"I Didn

"I didn

Hi, It's Me...the Flake

Today has been overall "not the greatest" day.

I am making an effort to say "not the greatest day" instead of things like "crappy day", "bad day", "horrible day", "worst day of my life", etc.

I truly believe that every day is a blessing and a gift from God.

I also understand that it can be taken away from me in an instant.

I had a conflict with a friend, made a less than stellar grade on an exam, and got a condescending email from a professor about something absolutely ridiculous.

So, today could have been better, but I am going to choose to be grateful for it.

I started my day realizing that Dannika's school's fundraiser (the only fundraiser they do) was this weekend.

They do a huge fall fest, and I am involved with it.

I volunteered my time at the very beginning of the school year for this specific event, and it is something that many people are counting on me to be at.

In fact, Nick has even gotten some of his Semper Fi Society midshipmen to volunteer their time on Saturday for this event.

It's a huge event.

 

I also made plans several weeks ago to go up to Dallas this weekend to visit a friend and go to the state fair together (and celebrate her birthday).

I had told Nick at the beginning of the Fall semester that I wanted to take some family trips this Fall around Texas...since this may be our last Fall here as a family.

So it felt like a perfect weekend when I agreed to make the plans to make a trip since it was an away game for us.

 

Do y'all see the conflict here?

 

I have a habit of over committing myself to people and things, and it's a habit I have been unsuccessfully trying to break.

This semester has been the worst.

I plan things, and flake due to things like...

"I am so sorry I can't make it, but I really need to study for my tests."

or

"I am so sorry I can't make it, but I haven't seen my kids or husband all week, so I am spending time as a family."

or

"I've had 3 busy weekends in a row, I REALLY need to fold this ten loads of laundry in my room." (ten is not even an exaggeration)

I just have so much going on, and not enough days or time to do it all...although I'd like to.

 

Home games are busy for not only our family, but this entire city it feels like.

Nick is President of the Semper Fi Society of A&M this year, which means the responsibility of the SFS tailgate sits on him.

We do our best to support Nick, so our family is at every single tailgate.

 

I wasn't anticipating how busy our fall schedules were going to be either.

Between interning, classes, kids, marriage, LIFE, and Nick's obligations to NROTC and SFS, our family has been spread thin.

When I realized that Dannika's fall fest was this weekend, I gasped, and could not believe it had snuck up on us so fast.

 I immediately messaged my friend to let her know that I could not make it.

I felt horrible about it, but I had hoped that as a busy mom and business owner, she'd understand that "life happens" and things come up.

I ended up being called a flake and I felt like I had ruined someone's birthday. 

I felt like I was scolded about how "my actions affect other people". 

I felt even worse for letting her and her daughter down.

My actions DO affect other people, but other people's reactions also affect other people. 

 

I've sat here feeling bad all day, and even confided in my best friend and husband.

I just wanted a little sympathy...which I received.

So I feel better.

 

Will she read this? 

Maybe.

Maybe not.

If she does, I hope she forgives me, like I asked.

I pray she can be understanding.

 

But I'm ready for tomorrow.

 

 I wasn't in the mood to do homework or read when I got home, so I decided to take my kids to our neighborhood park.

I haven't done that in a while, and although it was muggy, I had fun watching the kids have fun...

Just a photo I snapped of Kyle Field today on my way to my car from class.

It's hard to believe that just 3 days ago, there were 106,000 people here, and today it looks like this....

I hope everyone is have a blessed week!

Six and Oh

Did y'all hear?

My FIGHTIN' TEXAS AGGIES ARE 6-0!

We BTHO the Tennessee Vols in double overtime!

It was seriously one of the most exciting games I have seen the Aggies play in a LONG time.

If you know anything about college football (and specifically the Aggies), we have not been 6-0 since 1994.

1994, Y'ALL!

Not only that, but ESPN's College Game Day decided to do their show in Aggieland for the big SEC Top 10 match up.

Historically, the Aggies have lost every game when College Game Day has hosted at A&M, and they have lost every away game that a College Game Day ever hosted it.

Some call it the College Game Day curse, and many die hard fans were convinced that we were cursed. 

But, we pulled it off for a BIG win!

Nick (with the Semper Fi Society) paired up with the Student Veterans Association and set up a HUGE tailgate for this game.

We knew it was a big game, and we'd have a huge turn out.

The game started 2:30, but we were on campus bright and early by 9!

Mattis on the famous War Hymn statue.

I believe Mattis is the reason why we broke "the College Game Day curse"...

Here's something fun...

I have had MANY classes with many of the famous starting football players on the team.

But nothing has beat being able to tailgate and hang out with THE General Paxton!!

General Paxton recently retired (like literally a month ago), and he held the billet of the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.

He was the second in command of the ENTIRE Marine Corps!

I have always said that if I meet my favorite celebrity, I wouldn't fan girl out and be all stupid.

I don't think I was stupid, but I totally fangirled out.

I asked for a photo, and talked with his sweet wife, and got to chat with him briefly before he was swept away by the rest of the eager Marines wanting a minute of his time.

I was more "starstruck" meeting him than any ole' football player.

#realhero

He was the reviewing Officer for the Corps of Cadets as they marched onto the field.

Of course our sweet and gorgeous nanny came by our tailgate to say hi (and "Gig 'em!")

