Thwarted again

It's been a bit of a quest of mine to procure a current family photo of the entire Ron Payne family for some time now. What with my sister-in-law living out of state, my mother-in-law insisting on family friends in every picture, and a general feeling of ambivalence towards formal pictures, my quest has been a challenge indeed. There have been some near misses sure. Take my sister-in-laws' wedding last April. Perfect time to catch the whole family in at least one or two shots right? I mean they all have to be there for the family wedding pic wouldn't you think? but alas, it's not meant to be. Due to a overflowing water heater, two vip's were missing in action in that photo. Oh sure, there were promises of photo shopping them in, but that never materialized and here I was back to ground zero.

Then this last weekend another opportunity came up. Jason's other sister Ja'Naye's upcoming nuptials filled me with anticipation and hope. I decided to take matters into my own hands (camera) as I never seem to be able to order any pictures from any of the photographers that are hired for these sorts of events. I consorted with Cameron's girlfriend, Shana for the hope of winning the prize. I pointed out all who had or still used the last name Payne and told her to shoot like mad right behind the photographer whenever these people stood all together. The moment arrived, just as we were all assembled and looking at the camera, someone yelled out "go get Mary and the boys!" ( family friends) So as I signaled to Shana to snap one while it was clear, my Mother-in-law turned around to tell me she had it all under control! Well, the outcome is pretty clear. I'll let you be the judge. Maybe next time....

Marilyn at sisterfest las vegas. And oh, did I mention that Jason had the mumps?!?

what I've been doing since my last ( first ) posts

So, not only have I had trouble logging back into my own blog, but I've also found myself various projects and events to keep me from posting. I also haven't invited anyone to view my blog yet so only the most devoted fans come to see that I haven't posted. Anyway, since March I have found myself at several soccer games. Ridge's team took the championship for u-11 in Utah County! Yeah Ridge! I finally tiled the laundry room! ( you may or may not hear the cheers) yes, that 5% of my house that was unfinished is now finished. I actually want to go in there, but I'm sure it won't last. I also attended sisterfest las vegas 2008. An event you really shouldn't miss, providing you are invited of course.

Ode to Deb

For many a month now my heart hath felt happy

not just a trip on the horizon but a visit from family

the butterflies, anticipation, looking forward to the sun

not just any family member, though any would be welcome

no, it's our own little sun, Deb with little beam Sophie

coming to our rescue

oh, the joy, oh, the happiness

and how our own children do rejoice at the thought of Deb

here and taking care of them

my heart hath wings

fifth grade maturation

Okay,so I never thought the day would come when I would attend the fifth grade boys maturation program. One reason is because I feel that it is the dad's job! The other reason is that, how can I possibly be old enough to have a child that is maturing enough to need guidance through the process?
Well, Jason couldn't attend (or so he said) and I found myself alone in a sea of testosterone and not in a good way lest you be reminded of my single days. Now, I consider myself a fairly mature women and not inclined to get the giggles even when the "p" word is said. which is more than I can say for Jason. But a room full of fifth grade boys and their dads discussing wet dreams is more than any girl should have to take!
Ridge was crouched in a corner acting like he didn't know me even when his friends kept pointing to me and yelling "hey, there's you're mom!" I didn't blame him, I was having a hard time making eye contact myself. Having been married for 13 years I wouldn't consider myself necessarily naive but there was information passed out that I would have been okay never being aware of. no, really.

Okay, we're going to take things down a little here. I 'd like to dedicate this, my first post on my new blog, to my sister jami. Without her there would be no blog, because I am computer illiterate and she just set this up for me. Also for other reasons which I am about to name. She is one of my idols though she may not know it. There are so many good things in my life that I truly owe to her. A shared fanship of Billy Blanks, tae bo master and my personal trainer. ( he tells me he is every other morning in his boot camp dvd series )

My new way of scrapbooking called "creative clips and fonts" by creating keepsakes, the best, easiest, cutest way to scrap. And though I may not be caught up ( ever ) all the pages I have accomplished since purchasing the aforementioned little gem, I give credit to her idea ( and demonstration as I have mentioned before, the computer is a mystery )

Next would be running. Now for those of you who know me, know that while running is a bit of a passion for me now, it wasn't always this way. No, some would remember me receiving an F each day in P.E. when we had to run the mile in less than 20 minutes. Well fast forward several years to when I had just given birth to my third child, turned thirty, and was visited by a little thing called gravity all in one year. My regular workouts just weren't cutting it and so who did I call? Yep, my sister Jami. She encouraged me to start running and kept on encouraging me when I would call to cry or whine that it was too hard and I could barely make it around our 1 mile route. It meant so much to be able to run my first marathon with her last September!

Okay, now fashion. Have you ever had the kind of friend that knows you so well that if she finds a pair of pants or a great skirt she knows you'll love, you don't even have to go try it on , you just buy it! And she's right and you love it.

Now there are a myriad ( dictionary.com word of the day ) of other reasons why she is my idol but just suffice it to say that if she tells me about something she thinks is great, I'm in!

Is this too long for a first post? Okay I'm done. By the way, the above picture is a reenactment of something we like to call Jami and Joey sing "somewhere out there" at my sister Nicole's wedding in 1987. It was awesome. You should have been there.

The Shoe That Got Me 26.2 Miles (in 1 day)

I have a relationship with my running shoes that is unlike any other . . .