Thursday, March 28, 2013

Springtime Potting

We painted pots today.
Masterful, wouldn't ya say?
 photo DSC_0914_zps6183ab6b.jpg
I was very surprised with how clean and organized Rachel stayed while painting. 
In fact, her painting job was awesome! No mixed colors!
You should have seen her earlier today walking around the house with a clorox wipe cleaning everything.
She is definitely my child.
Not only that but she said to me- "Mom, you need to get nice and fat for the baby in your tummy!"
Thanks darlin'. Thanks a lot.
 photo DSC_0918_zpsd5cb9851.jpg
While we were waiting for our pots to dry, I folded laundry while the girls played outside. 
I love this house. I can see my kids playing outside from anywhere in the house! 
Also, all of our windows are smudged.
Thanks to this little girl...
 photo DSC_0921_zps53568560.jpg
"The earth LAUGHS in flowers."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
I love that. Welcome to Texas springtime!  
 photo DSC_0929_zpscd0477db.jpg

A New Do for Miss Maggie

Some of the Payne clan came to visit over spring break a few weeks ago. We had so much fun! I love having visitors. ;) Anyway, I'm grateful Itzel agreed to give Miss Mags a haircut! 
Thanks Itzel!
The first haircut is a big deal for me. I feel like as soon as they get their hair cut, they grow up.
Mommies don't like it when their babies grow up.
But it was long past overdue. 
 photo DSC_0790_zpsd6be9fac.jpg
Just keep your eyes on Dora girlfriend, she'll be done in a jiffy...
 photo DSC_0796_zps8da557ac.jpg
You'd never believe it, but she actually cut like 3-4 inches off the back. Lots of whispy baby fuzz. 
It looks so much better! And now I don't have to do pigtails every day! 
 photo DSC_0802_zpsd06baa9d.jpg
It wasn't even THAT bad! haha! Why do I fret about such things?
In my opinion there's no better way to end a post than with an adorable picture of baby toes! haha! 
 photo DSC_0814_zpsa9fac399.jpg

The Day After it Rains

The day after it rains is Rachel and Maggie's favorite day to go to the park.
Why?
Because there's puddles...
 photo DSC_0734_zpsb456b05e.jpg
There was no stopping them; it was just too good to resist.
 photo DSC_0735_zps32c53aba.jpg
hahaha, Rachel's face kills me!
 photo DSC_0741_zps24e70c7c.jpg
Maggie thought it was the coolest thing since sliced bread, or for Maggie, it'd be chicken nuggets.
 photo DSC_0745_zps5eb6324d.jpg
Such turkeys! 
Alright now, ya'll go to the playground and air out!
 photo DSC_0749_zpsa7b74a9a.jpg
Mom! I'm stuck! It happens every time. Pretty soon she'll be a pro.
 photo DSC_0764_zps84cb78f1.jpg
Determination. Maggie's got it.
 photo DSC_0782_zpse75f4bf9.jpg
Such a beautiful girl. Inside and Out. Don't you think this picture show's that inside beauty?
I do. 
I love you Rachel!
 photo DSC_0774_zps5387adb0.jpg

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Soccer has BEGUN!

My little girl is old enough to play youth sports! WOW! 
Rachel has been excited for this day for some time. Every night before bedtime she'd inform me that she wants to play soccer. 
She is getting big!
 photo DSC_0849_zpsa8b386bc.jpg
Crazy turkey... okay lets find your team...
 photo DSC_0864_zps0a8f5341.jpg
I tried to take pictures while I was across the field watching Miss Mags.  
I know this is just 3-4 year old soccer but I must say she did dang good! 
Kick that ball!!!
 photo DSC_0891_zpsd47dbdd2.jpg
This is going to be FUN and if I may say so... hiliarious.
Stay tuned.
 photo DSC_0883_zps63303b32.jpg

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Announcement!!!!

Wanna know what happens when Daddy comes home from Afghanistan? Love! Lots and lots of happy overflowing hearts! And that means... BABY!

Yep, that's right! Another Payne baby is coming to our home! We are so excited! We had the missionaries over for dinner a few weeks ago before we had really told anyone. We were all sitting down at the table, about to start the prayer, when Rachel announces, "There is a baby in my Mommy's tummy". It was such a  "matter of fact" and "That's that" sort of tone. The missionaries didn't know what to say and I could tell that they were super uncomfortable. Hahaha! Tyler and I busted out laughing! 

