Red Solo Tank

We had cable installed yesterday just in perfect time to watch the opening ceremonies tonight. We've been pretty excited for the Olympics. Tonight we're all going to be lounging on the couch. I will just be having a lazy Friday night. Zack will be resting after a week of many flights and his first T-6 solo. Hadley will be recovering. Sounds like a perfect Family Friday Night to me.

Zack had his first T-6 solo today! Pretty exciting, I know. I even had the chance to watch. 

After each student completes their initial solo, his classmates dunk him in a tank. Zack's class painted the tank to be a Red Solo Cup Tank. Needless to say, that song has been stuck in our heads on "repeat" for awhile now.

God has been blessing us a lot lately, and I've been trying to remind myself of that each day. Recently I have been so disappointed with some family, but also completely supported by others. I have been confused as to how God is using me and what his plans are, but I need to just keep following Him the best ways I know how. Meanwhile, I have been making some future plans and goals for myself. I know we will see where God actually takes us, but I have gotten Zack's definite "yes" that I can quit working-if I choose to-in 1,191 days. Not that I'm counting or anything. I know this sounds ridiculous, but I have career goals that now I can set to an actual time frame. *Note: this is the really anal-retentive side of me that is now in writing for all to see. I want to obtain a GS position, more than double my current salary, and knock those student loans down like crazy - or make them disappear. I think these goals are all completely obtainable, and I would like them to be all done in this time frame just so that I feel I have more freedom to choose where and how my time and energy are best spent. I want to have the freedom to begin all the projects I come up with in my head all day long while I'm stuck at work.

Too Quiet

In the last week we have been keeping pretty entertained, and now our house is too quiet. 

Over the weekend, we spent a day in the city watching Batman, shopping, and eating with friends. I made a slight error in online ticket purchasing, but the day turned out to be a ton of fun anyway.

Then, we had the most wonderful visit with Jer, Abby and the kids. It was incredibly special to host such a fun family. Our nephews and niece are too cute for words and we had a blast playing with them. We talked life, military, and family with Jer and Abby; we cooked, grilled, baked and, of course, ate; Zack wrestled and played video games with the big kids; we all spent some time at the children's museum and castle playground; Hadley got worn out with 5 little ones all wanting to chase her; our house surprisingly successfully fit the 9 of us; and we just truly enjoyed our precious time with family. Can't wait for the next time we get together.

Today we experienced a downside to military life. Our first friend to move away, Dane, left this morning for Pensacola. Fortunately, he crashed here on his last night in Oklahoma so we got to spend some time with him and say goodbye. The whole moving-for-the-military thing is exciting when you're the one moving away, but it's sad when you're the one staying behind. Dane is our friend from Seattle who commissioned with Zack and ended up at Vance just a little before us. It was comforting to have a familiar face when we came to Vance, and we have enjoyed all the time we've shared together reminiscing over Seattle. Also, it is hard to see him go to the warm beaches of Florida while we're stuck in Enid--I am SO jealous, Pensacola was our number one pick on our wish list.  

Our little Hadley went in to the vet this morning to get spayed. Poor little thing is now getting some follow up vaccines and a few baby teeth pulled, too. We can't pick her up until tomorrow evening, and that makes me pretty sad. It's pretty quiet without her around, and it is pretty lonely to come home to a completely empty house with no one to greet you at the door. I've been focusing on all the positive things, though. For example, this is my first night ever that I won't have to wake up before my alarm to let her out in the morning. If only it was Saturday morning tomorrow...

Top 1 - Hadley when we first crossed the Okla"H"oma border

Top 2 - Hadley now...she's so big! I felt so bad leaving her at the vet this morning

Bottom 3 - Our new obsession. The Duchesse

Bottom 4 - My husband can cook some amazing dinners for me

Been Busy

As you can see, we had a busy (but very fun) visit for the 4th of July. Dad, Nancy and Brian came to hang out with us and celebrate Father's day, Independence Day, an anniversary and a birthday! We had lots of food to go with all the celebrations!

Highlights of the trip:

• Fireworks
• Visiting OU Campus
• Hearts
• BBQ Joint
• OKC Memorial
• Bricktown
• Corn Hole
• Cake(s)!
• A Little Bit of Seattle

Since then, here's what we've been up to:

• Hadley is losing her baby teeth
• Hadley has a new shock collar because a no-fence backyard was not working
• A Little Bit of Seattle -- we can't help it. It's Christmas in July gelato and sometimes you just have to have some egg nog gelato to make it til December
• Pool Time, lots of it!
• Relaxing :) and hanging out with friends!

This week Zack has a late schedule, so we won't see each other. I'm out of the house from 0500-1700 and Zack is out of the house from 1130-2330. I have a roommate this week instead of a husband. Can't wait til Saturday.  Hoping I have a productive week and it flies by. I'm assuming Zack's week will fly by :)

dolla...holla!

Zack had his dollar ride in the T-6 on Tuesday.

I am so proud of his hard work to get to this very exciting first flight in UPT. What an awesome job my husband has.

P Flight saved the best for last. Zack was the very last one to get to do his dollar ride, though he had been bumped around on the schedule for the last few days. But...it finally happened and was a success--despite a little air sickness. A great beginning for many T-6 flights to come.

Dog Tired

This is what Hadley looks like after an exhausting play day. This weekend we dog-sat for the neighbors. Friday night Hadley played with Piper and Saturday and Sunday she spent a lot of time with Chester and Lilah. Hadley learned how to hold her own, bark back, and play fetch with a real sized tennis ball (her tennis balls at home are about 1/3 the size). All these dogs provided much entertainment all weekend long, and they even made me want a second dog. Don't worry, I came to my senses after remembering all the work Hadley was and is and always will be. We're a one dog family, for now. But we'll have to continue these play dates because it's pretty fun to watch all the pups play.

Zack's dog-tired, too. Besides the 12 hour workdays and studying, I made him join me in Insanity this weekend. After completing the workout and puking, he told me he wanted a divorce. Ha! Now he can understand the pain! (sorry, babe :)

I'm not so tired because I got to enjoy a 4-day weekend (I know, spoiled girl with too many perks working for the city). But I did come back to kind of a weird Monday morning.

Highlights:

1) Computer broken

2) Truck won't be fixed for another couple weeks :(

3) And the best for last, a crow flew straight into the back of my head. It hurt. Bad. What the heck?

So, you know, work is always fun.

On Monday's you just have to remember the fun from last weekend: pool days, BBQ Joint, movies, meals with friends, church potluck; and look forward to the next weekend: Dad, Nancy, and Bugs in town!