The Toy Box Years: Not Me Monday!

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!!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

It's been awhile since I participated in a Not Me! Monday! I have to admit that I have missed it! I really haven't been keeping track this week, but I do have two Not Me's! that I will share for all to read!

This past Friday, My Marine, drove 5 hours to meet his best friend who was visiting our beautiful state. He was going to be spending the night and then drive back home the next morning. I was thoroughly excited about having ~~the remote~~ an evening to myself. I chose my movie, put on comfy jammies, made some popcorn and curled up under a blanket to watch a movie. I guess I was really involved in the movie...so involved that I didn't realize that I really made a mess of the popcorn. So, after the movie, I go up to bed and start to do my bedtime routine. As I'm preparing for bed, I feel a lump through my bra. I DID NOT immediately panic....thinking the worst. I DID NOT feel like a fool when I took off my jammie top and bra, and watched as half a bowl of popcorn fell out. I DID NOT still do a quick self-check.....and realize that the "lump" I felt was indeed half the bowl of popcorn that had dropped down my shirt. I DID NOT say a quick prayer of thanks and then decide that I needed to take a lesson from 14-month old Nudgie who is learning to feed herself -- SLOW DOWN!

My 2nd Not Me! happened last week after I met a friend for coffee. We left the Starbucks with only a few minutes to head over to pick up Nani at preschool. To save time, I DID NOT strap Nudgie into Nani's car seat, which is right behind the driver's seat. As we're driving along and I DID NOT look into the rear view mirror to talk to Nudgie - only to see that she's not in her car seat. I DID NOT slam on the brakes - nearly causing a 3-car pile up behind me - and go into panic mode because my first thought is that I left my baby at Starbucks! Then, I DID NOT hear Nudgie's sweet giggle and baby babble from behind my seat and THEN remember that I switched car seats. I DID NOT feel like the worst mom ever!

I AM NOT looking forward to a new week ahead!

8 comments:

Andrea October 12, 2009 at 9:10 AM: Thanks for making me smile today, needed it!
Eliza October 12, 2009 at 3:53 PM: Let's see...if we're saying the opposite, I'll say I sure hope you DO have a horrible week this week AND next week. ;)

My new blog is up, would love to have you visit!
Missy October 12, 2009 at 5:36 PM: OK I confess, the car seat story actaully had me giggling...I've done the same thing!
Emilie October 12, 2009 at 7:04 PM: Thanks for the laugh and for stopping by my blog!

Emilie @ Baby Loving Mama
Lauren October 12, 2009 at 7:12 PM: Thanks for checking out our blog! You are a mommy after my own heart putting your girls in jammies, eating batter and WATCHING CHRISTMAS MOVIES! So it is ok to watch Christmas movies this early? GOOD!!! I better get started watching some with my girls. :)
Carrie October 12, 2009 at 7:28 PM: Hi, Jennifer! What a cute blog! Your girls are precious! ;)
The Four Week Vegan October 13, 2009 at 8:33 AM: I'm sure it was scary thinking you left your sweet one behind, but it made me giggle becasue I have NOT done something very similiar myself.
Unknown October 14, 2009 at 9:22 AM: At least she was buckled! That is something I have NOT ever forgotten to do...

Thanks for the chuckle today! :-)