The Toy Box Years: Our Saturday with the Colorado Army National Guard Special Ops.....

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!!

Our Saturday with the Colorado Army National Guard Special Ops.....

>> Saturday, August 1, 2009

This morning, I got up early and drove the girls to see their daddy in action. He was flying in support of the Colorado Army National Guard Special Operations para-drop training that they did today.

I have to admit that I've never seen a para-drop before -- but this was pretty freakin' cool! Here are some pictures and about a 20-second video of the flyover they did.

In light of baby Stellan's recent hospitalization, My Marine took this photo this morning to show our support and prayer for MckMama and her precious baby!

A couple of pictures My Marine took from the aircraft

Nani and Nudge watching their daddy at work!

Getting ready!

Killing time while waiting for them to fly over and drop...

Nani waving to the soldiers!

Nani - like her mommy - loves her men in uniform!

My Marine.....(Be still my heart!)

Final flyover on the way home....

6 comments:

The Four Week Vegan August 2, 2009 at 8:55 AM: Great pics!!! What a wonderful day that must have been.
Andrea August 3, 2009 at 9:13 AM: So cool! My little bro just finished his Marine basic, can't wait to see him next weekend, haven't seen him since November.
Thanks to all those serving our country and the strong wives (and husbands) at home supporting them!
Helene August 3, 2009 at 9:35 AM: Wow, Jen, those are great pictures!! My kids enjoyed the video...they love anything that flies in the air!

I bet your heart skips a beat everytime you see your hubby in is marine uniform...how could it not? There's something about a man in uniform, right?

Love the pics of the girls in the huge open meadow!! They must be so proud of their daddy!
Stephanie August 3, 2009 at 4:25 PM: Your blog is so cute! And this post is a lovely tribute to the men and women serving in the Armed Forces. I'll be back to visit again!

www.thebeautificationproject.wordpress.com
Valerie @ Frugal Family Fun Blog August 3, 2009 at 6:49 PM: That is totally awesome!! You and the kids must be so proud! What great photos, and how fortunate that the kids got to watch their dad in action... way cool!! My hubby's a computer engineer....... not nearly as exciting. ;-)
kw August 7, 2009 at 9:24 PM: Wow! I know how proud you guys are! I see a very familiar patch on one of the arms of the soldier jumping out of the plane. My dad is a retired SGM from 5th Group Special Forces. I heard that there was an SF group working with a group of Marines these days. As a former Army Brat....I know how special your soldier is! Thanks for the great pics!