January 2016 Currently, Mini Blog Hop and Giveaway!

Happy New Year everyone! I can't believe that 2016 is already here! I'm totally looking forward to the potential it has for me! I'm linking up with Farley for her awesome Currently, PLUS doing a mini blog hop with a couple of NM Bloggers to bring YOU some awesome prizes and freebies. Check them out below!

First, let's get down to business with Farley's Currently:

Listening:
I was just listening to Landslide (covered by the Dixie Chicks) with my daughters and it had us all tearing up. It is such a timeless song that can mean so many different things depending on the stages of your life. I keep thinking about how they're growing up and how scary it is to think about them both being out of the house in a couple years. That will be a big change for me because I truly have built my life around them.

Loving:
Needless to say I have really enjoyed my break and am not ready to give up wearing my PJs all day and having the time to create. How many days until Spring Break?

Thinking:
I barely slept last night, not because I was up partying, but because my mind was swirling with so many ideas and possibilities and risks that I'm about to take this year. It left me unsettled, yet excited. It also left room for those pesky doubts to creep in. My goal is to banish self doubt in 2016 and believe in myself and what I do and what I'm capable of.

Wanting:
I think I say this almost every month. I want more time to plan, create, and learn but also more time with my girls. Cliche alert: It really does go by so fast!

Needing:
I need to calm my brain and the only way to do that is to figure out what I want to do, make a plan, write it down and get started. I'm a little impatient and sometimes I jump in the pool before I even check to see if there is any water in it. I need to be patient with myself and my progress.

One little word:
My little (but mighty) word this year is BE. We were actually talking about one word resolutions this morning and my family thinks I'm a weirdo for choosing the word BE. I like it because it is a word that can grow and change and morph into what I need it to be. I can BE amazing, or strong, or talented or kind. Or I can just BE in the moment. BE present.
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Well, my friends, this Currently was a little more philosophical than usual, but I think the New Year does that to you. Now that I've dried my teary eyes, I can focus on some fun stuff!

My NMBlogger friends and I teamed up to give you a mini blog hop with prizes and freebies. There are only 2 other stops so you TOTALLY have time to hop around for a minute or two. First, enter our giveaway! Who doesn't want a $30 TpT gift card?? Scroll All.The.Way.Down to grab a cute little winter freebie from me too!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now hop on over to my buddy Laura from Tchr888 by clicking the button below! Read her post and grab a freebie while you're at it!

Grab this cutie patootie penguin freebie! It features word problems with up to four double digit addends. It also has space for students to show their strategy, explain in words and write an equation. My kiddos will be working on these when we get back from break.

click here to get your freebie

Currently December~Not So Fashionably Late

Yes, it is already December 5. I'm not even going to think about THAT countdown at the moment. Unfortunately, I'm in survival mode and barely hanging on. I had a week that made me want to hibernate for the rest of the month. It's Saturday morning and I woke up at 4:45 (not cool) but nevertheless, I gave myself an attitude adjustment, grabbed a big cup of coffee and jumped in with this post while everyone else is blissfully asleep in their warm beds. I'm linking up with FAB Farley:

                                                                 

Listening: Ok, I just can't resist some 90's George, Tim, & Garth once in a while. It is nostalgia to a simpler time in my life. I had friends in low places, I could still hear the thunder roll and I didn't know what I was going to do in my next thirty years. I was young, fearless, and trying to build my life.

Loving/Real or Faux: I love my pretty little fake tree. It is so easy to set up and twinkles and sparkles and shines. It is so easy, my teenaged daughters set it up and decorated all by themselves this year! I also really love that the hubs set it up on a timer to turn on at 5 AM (for a couple hours) so when I come downstairs in the morning, I have this beacon of warm twinkling light to guide me to the coffee pot!

Thinking: I am so excited to meet up with my bloggy buddies I haven't seen since this summer! I hope the restaurant is ready to hear our squeals and laughter all night!

Wanting: My hubs and I decided to buy Fitbits for each other for Christmas. Romantic, right? Well, they arrived and I really, really, really, really want to start using it already! The main reason is that I'm running around like a mad woman lately and I want proof of how many miles/steps I actually take in a day.

