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!

 

8 Years, 5 Zip Codes, 2 Kids

I suck as a wife this year.

First of all, I swore all month that my wedding anniversary was May 30th, and I even had to check our marriage certificate to find out it was actually May 31st. 

I always knew we got married the last day of May, but for some reason, I always think May only has 30 days.

I did get Nick a gift.

I told him he could get an after market exhaust for his truck.

Normally, I would have already purchased it and made an appointment for him to go get it done, but I didn't this year (FAIL).

Honestly, this semester has been so exhausting that when finals were over, I completely "veg'ed out", and did nothing for the last three weeks.

Our original anniversary plans fell through because of this "little" tornado that came through our town last week.

We had planned on going to dinner at a restaurant here in town that I've been dying to take Nick too (Napa Flats), and he was going to surprise me and take me to a hotel for the night.

Our nanny was going to drive down to watch our kids, but for obvious reasons, she didn't get to come on the day our anniversary was planned. 

Nick was so bummed out, and I hate seeing him like that, so...

I drove through a torrential downpour and through flooding...like REAL flooding...to Napa Flats on Friday and picked up a to go order of their delicious wood fired pizza and a shrimp appetizer.

I drove home, put Mattis down for a nap, and gave Dannika strict orders to go watch Netflix and not come out of our bedroom (unless she was bleeding or dying).

It wasn't what we had planned, but it was still romantic, and we got to have adult conversation (sans kids).

Our nanny, Rachel ended being able to drive down from her hometown on Saturday, so Nick and I got to go out and do some shooting at the range.

Today, we had shrimp and lobster at our house.

Nick and the kids got me flowers and cards, and a new double leather band for my Apple watch. 

Our anniversary this year wasn't anything grand or spectacular, but to me, it was perfect and special.

We have spent many anniversaries apart, and I am just grateful to be spending it with him in our home together.

Eight years has flown by.

We used to talk about how our 10 year anniversary felt like it was a lifetime away when we first got married, and now.....

It's hard to believe that we're just two short years away from it. 

Eight years ago, two young kids flew to Vegas and eloped after only dating (and knowing each other) for less than two months. 

We didn't tell a soul.

We ate at Hooters before we drove to a Vegas courthouse at close to midnight to stand in line with a bunch of drunk "Vegas brides and grooms".

I wore a purple Express tube top and jeans.

He wore his Alabama baseball cap, a white polo with light blue stripes from American Eagle.
We went to a cheesy Vegas chapel where we laughed through our entire "Vegas wedding vows".

We were young, in love, and didn't care what anyone thought of our crazy idea.

I think back to that night, and can't imagine us doing it any other way. 

That one night in Vegas brought us to where we are today.

The past 8 years has been the wildest adventure I could have ever imagined.

But I get to do life with the man of my dreams...

 the guy who makes me laugh...

the guy who drives me crazy...

the guy who used to tell me my love handles were sexy after I had just given birth...

the guy who I get to witness being an amazing father to our kids...

And most importantly, the guy who leads our family in Christ and is an example for others. 

I am so lucky to be yours Nicholas Mark...

I wouldn't trade this life...

The ups...

The downs...

The Bostons...

I wouldn't trade any of it as long as I get to do it with you!

Happy 8 years, my love!!!

Bell's Old Glory Shop

If you're a loyal follower of my blog, you know who this handsome guy is....

And for those who don't read my blog, I'll introduce you to him!

This guy is Staff Sergeant Vincent Bell.

He's a hard charging, motivated, and hard core United States freaking Marine!

Nick and Vince attended Marine Corps recruit training together, field artillery school together, and eventually found themselves together again at 11th Marines on Camp Pendleton, Ca.

 After deployments they were back together at the artillery training school (ATS) as instructors. 

Their favorite thing to do together was ride their crotch rockets. 

Nick left for the drill field, then returned to ATS as a student this time and Vince as his instructor in the Marine Corps' new high mobility artillery rocket system. 

In November of 2011, shortly before Nicks second deployment to Afghanistan, Vince (while in Afghanistan) stepped on an improvised explosive device while on patrol and gave his life for our country. 

It has been Nicks lifelong quest to keep his memory and his name alive, so we named Mattis after him... Mark Vincent Romer.

