The Toy Box Years: 2009-06-21

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!!

Good Tuesday morning everyone!

Yes, I'm still alive! I know, I know.....you all missed my witty writings so much during my little hiatus! Some of you even went the extra mile to send me emails to make sure that I was ok -- thank you for thinking of me and the safety of my family!

Actually, I took a break. More like a vacation. At the end of May, we took a big road trip cross-country to visit our respective families in Pittsburgh. A 24-hour road trip with a 4-yr. old and a then 10-month old. On the whole, it was fairly successful.

The highlight of our trip, though, was being home for the Stanley Cup final series -- and my beloved Penguins brought the Cup back home to Pittsburgh!! Wow!! A Superbowl Championship AND a Stanley Cup Championship -- all in one sports year! I'm so proud to say I'm from Pittsburgh!

Anyway -- we just got back this past weekend and I've been dealing with the lovely task of unpacking, putting clothes, CDs and DVDs away -- the task that EVERYONE just loves to do after coming home from vacation. I'm also trying desperately to get back on schedule....it's not going too good.

So -- hopefully within the next few days I'll be back to posting regularly, as well as sharing some awesome pictures from our trip back home!

Hope everyone is having a fantastic summer so far!