Uncle Adam...

Well, my brother Adam came up for a surprise visit today. He called on his way and asked if he could take Peyton and me out to lunch. She stayed awake just long enough to see him for a few minutes before we headed to lunch. She loves being held, so they bonded pretty quickly. It was good to just chat & catch up on life. Also, I want Peyton to see him as much as she can now because we never know where he will be stationed. In May he heads to Washington for a month and then to San Antonio for seven months before finally making it to North Carolina for at least a year...so is the life in the military. It was a short but great visit. Thanks for coming to see us today!

More Pictures...

Exercising during tummy time


this is Peyton's serious face

Simply Existing...

Do you ever have those days? You know the ones where you get stuff done and it is a good day, but you still feel as though you are simply existing...that you have little purpose or direction. I think today is one of those days. I have had a wonderful day with my family. We slept in, had a great breakfast, and hung out together this morning. Then Buck & I took Peyton to watch the NFL Draft...I know; we are nerds. Needless to say she slept through most of it. It was a nice afternoon out though. Then we came home and had dinner. Buck is teaching tomorrow so he has worked on that a bit. We have both read a little.

Still, we have pondered the same thoughts that we have so often over the last few years. God, is this what You want from us right now? Our family has been so blessed. We have a wonderful new daughter. She has wonderful family and friends, a great system of support to grow in. We love our home. We love the community we have found here. We love the vision of our church. We are financially more stable than ever. We are giving more away than ever. God is so good. But, we still wonder. Will God provide Buck with a ministry position again? If yes, will that be soon? Will we one day move far away again to pursue our dreams or will it be provided where we are? Can I continue to stay home with Peyton in our current situation?

I wouldn't say I am worried about these things as I have been in the past, I am just wondering. I have complete faith that God will provide...He has never failed me. I am just not sure what that will look like. Days like today are simple. Days like today make me wonder what is next. I guess days like today should make me pursue Christ even more...that I should remember to daily surrender all of me to Him...the Provider, my Savior, the Leader of my life.

Peyton meets Puzzle...

We met the newest addition to our family yesterday, Puzzle the Giraffe. Puzzle was given to Baby Peyton by Dax & Cole. Dax thought it would be a good idea since her room has a puzzle theme and Puzzle the Giraffe looks like she is covered in puzzle pieces. The boys were so thoughtful & finally brought Puzzle to Peyton yesterday at the park. The boys also held her for the first time and did a wonderful job. Cole even played Peek-a-boo with her to try and make her happy.

Dax Isbell

Cole Isbell - I don't even think he cares that she is crying.


Farah Isbell


Karen Isbell

We love visitors...

Peyton sleeping in her party dress! She really liked it I think.

Janet, Molly, Emily & Amanda




During Peyton's first few weeks we have had lots of wonderful visitors, including some of my friends from college who all came into town yesterday. My mom threw a shower & lunch for them to come visit us. It was such a relaxing time. We had great food...really great...and just hung out and let everyone hold and take pictures of Peyton. I am so glad these women are still a part of my life and that my daughter will know all of them:)


Louie & Lindsay Lovoy came to visit Thursday night. They brought us a wonderful dinner & hung out and chatted with Peyton. We are so glad they are in our growth group at MLC.

My Legacy...

Well, Today was Peyton's first trip to Mountain Lake. She was a little startled by the music once or twice, but overall she did a great job.

We finished up our NO REGRETS series today, and the message was about leaving a legacy. That is obviously something I have thought about even more now that I have a daughter. I want her to know that my number one priority was Jesus, that my life was about following hard after Him, that even the little things in my life point towards Him. I want her to know how important my family is to me. I want her to see a good picture of marriage as she grows up. I want her to see what love and generosity look like by the actions and decisions I make in my life. I want her to know what it means to value people and how important relationships are to point people toward Jesus.

Living a life of no regrets means leaving a legacy with eternal impact. I pray that Peyton will one day make a decision to give up her desires and herself to follow Jesus. I pray that other people in my life who are still searching, who are making their way on their spiritual journey will be one step closer to eternity with Jesus because of my life, because of the love Jesus gave me to share with them.

Our First Date...

Well...our first date since baby arrived. My brother Daniel kept Peyton for about an hour tonight while we went on a "date". I thought date nights were important before a baby, but now I do believe they are essential. We took a simple trip to Kroger & used the rest of my Starbucks giftcards to get a special treat. I don't know that we even talked about anything at all, but it was nice to have a few minutes away to just relax. We are definitely going to have to make sure we don't let those go just because we have a new little one in our family.

What I Want...

Well, we all have those friends...the ones who always know what we really want, what we really like. My friend Farah is like that, which is why she brought me this soap. What a wonderful gift to me. Others may question its greatness, but not me. I love washing my hands at her house because of the way I smell after using this soap. Something so small can become so significant when a friend thinks about you. My day is better because I have a friend who thought about me & knew exactly what I wanted! Thanks Farah.

Thankful...

I am beginning to enjoy being mommy to Peyton more and more...maybe it is because I am sleeping and therefore not completely exhausted. Buck is being a great daddy. He is trying to get lots of quality time in since he has to go back to work tomorrow. She looks so big to me when she is laying stretched out on the floor, but then when she curls up on daddy's chest, she looks so tiny again.

I am so thankful for our wonderful blessing. I am thankful that we have so many friends and family around us who want to share in this exciting time for our family! I cannot wait until each one of you can meet her and hold her.

VISITORS
We would love to have you drop by the house whenever. Just give us a call 253.307.5165 or 253.973.6935 before you do. It is nice to have some company and "big" people to interact with.

Her first walk...that she slept through.

YAY for sleep...

Well, last night was the best night we have had. Peyton still woke up a lot, but every time she went back to bed awake and quietly went back to sleep. We were so refreshed this morning after so many nights without any rest.

Day 3...

Well, this is my first post since Peyton was born. Buck brought the computer downstairs since I am supposed to stay upstairs or down as much as possible. I am recovering pretty well although I am pretty sore all over. Hopefully she will sleep better tonight so that we won't be quite as exhausted.

I just have to say, my husband has been the greatest. He has changed almost every diaper...has burped her after feedings...cleaned the house...and more. I am so thankful for my best friend.

Dad with Peyton at her first doctor's appointment

Peyton got a visit today from Grandma (she hasn't decided on a name yet), Grandpa, and Uncle Josh. Hopefully she will be getting a visit from her other Grandma & Grandpa soon!!

More pictures

Mom and Baby are doing well. We are home now and trying to establish "the routine". I never understood the real value of a child's routine until the last 2 nights. You gain a lot of perspective at 3am. Other then the sleep thing which will come in time. Being a Dad is incredible!

Anyway, I just wanted to give you a link to more pics. Enjoy!

Peyton's first few days

Peyton Elizabeth

Just after Birth


Right after her first bathMom and Dad with the Peyton