2013

Recapping an entire year in one post is hard.  I've come back to this one over and over, trying to figure out how I want to approach it.  I've decided to share thirteen pictures that represent my 2013.  Enjoy the highlights in chronological order.

January gave me plenty of snow days to enjoy and some weekends with these cuties in Kansas City!

I enjoyed another Spring Break down in Oklahoma with my grandparents (wild, I know).  We always have such a fun time together at Papa's CPA office, shopping, watching March Madness, and hitting up Toby Keith's restaurant and the casino. 

I celebrated the big 2-6 while Grandma Sauder celebrated the big 9-3 in May. 

I just so happened to enjoy my birthday aboard the Disney cruise ship, Dream.  The Bahamas treated me well.  

I enjoyed a girls weekend in KC with some great friends in June. 

Summer time also had me busy setting up my new classroom as I became an Andover Trojan.

My mom's side of the family enjoyed a weekend in Norman and OKC together in June.  

And for July....

I got a tattoo.  Surprise!  I got a sun on my foot after inspiration from Joshua 10 in the Bible.  Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still in battle and God answered that prayer.  The sun remained out for 24 hours straight.  I loved the idea of trusting God for such impossible things!

In September we celebrated my dad and Matt's birthdays over Labor Day weekend. 

We took a girls trip in October to enjoy Disney's Food and Wine Festival for MaKenzie's 21st.

December was a big month as I graduated with my masters, celebrated Christmas with family, and went to Austin, TX. 

Here's to another great year! 

Christmas 2013

It's hard to believe that the Christmas season has already come and gone and it's 2014!  My break seemed extra quick this year as I had to go back to school January 2nd.  (Insert rolling of eyes from all the non-teachers out there.)  I feel like this break was a taste of what a "real" job would be like, having to go back to work right after the 1st...and know that I want nothing to do with that.

I spent the first half of my break back in the Bend with my family.  It was a great time of playing cards, sipping hot chocolate, and celebrating the birth of our Savior.  We went to my parents' church's Christmas Eve service and heard a great sermon on Jesus coming as the light of the world and were reminded that He will come back again.  I'm so thankful to serve a God that made a way for me to know Him through His own son.

Enjoy some pics of the festivities.

Great Bend got over a foot of snow!

Reese thought the snow scraper was an extra large hair brush. 

It's tough to choose between purple or orange in our house, so Reesie received two cheerleader outfits. 

A snowman had to be made with all that snow!  The Kid and Dad were the hard workers on that one.

I spent the second half of my break in a much warmer place when I traveled down to Austin, TX with Scott and some of his family to visit one of his sisters living down there.  We had a great time soaking up the 60+ degree weather, outlet malls, touring the Alamo and River Walk in San Antonio, visiting IKEA, and teaching me how to play Pitch.  And I must say, I wasn't half bad.

  A group of us enjoyed an afternoon of hiking and making our way through a park.  There were so many people out running and exercising that I was motivated to run...a few steps...I'd say more of a gallop. (See top left pic)  No one there had to know that I struggled to even find my tennis shoes to pack for this trip.  

We enjoyed a treat from the food truck, Hey Cupcake, and some delicious tacos at Wahoo's. 

Austin's motto is: Keep Austin Weird.  I'd say we helped contribute to that cause.  

Happy 2014!  Get excited for my "2013-Year in Review" post.  

The Hassle was Worth the Tassel

So remember the good ol' days when I used to post about working on those beloved master's classes and trying to find motivation to write papers and submit projects??  Well I officially finished my last class and portfolio in August and enjoyed my short walk across the stage a few weekends ago.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to mess with walking or not, but now I'm so glad I did.  It just felt like such an accomplishment and my family, grandparents, and Scott and I celebrated the whole weekend in style complete with a cake and night out on the Plaza in Kansas City.

A peak at the hassle...when I'd watch Kelly and Michael while working. 

The tassel...check out that hood!

I received my Masters of Arts in Education through Baker University at their Wichita location.  The ceremony was in Baldwin City, so Jana hosted us at her place in Olathe for the weekend.  

Jana had the cutest cake made for the party...strawberry, my favorite!  The ceremony was complete with bagpipes leading us in and a speech from the president of the University.  I must say, I hadn't done much of my Baker background knowledge before starting the program.  I had heard nothing but good things, the classes were just 7 weeks long, and the mascot is another wildcat, which were all enough to get me to fork over my money.  I had a great experience and would definitely recommend Baker!

Being "hooded" 

After the ceremony we headed to the Plaza and enjoyed a yummy Italian dinner at Buca di Beppo's.  It's an underground restaurant that serves family style pasta goodness.  We were going to attempt a carriage ride or walk along the streets to enjoy the shops and Christmas lights, but the cold led us into Starbuck's and then to our warm cars to head home.  It was such a fun weekend that really proved all the hassle really was worth the tassel. ;)