Reflecting

Its the end of 2013. I cannot even believe it! What a year it has been, a blessed year. This year has been amazing for me. It has been a journey of self reflection, discovery and improvement. There have been challenges, joys and triumphs.
As I went into 2013, I was ready to really focus on me. It sounds selfish, but I found that when I am taken care of in my mind, body and soul, I am a better wife, mama, friend, and teacher. The previous year I went vegan but had a relapse with cheese over the Christmas break. I felt so gross. So in 2013 I decided to recommit myself to a plant based diet. I am proud to say that I have stuck with it. I feel amazing!
I also decided that there were no excuses for not working out regularly. I am one of those people who works out consistently and then life hits a bump, a change in schedule or illness, and then I stop. I was always annoyed with myself for letting myself do this. So I recommitted. In July, for my birthday, I got the Insanity workout. I completed the 63 days! I proved to myself that I can do a lot more physically than I thought. I found that I am so much stronger than I thought. I have the ability to persevere through something really challenging. Today I am fitter than I have ever been. I wear a size that I haven't worn since high school, and weigh a lot less than I did a year ago. I have more energy, confidence and strength to focus on my days.
As I look back on 2013, I can say that I am a better Kelly than I was January 1,2013. I am proud of who I am and who God is forming me into.

Changes

Last spring I made a very difficult change. I said goodbye to my precious Oakwood Elementary. It was so hard to leave. I grew up in that place. I came there as a little 22 year old first year teacher. When I look back, I see how little I knew about teaching and myself. I left a 29 year old wife, mother of two, and National Board Certified teacher.
In my time at Oakwood, I met my husband, had two babies and made a lot of friends. I was feeling the call on my life to go back to the classroom full time. At that time there wasn't anything for me at Oakwood, so I had to apply to other schools. I went on one interview at Clarkmoor Elementary on JBLM.
Its funny looking back how God works in my life. I often tell him no, but he has other plans for me. During my interview they said there was an opening for first and fourth. I was adamant that I would only teach first and definitely fourth. Fast forward to now, and I am teaching fourth! I love it!
This was a huge change for me, but it has grown me in so many ways.