Little did I know that when I was accepted into Ryan's family I would experience God's gift of a miracle. Several little miracles actually :) We never really know the beauty of God's workings until we experience it first-hand. Not only was I about to receive the blessing of a husband and wonderful in-laws, but I was also about to receive another life-changing experience, the experience of a little Angel. God's Angel.
A little over two years ago, before Ryan and I got engaged, a beautiful new life came into this world. Ryan's sister, Casey, and her husband Anthony, had a beautiful baby girl, Payton. This was Casey and Anthony's first baby, so this was a huge moment in their lives. Well, of course all babies, whether it is your first, second, or third, are a huge moment. hehe. :) But you will hear every mom say "there is something about that first child".
A little over two years ago, before Ryan and I got engaged, a beautiful new life came into this world. Ryan's sister, Casey, and her husband Anthony, had a beautiful baby girl, Payton. This was Casey and Anthony's first baby, so this was a huge moment in their lives. Well, of course all babies, whether it is your first, second, or third, are a huge moment. hehe. :) But you will hear every mom say "there is something about that first child".
Many beautiful lives came into the world in the first few years Ryan and I were together. Ryan's sister Summer also had a beautiful baby girl, Jayce, when we first met. She is absolutely adorable and looks just like Summer. This was a huge an exciting moment! I also got to see Summer and Ronnie have another sweet baby boy, Kameron, who is an absolute sweet, blue-eyed, handsome little thang :) Of course, we cannot forget sweet Konnor, who is so amazingly smart and is such a gentlemen. Along with Summer's came Casey and Anthony's second baby, precious baby Brayden. He is just as beautiful and handsome!
In the days leading up to Payton's birth we threw big showers, they decorated the most precious baby room fit for a magazine, and we shared funny stories of what we pictured Payton doing when she was older. I grew closer and closer to Ryan's family over the years and they became a huge part of my life. They are so special to me. Casey and Anthony had asked me to be Payton's nanny and jumping with joy, I honorably agreed! I was so thrilled and happy. Everyone knows I just love children! I am very close with Ryan's whole family and Casey and Summer are like sisters to me. I was honored to care for their sweet baby girl and I was so excited. Casey and I always imagined Payton being honory becuase I am not good at telling anyone "no", and everyone knows they can get away with anything with Aunt Natalie. hehe. We knew Payton would be beautiful. What we didn't know is that God was about to bring us a special life changing miracle, an Angel.
Payton came into this world on Halloween and was diagnosed with down syndrome. Since her birth we have never seen this disability. God has moved more mountains than anyone could ever imagine. Payton was born with a hole in her heart that the doctor felt would surely need surgery. Everyone was worried and praying for little Payton. It would take a miracle to heal this large hole, according to the doctor. Payton and God had other plans. God didn't waste one moment and healed her heart completely! That was the first of many miracles God would bless the Domina family and all of us with. We had no idea this precious baby girl would open our eyes to the beauty of God's love and grace. We also never knew that we would now see the world through a different set of eyes - eyes that don't judge, and eyes that see the world in all of God's greatness. These eyes didn't see negativity, hate, and they weren't judgemental. These are God's eyes.
When I officially became Payton's nanny and I started caring for her, I immediately fell in love with this special baby girl. Casey and I laughed and enjoyed the sweet and funny moments Payton created. When Casey got home from work we would always get to catch up and have our sisterly talks. We talked about Ryan and I having babies and getting married and how all of the cousins would play. We pictured Ryan as a dad and how great he would be. We played with Payton on the floor, read to her and watched her do new things. Not only did my bond with Payton grow, but I also experienecd a new wonderful friendship with Casey. It was very special. Casey and I created a special bond and we enjoyed having that special time together with Payton. In our talks, Casey shared with me the blessing of Payton and at the same time, the challenges. There were fears and tears, fears of the unexpected and happy tears about the amazing things Payton was doing. Payton created miracles on a daily basis and God worked in the lives of the Domina's. As Payton continued to defeat life's challenges, these fears would be diminished and Casey and Anthony would feel the comfort of God. Payton was God's angel and soon we would see that there wouldn't be anything Payton couldn't do.
Payton came into this world on Halloween and was diagnosed with down syndrome. Since her birth we have never seen this disability. God has moved more mountains than anyone could ever imagine. Payton was born with a hole in her heart that the doctor felt would surely need surgery. Everyone was worried and praying for little Payton. It would take a miracle to heal this large hole, according to the doctor. Payton and God had other plans. God didn't waste one moment and healed her heart completely! That was the first of many miracles God would bless the Domina family and all of us with. We had no idea this precious baby girl would open our eyes to the beauty of God's love and grace. We also never knew that we would now see the world through a different set of eyes - eyes that don't judge, and eyes that see the world in all of God's greatness. These eyes didn't see negativity, hate, and they weren't judgemental. These are God's eyes.
