Moving Forward With Faith

Well, it was a good fight. 

I'm heart broken.

It's beyond my understanding.

Thank you, Ann and Mitt.
I would have loved to have seen you in the white house.
You were the one's for the job.

 

I've rededicated myself as a mother and am motivated to teach my children the true meaning of freedom,

about our founding fathers and what made America great!

The media and educational system will corrupt their thinking and cause them to forget if I don't do something about it.

My fear is that our "one nation under God... with liberty and justice for all" will crumble in my lifetime.

I'm praying for a brighter future for our children!

I also recognize that they are our future.

I'm grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The Lord's work will continue to move forward.

I trust that He has a plan.

I'll continue to pray for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in this country that I love and for those that lead it.

"We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to pray for the President, for 

his administration and the new Congress as they lead us through difficult and turbulent times. May our national leaders reflect the best in wisdom and judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to them by the American people."-First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. 

"Fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith."-Thomas S. Monson

I'm choosing to move forward with faith, hope and charity, rather than fear.

 May God bless America...the land of the free and home of the brave.

Who's It Going To Be?

Will we have another four years with President Barack Obama? 

Or will Mitt Romney come out on top? 

We are about to find out.

 

It's going to be a long night of anticipation.

All I can say is, I'm praying right along with you, Mitt!

Our great nation needs your help!

 It's in our hands, but more importantly, the Lord's.

 Hopefully there are still enough American's fighting for the freedoms and values our country was founded on to win.

Silly Hair, Boots & Me

Minnie started her week off in style! 

She was so excited to show off her silly hair at pre-school for (S)illy Hair Day...

And Princess's teacher gave her scholars permission to wear boots today!

Princess has been all about boots, horses, and being a "ropin' n' ridin' cowgirl" lately. 

So, getting to wear her boots to school put a big ol' smile on her face!

 

It's the little things that brighten their (my) life :) 

As for me, I'm kicking myself for not following promptings this morning (why do I second guess them??), my left eye is killing me (The Mr. scared the living daylights out of me, and I woke up with a start, which isn't good on my sensitive eyes. Booo!), so I have to keep it closed while doing my mommy duties, baby Timmy's nose is running like a faucet and his crying is starting to pluck at my last nerve, Princess was up all night with swollen tonsils again, and I'm just plain tired...

Heaven help me get through homework, dinner and reading time with patience and a smile on my face!

Even though it's been an off day, I'm so grateful my family is safe. 
We have electricity, warm beds, a shower, food and shelter, unlike so many on the east coast right now after Hurricane Sandy.

My heart aches for their incredible losses.
I wish there was more I could do to help them.
The disaster stands as a reminder to me that life is precious, nothing is permanent, I need to enjoy today and prepare the best I can for the future.
Who knows what it will bring?

Tomorrow's a new day.

And although it's election day, I'm counting on it being a good one!! 

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE! 

It's your chance to be heard.

4th Of July With Family & The Beach Boys

The long anticipated holiday has finally arrived!

To say that the Provo parade, swim BBQ at Grandpa and Grandma's, and firework show at the Stadium of Fire is a favorite Payne family Independence Day tradition is an understatement.

We've been giddy with excitement since summer began!

Grandpa John manning the grill.  

He can grill steak, chicken, and shrimp like no one else...

Princess lounging at the pool with a second cousin...

Minnie trying to steer clear of the ball flying from uncles and cousins off the diving board...

Sport savoring an apricot...

We love apricot season in Utah!

Getting ready for the big show at the Stadium of Fire!

We love America and the freedoms we get to enjoy in our great country. 

It fills us with gratitude and happiness when we see our flag waving proudly. 

Happy Independence Day from our family to yours!

Minnie getting tickled by Uncle Pete!

Our little Timmy's first fourth of July! 

All smiles and soooo happy to be here.

Sport with his girls :)

My boys! 

Aunt Kate captured a darling moment. 

LOVE!

(Thank you for the candid shots, Kate!!)

Grandpa John and Grandma Edie getting ready for the big show! 

I love them and I love their patriotism.

The two love birds, Andrea and Kyle...

J and R with their fam...

Pete and Kate (the one that took these awesome photos) with Mr. C. man...

Ben and Dinesh with their fam...

Great Grandma Jaynann (isn't she lovely?) with Uncle Wid...

 

Hanging with dad...

Me with my girl...

Attempting another family picture...

Our matching girls can hardly wait for the show to begin...

Watching for the jets that fly over head! 

AWESOME, BOOOM, SHAKE THE STADIUM, BLOWN AWAY kind of coolness!!

Mmmm...frozen lemonade!

I'm in love with these two...

I get goosebumps when I sing the The Star Spangled Banner with my hand over my heart, while watching our flag wave in the air...

But it warms my soul to see our little ones do it all on their own right along with us.

Let the show begin!!

Taking a little break on big brother...

Best seat in the stadium!

We've especially looked forward to the Stadium of Fire this year, because we get to rock out to The Beach Boys!

These oldies still know how to give a show!

 (I stole this picture from The Salt Lake Tribune.  You can check out the article by clicking HERE.)

These girls didn't miss a beat!

They danced the night away...

Watching Grandpa John and Grandma Edie dance and sing with big smiles on their faces was the highlight of our night...

Grandma Edie rockin' out with her bestie...

Still dancing!

There wasn't a person sitting still in the stadium.

Well, if there was...I didn't see them!

The place was ALIVE!

What a part-A.

Smiles all around :)

Thank you Beach Boys for giving us a good time!

Timmy loooooved every minute of it.

He bounced to the music and clapped his hands at all the fireworks! 

He's a Payne boy through and through!

Much to mom's relief (I think).

We definitely got our firework show this year!

WOW.

We arrived home super late and filled up on left over BBQ.

It was a beautiful evening, so we climbed the roof (crazy right?) and watched the fireworks explode throughout the valley...

 

A perfect way to end a perfect day.

Happy Birthday, America!

July 4, 2012

Memorial Day

Our family celebrated all those that served/serve our great country today. 

Thank you for sacrificing so much for our freedom! 

We also remembered loved ones that have gone on before us. 

We sure miss them, but appreciate the good times we had with them. 

I'm so grateful to know that they are still near and that we will see them again!

We swapped storied and laughed at Uncle Tim's grave-site...

Listened to Veterans speak and Uncle Morgan play patriotic music in the band... 

Minny sat on daddy's shoulders so she could see...

Timmy loves to giggle at the silly faces his cousins make...

It's tradition to gather at Grandpa Dean and Aunt Susie's grave-sites with Grandma Jaynann.

We get to read stories and appreciate our heritage, as well as those that have served/are serving our country in our family.

Uncle Morgs was just asked to read a part of the program... HaHa!

All the little kids tried so hard to pay attention...

{The folded arm stance}

No smile??  He must be getting sleepy...

After the grave-site ceremony, we headed to the park for a family picnic!

Princess loved the bean bag toss...

Sport and cousin M. went on an "adventure"...

Timmy tried to fall asleep on Grandma Edie...

Sport climbed every tree he could find! As usual.

 

I love our time with family. 

 What a great day!

May 2012