Reflecting on 2012

I have been caching up on my blogs in my Google reader and came across Lorraine from Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies,  This year has been a great one for me professionally with my job change of becoming an Instructional Facilitator.  So I loved the idea of looking back at my first 12 post of 2012 and reflecting on how far I've come!

Here are my 12!!!!

1. Most Supportive Blogger Award- How fun to look back and see that Amber and Elizabeth are still my biggest supporters today!

2. Monday Night=Taco Night! Special night because Amber decided to join us and it became a regular occurance.

3. First Day Back Drumroll Please!!!!!! The day I got a extra suprise from Amanda!

4. Versatile Blogger Award More shout outs for my favs!

5. Best.Week.Ever!!! Another award!

6. Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Diggity Dog!  The time I won the mack daddy award!!!!

7. Energizer Bunny An exciting day at Chucke Cheese

8. Currently January Linking up with Farley

9. So.Stinkin.Tired. A great day sharing what I did in my classroom with other teachers in my district!  Little did I know this would soon be my new job!

10. Hump Day Freebie! My flat and Round Characters posters

11. Whatcha' Eating?? Linky from my fav Ms. T

12. Boggle Queen an awesome post by my principal last year, Rebecca!  She is a jewel and hope to work with her again!!!

There ya have it!  2012 started out great, and I have high expectations for 2013.  

Head over and link up with Lorraine from Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies

Ringing in the New Year!!

It is hard to believe that it is already time to think about New Year's Resolutions!  I am usually very good at making them and horrible at keeping them!  I am linking up with Jen from The Teacher's Cauldron for her New Year's Linky.

First up is my personal resolution:  
SCRAPBOOKING!  I used to be so great at making pages and keeping up with the latest event, then life happened, AKA the twins were born!  I have all kinds of papers, albums, a cricut and lots of cartridges just sitting saying, 'we're waiting, come play!' Every time I attempt to start, something more important gets in the way laundry, cooking, cleaning I am called to do something else.  I love crafting and resolve to get back to that in 2013!  Hear that my Scrapbooking friends??? I WILL be coming to the next Scrapbooking night!!!  Can I bring wine?  Ha!

Second is my blogging resolution:
I want to be more consistent with posting.  I used to be pretty regular, but then with the job switch, I find it hard to have exciting things to blog about!  I am not in my own classroom, so I don't want to hurt a teacher's feelings by talking about their class.  No more excuses!  I WILL post more!

There ya have it!  Head over and link up with Jen!  

Bring it on 2013!!!!!!

Best and Brightest of 2012

I love a good linky, so I was thrilled to see Christina Bainbridge's 2012's Blog Best and Brightest in my reader while I was catching up on my fav blogs.  (There are over 1,000 in there!!! Someone has been neglecting their reader!) I began my blogging adventure as a requirement for a tech leader program in my district during the summer of 2011, but wasn't 'feeling it' until late 2011.  I have loved learning new things as a blogger and have grown leaps and bounds as an educator because of the journey.

Here are my blog's best and brightest!

Best Thing I did

I opened my TPT store in 2012!  I have to admit, I must have been hiding under a rock, because prior to that, I had only heard about TPT in passing.  I joined in late 2011, but didn't officially 'open' my store until Jan. 2012.  I had my first sale on Jan. 1 :)  It was the best thing I could have ever done!  TPT helped out with the twin's birthday and Christmas.  It is now growing our new Disney fund!  Can't wait to head there in the spring!!!

Best Post

Looking back at my bloggy year, my best post has to be My Heart Will Go On!  It was a post I did right after our day aboard the Titanic.  It was a great day and I love looking back at how much fun it was.  I absolutely love the Titanic and enjoyed seeing how excited my students were to learn about it.

Best Products

This leads me into my favorite product of 2012....My Titanic Lapbook!  It was neat to have an actual passenger who traveled on the Titanic for each of my students to become during our unit.  It was fun to make, and have gotten feedback that other's are enjoying it in their classrooms!