So I figured I better share the news before my chance to tell everyone is gone. Who could blame her anyway? Keeping secrets is hard! Plus, it's too happy not to share!


Oh, tripod self-timer shots.... so hilarious. We seriously tried 30 times before giving up! hahaha!
Take 1: Where's Maggie??? 
 photo DSC_0828_zps2637b348.jpg
Take Two: Act Surprised! Rachel, I'm pretty sure that's the opposite of surprised! And hold tight to Maggie- she's trying to escape!
 photo DSC_0841_zpsfbea0207.jpg
Take Three: Best one of Daddy and Maggie! So cute! And you can totally see my belly growing already... bah! it's happens too fast!
 photo DSC_0836_zps433f29bf.jpg
Take Four: Daddy shouting, "Everyone get your chin up!".... Welp, at least Rachel was listening... haha...
 photo DSC_0830_zps9e75b0ed.jpg
Take Five: Just Right.... or good enough! ;)
 photo DSC_0840_zpsfa57b0a1.jpg

Coming into the world OCTOBER 2013

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

"Where I Come From"- Grandpa Renfroe

I have totally let the ball drop on my "Where I Come From" posts! But, trust me, this one was worth the wait. I've had it in the works for some time now and I'm so excited to share it with you!

It's about my Mom's grandpa, my Great Grandpa, Morris Renfroe. Every time I begin to write these posts my body begins to tremble and I feel so warm inside. Even though I never met my Great Grandpa, I feel as if I know him and he knows me.

A few months ago, you might recall the girls and I heading to Missouri for the funeral of my Great Grandma, Ruby. While we were there, sitting at Golden Corral with many of my extended family, my Mom met a couple who knew my Great Grandpa Renfroe.
 It was a funny thing- seeing as the funeral we were attending was for my Dad's Grandmother and then we meet people who knew my Mom's Grandfather. 
Coincidence? Oh no... I don't believe in such things.

I was soooo excited at this point! I asked them lots of questions. Some of which included, "Where was a my Great Grandpas ranch?" "Is it still there?" "How far away is it?"
To which he responded- "It's not far at all. Would you like me to bring you there?"
"YES YES YES YES YES!"

I've heard about this ranch since I was a kid, and I couldn't wait to see it with my own eyes.


Grandpa's ranch was set in the tiny town of Everton, Missouri.
 photo miissouri173_zpsb26eee3a.jpg
Grandpa's Ranch was called the "Rocking R Ranch", but the new owners call it the "Bar Box Ranch"...
 photo miissouri170_zps9289ffa0.jpg
Pictures really don't do this place justice. It was breathtaking.
 photo miissouri158_zps8a825f5c.jpg
Hundreds of acres of rolling green hills with cattle speckled all over...
 photo miissouri092_zpsbc21e1a4.jpg
My little Rachel running up to Grandpa's old barn... this picture gives me goosebumps...
 photo miissouri117_zps33e9753e.jpg
I loved that old barn. There was a reverent spirit there that I can't explain.
 photo miissouri128_zpsd2d4a86b.jpg
The girls had a good time exploring...
 photo miissouri146_zpscb5254a1.jpg
Can I just tell you how grateful I am for family history? It takes my breath away. 
Moments like these you never forget. My past and heritage gives me power and the strength I need to be the very best Jessica Lynn Payne I can be. 
 photo miissouri134_zpsf90d86ad.jpg

I asked my wonderful Nana to write a few words about her father and I'm so grateful that she agreed to the task. You see, my Nana is a Daddy's girl through and through. She knew him better than anyone and I believe the same is true for him. Thank you for writing this Nana, I know you miss him so much. Love you.


