28/40

A cold bug hit our house, so for the last week I have been struggling.

Laundry, dishes, cooking, bed making, even getting dressed has been neglected.

I have been drowning Hunk and Punk in orange juice in the hopes of clearing their bug.

My constant heartburn and acid reflux has made eating or drinking acidic or hot foods unbearable.

Only recently have I found the cure of Prilosec--now I can at least sleep at night (hallelujah)!

I also found Toddlers and Tiaras.

Yes, those little Miss America wannabes sucked me into their drama.

Did you know what a flipper was? I had no clue.

I watch it more for the crazy moms anyway--some of them are legit ca-razy.

Makes for mind numbing enjoyable television, eh?

Maranda Lee Handbags

Before I had Brecken I was naive when it came to picking out the right diaper bag.

I'll admit it, I was vain and wanted something pretty not practical.

After about a week of stressing over never being able to find a binkie or my keys I finally resorted back to the (practical) diaper bag that Hunk had bought me.

He's one smart cookie...

I used my favorite JJ Cole diaper bag until it was torn, missing zippers, and had holes in the base.

Since then I have managed to get away with an over sized purse to carry around all the necessities from Punk.

But with a new baby vastly approaching (can you believe it?) I decided it was time to get myself accustomed to a diaper bag again.

My dear friend Maranda, owner of a darling etsy shop called Maranda Lee, made me the perfect bag.

Maranda made me the gorgeous Emma Messenger Bag for our new arrival, and as a mother of two she knows what every woman needs to remain organized (at least in their diaper bag).

;)

 She's perfected her bags, which now can boast everything from built-in key ring holders to cell phone pockets.

And even more importantly are the small touches that she adds to her bags such as O rings on the messenger handle instead of D rings.

Have you ever owned a bag that has a D ring on the handle? It seems like the handle is always slipping and the ring never stays in place.

Her O ring makes the bag hang across your body without any nagging.

Maranda's bags also offer lots of space.

The bag I received offered six built-in pockets, three of which had elastic binding on them--perfect for two bottles and diapers.

The inside of each bag has plenty of room to store books, an ipad, snacks, my wallet, and even my DSLR camera.

Diaper bag. Purse. Camera bag. This bag can hold it all!

Stay tuned because later this week there will be a fun giveaway from Maranda's shop that you will not want to miss!

In the meantime, make sure to check out Maranda's shop to see what other amazing products she has to offer as well as her facebook page and website for great promotions and discounts!

Thank you Maranda!

And we have a winner for the UPrinting Giveaway-congrats Carolyn G

28.

The Hunk is turning 28 today.

Since returning home from his mission he has told me time and time again that birthdays and holidays are overrated. I disagree.  

We will celebrate, John, don't think you are getting out of it that easily.

Here are twenty eight fun things you may/may not know about Johnny B:

1. Was born in Wyoming

2. Is great at board games

3. Can dance really well (yeah, he is good).

4. Once ran into a stop sign on his bike in 8th grade.

5. Served a Spanish-speaking mission for our church in Arcadia, California

6. once owned a WRX

7. Got hit with a croquet mallet 

8. hates vegetables, but will eat spinach (really John?)

9. loves fishing and hunting

10. Once participated in the Rose Bowl Parade

11. can play the saxophone and piano

12. Is six out of seven kids

13. Has only been to Canada (how exotic)

14. checks ESPN fifty times a day

15. Has a Masters Degree in Accounting

16.  never got the Chicken Pox

17. Most prized possession: a baseball signed by Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris

18. Tried to date my sister before dating me (shame, shame)

19. His first car was named The Toad

20. Loves Last of the Mohican's

21. Once had a dry ice bomb explode underneath his car.

22. hates milk but loves Pepsi

23. His middle name is Condey

24. Had no work ethic in school, but still did great (go figure)?

25. Wanted to be an architect before deciding to become an accountant.

26. hates working out, but loves to play basketball

27. Pet Peeve: hates the sheets being tucked in.

28. Proposed twice (I said yes both times).

Happy Birthday lover!

struggles

I have been battling with the issue of what is "too much" on my blog.

Is it appropriate to give all the details of my pregnancy?

Is it acceptable to discuss certain topics of my marriage that some of you have asked about?

It is obnoxious to rant about a horrible day?

Is it okay to vent about the the naughty things my child does that makes me question my ability to be a mother?

Is it inconsiderate to rave about something amazing that is happening in my life?

Is it kosher to explain the worries I have with the crossroads we are at in our life right now? 

These are just a few of the questions that I have been trying to sort out and answer. 

It seems that everytime I begin to write my feelings the words often get jumbled and lost in an abyss of rambling thoughts.

I've often found myself standing in the shower reciting an entire post in my head that I deem as brilliant or totally eye-opening (don't we all?), but then when I jump out to jot them down the words they often become scrambled and forced.

I chalk it up to the fact that for years I have written thousands of pages (that is no understatement) without feeling and emotion. Most of my writings have often been scientific-based or grounded in facts so to revert to a new writing style of letting myself be open and more subjective has not been easy.

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Even in Spunky Junky's meager beginnings I tried to remain straight forward, posting only the most crucial information, while leaving out any emotion of my day-to-day life.

I realize now that sometimes that best writings (or posts) are those that come from the heart; not sugar-coated, or meant to portray a perfect person, but rather posts that show the insecurities and frailties of each of us

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The blogs that mean the most to me are the one that open themselves up to the idea of imperfection. I can relate to their pain, their struggles, their need for reassurance, their desire to be better--it's as if their words are speaking directly to me.

So I've tried to be more honest with myself. I've come to learn through the small amount of wisdom I can call my own that my struggles and trials have only helped to make me stronger. 

I can look back and say that I am now a stronger

daughter

sister

mother

wife

and friend

because I have opened myself up to the idea of imperfection and its beauty.

I also realize that the only thing holding me back from embracing the words I want to write or the goals that I want to achieve is myself.

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So let us struggle together to find our way in this crazy place called life because the act of quitting is never an option--it's only an easy way out.

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And if I haven't told you lately--I appreciate you.

Your emails, your comments, your friendship--you've helped to lighten my burdens and while I may not know you all personally and may not know your struggles I want you to understand that I know your plight and that you will never be in this alone.  

Happy Valentine's Day.

 I wouldn't want to share my awkward moments with anyone else...

 because each awkward moment often leads to something perfect.

Happy Valentine's Day!