Silver Lining: Year in Review LINK-UP

*link-up at the end of the post!*

January

Started my last full semester of college and took care of a furry thing named Chester. Went on walks and had a spree in which I made various kinds of soup for dinner for two and a half weeks straight. Haven't made soup since.

February
Planned a candlelit dinner for two for Valentine's Day, then got sick and spent Valentine's Day in the fetal position in bed. Was taken care of by my heart-of-gold husband all day long. Made the dinner a few days later and it was still perfect. Also went sledding and made a flower from molten glass.

March

Did my last student teaching in 6th grade (realized 6th grade is not my favorite cup of tea, but 5th grade is totally my cup of tea). Planned and hosted the BYU blogger meet-up, and considered it a wild success if I do say so myself. Skipped class one fateful morning.

April
Put on my teacher watch and went for my first interview for a real-life teaching job. Got hired at my dream school in 5th grade and was totally thrilled. Became all Healthy Schmealthy and stopped eating sweets (made me grumpy but healthy).

May
Went to sunny Arizona for a wedding, fell in love with the desert, had too much cheesecake (you can tell how long the no-sweets thing lasted). Came back while we could still tear ourselves away. Also went to barbecues, watched my brother give his valedictorian speech, and got an iPhone (welcome to the dark side. I'm here to stay).

June

Rekindled my love for snow cones. Convinced Mr. Emery to go for a family run and end up at the shaved ice shop almost daily. Walked out of my last college class ever feeling wise beyond my years, only to spend 15 minutes forgetting where I parked and going to the wrong parking lot.

July

Vacationed with my family in paradise, lounged about on the shores of Hebgen Lake, and ate even more snowcones. Had the most cathartic journey to Oregon with Sam, showing him where I grew up, loving the green beautiful coast, and introducing him to hippies.

August

Reminisced about my wedding day, celebrated one year of marriage with the most delicious fondue, and got my classroom ready to become a real-life teacher. Soaked up the last days of summer with lots of swimming and lounging by the pool.

September

Started being a real life teacher. Stressed about it for months on end, only to discover by the first day that I loved it, and it was going to be a great year. Had a why-am-I-throwing-up-for-the-first-time-in-a-decade-am-i-pregnant-oh-no-it's-just-food-poisoning moment (tmi?).

October

Had a fall break for the first time in my life. Heaven. Got hopelessly lost in a corn maze, hung out with a cute baby, caught up with some lunch dates, and took some fall family pictures that I love.

November
Discovered my students get crazy after Halloween. Loved it anyway. Enjoyed the warmth of a mini-Indian summer, and went for cupcakes with Sam for no reason at all. Spent Thanksgiving with Sam's family in Logan - ate a roast beast, slept in, and became a literal rocket scientist.

December
Realized that the weeks before Christmas in elementary school are amazing. Made paper snowflakes and did gingerbread math with my students. Made hot chocolate bars and ritzed up ritz crackers at home. Somehow my birthday turned into a week-long affair, and had the most relaxing, amazing, snow-filled Christmas with my family.

It's been such a good year. I'm blessed.
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And now for the link-up! Add your year in review post, and make sure you put the button (or a text link) in your post. You have until January 11 to link up. Visit and comment on at least two other blogs. That's what link-ups are all about!