6 months and 2 weeks down....2 WEEKS TO GO!

I was pleasantly surprised today with my FAVORITE flowers (gerbera daisies) and this wonderful note from my husband. I LOVE getting "just because" flowers. 

Sorry I've been slacking on this blog lately, but my internet has been C-R-A-Z-Y this last week. Cox Communications had to come out 3 TIMES to finally fix it. As frustrated as I was with everything, it still does not change the fact that my better half will be here with me in just TWO SHORT WEEKS....actually...it'll be the two longest weeks of my life!! I have so much anxiety about him coming home that I've been stressing myself out. I should be SO happy and excited that the deployment is finally coming to an end, but the anxiousness of just "waiting" is getting to me! My face is breaking out like I'm 15 again! Thank you Dr. Faraz (my "girl" doc) for prescribing me some Yaz to control my crazy face by the time Nick gets home...............amongst other things....hahaha.

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I got an email a few days ago from Dore Gilbert (Dr. Gilbert) saying that the Army FINALLY approved his commission. 

Most of you would think..."woo hoo...what's the big deal? People join the Army every day." BUT...Successful doctors with their own practice with decades of work experience, a long list of loyal patients, and a blessed life with 5 wonderful children and a beautiful wife who's been with you since you were in your 20's don't just wake up one day and say..."I think I'll join the military because I have a valuable skill that they need right now."

With the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the military is short on doctors. With so many servicemembers getting injured, it's tough on the military to give all these guys the attention they need because of the lack of medical personnel....when it's them...of all people that deserve all the best healthcare treatment and care that they need so that they can either return to serving their country  or be able to maximize their abilities despite their injuries to live a normal life again.

I truly admire Dr. Gilbert. I've never met anyone in my life who is so compassionate about our country and the freedoms that we have. 

I met him through his son, Kevin who was recruited out of my office. The Gilbert family has become an extended family to me. When Nick deployed, they took Dannika and I into their family with open arms. I've spent a good portion of my Sunday evenings since Nick's been gone having a good homecooked family meal with their entire family. That, and I can't say no to Gloria's cooking. 

I consider myself blessed to have 3 sets of parents...Nick's parents...my parents...and the Gilbert's. 

So today was Dore's unofficial swearing in...as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army. I was privileged and honored to be able to attend. It was so inspiring!

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LASTLY...

Dannika had a playdate today with Kanoa :-) She got to go swimming!

Kanoa has a foot fetish....

Don't they make a cute couple?

Mommyhood, Wifehood, and Marinehood

What do these two things have in common????

Give Up??

They are two things that I am extremely proud of. 

Let me explain.

The first picture is a picture of the plaque I won last year for being Rookie Recruiter of the Year. I'm proud of it because it's the first time in my entire time as a Marine that I really achieved something. My entire career up to that point...I was just "there". I showed up to work on time everyday, did what I was told, and tried not to complain. I never really did anything TOO spectacular, but I considered myself a "good Marine". I came on recruiting duty with a drive to do something better, and to really be good at something for once. 

That little piece of wood with an NCO sword in it and a little green and orange ribbon that I received (NAM)...to me...isn't even worth what I put myself through.

I spent the 3/4 of my first year of recruiting duty pregnant. I TC'ed, AC'ed, and did high school visits with a giant prego belly. I worked 60 hour weeks...and with Nick in tow...I did 3am MEPS runs to LA while dealing with being pregnant, fat, heavy, and miserable. I threw up in the middle of a class talk. By month 7, I couldn't even fit into my coraframs or my boots. I did interviews in sweat pants and LARGE Marine Corps t-shirts cause that's all I felt comfortable in, and that was all that i could breathe in. 

Did I do it all on my own???

HELL NO.

My team was awesome. They hooked me up...

They were there for me.

That was my first year on recruiting duty. The only thing that mattered to me was being a good recruiter and writing contracts...that was it.

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The second picture is my daughter, Dannika Jane Romer.

She is the proudest accomplishment that I have in my life. There is nothing that tops her. When she came along, my entire world changed. Contracts didn't matter anymore. Being a "balla" at all hands didn't matter anymore. 

All that mattered to me was that I was going to be enough of a mother to her to grow up to become a successful, loved, beautiful woman. That was tough for me because I spend more time at work than I do with her sometimes.

When Nick left for Afghanistan, I had to choose between being a good recruiter and being a good mom. I couldn't be both on my own...I know women that can, but I'm just not one of them. I chose to focus on motherhood. 

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So what is the purpose of this blog? 

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I had a long talk with my RI (recruiter instructor) today at work. At first it was an ass chewing...about how much I sucked (pretty much). Then it became mentorship.

I learned a lot about myself, being a mother, a wife....

and this job....

I guess you'll just really have to truly know me to know the rest of this story...

but so far, it's pointing to a happy ending.

Happy 1st Birthday, ~Dannika Jane~!

I have been so excited for Dannika to turn ONE for so long....

until today...

I was really happy to make her day extra special for her this morning, and all I could think about at work today was her.

I left work a little earlier than usual today to pick her up from daycare to spend a little more time with her this evening.

It hit me on the drive home today, that my precious babygirl was not getting any younger...and neither was I.

It really made me sad. 

If this first year flew by the way it did...I can't imagine the day when she's 18 and leaving Nick and I to go explore the world.

Time truly is precious and way too short...

Dear Dannika...

