It's been an eventful week for Miss Pay. She split open her eye and received her first stitches. 
She decided to chop off her long locks, so I asked her to strike a pose before she left. She wasn't feeling that. 
Whatever, this girl loves the camera!
One last time for her favorite, 80's rock move.
Ta Da.....
Payton's been wanting a digital camera for a really long time. She was cracking me up, she was so excited. She took lots of shots today. I'll post em' later. For her birthday she wanted to go tubing at Bogus Basin, so we'll take her and do the real celebrating Saturday. It's hard for me to believe it was 9 years ago I had this little lady. We had a rough start, but she has been the best girl.
She helps me with everything from the house to the kids and does it all without a complaint. I truly don't know how I ever survived without her. She's the mini-mom around here. She's responsible and hard working and we love her for it!
I think my favorite thing about Payton is that she genuinely cares about people, has a big heart, and wears it on her sleeves.
Just this morning when her brother started to open her present I told him to stop, that it was Pay's present. "Oh, no, it's o.k. mom, he can open it, " she said with a smile. She truly didn't care. She was happy to see him happy.
Then today when I brought treats to her class her teacher asked her to choose one person to help her pass them out. Everyone raised their hand. I turned her way to see a look of complete agony on her face. She whispered to me, "Mom, I don't really want to choose one person, I am afraid it will hurt the other's feelings. Will you please just help me?"
I feel like I owe a lot to Payton. Her life has changed mine, this I know for certain. We tried for a baby for over three years. When I found out we were expecting and especially during my pregnancy I wanted to become more of the person I wanted her to have as a mother. This was life altering for me, and Payton is responsible for that and adding to my life in a way I never thought possible. I feel grateful every day that I am blessed to be her mother. My greatest desire is that we'll always be close, that she'll trust and rely on me, and know that I am there for her always. Payton makes me proud of her on a daily basis. She makes me laugh, and I enjoy spending time with her. My love for her is indescribable, and I hope she'll always know how special she is to her dad and me.
I love you, Payton Ally!
