"Payne Day"

One year ago today, we had the honor and privilege of becoming Ayden's parents. I can't tell you how much joy this little man has brought into our lives. He is such a loving, fun, energetic boy. He constantly puts a smile on my face. Don't get me wrong, he has his evil side. Oh boy, can that boy scream!! But I couldn't imagine life without him. I am so grateful to his bios. for allowing us this great blessing to be in our lives forever. We have come to have a great love for them as well. I don't think we could ever thank them enough for this great gift they have given us. Words and gifts just don't seem enough.

We have decided to let our kids know how special they are and how happy we are they came into our family, we will get them a present and go out to dinner as a family. So! Here are pictures and a video from Ayden seeing his present. With the video.. keep watching. I know the first 20-30 your looking at a wall, but I thoughts Jared's singing was too precious! lol  

"Belle"'s room

This has been an exciting last few months. Devin and I decided to take in a special needs foster daughter. I want to say that this girl gives me nightmares. Not because she is hard to deal with but because she is medically fragile. I have dreams that I am changing her diaper before going to bed and I notice a little black spot. I dismiss the spot and the next morning she is covered in black and dead. 

Now I am not the medical expert in the family. I will leave that for Devin. All I knew was that this little girl needed a good, clean place to live.

 This bed just had to go it filled a room that now needs to be filled with other medical things.

Watch Devin take it out all by her self. While I take pictures

Now that the only thing in the room is gone it is ready to get updated

As I said not being a medical person I just figured that bacteria and other things do not like white. That means I just had to paint the whole room white.

Devin then informed me that bacteria does not care about color and she decided to pick the new colors in the room

I will give you one guess on what Devin's favorite color is.

I am getting excited that about half the room is done

Now the other half. Devin still got to pick the color.

And the final product with all the new furniture and medical supplies

Attention

Ayden has something he'd like to say:

That's right!! We will be adopting our sweet little "Belle"! She has a been such a blessing to us and we can't wait for her to join our forever family. We, however, would ask that you as celebrate with us... remember her bio. family as well. They have made such a selfless choice in making this possible. Please pray for their peace and comfort at this time. Yes, we will be having a open adoption with them. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE open adoption. No, we don't have a finalization date yet. Also, as it was with Ayden, so it is with this little angel... we cannot post pictures until after we finalize.

Have a great day! Love to all!!!

BAH!!!

Oh how time flies!! We have been so incredibly busy. Just when I think life couldn't get any busier, it proves me wrong. I'll give a bit of an update on three of us... as far as "Belle". She's the one keeping us the busiest but unfortuantely I can't tell you about that. I just wanted to add that in since we probably don't seem any busier with just the three of us :o) Anyway~~

Jared's still liking working at Domo. They've been really good working with him so he can help a bit with the kiddos. They treat him really well. He's still not a mac fan, but he's starting to tolerate it more I think :o) They did finally get him a calling for church! He's the emergency preparedness specialist. He hasn't done anything with it  yet, but Jared thinks he'll enjoy it overall. Jared's been helping with the scouts too. So between that, being an amazing father and husband... he's busy.

I'm busy as ever with the momma thing. I love it overall. I'll admit there's days I question my sanity... but I figured what mom doesn't?? I wouldn't trade  being a mom for the world. It's by far the best job out there :o) they did release me from activity days. I miss those girls, but I'll admit it's nice not having to worry about activities and things like that. I'm still primary pianist so I get to see them there, as well as all the other kids. So I'm okay lol

Ayden is still just a ball full of energy. That boy only has two speeds... full and sleep. He is such an outdoors kid. He'd spend all waking hours out there if he could. Now that it's getting nice again, we do try to spend as much time out there as we can. Ayden starts nursery a week from tomorrow. CRAZY!!! Hardly seems right that he's already 18 months. He has handled "Belle" and all of her stuff about as good as you can expect a 17 month old to. He definitely loves his "sissy". Ayden is getting to the point where he and Buddy have a lot of fun together too. As far as his eating... I think he's just, and will always be, a extremely picky eater!! If his food is not prepared/served right, he doesn't want it. Luckily, he has his 3 staple foods I can always get him to eat now so hopefully he'll start growing on a better curve.

Think that's about it for us :o) I'll hopefully do a picture post soon. Until then, hope you're all doing great and love to all!!!

Ventured outside

Even though it was freezing, Ayden and I decided to play outside a bit. I was done the minute we got out there, but Ayden had a blast. Our whole family can't wait to go outside again, when its warm.

This arrived in the mail the other day for Ayden

 

I think I'm in trouble :o) Thank you Uncle Josh!

Life as a mom of two

Oy! Life is good just busy. Here's a summery of what the Payne's having been doing.

Ayden's getting use to being a big brother. He now, for the most part, has it down as much as a 16 month old can. Ayden definitely doesn't like sharing his dad though. He is getting to be such a little boy. Kind of makes me sad lol I swear we just brought him home a 4 week old baby. Ayden is starting to try to say more words, getting better in his walking, and wants to be Mr. Independent. He has now reached 17 pounds. If we feed him the right thing (aka what he feels like eating at that time) he will eat like a champ. Ayden currently has 12 teeth and is trying to break his two top "I" teeth. Think that's all new with Ayden.

I'm still doing the mommy/wife thing and lovin' it. It's hard and stressful. I, however, wouldn't trade it for the world. I'm hoping to take state boards soon and can officially be a RN. I'm just waiting for the state to get back to me, and we all know how long they can take :P I still do primary pianist and activity days. Been awesome callings. I think that's about for me.

Jared is amazing. I love him more and more all the time. He's now been working for Domo for about 4 months and I'd say he's all the way settled. Jared is an amazing dad and husband. He's constantly spoiling us.  He is also staying very involved with Boy Scouts. He went on the Klondike campout (aka winter campout) last weekend. He said it's the best one he's been on yet.

Think that's about it. Sorry there's not any pics with this post. I'll try for next time :o) Until then, love to all!!!

Missionary

Yesterday Jared's younger sister entered the MTC!!! So she'll be serving a mission for our church for the next year and a half. We are so stinkin excited and proud of her. She's going to make one incredible missionary. With her being out now, Jared said he will now be doing more post. We'll see ;) Love to all