Hoppy New Year!

It's amazing to me that a single year can literally be the best and the worst all wrapped up into 12 months...but here I am. While I became a Mommy in late 2011, I truly felt that I came into my own in 2012. I took on incredible responsibility and my heart opened in unimaginable ways. He is my heart. He is the reason for me. I became a better and stronger person in 2012. I have thrown everything I am into being a good Mommy and a better teacher. I can't begin to tell you how much I am looking forward to 2013...there is a tiny light beginning to shimmer at the end of this tunnel.

I am ever so grateful for the support that I have found in the Blogosphere. I know I don't always email back, but you should believe me when I say....I love you all. You have helped me get through this year. You have helped me support myself and my son...and not just financially but emotionally, as well. So many of you, I just know I would hug if we met...and someday, my head will not be in the clouds and I will reach back to you.

I sought to change things in my classroom in 2012. I felt that I had control there. I revamped my room and by doing so, I changed it for the better. I am more in tune with the Common Core....but I will never lose sight of what my students need. They absolutely need to learn but they also need to love school. I feel that I am succeeding within my classroom. I have always loved teaching; however, this year has made me love teaching in a greater depth.

I just finished up my newest unit. It is Transportation...ya know, one of my favorite units of the year...LOL. Anywho, I just know my little Kinder-Hoppers are going to love the centers! There are a total of 14 centers (7 math and 7 literacy), each with a response/worksheet that corresponds. Here are some pics...

It has been a while since I posted just some free stuff and for that I am sorry. I wish I could just put everything for free, and hopefully one day, I will be able to go back to that. For now, I am putting up a few penguin things that I created a while back, as always, I hope you find something you can use within your classroom! Click on the images below to download :)

 

May 2013 bring you much love, great healthy, and lots of happiness! Happy New Year, my friends!
Love,
Shannon

Merry Christmas!

From our home to yours, Cooper and I wish you a wonderful Christmas! May the New Year bring you much love and happiness!

Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary

12 in 12

12 favorite things! 

12. Favorite movie you watched: I would have to say Hunger Games. I loved reading the books sooooo much that I couldn't wait for the movie! I loved The Dark Knight Rises, just not as much.

11. Favorite TV series: I am a TV junkie. Not really, but there are times I feel like I am. I love The Real Housewives of, well....any county. Love those Jersey ones the most I think. 

10. Favorite restaurant: Panera or maybe Noodles and Co.. Coop and I eat soup like every other day and both of these places have soups we enjoy!

9. Favorite new thing you tried: Teachers Pay Teachers. It was such a hard decision for me to open up an account and sell stuff, y'all have no idea! It was something I truly HAD to do. I am truly amazed that there are so many people buying my stuff. Wanna know where that money is going....honestly....it goes for daycare and rent. Without your purchases, I don't know where we would be. I.am.forever.grateful.

8. Favorite gift you got: I received some donations on my blog. Those donations allowed me to purchase clipart and get the ball rolling for TPT. Those donations brought me to my knees.

7. Favorite thing you pinned: I'm not too sure. I love Pinterest. It has helped me organize new teaching ideas, so that has been helpful!

6. Favorite blog post: The Great Giveaway. Two little flashdrives that was all I was giving away. I had 366 comments and was simply stunned. 

5. Best accomplishment: Standing on my own two feet. I haven't given my entire story on here...to be honest, I was embarrassed. But, here goes....this is the shortened version.

My husband and I had been married for 13 years. We rarely had any big problems at all. I would have said he was the best person I had ever met. We struggled to get pregnant. Encountered loss and heartache. We finally had Cooper in December of last year. Between the months of January and March, the company we had used to landscape our yard sued us. My husband claimed he had paid, but when I started going through the accounts, no money was to be found. He claimed someone stole his identity. Our entire savings was gone. In April, he was suspended with pay from his job. He was eventually fired. They accused him of stealing. His story was absurd. I thought we could still work through it with counseling. He was arrested. He never called me. I sat alone one night with a five month old terrified that something had happened to him. None of his actions made any sense at all. He was indicted. His parents bonded him out. Trial for a class.2.felony. Big scary stuff. Between June and July, I found out that he stopped paying our mortgage a year prior and that he had extracurricular activities. No phone calls came in. No notices. I was oblivious and embarrassed that I was so clueless. He became a completely different person all in the span of 3 months.

I am alone now. I support myself and Cooper without any help. Best accomplishment in my life so far.

4. Favorite picture:

3. Favorite memory: The day I held my little boy in my arms for the first time. Words will never describe how that felt.

2. Goal for 2013: To continue to make a good life for my son and I. I will make good choices which may not be the easiest. I will do right by him and always keep what he needs as my number one priority.

1. One Little Word: Grateful. Beyond words.

Link up here....