When I officially became Payton's nanny and I started caring for her, I immediately fell in love with this special baby girl. Casey and I laughed and enjoyed the sweet and funny moments Payton created. When Casey got home from work we would always get to catch up and have our sisterly talks. We talked about Ryan and I having babies and getting married and how all of the cousins would play. We pictured Ryan as a dad and how great he would be. We played with Payton on the floor, read to her and watched her do new things. Not only did my bond with Payton grow, but I also experienecd a new wonderful friendship with Casey. It was very special. Casey and I created a special bond and we enjoyed having that special time together with Payton. In our talks, Casey shared with me the blessing of Payton and at the same time, the challenges. There were fears and tears, fears of the unexpected and happy tears about the amazing things Payton was doing. Payton created miracles on a daily basis and God worked in the lives of the Domina's. As Payton continued to defeat life's challenges, these fears would be diminished and Casey and Anthony would feel the comfort of God. Payton was God's angel and soon we would see that there wouldn't be anything Payton couldn't do.
Not only did I grow an amazing bond with Casey and Anthony, Ryan's mom and step-dad became parents to me. I grew so close to them and we have had so many wonderful memories with sweet Payton. There were days when Nonnie and I would watch Payton and we would just laugh and have a blast at all of the sweet and wonderful things Payton did. I remember coming over to Nonnie's house one day and she was so excited to show me a CD she had made Payton, Casey, and Anthony for Christmas. It was full of Christmas music with Payton's name in the songs. Carol and I cried and cried and talked about all of the wonderful things Payton has brought to everyone's lives. That was a special day. My bonds with family members grew and I became closer to Ryan's sister Summer, Ryan's aunt Pam, Ryan's grandma Viv, and many others. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful family.
Payton knew God's plan and she knew in her mind that she would walk, talk, and do all of those things. It was like she was telling us all to be patient and trust in the Lord. As Payton got older the miracles didn't stop and Payton only brought wonderful things into everyone's lives. Payton was walking, talking, and doing wonderful things. All part of God's special plan for a special Angel.
Payton knew God's plan and she knew in her mind that she would walk, talk, and do all of those things. It was like she was telling us all to be patient and trust in the Lord. As Payton got older the miracles didn't stop and Payton only brought wonderful things into everyone's lives. Payton was walking, talking, and doing wonderful things. All part of God's special plan for a special Angel.
Casey and Anthony grew more and more involved in the Down Syndrome Association and did wonderful things for the organization. DSA became a huge part of all of our lives. The entire family got invovled and before we knew it God had recruited us all to fight for all of the children that faced this disability. I can remember the first buddy walk we all did. Such an amazing experience! We had a garage sale, where we bartered with customers and received many donations. We found we weren't the best barterers because we always let the customer have it at the lowest price. hehe. Nevertheless, the garage sale was a hit and we were able to buy team shirts with the money we had raised! The buddy walk came and it was one of the most special moments we have all experienced. Everyone was there to support Payton and her mommy and daddy. They are amazing parents and more than deserve recognition. It was a huge success and we all couldn't wait for next year. Here we are again, it is May 2010 and we are getting ready for our third buddy walk!! YAY! This year Payton will walk at the buddy walk and we will see even more miracles happen for her and other children.
Through all of this Payton has made me smile and she has shown me the beauty of life and all of its blessings. I began to see life differently. Payton did something to all of us that day she was born and I know I can speak for everyone when I say, She changed our lives to make us live more like God and made us better people.
Payton has never let her disability stop her. She defeated every challenege and every bump in the road that came along. I never saw Payton's disability, I saw Payton - God's Angel. Payton shows you what life is truly about. She shows you how special God is and how his beauty is everywhere. She shows you that life is too short to fret and worry, she teaches us to stop and smell the roses, enjoy the outdoors and God's miracles. She teaches us to not be judgemental of others and to see everyone for the good they have inside of them. She teaches us to love one another and cherish special moments. She teaches us that life is precious and that we should live everyday with a positive attitude and be thankful for the blessings God has given us. Most of all, she teaches us that with God working in our lives we can reach dreams beyond our belief.
Casey and Anthony, thank you for allowing me to watch your precious girl. She has more than touched my life in great ways! Your family have all touched my life and I am blessed! I look forward to being a part of your family and enjoying the wonderful memories we will have!
Through all of this Payton has made me smile and she has shown me the beauty of life and all of its blessings. I began to see life differently. Payton did something to all of us that day she was born and I know I can speak for everyone when I say, She changed our lives to make us live more like God and made us better people.
Payton has never let her disability stop her. She defeated every challenege and every bump in the road that came along. I never saw Payton's disability, I saw Payton - God's Angel. Payton shows you what life is truly about. She shows you how special God is and how his beauty is everywhere. She shows you that life is too short to fret and worry, she teaches us to stop and smell the roses, enjoy the outdoors and God's miracles. She teaches us to not be judgemental of others and to see everyone for the good they have inside of them. She teaches us to love one another and cherish special moments. She teaches us that life is precious and that we should live everyday with a positive attitude and be thankful for the blessings God has given us. Most of all, she teaches us that with God working in our lives we can reach dreams beyond our belief.
Casey and Anthony, thank you for allowing me to watch your precious girl. She has more than touched my life in great ways! Your family have all touched my life and I am blessed! I look forward to being a part of your family and enjoying the wonderful memories we will have!
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