Needing: I did most of my shopping on black Friday from the comfort of my own home and the packages are starting to arrive! Unfortunately I have some tricky people to shop for: the in laws and my super picky, glitter-loving, stylish sister/teaching partner. I see her almost everyday and I can't figure out what to get her that is in my budget. Her birthday is on the 15th but she hates the combo gift thing. So I actually need to get her 2 presents. Her hints were a little (ok, a lot) above my budget and I want to get her something nice but I am just stuck. The in-laws are a whole different story. They have everything they need and don't have room in their place for more stuff. They're on the older side and don't get out much. Uggggg! The hubs is NO help. Plus he's turning 40 in two weeks and I don't know what to get him either. Maybe this is why I can't sleep.

November (already??) Currently

My oh my! November is here and that means holidays. Holidays mean family. Family means cooking, eating, shopping, hugging, arguing, playing games, enjoying each other, and time together.
Before all the crazy begins and I start the countdown, I'm joining Farley for her November Currently linky.

 Listening: the house is empty except me and my little old dog, Scruffy. I think he's napping in the sunshine. That darn dryer has been running all day and kinda all weekend as I get caught up on laundry. Many people hate doing laundry but I don't mind. It makes everything all cozy and clean smelling.

Loving: I was inspired to create some new task cards for our school's Star Wars themed math night and since I put so much work into them, I might as well put them on TpT. I've uploaded one set so far (click the pic to get it):

The rest will probably be uploaded tonight or tomorrow. I made double and triple digit addition and subtraction, time, money, base ten blocks, and expanded form. Judging by their Halloween costumes this year, I think the kids are going to love them!
Thinking: My hubs has an amazing opportunity within his current job to do some traveling to Denver. He leaves tomorrow for 4 days and I think I'm going to miss the heck out of him. 
Wanting: I talked to my daughter today, who is away at college and she has her first bad cold away from home. To top it all off, she's traveling this weekend with her soccer team. It must be the pits being away from all the comforts of home and being sick on top of it all.
Needing: I seriously need to leave like any minute now....hoping I score another goal like last weekend! It's my turn to bring the after game beer so who even cares how we play???
Yummy: I am seriously in love with Starbuck's Salted Caramel Mocha (easy mocha, extra salt) and I'm sad that it will be going away shortly. I need to figure out how to make it!!! 
Thanks for stopping by my blog today! I hope you have a fantastic November and that your holiday season is full of love, food, happiness, and fun.

October Currently

I am so beyond glad it's Friday people! This week was crazy! The kids were great but my mountain of tasks avalanched right around Tuesday and I've been digging out ever since. Anyway, this morning I realized I forgot all about my favorite linky!!! I jumped out of bed (not really) and tied up my hair in a messy bun, threw on jeans and a school t-shirt and ran (again, not really) to my laptop to get on board with Farley and her fab Currently linky.

Listening: I just love listening to the Bobby Bones show every morning. It is just so full of happy/goodness/positivity and life affirming awesomeness. Plus I love country music.

Loving: Like I said above...

Thinking: This week was the kind of week that I just couldn't catch up. I decided to put each task on a mini sticky note with the due date and arrange them on my usual hand written weekly to do list. It worked great because I got to triumphantly throw away the stickies of items I finished and move stickies around as other, more pressing, tasks came up.

Wanting: My baby is a college girl now and I got to talk with her on the phone last night while her team was traveling to Denver on the bus. She sounds so great but it made me want to drive to Denver just to get a big ol' hug from her. I miss her like crazy...

Needing: Fall break is next Thursday and Friday and I seriously CAN NOT WAIT!! Thursday I have a lasik consultation and Friday I get to do whatever I want!! I've got some great ideas for new products swirling around in my head. The inspiration is there, just not the time.

Boo-tiful: Of course the most boo-tiful things in my world are my girls. Can you tell I'm a proud mama?

Currently 2015

I'm linking up with the Oh-So-Awesome Farley for this month's Currently. Here goes!

Listening: Sometimes I still can't believe I have a senior in HS. I feel like I was just filling out the FAFSA myself not too long ago. 

Loving: Winter break is so deliciously lazy. I love it. No timelines, no schedules, no work, no worries. I can not even explain how much I love wearing my PJs all day and sipping on my coffee. I love a warm doggy to cuddle up with as I read on the couch. I love spending time with my girls and working on projects. I love having the time to make nice dinners. 

Thinking: I often overthink things. I can't help it, I'm a planner. I do not like not knowing things, especially when it comes to my future. My brain is constantly on overdrive and it makes me crazy. I really wish I could trust that when the time comes, I 'll make the right decisions.

Wanting: See Loving...

