The Payne Family

Fishing time! ~ 5-9-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0000

Cameron and Dad went fishing for a little while. It was great for the two of them to get a way for a little while.

Cameron was excited to catch a little fish!

Hiding spot? ~ 5-9-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0000

Do you have a really great spot in your house where the kids like to hide? Or not exactly hide, but like to play?

The fireplace in our living room is that place in our house. Sometimes both kids will crawl in there at the same time and other times the kids, especially Braydon, likes to pile in a bunch of toys.

Either way, I'm glad glad they are enjoying the space and have a place to hang out.

Presenting at school ~ 5-9-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

As part of a team that assists our struggling students, I spend a lot of time discussing and working on interventions for these students. It also call for having additional duties. One such task is informing and presenting information to teachers. Today, I presented to our staff information from our team. As a teacher still on the campus it is an interesting and sometimes difficult position to be a teacher and to also spend so much time with administration. Sometimes some teachers aren't always so pleasant when they think you are "in admin's pocket" and "have admin's ear." As I progress through my admin program I'll be spending a lot more time and participating in additional duties.

Adding Master's degree countdown! ~ 5-8-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0000

I've added a countdown to graduation on the side. There are two, one for summer graduation and the other for December graduation. Not sure if my classes will make for the summer and if I can get my internship completed then. The countdown is on!

1 down 9 to go ~ 5-7-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

I am so excited to have finished my last class for my first semester. It will be a few days and I should have confirmation of my grade…A! Did you think of anything less? I've been working on a powerpoint with my group over the last few weeks to give tonight. But, when we got to class the projector wouldn't work. So we didn't exactly have to present. And while we were talking through things our professor entered our grades, which was 100! Guess we couldn't exactly get a grade on something we couldn't do since there was no projector to get the full effect of our presentation. It's been a great semester and can't wait to get through the next 5 semesters. Stay tuned!

Accident leads to crying and hurt feelings ~ 5-6-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

We were relaxing over and Nana and Papa's today. Braydon and Cameron were walking on and playing around the treadmill that is in the corner of the living room. The next thing we all knew, the treadmill was on and Braydon was stuck at the end between the treadmill and the wall/window. It scared us all pretty bad. Poor Braydon has a pretty terrible looking friction burn on his left leg along with a small friction burn on his head. I don't doubt that it hurt, but I really think he was more scared than anything. And of course Cameron felt terrible about it. He went and hid under the coffee table for a few minutes and wouldn't come out. He did it on accident and we all knew that. We will have to make sure that the treadmill is unplugged.

***Note to anyone with a treadmill and kids and have a treadmill in the corner by a wall.***

Playing and Picking up ~ 5-6-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

If you come into our house ANY time there is a good chance you will see this

And then after a few hours the boys get the directive to get the toys cleaned up and you will see this

if I am lucky!

Or them just standing there, staring out the window at Daddy mowing, while they are supposed to be cleaning up!

Girls day out ~ 5-5-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0000

After a late night at Relay for Life Lisa, Caitlin, and I went for a girls day. I had a massage and all three of us had pedicures.

Towel Boy Blue

I was so inspired by my new nail polish I found some I really liked to add to my summer enjoyment.

Relay for Life ~ 5-4-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

A dear friend of mine went through cancer diagnosis, treatment, and life afterwards. She's had some complications along the way, scary times, and complications from chemo and radiation since treatment ended. Needless to say, it would not be a life experience I would wish on my worst enemy. Watching someone so close to me go though such an awful experience was difficult. And while I did what I could do to help out, I never felt that it was enough to take just some of the burden from her.

One of the things I felt I could do to help her was participate in Relay for Life. It was an amazing experience and one that anyone who wants to assist in raising funds for cancer should get involved.

Caitlin, Lisa, and Barbara

Opening Ceremonies with Color Guard

Seeing this little boy, of not more than 10, broke my heart. Can you read his shirt? "Walking in Memory of My Daddy" No one this young should know the world 'cancer.'

'Survivors' during Opening Ceremonies

Willis H.S. cancer survivor. So sad that cancer is part of her vocabulary before graduating high school. She is one strong young lady!

The walk kicks off with a 'Survivors lap.'

Followed by a 'Survivors and Caregivers.'

Releasing balloons at the end of their lap.

Broke my heart to see someone so young with a 'Survivors' shirt on.

Plaques to celebrate and honor.

The LLMS Relay for Life team.

Willis had numerous teams. Every school had a team and since there is a maximum number of people per school, some schools had multiple teams!

Luminaries.

H O P E

C U R E

The luminaries were lines up around the ENTIRE track celebrating and honoring. They were absolutely beautiful when the lights to the stadium were turned out and we walked around to just the luminaries lit.

Some teams thought of some REALLY creative ways to raise money. This particular group created this setup and would put it on peoples lawns. If they wanted it moved, they would have to PAY for it to be moved to someone else, thus how the team raised funds. VERY CREATIVE! Who wouldn't want this on their lawn?!?

Bishop from the kids perspective ~ 5-4-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0000

Our dog Bishop. It is amazing to Michael and me just how loving AND tolerant he can be with the boys. For those who knew him pre-kids, you know what we mean when we say we didn't know if we could keep him around once kids came into our world. Fortunately, we never had to make that decision. Bishop has been great with the kids.

An interview of a lifetime, or at least K-5th grade ~ 5-4-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 20:11:00 +0000

Michael and I are interested in placing Cameron in the Dual Language program at the elementary school next to my school. We had an "interview" where Cameron went to the Dual language Kindergarten teachers and "played" with them in order for them to assess if he would be a good fit for the program. He had fun and we shall see in a few weeks if he is accepted into the program.

