My first airplane ride

So this weekend we are off to Cape Town for the two oceans and a visit to my dad, a Gabby first on a plane : )

We really were not sure how this was going to go... I even told the young lady sitting next to me that I wasn't sure and I was sorry up front for what was about to happen!

Anyway, the plan was for Gabriella to sleep but she would have none of that... Sleep is so overrated. She was good though, unlike the other two screaming kids in the flight. I was really glad we were not that side of the plane by them, at one point it sounded like the Father gave one of th a smack but that just made it worse... The crying got louder and the plan just erupted in laughter!

In am hoping that the flight home will be better and the excitement of being on an airplane has worn off and out little girl will sleep.

What a week, in a good way

So this last week started out with a bang! We got a call last week to go and see the magistrate to do the final documentation for Gabriella to finally become a Payne. We were not really sure what to expect but Debs was really impressed by the conversation she had with the magistrate and said she sounded nice... Well she was super nice and we really had nothing to worry about, the longest part of the morning was the up and down in the elevator! Really it took like 15 min to get all the stuff done.

The other great part of the morning was that we got to share in the joy of the Richter Family as they also appeared before the magistrate to finalize the adoption of their daughter Danelle.

We also managed to finally get our family photos done, it has been rather hectic lately and to get Adam and us on the same day has really posed it's challenges. Anyways we finally managed to do it and had a real blast doing it... Both Adam and Sam (his wife) were truly sports in taking the pics and before we knew it we were on like 2000 photos! In the words of Sam... "you need to take hundreds to get that one perfect shot!"

Adam sent me a taster this afternoon of what to expect and I am like a cat in a hot tin roof in anticipation.

Then this Sunday we finally had our dedication for Gabriella, read up on this in the previous post "Our promise to you... Precious Gabriella" It was nice to have almost the entire family there for the occasion. I think the afternoon feast at our house was a welcomed last minute addition to the plans ; )

Our promise to you... precious Gabriella

We thank God for the Grace that he has given us and through faith the road that he has led us down to get to this point, that we can reflect our adoption in Christ through the life of Gabriella. We therefore acknowledge our responsibility to be intentional in our parenting and endevour through everyday talk to show Gabriella Christ who is the Lord and Saviour of our lives and make the best of every oppurtunity that presents itself to show our Saviour Jesus Christ to Gabriella.

We Commit ourselves to use the means of Grace that are given to us through the local Church and use every oppurtunity to expose Gabriella to the various ministries & teaching of the Church that are available to assist us in adorning the gospel to Her.

We understand and ackowledge that this is a mammoth task, and request that this our Family and our church to assist in this endevour. We call on you as family to be our eyes and ears when we cannot, and help us to raise this precious gift Gabriella in the nurture and admonition of the Lord for his honour and glory.

Business in the front... Party in the back

Preparing for Fatherhood

Hung up on the way your life will change once the baby comes? Here's something to think about.

Have you been staying up all night thinking about all the things you and your partner won't be able to do once the baby arrives — seeing the world, taking up exotic hobbies, or even just going out at night whenever the urge hits? 

At 29 weeks pregnant, instead of thinking of what you won't have in your life any more (or won't have as much opportunity for), start thinking of what you will have in your life: A very special little person to share it with.  Will your life be different (your favorite hobby becomes blowing raspberries on that chubby little belly; your late nights involve rocking instead of dancing)?  Absolutely.  Will it be better?  Immeasurably.