Please Play Along!

I found this fun idea on my cousin Christie's blog. The idea is this: Write two blurbs for your alumni newsletter, updating your life. The first version is the perky, show-off kind that everyone writes (and the one that everyone hates). The second should be the darker, more real side of honest. Here's mine:

Version 1: Kimberly married Devon 7 1/2 years ago. Education and family have always been a priority and Kimberly was happy to complete her Bachelors in 2001. Although many Elementary School principals were anxious to hire Kimberly to teach at their school; Kimberly made the difficult choice to leave her career behind and start a family. Kimberly and Devon now have three beautiful children that bring more joy and happiness into their lives than they ever could have known. Devon loves working in the mortgage industry and enjoys the challenges that come with it. Kimberly loves her role as mother and wife, enjoys spending time teaching her children and serving the youth at her church. Amongst these responsibilities, Kimberly finds time to embellish her muscial talents, scrapbook, and to jog and do pilates. Kimberly and Devon and their family are very happy living in San Diego and enjoy all of the diverse opportunities this wonderful community has to offer.

Version 2: After 5 years of dating, Devon convinced Kimberly it was time to get married. Kimberly happily accepted his proposal, but, shortly after marriage, their fairy tale was put on hold as she and Devon discovered the disappointment of paying bills and working hard to make ends meet. As Devon explored a new path of career, they put their house up for rent and moved into a family members basement while Kimberly continued her education and worked hard as a bill collector. Neither of their jobs quite covered their living expenses. Shortly after moving out of the basement, Kimberly graduated and became pregnant with their first child. Although excited, she felt quite overwhelmed and unsure about the responsibility of becoming a mother. Five years later, they live in San Diego and now have three beautiful, smart, creative, friendly, lovable children. These children bring much joy and happiness into their lives, but are, at times, a constant source of frustration, energy, and sleep deprivation. Each day, Kimberly finds herself constantly picking up toys, changing diapers, doing laundry, cleaning the house, playing make believe, reading stories, making snacks, arranging for play dates, and hoping for a nap. Although she has many talents, she can't remember what they are and rather indulges in weekly episodes of "Big Brother 8," "One life to Live," and blogging and reading other loved ones blogs. While Kimberly spends most of her time caring for their three children, Devon continues to work very hard to make ends meet and spends endless hours at the office as well as at home on his onesie business. Kimberly is currently obsessing, dreading, and mentally preparing for turning 30 in the fall and spends her free time (a.k.a. nap time) exercising on the treadmill and doing pilates.