Warning!!!! Topless Photo!!!!

For all those dads out there who are worried that there little boys won't grow up to be tough, strong men...

This is guaranteed to put hair on their chest.



Results not guaranteed for all body types and are not permanent.

Wesley's Gettin Saved

Wesley is gonna get saved tomorrow.

Not really, but we are going before our church to do an official baby dedication. However, I agree with our children's pastor when she says it's more of a parent dedication than a baby dedication. Basically, it's similar to a baptism for us.

When you place your faith in Jesus, it's common practice to get baptized. Baptism is often explained as a public profession of faith, meaning it's usually one of the first times you let people know about your decision to become a disciple of Christ. It doesn't really "do" anything for you except get you wet. The induction, if you will, occurred when you first made the decision. It's kind of like the couple who runs off to another place and gets married then comes home and has a ceremony. The ceremony doesn't "do" anything for them. They are already married, the deed is done. It's just an easy way to let everybody else know and show the spouse that they are not ashamed.

I regress, Jade and I will let everybody know publically that we intend to train Wesley up to the best of our ability in the way God plans for him to go so that when he is old he will not depart from it.

As part of the 'ceremony' some pictures of Wesley (it wasn't hard to pick since we don't have very many pictures, see Jade's blog at www.xanga.com/colormejade or www.smugmug.com/colormejade ) will flash on the screen and a quote that we selected for him. The quote we chose is from Louie Giglio, a fairly well known collegiate speaker.

"History is what is written every moment that you live. Let us write the history of our lives today. Our life, our history, our legacy is for today." -Louie Giglio

Since Wesley is the first born to the Payne family, part of his responsibility will be to carry on the legacy of the Payne name, but more importantly he will begin his own legacy that he will pass on to his family. He will write the history of his life with every decision he makes and each day that passes. He will dream of what he wants to be known for and how he wants to be remembered when he is gone.

It's kind of a novel idea...this writing history. I mean after all, you can't rewrite history, but every moment we live is history in the making.

What will your history say about you?

Jesus, Take the Wheel

Our pastor posted this on his blog and I felt it was worth reposting in mine.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zfs3BJZxKkc

Belly Buttons and Umbilical Cords

Stormy almost ate Wesley's umbilical stump!!!!!!

Wesley's Birthday

So this is my quick version of Wesley's birthday. Don't worry, it's a picture book for those who don't like to read.

Thursday started like this...

Jade and I go to get Stormy a little brother.

Stormy is sad.

Grandpas and uncle are playin it cool.

I said hi to Wesley.

Verified I was the father.

Wesley Thomas Payne

Happy family

This is the quick version (good excuse to get some pics up). For a much longer picture book the size of the brittanica encyclopedias...check out one of Jade's sites later this week.

Pressing On

A funny thing happened on the way to the company Christmas party

Actually the funny thing happened once we were already there. As we walked in the door to the banquet room all of the upper management were standing in a line with their wives and as you entered you had to shake their hands and wish them Merry Christmas and vice versa. One of the wives saw that Jade was pregnant and asked when the baby was due. Jade told her Wesley was due in a few weeks. The wife then responded with "Oh, baby Jesus. Baby Jesus," and held out her hands towards Jade's stomach. For about 30 seconds the lady referred to our son as "Baby Jesus." It was pretty funny.

I was tempted to tell her, "No, it's mine. He's all natural. No immaculate conception here."

Good Times

Wesley's Education

I signed Wesley up for Catholic school yesterday. He's just growing up so fast. One minute he's in the womb and the next he's well...he's still in the womb. But man he's kicking like he's ready to come out. I hope he's not claustrophobic and getting all panicky in there. Today I put my mouth to Jade's belly button and said, "Welsey, I am your father." I think that calmed him down a bit.

So yesterday some ladies from the Catholic church down the street were walking around doing a survey of the neighborhood trying to get a feel for the need of a daycare/school. They asked me if we had any kids and I said we were expecting our first in January and they said, "Oh good", "How exciting," etc, etc. I preceded to tell them that Jade would be a stay at home mom so we wouldn't be too interested in a daycare program. Then one of the ladies said, "Oh so your going to homeschool." And I said with a concerned look on my face, "Whoa, maybe not homeschool." (If you're interested in my views on homeschooling give me a call sometime and we'll talk about it). Then I said,"Well we still have a few years before we have to make any decisions like that anyway." And the homeschool lady said, "OK then, we'll mark you down as interested."

The lady with her said, "Well the baby's not even here yet, and the program is only available for kids 2 years and older."

But the homeschool lady wasn't deterred. She took my name, house number, and checked the "interested" box. She asked me if I was Catholic and I said no and she said that's ok, "It's for everybody."

So...Just like that Wesley's going to Catholic school. Whew...one less thing to worry about. I'm told you have to plan ahead for these kinds of things.

Pressing On