The Beard told me a few weeks ago that every week they have to send a reflection/accountability/update email to their immediate superior every Friday to keep everyone up to date and on the same page about what’s going on in their teams and departments. They call it a GBOMB, which sounded violent and scary until he explained it:

Good

Bad

On My Brain

Pretty cool, right? I really loved this idea and actually started using it to motivate myself to write in my journal more. But yet here I am again, sucking down a Diet Coke and typing this onto the internet instead of scribbling it into my cute leather journal. I feel like I’m losing the journal battle, but hey – most of my life is online and that counts, right? My posterity will be able to pull up the deepest, oldest recesses of the internet to see what snarky things I had to say about mint chevron print in the ’10s. That’s what counts.

No real reason for this photo except that each blog post should have one, and I always overshare pics of Reese, and doesn’t it kind of look like she’s got things on HER brain?

Good

• I am now a self-proclaimed Bachelor fan, you guys. I used to talk so much shiz on it you don’t even know. But I found the right group of girls to watch with (read: eat candy and make fun of with!) and now it’s quickly becoming the most anticipated night of the week! I’m also doing dumb snapchats about it after each episode so tune in (dholdy).
• I don’t know how many of you have seen this but they are making my favorite (standalone) book into a movie! I am very excited, although I’m not really sure what to expect from it. Lily James is incredible so my hopes are already up. The Beard has already passed on it so… if you wanna see it with me speak now or forever hold your peace.
• Got my first Korean beauty products yesterday and I’m SO EXCITED to try them! Post coming on Monday thumbs up emoji.
• Planning for Reese’s First Birthday Panda Party is in full swing!
• Reese learned how to climb the stairs!

Bad

• Reese learned how to climb the stairs!
• I’ve already cheated literally every day this week on my low-carb-isa diet no surprise
• I was so excited about our budget plan and saving lots of money in 2016 just to realize that I’m not super good about being financially realistic. It’s totally fine and good for me to do the math and plan ahead, I just really thought I’d have a million dollars by now :(((((((((((( I mean also I’m *probably* not going to win the lottery even though The Beard’s coworker bought us some tickets.
• Now that I’m drinking more water I have to pee like every 30 minutes. I don’t miss that part of pregnancy.
• Do you ever feel like there’s a ghost in your house whose only purpose is to dirty up everything right after you clean it? PEEVES
• My house is never clean, no matter how on top of it I try to be
• PLUMBING ISSUES. This isn’t a euphemism we actually have plumbing issues.

On My Brain

• Is it ok to ask to be released from callings? I mean I know it’s ok but is it ~ok? Am I lame? Am I justified? Is it bad that I feel totally relieved? Idk. On my brain.
• My best friend Katie’s post about postpartum aftermath. I’m still dealing with a lot of these, even a year later. Overall I think I adjusted fast and well, but will I always deal with these? What will it be like with baby #2? When should I have baby #2? Will pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum be comparable or totally different? Idk. On my brain.
• I really like doing freelance writing. I like writing and I like making some money, even if it’s not salary money. I feel pretty secure in a routine now. Should I look for more work? I’ve had a few people contact me this week, actually, asking about my freelance work. I don’t want to take on too much, but I would also like to move us closer, faster to our savings/home buying goal for this year. I need to talk to some more work-from-home/freelance moms and get some advice and counsel. Idk. On my brain.
• How can I possibly like Lace more than Olivia? Idk but I do. On my brain.
• This talk was so many things I needed to hear. As a Mormon Feminist I often struggle to compromise the concept of women. This talk reminded me that THE GOSPEL (not even the Church, or that judgy mom who makes snide comments about your parenting) and feminism are distinctly complimentary. Men should be homemakers, too. We should all be making happy, healthy, Christ-centered homes. We all need to do better about making sure everyone knows how important it is to be parents. Totally on my brain.
• Thinking about getting Zumba certified this year. Crazy? Idk. On my brain.
• I finished my first read of 2016 – The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. So good and so heartbreaking and so history-y. Full review coming at the end of the month with the other two (maybe more?) books I’m reading in January. Can’t stop thinking about the conflict and sacrifice, and how much WWII affected EVERYONE, no matter who or where or how. On my brain.

January,  you’re a weird one. But I like you.