Wow...you've officially made it through your FIRST year of life! It's so hard to believe that just a short 6 months ago when your daddy was leaving for Afghanistan, you were barely learning to sit up on your own! Look at you now...crawling everywhere...pulling yourself up on things. You're a little behind as far as walking, crawling on your knees, and standing, but we're not worried. You'll do it when you're ready. We blame daddy because you inherited his EXTREMELY narrow feet. Everyone says you're gonna be tall cause of your big 'ol head. I guess the head grows first???? Big head...narrow feet...walking is going to take a little bit longer...lol. This first year has been challenging and fun, and I don't regret any of it. You bring so much joy into our lives it's crazy. Everyone that ever meets you falls instantly in love with you. Daddy's gonna have his work cut out for him when you're old enough to discover BOYS. When you see other little boys, you are an instant flirt. You babble to them, point to them, clap your hands at them, and do whatever you can to get their attention. You can be bashful too though...when you're playing hard to get. It's hilarious for me to watch, but I know I won't be saying that in 15 years. When people look at you, they instantly say that you definitely inherited daddy's ears. I think they're beautiful. People often mistake you for a little boy when we don't put HUGE flowers and bows on your head because of your lack of hair. I think you're the cutest baby alive (but I may be a little biased). You love Nick Jr...everything on it. When Yo Gabba Gabba, Dora, or the Wonderpets come on, you clap your hands to songs and get lost in it sometimes. 

You've got a bond with mommy that most babies will never ever EVER have with their mommies. You've spent the majority of your first year of life with your mommy. You've helped her cope with the stress of daddy being away...and you've become her "BFF". You're a complete mama's girl. We've survived this deployment TOGETHER...just the two of us. When mommy has a bad day, your smile instantly makes her day better. 

You're a handful...but worth every bit of it...

We love you Dannika Jane....

Her "Birthday Suit" that i made for her

Morning before daycare...

the World Famous Sprinkles red velvet cupcake

Happy Birthday, Dannika Jane! We celebrated...just the two of us after mommy got off work today.

Not sure what to do with this thing yet...

Now she gets it...

YUMMY...

Wow...I want it to be my birthday EVERYDAY!

BIRTHDAY MORNING...soooo tired.

She has "attachment issues" to her "blanky"

Friends...Always Show Up When You Need them the Most

I think these last few weeks of the deployment have been the most stressful.

Just dealing with life and having no one to really talk to about what I'm going through makes it rough.

I've felt like crying...giving up...

I just needed someone to ask me... "Hey...are you ok? How are you doing?"

Sarah to the rescue...

I feel like I really have no friends here in Orange County, and I've lived here for 2 years now. 

I hate how the Marine Corps always seems to separate me from my close friends.

I have very few true close girlfriends in my life.

We've been through thick and thin together, and we're still friends.

We've never judged each other.

We've always been there for each other...even from afar.

We've always forgiven each other.

That's what true friends are.

MISS SARAH PRINCESS (yes...Princess is her ACTUAL middle name on her birth certificate)

I was surprised today by Sarah. Totally random trip to come visit us!

I ALWAYS have things to talk about with Sarah.

She understands the "asian" side of me.

She listens...

a day filled with conversation about Louis Vuittons, relationships, babies, and gossip.

AND

"Linner" at the Sundried Tomato Cafe

This weekend made me forget temporarily about "life"...

I felt free for a moment. 

"Everything's gonna be ok"

Some pics of my babygirl....

She has figured out how to "lowcrawl" under our coffee table....she DEFINITELY has two Marine parents.

Playing with her toys...

Just Thoughts

I need to start praying again.

I think all these feelings of stress, anxiety, and anxiousness I'm experiencing is God's way of telling me that until I start talking to him, I'm not going to feel any better. 

Thanks God. You have such creative ways to remind me to talk to you.

So day 1 is today. 

I'm going to pray pray pray!

So I need everyone to pray pray pray for me!

thanks!

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My unhappy teething baby...yes ladies and gents...those chompers have NOT come in yet, and it is driving mommy a little mentally insane.

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I found this picture of Lucky on my sister's friend's facebook page last night. It made me smile...and it made me sad he isn't with us anymore :-( What a cute pic though, huh?

Dannika's First 4th of July and "Dol"

"Dol" means First Birthday in Korean, by the way.

I am so blessed with such a wonderful family.

My dad flew Dannika and I out for 4th of July weekend to throw Dannika a traditional Korean First Birthday. First Birthdays are a big deal...but they're an even bigger deal in the Korean tradition. 

Here are the pics from our FAB weekend!

In front of our parent's house

Why do I love Texas??? Patriotism. This was not planned. Every house on my parent's street flew an American flag in their yard on 4th of July!

Dannika and her "Gigi" (grandma) hanging out on the walkway to our house.

Before leaving to go to Houston for the big Birthday bash!

My parents house...of course we have an American flag out front!!!

She was a little scared by all the commotion after singing "Happy Birthday"...yes...that is frosting on her face.

Beautiful Princess in her traditional Korean Princess Dress.

In the Korean tradition...on the first birthday, they put rice, yarn, and pencils in front of the baby to see which one they pick. If they pick the yarn it means that they'll live a long life...if they pick the rice it means they'll live a wealthy life...if they pick the pencils, they'll be extremely intelligent. Dannika picked the rice and the pencil at the same time! I guess she'll be supporting Nick and I!! haha

Dannika and her great grandparents!

Aunt Sharon, Dannika, and my grandma

Dannika and my Uncle Scott (she was intrigued by her orange)

Uncle James

She loves playing with my baby cousins Sophia and Joshua! They LOVED her!

My Aunt Hanah (who catered the ENTIRE party), and Dannika with "pigtails"

Our last day in Texas.... :-(