The Toy Box Years: Mama Birds, Laptops, and Giveaway Winners

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!!

Be sure to check out the Giveaway Link above to enter the giveaways ending this week!New giveaways coming this week! Stay tuned! ************************************************************************* LAPTOP UPDATE: I took my computer to see my friends at the Geek Squad and it turned out that my power problem was a bad power cord. One replacement cord and one loaner power cord later and I'm back up and running!!Woo Hoo! *************************************************************************

My Marine has a gargoyle hanging from our deck. For the life of me, I can't remember where he got this thing, but it was probably during one of his many trips around the world during his Marine Corps days. The gargoyle has hung in many places - our apartment living room, our bedroom (don't ask), the garage, and now it's final resting place on our deck. A mama robin has found that the gargoyle is a perfect home to raise her baby robins and has proceeded to make a nest in between the wings of the gargoyle. There is something so innocently disturbing about that, but it also provided for a great photo op.

************************************************************************* And are the latest winners of my giveaways!! Kiddie Craft Pack

Much More Than Mommy

"Rebel Without A Minivan" by Tracy Beckerman

Abi at 4 The Love Of Books

Note Card Gift Set

Hillbilly Duhn's Times and Tribulations

Handmade Jewelry Set

Susan at Ash Tree Cottage

I hope you'll head over to visit and show them all some Blog Love!

2 comments:

One Photo May 15, 2010 at 3:21 PM: Glad a trip to the Geek Squad got things solved so easily and cheaply, I thought it might be worth a try! Love the pictures of the bird nesting, how lovely. I won't ask how or why the gargoyle once ended up in your bedroom either :-)
Vanessa May 17, 2010 at 10:01 PM: Glad you got your laptop back, and THANK YOU! :-) Perfect timing since I've got to entertain the girls this summer! :-D