A Look Back

Greetings friends!

As we say goodbye to 2013 and prepare for new beginnings in 2014, let's stop to appreciate the past year.

I've decided to share snippets from my favorite blog posts from the past year:

In a post from January, I was just finishing up our Save the Dates...le sigh...

"Our Save-The-Dates came! On Friday night we spent the evening addressing 150 envelopes and stuffing them with our Save the Dates (I will not abbreviate this...think about it). This pictures shows our Save the Dates, addressed envelopes, stamps, and my Excel spreadsheet with all of our guests names and addresses. Easy system!"

In February, I posted about dreaded Super-Storm Nemo!

Molly and Lucy

There's a car under there...

"How's everyone in New England faring after Storm Nemo? We did not lose power, and everyone is safe...but DANG that's a lot of snow! As a North Dakota native, you would think I would get used to seeing huge snow storms, but it never ceases to amaze me the damage that Mother Nature can cause."

My Morning Routine's post made it to the blog in March. This is where I talk, at length about my Daily Warm Ups I sell in my TPT store! I love these things - and this post :)

This is a copy of the checklist they have taped to their desk for reference

"I have been thinking a lot about what makes my morning time successful for my students, and I give credit to my consistent (dare I say rigid) morning routines and expectations. I have a set morning routine for my students that they are to complete every morning. I have found that providing lots and LOTS of practice in the beginning of the year, paired with visual checklists and personalized lists for their desks, helps to engrain routines into their little noggins."



April was met with tragedy, as my beloved city was terrorized during one of the most joyous times of the year. The Boston Marathon Bombing happened April 15, 2013. I was at the gym with my fiancé (at the time) when we heard the coverage over the radio. It was all so surreal, as I frantically contacted all my loved ones who had any chance of being down in Copley. Thankfully, all of my friends and relatives were safe. Others were not so fortunate. I am reminded of this senseless tragedy nearly everyday, as our city is still recovering. I see bumper stickers on the backs of cars, Boston Strong billboards, and recurring stories in our city's media coverage of those involved in this crime. I am reminded of the strength our city possesses each and everyday as well. We are resilient, and we have thrived. Here's to you Boston.

"So I have been MIA for the past several days. My last post was Monday morning, smiling from ear to ear about one of my favorite days in springtime in Boston, Marathon Monday. That smile turned to tears just a few hours later, when I first heard of the senseless tragedy that occurred at the finish line."

May was a slow month - I only had one post and NO pictures! Yikes. My excuse? Finishing my Masters and preparing for a wedding...my wedding. No big deal.

"Well, as it turns out, the end of the school year was going to be so chaotic! Who knew?! (jk...I did). Oh right..and my wedding is is 17 days..."

June was just a little better, with 2 posts. I think I have a good excuse on this one too - I GOT MARRIED! This, of course, is my favorite post of the year. 

Of course this had to be made!

"On Friday evening on June 21, 2013, I got married! It was such a magical night full of romance, dancing, fun, and a castle. I could not have asked for a more perfect day to marry my other half."

How could I talk about 2013 without talking about my Honeymoon in July?! Well, I can't so here's a refresher of that wonderful trip:

Polo Beach, Wailea, Maui, HI

"...we had an AMAZING time in Maui. Everything about the trip was just amazing. Check out my Instagram for many of the images from our amazing trip, or type in our hashtag #omgitsmyhoneymoon for all of the pics :)"

Remember how the summer of 2013 was a rollercoaster of emotions for me? From pure bliss, to anxiety, to excitement, to a plummeting sadness. Well, here's a post from the last day of August in which I am really laying it all out on the table. Cue the sad Charlie Brown Walk music...

"Thursday I woke up, went to my Journeys training (which sufficiently stressed me out even more), then came home and cried. I had every intention of heading into my classroom to get more stuff done. After all, I still had A TON of stuff to do! Like, an ungodly amount. But instead, I came home, sat on my living room floor and cried. Then, after a good 15 minute sob-fest, I got up, ate my feelings, and watched TV. It was a mental-health day...but a'int no body got time for that!!!"

In September, I was still complaining and confused about my position (spoiler alert: It's nearly January and I still am!). At least this post has some classroom-related pictures!

"I need to find a way to make sure I am meeting the needs of this student, while ensuring he is able to make some progress and meet the standards required for 2nd grade. It's an art, not a science for sure, and I need to figure out the best way to do this. Advice is much needed and appreciated!"

I think my October blog post title sums it up... A Mopey, Self-Deprecating Confession.

"This week was terrible. Not in a "I'm so tired and stressed out from all the assessments and/or PD I had to complete this week" or even a "Yikes! My kid's were really unfocused and now I have to reteach everything again next week" kind of week. No - this week was one of those weeks where I am questioning my "calling" as an educator. I really, truly hate to admit that. I hate feeling stressed out every, single weeknight. I hate that I came home last night and cried on my couch for 2 hours before surrendering to my bed at 8 pm. I hate even more that I left my old job for this position. I feel like I made a mistake..."

My November post included no less complaining. It was almost as if I was enjoying myself again! Almost...
This post was jam-packed with linkys, recipes, and updates galore!

"A Yummy Pin: I blame all of you for my obsession of cuteness! I couldn't just post the pin - I had to create an adorable Recipe Image for you all to have too. Ya know, because I have time for that."

And finally, December. This month as been devoted to Christmas linkys, TPT sales, and Resolution writing! I think you all so much for such a fabulous blogging year (and teaching year, if you don't count the first semester...). After 119 posts in 2013 on this little blog (plus a few more on A Special Sparkle), I am reminded how much I adore the blogging community. Such a supportive, welcoming, and helpful environment. If I didn't feel comfortable here, I wouldn't open up the way I have, especially in the beginning of this school year. I have you to thank for that - without you, who knows where I would be?

Here's to a happy, healthy, and active 2014!