2012 in Review

We drove home from DC  yesterday in a brand new truck!!  It was a very Merry Christmas for Andrew!

2012 was an amazing year.  Most excitingly, Andrew didn't get deployed, and we enjoyed spending a full year  together.  This was actually the first time in the history of our almost 10-year relationship where we haven't been long-distance from each other during the calendar year, either because of college or deployment!

Also, this little blog did a lot of growing in the past year - I blogged every day, which was no easy task!  I thought it would be fun to recap the year - with links to some of my favorite past posts - and re-live all of the great memories that were made in 2012.

January
I set some goals - I resolved to post daily on the blog, and created my 101 in 1001 list.  I got a new car, learned to sew, started getting more comfortable in the kitchen, and got serious about training for a half-marathon.  I also worked on my style by getting a few new pairs of shoes and chopping off my hair.

February
I took more sewing classes - applique (part I and II) and serger.  I finished my first month-long boot camp (and fell in love with the TRX and kettlebells) and made some great friends in the process.  Andrew and I went to New Orleans to experience the madness that is Mardi Gras. (trip recaps start here)

March
I started to prepare for our move from Georgia to North Carolina, by packing and transferring my teaching license.  I ran my half marathon, and somehow despite all of the running I was doing, I also managed to "exercise across America" at the gym on post.  Hunger Games the movie came out.  I headed out to NC early and found us our new home!  Before I left, I sewed this tablecloth for my friend's daughter's birthday party.

April
We moved into our new house with minimal injuries.  Avery wasn't the only one who was happy to be done with apartment living!  I experienced amazing North Carolina strawberries and used them to make some delicious recipes.  I got a part-time job as a tutor as I continued to search for a teaching job for the fall.  My blog continued to grow as I reached 50 followers and I hosted my first giveaway.

May
We realized that it was hard to get to the gym since it is so far away, so we brought the gym to us!  I secured a teaching job for the fall (which I later ended up not taking).  It was Military Spouse Appreciation Day, so I shared some of the things I like most about being a mil-spouse.  Andrew and I explored our new city with a dinner-and-the-theater date night and a trip to a local food festival.  I got on the Birchbox bandwagon.

June
I spent the day in Charlotte visiting my friend Caroline.  I got hooked on Emily's season of The Bachelorette.  Andrew and I celebrated his birthday by going rock climbing!  His parents came out to visit us, and Avery got to play in the pool with her best dog friend, Annie.  It started to get really, disgustingly hot and humid out, and I was not happy.  I got hired to teach at a different school, and I accepted the position (hence, why I had to turn down the job from the previous month!).

July
I escaped the heat of the Southern summer with a trip to California to visit my family!  We went to the San Diego County Fair, and I also got to have some fun with my two best friends while I was out there.  I gave you the "blogger 411" and I gave my blog a big make-over, which is basically the design you see now.

August
Andrew and I celebrated our 3-year wedding anniversary with a traditional anniversary gift exchange and a weekend away at Myrtle Beach (which I never ended up recapping - oops).  It was amazing, but a little stressful because Avery got pretty sick right before we left (but the vet took great care of her!).  I started swapping sponsors on the blog.  The school year started and I was so happy to be back in the classroom, but also a little nervous.  I had fun setting up my classroom.

September
As the school year started, I started to get overwhelmed and realized I needed to find balance quickly.  It took me a little while... but at least I looked good.  I shared the story of how we got our sweet Avery.  Work tried to take over my life, but setting weekly goal lists kept me sane.

October
Jenn's and my "blog baby" - 5 for Five - was born (thank you SO MUCH for supporting us)!  My friend had an actual baby, and I made a diaper motorcycle.  I participated in my first blogger gift swap.  Andrew and I continued to explore North Carolina by heading to the NC State Fair and the pumpkin patch.  We also saw a few movies.  Halloween was on a school night, so we didn't dress up - but Avery did (she always does!).

November
I entered yet another blogger gift swap (I was hooked!) to welcome the fall.  I voted.  Avery and I played fetch a lot.  I had my first really bad day at work, and was very excited for my Thanksgiving break.  I ended up getting really sick but made the most of it.  Once Thanksgiving was over, I started to get really, really excited for Christmas!

December
I felt the holiday spirit as well as the holiday crunch as Christmas came closer, but I was extremely productive.  I made some Christmas treats, Avery mastered a new trick, and I showed off my guest bedroom.  I celebrated my 28th birthday by joining in yet another blogger gift swap!  I wore my holiday best during my last week at school before break, and headed off to DC to spend Christmas with the in-laws (and will recap our fun trip soon).  We rang in the new year, and we're excited to see what 2013 will bring us!

Thanks for a great time, 2012!  

2013, I hope you are even more exciting!  I can't wait to see what great things are in store for us (and for this blog) in the upcoming year!!

I'm joining in the Wednesday Walkabout Blog Hop with Jane, Jamie, Chantal, and Sara!