The Toy Box Years: My Beautiful Babies......

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!!

On Monday I had the girls' Christmas pictures taken. For Nani, it was also time for her yearly birthday picture as well -- since my baby will be 5 in just a few short weeks! But that's a post for another day!

What is it about getting pictures taken that makes me so stressed out? It's praying that the girls stay clean in their dresses. It's praying that hairbows and headbands cooperate. It's hoping that there won't be any major meltdowns and that all parties happily cooperate. It's thinking that the pictures will turn out like this....

That morning I prayed for just ONE good picture. God must have been feeling generous, because I not only got one good picture. I got FOUR!

Two perfect pictures for Christmas cards!

My big girl's 5th birthday picture

And my absolutely, all-time, favorite picture!!

I guess I got all stressed out for nothing! (A little extra kudos goes out to all professional photographers who can take a cranky, crying, unsmiling child and turn her into a supermodel!)

3 comments:

Carly November 12, 2009 at 6:45 AM: They turned out awesome! I need to do Christmas Pictures soon!
The Four Week Vegan November 12, 2009 at 7:21 AM: They are all beautiful. I had the same anxiety when the kids were little and we did professional pics. You never knew how it would go. So glad it work out well for you.
Mozi Esme November 15, 2009 at 2:47 PM: Beautiful models! I like that last one best, too - tho they are all sweet...