The Toy Box Years: Blog Hop Tuesday - Three Things You Didn't Know About Me

The Creators of the Toy Box Years

The creators of the Toy Box Years are my two beautiful daughters and wonderful, handsome soldier husband.

"Nani" (our oldest) is a 11 year old 6th grader who loves Taylor Swift, ballet, books, fashion designing and sewing. Ask her what she wants to be when she grows up and it changes daily to anything from "an artist" to "a teacher" to "a singer/dancer". Nani is also currently fighting a battle against brain cancer -- recently diagnosed in June 2016.

"Nudgie" (our youngest) is a very smiley, very happy, very giggly, very spirited 8 year old 3rd Grader who's favorite toys are anything that gives mommy an anxiety attack - ladders, stepstools, the climbing wall at the playground. Like her sister, she has a love of reading and coloring, loves gymnastics and still provides mommy lots of snuggle time!

"My Marine" is my high school sweetheart. We've been married over 20 years and met when we were 17. (You do the math....) His favorite toys are Blackhawk helicopters, the lawnmower, our steam cleaner, and microbrew beer bottles. My husband is also my hero in that he proudly serves his country as a Blackhawk crew chief (hence his favorite toy!). And need I say that there is nothing hotter than my man in uniform!

All About Me......

Once upon a time I had a career and worked in the corporate world. Once upon a time, I dreamed about leaving that all behind to follow my true calling -- being a wife and mommy.

The first part of my calling was fulfilled in 1995 when I married my Marine (now soldier) and my love. Little did I know that being a military wife would change me in so many ways and that because of that, I would have an extended family all over the world from Japan, to California, to North Carolina.

The second part of my calling took a little doing, but I finally achieved that dream in 2004 with the birth of our first child, followed 4 years later by her baby sister.

So now, when someone asks me what I do for a living - I simply smile and say proudly that I'm following my calling - I'm a mommy and a wife -- and I couldn't be HAPPIER -- I'm living in the Toy Box Years!!

Today's Blog Hop theme is "Three Things You Didn't Know About Me". To participate, share three deep dark secrets about yourself. (Ok, so they don't have to be deep & dark....but it is fun to share, isn't it?)

1) I received a college scholarship for Eastern European folk dancing. I've been doing it since I was 9 years old and because of my scholarship, I travelled all over this beautiful country of mine doing 2-hr. performances. Thanks to my folk dancing experiences - I have friends all over the country and world! (As well as bad knees & ankles! LOL!)

2) My celebrity encounters include meeting the band members of Whitesnake and Poison in a Wendy's when I was in college; Dr. Phil at a convention that I helped organize, and former Vice President Dick Cheney

3) I once appeared on an episode of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood when I was 16 using said dancing skills learned from #1

So, there it is people! Mock me or praise me as you see fit!

There's some new fun out in Blogland -- It's the Blog Hop! Hosted by MckMama and Brent Riggs, it's the latest thing for visiting other blogs and see what others are doing!

15 comments:

Sara July 14, 2009 at 6:53 AM: You were on Mr. Rogers?! Were you on for your dancing or are they not connected?
miranda July 14, 2009 at 7:34 AM: No doubt about it, I'm going with praise you! That is awesome, all of it. I'd love to meet the people you've met too. I'm a big Dr. Phil watcher. I don't have anything that exciting to reveal!
Thanks for the prayers, I appreciate them.
LucieP July 14, 2009 at 8:07 AM: that is great!!!! I feel like I know more about you know!!!
I love it!
Charisse July 14, 2009 at 9:27 AM: Very awesome little get to know you. And I loooove your NMM post. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I love having new ppl stop by and look into my crazy world!!!
Unknown July 14, 2009 at 10:52 AM: WOW folk dancing. I would have never pegged you for that! That's impressive Jenn!!! I'm off to post my three things!
kbloems27 July 14, 2009 at 12:33 PM: Oh my Mr. Rodgers!! So jealous, I watched it everyday! How cool!! No making fun over here!!

Happy Hopping!
The Four Week Vegan July 14, 2009 at 2:30 PM: You met Mr. Rogers!!!! I LOVED that man - that was my favorite show when I was little.
{Kimber} July 14, 2009 at 3:48 PM: Thanks for visiting my blog!!! Come back soon :)
I love knowing randomness about peeps! How cool u were on tv!!
Beth@Not a Bow in Sight July 14, 2009 at 6:05 PM: folk dancing- totally cool!

I loved Poison back in the day!!
Unknown July 14, 2009 at 8:01 PM: Thanks for stopping by. i think Colorado is calling us to come back. you are one of several people from Colorado that i have gotten messages from! Thanks!
Shannon July 14, 2009 at 8:15 PM: That's awesome! Mr. Rogers - awww.the good old days - it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood - would you be mine, could you be mine, won't you be my neighbor? LOL
Katie July 14, 2009 at 9:27 PM: Hi! This is Katie from "This Side". Thanks for stopping by!

I also had a television appearance, though I was just a boring "extra" on Touched By An Angel -- twice! :)

Happy bloghop!!

Katie
Miss Marnie July 14, 2009 at 10:38 PM: So glad you stopped by and I came by to check out your blog. Really enjoyed reading it and will be back!
Have a great night~
Marnie
Personalized Sketches and Sentiments July 15, 2009 at 4:36 AM: Folk dancing -that is awesome. Was there a specific style, ie the folk dance of a particular country?

Yes, loved Mr. Rogers. :o)

Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your sweet comment.
Jenny July 19, 2009 at 4:44 PM: I've known you for, what? three years now? And I never knew any of those three things!
--the other Jenny