New year

  I was just thinking about the past few years of life and how each year has been full of big life changes:

2011: I graduated from ECU, finally stopped working at Reeds Jewelers, was hired as a third grade teacher at Grifton, made some new work friends (whom I miss seeing everyday).

2012: Engaged to Brandon, planned a wedding ( well maybe that year wasn't as busy as i thought, but planning a wedding was a lot of work).

2013: Bridal shower, bachelorette party, married, honeymoon in Jamaica, applied for Grad school, got into Grad school, quit my job, started school, started working as a sub...whew!

It's crazy how quickly time flies by, in the blink of an eye, everything changes! This year has had a lot of ups and downs for many people, but I guess that is what life is like when you become an adult, unfortunately you have to witness the passing of loved ones or friends, and I feel like I am always seeing sickness. I do not believe in making resolutions because, lets be honest, no one really keeps them. I was reading one of those posts on FB yesterday about real resolutions that people should make, it's probably the first post about resolutions that I actually enjoyed reading. One resolution, it said you should make is, that if you hate your job, you should quit! Glad I could check that one off of my list! Let me make something clear....in NO WAY did I hate going to work, I loved the people I worked with, I loved working with the kids, and I really loved teaching (that's why I sub) but I didn't like that I wasn't ever going to get a real raise, I didn't like being so micromanaged, I didn't like that I felt like I was setting my kids up for failure based on a system I couldn't change. Most days, I felt helpless, and I couldn't do it anymore. I'm not saying a new job would be easier, I am sure that being a librarian has its ups and downs too, there isn't a perfect job, but at least I can sleep at night.

Another one was to value your friendships, I try really hard at doing this, but sometimes I find that life is busy and I forget to pick up the phone to say, "How is life going"? I try to remember birthdays and send cards, that counts, right?

Anyways, the point of this blog is really to say that I have had many blessings this year, and if I didn't wake up tomorrow because the good Lord decided it was my time, I would be okay with that because in reality I have experienced amazing things!
I have been truly loved by my husband, and by my family, I feel like I have made a difference in at least one child's life, I have traveled, and I have challenged myself to do great things. So to all of you, may 2014 bring you another year of happiness, health, and blessings :)