Pretty amazing guy, right?

Since Vince's death, Nick has slowly learned to grieve in his own way, and on his own time.

He's always wanted to do something "more" to keep Vince's memory alive.

A few months ago, he was asked to make a flag with a pub bell on it to hang at Rudder tower on campus at Texas A&M.

He had never done anything like this before, but he was excited for the challenge.

 After some trial and error, the flag was perfect...

After showing some people the flag, he started getting requests from people to make them on as well.

After doing some research on the internet, we saw that similiar flags were selling for 300-400 dollars a piece!

We decided together that we would sell them for half of that price, and donate 10% of the proceeds to the Semper Fi Society in Vince's name.

We wanted to make them affordable for people, so that we could sell more to a wide variety of people, and really do something positive with the money.

We took the ground running, and Bells Old Glory Shop was born!

Custom hand painted Texas A&M Flag

 One we made for the Dixie Chicken!

There is so much love that goes into all of these flags.

Even our kids have a hand in them!

This is what I call Nick's "sacred place".

He's in here late into the night most nights working on his creations.

I like to think it's him spending time together with Vince as he hand cuts, and hand paints each and every flag.

We made our first donation of $250 to the Semper Fi Fund last month with the profits we made with these flags!

I love that Nick has found something to put his energy to for a positive and amazing cause.

I know Vince is looking down on Nick, and slapping him on the butt while saying, "Good game!" as he creates these works of art.

If y'all are interested in one, check out our Facebook page, and send us a message!

You can click the link above or just search "Bell's Old Glory Shop", and it'll take you there!

We would love to create an American flag, or even a custom flag just for you in honor of Vince!

My Favorite Things

A lot going on in my mind lately, and lots of reflecting on life.

Last week, two Marine helicopters were in involved in an accident with 12 Marines aboard.

After a week of intense searching in choppy waters, the search was suspended with none of our 12 Marine brothers recovered. 

I am an empath.

Especially when it comes to matters of my fellow Marines being injured or killed, my heart literally breaks.

I have been praying so hard lately for the families, and just asking God to give their families comfort in their heart.

I know it's easier said than done, but I've been praying that they put all their grief on Him.

One of the Marines is an Aggie...in fact, him and his wife are both Aggies, and they have four children.

His family lives here in College Station and attend a local church that we have many friends that attend and are affiliated with.

When something hits so close to home, it feels like my own family member...and actually, since once you become a Marine, you adopt several hundred thousand brothers and sisters....they are family.

Major Campbell was one of the pilots of the helicopters in the accident.

I have been replaying what might have...could have...happened during his flight.

I keep thinking about his wife and kids, and what their last words were to each other.

Did they tell each other "I love you" before he left for work that day?

Or were they so overwhelmed with life and raising kids that they just assumed he'd be home the next day....and never said I love you or goodbye...

Maybe when he left for work, they were irritated with each other, and didn't say anything....

Lord knows that there have been many days when I have sent Nick off to work or class without saying anything because I was irritated, in a bad mood, or just in a hurry.

All these thoughts have been flooding my mind....

I've made it a point these last few days to say "I love you" to Nick and the kids more than usual.

I've tried to hug them more and love on them more.

I've given "nuggles" to my babies...even when they seem annoyed with my over affection

If God calls me home today, I just want the last memory that my husband and kids have of me is of love, positivity, and laughter.

So today...

I decided to post a few photos that make me happy...

Some things that make me smile...

At 31 years old, my dream of attending Texas A&M is a reality.

I pinch myself, because I figured with Nick's career, there'd be no way in hell I'd ever get to come here.

But here I am....

In my Hunter rainboots on a rainy day on campus....

Even with the drizzle, and millions of miles I have to walk around campus...

I am so grateful for the opportunity to come here, and have a shot at my own Aggie bling!

My sister got me these adorable soap dish and measuring spoons for Christmas.

She knows my taste so well...

I LOVE technology.

I love my iPhone.

But I HATE digital calendars.

I like a good old fashioned planner.

I found this gem at Target for a few bucks, and it's been a lifesaver.

I've got all my assignments and papers that are due written in it from my syllabi, and all my "mom duties" written in it.

I love looking at a snapshot of my month.

