2013...Where did the time go!

So much to do, so little time it seems!  As 2012 came and went, I remembered a resolution I had - to update the blog at least once a month.  Well....I did good for about 3-4 months and then fell off.  So, here is shooting for the goal again!  2012 was a great year and I can only hope and pray that 2013 is better.  I had several resolutions in 2012 and for the most part, I did well with them.  The blog was probably the one that I "failed" at.  In 2013, some of my resolutions are a continuation of 2012 and I added a few as well.

I would like to continue to grow my relationship with Christ and be more open about it.  I don't want to feel I am hiding the relationship because of what others may think.  Don't be afraid to let others know how I feel about Christ.  I am still a work in progress...as we all are.  Just at times and in certain areas, I feel like I could use more work than others!  I am also trying to get better at reaching out to other followers when I need help with something.  Luckily, I have a lot of friends who are open and proud of their relationship that help me when I need it!

In 2012, Russell and I got better with our finances thanks to Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University class.  We still have some learning to do, but we are better off now than in the past.  It is definitely a learning process and figuring out what is truly important in life.  Also, realizing that this is God's world we are living in and everything we have is his and we just borrow it...including our money!!

Of course, how could I have a post about the year without talking about my pride and joy...Colleen and Cambryn.  In 2012, Colleen started kindergarten and turned 6.  She had a great year.  She played soccer in the fall and did a fantastic job.  We can't wait until the spring to watch her again.  She is doing fabulous in kindergarten as well.  She could not have been blessed with a better teacher, Ms. Rebekah Smith.  She is fabulous with her and Colleen just loves her.  As a matter of fact, over the 2 week Christmas break, Colleen is devastated that she doesn't have school because she misses her teacher and can't learn or do homework!  Cambryn turned 1 in August and is just a delight.  She is the happiest baby I have ever seen.  She is always smiling.  She loves playing and is great at eating!  She is not picky at all!  God blessed me with two amazing little girls and I could not be more thankful to him for it.

Also, how could I not talk about Russell and his shooting.  Russell didn't get to as many shoots as he would like, but he did amazing at the ones he did go to.  His biggest accomplishment was placing 4th at the World Archery Festival in Las Vegas.  He has made it to the Vegas shoot-off two years in a row now and this was his best finish and the Vegas shoot-off is probably the most intense shoot-off and the toughest to get to.  I have faith that he will win this prize one day! 

Well, I will leave this post for now.  As I stated in 2012, this blog will not only used to update on our family, but also for me to express any views or opinions I would like!  I wish everyone a happy, safe, and blessed new year.

Ladies and Gentlemen, We have a Kindergartener!

My past couple of posts have been random thoughts!  It's time to give the venting and random thoughts a break and talk about something I love more than anything else...My girls!  As you may have heard already, Colleen started kindergarten!  As expected, this was a big deal in the Payne home (as I am sure it is in most other homes!).  Colleen was super excited.  She loves to learn and loves school work.  Any time we bought school supplies, she got excited.  The week before school started, we received the much antipated phone call from her teacher, Ms. Rebekah Smith.  Since I didn't know hardly anyone from the school, I had no idea who this teacher was.  A quick post on facebook and I had wonderful "reviews" about her.  The Thursday before school started was the Meet and Greet.  Colleen was very excited to meet Ms. Smith.  During the Meet and Greet, Colleen had a little time to visit with her and at one point Ms. Smith told Colleen that her baby sister was cute like her big sister, and of course, the ever so modest Colleen says "I know!".  When we left that night, Colleen was even more excited already saying she loved Ms. Smith!

Over the weekend before school started, I told Colleen that I was going to drop Cambryn off first so I could walk her in to her class for the first few days.  Colleen was not happy...she wanted to be dropped off first!  I told her that I had to know that she knew exactly how to get to her class before I could drop her off first.  So, she was okay with that...but she made it clear she was NOT going to hold my hand!  The first day arrives and she is cute as ever!!  I dropped Cambryn off and we headed to Colleen's school.  Colleen sang about starting kindergarten the entire drive from the daycare to her school.  She held my hand down the street to the school, but once we walked into the building she let go of my hand. We walked to her class and when we walked in, my once social butterfly that is rarly every shy...got shy.  The teacher sensed that and told me very quickly "Mom, it usually works best if you just leave now"!  (I could tell she had plenty experience dealing with parents!).  So, I left!

