Syllabus Week Down!

First week of classes is down, and our first fightin' Texas Aggie home game is THIS Saturday!

I am dreaming about tailgates, and boots, and cute outfits, and most importantly, watching the Aggies BTHO UCLA this weekend (Whoop!)!

Classes have been pretty good this week.

Here's my first day of school photo!

"When I grow up, I want to shower without interrupting children, and go #2 in peace."

Syllabus week tends to be a drag, but most of my professors jumped right into lecture on the first day!

 And someone explain to me why my professor feels the need to have a 21 page syllabus?!?!

One of the classes I am taking is Military War & Society.

It is a sociology class (for those who don't know, I am minoring in sociology and psychology).

I didn't choose this class because I wanted to, or because of my military background.

I needed a sociology class, and this was the only class that was open and fit with my schedule.

It turns out, the majority of the students in this class are members of Texas A&M's ROTC (or better known as our Corps of Cadets). 

It's already a challenge being a non-traditional, older student.

I find it hard to relate sometimes to the "young kids".

Ironically, I find it even harder to relate to young cadets.

There is a sense of arrogance (not always in a bad way) that comes with the territory of being a cadet at TAMU, and I know a lot of veterans who have expressed this same sentiment with me.

Being in the Corps of Cadets at TAMU is a really big deal.

They are called our University's keepers of the "Aggie spirit", and rightfully so.

All of A&M's beginnings and history begins with the Corps of Cadets.

But there is a disconnect between being in ROTC, and being an actual military member or veteran.

Veterans take so much pride in their military service, so it's tough to see these kids marching around and "playing soldier" when you've experienced it in real life. 

With that said, I have an immense amount of respect for our Corps of Cadets.

Compared to the the average college kid on campus, the members of the Corps of Cadets are some of the most disciplined and professional students I have met.

They always call professors sir or ma'am, and they don't shuffle around before a lecture is over.

They're just all around a great group, and another reason why I believe Texas A&M is by far, the greatest damn university in the world! 

Marching into Kyle Field for a home football game! (last season)

Dannika and some cadets last year at a tailgate!

In this class, we have been discussing war and how people experience war.

I am usually pretty good about staying quiet and letting the young students speak their piece on differing subjects.

Most of their opinions, I shake my head (to myself) and think, "If you only knew in real life..."

Experiencing academia at 32, and watching these kids minds at work is fascinating to me. 

The "kids" I served in the Marine Corps with at 18-23 years old had such different mindsets than the average 18-23 year old college kid. 

Either way, I'm super excited for this semester!

Graduation next summer!!!

I. can. hardly. wait.

My view on my walk to class.

That big dome thing you see behind those trees is our academic building.

Random selfie?

I went out for dinner and drinks with some of my fellow Forest Ridge Elementary moms.

Much needed mom night.

This was my outfit, makeup, hairstyle of choice. lol

Since today is college colors day, our family is reppin' our Ags!

Our nanny had our kids yesterday afternoon for a bit, and sent me this absolutely adorable picture of them on the steps at Evans Library. 

Hopefully, they will spend lots of time in there in the future studying for tests and finals.

THANKS AND GIG 'EM, Y'ALL!

Spring Semester, Done Sir Done!

WOW, I've really been sucking at blogging lately!

I thought that once the semester was over, I'd take some time to catch up on this thing.

Instead, I have been taking naps, drinking wine, binging on Netflix.....

I finished the entire Gilmore Girls series in a month (theres like a million seasons and like 20 some odd episodes per season), and have started One Tree Hill.

I watched One Tree Hill when I was deployed to Iraq in 2007, and remember really enjoying it.

So I decided to rewatch it. It's so good!

I've basically become a recluse, but that's ok.

I've also enjoyed just spending time with Nick and the kids.

I have about 3 more weeks before I start summer school, so I am enjoying what little time I have off the best I can.

I ended my semester with 4 A's and a B. 

Random selfie of me in my car on my way to my very last final of the semester at Texas A&M!

The B was inevitable, and I'm actually surprised I managed to pull off a B in that class.

Either way, I consider that a pretty good semester at A&M, considering I was raising two children while doing it.

Patting myself on the back.

This is my Ag Leadership professor, Dr. Rotter (with Mattis and me).

I made an A in his class.

His last class, we did a potluck, and he let me bring Mattis since our childcare was sorta messed up that day. 

Dr. Rotter's class was my favorite class ever, and a class I did the most growing in as a person.

I'm actually a little sad that I won't have him again my my future ALED classes I need for my degree.

