It’s time for a Linky Party! Traci, Hadar, and I are joining together once again to bring you this Look Back Over the Past Year and Reminisce Party!
Traci, Hadar, and me
🙂
This was hard. I don’t really have a favorite quote. But I read and reread this passage from Philippians 2:3-6 all the time and keep it memorized.
I mean, really.
I wish I could live this passage every moment of every day. But I am human.
So I pray daily that I can live this passage.
Last year, it was my leggings.
I still love my leggings. How can you not love leggings?
But I’d have to say that this year . . . I embraced shorts. Thanks to Mix and Match Mama. She is a big proponent of shorts with longer, flowy tops . . . and even though I hate my legs (they are short and stubby, they are not toned, they have varicose veins) I like the whole look that Shay always talks about.
So I tried it.
And I liked it!
By the way, if you have wine while wearing shorts,
you forget that you don’t like your legs.
I highly recommend this movie. It was so good! I could watch it over and over.
It does make you hungry.
And you’ll want a glass of wine.
So have some snacks and beverages ready.
You’re welcome.
(source)
Don’t get me wrong. I still love all my Housewives. And True Tori. And Couples Therapy. And Parenthood.
But this year, Survivor was great.
And Steve was in a pool at work and won $86.
So there you go.
(source)
I’ve only been to Flemings once.
It was this year, obviously. In October, to be exact.
And oh my word.
I would never consider myself a steak person. I tend to like all the sides . . . mac and cheese, bread, onion rings, bread, buttered asparagus, bread, etc, etc, etc. But when we went to Flemings, I ate my steak. Every single last bite. Which is completely and highly unusual for me.
It might have had something to do with the alfredo dipping sauce that was complimentary with my meal.
Maybe.
I was a presenter at the So Cal Kinder Conference in Pasadena.
And I didn’t stand up there speechless.
And I didn’t faint.
And I didn’t pee my pants.
And I am going to do it again!
More info to follow . . . but it will be another make and take session with my Reader’s Theater packs! 🙂
I would have to say TIME . . .
I was able to sneak away to Texas for a few days in the fall. It was amazing and exactly what I needed. I was able to spend quality time with Kerry, watch my youngest nephew play tackle football, watch my older nephew play basketball, and see my niece cheer at a football game.
OH MY WORD.
This family.
It was seriously a wonderful gift to be able to have that time with them.
Oh.
Oh boy.
Nope.
I’m still not a pinner.
I hang my head in shame.
It is probably this post about Following Directions . . . and it makes me so happy to realize how far my class has come!
When we had our winter party on Friday, my kids could rotate themselves from table center to table center when the timer went off.
Seriously.
They did not need me.
I might have cried tears of joy.
It was from either that or the knowledge that Winter Break was practically upon us and I just had to get through the party.
Either one.
This is not exactly my accomplishment because I feel like it’s more of a we did this together and I am forever grateful accomplishment.
With your help and generosity, and TpT, we were able to raise over $15,000 for Jon’s family.
It helped me feel like I was doing something when I felt completely helpless.
Looking at these pictures of Jon are bittersweet . . . he is still fighting and staying strong, as well as his family, but treatments and medicine have changed the way he looks and he no longer comes to school.
I pray daily for Jon and his family.
Thank you for helping me help them.
My Parents
We were in San Francisco and stopped at this location during our bus tour. I can’t even remember where we were exactly, except that famous movies were filmed there and now people get married there. Or something. I don’t know. I don’t think I was a good listener on our bus tour.
I have a sequence of these pictures where my dad is acting all goofy and pretending to be a major tourist and my mom is cracking up.
I just love these two more than I can explain.
They are adorable and loving and funny and kind and sweet and I wish everyone could have parents like them.
And this picture! I mean, look at the background, too! It was an amazingly beautiful day. I took that picture with my iPhone. I didn’t do anything fancy with the settings.
It was just a beautiful day with my family.
I can’t name just one. It was a great year!
Spring of 2014
Jamaica
Summer of 2014
Paso Robles with Steve and Murphie
Spa Day with my girls
Huntington Beach girls trip
San Francisco with my family
Vegas with Steve and TpT
Being asked to be a bridesmaid in Hadar’s wedding
San Diego with my parents
Fall of 2014
Texas
Dominican Republic
I looked at last year’s goal to see what I wrote.
