Daddy Daughter Dance

I love the idea of a "daddy/daughter" dance. I think it's sweet and endearing to see a little girl go out on a date with her father (or father figure). I am a traditionalist in some ways when it comes to that sorta thing, and I know it makes some feminists cringe. But I honestly love it.

I think Nick is the greatest man on earth (ok, I'm a little biased here). But I truly do believe that Nick is THE example of what a decent man should be. Afterall, I've been happily married to the guy for almost a decade now (wow a decade?!), and I have followed him to the depths of hell (snowy hell....ahem...Massachusetts....). If I got to choose a man for Dannika to one day marry, I'd choose a guy just like Nick, and if I could decide how Mattis turns out when he grows up, I would choose for him to become just like Nick. Of course, I don't get to actually pick who Dannika marries, nor do I get to decide how Mattis turns out, but I can have an influence in showing my children what a decent man is....by Nick's example.

I love the daddy/daughter dance because Dannika gets to experience for herself what I experience when Nick takes me out. She gets a glimpse into how men should treat women. It's not about just how a man is supposed to treat her either. It's teaching her small lessons about how to treat others in general, and to expect to be treated the same...with dignity and respect. She gets to feel what a thoughtful gesture like flowers feel like...

I also sorta love the "fairytale-ness" of it all. We spent the entire day getting ready for her "date". From manicures to hair to jewelry...

As I helped her get ready, we got to chit chat while jamming out to Taylor Swift radio on Pandora. I explained to her that, I don't have to get all dressed up and fancy when I go out with daddy (he honestly wouldn't care). I choose to put some effort into myself when I go out with him, because I want him to know how much I appreciate the time we are going to get to spend together. It's my small way of outwardly showing him that I am genuinely excited (that, and I love a good reason to get dressed up and dolled up!) 

Like any true Aggie, he always finds a way to add a Gig 'em into a photo op!

True Marine brat...noticing the eagles on his buttons are flying upside down.

So naturally, she adjusts them...like she has seen me do a hundred times to Nick on his uniform...

I saw some things floating around Facebook about how the daddy/daughter dance was unfair to single moms, or kids who don't have a father that is present in their lives. I don't get it though. My husband's father was absent most of his life, and is still absent to this day, and yet he can name off the top of his head, at least five different men that have been a mentor and father-like figure to him. In fact, Nick mentioned a lot of the girls had their grandfather's, uncles, and friends escort them. And for single moms, I'm in the same boat. I don't go to the daddy/daughter dance because I'm not a dad or a father figure. Maybe I just opened up a can of worms here, but then again, this is my blog. I write what I want...

Nick and Dannika had an absolute blast by the way. Nick described the evening as "high school prom all over again". Dannika ditched him to go dance with her friends on the dance floor, and he stood off the side watching with all the other "loser dads". I think I died laughing when he said that. When I picture it, however, I picture a proud father, standing on the sides watching his daughter have the time of her life with her friends. And this is why, I support daddy/daughter dances.

Did Someone Say Election? I Said Ring Day!

Anyone else tired of election talk?

Me too.

So let's talk about something way more exciting!

Last Friday, Nick got his Fightin' Texas Aggie ring!

Nick will be the first in his family to graduate from college (which automatically makes him the first Aggie in his family)!

When we first met, Nick told me in these words, "I'm not good at school. I suck at school. I'm not meant for college. That's why I joined the Marine Corps. I'm good at being a Marine. It's the first thing I've truly been good at."

He didn't graduate on time with his class because he failed math, and had to retake it in summer school.

He once mentioned that it was embarrassing and he felt a sense of missing out on something big because he didn't get to walk the stage at his high school graduation.

He had a high school counselor pretty much tell him he wouldn't amount to anything.

Fast forward to fifteen years later...

Nick has been in the Marine Corps 15 years, fought in wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan, trained in Japan, sat on a Navy boat in the middle of the ocean for months, eloped with me in Vegas, had two beautiful kids, lived in 5 different homes and 3 different states...and he isn't anywhere near done.

Oh, and he pulled a little 4.0 last semester...

The guy who didn't graduate from high school on time because of his grades pulled a 4.0 at a major university! 