My Mother's Day was pretty awesome.

I told Nick I just wanted some alone time to binge on Netflix, wine, and dinner cooked for me.

Oh, and I also casually mentioned that I did not want to hear the word "mom" all day.

But my two year old started following me around calling me "pretty lady"...well played, Nick, well played.

The kids and I before church :)

They make my heart so happy, and as "unpretty" motherhood can be at times, I am so grateful that I get to be a mom.

This was a fun little photo boot our church set up.

With summer fast approaching, we decided to give little man a shorter hair cut.

I'm digging it.

My sweet friend and neighbor Kayla (brunette on the right) has not been out without her precious 7 month old baby since she was born!

Our new neighbor Jana (the blonde) suggested we bust her out, leave the daddies to watch the kids, and go have dinner and drinks.

It was much needed for Kayla, and it was nice for me to get to spend time with my friend without a baby attached to her hip! lol.

 I took little man to Chick Fil A for a mommy/son date today.

He is definitely a handful and our most difficult child, but he definitely has his sweet moments.

Those sweet moments can melt anyone's heart, and make all the craziness become a distant memory...

 I haven't done much blogging, but if you keep up with me on Instagram (@domesticatedcombatboots), you can follow my crazy life!

Happy Monday, y'all!

Memory Lane..the Good, Bad, & Ugly

I was going through my computer the other day just deleting some old files and cleaning it up a bit.

I came across some photos that I hadn't seen in YEARS that gave me such fond, not so fond, and just random memories.

I thought I'd share a few and take you to a trip down my memory lane.

I don't even remember what year this was, but this was definitely WAY before I even knew Nick existed!

This is my friend Kim and me in a bar in PB (Pacific Beach in San Diego).

 This picture makes me laugh because that evening, a few of the Marines we worked with ended up in the "paddy wagon" (the drunk tank).

For those of us who did not get arrested, we ended up at Denny's and this adorable innocent girl that you see in the photo (Kim...not me...haha), stole some random guy's food because he was passed out when his food came out. 

How I managed a successful career in the Marine Corps for 10 years without getting in (too much) trouble is beyond me....for real.

My old roommate Eddie and me.

He was my roommate when I met Nick!

We used to go to Rookies (a sports bar in Oceanside that Marines frequent) pretty much every night...well not EVERY night...but we went A LOT!

I once punched a Samoan gang member in the face at this bar, then I was carried over the shoulder of a Marine I worked with, locked in the backseat of my car, while he rounded up the rest of the rowdy bunch to make our getaway before the cops showed up.

Again....how I managed a successful career in the Marine Corps for 10 years is BEYOND ME!

This is a group of the female Marines that were in my unit.

My friend Jamie (second girl from the left) was on restriction (google it), so we decided to throw her a party in the barracks lounge...lol.

I'm pretty sure we provided her with alcohol (which she was not allowed to have on restriction), but man, that was a fun night.

Providing Marines that are already in trouble with alcohol....do you see a trend?? God was really looking out for THIS Marine.

I was lucky to have gotten to work with such awesome female Marines.

We all got along (which is rare), there was no cattiness or backstabbing...

Not to mention...they were all absolutely gorgeous...

Hot AND can kick your butt?! 

We're a rare breed...girl Marines.

Back when going to TJ (Tijuana) was legal for Marines (with a chit of course), I took my sister there when she came to visit me in San Diego.

We walked around, bartered for fake Louis Vuitton sunglasses, and ate some awesome and authentic Mexican food!

What I miss most about California is being a 5 minute drive away from the beach...

Sgts Course...

One of the best courses I went to as a Marine. 

I had an absolute blast, and our platoon took the PT trophy (of course).

There were 5 females in the course, and 5 platoons.

Each platoon got a female.

Every platoon's female brought their PT and PFT down...

NOT THIS GAL...

Beast mode....I can hang with the boys.

I got promoted to Sgt in Iraq...fun times.

I love the photobomb in this photo.

 This photo was taken at a party that my instructor at Recruiters' School threw our class at his home.

 Nick was a drill instructor at the time, so since we were on the same base, we spent a lot of time together.

I'm pretty sure this photo was taken just a few weeks after we got married!

It's true...we eloped while I was in recruiters' school cause they were gonna send my ass to Duluth, GEORGIA!!!!!!

One of my last days as an active duty Marine.

The person you see in this picture...

You'd never believe all the stuff above, huh?
This girl is now a settled down wife of an amazing husband and a mother to two adorable kids.
My, how times have changed!

