Just Another Marine Family Holiday...

Looking back at the last several months, blogging has truly taken a "back seat" in my life. I love blogging, and I really do wish I had a little more time to do it! Between both kids being in school, gymnastics, homework, work, volunteering, my gym time, and Nick being gone, life has been quite hectic! I loved seeing everyone's Thanksgiving posts on social media, and for those who wrote about what they were thankful for, I enjoyed reading those as well! Our Thanksgiving was pretty dang awesome! Nick flew in on Thanksgiving morning, and stayed until Sunday morning. The weekend flew by, and felt entirely too short, but we were thankful to have that bit of time with him. Short visits like this past weekend toy with my emotions so much. I get this initial sense of relief and excitement followed by immediate sadness.

We spent Thanksgiving day with my family in Houston and enjoyed our traditional "Korean American" Thanksgiving. We do a huge "fusion" of Korean BBQ, Korean food, as well as the big turkey with all the sides. It really is as awesome as it sounds. After Thanksgiving, our family came back home to CS, and just chilled all weekend. Nick pulled the Christmas decorations down from the attic for me and hung Christmas lights outside. With Nick gone, I wasn't really in the mood to put a tree up and decorate like I normally do, but he insisted that I decorate. I know I am not the only military wife that doesn't do festive or decorate when spouses are away! It just doesn't feel right sometimes. I'm glad he made me though, because it does make my house feel more like a home (even with my better half missing).  I cooked a meal for him, and we really just enjoyed our time together as a family. It was perfect.

So, I think it is time I change the name of my blog. "Domesticated Combat Boots" fit me when I first got out of the Marine Corps. I hung up my uniforms and put away my combat boots to be a stay at home mom with Dannika. It was fitting for me in that season of my life. That was five years ago. Five years ago was also the day that my contract officially ended with the Marine Corps. As a Marine wife, mother of two, Marine veteran, and working girl...the word "domestic" doesn't quite fit me. Suggestions welcome.

Here are some pics from our weekend together as a family of 4! If you follow me on IG, you've most likely seen all of these.

Nick came in early Thanksgiving morning to Houston!

We were SO excited! 

9 long weeks without seeing him!

When your "baby" cousin shows up to Thanksgiving in her 5 series BMW...

From L to R: My cousin Mark and his NEW FIANCÉ Lisa, cousin Tiffany and her longtime boyfriend Nathan, the glorious me with my Gig 'em thumb, and my handsome hubs,

My Uncle Mike and Mattis.

My grandpa and Mattis (throwing up a "gig 'em"...of course)

We babysat my friend's sweet dog last weekend as well!!!

Sweet Gracie was the BEST houseguest ever!

She helped me wrap gifts...

Me and my guy

This is one of two trees in my house. 

We have a family tree that our whole family gets to decorate, and a "mama tree".

The "mama tree" is one that I get to decorate all on my own with my own ornaments with no help from anyone.

The day that Nick left was the saddest...

After an amazing week together as a complete family, having to send him back to Uncle Sam sucked.

Mattis and Nick's bow (he decided to take his bow to go hunting on weekends we wasn't busy)

We have done this a million times (it feels like).

It never gets easier though.

In fact, it gets harder as our children get older.

My sweet Dannika has gone thorough more separations from her father than any child should have to go through...

But as she's gotten older, it's gotten tougher for her tender heart.

She is a daddy's girl, and watching her say her tearful goodbye to Nick broke my heart.

We are almost at the end of our first week since Nick left, and we are back in the swing of things.

The kids and I are back into a routine again, and we anxiously waiting for Christmas when we can see Nick again.

I hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I pray that all of you have a great holiday season.

Much love from me...

Stros, Halloween, and Personal Thoughts.

Work has kept me busy lately. Not just work. Work, kids, volunteer work, and life. And I wouldn't trade it for the world. Over the last 5 years since getting out of a 10 year career, I have learned that I am my "best" self as a working woman. I crave and need purpose outside of raising kids and being a "Marine wife"..and I like working OUTSIDE of my home.

Recently, an acquaintance whom I met through blogging told me they were moving near us. Outside of an occasional FB or IG "like", we had never had a true relationship or conversation. This person always sends our family a Christmas card every year, which made me feel obligated to send one back. We met in person... one time years ago, and that was it. For those who know me...y'all know how much I value a friendship or an acquaintance. Acquaintances are people I friend on social media because I like them. Friends are people that I actually keep in contact with outside of social media...I love them...and cherish them.....and even invest in a plane ticket to go visit every once in a while. Military life has really taught me the difference between friends and acquaintances. I value my acquaintances, because something connected us together albeit high school, boot camp, Marine Corps life.

This person recently contacted me to tell me they were moving in this area because of a job, and told me how glad they were they were moving somewhere they knew someone, and wanted a referral for a realtor. It totally caught me off guard. "Wow, I've barely spoken to you, and NOW you're contacting me... I barely know you outside of social media...". I referred them to a realtor that we love and trust, and left it at that. Then, I was asked if they could use me as an emergency contact for their kids in school. No.

Do not put that responsibility on me. Yeah...the EC never gets used...but in the case that it does...I don't want to be it. I don't know you or your family...I don't know your kids except the ONE time I met them FIVE years ago...and I haven't spoken to you on the phone since the ONE time we met in person. Its awkward.

I feel bad...but I am totally weirded out....

One friend told me I was overreacting...
My other 3 BFFs told me, "that's weird".

Anyways...

First...

GO STROS!!!

Halloween here was rainy...

It didn't stop us from trick or treating though!

Mattis chose to be Batman.

He actually originally chose to be the scary "Heath Ledger Joker".

I told him "NO!", so we compromised on the Dark Knight.

D surprised me, and chose to be Rey from Star Wars!

She has seen Star Wars with Nick.

I've never seen a single Star Wars episode, and fell asleep through the only one I "saw" in theaters with Nick.

So, when she told me she wanted to be Rey, I had to do some research.

It ended up being one of my most favorite costumes!

Fall has been SO busy for us! Between work, the kids' school and activities, volunteer work, and life, I've truly haven't had much down time to think about anything else! Nick is kicking butt! He just qualified on the range as an expert in both pistol and rifle on the range!! whoop~!

I don't have much time to blog like I used to, but I take that as a blessing. Busy is good!

Thanks.

And GIG 'EM!