Happy Anniversary and perhaps Happy Birthday??

Well, today is Bobby and I's 3rd wedding anniversary...and we think it might also be our new little baby's birthday! I have been having contractions regularly since about 6:30 this morning (it's now 8:45am)- about 3-4 minutes apart. They are still a little short-lasting about 30-45seconds, so we are hoping to labor at home some more before we head across the street to the hospital-Yes we could literally walk there.
It's sooo nice being in the comfort of our own home right now while I get through each contraction. Being here with Bobby and Ava is just wonderful. Ava is being so sweet this morning, and I am cherishing these last few hours with her before we take her to our friend's house- the last time we will all be in our home together just the 3 of us!
I am relieved and nervous that today has finally arrived after so much anticipation- I NEVER expected to go 4 days past my due date! And who knows..could even this be a false alarm? My guess is no because I figure once I get to the hospital and tell them my due date was 4 days ago, I am hoping they don't let me leave!
Ok, that's all for now. These contractions are getting harder to sit through!!!

What We Do Around Here!

We have had lots of fun enjoying Franklin and Nashville. Bobby had a great idea that I should start posting some of our favorite outings, so when you come visit, we can take you there! (Can you tell I am trying to come up with things to pass the time! Our due date is just 3 days away!)

This past Saturday-just one week shy of my due date (!), we ate breakfast at the Loveless Cafe with our friends Mike and Jen and their little girl Addie. Isn't Addie ADORABLE? Check out that grin! The Loveless Cafe was an old motel that they converted into a restaurant and shops. So cute and really yummy!!

On Sunday, we went to our favorite local park called Crockett Park. Every week, they have live music and people come with chairs and dinner and the kids run around and play. It's WONDERFUL! This week was an Eagle's Tribute Band. We had a great time!Ava & Mommy...39 weeks pregnant!

And well, this is just Ava and Bobby being themselves when they are together: Goofy! Ava put on Daddy's goggles and Daddy put on Ava's "eyes"!

Our Maternity Pictures!

About 2 weeks ago, our good friend Jamie Wright, a professional photographer, took some maternity/family pictures for us. They turned out so great! We are really grateful to have these beautiful family pictures to place in our home. As usual though, Ava stole the show with her cute little pigtails and charming smile! These are a few of our favorites.

My due date is on Saturday...just 6 days away...but I am secretly hoping to not make it that far, but honestly, deep down I think I will go past my due date...unless I choke down some castor oil! I have had so many woman tell me to just try it. Even one of the nurses at the hospital where we will be delivering the baby told me to. We went there yesterday to tour the labor and delivery ward and as we were leaving she said, "Well just go home and drink some castor oil and we will see you again in a few hours!!" I don't know, I just don't think I can bring myself to do it...at least not today, or tomorrow. Maybe Wednesday :) Since I was induced with Ava, I missed out on the whole laboring at home, timing contractions experience and I kinda want to know what that is like-despite my impatience and temptations by my Dr. to schedule an induction, which is really just easier on their schedule and not necessarily in the best interests of me or baby!

So the wait continues...

Oh, and one more thing, I have the most wonderful and thoughtful husband. It seems as though he is never outdone in generosity, and he is so quick to think of ways to bring joy and help to others. I love him so much. There are many examples I could list, but I will just mention one today:

Yesterday we were preparing dinner for our friends Kristi and Patrick who were coming over with their sweet new baby Gabriel. We were going to grill hamburgers by the pool and then go swimming. Well in the middle of our preparations, I just happened to go outside to my car to get Ava's sippy cup and met a new neighbor that was moving in. He was unloading his U-Haul all by himself and then his wife came down the stairs holding their 7 week old baby. We chatted for a few minutes, and then I came back inside our apartment and mentioned excitedly how I just met our new neighbors that have a little baby boy and an 18mo old little girl- a new playmate for Ava. Immediately Bobby stopped working on the burgers and ran outside to introduce himself and finally after about 20 minutes of wondering what he was doing, I went outside to find that he had finished helping Josh (the husband) completely unload the UHaul! He was all sweaty and tired, but my heart just swelled with love for him by his simple act of not thinking twice about adjusting our plans to help a stranger- strangers who are now our new great friends! They even so kindly gave us a big box of newborn diapers that their little boy had already outgrown! So nice! LeAnn (the wife) and I are really looking forward to spending time together since our 2 children will be so close in age. We laughed about how hopefully our girls will occupy each other, so we can nurse our babies without them climbing all over us! Anyways, just wanted to take a minute to brag on Bobby and share some of what makes him so wonderful as a father and husband. I love you Bobby.

More Pics from our weekend in Atlanta!

Ohhhh my...First boat ride of the summer May 29...water- still cold. Swimsuit- forgot it. Swim diaper- nah. Go for a swim with Papa?- OF COURSE!!

Ava quickly realized that she did NOT want to be in lake. She was so cute, but so cold! I loved being able to pull her out of the water and cuddle her on the boat. Love it. What you can't see in this picture is my uncle Matt driving the boat trying to get Ava to give us her best rock star face...not too bad!

Ava loves to play dress up with her new headbands- just like Mommy :)

37 weeks. May 31st. Ok, so clearly I must love this yellow shirt, because it seems it is the same one I am wearing in all these recent pictures! And I have a great future brother-in-law...he sure knows how to make a 9mos prego girl feel good! I look small compared to him!

Hahhaa- thanks Tyler :)

Nice. And Alex, doesn't this picture remind you of the one Mom took with her brothers when she was pregnant with one of us? So funny!

Nice "belly button" Tyler. Ava was a bit concerned...

Jesus, Bring the Rain

After a long and beautifully emotional weekend at home with Victoria's street dedication and high school graduation, God really comforted me with this song. As I listened to the words over and over and over again, I knew this was MY song. No matter what, Christ is always by my side and I beg Him that I will never leave His side despite the pain, despite the days of rain. So I share with you this song that has comforted me so, and inspired me to put together a simple slide show of pictures about Victoria.

PS- One of the most moving experiences of the weekend was when Victoria's high school principle presented my dad with her honorary diploma at the graduation ceremony, and the entire auditorium stood up for several minutes and gave Victoria and my family a standing ovation. Wow. Jesus, Bring the rain. (and the Kleenex!) I love you Victoria.

"I can count a million times

People asking me how I

Can praise You with all that I've gone through

The question just amazes me

Can circumstances possibly

Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed

Long before these rainy days

It's never really ever crossed my mind

To turn my back on you, oh Lord

My only shelter from the storm

But instead I draw closer through these times

So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of

The dark clouds that may loom above

Because You are much greater than my pain

You who made a way for me

By suffering Your destiny

So tell me what's a little rain

So I pray

Holy, holy, holy

Is the Lord God Almighty"