Since it was her first day, I wanted to pick her up.  As I pulled around the driveway, I could see her sitting on a bench and she was all smiles and waved to me.  I knew at that point she had a great day.  We chatted on the way to the daycare to pick Cambryn up and she said she had a great day and it was fun.  I asked her if she learned anything and she said "Yes", but when I asked her what she learned, she said, "I don't know"!  I asked what they did and she said they played inside and outside!!  As we got home, she pulled out her planner (each kid in the class gets their own daily planner and the teacher let's the parents know how the day was and any other additional informaiton the parents need to know) and turned to the marked page and showed me her happy face for her having a great day.  She told me that each day I will have to sign it!  She also showed me the "hornet stinger".  Huntsville's mascot is the hornet and her index finger was her little stinger!  It was cute.  She also showed me how she kisses her brain when she gets the right answer to something!  (you kiss your hand and then put the hand on your forehead)!  Best of all, she couldn't wait to go back the next day!

On day two, Colleen was able to show me exactly where her class was and as promised...on day 3, I dropped her off in the front of the school and she walked to class all by herself!

Also, at the end of the week Colleen's teacher sent home her behavior management system.  I was very thrilled to see that Colleen had an "outstanding" week and because of that was able to pick a reward from the treasure box!  Kindergarten is off to a great start! 

To Speak or Not to Speak..I think I will Speak - my mind/peace

So, I am a little (okay...ALOT) behind on blog updates...  As I stated at the update at the first of the year, I am not just going to use the blog for kiddo updates, but also just to "speak" things on my mind.  Over the last few weeks, I have watched, read, and listened to the ordeal regarding the owner of Chick-fil-a and I have spoken to a few friends about it, but I just feel I need to go a little further.  You may like what I have to say, you may not.  But, that's the great thing about this country...I can say what I want and SHOULD not get "punished" for it.  So, let's get this thing started!

First, if I understand correctly, the owner was asked about his beliefs and not just making some speech where this came out of the clear blue.  Second, I believe he said he felt the same way about marriage as the bible, meaning he supported marriage was between a man and a woman.  He didn't say he didn't like or hated others or make any judgement towards others.  He simply stated he supported the bible in regards to marriage.  What is so wrong with him stating HIS opinion and what he supports.  We all do things in life that other people don't agree with.  Whether they say them out loud or not, who cares.  It's HIS opinion and HE can say that.  Some of the comments I read by others (friends or friends of friends on facebook) just "confused" me!  One comment (no, I am not naming names) stated he was greedy.  How can this man be greedy for stating how he feels?  If anything, he could loose business and loose money because of people choosing not to eat at his establishment anymore.  Another comment was that he was irresponsible as the CEO of a company for stating his beliefs.  Why is it irresponsible?  The bible tells us we should not hide as Christians.  We should stand up for our beliefs and what we feel is right and God and our faith will carry us through. 

As mentioned before, he did not say he didn't like or hated others, as a matter of fact, the bible teaches us that we should love everyone and it is ultimately His judgement that should matter to us all.  In life, people will say and do things we don't like and we will do and say things others don't like.  But, who are we to say who is right and wrong and to judge others.  It is great to see someone more concerned about their faith and God than the almighty dollar and not wanting to upset anyone because he spoke up.  And if you disagree with what he has to say and don't want to support him for doing what he has the constitutional right to do, then don't eat at his establishment.

Okay...I think I am done.  I am proud to say that I support Chick-fil-a and their beliefs.

I'm Back...but Venting on Toddlers and Tiaras!

I very rarely use my blog to vent about anything, but as I sit in a hotel room at a conference for work, I am watching Toddlers and Tiaras.  I don't get why I find myself drawn to watching this show because I get angry watching it!  These parents (it is mom AND dad) just don't see what they could be doing to their children.  These children are learning you have to be fake to win.  The children wear fake everything...fake hair, eyelashes, TEETH, and even butts!  Plus, placing a 3 year old in the prostitute outfit from Pretty Woman...really!  Oh and the teeth, these are not just 1 tooth replacing one that may have fallen out, but they are using "flippers", an entire set of top teeth that have to be glued in.  I just heard a 9 yr old say that "I will probably do pageants until I am around 1000 years old b/c I am sure I will always look good, but I may have to have a couple of facelifts along the way"!  Really...  I just don't get it.  They spend tons of money on registration, outfits, the fake stuff, and coaches, and get little return to even cover the costs...even if you win!  It's just amazing to me the things the parents say to their children, when "training", winning, and loosing!  I am not against pageants in the least, but why can't a child win for being themselves without all the fakeness.  Let a kid be a kid!  Okay...I am done now!  Thanks for "listening"!

