The Toy Box Years: I'm Beautiful!!!

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!!

I haven't been feeling very beautiful lately. Between My Marine's wierd schedule, sick kids, and now a recuperating dog, I just haven't had much energy to shower, let alone put some makeup and decent clothes on. (I have been using my deoderant at least, so no worries there!)

So, imagine my surprise when Rachel at Second Time Around gave me the Beautiful Blogger Award! I may actually shower and put some makeup on today!! So to Rachel -- thank you for making me feel beautiful today!

Per the rules of winning the award, I'd like to pass this award on! The rules are simple:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award and insert a link to their blog.

2. Copy and paste the award into your blog

3. Share 7 things about yourself.

4. Pass on the award to about 15 other bloggers who you recently discovered and think are great! (in no particular order)

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So, here are my 7 things.......

1. I once went to Tijuana, Mexico when I was in college. I don't think I'll ever go back again.
2. I am a book junkie. Every corner of my home is filled with books of all sorts.
3. I am still an 80's hard-rockin' child at heart
4. The inside of my Jeep looks like a homeless person has been living there
5. Even though I live in Colorado, I hate to ski
6. I am a HUGE procrastinator and rarely finish a project once I start it
7. I have to sleep with the TV on when My Marine is out of town
8. I have an obsession with even numbers (hence, 8 things about me instead of 7)

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And here are my nominees!

1. "Popp"ing Out One Letter At A Time

2. The Whipples - Taking Life One Day At A Time

3. A Day In The Life of Five

4. Buried With Children

5. Dusty Thorn Farm

6. Too Many Hats

7. Sandy Hop

8. Much More Than Mommy

9. Morgan 411

10. I'm Living Proof That God Has A Sense of Humor

11. Just Jones

12. Mom's Memories

13. Life On Courtney Lane

14. Tales From Our Crib

15. Sitting On The Mood Swing At The Playground

16. I'd Rather Be Laughing (Because it's an even number!)

8 comments:

Vanessa February 17, 2010 at 7:56 AM: You *are* beautiful! So is your blog! And your even number thing is so funny -- The Husband is the same way! When there are numbers on a volume control display, it's ALWAYS GOT TO BE EVEN! ;-) I've gotten used to it!

Thanks for the award! :-)
The Four Week Vegan February 17, 2010 at 8:22 AM: You deserve it! Thanks for passing it on to me. Your #8 is too funny.
Lisa February 17, 2010 at 8:42 AM: I hate those periods where you're just not feeling beautiful by any stretch. It's nice to know others still think you are though:)

I don't think I have an obsession with even numbers, but like comment #1 I have to have the volume on an even #.

Thank you for including me and thinking of me!! I can't wait to check out the other blogs you listed.
Morgan February 17, 2010 at 9:12 AM: If I lived in Colorado, I wouldn't ski either. I'd still love to live there, though. : )

Congrats on your award!
Unknown February 17, 2010 at 11:16 AM: Oh my goodness we are two peas in a pod! I am also a book junkie, I live in Utah and also hate to ski, I'm also a big procrastinator, I also have a weird thing with even numbers and I HAVE to have the TV on when I sleep when my husband is not there!
So fun to get to know you more!
Susan February 17, 2010 at 5:49 PM: Congrats on your award!
Courtney February 18, 2010 at 8:23 PM: Thanks for the award- it was very sweet of you to pass it on to me!
Charity February 21, 2010 at 6:09 AM: Thank you!!