2013.

When I was first thinking about recapping this year I felt like there wasn't that much to talk about that was exciting or worth re-living. Then last night I decided that I wanted to make a flipogram for my instagram and when I looked through my pictures I found so many things that were worth mentioning. I am thankful that I did that because now I can really look back and reflect on this year. Here are some highlights of where the year has taken me and what I've done in the past 12 months. 

January

*I started substitute teaching since I had just finished my student teaching. I was no longer a student and was actually a 'real teacher' just without a job.

February

*I turned 23, it was very anti-climate and not the best birthday on the actual day. 

*I went to Pullman (my college town) to celebrate my birthday and had a blast thanks to my amazing friends && boyfriend. 

*I had my first competition as an FFA advisor/coach. My kids were competing in Agricultural Issues and I remember having butterflies in my stomach the entire evening. I think I was more nervous than the kids. 

March

*My mom took my brother and I do DISNEYLAND! It truly is the happiest place on earth and I love going there. It will always be my top choice for a vacation that is going to be 4 days or less. 

April

*Another State FFA competition, my kids got 2nd in State. So close to winning, I was so proud of them. 

*My best friend [since 5th grade!] got engaged and asked me to be the maid of honor in her wedding. 

May

*I watched my best friend graduate from college. 

*Macklemore concert! 

*State FFA Convention, this is why I am an ag teacher. The passion that the students have, how hard they work to achieve their goals, and their smiles when they are successful cannot be matched. It was an amazing 5 days. 

*4 year anniversary with the boyfriend. <3

June

*I GOT MY FIRST TEACHING JOB! I was hired at the school that I student taught at. It was a dream come true. The most amazing kids, teachers, and FFA program. 

*I went on a mini Drum Corps tour with my boyfriend who teaches the Drum Line for a local Corps. It was great to see what his life is like on tour and be a part of it for a few days.

July

*I planned and executed awesome 4th of July Party. 

*My little brother and I went to New Jersey to visit my dad and family there. While we were there we road tripped to Boston because neither of us have been there before. 

August

*Last month of freedom before school, girls nights, weekends with my boyfriend, && relaxing before the craziness begins. 

*Our family's favorite activity was going to the Horse Races. I was pro at losing all of my money, but I love the atmosphere and all the yummy food!

September

*I started my first year of teaching. It was hard, stressful, and tiring, but I loved it. 

*Carrie Underwood concert!

October

*Went back to Pullman for a football game && managed to party until 5am. That's a record for me. It was such a blast.

*I took 11 students over 2,000 miles away to the National FFA Convention in Louisville. I successfully didn't lose any of them in the sea of 67,000 students and came home with 4 National Champions. I was one proud advisor. 

November

*My boyfriend and I got an apartment together and moved in! We had been apart for almost 18 months since we graduated from college so the end of our long distance relationship was a glorious day. 

*My boyfriend, a couple of my friends, and I carpooled to our college for our marching band director's last game at our school. He has been the director there for over 25 years and has change the life of so many students and taken the band from about 30 to 250. It was a really special moment to be there to see him recognized at halftime. 

December

*Celebrated my Grandad's 80th birthday by surprising him for a Brunch with the entire family. 

*My boyfriend spent Christmas with my and my family and it was so special. If there is one holiday I love more than anything else it's Christmas, we have so many traditions which I love and it was great that he got to be a part of it. 

Turns out it was a pretty great year! I will be posting my hopes for 2014 in the next post. Time to go shopping for my New Year's party. I hope you all have a safe && Happy New Year! 

Dear October...

You are my first full month of school and I hope that you are kind to me. Please help my kids to not be totally hyped up on sugar or totally zombies from lack of sleep as we move into the year. This is the time that 'fall' really hits and I'm excited to see the leaves change color but not excited to see our days dwindle down to nothing. Clearly I'm conflicted on how I feel but here are some of the things I'm looking forward to this month.

1. FFA National Convention! Even though it is only my first year teaching I get to go on a trip to Louisville, KY with 11 of my students who qualified for Nationals! I am absolutely thrilled! Since I student taught and helped many of them last year I don't feel bad about the school paying a ridiculously high amount of money to send me. I went to Nationals as a student and I can't wait to see my students experience it.

2. Homecoming...high school style! My school has homecoming this month and I'm excited for all of the hoo-rah that accompanies it. I love participating in Spirit Weeks and being silly with my kids. It also will be the first home football game I can go to, FINALLY! It will be a fun week.

3. Marching Band Competitions. My boyfriend teaches drumline for a couple of high schools and October means marching band competition season, which means he will be traveling closer to me more often and I get to see him almost every other weekend. :]

4. Fall clothes! I am wearing my first outfit of leggings and a sweater dress today and I love it. So comfortable yet it looks like it's actually cute. I also have been wearing quite a few scarves and my boots with skinny jeans. All of these are total wins. Now I just want to go buy some new boots!

5. Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch adventures! I am going to go to the corn maze this weekend with some of my friends and I haven't done that since high school. Nothing says October like a pumpkin patch and corn maze!

I hope you all have some equally wonderful things to look forward to this month!