My most popular product is my Soil unit. It was one of my first products I created back in January.  I was and am still super proud of this product.  

  

Best Freebie Shared

I created a Reading Comprehension poster set and posted my Making Connections poster from this set as a freebie.  It was my most downloaded product and one that many of the teacher friends in my district ask for.

Best Bloggy Friends

This year has been a great year of many new bloggy friends!  I loved going to the Carolina Blogger Meetup and meeting so many bloggers I felt like I had 'known' for the past year.  Here are a few:

Amber is my # 1 bloggy supporter and real life friend!  We began this adventure together and couldn't imagine it without her.  I love getting together with her and bouncing ideas off her.  She has great ideas that she uses in her classroom.  

  Elizabeth was one of my very first bloggy friends who I actually met while at our Carolina Blogger Meetup.  What a night Amber and I had with her!  Note: Wine and bloggers make for an interesting night!  She has always been so supportive of me and sends me positive vibes.  Her products and blog are amazing! Kelly is another of my very first bloggy friends.  Even though I have never met her in person, I feel like I know her.  Her blog is super cute!  She always stops by to leave nice comments. Amanda is a jem and I absolutely LOVE her!  I will never forget one of the first giveaways I won was for one of her products.  I had a hard time choosing between 2, so she sent me BOTH! I was sold on her from then on :)  Over the past few months have gotten to know her better and my opinion remains the same!
Head over to Christina's blog to link up your own Best and Brightest!

Here's to 2012!

Its the End of the World As We Know It

Wow!  Where did 2012 go????  I can't believe my sweet girls are 2 now, Christmas has come and gone and we are getting ready to ring in a brand new year!  There are lots of 'end of the world as we know it'  type things happening as we say goodbye to 2012.

Were any of you following all that Mayan calendar stuff?  The Hubs and I watched a Nat Geo special on it (not that I believed the world was ending) and it was pretty interesting.  Glad that we all made it through that!

The Fiscal Cliff is another end of the world issue that is very concerning.  While our existence isn't being questioned, the possible tax increases are super scary.  I can't imagine having to budget $7 for milk!!!  I know there are larger issues, this is just one that I immediately saw affecting my fam. (not to mention all the taxes!!!!)

 What happened to the good ol' days where you could go into the Mercantile and get a peppermint candy for 1 Cent????  Oh yea that was in my Little House on the Prairie book I was reading HA!  I love all my modern conveniences, but LOVE thinking about life back in those times.

Well ready or not 2012 is coming to an end and 2013 is coming in with a bang!  To celebrate my favorite  REM Song, I am having an End of Year TPT Sale!!!

Thanks to Michelle at The 3AM Teacher for this super cute frame, Nicole at Rowdy in Room 300 for the font

What fun New Year's plans do you have?  The Hubs and I will be spending it with the girls, playing with their 100's of new toys!  

My Babies Are 2!

I can't believe my sweet twin girls are two! At this time 2 years ago I was in the hospital getting ready to be induced. That's right, my little sweeties had to be evicted!

Raegan Elizabeth was born at 5:55 weighing 6lbs 9oz, 19 1/4" long
Kenley Marie was born at 5:58 weighing 6lbs 2oz, 19 1/2" long

In honor of my sweet girls' 2nd birthday I'm having a 2 day sale! Enjoy 20% off at my TpT through Sunday.

Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary

Monday Made It -Christmas Edition

I can't believe it's already December!  This is a super busy month, but add in the twins birthday and it is non-stop from the beginning of the month.  I have two fun things to share for Monday Made it.  I love linking up with Tara :)

At the beginning of November, I was asked if I wanted to participate in an advent ornament exchange.  It is based off the devotion, A Meaningful Christmas.