His Aggie ring is truly earned, and really means something special to a guy who used to think that he "sucked at school". 

Here are some photos from his Ring Day!

I got to present his ring to him!

 Whoop!

Look at that bling!

The best academic advisor at all of TAMU!

Thanks for coming out and being a part of Nick's special day!

This ring is better than any lame high school graduation.

"Does this ring make me look like an Aggie?"

Congrats Nick!

So proud of you and all that you have accomplished!

I love seeing you succeed and seeing you live your dreams!

When Your Husband is Awesome, and Everyone Takes It For Granted

Fall semester here in Aggieland...

It's October 29, and it was 90 degrees at one point today...(not relevant, but I thought I'd just add it).

We have seven Aggie HOME football games this season...

That is seven tailgates...

Seven tailgates that Nick is in charge of setting up and breaking down this semester because he is the President of the Semper Fi Society (not even by choice...but by nomination).

He goes out to Spence Park (where our tailgate is) before everyone else, every home game, and he is always one of the last to leave AFTER every game to break it down.

There is the same group of 6-8 cadets (midshipmen) who ALWAYS help him.

I have gone out to Spence Park a few times on Friday afternoons when people go out to "stake their tailgates".

Nick is the ONLY Marine there most of the time (there's a few that show up "when convenient" to help), along with the same 6-8 midshipmen.

There are six other Marine MECEP'ers in the program....

Even last football season, when another Marine was in charge of all the tailgates, Nick volunteered to take over one of the tailgates from beginning to start.

He set up, BBQ'ed, broke down...

He was praised by everyone that it was one of the best tailgates of the season.

No one has done that for him this semester.

It makes me glad that I am no longer in the Marine Corps, because it is this sort of BS that I don't miss.

We are all one big happy family...oorah..semper fi...we don't leave a Marine behind...but when it comes to things outside of combat or mission...Marines have no problem leaving a Marine behind.....

The price we have to pay for a Marine who gives 200% to everything he does, and always goes out of his way to do the things that no one else wants to do is...

Our time as family suffers.

I've been "ok" at being a super supportive wife to Nick in all his career endeavors.

I can't say I've been totally happy all the time and haven't complained (I complain...hard as it may be to believe).

We are both full time students raising two kids...

We are both involved in our daughter's school...

We have lives outside of school and football...

The excuse that "I'm busy because of my kids" from most of the Marines in the same program as Nick is moot because WE ARE BUSY TOO.

We are busy because of our kids.

And because of our busy schedules...

Our friends have been neglected...

Our marriage has been neglected...

Our kids have been neglected (at times)...(don't be calling CPS...our kids are well fed, clothed, bathed, and thriving)

The man I married does EVERYTHING for EVERYONE with no complaints.

So I am complaining for him today because he is a better human being than me and would never complain.

I keep saying that his work ethic and willing to step up when no one else "volunteers" is going to pay off big time.

And it has.

Anyone else know a Marine who was selected for Gunny in a slow promoting MOS at 9 years time in service?

I sure as hell don't (unless you are on special duty).

  But I'm complaining for him today.

Today, we are playing New Mexico State.

It is not a big game, and we always know that it's a game no one cares about because we always get a crap load of free tickets that are "generously donated to student veterans".

We got donated a bunch of tickets this game.

Ask us how many tickets were donated to the veterans for the Tennessee game or UCLA game?

ZERO.

That's not even an issue though.

As a veteran, I'm used to getting everyone's "leftovers" when they're trying to be nice and generous.

I guess I'm just upset today and needed to vent on my little space in cyberspace...

I didn't get to tailgate or attend the game today because I have two really tough tests next week that I need to study for.

Priorities, right?

I really needed a good 4 hours to study, and I wanted to enjoy my Saturday with my husband after studying watching the game in our air conditioned home that we bought and drink our own beers.

But I didn't get that because he had to go set up his tailgate...and we won't get to enjoy our evening because he will have to drive back to A&M when the game is over (at like 11PM!!!!!!!!!!) to break the tailgate down.

We have missed more church this fall that I care to admit because after an entire day of tailgating and attending a football game...we literally can not get up in the morning to go to church.

I guess I'm just disgruntled today...for Nick.

