A Payne Legacy

One thing Mom and Dad Payne will ALWAYS be known for is their amazing homemade bread.
It is incredible! sensational! A masterpiece!
Seriously, have you ever seen a picture you could eat?
Well, this one beats them all!
Yummmmm!!!!!!

Aunt Jeni graciously let Maggie butter the tops!

And here comes the best part...
Watching it fall apart...

And EATING it!

Now, I think I'll go get me a piece. 

Cousin Trip to the Zoo!

Last week was a super duper exciting one for the Payne family!!!! IT WAS MOM PAYNE'S GRADUATION WEEK!!! Wahhoooooooey! (more on this later...)
I called Mom on Tuesday and she informed me that- 
Jason, Michelle, and their three kids came from Georgia,
Brian, Tawyna, and their three kids came from Lubbock
Jeni was coming from Utah,
and Great Grandma and Grandpa Payne were coming from New Mexico!
Holy Talitio! Not to mention the Weatherfordoians- Jacob, Itzel, Elijah, Mom, Dad, Joseph, and Teancum!
And that's not even all of us. 
Anyway- I was feeling super bummed that we couldn't be there until Friday after Tyler got off of work, so Mom offered to meet us half way so the girls and I could stay the whole week. YAY! 

The girls were ecstatic! Especially Miss Rachel. Her and Daisy were practically invisible the whole week playing outside.
And all the kids were excited to hit the Zoo! All my pictures pretty much consisted off cute little backsides! So much to see!

She's just cute...

Maggie found the statue and was so happy until the bigger kids found it too! haha!

Payne cousins minus baby Matthew...

I just love the Fort Worth Zoo.... it felt so good to visit. The girls and I loved our Zoo passes when we lived in Weatherford. Rachel just cracks me up with the birds! She wants them close and then she doesn't want them close! Typical girl! haha!

hehehe- remind me never to show Alfred Hitchcocks- "The Birds" to Rachel. 
She's way too much like me. Won't sleep for weeks. hahaha!

Here birdie birdie birdie!

Pretty girl-

So much light in those eyes! 

"Mom, the bird just totally chirped at me!"
haha!

Happy Zoo Day!!!

Happy Mothers Day!

I watched a recent Mormon Message today and just adored this quote-

"Life doesn't come with a manual- it comes with a Mother."

Funny thing about this quote is that I remember distinctly holding newborn Rachel in my arms thinking, "Why didn't this thing come with a manual? What in the world am I supposed to do now?" 

I asked friends.

I asked neighbors.

I asked my Mother. (lots and lots of times)

Finally, I realized the real reason why I never received a manual with baby Rachel. 

It's because I already had one.

I asked Heavenly Father.

Happy Mothers Day to all the women who have loved and inspired me! Especially my Mom! 

There is no greater honor than being a Mommy to these two little girls...

A HE or a SHE?

What could it be?

A HE or a SHE?

What is number 3 going to be?

A Boy or a Girl?

A Mr. or a Mrs.?

Is Daddy finally getting a little football player?

Maybe he'll be a Nascar racer!

Or will Mommy add to her basketball dream team?

Another sweet, shining, little sunbeam!?

The big day finally is here!!!

The day we will all hear loud and clear! 

If it is a HE or a SHE!

The Doctor told us the big news!

My oh My, it is big news indeed!

The answer to our question about little number 3!

It's a HE! It's a HE! 

Boy oh Boy, it's a HE! 

Number 3 is a HE!!!!

WE CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S TIME FOR A BROTHER!

It's true, it's true- It's time for a brother!

A Brother, A Son-

 A new era has BEGUN!!!!

Happy Hump Day

I was scrolling through old pictures when I saw this one and realized that it never made it to a blogpost. Although this was months ago, I couldn't stand the thought of going on without it. I do love this picture. Tyler and I had the opportunity to go to a post deployment "yellow ribbon" event together without our kids. It was only two days and our car broke down in the process, but we didn't care. It was a wonderful weekend. 

I'm so grateful for this man in my life. He is my other half in every way. 

If you're wondering today has been a "lock myself in the bathroom" kind of day. During that moment I called Tyler and exclaimed, "Who am I? I used to be superwoman. I never had to call my husband in the middle of the day and cry! At least, I never was able to. I'm pathetic." To which Tyler responded, "No, you're pregnant and you're having a bad day. I love you and I think you're an amazing wife and mother." 

*deep sigh*

Okay babe. Thanks for listening. I love you.

Did I mention that I love this man?

Also, don't be fooled by the Jessica in this picture... she has changed quite a bit in the past 4 months... 

It'll all be worth it.

Going to hold my baby in just 5 short months.

We can do it.

Never underestimate the life of a mother.

God loves all his children... even mine.

Keep chuggin along.

Life is good.

Happy Hump Day... let's get over it now.

Seriously though, are we smokin' or what?