Our Big Announcement

I have not been blogging much lately. Mostly due to the fact that I haven't been able to blog about the most exciting thing that has been happening in our lives.

 

So without further ado, here is our big annoucement for our return post (finally)!

 

 

 

Zachariah and I are happy to proudly announce we are expecting. Baby Pittman will be making his/her appearance in November.

 

Everything has been going very well. I have been so lucky. We're so excited and anxiously awaiting the rest of this year.

 

 

Rainy Friday

Today is a rainy Friday, and I'm enjoying some relaxation time. The best part about not going into work until 1800 is having an excuse to have a lazy morning. And I'm taking full advantage of that! *see picture below :)

This week was a little different. I had to get used to my husband actually being busy and spending much more time at work. It felt like T-6land again. We ate all our meals at separate times and just briefly saw each other-usually because one of our eyes were still sleepily shut.

But Friday means the weekend is here and quality time is on its way.

Some random thoughts I had this week that I thought I would share:

-Hazel currently holds the title for the best Colonel Sanders impersonator. Someone needs a haircut. Don't worry I'll get a picture before it gets chopped.

-I finally put out all my summer clothes-I don't think there is any chance of it getting cooler from here on out. I'm still not sure I'm ready for summer.

-I'm really thankful this week for everything Zack and I have been through together to get to where we are today. It's pretty incredible to look back and think, "yes, God truly has a plan."

Beach Bums

It's springtime and the perfect beach weather. The last few weekends we have had nice lazy Saturday mornings, headed down to the beach, got some sun for several hours, gone out to eat a delicious meal, and headed home. We live a hard life.

 

This weekend we took the pups for their very first time to the beach! Their friend Macy came down, too! The girls actually swam. Although 90% of the waves scared Hadley, she actually voluntarily went into the waves and swam around. Who would have thought?

 

 

 

We had a great day with great friends! Looking forward to taking advantage of our proximity to the gulf every weekend we can!

 

UPTdate: Zack has completed Instruments. Yay. He is halfway done here...crazy, right?

Easter Sunday

After a long drive from Houston to Ft. Benning, I got to celebrate Easter with Jer and Abby's family.

 

I guess I should back up a bit to fill in some gaps. I left last weekend to drive with the pups to Houston. I stayed to watch our niece Zoey for a week while her parents went on a motorcycle trip through Big Bend National Park. We did...Kindergarten, daycare, swim lessons, Easter crafts, practicing letters, walking the dogs, watching movies, and eating yummy food! During the days I spent time reading at Barnes and Noble, doing some light shopping, and basically just relaxing. It was like a mini vacation for me, too!

 

I'm lucky to have such travelling pups. They were awesome on my 12 hour trip from Jed to Jer's, and we only stopped 2 times! I'm also blessed to have such a great new car for all these miles.

 

I briefly got to visit with Ob who was visiting Jer's family for his spring break. And we got a great visit in with Jer and Abby and the kids. Church was outside downtown on the river. It was beautiful. The kids were very excited over their Easter basket goodies. We ate a delicious smoked brisket meal! Then, the best part was watching the kids on their egg hunt.

 

 

 

We love living close enough to family for the holidays. Such special times.

 

Today, Zack had the day off from flying and I just had to work lunch for a couple hours so we had the day to sleep in, eat cinnamon rolls, get yard stuff, and order a new dining room table! We had time to get some things done around the house and yard, too. Good way to start the week!

 

 

Road Trip

Yesterday I completed my first road trip by myself. I know, I couldn't believe it either, but I've been thinking about it and I can't ever remember a time road tripping alone. I always have companions to share fast food, old school tunes, and all the other joys of a long trip.

I left Daleville Friday night and spent the night in Pensacola with Dane and Angela. Then I headed through the rest of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and made my way to Texas to spend the week with our niece.

A lot of states, a lot of miles, and only one pit stop! The pups came along for the ride. And all of my pictures are of them being so darn cute.

