Honesty

True statement, right?

Sometimes, it seems like it's just easier to lie sometimes.

Especially when it comes to possibly hurting someone's feelings.

Our family went to have dinner at the Olive Garden last night (for their delicious and endless soup, salad, and breadsticks combo).

I was starving!

Then I completely lost my appetite...

After getting a whiff of our young waiter.

He seriously had horrrrribbllleee B.O.!

Every time he walked by our table, I felt like throwing up.

I wanted Nick to talk to the manager about our waiter's BO. 

He said that was cowardly, and wanted to politely confront him. 

I was horrified, so I stepped outside. 

Nick told our young waiter to sit down and told him, "Listen man, I used to work in the restaurant biz, and I can see you working really hard. But, I can smell you."

The waiter gave him a confused look, so Nick repeated, "I can smell you, man. No one else is going to tell you cause they're probably too embarrassed to, but I'm gonna do you a favor. You need to take care of that. Your tips probably aren't gonna be all that great tonight."

The waiter replied, "Ohh...that's probably why!"

He then thanked Nick (even calling him sir).

Lesson learned. Honesty is always the best policy...even if you risk hurting someone's feelings.

Back "Home"

I put the word "home" in quotation marks because New England still does not quite feel like home to me.

Home to me is Texas.

Home to me is California.

Texas being my first love, and California being my second.

When we used to live in California, I used to get excited about going back there after a vacation in Texas.

We had a ton of friends there, we owned our home there, and it was where Nick and I had started building our lives together.

Coming back to New England today felt "off" and a little somber for me.

I wanted to stay in Texas...

I didn't care that Nick, D, and I were crammed into the guest bedroom of my parent's house.

I was content there.

Like they say..

"Home is where the Marine Corps sends us." (insert your branch of service)

Maybe soon enough, this place will feel "homey", but not now.

Thank goodness I took a ton of pictures, and have them to look back at to remind me of the wonderful summer I had.

I seriously think it's one of the best Summers I've had in 10 years. 

I haven't gotten to spend that much time back home since I joined the Marine Corps, and it's another "perk" of my decision to get out and become a SAHM!

Stay tuned for a few posts on our adventures in Texas!

 

 Thanks for the absolutely wonderful Summer, Texas!

Until next time!

Jungle Birthday Bash

Dannika was SUPER excited to be having her birthday party this year in Texas!

Instead of me pulling my hair out and planning a party at my parent's house, I decided to book a party at the Rainforest Cafe here in Houston in the Galleria Mall. 

Dannika fell in love with the restaurant (after being scared to go in at first), and I knew it was perfect.

It was SO easy, and SO nice to have someone else do most of the planning and details for me.

All of her new best friends from my parent's church and my "baby" cousins came to celebrate!

It was a perfect mix of friends, family, great food, great atmosphere, and loads of fun!

My best friend in Cali sent Dannika her own Hello Kitty edible arrangement!

Her party dress was ordered off HootyCutie on Etsy to go with her "jungle/rainforest" theme.

Dannika has had Sprinkles cupcakes for every single birthday since she was born!

It's become a tradition for her to have a red velvet cupcake from there every year.

I was sad when we moved to Boston because there were no Sprinkles up in New England, but it worked out for us this year because there is one in Houston!

I handmade, hand cut, and hand glued all the cupcake toppers using scrapbook paper, cardboard, and jungle themed scrapbooking stickers....all 36 of them.

My Birthday Girl!

The older kids were not all that thrilled to be included in the photo...if you can't tell...lol.

Overall, the party was a success, and we all had a TON of fun!

I'm still a little sad that my "baby" is now 4, but I'm so proud of who she is becoming!

Most importantly, I am SO thankful that my hubby got to spend this birthday with us as a family!

The Big 4

I get just a little bit sad every year around Dannika's birthday.

It's just a yearly reminder to me on just how fast she is growing up, and how fast time is flying by.

I say it every year, but "Where does the time go?!?

This year, I'm a little more sad than other years.

Something about 4 seems so much more "grown up" than ages 1 through 3.

I feel like at ages 1through 3, she was still a toddler.

But this year, it feels like she grows out of toddlerhood.

Please stop growing so fast, little one...

Mama's not ready.