Hair cut for Cameron ~ 5-3-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0000

Cameron is getting to be such a big boy!

I remember the days when I had to get in the barber chair with him to get his hair cut.

He looks miserable here, but he really does enjoy getting his hair cut. (Just the timing of the picture)

Speed Stacking qualifiers ~ 5-2-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Back a few weeks ago, I received word from Cameron's teacher that he was good with cup stacking and his PE teacher was working with him to get better. Then I heard, he is "really good." I had no idea what cup stacking was. A few days later Cameron brought home some cups to "practice." And low and behold, he is pretty good at it. We stayed after school a few times and worked on it. I say we because I had to find out some things so I knew best how to guide him to get better.

Trip to San Leon ~ 4-29-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0000

My cousin and his wife, Justin and Erica, have dreams of living along the coast. Justin got his job transfer and Erica is waiting to hear if her job will let her continue to work for her company just from home in San Leon, 6 hours from their office in Dallas. To help them locate a house that would be suitable we went to the area to look at a house that they were interested in. Along the way we stopped by a few more that I found online.


Isn't this just the cutest house?!? We stopped by to check it out but it clearly was not going to be large enough. Plus the location was not great.

Then we met the realtor at the house Justin and Erica found online.

We gave it a thumbs up and wondered around the area to see if we could find anything else that might be an option. The realtor mentioned someone else had put in an application on the house. Time crunch time!

Boy was there quite a few types of houses to look at.

After looking around the neighborhood we went on an adventure to find a great place to eat.

We stopped by a park

Cameron and Michael having a great conversation. Aren't they so cute?!?

Such a great conversation Braydon had to join them.

Out on the dock taking in the people fishing and looking at all the happenings on the water.

My gorgeous guys!

As we got back int he car to head to lunch, Cameron's balloon escaped. Since it was such a windy day, all we could do was say good-bye to it.

Then we went to find

and enjoyed a great lunch by the water.

Deep in thought with a piece of lemon.

Michael doing a oyster shooter. Yuck!

One tired boy, who was surely asleep shortly after pulling out of the parking lot.

A rooster ~ 4-28-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

While to some this may look like a pretty hideous item, when a friend brought it over to include in my garage sale, I jumped at the opportunity to snatch it up for my grandmother. If you know my grandmother you know just the reason this is perfect for her.

Carpet cleaning ~ 4-15-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0000

What good is time off unless you are having fun and squeek out some time to clean your house. I know, no fun. I borrowed our sitter's floor carpet cleaner and even moved the furniture to clean the carpets. Making me tired just thinking about it, but man look at those floors! Quite satisfying.

Smells goooud ~ 4-12-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

I got a Scentsy warmer from a friend of mine a few months ago. Along with it I got 2 different scents to use in it. Braydon found one of them and walked around the house saying, "Um, smells goooud!" It's funny to hear him say some of his expressions.

150,000 miles? ~ 4-9-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0000

On my way home from class tonight my odometer turned over 150,000 miles. While I'm not itching for a new car quite yet because I love not having a car payment, once we get Michael's car paid off and save for a year it will be my turn again! Can't wait.

Why does it seem that you are so grown up when you are concerned about the mileage on your vehicle. Guess we aren't kids anymore!

Want some water? ~ 3-16-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

While I am glad Braydon can assert his independence, it often times comes at the expense of something else, like making a mess on the floor, making more laundry for mommy to clean and put away, and using brother's canteen - which Cameron promptly throws a fit about. What I can say?

Spring Break To-Do list ~ 3-10-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0000

I figured it would be best to make a to-do list of all the things I needed to accomplish over spring break. It helps me work through each item and I have more of a sense of accomplishment each time I check/highlight something off. As you can see, it was no small feat trying to get everything accomplished.

Braydon throwing a fit ~ 3-3-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Is it always the 2nd kid that gives you a run for your money and turns your hair grey prematurely?

Is it just my 2nd kid?

School Board meeting ~ 2-20-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 23:44:00 +0000

For one of my school assignments we had to compare/contrast 2 school board meetings. I have been to several of my district school board meetings but decided to go to another one as a refresher. I also went to the neighboring school district board meeting. As you can see the board room is small, the building is less than 100 yards from a FREQUENTLY used train track, and of the 3 hours I was there the board was in open session less than 30 minutes. But what I didn't see in school board meeting I definitely got enough in school/community "Gossip." I spoke to my professor, who was the interim Superintendent, about the happenings in the community. It was definitely an interesting experience and I realized that most districts, especially small ones, have their fair share of drama and politics.

"Picked the right team" ~ 2-18-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 23:42:00 +0000

The boys and I went to Kohl's to check out what was on sale. We went to the boys section and came across this Cowboys hat. We texted a picture to Uncle Matthew and his response, "It's about time he picked the right team." Poor Matthew lives in Atlanta and loves the Cowboys. Aunt Christa on the other hand despises the Cowboys. Makes for some interesting football games and Pick'Em League.

Little time to catch up and Rewind ~ 4-13-13

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 23:36:00 +0000

The bottom of my ever growing list of things to do is update the blog. Unfortunately, I'm so far behind it feels like a daunting task. So, here goes. I have some things ready to go, so get ready. Hopefully I can get caught up before the kids get out of high school!

You might some of the things out of order. In fact I go back a few months to a photo I found on my phone when I downloaded some pictures.

Hope you enjoy!

Easter 2012 ~ 4-8-12

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara P) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 23:24:00 +0000

We enjoyed Easter at Nana and Papa's.

Braydon and Cameron checking our their Easter baskets.

Getting ready to hunt Easter eggs.

A little too high to reach.

Checking our his loot.

Thanks to Aunt Lisa Cameron and Braydon are sporting some great water bottles.