Resolutions/New Years Linky Parties!

I'm linking up with a few fun bloggers for some linky parties!

First, from A Peach for the Teach! I just found her blog. Love it!

(Click my picture to link up!) 

Personal: Be more positive. My post from yesterday was all about how difficult 2013 was for me. With a new year ahead, it's time to be more positive! 

Professional: Organize my intervention groups better. I feel like I am on the fly with intervention, when really it should be based more on assessment and student work. I would like to find ways to organize my groups better and make intervention a more meaningful time in my schedule.

Classroom: Make my classroom more "homey". I recently moved to this classroom and I unpacked it, decorated, and it works for now. But I would love to make it more of a home. I've moved so much over the last 5 years and I plan to stay here, if I can!

Blog/TPT: Blog more! I have so many ideas in my head and photos I've taken and thought, "that would be a good blog post!" I vow to get there :) 2014 is a new start!

Just for fun: Go somewhere warm. I would love a nice vacation :)

Next up.. Sunny Days in Second Grade! I'm linking up for My Truth Monday (on Tuesday..whoops) for her one little word linky!

My one little word for this year is breathe. If my not-so-great end to 2013 taught me anything, it's that I'm NOT always in control, I can't always make it perfect, and if I can't do anything about it, why worry? Breathe. What's yours?

Finally, Thirteen in '13. As much as I can't wait to say goodbye to this year, I'll take a little time to reflect! 

I'm linking up with Miss Kindergarten, a teeny tiny teacher, and Dragonflies in First!

My ugg minis. So comfy. Although I still can only wear one thanks to my broken leg.

Love, love, love!

I have so many... it's hard to choose!

"Camp" in Meredith, NH! This cute little place is located where we got married.

Hmmm.. I totally changed my spelling and word work routines after visiting Teachers College this past July in NYC. I am loving it and so are the kids! Posts to follow :)

My husband got me this ring for Christmas this year. After a tough year, this stone has special meaning and I love it.

I am a pinning machine... it's hard to pick one! 

I made these cowboy cookies (skipped the nuts and added M&Ms... why not!) for Christmas and they came out SO good! 

My classroom tour post. I love looking at how my classroom came together in 2 very short weeks after a big move!

Several things that happened in my personal life this year were incredibly difficult, and for me, the fact that I'm still hanging on is a huge accomplishment. 

Lola and her boyfriend on Halloween! So cute!

My nephew was born this year, and meeting him for the first time is my favorite memory of 2013 :) 

BE POSITIVE! 

BREATHE! 

A resolution (and some freebies!)

To say that 2013 (and particularly the last three months of 2013) have been challenging for me is an understatement. This year was full of loss and heartbreak for me, my friends, and family. This post will not be about the negative things (I hope), but resolutions and my hopes for the new year. After losing a close family friend early in the year, moving to a new school (again) and then to another new school (read my post here), I was excited to begin the school year back in first grade with a fresh start. This year, like all years, presented me with new challenges that are typical school-related challenges. On October 5th, my world changed.  That evening, I broke my leg badly. Everything changed. I had a spiral fracture, and it was bad. I needed surgery, and I couldn't have it for other reasons. I was completely reliant on others- family, my husband, coworkers, for weeks and months. I was on crutches, struggling as a teacher, and struggling with no independence. It was rough. In November, I moved to a walking cast, and I'm now beginning to gain some independence. In the meantime, there were other things that were difficult and made things more complicated. Life got in the way.

Why am I writing this? Because for three months, my life has gotten in the way of me being the teacher I wanted to be, and still want to be. 2014 is a new year for me. I'm going back to work with a positive outlook. I resolve to get back to blogging, because it's something I loved (and still love!) to do. It inspires me to be a better teacher, and I'm hopeful that returning to blogging and creating will help me all around. I have lots of pictures and ideas and things I've been collecting and blog posts in my head to share, so hopefully this resolution will push me to finally write them!

Thanks for sticking around and reading that! I've gotten back to creating a bit, and here's a few freebies to check out. I realize some are holiday related, but maybe you can still use some when you return from break! Click the pictures to go to TpT to download these freebies. I love your feedback :)

Teachers Helping Illinois, TpT Cyber Monday Sale!

There are some amazing bundles available to benefit Illinois tornado victims on TpT! My woodland animals unit is just one unit available in the different packs of amazing products by awesome TpT sellers. Please stop over to the TpT store (click the button below) and purchase one or all of these packs.

Also, on Monday and Tuesday TpT is having a cyber Monday sale! My store is on sale for 20% off plus the additional TpT discount - making everything 28% off! I know that my cart is already loaded with stuff I've had my eye on for awhile. 

My December math journal prompts are up and will be on sale - as is my bundle of math journal prompts, which includes February, March, April/May, Autumn, and December. Any prompts added will be added to the bundle and will be a free download for those who already own it - January is coming soon :)

Enjoy the sale! :)