Hope y'all enjoyed my past...lol!

Epic Weekend

I am coming off a high of one of the best weekends I've had since Nick left.

Nick got his first liberty period late yesterday afternoon, and I waited patiently all day to hear from him...

We haven't seen eachother's faces in 3 weeks, so I had to make sure I was looking hot for our FaceTime date.

I'm telling you ladies...it's all about the little things in a marriage to keep things spicy.

We spent some time outside to kill time blowing bubbles...

Pure joy

And then...at 1711 (5:11pm), my phone started playing "Sweet Home Alabama" (Nick's ring tone), and I think I about fell out of my chair to grab my phone when I heard it.

And, I got to see this handsome, smiling face.

Another cool thing that happened...

Mattis took his "first crawls" on all fours while Nick was on FaceTime!!!!

Timing is everything, folks.

Lastly, one of my best friends from the Marine Corps just happened to come here for a business trip, and she came a day early to come see me!!

The last time I saw her was on my 26th birthday when Nick was deployed, and Dannika was just about Mattis' age.

 And here she is with Mattis....

yes, he's huge compared to my little Dannika (above).

Dannika was OVER THE MOON having her over.

Kim is so amazing with kids, and she spent the afternoon doing math, writing, and reading with Dannika,

Oh, and just another bonus...

This hot chicka is also a TEXAS GIRL!

I look at this photo of all of us, and it makes me smile.

You see, back in the day, Kim and I used to cause havoc around southern California with our debauchery and nonsense...lol.

But we always made it to formation on time....

It's crazy to think that she is now a college grad with a "grown up" job (not that the Marine Corps wasn't a grown up job), but we've both matured.

And we have our priorities straight!

 This is our first photo of just the two of us where we are BOTH civilians!

Just two veterans...

We hadn't seen each other in nearly 5 years, but when she showed up at my house, it was like she never left.

It felt like that 5 year gap in our friendship never existed. 

We stayed up, drank wine, and just caught up.

This weekend made me realize that some of the greatest things in my life that came out of the Marine Corps are the friendships and bonds.

There are things that we talked about that my civilian friends wouldn't have understood.

We laughed about things that only two girls who spent their young adult lives in an organization full of men would understand.

It was great...

I'm Dreaming...

of a whiiiiiite Christmas!

Actually, we didn't have to dream because we actually got one!

It was just enough snow for us to go play in for a little bit, throw snowballs, and have fun!

For the three of us, it was the first white Christmas ever, so we were pretty excited (and acting real brand new). :-)

Just watching the joy in D's eyes when she got outside in her snow boots and snowsuit was enough to make this Christmas special.

Making a snowball

Daddy's giant snowball

This is the first Christmas that I really felt like D "got it". 

She understood all the hype with Santa Claus, the gifts under the tree, and most importantly, the birth of Jesus.

It made it that much more exciting for me, and I really enjoyed getting into the Christmas spirit together with her this entire month.

So, here's to playing catch up with all my "Christmasey" stuff from the month of December!

(Picture overload)

houseslippers are a must in this cold New England weather!

Nick got his Christmas gift from me a few days early. I got him a new grill guard for his truck and side steps!

Me and my new Jeep. Let me just add, I DO NOT miss my Mercedes, ONE BIT!!! This thing is way cooler looking and way more fun to drive!

D and I did "girls night" and painted our nails.

I'm pretty much a domestic goddess that was screaming to get out when I was in the Marine Corps (I make it sound like I was in SO long ago)...lol. These are my chocolate chip snickerdoodles for Santa.

Our family has a tradition of opening our stocking stuffers on Christmas eve after dinner.

 Gotta love the dollar section at Target

Putting the cookies and milk out for Santa.

And poor Doze....we drew eyebrows on him with eyeliner. He always makes these crazy "facial" expressions at us, so we figured we'd "accent" the expressions by adding eyebrows. Hilarious.

I'm obsessed with Spin class. So Nick just brought spin class to my house!! He got me a Spin bike for Christmas!!!!!!!

My little superhero in her superhero jammies...complete with cape.

D got Hungry Hungry Hippos from Santa. Turns out, it's a fun thing to play as a family :-)

My little fashionista

We drove into Boston, and took the "T" to the Children's Museum. She was so excited to get to ride a train for the first time!

Future pilot? She would make her godfather proud.

Me and my angel in front of Boston harbor where the Boston Tea Party happened!

Most days, these two are the cause of my massive headaches, but look how cute they are :-)