The way it works is you get 24 people who are each willing to make an ornament that represents a specific scripture reference.  After getting your scripture, you then make 24 of the same ornament.  Before December begins you have a fun get together with lots of treats.  We had a sweet and savory side and even had a hot chocolate bar!  Then everyone puts out their ornaments and you put them in your box.  

 My ornament I made.  I call him 
Don-ke-hotey

To create this cute guy, start with two clothespins.  Paint one brown completely, the other one leave a little white at the bottom.  Then glue them together and attach googly eyes.  I used a scripture I found online to make his little sack.  Wrap raffia around him to complete the look.

 Here are all 24 of my donkeys!  I painted them in the hospital while Raegan was recovering!

My second 'Made it' isn't Christmas related, but for my twins December birthday.  They are in love with Sesame Street, so that is our theme!  I created this cute pinspired invite.

Check back for updates on the party and all things Christmas!

Last Minute Sales!

 

It's not too late to load up your cart!!!!  There are tons of great items out there.  Make sure you stock up!

Cyber Monday, Animal Life Cycles, Giveaway

Are you carts full  yet????  My cart is so full it would be the one that creaks and makes that annoying sound as I push it along looking for more deals!  This sale has been great, but not good for my vacation fund!  What can I say, I am a sucker for super cute teacher stuff!  I LOVE a good sale and will have to say the excitement is quite contagious!

 I just added my newest product yesterday in time for the sale.  I have been working on my Animal Life Cycles Lapbook since August! I don't know what else to say but life got in the way of this one.  I am proud to say it is done :)

If you teach life cycles, this lapbook will allow you to teach 4 animal life cycles as well as vocabulary words. There is also an accordion fold that compares adult ladybugs to the child.  Make sure you pick it up before the sale ends to get it on a hot deal!  And because I love all my loyal followers, I will give this to the first 3 people who comment!  Make sure you leave your email address.

Speaking of the sale, make sure you check out all stores that are joining in the fun!  

                                                                                                            Button by Ashley Hughes

Well I'm off to load up on some more deals!  The best thing about this type of shopping is I can do it in my PJs while laying in bed watching my fav shows!

So Thankful and a Sale!

Wow!  I can't believe Thanksgiving has already come and gone!  My family had so many things to be thankful for this year.   In my last post, I talked about my daughter, Raegan, who had come through her cranial surgery beautifully.  Well, she continues to amaze us!  She came home last Saturday (before Thanksgiving) which was a day before she was expected to leave.  Since being home, she has only been taking Tylenol for pain!  I was amazed at this, but realized the awesome hand of God has been on her since the beginning, so this was just adding to His amazing story!

We also had the most amazing PICU nurses, Christy and Hannah.  They took amazing care of my sweet baby.  I know God placed them with her and us for a reason.  Overall, we were extremely pleased with her surgery and know that this is going to be used for God's good.

I also have been blown away by the support of those around us.  We have been prayed for, had meals brought, been given money to pay for Dr bills, treats and puzzles to work on while in the hospital waiting.  The outpouring of love has been amazing!  Kyle's (hubs) cousin got Raegan a bear with a boo boo just like hers!  I thought it was the most thoughtful gift!

I am also thankful for all the wonderful followers I have that read my piddly little blog!  I appreciate each of you!  This blog has allowed me to start selling my favorite teaching units which has opened all new worlds to me and my family.

I am joining in on the Cyber Monday and Tuesday Sale at TPT

           Thanks to The 3am Teacher for this awesome graphic!

It is the perfect time to load up your cart with lots of great goodies that you can get at a great price!

Tears turned into blessings

Most of you know that Raegan had her surgery Wednesday.  This is the first time I have been able to sit down and write a post about it.  We came up Tuesday for all her preop stuff.  Knowing she wouldn't be able to do much playing for a while, we went to McDonalds to play before the torture began.

Surgery is no reason to be unfashionable!

Tuesday night was a sleepless night to say the least.  I woke up at 2:30 and couldn't sleep, good thing I had my iPod loaded up with my fav Christian artist.  By know I shouldn't be surprised, but I continue to be amazed at how God works!  The songs I listened to on my playlist were perfect and put my mind and soul at ease.

