The Toy Box Years: Gratitude Sunday

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!!

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17 So much has been going on for me. Last Sunday, I did not do a gratitude post - and believe me, I felt it. My week was chaotic, disorganized. My temper was short, my attitude poor. I'm convince that part of it was because I did not take those few moments to be thankful.This week, I need to be focused. I need a good week. So it's back to the Gratitude Sunday!

I hope you'll join me in remembering to be thankful this upcoming week! **********************************************
Gratitude Sunday - 9/12

I am so incredibly blessed with my MOPS group and am so thankful to God for surrounding me with such a wonderful group of women - women that I will learn from and women that will help me grow! I am thankful that my MIL was able to come into town and watch the girls so that I was able to attend my MOPS planning retreat this past weekend. I thankful that my daddy finally made his travel arrangements and will be visiting me for two weeks at the end of the month! Finding a place that was open early on a Saturday morning so that I can have copies made for my meeting! Pumpkin mocha lattes Cinnamon dolce lattes with two pumps of white mocha! Tickets to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Christmas time -- 17 rows from the stage! My friend Robin - who gifted me with a ticket for the Women of Faith conference in two weeks! My friend "D" who has room in her childcare for my two girls so that I can attend the Friday morning session of Women of Faith My friends "J" and "L" welcomed their healthy baby boy into the world on Thursday!

For friends with incredible senses of humor!

Books!

All my family is healthy and well and whole!
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So what about you? What are YOU grateful for today?