At this point, I think I start every blog post with an apology for my prolonged absence (this time seven months – oops!). I suppose I should add “be better about updating the blog!” to my list of resolutions for this next year!

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When I started this blog, I had a lot of big plans and visions for what this space was going to be. I wondered if I might create a space to share fun stories from my classroom or unique lesson plans that I had created, a place to give advice or impart wisdom, or maybe a way to connect with other educators (past, present, or future). It’s turned into a blog for…well…I’m not quite sure. A little bit of sharing stories, a little bit of useful advice (or, at least, advice I hope has been useful), and maybe a little bit of connecting?!

I was just looking over my posts from these last three years of blogging and I realized that, in the end, this space has really become more of a haven for me – a safe space to share my fears, trials, triumphs, struggles, successes, adventures, and everything in between. In my first two years of teaching, it seemed that I needed more of that safe space (listen, it was a stressful time okay?!). But these past two years have been…well…different.

Honestly, I feel like I just haven’t had as much to write or share these last few months. My job is fantastic. I love my school, I love my students, and I love this career that I’m blessed to be a part of. I think it’s time, then, for this space to change a little bit – goodness knows I’ve changed these past years!

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Last year in December I was getting ready to turn 25. This, at the time, felt like a really big deal to me. I watched as many of my friends turned 24 and 25 and had some of the biggest years of their lives: engagements, marriages, houses, pregnancies, babies – you name it. I couldn’t help but compare those experiences to my own life (spoiler alert: I don’t have any of the things from the previously mentioned list). As I neared my 25^th birthday, I truly felt like I was failing – obviously I must be doing something wrong to be so far behind, right?

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Let me tell you this: I could not have possibly been more wrong. Every day of year 25 proved to me that I was exactly where I needed to be.  

I just turned 26 and I’m not sure I’ve ever been more excited for a birthday or a new year.

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So it’s time for a little blog change. One that reflects not only the trials and struggles that I have faced/will face, but one that also celebrates all of the wonderful and exciting things that are happening – not only in my life as a teacher (which is a pretty great life!), but just in this pretty great life in general.

I’ve shared in past blog posts about my “theme song” that I’ve chosen the last few years (one year was an anthem to encourage me through my difficult days, another year was an anthem for celebration, etc.). This year, I’ve chosen a song to serve as a reminder of how far I’ve come and how blessed I am. I “rang in” my first day as a 26-year-old by dancing around my living room with my family and blasting “I’m So Blessed” by Cain. “I’m so blessed, I’m so blessed / Got this heartbeat in my chest / No, it doesn’t matter about the rest / If I got You Lord, I’m so blessed” – Amen!!

The lyrics are true – I am so blessed! Blessed to have a blog post space to have served as a haven for me in my darkest days. Blessed to be part of a career that I love. Blessed to have another year for learning and growing and laughing and loving. Blessed to have you, whoever you are, reading this post.

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Cheers to another year, to new resolutions (like updating this space more regularly!), and to another year of blessings. Here I come 2024!