My goal was to be more like Christ.
Oh, what a lofty goal.
But it’s a lifelong goal.
Every day, I pray to be more like Christ. To love Christ by loving others, to serve Christ by serving others. Some days this is attainable and some days . . . well, it’s not easy.
I’m going to keep this as my goal again.
My goal is to be more like Christ.
Pray for me.
Pastor Rick Warren says humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.
And, seeing as how I don’t have kids of my own, I tend to think of myself quite often.
Like, a lot.
So I want to really work on this. Which, believe me, I know is just a tad bit strange considering this entire blog post is all about me, me, me, me and I, I , I , I and, for that matter, all of my posts are about me, me, me, and I, I , I so . . . I will be working on this in my real life. Although this is my real life, but you get what I mean. Right?
Humility.
It’s going to be my word.
And there you have it. My 14 in 14.
Now it’s your turn to tell me about your top 14 of 2014.
How to link up:
Create a blog post sharing your favorite 14 things in 2014. Add the button to your post and link it to this blog post. Then link up below, making sure to link directly to your post, not just your blog.
I love reading what you write! You are fantastic!
And Humble and funny!
And I don't like shorts very much either.
Mary
Sharing Kindergarten
I'm sure you were a fantastic presenter!! I'd LOVE to see you present someday!
But WE need your blog posts about YOU because we need reassurance that we are good teachers. You inspire us and help us laugh to keep it all in perspective. You have no idea how much you impact us positively! Through your honest reflections we know your dedication and your selflessness. So please keep your posts the way they are!
Thanks for doing this link up! I love it every year 🙂
Stephanie
Tales of Teaching in Heels
I love reading your posts, so please keep it about what is going on in your life. Because I love the Lord, too, and daily I'm in the classroom or thinking about my classroom or researching ideas on how to be a better teacher, etc. and sometimes I need to stop and think…it's about Him and what I do with what He's given me. To bless others and that's what you do for me and for so many others, you bless us with your stories about your family, your students, and Murphy. So, I thank you and my dog, Kinsey, thanks you. She stays out of trouble since I see she's just a normal dog…"Are you responsible for this hole in my shoe?"
I'm a new follower… and I love reading your posts! Thank you for sharing!
I love this link up! Thank you for giving us a fun way to reflect on where we have been this year!! I love your goal for the year! I agree this is a very good goal to have, and one we could have every year!!
Mrs. 3rd Grade
I read and reread your quote. I think I need that written somewhere as well. I loved that you were able to feel like you did something for sweet Jon but this, "treatments and medicine have changed the way he looks and he no longer comes to school." made me cry and reread your quote. Know this, I am changed because I know you. I am better. Merry Christmas.
I love your goal Teeny. We all need to be more Christ-like! Thanks for sharing part of your year with us.
Marsha
A Differentiated Kindergarten
I would love to see you present one day. You must be awesome as a presenter.
Jasmine H.
The Dots of Teaching
Being Christ like is a huge goal, and an important one! I am with you that it is ongoing and something to keep having as a goal! I saw the previews for The Hundred Foot Journey but didn't watch the movie. I am thinking I should give it a try – maybe I can convince the hubby to watch it with me too!
Wine has that effect on a lot of things!
Jennifer
First Grade Blue SKies
I'm a huge fan of Shay, too! I would love to attend a workshop using your Readers Theater. Thanks for the link-up 🙂 Jen
You are one amazing lil lady! LOVE that first picture of the 3 of you. Looking forward to more giggles in 2015! Continued prayers for Jon and his family <3
~Christy & Tammy
Watching The 100-foot journey right now. It's been good! I loved our bits of time together in 2014… can't wait for more in 2015!!
Awesome linky! I've actually taken a bus tour to that spot in San Francisco and I can't remember what it was called either! I just asked the hubby and he couldn't remember. It was probably because SF has so many amazing things to see, it's hard to keep them all straight! Fleming's sounds like my kind of place! I hope that we all reach our goals in 2015!
Mrs O Knows