We are staying at the Ronald McDonald House.  It is AH-MAZING!  I had always dropped my extra change in those bins going through the McD's drive through, but never would have expected this!  Have any of you ever experienced a RM House?  They have a group that brings dinner in every night  extra snacks provided by different groups and you only are expected to give a $10 donation, if you can!  It has been a true blessing for our family, and now we are going to be more conscious of putting our money in that bin!

Wednesday morning we had to be at the hospital at 9:30.  Of course a 22 month old's idea of sleeping in is 7 am, so we got up, dressed and hung out in our room.   Check out my lil' diva!  Just because your having surgery isn't any reason not to be fashionable!

We arrived at the hospital a little before 9:30 and the waiting began.  Hospitals love to keep ya waiting!  That was the most agonizing part.  Finally she was called back about 10:30.  This whole time Raegan was asking for juice, 'naks', apples, and saying "eat!" I felt horrible that my poor baby hadn't eaten since the night before.  We were able to meet another family who's 6 yr old daughter, Dana, was having heart surgery.  If you think about, please pray for Dana!

Once we were called back, she had a quick well check of sorts and we....waited some more!  They had a little playroom back in the surgical holding area.  She had a ball playing.

Doesn't she look adorable in her gown!

They finally took her back to get sedated at around 11:20.  It was the longest morning!!!!!  We all (12 friends and family were with us!)  went to get some lunch and when we came back they had just called to  say they had begun her surgery.  We got a call every hr and a half with an update.  We got a call about an hr in that they had completed her surgery and were 'putting her back together'.  It took another hour and a half and we were told it was complete with no complications!!!!!  How great is our God!!!!  So many people have been praying for my tiny girl and God showed up BIG time!  

After about 45 min the Dr. came out and talked to Kyle and I.  She told us the surgery went great with no surprises.  It took another hour to be able to see her.  That was painful!  When we finally were called back, she was calm at first, but once she saw me, the floodgates were opened!  She was screaming all the way to her PICU room.  

For the next 30 minutes, I heard "get out" meaning I want out of the bed "fixit mommy" talk about breaking my heart and the worst "I'm sorry!"  My poor little baby thought this happened to her because she had done something wrong!!!!!!  I was so happy when they were finally able to get her pain managed and make her comfy.  Once that happened, she slept most of the night.  

Thursday brought another awesome God filled day!  She hasn't had much swelling and all the Dr. are amazed at how well she is doing. I'm not, though, my God is big!!!!  She was moved to a regular room yesterday afternoon and is only getting Tylenol for pain!!!!  Who would have thought that only 1 day after major surgery Raegan would be doing so well, not me, but God knew!  

We still have a long road to recovery, but we are all so blessed.  Being at a Children's Hospital really makes you count the blessings you have.  There were so many sick children on the PICU floor that were much worse than my Raegan.  It was heartbreaking to see their families dealing with the thought of not leaving the hospital with their child.  I can't imagine.  I know how scary this has been for me and my family, but I am thankful that her condition is treatable and not life threatening!  

I will post more updates later!  Thanks to my awesome followers who have been lifting us up, you rock!

Beyond Blessed!

So many of you know that I changed jobs this year and it hasn't always been the easiest transition.  When I applied for this job, God told me it was the right time, but over this year, there have been plenty of times I thought, 'what am I doing here??'  Well I got my answer Friday!  My daughter, Raegan is having cranial surgery on Wednesday and I have been telling my staff that I will be out for 2 weeks.  I have been busy prepping stuff for them while I am out.  I had no idea they were busy planning things of their own!  My Kindergarten teachers created 2 baskets full of things for us while we are at the hospital!  I was so overwhelmed that I cried right there!  They put in snacks and toys and a movie.  All kinds of things that we could need/want!  My First grade team and office staff also made a HUGE bag full of goodies.  Magazines and word searches, lots of munchies and my principal even baked a cake for us!

