The Toy Box Years: November Goals and October Review

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!!

Okay -- seriously. Somebody stop time -- even just for a day!! I can't believe it's NOVEMBER already!!

October went by in a blur. Mostly because I was sick for most of the month. Fortunately, some of my posts were already written and scheduled. But the day my mom left, I got sick with a sore throat and stuffy nose that went into a full blown sinus infection and then into what I thought was bronchitis. After almost two weeks of hacking up a lung (or two), I finally went to the doctor and was officially diagnosed with walking pneumonia. Great -- just great. (And daddy, if you're reading this -- please don't say "I told you so......")

"Walking Pneumonia" -- sounds just like the kind of an illness a mom would get.....right?

Anyway -- after a course of antibiotics, I am starting to feel better. But my October goals kind of went by the wayside. Ugh!

I did do a lot of menu planning and we did have lots of meals together as a family. I didn't get to work on too many Christmas gifts, but thanks to some great sales and coupons, I was able to get the supplies that I needed to get started. We did manage two date nights (including one for our anniversary) thanks to my mom being in town and watching the girls for us!

So, new month and new goals!

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Goals for November:

Continue to work on FRG (Family Readiness Group) commitments; Start database to send out Christmas cards and monthly birthday cards - Community

Continue to have family time at dinner at least 3x a week (pending My Marine's schedule) and plan a date night with My Marine - Family

Plan holiday menus and write grocery lists - Homemaking

Start new Proverbs bible study for the month - Faith
Continue to make Christmas gifts for friends and family; Start Christmas list for family gifts - Community, Family, Creativity

Keep my chaos at home organized, try to stay on track with chores and finances; Start listing new items on eBay; Set up reward system for the girls' chore charts - Homemaking, Family

So do you have goals for November? Come link them up with Mama Smiles!