The Toy Box Years: Thankful Thursday

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!!

During this upcoming deployment, I wanted to set aside some time to focus on gratitude. I wanted to make sure that I and my girls focus on good things.....and not just boo-hoo'ing over the fact that My Marine is gone. (Not that we won't have those kind of days of course!) And while searching for clipart to accompany this weekly posts, I stumbled across the above verse and just loved it. In fact.....I'll be printing it out and adding it to my inspiration board that I'm creating as well. (More on that later!)

But in the meantime.....this week my gratitude covers so much!

That we were able to make two road trips over two months and that we all remained safe and healthy!
That my mom is able to come out to Colorado for a few weeks. She'll be here for Nani's dance recital and to help me get ready for deployment during the month of June when My Marine will be gone for the majority of the month training.
That my mom and daddy basically took our girls for the entire time we were in Pittsburgh and gave me and My Marine the gift of a couple days by ourselves in a hotel. My girls spent 10 glorious days being spoiled rotten by Bubbie and Grandpap and making memories they will have forever!
For extremely supportive and loving friends who are offering all sorts of support and encouragement as we prepare for our deployment. The offers of coffee, babysitting, and even just a shoulder to cry on are pouring in.....and I am just overwhelmed.
That I finally got my Daddy on Facebook!
And again to my mom, while I was in Pittsburgh, for passing on to me a pair of earrings that belonged to my grandmother as well as a pair of her own gold earrings.
For Primanti's sandwiches, Eat-n-Park Superburgers, good halushki, and hunky music!

So what are YOU grateful for this week?