Fourteen in '14

This is my second year participating in this linky, and it's always fun to reflect and join!

Haha, I love Paramore! And I get so tired of people whining and complaining (students and adults). This song was just great, and I actually made my own printable (not this one) to stick in my classroom. Yes. Really. So far no one's cried about it...

I embraced the leggings this year, but my favorite has become chunky sweaters! Let's be honest. Part of that has to do with the fact that I'm preggo and don't want to buy many maternity clothes yet. But these sweaters are so comfy AND I can wear them again next year when I'm still working off some baby fat!

This one is easy! I've been a Veronica Mars fan for years and was literally distraught when they cancelled the show after only three seasons. Fortunately for me, Kristen Bell and Rob Thomas (director, not singer) were as heartbroken as I was and never gave up hope to continue. They started a kickstarter campaign (which I DID contribute to) to make a movie that would finally give the marshmallows (fans) some closure, and maybe open up new channels for the show to kind of continue. I LOVED it! My husband and I actually drove all the way to DC for the closest theater showing it just to see it, and then we bought the DVD as soon as it came out. Actually, I pre-ordered it on Amazon. I'm a little obsessed!

We cancelled cable, but we finally broke down and got a Roku AND a subscription to Netflix to go along with Amazon Prime. I'm torn between two favorites for the year, and I'm left hanging on both while we wait for the rest of the episodes to post.

I started Downton Abbey at the beginning of the year and immediately was hooked! I've been a Jane Austen fan for years, and this kind of resembles that lifestyle. The hubs won't watch with me, but I spent every Sunday afternoon nap for quite a while catching up and was very sad when I finally finished season four back in the summer. Oh well, now I can watch it live starting Sunday!!

The hubs and I tried out White Collar together, and we're both crazy about it! Neal is gorgeous, and the storyline is just so fascinating. Bonus: Steven has started dressing even nicer trying to mimic Neal's wardrobe. Not complaining!

Well, my favorite from last year closed down, which I was very disappointed about. HOWEVER, Richmond has quickly become a restaurant hot-spot, and Steven and I have discovered quite a few great ones!

Hill Cafe is just one of many, but it's a great affordable option with lots of good choices. We've actually been twice to eat this year (we're still trying a long list of other places), and it's totally worth it!

I had my very first Pinterest party this year, and it was a lot of fun! We made citronella candles. They were pretty easy, and we had a great time hanging out and eating yummy Pinterest-inspired foods. 

After this one, we had one more in the fall to paint pumpkins, which was also lots of fun. We need to schedule another one, though!

I got a new camera for Christmas, and it takes such great pictures! It will be perfect for when the new baby arrives, and I could already see a big difference in the quality once I switched to it last week!

I'll be honest. As much as I love Pinterest, it has kind of taken a backseat this year. I just don't have time for it. I did find this one, however.

For Keagan's 3rd birthday, we did a police theme and ended up buying doughnuts from THE BEST local doughnut shop (Country Style Doughnuts). We still had cupcakes, but the doughnuts were a hit!

I'm cheating on this one because they all go together, but my Robust Vocabulary book study was something I was very proud of over the summer. The book was so informative to me, and I still want to create and share some resources that relate to it. Once I finally don't feel so exhausted from teaching, being mommy, and being preggo. So maybe next year?

I reached my largest month of sales yet in November, and I had my largest day by far during the Cyber Monday sale. You guys have been amazing supporting me, and it really helped this Christmas!

Even though I'm not in it, I just LOVE this one! We took Keagan to see the Christmas lights downtown, and my sister-in-law caught this one. It's so sweet!

There were lots of great memories, but the best would probably have to be when we found out we were expecting again. Of course, I was planning on it, but I had started to worry that it would take longer this time and I would end up being due in September. Teacher's nightmare! But God was gracious and let me have my way. We can't wait to meet our new little gem in early June (and I'm dying to know girl or boy - 3 more weeks!), and we have a lot of decluttering to prepare!

When I was pregnant with Keagan, I ate everything I wanted and barely lifted a finger. And it showed by the end. I'm very small, but I gained 50 pounds and really had to work hard to get back to a place where I was comfortable. With this pregnancy, I'm trying to stay fit and go to the gym when I can (at least 400 minutes each month, which is part of a work incentive). So far, I've only gained 8 pounds and am hopeful that I will continue on the right track!

NEW

With a new little Dalton greeting us this summer and every new step Keagan takes as he continues to grow, I'm loving every minute of being a mommy right now! I'm so excited for 2015 and everything that will take place!

Thirteen in '13 and a SALE!!

I saw this link up a little while back and thought it would be fun to participate. I think I did it last year, too!

 I think it's safe to say I love my skinny jeans! I would wear them every day once the weather gets a little cooler and I'm not in dresses anymore. Plus I love my boots (a close second), and the jeans are some of the few pants I can wear them with!

 Steven and I almost never go to the movies because they're so expensive, so we've only been once all year (although I really want to see Catching Fire).