He does so much for little to no recognition.

I guess in true Marine fashion...that is the epitome of a great leader.

I just wanted him to get to enjoy a tailgate this season without having to stress out about breaking it down and setting it up. 

But we've been married for almost nine years now, and I should be used to this because it is literally the "story of our life".

But I'm not..

The price you pay for marrying such a stud and stellar Marine.... :)

 Here are some happy pics from this weekend that make me feel "not so disgruntled"...

We went to a "pumpkin patch" on Friday so the kids could pick out their pumpkins to carve this weekend.

I did early voting last week!

This election is a mess, but I have too many friends who gave their lives fighting for our country and Nick and I have spent too many times in crappy places around the world to NOT exercise our right to vote.

So I did!

 Anyone else think this giant bow is ridiculous?!?!

I don't!

Everything's bigger in Texas...even our bows!

And here I am...

Studying...

But hey...wearing maroon!

 

Birthday Fit For a 33 Year Old

Nick turned THIRTY-THREE last week!

That is TWO 3's!

One of my "things" is that I love making people feel special on their birthdays.

I go all out...I don't care how old you are turning!

Complete with cheesy decorations and everything!

The night before Nick's birthday, we watched the new Nina Turtles movie, so I felt it was appropriate to throw him "another" TMNT themed party! 

Nick had no idea I bought all these decorations.

I knew he would wake up early (5AM!!!!) to go on a run, so I was up at 0530 to throw up the decorations! (notice it is still dark outside!)

I was sleepy....

Then I ran to our favorite Texas donut place, Shipley's to grab him some cinnamon rolls, and a mocha latte from our local convenience store, Rattlers...

Nick got a new a hunting rifle for his birthday earlier in the summer, but I wanted something special to give him on his birthday.

Nick was EXTREMELY close to his "mum" (she was British), and when she passed away unexpectedly two years ago, he was devastated.

His mom hated taking photos, and the few that we have of her are either bad quality or really old.

I wanted to take one of my favorite photos of them and have it sketched so that I could display it in my home. 

A woman I went to boot camp with (14 years ago...holy cow) is married to a Marine vet with amazing art talent.

I contacted him and sent him a bad quality, grainy photo on facebook messenger to see if he could sketch it for me to place in an 8x10 frame.

And boy did he deliver!

 He is an art major at University of North Carolina Wilmington, and his talent is incredible. 

Here is the finished product!

Here is the original...

Thank you so much Kirk!!!

 Nick is also a big Star Wars fan...

So I got him a 160 piece Darth Vader Star Wars lego set as well...

He spent the entire morning putting him (Darth Vader) together.

He is a selfie of us and ole Darth...

No party hats here...

Just Nina Turtle masks...

And lastly, we ended the day with our neighbors coming over to sing Happy Birthday to him with cake!

They brought him his favorite beers and his favorite chocolate bars (Caramellos!)

Here's to a wonderful year of being 33, my love!

I Love Summer

School has been keeping me so busy!

My classes aren't too difficult, but they have been extremely time consuming!

We have one more week until summer school is done, and Nick and I will finally get a few weeks off to relax before the reality of Fall semester starts again.

I have managed to continue to overshare photos of my kids and my life on Instagram and Facebook.

Contemplating deleting that thing until election season is over.

Who would have thought that so many of my friends were so hateful to one another!

Anyway, regardless of how much time school has been taking up, our family has really taken advantage of the summer, and we have been soaking up all the hot Texas rays.

Lots of time playing outside with the kids on the street....

Mattis getting school on nerf guns....

Nick won yard of the month.

Seriously, this has been his lifelong dream.

Mommy/daughter dates to the salon and lunch!

back to school "do"

This is our neighbor's fish Vi, and Dannika.

We released Vi into our neighborhood's pond a few nights ago.

Dannika was the only person who really loved Vi, so instead of flushing her down the toilet, we let her go into the murky waters of the pond. 

We've spent some time...lots of time swimming at our neighborhood pool...

We have also kept up with our reading!

And sno cones at our local Bahama Buck's!

I can't believe it's the end of July already!

This summer just flew by, and I am sad that it is almost over!

Hope everyone's been having a great summer so far!