Busy, busy, busy

Time to play catch up! We've been quite busy, so I thought I would just post a quick re-cap with some pictures so that I don't get behind. Here's what we've been up to the past few weeks.

We spent our annual "Day out with Thomas", which is always a big hit for my Junior Engineers. Thanks Chief and Kikye for treating us to a day of fun!

Pumpkin time! (We finally wised up and decided to spare ourselves from the self-inflicted torture of trying to obtain a decent picture at the pumpkin patch)

My little boy who does NOT like to get messy. One time in the goop, and he was done.

Carving with Daddy...a surgeon in the making :)

The boys wanted a train carving...shocking, I know.

Our annual Halloween cookie baking extravaganza! Makes a HUGE mess...but our Halloween tradition, and so fun to bake with my little boy. (And if you're worrying about Luke being left out...he gets to join in next year :))

A little sneak peak at our Halloween costumes :) And you're missing the best part (the tails), so be sure to check back after Halloween :)

And now for an update on our little girl. I'm not sure who is more excited about her arrival...Brad and I, or the boys. She's still in the womb, and this little girl is doted on, shopped for, and talked about more than any of us who are actually living in this house. So last week, when we hit the 100 days away mark, Jackson and I decided to make a chain to countdown her arrival. Jackson is very big on time and how much longer we have to wait for things, so we are often making chains, countdown calendars, etc. I let him pick the colors, he helped me cut all the strips, tape them together, and voila....

And every morning, Jackson can hardly wait to tear off a ring, mark through the old number and replace it with one less.

It makes us all exctied.

And it makes Mommy think of her long to do list, and become nervous. I am so ready to meet this precious daughter of mine...to see what color her hair and eyes will be, who in our family she will look like, dress her in all the precious clothes I have found for her.

But practically, are we ready? No. There is still so much to do, and so much to get before her arrival. And I know there are still 3 more months, but those 3 months are already filled with lots of other 'to dos', and thinking about how I'm going to fit them all in makes me anxious. But it will get done.

And I will enjoy every minute of it :)

Match Day

Match Day has not really gone in our favor in the past. But this time, it was a different story. We got our #1 choice and are going to Nashville, TN! We are so excited, and still just can't believe it all worked out. If you don't know much about the "match" process, it is simialr to fraternity/sorority rush. You don't get to just interview places, get offers, and pick where you want to go...it's much more complicated than that. Match Day is much like Bid Day...you don't really have any idea where you could end up until you finally read those words "Congratulations! You matched _____". To say that I am proud of my husband doesn't even begin to describe it. He has worked SO hard for SO many years...the joy and pride I feel for him is so great. This has been a stressful process, and we are happy for it to finally be over...and even more happy with the outcome. God is so faithful...we can't wait to see how he uses us for his service in Nashville.


Now, don't get me wrong...I am still very sad to be leaving Macon. But I guess if I have to go somewhere for a 2 year adventure...Nashville is about as good a place as I could ask for. Everyone has told us what a wonderful city it is, and that we may very likely not want to leave after living there for 2 years. I know parts of it will be hard, and there will be struggles, but I also know that there are many great things in store for us there...and, most importantly, that Brad will get some of the best training in the country at Vanderbilt.

And these girls will make the move a little easier too :)...

Three of my best friends from college live in Nashville (including my beautiful maid of honor to my left :)). I am so excited about living in the same city with them. There is a great comfort for me in moving to a new city where I already know people...not just people, but dear friends who are wonderful wives, mothers, and Christians. I love these ladies so much, and can only imagine the fun we are going to have in the years to come.

So Nashville...I hope you're ready for the Dennis family :)

Me and Mommy

This past week, the boys and I took advantage of the great "Me and Mommy" deal that the GA Aquarium is offering. For only $25, the Me and Mommy ticket includes general admission for one adult (Mommy, Daddy, or caregiver), free admission for up to 4 children under the age of 5, and free parking. That is a GREAT deal! Jackson has been to the aquarium several times, but Luke had never been before. We had a wonderful time, although I have to admit it was a little difficult for this 6 months pregnant mommy to lift her two boys up so many times so that they could see everything they wanted to see. Oh, and I wouldn't recommend crawling through the penguin tunnel with your two children at 6 months pregnant either ;) I was able to get only 2 pictures before my camera battery died :(

In front of the sting ray/shark pool...I have no idea who they are looking at, but it's not me.Petting some rays

So moms, if you're looking for something to do with your little ones, I would definitely take advantage of this deal. It lasts through Nov. 12th.

In baby news, Abby May is doing great (I guess ;)). She seems to move around a lot more than I remember J or L moving. I'm hoping this means she's just a little peanut and has some extra room in there (her brothers were semi-giants, and my body is really needing a smaller baby ;)). After some unexpected hesitation in the beginning and feeling overwhelmed by everything girly, I have now fully embraced the pink! I am so ready to get her nursery painted so that I can get everything in place. We just really can't wait to see this little girl...what she will look like, how she will change our family, everything. I still just can't believe sometimes how lucky I am and how blessed we are to have so many wonderful things in this life.

The big day is coming up this week...we will be finding out where Brad matched for his fellowship! We are anxiously and excitedly awaiting the news of where our home will be for the next 2 years :) Check back sometime later this week to find out for yourselves!

Hello, my name is...

Yes, this sweet little girl finally has a name.

Abigayle May Dennis..."Abby May"

Really, she has had this name for a while...even before we knew her big brothers were, in fact, going to be 'brothers' :) But making the final decision that we really still felt it was the right name for her...well, that is what took a little time.

But it is perfect, and we are in love.

In love with our little Abby May.

And if you could hear her name spoken from her precious big brothers' lips?

Well, it would melt your heart :)