Buck & Peyton on Father's Day

Happy Father's Day...

Hey Babe, thanks for being a great husband. You are growing & leading our family well on this great adventure. Thanks for loving me unconditionally. Thanks for serving me. Thanks for laughing with me & holding me when I cry.

But, this year, I want to thank you too for being a wonderful dad. I married you knowing you would be a great dad, serving & loving our children. Thank you for praying for her every day. Thank you for letting me have some time to get away. Thank you for being the one to hold her when she cries at the doctor. Thank you for working hard every day so I can be home with Peyton. Thank you for leading us to establish family values we can raise her around. Thank you for reminding me daily that God has a plan for us. I am so excited to watch you with Peyton over the next years of her life. Thank you.

Peyton Playing - 10 weeks

Peyton loves to look at her turtle. It has a mirror on the bottom so she can see herself. Now she will kick so that it will move!

FUEL 2008...

Well, we have been back from camp now for two days. It is difficult sometimes coming back down from the mountain. Like David said at camp, Jesus looks different on the mountain. All I know is that God showed up. He exceeded my expectations, our planning, and our understanding of what camp could look like. I have been in a place where my faith is lacking...so it took me a couple of days to settle down & genuinely meet with God. He is so good to always meet us where we are. He does not forget us. He does not give up on us. And, He is always working.

The biggest part of camp for me was sharing some things with a great friend of mine, Crystal Corn. It was quite possibly the hardest conversation I have ever had. I had to confess some things that would have been much easier keeping inside. But, because Jesus covered her with grace to listen, I was able to move forward in several relationships...not to mention that I slept so much better than I had the night before. God is working in me & building a deeper community around me than I ever thought I would get to experience here on earth.

Here are a few pics from camp...so you can see what you missed.

Three Nights...

Well, Peyton has slept from 9:30pm to 6:30am three nights in a row. I am not sure how much she will get messed up by going to camp this week, but hopefully she is developing a great pattern!

I'm Two Months Old...

Now that I am two months old, I love doing so many things. I love talking to my mom and dad. I love looking around...which is much easier when people hold me up instead of cuddled in their arms like I'm a little baby. I love looking at myself in the mirror, or whoever that cute girl is that I keep seeing. One of my favorite places to sleep is my crib. My mom and dad put me in there when I was only three weeks old because I was so long. But, now I am starting to enjoy it more. I have this really cool bumper that Aunt Karen made me. It has polka-dots all over it. I think I could stare at it for hours, but usually I eventually doze off. I really love socializing which I didn't get from my mom or dad. But, when it's time to eat I want mom. When it's time to cuddle, I want dad. My dad says I am going to be just like mom because I prefer being anywhere but home. Anyway, I am getting to be quite a big girl (I way 12 pounds 8 ounces already because I like to eat) these days, and I'm learning new things all the time. Enjoy the pictures! Aren't I cute?

Catching Up...

Peyton & Nanaw at Stone Mountain


Peyton & Papaw


WAR EAGLE!

Peyton at the World of Coke

So, life has been crazy but good. Buck's parents came to town for a week. They were such a blessing. Then, Peyton & I went to Pensacola for the weekend so she could meet her great grandparents, and some aunts & uncles. We have also been getting ready for camp. She is such a trooper these days and growing up so fast. She is smiling all the time...chatting often...playing better on her own...tracking objects and especially people. Here are a few pics to try and catch you up.

Peyton with Uncle Barrett & Aunt Lillie


Peyton with Great Aunt Kay


Peyton meets her Great Grandparents


Four Generations

My First Mother's Day...

First of all, thanks for all of the texts, e-mails, and phone calls. I had a great first Mother's Day. The day started with Baby Dedication at church. My mom, Joe, and Josh came up to church. Shawn did a great job communicating with us as parents. I am even more excited about praying for Peyton to one day decide to follow Christ & give her life up! I really do feel like Mountain Lake is place that will walk beside Peyton and our family as she begins her spiritual journey. Shawn even gave each family a letter to give to their child (it is sealed and from him) on the day they accept Christ into their lives.

Next, Daniel joined us and we took off for Six Flags. The weather ended up being great, and we had a very relaxing day. Buck finally had someone to ride coasters with. Peyton and I got to hang out with my mom & Josh most of the day. And, I got to eat too much cotton candy...which I probably enjoyed too much. Peyton rode three rides: the Carousel, the Hanson Cars, and Monster Plantation.

Then we came home & Buck and I just relaxed together a bit after putting Peyton to bed. It was a great day for me.

Josh & Daniel with Peyton //////// Peyton dizzy on the carousel


Peyton chatting with my mom

I love my growth group...

Here is a letter I wrote to my group after we met tonight. I love doing life with these people...just four couples doing all we can to love each other, love others, and pursue Christ:

Hey guys...I just wanted to say how thankful I am for God placing Buck & me right where we are...at Mountain Lake...in our neighborhood...at the jobs we have (had for me), and especially in our growth group. I can honestly say that most weeks (for the first time since we have been married) I look forward to going to small group. I always leave feeling encouraged, yet challenged. I like knowing other people are struggling in the same ways or in different ways. I like being able to celebrate with you guys..the little things & the big things. I like being able to speak and not feel judged. I love watching the couples in our group grow together as a couple. I love the weeks where the conversations are deep & the weeks we don't get to the questions. I love eating pizza that fell on the floor with you guys. I love sending & receiving e-mails during the week. I love hugs from the girls:)

Thanks for being authentic community to us! We love learning & growing & playing with you guys!

Beth

I'm Growing Up...5 weeks

Sweet for other people...

Well, Peyton has already perfected the art of being so sweet for other people and then coming home and refusing to sleep, eat, whatever. I guess I would rather it be this way than her be awful for other people. She has now been to her "infants" class at church four times and I don't think she even knows it.

I am so glad that other people think she is cute and adorable like I do. And, I am so glad that she enjoys being out because I enjoy being out. There are just days when I wish she would scream for someone else & be calm and happy with me!

I know she is just growing and changing everyday, taking the world in bit by bit, so I think I'll stick by her side as we journey on. She amazes me every day as she does new things, gets bigger (mainly her tummy), and recognizes her mom and dad more.