This little boy is officially in his "terrible twos".

Some days, Nick and I want to scratch our eyes out.

But when he wants "nuggles" and when he asks us to pray for him...

We can't help but fall in love with him more and more each day.

I love his curiosity of the world around him, and his eagerness to explore it.

Celebratory drink after completing my first week as a full time Aggie!

Cause sometimes...Nick and I can be cheesy....

I do 95% of the cooking.

I love you, Nick, but your cooking is less than.....

BUT...

He can BBQ and smoke some meat like no other...

AND...

He makes a mean homemade pizza!

Just call him Chef Nick....

This is a deer sausage pizza with bell peppers and jalapeño pizza. 

DIVINE...

This sweet daughter of mine.

Birthday party shenanigans this weekend.

I got together with some ladies last night at Painting with a Twist.

It's one of those places where you get step by step instructions with an actual artist to paint a canvas masterpiece.

And you get to drink wine while doing it!

I actually won a free wine glass because I got to most "likes" on Facebook for my painting with a twist selfie!

Thanks to all of y'all who liked my photo!

Here we are with our masterpieces!

 My handy husband found a new hobby!

He hand makes these rustic wooden flags, and sells them!

He donates 10% of the proceeds to the Semper fi fund in his buddy SSgt Vincent Bell's name.

(Vince gave his life heroically in Iraq)

And of course...a photo of my love and me...in our natural state.

Hug your loved ones today...

Hug them every day...

Tell them you love them, and like the cliché goes...

"Live every day as if it were your last....full of love, laughter, and positivity."

Happy Sunday y'all!

A Test of Marriage

There is no better test of the strength of our marriage than Christmas time.

Poor Nick gets tasked every year with putting up the Christmas lights outside of our home.

Although, I have volunteered to do it, and he refuses to let me, so I don't get why he complains....psh!

It usually goes something like this..

Me: Hey babe, will you put up the lights outside?

Nick: (begrudgingly) yeah....

Me: Well, if you're not gonna be happy about it, I can just do them...

Nick: NO...I'll do them. Just tell me how you want them.

Me: (gives him some sort of vague instructions like "just put them on the roof")

Then of course it's freezing the day I want him to put up lights, so I choose to sit inside my nice warm house while Nick freezes his butt off on a ladder with a string of lights.

(10 Minutes later)

Me: (walks outside and stands in the street to inspect Nick's work)

Nick: What? You don't like them. Something is wrong....

Me: No...well....nevermind. It's fine. Just leave them.

Nick: I can tell you don't like them. Tell me EXACTLY how you want them. I'll fix it.

Me: Well...if you insist. I wanted them this way (making vague gestures). You don't have to pull ALL of the lights down. Just that one section over there (pointing vaguely). 

Nick: (Rips whole string of lights down) I'm just gonna start over....

Me: You didn't have to get all pissy and pull ALL of them down.

Nick: Nope...I'm gonna do them right....

(15 minutes later)

Me: (walks outside to inspect)

Nick: What now?!

Me: Nothing! They look fine!

Nick: No, you don't like something.

Me: THEY'RE FINE! Leave them alone!

Nick: Whatever, they're staying up. 

It's truly an ordeal, and a test of the strength of our marriage.

I am happy to say that our marriage has survived every single Christmas light debacle. 

And he really did do a fantastic job.

Not only did he somehow manage to get this giant wreath hanging above our garage, but he strung lights on every peak of our house.

And he built this Christmas tree for me out of an old pallet!

I always try and get them matching Christmas jammies, but we decided to just go with a theme this year.

Fleece Christmas jammies....Mattis in green with Santas on them, and Dannika in red with snowmen.

 

My kids call this "mama's fancy tree".

We've always done a family tree and a Marine Corps tree.

This year, Nick let me have the Marine Corps tree to do as I please, and we combined the family and Marine tree together.

Coffee table centerpiece

Our family/Marine Corps tree

Dining room centerpiece

Above the piano .

Found these Christmas trees that are paper machéd with sheet music!

Decorating the house for Christmas is always such a fun time for me.

I know that Nick secretly enjoys being outside on a ladder hanging up lights for me too.

He may not admit it, but the look on his face when the lights turn on for the first time is priceless!

What kind of decorating do you do?