The Toy Box Years: Precious Moments on Film.......

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!!

This past weekend, My Marine and I attended our Yellow Ribbon weekend downtown. There was a lot going on, but one of the fun things they had was a photography session for all the soldiers and their families.

Peggy Dyer - an awesome photographer - is on a journey to photograph one million faces over her photography career. You can check out her awesome site here. She graciously offered her services to our families this past weekend. She gave every soldier and their family a free photo session plus two free 4x6's.

Peggy is an amazing photographer and she truly makes you feel like you're in your own personal Vogue photoshoot....making you laugh with direction like "show me sexy" or "growl like a beast"....capturing those perfect moments....

Moments like this......

My Marine and I have this little ritual where one of us will start with "I love you" and the other will reply with "No, no, no....I love you more" and then the other responds back with "No, no, no...I love YOU more". And these goes back and forth....kinda like the "You hang up....no you hang up..." conversation. It's special, and it's ours, and we love it......so we used it in our photograph.

And then there's this one too.....

I love this one even more because we're just so happy.....laughing....holding hands.....and I don't look fat here.....and my hair looks great.....

Anyway......

I got a lot more photos from over the weekend - especially from the Aviation Ball and the Nickelback/Bush/Seether/My Darkest Days concert we went to Sunday night. Can't wait to share with you!

2 comments:

Stephanie June 12, 2012 at 8:53 PM: Your pictures made me smile, I see nothing but genuine love between you two! I hope you are enjoying this time with your family and making lasting memories!
Vivian Kirkfield June 13, 2012 at 10:07 PM: Jenn...I'm so glad you guys are filling every day with beautiful memories! Kudos to Peggy for her generous and loving spirit!!! The photos are awesome!