2013

So, when did tomorrow end up being December 31st? Man  I lose track of the days so badly during this time of the year! I blame it on not having to go back to work until next Monday.

So 2013 was a pretty FANTASTIC year for me. I'm normally not the most optimistic of people, but as I look back, I really have no reason to complain about anything that happened this year. So let's get to it!

Obviously, so much of my favorites this year are going to be wedding related. Like the fact that I had oe of the best nights ever at my bachelorette party! Thanks to these wonderful ladies!

I got married. And my wedding was everything I could ever imagine it being and more! Full of love, laughter and being surrounded by my family friends. It still blows my mind that I had a wedding like that!

My school nominated me for Teacher of the Year. I didn't win, but still awesome to be thought of. I'm at the point of my career where I feel I deserve to get recognition. It takes time and I'm glad I had to work for it! Oh and my class is by far the cutest one I've had in a really long time!

It's been fun getting to have my own place with J. I know my habits drive him crazy, but I do love our little home! Here's to hoping we find our permanent one in 2014!

J and I had a wonderful first Christmas together. I think we did a good job of balancing family and having some time to ourselves. Plus between the two of us and our families, we got spoiled this year!

Like I said, even though 2013 wasn't perfect, I cannot complain. It wouldn't be right or fair. So here's to hoping 2014 is just as good!

First Christmas

I hope that you had a Merry Christmas yesterday (or a fun, relaxing day if you don't celebrate!)

J and I spent the earlier part of the week until Christmas Eve night at his parents' house outside of Savannah. Always so relaxing when we go up there.  His parents are the best and let us open presents on Christmas Eve. His mother got me the prettiest shirts from Loft and so many other things! It was fun to see his mom's reaction to her gift, a smaller parent version of our wedding album! I'm pretty blessed to have the in-laws that I have!

Christmas Eve we made our way back to Jacksonville, to stop at my parents' house. My favorite Christmas tradition has to be our pjs. My mom gets us new ones every year and in recent years has been getting the girls matching ones too!

I would be lying if I said it wasn't a bit odd to wake up Christmas morning with J, but it was so much fun! (I wish I took pictures, but we were just too into gift giving to do that!) He loved my gifts to him (pretty sure the electric toothbrush was his favorite... he's all about the dental hygiene!) but I hit the money on the clothes and the yummy pistachios he later found in his stocking.

I think my favorite presents from J were the Michael Kors watch (finally!) and he surprised with a Pandora bracelet. My first two charms are a stack of books and cute little kitty. He's such a thoughtful guy.

Around 11 we headed to my parents' house in our PJS! I texted my mom if she minded, and she said no. SCORE! Made it that more fun to open presents in your pjs. Love this picture that my uncle took:

Not sure what's better, the matching pjs, my expression or my brother's! We got some really thoughtful gifts from my parents and my mother loved the parent album we gave her, too.

After my parents' house we stopped at our friends' house. J played XBOXone with her husband and I learned how to make this bracelet on a Rainbow Loom!

Can I just say... I kind wish I had my own rainbow loom??? Completely understand why kids are obsessed with it. Plus it's nice that one of the most popular toys out there right now is more crafty than techy.

J and I ended the night back at home where I made jalapeno poppers, bang bang shrimp and a bruschetta cheese ball.

YUM!

All in all, a pretty perfect first Christmas for J and I. :)

Five For Friday... Christmas Break edition!

My Friday was technically Wednesday, which was the last day of school before break. To say that the kiddos were excited... that would be an understatement! Even my sweet little darlings were acting like complete hot messes!

But break is here and I'm about to head out to breakfast with one of my best friends, so let's recap my top five this week, shall we?

Over the weekend, J and I FINALLY stopped into this yummy popcorn store. Each one of my popcorn pieces was like eating a yummy orange lollipop. I have to kill time today, so I may be returning to try another fun flavor!

As is tradition (and like a thousand other schools out there!) first grade had our Polar Express day on Wednesday. The kids wore their jammies and so did their adults! I adore my team. We are simply the best!!!

J surprised my students by coming and reading to them. It was really cute how enthralled they were by him. Plus he brought them coloring books, which made them love him even more!



Pretty true. Especially when it's 18 days long this year!!!

I know that's only four, but it was a pretty short week for me. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Linking up with Lauren!

5 Months...

So just sitting here on my lunch break, chowing down on the yummy Chick Fil A J brought me for lunch (thanks J) thinking about how blessed I am.

I know bloggers only write about the good stuff (well at least a lot of them do!) and I don't want to do that, but at the same time I realize how blessed I really am. I have a job that I'm good at, a class that is pretty fantastic, and a really great husband.

J and I have been married five months today and while in the grand scheme of things that's not long, it's been a fun rollercoaster ride. I thought I knew him pretty well before July 12 but now I know him even more. We've been learning and growing with each other and that's just awesome. Like how I left on the oven after baking my awesome blueberry loaf last night (oops.) I would have gotten ridiculously annoyed at him, but I'm grateful that he didn't act that way towards me. :)

I'm counting down the days to Christmas Break (4 school days in case anyone was wondering!) and I'm getting SUPER pumped for our first Christmas together. So here's to many, many, MANY more months of learning and growing and having fun!

IT'S FRIDAY!

SCORE! Thank goodness it's Friday. It was a short week, and I just had a mini-break, but I am starting the countdown to Winter Break (FYI, 8 days!) Overall, this was a busy and short week, so let's get to it!

Absolutely loving how fun and cheery my house is when I walk in. I have a few more things I want to add (like some cute printables I found!) but it's pretty perfect to me!

I received this good news this week! My project on Donor's Choose was funded! If you haven't heard about Donor's Choose, it's this amazing website where you can write requests for classroom needs and people can donate to your cause. If you've never checked it out, please do!

My students and I had a wonderful time on our field trip yesterday! We went and saw a condensed version of the Nutcracker. There were a few head scratching moments (like, pretty sure there weren't any drunken guests at the party and how could you leave out Trepak?) but overall my classed LOVED it and they looked adorable all dressed up!

Last night I attended what was definitely one of the MOST exciting Jaguar games EVER! The boys pulled out a big win and I barely have a voice this morning. The Jaguars currently own the longest win streak in the AFC! LOVE IT!

Tonight is my holiday party for work and right after J and I are heading up to Savannah for the weekend. Should be a good time!

Happy Friday! As always, linking up with Lauren for H54F!