Our nanny's fam and our fam...

Family photo!

We love our Aggie Marine option midshipmen!

Tired little tailgater...

We came home to watch the game...the most exhilarating game ever....

And there's General Paxton throwin' up his "gig 'em" with our Aggie yell leaders and the Commandant of the Corps of Cadets (General Ramirez)!

General Paxton graduated from Cornell, but I'm pretty sure after this weekend, he's an Aggie.

We had such a blast this weekend, and the Aggie win to top it off was the icing on the cake!

Lastly...

As excited as I am that we won, I am more proud to be an Aggie because of who we (Aggies) are...

I posted this on facebook...

"Walked around spence park today with Mattis and just checking out everyone's tailgates. Some Tennessee fans were trying to take a selfie in front of the war hymn statue. I offered to take the photo for them and chatted briefly. It was their first time here in TX. I told them welcome to Aggieland! I hope y'all have a great time and swing by our tailgate for food and beer! To which they both replied, "I can not believe how friendly everyone is here! This has been the best away gameday experience for us!"

Win or lose a football game, we always win halftime and always win hospitality."

 

Every single home game we have been to, all the fans of the opposing team visiting us always make it a point to tell us how friendly we are.

I love it.

I love that we can all enjoy a game and be good sportsman.

This is why I love the Aggies, and why I am proud to be an Aggie.

Thanks, and Gig 'Em!

Happy October...

It's a new month!

I can't believe that it is already October.

For us Texans, that means that it's "sweater weather"!!!

What? 80 degree temps isn't "sweater weather" to y'all?!

Funny story, it was 65 degrees at 715 in the morning this week,

We walk Dannika to school in the mornings, and for us, it was "chilly".

Nick asked Dannika to grab a light jacket, and she literally walked out of her room wearing a knee length winter coat.

When I told her to take it off, she threw a fit!

She was SO dramatic when we walked outside.

She was "fake shivering" and complaining about how cold it was.

I had to laugh (which made her angrier at me). 

Parenting is a comedy most days, isn't it?

I guess I can't blame her...

After all, she is a California born, "sunshine and warm weather" girl.

She was fine...and did not freeze to death...promise.

Tell me that is not a gorgeous sunrise!

I just took the two hardest tests of my entire college career this past week.

I studied for them.

I studied hard.

I was waking up at 4am when my house was "still and quiet" to read and study.

I studied when my kids were napping.

I studied in the car rider line waiting to pick up Dannika after school.

And I thank God for such a GOOD man in my life that takes over parenting duties full time when I need to study.

However,

Instead of feeling that sense of relief of, "whew, I'm glad that test is done and over with.", I walked out of my classes feeling anxious and stressed out.

I texted Nick telling him that I was pretty sure I failed.

I say that often to Nick when I don't feel I did as well I wanted to on a test.

I'm a tad bit dramatic...

"Babe...I FAILED that test! I'm going to FAIL this class, and I'm going to have to pay the government back the GI Bill money I am using to go to school. OMG!" (there is usually an eye roll accompanied with this statement from Nick).

But I usually end up doing well.

I made the College of Ag's Dean's list last semester....so I'm actually a good student!

But this time, I really meant it when I told him I felt like I had failed. 

These tests were SO incredibly hard.

I prayed for peace, and I told God that I trusted Him.

I trust Him to carry me through this semester.

And wouldn't you know, God always finds a way to bring me peace.

On Thursday nights, I work at this young mom outreach ministry called "Mama Club".

It is part of my internship.

It is literally the most exhausting day of my week because I have a full load of classes, then I work until 9 in the evening.

I see Nick and my kids for maybe an hour total that day!

After my two horrible tests, I had to go to Mama Club to work that evening.

I was in a bad mood, and beating myself up over my tests...I didn't want to go.

Of course, as soon as I arrived there, I was greeted by one of the other girls that is working with me, and she instantly put a smile on my face with her cheery attitude and smile. 

The rest of the night just completely filled my soul, and made me forget about my awful tests.

God always shows up for me when I need it most.

I left Mama Club that evening exhausted, but in a great mood.

I came home, had a glass of wine, and chatted with Nick about my evening.

My favorite parts about Thursday nights is that when I come home, the kids are asleep, and Nick and I get some good one on one time together to just talk.

But of course, before bed, I went into Mattis' room and brought his peacefully sleeping self to our bed to cuddle with.

Nick rolled his eyes at me, and I responded with my usual, "But he's our LAST baby!"

I'm ready for the cooler temps of Texas, and ready for the holidays.

I am ready for this semester to be over because I don't love my classes.

But I am grateful to be the mom to this precious girl...wearing her official "morning greeter" apron for her class last week...

I am grateful to live on a street with such amazing kids....

I am grateful for the close friendships that Dannika has formed with sweet little Ally...and happy that they still hold hands...

I  am grateful for her friends who have moms who have become my friends...who have chosen to include our family into their lives.....

This photo was taken at the birthday party of Ally's little sisters.

Although they're much younger than Dannika and older than Mattis, they included our little family.

And I am grateful for our home.

With as much moving that we do, I feel like no house we've ever lived in truly feels like "home".

But I am grateful for our home in an amazing neighborhood with great friends and an amazing school.

I got Dannika a new bedspread today and surprised her :)

Happy October y'all!