The Toy Box Years: Busy, Busy, Week

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 have a busy, busy week ahead. Lots to do and hopefully enough time to do it!

It starts today with My Marine taking Nani to school and then heading off to Lowe's to get boards to fix the deck. The hole we have is so big that you can actually look down and see our patio below. I'm still waiting for the dog to fall through it.

Later tonight, we're having our unit's command team over for dinner and a strategy meeting for upcoming deployment. I have a feeling it will turn into more of a social hour than anything, but that's ok. As long as I get one thing crossed off my agenda, I'm good.

Tomorrow is more cleaning and newsletter writing day. I also need to take My Marine to the airport at 4:30am......yes, you read that right.....4:30am for a 6:00am flight. He's leaving for his favorite training of all time -- dunker training.

Not sure what that means? It's where the military straps you in to a simulated aircraft and submerges you upside down in water and hopes that you're smart enough to figure your way out. Need a better visual? Pop in "An Officer and a Gentleman" and fast forward to the pool scene......that's dunker training. Or just take a look at this quick video and thank God that you don't have to do that!

On Wednesday, my mom arrives for an almost 3-week visit. I'm so excited and so grateful to have to come and give me a hand! She has no idea of what she's in for. Ok....she really does.....and she's still coming.

Thursday heralds the return of My Marine -- hopefully dry and alive. It also signals my newsletter deadline and the beginning of a project for the weekend.

Friday may actually be a slow day....because so far, nothing is planned. I may just sleep the day away!

Saturday brings ballet for Nani (last one before the recital) and then a friend's Bachelorette Party that night. Hopefully the project from Thursday will have turned out!