could go to someone's house, show and sell, and at the same time, have fun and laugh with other women.  Each get-together has always provided me with some time away from the house, and I get paid!

Another reason I really love the company is because Thirty-One gives to different non-profit organizations including:

And the company also got it's name from Proverbs 31.  The woman in this chapter of the Bible is dearly loved and respected by her family.  She manages her home and property with kindness and integrity.  She has good business skills and wants to take care of her family as best she knows how.  She desires to follow God's ways and serve others.  

SO!  I have begun my adventure!

Thanks to all my family and friends who have watched my kids, hosted get-to-get-togethers, and supported me in my new business!

And you can always check out my webpage:  www.mythirtyone.com/Mandypayne/

Middle School Girls' Track

All throughout my April posts, I forgot to mention much about about our Middle School Girls' Track season.  For several years now, Justin has been head coach, and I have been his assistant.  We have LOVED coaching track together.  We feed off each other very well.  We each have different strengths.... for instance, Justin is very knowledgeable about Sprints, Discus/Shot, Long Jump, and Relays.  Where as my knowledge lies in Middle Distance, High Jump, and Hurdles.  

This season was bitter sweet because it became our last season to coach together.

The girls were amazing.  We loved them all.  And they did so well growing individually and as a team.

Here the girls pose with Coach Payne after getting Second Place at the Regional Finals.

We missed getting first place by ONE point!

Some changes were happening within the High School track program, and Justin was asked to be Head Coach over the entire High School Team.  He was honored and accepted.  But it was definitely bitter sweet, because he loved this younger team and was comfortable coaching it.  I would have LOVED to be Justin's HIGHschool assistant too, but with Baby #3 coming along, and James starting preschool next year, it just seemed a little bit overwhelming to work out the details.  But I will try to be involved as much as possible!