The Toy Box Years: Please Stand By.......

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 been overwhelmed lately. So what else is new. But as a result, I've had to let some things go. Oh no, it's not my blog. I could never give this up. You'd have to pry the keyboard from my cold dead body before I'd give up blogging.

No, I've decided to put doing any product reviews, book reviews, and giveaways on hold for awhile. At least until after the 1st of the year - possibly longer.

I found that I was stressing so much over meeting deadlines for reviews. My giveaways have low entries. (This last one was embarrassing....) With putting so much time and effort into reading books, testing products, putting together giveaways, I've lost the real reason why I blog in the first place -- because I love to write. I've also lost my love of reading.

I've been in such a "read and review" mode, that the enjoyment just wasn't there any more. Any book that I pick up to read for pleasure has been quickly put down because 1) it doesn't hold my interest, or 2) I find myself reading it so quickly that I'm not savoring the joy of reading.

I still have a few outstanding committments that I willl fulfill over the next month or so, but I will not be actively seeking reviews and giveaways. If I post a book review, it will be because I want to share about the book - good or bad.

I want to get back to the enjoyment of writing -- writing about silly stuff with my family or goofy thoughts that pop into my mind or just the plain old day to day routine of being a mom and wife.

Boring? Maybe..... But it's what brings me happiness and balance.

8 comments:

Camp Isaac Mama September 9, 2010 at 7:14 AM: I love your blog *because* of the silly day to day Mama stuff :o)

Loved your posts about tot school, and I adore seeing pictures of your beautiful family!
Julia September 9, 2010 at 7:38 AM: I don't think it's boring at all. My favorite blogs are the ones with the family and kid posts ♥ I've only done a few review/giveaways and I decided the other day that I'm not sure it's worth it. That's actually what my taking a break post was about... I even thought about moving my blog and starting all over LOL I decided instead that I could just say no to any requests and it would be a lot less work that moving LOL Well, that and CSN asked me to do a review and I ♥ them... plus, their reviews are easy ;) Anyways, I'm looking forward to reading more of your family stuff and I just love the TTA/tot school posts :)
Annette W. September 9, 2010 at 7:50 AM: Sounds like the right choice!
meeyeehere September 9, 2010 at 1:59 PM: always be happy first. If something keeps you from happiness choose something else.Some people like that review stuff and doing the giveaways,no matter what they just enjoy it and some people like me are sensitive about it and feel overwhelmed.I have been doing an occasional giveaway and it does not make me feel good,like it would just to hand some one a present.Not the same.
Jennifer Haas September 9, 2010 at 5:12 PM: Good for you! All the things that go on in our lives is what make some of these blogs so great!! I will still be here reading!!!!!
Natalie PlanetSmarty September 9, 2010 at 5:33 PM: Great idea! I think it's nice to have giveaways and reviews once in a while, but I like to keep my blog my own, not a marketing vehicle for someone else.
Christy Killoran September 10, 2010 at 6:59 PM: I definitely understand what you mean. I do very few reviews now because in the end they stress me out and it isn't really worth it for me.

I enjoy reading your blog and I'm happy that you are doing what is best for you!!!!
Carrie September 11, 2010 at 5:46 AM: I think that is wise. I have done a similar thing. I have a few reviews of products to run and a couple giveaways, but I too get stressed out about deadlines and entries. I love your witty and serious posts and think it is a great move! I too just want to bring reviews that I am really excited about. Good for you!

LittleLlamas!