I have been blessed beyond words by the kindness of these ladies!  I had no idea why God put me at this school or in this position, but now I know.  I needed them to uplift me during this difficult time in my life.  I should know by now that God knows everything, but I am still amazed at how He works.

My awesome church family have also been unbelievable.  Lots of cards and unexpected blessings.  In honor of all God has blessed me with, I am having a sale at my TpT!  Enjoy 20% off now through Wednesday.

If you remember, please lift up a prayer for my sweet Raegan on Wednesday as she will have her cranial surgery.

This is my sweet first born (by 3 minutes!).  Her smile makes me melt and her laugh fills me with unspeakable joy.

 I love this blogger community and appreciate all who will pray :)

Halloween Sale

This is going to be a quick post.  My weekend has been just like my week, BUSY!  I wanted to let you all know that I am having a sale in honor of one of my favorite holidays, Halloween.

I am working a new pack dealing with space right now.  I am going to admit that being out of the classroom, I am struggling with things to make.  Any ideas????  If there is something you would like to see, let me know :)

I will leave you with a pic of my adorable girls enjoying fall.

B.U.S.Y

What.A.Week!!!!!!!  When I saw what I had to do last week, I thought it was the busiest week of my year so far, boy was I wrong!!  This week surpassed that by Wednesday.

Monday began with me walking in the door at 7:30 and having my principal call me in her office (before even  putting my stuff down!) We had a nice chat about some curriculum stuff I honestly don't remember!  Then the rest of my day was spent putting out teacher fires dealing with curriculum, report cards and benchmarks.  Tuesday I already knew was a wash because the Title One department had set up for all Instructional Facilitators to attend an Eric Jensen  brain based teaching workshop.  It was great and I learned a lot of new ideas to engage all learners.  A plus was the beautiful drive to Asheville with my IF bestie, Danielle.  The downside was that I was off campus all day.  Being gone all day means no work is getting done!!!!  

Moving onto Wednesday (yes we are only at the half way point, are you exhausted yet????)  I had a data guru meeting which made my head spin!  The presenters move at warp speed and talk all this AMO, EVAAS, EOG, K2 Report Card blah blah blah.  I have to analyze data and prepare spreadsheets all while trying to keep up with everything that was being said.  After that I had a well deserved lunch with my IF Bestie at a local sandwich shop Spindle City Cafe.

How stinkin' cute is that decor!

After lunch I rushed back to school to get ready for my K2 Report Card training.  I'm not going to lie, it was rough!  I presented a district created presentation and was met with harsh words from most teachers.  I know that it wasn't directed at me because they are all overwhelmed with Common Core, but it was still a little difficult.  After that training I went back to my room and worked until 6pm.  It was nice because most teachers were gone so I was able to actually focus on my work.

Today I went to a Teacher Advisory Council meeting for our district.  Normally our SIT chair goes, but she was on a field trip (lucky duck!) so I filled in.  Let me tell you about the super fun agenda: Common Core, Pay for Performance and our school calendar.  Nothing like getting a roomful of teachers in an uproar about CCSS and then topping it with Pay for Performance!!!!  I was very surprised how well the meeting went.  Things were discussed, but in a super professional manner.

 After leaving that meeting, I rushed back to school to train up my new Kinder teacher in MCLASS/Dibels.  It was great working with her!  I love the newbie energy.  She is so eager about everything and it excites me that she is so willing to try anything and a BIG bonus is she doesn't complain about a single thing!!!!

After that I had a Smart 11 training which was great, but it made for one long day.   

After arriving home, I sat down for about an hour and had to go out to church to practice for our family experience that is coming up in Nov.

Needless to say I am more than ready for the weekend!!  One day left this week and I am happy to say, I have NO meetings tomorrow!!!  

Bring on Friday!!!!!!!!