The Toy Box Years: Random Thoughts

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've had a lot on my mind this past weekend. A friend and fellow MOPS momma lost her baby girl at 35 weeks over the weekend. We are all praying for her and the family -- and rallying around her as best as we can. I just can't get her out of my mind.

I had a scare with Nudgie when I was about 6 months along. Usually when I would get up to go to the bathroom, she'd be very active afterwards. But I didn't feel anything, and then realized that I hadn't felt any movement for awhile. I started poking my belly hoping to get her to move -- and nothing. I woke up My Marine and told him that I felt that something was wrong. My dad was visiting at the time and he stayed home with Nani while we went to the hospital. I was amazed at how quickly they took me -- no questions, no paperwork, just whisking me away. I remember laying in that hospital bed crying and thinking the worst -- and how was I going to tell people if something did happen. The nurse came in and started to get me set up with the monitor, talking to me in calming, soothing tones while asking me questions -- last time I felt her move, etc. She got the monitor set up and I grabbed My Marine's hand and started to pray -- hard. The room was silent as she searched for the heartbeat. Seconds ticked on and they felt like an eternity -- until I heard that beautiful sound....that soft thump, thump, thump. I started to cry and asked the nurse to turn the monitor up so I could hear it louder. She smiled and patted my hand. I stayed on that monitor for about an hour before they discharged me.

But not all stories end that way as I sadly found out this weekend. A close friend of hers sent out an email to say that she had delivered the baby around noon on Saturday and that the doctors think the baby had died a few days prior to that. The family was able to hold her, spend time with her and memorialize the moments with photos and footprints.

Before I wrote this, I checked my Facebook page -- just because -- and saw that she had changed her profile photo to a photo of her baby's tiny, perfect feet. I lost it.

If you have a moment, please say a prayer for my friend, her family, and her beautiful angel in heaven - Lylac Butterfly.

I just wish I could understand why these things happen.

7 comments:

Tracy March 29, 2010 at 5:29 AM: This is so sad. My thoughts and prayers will be with your friend and her family.
The Four Week Vegan March 29, 2010 at 6:13 AM: I am so sorry to hear this - I cannot imagine their pain. I am praying for them.
Debbie March 29, 2010 at 9:46 AM: I will certainly pray for your friend and her family. What a terrible tragedy.
Valerie @ Inner Child Fun March 29, 2010 at 1:27 PM: I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. I'll be praying for her and her family during this difficult time.
Beth Zimmerman March 29, 2010 at 4:25 PM: Oh Jen! I'm sorry! Will be praying!
Vanessa March 29, 2010 at 10:23 PM: This hurts my heart. Your friend and her family are in my prayers.
Darcy March 30, 2010 at 8:47 AM: Jen, I am sorry for your friend and her family. I will keep Them and You in prayers! What a beautiful name for a precious angel!