 

I know this book was assigned when I was in high school, but I honestly couldn't remember ANYTHING about it except that it was set during the 20's and they liked to party. Thinking I didn't actually read it...but I really enjoyed the movie. And the music was really fun!

Still Big Bang Theory. We don't watch a lot of tv, especially now that we've gotten rid of cable/satellite. This show probably won't get old to me for a while!

We have this local restaurant that Steven and I discovered and LOVE! It's a little pricey but not terrible, so we go when we can. It's called Mint, and now their new chef is from The Next Food Network Star a few seasons ago (when we still had cable and were addicted to Food Network), so we really need to go again!

 

Malcolm Mitchell, chef

This year, I did two of those painting classes at this local shop. It was so much fun, and you get to bring home a piece of art! If you have one at home, you really should try it out.

My brother bought me the cutest leopard print shoes from Target! They're really comfortable, and my boots have been able to take a little bit of a break. Plus they're WAY cheaper than the adorable Tieks that I've been seeing around the blogging world but will probably never be able to afford.

I really haven't done a whole lot of pinning this year, but I did decide to go DIY for some Christmas presents, so I will share that idea - chalkboard coasters! They were so easy, and my aunts loved them!

Back in the summer, I participated in a VA blog hop that was so much fun! Even though I haven't had the chance to meet most of these ladies yet, I have enjoyed getting to know them online through the blogging community. We put together some great freebies for you to have (and I may be adding a new page to mine so this could be a reflection on the year as well).

I had a goal with my TPT store to make enough for a check in the first quarter (before they went to monthly payouts), and I made it! Going to premium seller was scary, but it has definitely been worth it. Thank you to all of my wonderful followers that love my stuff enough to buy it! You've already paid for my ticket to see my sister and her new baby in the spring!

That's a tough choice, but I think I have to go with this one. I like that it kind of shows how we're watching our little boy grow into something amazing!

Anything with Keagan is a great memory, but I would have to say this Christmas! He has really had a blast learning about the traditions, the food, and he had fun meeting some of my family for the first time.

I want to be more organized with my time so that I can focus more on my family. This may mean that I blog less (or at least only during scheduled times), but it's important that I take time away from the computer to make more memories!

Possibilities

Alright, we just got in from flying with a toddler who wouldn't let his mommy put him down, so I'm going to take a nap. You can stop by my store and treat yourself to something nice because I am having a sale!

End of year sale and a giveaway

Not a very long post today, but I decided to throw a sale (20% off my entire store) as a last hurrah for the year and an opener for 2013. Part of me just really wants to reach $300 for the quarter. I'm sitting just shy of it. The sale will end tomorrow night, so go shop!

Then I also found an AMAZING giveaway that I had to share. The Peanut Gallery is giving away 4 gift cards! Barnes and Noble, Hobby Lobby, Starbucks AND Target. You don't want to miss this!

Steven's out car shopping for me as we speak, so I may have a new (to me) car by the end of the year! We weren't quite ready to do this, but my car is DEAD, so we need something. Prayers that we can strike a great deal (like payments under $200)!

Then tonight we're heading to some friends' house to hang out and ring in the new year. Nothing too crazy. Just a fun night probably playing some board games and hanging out. Maybe we'll even break out the Wii for some Just Dance!

New Year's Linky

I know, I know...I've been a little off the radar for the past few weeks. With Keagan's birthday and Christmas activities, I just didn't really have time to post. Keagan's new toys (and some online shopping/browsing) were just way more fun! But I'm back, at least a little bit, and I figured I'd ease back into the whole blogging realm with a simple and appropriate linky party or two.

Both of these linkies are pretty much the same, so enjoy checking out what other people resolve to do for the new year. Jen recommends listing one personal and one blogging, but I also wanted to add one professional resolution as well.

Personal: This one is a continuation of my resolution from last year. I gained somewhere between 40-50 pounds with my pregnancy, and I'm thisclose to losing it all (or being at a weight I like again). I'm between 5-8 pounds away depending on the day. Before all the Christmas festivities started up hard core, I had actually gotten within 3 pounds for one day, but that went away quickly. I just ordered the Zumba videos and will be working hard to get back down to size. In the meantime, I did actually buy myself some cute clothes that fit me a little better right now.

Blogging: I want to host my own linky party, but I've got to come up with a good idea.

Professional: I want to create more TpT items (keep your eyes open for more literacy centers especially), and I want them to have to mail me a check next time! I way surpassed my previous quarters and made just under $300 so far, which was super exciting. But momma has a lot of college loans to pay off. Plus my car just went ker-put, so I need to buy a new one (to me). We're looking at local auctions because this is NOT the year for us to buy a new car. Steven's job is still part time until next school year, and he's working on his last semester of grad school. Oh well, we'll find something.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I have still been doing a little bit of blog stalking in between my online shopping sprees and play time. I still have three more days of break to relax and enjoy, and I plan on juicing everything I can out of them! When do you go back?