Dearest Dannika Jane,

Has it been another year already? So soon? I feel like this has been our craziest year of your short little life thus far. Between mommy and daddy being stationed on separate coasts of the U.S. (which entailed a long separation from daddy), to mommy getting out of the Marine Corps and moving us to Massachusetts from your birthplace of California, this year truly feels like it's just flown by. 

You're growing entirely too fast for me to even keep up with your milestones. I know every parent says how smart their child is, but little one...you truly are a genius. You love to learn new things, and as annoying as it can be sometimes, your constant and inquisitive, "why?" questions make me smile because I know you're just curious about the world around you and want the answers to everything. People could not believe that you were only 3 years old after interacting with you. I've been told more than once how mature you were for a 3 year old and how smart you were. In fact, the staff at vacation bible school told your Gigi (on the down low) that you were their favorite student and that YOU were the smartest. You were in a class above your peer level with the 4 and 5 year olds since you were "almost 4", and you exceeded everyone's expectations. That's how brilliant you are, and you make us so proud. 

You've graduated from your love of Dora the Explorer and Peppa Pig to more "sophisticated" cartoons like Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Sophia the First. 

I no longer have to decipher or translate to strangers what you are saying, because you speak so eloquently and clearly. You're honest to a fault, and your love of God and faith in Him is something that even your 50 something year old Gigi admires. My favorite thing about you is how you close your dinnertime prayers. You always say, "In Your name we pray, Amen. And as for me and my house, [I] will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)." 

It's hard to believe that this will be your last birthday as an "only child". Next year, you'll have an almost 1 year old little brother around, and I know for a fact that you're going to make a fabulous big sister. No worries though, little one, you'll always be our first love, and you'll always be our "little princess". I can't wait to see what kind of big sister you're going to be. I know you weren't too thrilled about having a little brother around at first (and you let us know!), but it's amazing how much you have grown to love the little guy in my tummy, and he's not even here yet! He's going to be one lucky brother to have you as his sister.

This year, you'll have many changes (as we do every year). You'll start real pre-school. You'll meet new friends. You'll be a big sister. You'll amaze us. You'll make us laugh. You'll make us smile. You'll make us proud. 

We are so privileged that God chose us to be your parents and raise you in all His glory. We hope we are making Him proud, because you sure as heck make us proud every single day.

Happy 4th Birthday, little one. 

Slow down a little, ok?

We love you to the moon and back...and back and forth again...

Mama and Daddy

P.S. Your birthday party tomorrow is going to be AWESOME!!!! We can't wait to celebrate!!!!

Swimming & Vacation Bible School Fun

We have been ridiculously busy these last few weeks here in Houston!

Between swimming lessons and vacation bible school, I'm not sure who's more tired, Dannika or me!?

She graduated from her first swim class, and is now ready for the next class (which we will start when we return to Boston).

It's so crazy how far she's come along in the pool!

When we first started the class, she refused to put her face in the water, was scared to jump into the 2 feet deep baby pool, and she refused to get into the regular swimming pool even with floaties on!

She now swims UNDERWATER by herself without any assistance or floating devices, can float on her back, and can swim on her back unassisted.

I was thoroughly impressed with how quickly she got over her fear of water, and how quickly she learned how to swim!

And as a "proud mama moment"....

She was the youngest kid in her class!!!!

All the other kids were 4 1/2 years old to 5 1/2 years old, and she kept up with all of them and at times did better than them!

My mom's been volunteering at VBS for the children's lunch prep, so I've been sticking around all day just hanging out at church, and taking a toooon of pics of Dannika.

My parents attend a Korean church, so the VBS is 50% spoken in Korean and 50% spoken in English.

It's amazing how fast she has been picking up on Korean.

I don't speak Korean to D a lot at home because I'm married to a plain old English speaking white boy from Alabama, so it's nice to have her exposed to it here in Houston.

My mom and grandparents speak Korean to her, and she's been eager to learn!

This is her VBS class photo.

Splash day.

On the last day of VBS, they had a HUGE foam party!

Such a cool idea!

Dannika's been absolutely spoiled and has been having a blast!

I know she'll be sad that today is the last day of VBS, but I'm exhausted, and am glad it's finally over!

I hope everyone had a great week!

My hubby will be here in one more sleep and a wake up!!!!!!!

We are soooo excited!!!