Needing: My little Yorkie is in need of a walk (and so am I) but it is SUPER cold out, at least for me. I am not built for winter, I'm build for flip flops. Even though we got a cute puffer vest for Scruffy, I just can't bring myself to bundle up and take him out. Instead we'll play fetch in the house for a while.

Yes: I WILL lose weight and get stronger and in better shape. I have become a little doughy these past few months.

Maybe: I will learn to relax more and not freak out about things.

I wish: I could stop time and have my daughter around more. I am going to miss her SO. VERY. MUCH.

I know 2015 will be a great year if it's anything like last year! Happy New Year everyone! 

Click on the button below to take you back to the link up:

December Currently-better late than never

Ok, so I completely forgot about the Currently this month. I think it was my shopping frenzy that caused my brain to malfunction. I'm just glad my credit card didn't malfunction! I found so many great deals both on TpT and for my family online and I didn't even have to get out of my PJs! At school this week, my main goal was to get everything planned/prepped for the rest of the month. Meanwhile, I neglected my poor blog.

I'm linking up with Farley for December Currently, which is as adorable as always.

Listening: Well, it was quiet until the my teenage daughters got up. Their HS football team won the state championships last night so they were out kinda late. I was out cold at 9:00 after an exhausting week.

Loving: Two little weeks stand between me and PJs all day, sipping coffee until noon, wrapping presents, baking and celebrating with my family. Our elf on the shelf has been (kinda) helping keep the kids in line engaged in learning and I'm really hoping I make it through the next 10 days of school with a smile on my face.

Thinking: I'm super excited about meeting up with some New Mexico bloggers! I can't wait! Stay tuned for a full report!

Wanting: Obviously, there is never enough, especially when I think that this is my daughter's last year at home...sniff sniff.

Needing: I was at the craft store last night getting goodies for my buddies and went a little crazy with the glitter. The cashier just gave me a look so I asked him if he went home covered with glitter everyday. He said that glitter is the herpes of the holidays! I know what he means now because I am sure I have a speck of glitter in my eye that I can't get out. Even my dog has glitter on him now.

Giving: I often strive to give people things they truly want/need for the holidays, but sometimes it is difficult to buy things for certain people (AKA my hubby). I also want to make/get gifts for my grade level team and colleagues that they can really use. I don't want to spoil it for them in case they're reading this (Courtney!) but I'm really hoping this year will be the year that my gifts are useful.

Have a great weekend everyone! I know I will! Click the button below to take you back to the rest of the Currently link ups.

Five for Friday: Thanks and 2 FREEBIES

I'm linking up with Doodlebugs for FFF this week and feeling so thankful!

 I am super thankful for my supportive husband, talented daughters, and loving/crazy family. My husband lets me get away with just about anything and allows me to be my true self. I also couldn't be more proud of my talented daughters, who are growing up to be such amazing young women. I am also blessed to have wonderful parents, siblings, and grandmothers! My life is full of amazing people!

 I am extremely thankful for my job. I would be a liar if I told you that each day teaching is sunshine and rainbows, but I do love my job. I am almost always excited to start each day knowing I have some great lessons planned and getting to make such a huge impact. My students are amazing, sweet, and funny. They make me want to wring their necks and give them hugs at the same time! They also make me laugh and give me hope. I also have two awesome principals who are supportive, fun and care about kids.

 I'm thankful for all the opportunities I have because I get to live in this great country. I'm thankful for all those who helped paved the way for my freedom.

 These are things I could live without, but would rather not have to: coffee and technology. My favorite part of the day is sipping on my first cup of coffee and gearing up for the day. I also love that second cup to keep me running half way through the morning!  Technology has opened up the world to us. You have a question? Google it! Want to know how to fix something? YouTube videos! Want to connect with people from around the world?  Blogs, email, Skype, FaceTime, Facebook, and Instagram right at your fingertips.

Finally, I'm thankful for Teachers Pay Teachers! It may sound silly, but when I "discovered" TpT a few years ago, it drastically changed how I teach. My lessons improved, my classroom management improved, and my organization improved. I also found the educational blog world to be a vast collection of tried and true resources made by teachers! Now, I'm selling my products on TpT and helping make things a little easier on the budget for my family. I feel so blessed that I can pay for a new soccer uniform or cleats for my girls without having to stress about the money. The best part is that I get to use my creativity to help my family. What is better than that? Well, to show my thanks, I have two freebies for my elementary friends:

for my 2-3 grade friends

for my 3-5 grade friends