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.

I did NOT allow my 15-month old to play with chopsticks in PF Changs just to keep her quiet so that I could have a few minutes to ~~gulp~~ eat my lunch in peace.

The next morning, I did NOT panic and think that Nudgie had worms when I changed her diaper and saw stringy things in her diaper. I did NOT remember that she ate all the bamboo shoots from my lunch at PF Changs the day before -- therefore turning them into a quasi-worm filled diaper.

I did NOT suppress my laughter when I heard Nani declare that she was "going to the doctor to get a baby like mommy did". She has NOT been dragging around a ratty toy dog and calling it her "baby".

I was NOT incredibly disappointed that I had to miss a dear friend's Pampered Chef launch on Saturday due to two little girls having the sniffles and slight fevers. Nani did NOT milk that one for all it was worth.

I did NOT have an anxiety attack in the middle of Safeway when it hit me that my mother was coming for a visit and that I really needed to get home and get my house in order. I'm really still NOT that little girl who desperately seeks her mother's approval.

I did NOT cry my eyes out when I had to take My Marine to the airport. It did NOT break my heart to hear Nani say to My Marine, I'll miss you daddy and pray for you every night. And afterwards, I did NOT look like a dermatological nightmare with swollen eyes and red splotches all over my face and neck. I am ALWAYS the model wife - composing myself and holding in my emotions when it comes to saying goodbye to My Marine.

10 comments:

The Four Week Vegan October 19, 2009 at 10:12 AM: HAhaha, bamboo shoots and worms. I would have freaked out for sure.

I hope your Marine is home soon and that God keeps him safe and you encouraged in his absence.
Helene October 19, 2009 at 10:58 AM: Who knew bamboo shoots could look so horrible coming out the other end?? Same thing with mandarin oranges...just in case you wanted to know that.

I love PF Changs...the closest one to us is 45 minutes away. Bummer...I totally love their hot and sour soup!

I hope your Marine stays safe while he's away!
LucieP October 19, 2009 at 11:52 AM: aw I'm so sad to hear your man is gone...boo! I'm sure it just gets harder everytime instead of easier.

Jacob saw my breast pump laying out this morning and was like, "WHY do you need that thing again?!" hahahaha...boys are so opposite girls...and btw, I told it was because a friend brought it back...no babes on the way...

Hope the girls are feeling better!
maddie/cadesmimi October 19, 2009 at 1:11 PM: May the Lord safely return your Marine to you-and keep you busy and as happy as possible until then...Happy not me Monday, Kathy
Jillian October 19, 2009 at 1:12 PM: I still clean my house before my mom or mother-in-law comes to my house too!
Jennifer Haas October 19, 2009 at 2:06 PM: I am sorry your man had to go, I can't imagine how hard it is for Daddy to be away that long. I freak out when mine is out of town for a week!
Kristi October 19, 2009 at 2:08 PM: Thanks for stopping by my blog. Your girls are gorgeous.

LOL at the worms in the diaper. That would freak me out too!!

How long will your marine be gone? I hope it's a safe and speedy trip!
Anonymous October 20, 2009 at 8:43 AM: Loved the 'worms' in the diaper~ reminds me why not to eat indian food while nursing!
My Pumpkin still wants to pretend to be a baby and nurse, or even better all of her dolls have been nursed at least once.

Jennifer
Buckeroomama October 20, 2009 at 9:00 AM: I hope your Marine will be home soon, safe and sound.

Thank you for the follow... following right back. I really enjoy your blog and will be back to read more. :)
Amanda October 20, 2009 at 9:42 AM: Thanks for dropping in!

So sorry you had to take your hubby to the airport...that would have been heart breaking...I hope it isn't long before his safe return home!