The Toy Box Years: Thursday Thanks

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 keep telling My Marine whenever I have a chance to talk to him that he doesn't need to worry about us because we are very well taken care of! We have been blessed in so many ways.....I'm just so overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support we've gotten so far. I need to thank so many....and if I've forgotten you....please know that it wasn't intentional!

So, I'd like to start my Thank You list for the past month.....

Thank you to my friend Suzanne who sends her husband, Bill over every Tuesday since My Marine left cut my grass.
Thank you to my friend, Robin, who has "enrolled" me in the cupcake of the month club. She has promised, on the first of the month, to bring me cupcakes. If you knew Robin, you'd know her cupcakes are like GOLD. Robin has also offered babysitting once a month so that I can have a break whenever I need it.
Thank you to the Anonymous Angel who snuck a Starbucks giftcard under my front door.

Thank you to another Anonymous Angel who sent us a $25 dinner gift card and a $25 Kindle gift card

Thank you to my friend Carrie for giving us all the preschool curriculum for Nudgie
Thank you to my friend Tracee, who sent me and the girls a very unexpected care package!
Thank you to my "sister", Heather, who came and watched the girls so that I could have a night out!
Thank you to my friend Stephanie who brought me wine when I was having a bad day.
Thank you to my friend Charlene who is always there when I need her....whether it's wine & chocolate or a meal when I'm sick.
Thank you to my friend Tara who provided the girls and me with a yummy dinner, cookies, and a mini bottle of wine. (The wine was for me....not the girls....)
Thank you to the chocolate fairy who left these on my doorstep

I don't think I could even ever begin to repay the kindness that's already been shown to us!!

Lord - thank you for surrounding me with angels to watch over me and the girls. You have blessed us with such caring and giving friends. I only hope, Lord, that we may be able to share our blessings with others in need. Help us to see the need and fill it. Allow us to bless others as we have been blessed. Amen!