Pittman's Progress: 2013

With Thanksgiving

So what's going on now?

The second Sunday of November Connor was baptized at church. We missed having John and Laura with us, but it was really special to have both sets of grandparents, Jason and Lori and their family, and Katie with us. The girls were both excited to witness Connor's baptism and talked about it all the time the week leading up to it. My favorite was when Emma was quizzing Caileigh, trying to understand what was going to happen she asked, "Is Curious George going to sprinkle bapatizer on he (Connor)?" Our pastor's name is George and her current favorite cartoon is Curious George. So thankful for these little ones that God has entrusted to us!

with the Pittmans

with the Dents

We will be moving the second weekend in January. We are sad to leave this home, though far from perfect. We have made so many memories here and have grown to love it, yet we are so excited for the beautiful home that He has provided. As holidays are quickly approaching we have slowly begun to go through our belongings, beginning the process of purging and packing. This will be our 8th house - (9th if you count living our first four weeks of marriage in Stephen's parents camper while our house was being renovated) in seven years of marriage. I vaguely remember telling Stephen this time last year that we are not allowed to move again while I am pregnant or nursing.... so much for listening! :-) This time around it seems so overwhelming, this task of packing and moving. I have struggled with desiring to stay put. To buy a home and put down roots, to make it ours and stay awhile. I have been reminded through various ways that my eternal home is in heaven, therefore, every other home is temporal. I should desire to make my home beautiful and to "bloom where planted" but not for my glory but rather for His. Let's be honest, moving is exhausting - even just the thought of it, please pray for us to enjoy the holidays but to also use our time wisely. Most importantly, if we forget, please remind us that we have so much to be thankful for. A new home to live in, belongings to pack, children who love to "unpack" the boxes, and a God who really does provide all our needs!

Also, we are continuing to raise the rest of our support and are currently at 97%. Please pray that God would continue to provide the remaining support. Raising support is such a testament to how He provides for His people through His people. We have been so encouraged recently as several people have come to us, asking to support us and this before we have even asked them! What a blessing!

October with the Pittmans

October...

Caileigh had a 3 day weekend the beginning of October. We enjoyed the time together as a family and spent lots of time outdoors in the beautiful fall weather!

Making our first batch of homemade applesauce

It was a success!

Making some "apple" themed crafts

Look mom!

I was able to chaperone two field trips with Caileigh's class. One was a picnic at the park by the Savannah River. When asked what river they lived by, almost unanimously they replied, the Nile River, as they have been learning about Moses during Bible time. :-) As a class, they had to walk through their "community," following a map and directions all the while talking about things like stop signs etc. They did well and enjoyed being outdoors and some playtime on the playground. I also recently chaperoned a trip to a pumpkin patch. I helped drive and it was fun to listen to Caileigh interact with her friends. It was cold but they had a great time! They "bobbed" for apples, using two pencils, listened to a story, picked out a pumpkin and enjoyed a couple of games as well as a picnic. Stephen went as a chaperone to see School House Rock Live at the local Imperial Theatre. We are again thankful to have the opportunity to be involved with her school!

"Bobbing" for Apples

Getting ready for a relay game

All smiles! So thankful that she LOVES school so much!

Having so much fun!

Emma had her three year check up and is doing and growing like she should. She was stubborn about getting her weight and height but quite talkative with the doctor. She talks and sings all the time like big sister! She has become my cooking buddy and has started to develop a more interest in coloring pictures and actually coloring them versus scribbling. She has a wild imagination and loves to tell me stories about all her "adventures" she has gone on without me. This has also led to discussions about not lying as that has also started. I enjoy hearing her imagination but lying about a potty accident or getting into something she shouldn't is different. To say she loves her brother would be an understatement - she always wants him by her side when playing and loves to help me care for him. I think they will be quite a pair... :-)

Take a picture mom, we're like twins!

Connor also had his 4 month (a month late) check up and is my "slimmest" baby so far. He too is doing well and growing fast! He isn't crawling yet but scoots on his belly and rolls back and forth to get what he wants. He had to get shots and screamed more than the girls! For the most part he is such a "chill" baby and just takes it all in. He is so silly and smiles all the time! He is ready for bed each night at 7:30 and this past week has been sleeping all the way until 6:00 am (instead of waking up at 4am). He finally naps more than 15 mins at a time which allows Emma and I to get some chores done and then some playtime etc. He still has to take Zantac for his Acid Reflux. In between refills, I try to let him go a couple days to see if it's still needed. So far he still needs it, but hopefully that will not be for much longer! :-) I will be glad when he has outgrown that, projectile baby spit up is not my favorite house scent or perfume... not to mention the amount of laundry I won't miss having to wash!

Mr. Blue eyes!

Happy to be in his favorite toy ever - Johnny Jump Up!

October means we get to wear dress up out in public and pumpkins!

Felicity, Charlie Brown and Rapunzel ready for the Costume Carnival at Church

Aunt Katie came for the weekend!

