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!!

For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused,
if it be received with thanksgiving:
For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

I Timothy 4.4-5

It's been another crazy week here. But in spite of the hectic pace, I found myself still finding time for prayer. It may have been in the car running errands or watching Joyce Meyer in the morning, but at least I've been finding the time. **********************************************
That I was able to finish the newsletter for MOPS and that the article I was so stressed out about came together. That our first MOPS meeting went off with any major bumps along the way! And that My Marine was able to pick up Nani from school so that I could stay until the end of the meeting. That my mother-in-law had a safe trip back home. Finding a copy of "The Help" on Paperback Swap! Cinnamon dolce lattes with two pumps of white mocha! Little dimples on Nani's elbows Big Love on DVD from Netflix Making a new mommy friend through Nani's ballet class Books Joyce Meyer

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