Written by: Virginia Lynn 'Renfroe' Uppencamp
"My Dad, Morris S. Renfroe, was the most kind and sweet man I have ever known. Yes you might be able to tell I was a Daddy’s girl. He was in World War 2; he left when I was just a baby and got home when I was 5 years old. While he was over seas he would send me a doll from every place he went. At home Mother and I were living with Mama and my Aunt’s and Uncle’s. At this house I was given a hall closet and Granddad Allsup put shelves on the back wall and on the sides. That is where I placed all of my dolls that Daddy sent me. There were a lot of them and they were soooo pretty. The house caught fire one day and I kept trying to run into the house to save my dolls, my Uncles had to tie me into a car. All of my dolls were destroyed. When Dad got back home he tried to start another doll collection for me but my sister would not leave them alone.  Daddy took over farming the cotton farm in New Home after his brother died. It was nice having Dad around all day- I would go with hime to plant the cotton, feed the cattle, dehorn cattle, and give shots to the animals.  We did the rodeos together.  He taught how to ride a horse and do everything he was doing. I loved doing things with my Dad. Everyone in town loved Da also he would speak to everyone and help anyone that needed help.  He loved little children, all the little children would call him Uncle Morris, it didn’t matter what color they were or whose children they belonged to.  Dad always carried around in his pocket some 1cent bubble gum and would always give the kids one.  Dad was always playing jokes on me and everyone all the time. One that I really enjoyed was when the electric fence had broken and he asked the hired hand he had to out there and fix it.  The break was close to the house and the on/off switch was inside the house.  Dad watched the hired hand and when he picked up both ends of the wire, Dad turned on the electric.  Of course this shocked the hired hand and he thru them down, Daddy just laughed and laughed.  He told them to do it again and he wouldn't turn it on but the man wouldn't touch the wires again.  Daddy went out there and picked up the wires and when he had both of them in his hands I turned the switch on.  Daddy was jumping around then, the hired hand and I really laughed then.  But he was a good sport when we played tricks on him once in a while. But he was forever getting us.
My Dad forever wanted a large ranch, with cattle and horses and pigs.  The cotton farming was such a gamble, if the heat didn't kill the crops the rain would or the wind would take them out.  So he had his heart set on a large ranch.  He finally got one little after I got married.  I never got to live on the ranch in Everton, Missouri but I did visit him there.  He loved it there on the ranch. It was the most beautiful ranch in the area. While he was there he had a heart attack and the Dr. told him that he couldn't ride horses, couldn't do any dehorning, branding or anything on the ranch. He lived this way for a year and that year at Christmas he had us all together and said that he was very unhappy about not doing things he loved with his friends.  He said that he was going to go back to doing all the things he was told not to do. Well he started back doing what he wanted and loved.  He was much happier.  In about a year and a half he was out one morning with all his friends, it was a day of branding and doing everything for the cattle.  While they were doing this and having a lot of fun together, my sweet Daddy had another heart attack, and this time it took his life.  He was only 55 years old.  The next week after this he had an appointment with a lawyer in town to sign papers that stated that the ranch was not to be sold if anything happened to him, that I (Virginia) was to run the ranch and Mother was to live on the ranch until she passed away, then the ranch could be divided between all of the Grandkids.  Well needless to say he didn’t get the papers signed.  Mother sided with Sharron and they sold the ranch and everything on it.  They went thru the money in just a couple of years. That’s the story of my life.  I miss him to this day so much.  But at least he was taken when he was doing the things he loved."


There he is! My Great Grandpa Renfroe... photo img141_zpsc351c3ed.jpg
Standing: Grandpa and his siblings: Edna, Inise, Dorthy, Peter Harry, Louis, Morris, and Detrich  
Sitting: His parents: Peter Harry Renfroe and Susan Belle 'Fortenberry' Renfroe
 photo img123_zps66502b89.jpg
My Nana and her Daddy... 
I just can't help but think of what a sweet reunion that will be! 
"Till we Meet Again" 
 photo img121_zps6683f29d.jpg

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Skate Park

A few Saturdays ago we took our dinner to the skate park.
Someone was kind enough to lend Rachel their extra scooter...she LOVES those things! 
I think it's time to hit up Goodwill and find a couple scooters!   
Photobucket
I love the sunshine in her hair...
Photobucket
There are lots of big ramps at the skate park that are perfect for babies to slide down and run up!
Who needs a skateboard when you have a Daddy? 
Photobucket
So Tyler, when's my turn? 
haha!
Kidding! sort of.
Photobucket
Yeehaw!
Photobucket
She's a pro.
Photobucket
My crazy crew! 
No better way to spend a Saturday evening.
Photobucket

Friday, March 1, 2013

Handy Man

Oh that handy man of mine! How I love him! He makes all of my dreams come true. Including my bright, fun, homemade home dreams! 
He spends most Saturdays out in the garage building stuff. 
I keep wanting to post pictures of our home, but you're just going to have to wait. 
It's not done yet! 
   

Photobucket
The girls had fun pounding dowel rods into boards...
Photobucket
You got it girl!
Photobucket
Such concentration... same look as when she's destroying the bathroom... all business.
Photobucket
Thank you Handy Man!