We're. Almost. There.

So, my posts are about to get really redundant, really fast. There, consider yourself warned.

We are approximately 16 days and 19 hours away from our destiny....but we're not really counting. We are so so so excited, and so so so ready to (hopefully) head somewhere much cooler than Del Rio. It's amazing how one can passionately despise clunky snow boots and car scrapers and thermometers that put (-) in front of the numbers for a whole 3 months...and after only one year in the fiery pits of He--I mean, Del Rio-- suddenly wish for it. And I don't mean the "I wish I had a pony" kind of wish....I mean, hang-up-fake-fall-leaves-and-buy-copious-amounts-of-pumpkin/apple orchard/cinnamon-scented-candles-kind of wish. This may suggest to you that I have way too much time on my hands. (Ok, so sometimes I do; don't judge.) HOWEVER. Eric has wholeheartedly jumped on my "take me somewhere cold" bandwagon. Truly, Anchorage, AK is sounding better and better with each sweaty day that passes. That said, should you we're happily accepting donations of fresh-pressed apple cider by the gallon in lieu of graduation gifts. ;)

Speaking of graduation--bring on the family! Ok, not yet, because I'm only sliiiightly stressed and a little intimidated by the thought of entertaining nine people in my home for the first time. And not just any nine people, but people whose opinions and impressions matter a LOT. Thankfully I've lived near the hostess extraordinaire (Grandma Jean) for the past year; hopefully she's rubbed off a little! We really are excited to have everyone here to see what we've been doing and where we've been living for the past year. Maybe they'll even get to try the taco stands!

After graduation, I will be going to see my friend Ashley in Cincinnati for 5 days (SO FUN!!!!), then hopping a train to Kalamazoo where Eric will join me and we'll spend a week with family. Alli just made the Hope College volleyball team, so we'll have the chance to see her play in their rivalry game against Calvin. I can't wait to see her new home and to watch her play!!! We'll also be having our wedding reception that weekend--finally! While our wedding was nothing less than a fairytale, the absence of our close friends and family friends was definitely felt, so we're so excited for the opportunity to celebrate with all of the important people in our lives!

Stay tuned...September 17 is the big day!!!


Birthday celebration in San Antonio: Paesano's, Swig, and shoe shopping :)

Just Kidding...

So, upon gleaning more information, Eric has decided that his second choice assignment is now his first choice assignment. And it sounds pretty firm (for now). Thankfully, this is also at the top of my list, too! :)


It's A KC-10, a gas station in the sky that also does cargo missions. There are two possible assignments for this aircraft, California and New Jersey.












We would be excited about living on either coast; we'll be able to make trips to Napa Valley from Travis, and trips to NYC or home from McGuire! It would be cool to experience the different lifestyles on each coast.



45 days till we find out!! :)

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS!

7 WEEKS till we know whether we will stay or go!

Waaaait...did she just say "STAY"?!! Yep, lately, Eric's most consistent answer to the "what's your favorite assignment" question is staying at Laughlin for a 4 year assignment as an instructor pilot for the T-1. This also happens to be the assignment that no one wants--shocking, really. Who wouldn't want to be in Del Rio for as long as possible? Sarcasm. In all honesty though, we have truly learned that attitude is everything no matter where you go, but it is especially important in a place like this. With open minds, we have found plenty of reasons to enjoy being on the border--not the least of which are the delicious taco stands! :) My working full-time in town and our involvement in our church have really allowed us to connect to the community outside of the Air Force bubble. The other day, before leaving for their next assignment, some of our good friends told us that no matter where the military takes you, or how those moves force you to adapt, your experience is determined by your attitude. They couldn't be more right, and what a perfect place to learn that lesson and learn it early. So, while we would both like to see more of the country (or world!), if God wants us in Del Rio to train new pilots for a while, we will embrace it. (And we certainly can't deny the fact that Eric would make a fabulous instructor...)

Over the past month, we've spent a romantic weekend in Fredericksburg, TX tasting wines, window shopping, and enjoying each others' undivided attention.





We've seen good friends realize their dreams, said good-bye to others, and made new ones. And we've made some necessary changes. For one, I have left my job for a new, part-time position at a fun boutique in town. It was a tough decision, as I loved my team and the students I worked with, but it is for the best. I'm looking forward to having more time to support Eric in the ways I was able when I wasn't working. While I felt fulfilled and purposeful working full-time, I realized just how much I value my role at home and I can't wait to have a little more of that back.

Looking ahead, my little sis is coming to visit this week! We are SO excited to have her--there's nothing like having family around, even for a short time. We plan to show her the planes Eric flies, hang out at the pool, and go to the Drop Night on Friday so she can see what we will get to experience in just 7 short weeks.

And, as promised, here's a few pictures of the amazing Ranch we visited last month:

Where is time going?!!

I've come to the conclusion that a lack of seasons makes it feel like time is standing still, when in fact it is flying by! We are 3 MONTHS away from finding out what the next several years will hold!! EEEK! Eric is loving the T-1 considerably more than the T-6, and he's starting to get a better idea of what possible heavy/tanker aircrafts he'd like to fly after graduation.



The past two months have been incredibly busy: I took a weekend trip back to Michigan to see my dad graduate from his MBA program at Notre Dame, we visited Grandma and Grandpa for Memorial Day, and we got to meet Eric's class sponsors and enjoy an incredible evening on their 10,000 acre hunting ranch that sits on the cliffs--and therefore has amazing views--of Lake Amistad. (Yea, beautiful places in Del Rio--who knew?!) We got a full tour, saw a few of their 15 different exotic species, including a Watusi cow, zebras, buffalo, and oryx. (Stay tuned--I'll post pictures soon.) The best part? The owners were born and raised in Paris, France! I know, totally unrelated to anything we were there for, but it was great to hear French being spoken after not using my own for so long! Hopefully we can arrange for our parents to see this place when they come for graduation--Eric and I both commented on how our dads would absolutely love it.

We're really looking forward to our trip to Fredricksburg, TX over July 4th weekend--what a welcome break from the daily grind that will be! We're also trying to save for a honeymoon, so we're tentatively making tropical paradise plans for November.


And I almost forgot...we got a NEW CAR! Yep, the Honda is no longer lonely in the driveway; she has a shiny 2009 Saturn Aura to share the burden of our travels with. :) We have radio, extra cold air conditioning (not that it's necessary in the 110 degree heat), and we love that we don't have to wear headsets to talk to each other anymore!

And of course, we celebrate Eric's quarter-century birthday yesterday--old man! :)

Clearly life is busy (or I'd be posting more!) but I'll do my best to keep y'all updated!

xoxo