This week is going to be filled with Easter crafts, library trips, movie nights and other fun girl activities with Aunt Rachel. Let the fun begin.

Meanwhile, Zachariah spent the weekend spring breaking it up with his classmates in Panama City. Mustache March is an Air Force tradition that us wives unfortunately have to endure. His class decided mustaches didn't quite go with their beach weekend attire, so they all shaved on Friday. I didn't even get a proper picture!

Solo and a Check

Last week my husband soloed in the Huey. This week he completed his contact checkride. I am so proud of his studying and all his hard work in UPT!

Sometimes he comes home with some crazy stories. And I still always worry about him when he isn't on the ground. It's unreal how fast this training goes and how much they learn. Just 3 more classes graduate, then 13-09 will get their wings! Let the countdown begin!

This weekend we had lots of fun with friends. Kayaking, picnicking, visiting, and, of course, eating. (Oh, plus a little dog sitting). Loving the springtime weather and trying to make the most of our time that is flying by in Alabama.

Southern Drawls

So, I knew that moving here would affect the way I said things. I pick up people's accents without trying and/or noticing. Apparently, I let some of the southern drawl out from time to time and Zachariah never lets it go unnoticed. I must say, it isn't the worst sounding accent I've heard. I'm actually pretty fond of it. But with the right words, when it becomes too redneck, or when certain people speak the whole-southern-accent-thing sends me into uncontrollable giggles.

Things I now say that I never thought would come out of my mouth:
"y'all need more sweet tea?"
Ma'am and sir just roll right off my tongue.

Words I had never heard before but are now just part of our vocabulary: kin-folk

I love the south. We always say this, though, "we love living here but we're so glad we ain't from around these parts"

Just thought I'd share a little about life in Alabama.

Aunt Rachel & Uncle Zack's House

If you were 7-8 years old, got a weekend away from mom, dad and all the little siblings, and were spoiled at Aunt Rachel and Uncle Zack's house...this is what it would look like.

 

dance queen

rudy has moves!

taking the pups for a walk around the pond

 

mom, these kids wear me out!



the huey

group pic

too cute



i scream for ice cream

 

we aren't sure who loved the tent more: us, the kids, or the pups

backyard campout



rudy got to start the fire

shamrock rice krispy treats

rainbow jars, too
 

We had a great weekend with the kids. A lot of Just Dance 4, Halo 3, happy meals, playing at the park, ice cream, manicures, "camping," St. Patties crafts, and wearing out the pups. You sure can fit a lot in to a couple days!

Down South

We had a true southern weekend spent in Columbus, Mississippi and Aliceville, Alabama. It was one of the most fun weekends we've had spent with good friends and great family!

It started off with crazy thunderstorms here at Fort Rucker and Zack's flight being cancelled. We spontaneously packed up and headed to Columbus AFB. There we spent the most college-like weekend we've had since...well, college. Stayed in a genuine UPTfrat-house, went out, ate out, and hung out. Had fun catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. Oh, and we are completely jealous of people who get to go to UPT at Columbus. It basically kicks Vance's butt in EVERY SINGLE WAY POSSIBLE--So, if you have ever found yourself complaining about Columbus (like I always hear people doing) you better pray you never get an IP assignment at Vance because you will cry every minute of every day.

 

Congratulations to Dan for getting MC-12's to Beale. Good luck finishing UPT--graduation is just around the corner! Thanks for letting us come to your assignment night and hosting us!

 

 

Then we headed to Aliceville to spend time with Zack's great uncle and great aunt. It was an absolutely amazing visit. They are a hoot and the most truly southern folk I've ever met. They have become special family to us already and we can't wait for many more visits in the near future!

 

After every single weekend, I send out requests to people to start praying for our next assignment. We would love to have Zack FAIP and stay here for another few years. We just can't squeeze in all the family time that we want to in the next several months.

 

On the calendar for next weekend, more time with family, old friends, and the chance to host some new friends! It just keeps getting better around here.