Happiness is...

In January I said I wanted to try and blog more frequently and I also wanted to diversify my blogging topics!  So, as I work on my blogging frequency, I thought I would focus on not just posting pics and everything my girls say and do, but also thoughts that occur to me and really make one thing.  So, today is about happiness. 

Happiness is...

• Having God in my life and loving him each and every second of the day
• Knowing I have been blessed by God with a wonderful and amazing husband that loves me unconditionally and two beautiful, healthy daughters that also love me unconditionally
• Waking Cambryn up (or when she wakes up on the weekends) and the first thing she does is smiles at me
• Colleen hugging me and telling me she loves me all the time and that she loves God
• Having a job you enjoy that is understanding of family needs
• Feeling like you are right where you should be at chuch and not feeling like an outcast or that no one cares
• Having friends that you can always talk to about just about anything
• Knowing that you will go through hard times, but knowing you have others to help you through it
• Getting stuffed with the hubby at Double Dave's for your Friday Lunch Date
• Having no plans on the weekend except to spend it with your family

These are just a few things that make me happy, but there is so much more.  Lately I have seen people comment (on the beloved facebook) that someone just ruined their day.  And I think, how can you allow someone else to ruin your day.  Yes, things happend, but what does it do to dwell on it.  You are letting others control you and you give them power to do that.  Take your power back and know that honestly...things could be worse.  I don't want that to sound negative, but realize that no matter how bad things seem, it can get worse - but we can't let it.  Just say a prayer and understand the blessings that you have...such as waking up each day!  Use your time to help others find happiness and find the little things in life that are truly important.  I don't live in the biggest, nicest home in the best city in America or drive the biggest, most expensive car, but I have a home and a car that provide what my family needs.  Life is truly what you make it so make it good!  Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

Colleenisms...

Having a 5 yr. old that claims to know it all already has alot of entertaining moments!!  It's so hard to keep track of every little moment, but as I can, I am going to post a few.  So, here are few from earlier this week and today!

One day on our way to school, she is looking at Cambryn in her carseat and says, "Momma, Cambryn is pretty adorable, I think we can keep her!"

Today on our way to school, the wind was blowing really hard and we talked about the trees moving back and forth and she informed me that her and her daddy were experts in trees and deer hunting.

Also, on the way to school this morning, we talked about tornadoes and she said she thought tornadoes were only in movies.  I told her no, that tornadoes are real and not just movies.  She then asked me, "Are you sure about that?"

She loves says to say "Well, actually..."  You just never know what she will stay next!!

New Year, New Inspiration

Sooo, it has been quite some time since I have updated the blog! These got a little busy around the Payne home. Let me try to re-cap the last 6 months of the year in the shortest way possible. Colleen finished t-ball season and school, she had a dance class for a month in June (long story of why it was just a month), WE HAD A BABY, Colleen started Pre-K, and a new dance studio, and Christmas!! There is more detail to each of those events, but we could be here typing a reading a long time!! So, I have a plan in place!!! Basically, I am not going to try to play catch up on each of these events, if you want to know more...just ask! The only thing I will give details about is the beautiful baby girl named Cambryn that joined the world on August 11, 2011. She was born around 1:15 pm and weighed 6 lbs, 3 oz. She was and still is very healthy. She was born a couple of weeks early due to a couple of issues I had, but we are all good now.  Below are a few pictures from the hospital.

The banner on the blog has recent family pictures (then were taken in December).

Now that we are caught up, here is what I intend to do (I am writing it down for the world to see so anyone can hold me "accountable" to it!)...As part of a New Year's resolution, I plan to update the blog at least once a month, if not more.

Since I brought up New Year's resolutions, let's continue with those.  Over the last year, I have started to develop and grow in my faith more and I want to continue that.  I want to surround myself with people of great faith to learn from and to connect with.  During the fall, I began a bible reading plan.  I will continue with that.  Also, towards the end of 2011, I started the fun activity of couponing!  I plan to develop those skills even more to save more money for my family.  I have several friends that are couponers and we have started discussing couponing more and sharing ideas and deals.  If you are interested in couponing, please let me know!  I have a few other resolutions as well, but most are somehow tied to either faith or family!

As always, thanks for stopping by and I hope you stop by often!!

Happy New Year to you and I hope God blesses you with a wonderful 2012.