Charlie Brown and Snow White ready for Harvest Party at Story Time

Pirates and Snow White were the popular costume this year.

Not easy getting a bunch of 3 year olds and under to all smile let alone look at the camera.

The Bank Robbers and a Bag of Money joined Rapunzel and Felicity for some Trunk or Treat fun! Our family had fun participating in Hope for Augusta and Christ Community Health Services 2nd Trunk or Treat event. The girls prefered passing out candy over playing games and getting candy themselves!

Pumpkins!

Painting Pumpkins

It takes at least three people to carve our pumpkin! :-)

These next few pictures show just how hard it is to get a picture of my silly crew and a little bit of Emma's crazy fun side!

This year's pumpkin

October felt like we were on a rollercoaster. After not hearing anything for almost two months about renewing our lease, we began to get nervous. Finally we heard from our landlord who is in a situation of having to sell the house via short sale. He wants us to buy it. We have grown to love this house and felt very settled (ALL the boxes were actually unpacked!). However, after much prayer and seeking God's will for us in this situation as well as advice from others around us we decided we needed to walk away from this house. We had hoped to continue to rent for several reasons and so this left us once again feeling unsettled. We did finally have a peace about our decision although at the time there was nothing (known to us) available that fit both our needs physically and financially. As only God would have it, while we were making the hard decision to walk away and step out in faith, friends were writing us an email letting us know that their home was available for rent! God's timing is ALWAYS perfect! Why do we struggle with doubting Him and His time?

Connor turned 5 months!

Big sister felt she needed to be in the pictures too, but refused to look at the camera...

It's been awhile... or a year: Part 4

August, marked two years here in Augusta.

2 years ago (2011) by the river.

Last year (2012) by the river

Two years later (2013)...

Pretty much impossible to get 3 kids to all look at the camera and happy at the same time...

August also meant Caileigh started Kindergarten! That came way too fast! She goes to Heritage Academy. She absolutely LOVES it! We are so thankful for the opportunity she has to go and for her teachers and the other staff that love her and the other students so well. She has already learned so much and we are working on a few numbers that she seems to want to consistently write backwards. Our once shy little girl, has become quite bold and confident. Her daddy taught chapel one week at school and she had the opportunity to get up in front of her school and introduce him. She was so excited and hopes to do it again sometime! She was so cute too! I never would have done that - especially not at her age!

These two sure keep me busy!

3 months old

LOVES his feet

Starting to really enjoy tummy time!

September, Stephen went to the CCDA conference, this time in New Orleans with his staff team. John and Laura moved to Fife, Washington (the state). We miss having them just across the street but enjoy hearing and seeing pictures of their new adventures in a new part of the country.

Soaking up time with John and Laura before they leave!

We enjoyed a trip to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC over Labor Day weekend with my family before John and Laura moved.

My horse lovers!

An early 3 year birthday celebration for Emma with the Dent side.

John and Laura gave her a book about Washington State. The girls love reading it and seeing pictures of places that Uncle John and Aunt Laura get to see.

Tea Party with the Aunts

Saying good-bye :-(

We enjoyed watching the runners in the Augusta Half Iron Man from our front porch again. This year, we were more prepared for them and made no plans except to walk to and from church, enjoying the beauty around us that God had created. Emma had surgery to place her second set of tubes and her adenoids taken out. Her recovery this time was much harder for her and for us. She struggled with fear of us leaving her and talked often of the "mean man who put the mask on her face."

Emma - 2 years ago (1st set of tubes)

Emma ready for her 2nd set of tubes and adenoidectomy.

Connor tagged along for moral support

Two days after surgery, Emma turned 3! This year we had a sweet little Minnie Mouse Bow-tique tea party with three little friends and big sister. It was so sweet and simple but Emma still talks about it, so I think it was a hit! :-) She loves her some Minnie Mouse and fixing hair so what better than to bring the two together!?

She's 3!!!

Super excited about her birthday party until asked to get a picture...

The requested Minnie Mouse cake with polka dots

Decorating Minnie's bows with friends

Sweet little friend!

Pin the Bow on Minnie

Minnie's Bow Bean Bag toss

Was also a fun hiding spot after the party :-)

Happy Birthday Emma!

There's a smile! :-)

For you Aunt Laura, this is what the inside of the cake looked like.

She too has grown so much. Having her home during the days as the big sister has been fun.

I've enjoyed getting to spend one on one time with her while Connor naps. She is full of energy and curiosity. She keeps me on my toes - you just never know with her! :-) I often tell Stephen God knew to give her the cutest dimpled smile because she would get in a lot more trouble if not! She is so funny too. She is a little too honest at times and extremely matter of fact.

While Caileigh is in school we enjoy story time at the library, Kroc Tots, play dates with friends, MOPS twice a month and just some sweet times together. She loves helping to take care of her brother and those are the times she is the sweetest and most gentle. He LOVES both girls so much and gets so excited to see them.