Paynes Far and Wide: August 2011

Hello Family! I realize that I haven't visited the blog much in recent months, so I just spent a good long time going back and looking through months and months of all your fun posts!

I'm sure that everyone is getting ready for and is super excited for the big family vacation. My little family is sad that we won't be going with you, but we really hope that everyone has a wonderful time. Make lots of memories! Perhaps someday, Mike's Army career will be in a place where we are able to commit to joining on a family vacation without worrying that an Army duty will conflict with the timeline.

Since everyone is about to head off on a big fun adventure, I thought that I would share our family's summer vacation time with you. So that you all think of us while you are playing in the Mexican sun! ;)

Last month, we went to the beach! Hayden had so much fun playing in the sand that he threw a little temper tantrum when it was time to leave. He did not want to go home! Here are a few pictures...

Last month, my stepson Ryan turned five years old! We love talking to him on Skype. Hayden tries to kiss him on the computer screen every time.

We also went on a short visit to Georgia so that Hayden's grandparents could meet him and spend a little time with him. While we were there, we made a trip to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta - which is the world's largest aquarium! Hayden was absolutely fascinated. Here are a few more pictures...

While we were visiting Mike's parents and some of his family, I was reminded of where he comes from. Mike is not ashamed of how he grew up, he didn't have any control over it. But, I now understand why he joined the Army at 17 years old. He always knew that as soon as he could, he would leave Jackson, GA and never look back. This is the house he grew up in...

Now, imagine no plumbing. For many years, the family used a large bucket as a toilet. Mike and his brother had the chore of emptying it daily. Mike remembers getting a bath by standing in a large metal tub while his mother poured water over him from the wood burning stove. Some days Mike got to bathe first, and some days his brother got to go first. The other boy would have to clean up with his brother's leftover dirty water. His father installed plumbing near the end of the time Mike lived there.

The glass windows you see on the house weren't always there. Mike remembers the windows being made of simple plastic sheets that were taped to the window frames. The house had no furnace. It's only source of heat in the winter was the wood burning stove in the center room of the house. You could call it the living room, but many people slept in it over the years, including Mike, so it was more like a community space. Mike didn't have his own bed, he had to share. There was no real foundation, or insulation in the house. Mike says that you could look down through the wood planks of the floor and see right through to the dirt below. Bugs never bothered Mike. Why would they when you are more worried about the rats and snakes that are always trying to move in with you? I could go on and on. At one point Mike even lived in the barn behind the house. But, you get the idea.

The reason I tell you this story is because I am truly grateful for everything that my family has today. It's so easy to get caught up in who has the biggest house, the newest car, the coolest toys or the nicest clothes. I am so happy for what we can provide for both Hayden and Ryan today. I am so happy for all of you that you get to go on a family vacation, on a cruise! The next time you find yourself feeling envy or want for something bigger, better and newer, remember this and be happy for all that you have!

(On a side note - Mike's parent's moved into a trailer on the same property in 02 or 03 I believe. No, I did not take Hayden into the house above.)

Now, everyone have a fun, safe trip! Take lots of pictures! Next month, Hayden turns two and starts preschool. Mike is also going to airborne school soon. So, I should have more family photos to share much sooner, rather than later!