Fun and Family

I'm linking up with Blog Hoppin' this week!  Day 1 is all about Fun & Family! 

Here is our Christmas card for this year.

That's my Mother in Law, Audrey (just turned 4), Hubby, Nate (almost 8!) and me.  We are so fortunate that my MIL has come to visit us three times in the past year - last winter break, spring break, and now Thanksgiving break.  Everytime she comes, we do something super fun as a family. One thing I love about living in Hawaii is that when our friends and family come to visit, they are on real vacation and want to do fun things that we don't normally do, like see luaus and go sight seeing.  Every time someone comes to visit, it's like I get to be on vacation, too! 

But even though I love spending time with my fam, I know that I do not do such a good job of making them a priority.  You know that little thing called "work/life balance"?  Ya, me neither.  I am always doing stuff for school, my blog, TpT, hanging out on FB.  It's hard to put the computer down and go live.  I am a multitasker by nature and feel that I can do anything with my phone or computer right next to me.  But I know I can't.  2014 is going to bring some big changes, people.

via Pinterest

So, I vow to find more balance in my life.  I'm joining the online group with Ali Edwards (a fellow Oregonian - woot woot!) and choosing a One Little Word for 2014 - balance.

I vow to find balance in my life - even though I want to, I can't do it all.  That's a hard reality for me to accept.  

Via Pinterest

I will find balance at work.  I strive to be the best teacher I can.  To plan the best units to teach my standards, all while making sure my students are having fun.  However, I can't do it all.  If I don't stop trying to do it all soon, I am going to crash and burn.  I need more balance at work. 

I want to find more balance with my family.  Spending quality time together and doing things that we all enjoy, such as going to the beach, playing games, doing more art projects.  I can still do the things I like all while spending time with my family.  That is going to mean less time online.  I can find this balance. 

I can also find more time to do things that I want to do, such as sewing (I haven't done this in FOREVER!) and scuba diving.  I live in one of the most amazing places in the world to scuba.  I need to do this more often and explore more of my home.  By finding balance in my life, I can make more time to do the things that make me happy.

So what do you plan to do in 2014 that is either fun or for your family?  Do you have a One Little Word, too? 

Make sure to hop on over to my Facebook page - a group of friends and I made special Fan Only Freebies just for our followers!  I have 2 New Years specific freebies for you! 

Teaching With Style

Teaching With Love and Laughter

Fern Smith's Blog

The Teacher's Cauldron

Journey of a Substitute Teacher

Best Practices 4 Teaching

Sunny Days in Second Grade

Tales From Outside the Classroom

Going Nutty With Miss Squirrels