The Toy Box Years: 2013 Reading Challenge

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!!

2013 Reading Challenge

>> Thursday, January 10, 2013

Last year, I participated in the 2012 Goodreads Challenge....I had to pick how many books I wanted to read. I picked 50. I fell short....coming in at 36. But it was a good 36.....including some good titles like the Hunger Games trilogy and books 1 and 2 of 50 Shades of Grey.

I was glad to see the challenge back again for 2013 and I signed up again....once more challenging myself to 50 books!

I still have a few unfinished books that are carry overs from the last challenge, but I do have some new books on the list for January:

"Plum Lovin'" - Janet Evanovich

"No More Perfect Moms" - Jill Savage

"Murder Plays House" - Ayelet Waldman

"MOMumental" - Jennifer Grant

"Chicken Soup for the Soul - Finding My Faith"

Come and join me for the 2013 Challenge!

2 comments:

OurWanderingAdventures January 10, 2013 at 8:54 PM: Oooo I will have to add some of these to my shelf! I too participated in the challenge but fell short of my goal. My goal was 250 but I ended the year at 239. I know it's an insane amount of books but I love to read. I always carry at least 2 books in my purse, have one in my car and then my nook is loaded. I read nonstop and even pull a book out when there are only 2 people in front of me in line places. I am a woman obsessed. I am so far only 6 books into the New Year but this is mainly because I have spent lots of time in waiting rooms lately!
Andysbethy January 24, 2013 at 8:29 PM: When you read momumental pass along what you thought of it. I like seeing different points of view, and when I looked at it on Amazon it seemed that it was pretty good.
And I will have to look into a reading goal for the year. Good way to be inspired.