Sunday, December 9, 2012

12 in 12


12 favorite things! 
12. Favorite movie you watched: I would have to say Hunger Games. I loved reading the books sooooo much that I couldn't wait for the movie! I loved The Dark Knight Rises, just not as much.
The Hunger Games Poster

11. Favorite TV series: I am a TV junkie. Not really, but there are times I feel like I am. I love The Real Housewives of, well....any county. Love those Jersey ones the most I think. 

10. Favorite restaurant: Panera or maybe Noodles and Co.. Coop and I eat soup like every other day and both of these places have soups we enjoy!

9. Favorite new thing you tried: Teachers Pay Teachers. It was such a hard decision for me to open up an account and sell stuff, y'all have no idea! It was something I truly HAD to do. I am truly amazed that there are so many people buying my stuff. Wanna know where that money is going....honestly....it goes for daycare and rent. Without your purchases, I don't know where we would be. I.am.forever.grateful.

Pre-K, Kindergarten, First - TeachersPayTeachers.com

8. Favorite gift you got: I received some donations on my blog. Those donations allowed me to purchase clipart and get the ball rolling for TPT. Those donations brought me to my knees.

7. Favorite thing you pinned: I'm not too sure. I love Pinterest. It has helped me organize new teaching ideas, so that has been helpful!

6. Favorite blog post: The Great Giveaway. Two little flashdrives that was all I was giving away. I had 366 comments and was simply stunned. 

5. Best accomplishment: Standing on my own two feet. I haven't given my entire story on here...to be honest, I was embarrassed. But, here goes....this is the shortened version.

My husband and I had been married for 13 years. We rarely had any big problems at all. I would have said he was the best person I had ever met. We struggled to get pregnant. Encountered loss and heartache. We finally had Cooper in December of last year. Between the months of January and March, the company we had used to landscape our yard sued us. My husband claimed he had paid, but when I started going through the accounts, no money was to be found. He claimed someone stole his identity. Our entire savings was gone. In April, he was suspended with pay from his job. He was eventually fired. They accused him of stealing. His story was absurd. I thought we could still work through it with counseling. He was arrested. He never called me. I sat alone one night with a five month old terrified that something had happened to him. None of his actions made any sense at all. He was indicted. His parents bonded him out. Trial for a class.2.felony. Big scary stuff. Between June and July, I found out that he stopped paying our mortgage a year prior and that he had extracurricular activities. No phone calls came in. No notices. I was oblivious and embarrassed that I was so clueless. He became a completely different person all in the span of 3 months.

I am alone now. I support myself and Cooper without any help. Best accomplishment in my life so far.

4. Favorite picture:

3. Favorite memory: The day I held my little boy in my arms for the first time. Words will never describe how that felt.

2. Goal for 2013: To continue to make a good life for my son and I. I will make good choices which may not be the easiest. I will do right by him and always keep what he needs as my number one priority.

1. One Little Word: Grateful. Beyond words.

Link up here....
A Teeny Tiny Teacher

36 comments:

  1. You are a strong and wonderful mother.
    Never be embarrassed. YOU are doing everything right.
    Though we have never met, I have always admired your wonderful classroom creations. Have a wonderful holiday with your adorable son!

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  2. I was so glad that I opened up a TPT store! I am so thankful for the extra money I get. Also, I am a huge fan of the real housewives but can careless about the Miami and New York ones.

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  3. I love the picture of you and Coop! You look so happy! I'm sorry to hear about everything that happened to your family. Coop is lucky to have you! I love your blog, you have such wonderful ideas!
    Kari :)

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  4. You were the very first blog that I found when I stumbled onto teacher blogging (and you are still my favorite). You are such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your story. You are such strong person Coop is sooo lucky to have you as his mom! I am glad that TpT has helped make things a little easier for you both, I love your stuff and it makes my life easier.

    Sarah
    Clearly Kindergarten

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  5. Thank you for linking up and telling us your story. I'm amazed at your positive attitude and outlook. You are inspiring!! I'm so glad blogging and TpT have helped you with your day to day bills. That's so awesome.
    Cooper is too cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  6. Shannon you are remarkable! Coop is going to be so proud of his mama when (if) he ever learns of everything you've done for him. You were certainly blessed with him for a reason! I hope you know that you mean a lot to us in the bloggy world too! I've followed your blog since before you were pregnant and you have always inspired me! Thanks for all you do! Happpy Holidays!

    œKaryn
    A is for Apple B is for Blog
    Kideducator@comcast.net

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  7. You are a huge inspiration to me as a made a change to a new grade level last year. Thank you for being brave enough to share your story and strong enough to push forward for you and your son. Someday you will look back, reflect on the past and have some understanding of why life took you down this path!! It will all be worth it in the long run.

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  8. God bless you and Coop. Just keep doing everything for him and enjoy him! You are so kind to share and have such terrific ideas.

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  9. Bless you for remaining strong,your little boy is lucky to have you.
    Jill

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  10. Shannon, your blog is one of the firsts I followed. I remember spending countless hours downloading almost everything which you offered for free. You are a strong & beautiful woman! I remember reading your story about someone stealing your husband's identity but that was it. I also remember your struggle to become pregnant. I had no idea all this was going on and I feel terrible! I will keep you and your little man in my prayers. Hang in there! God has better plans for you. You have lots of wonderful free items uploaded. I know you might not want to do it, but I'd definitely suggest listing those items for sale. They are very well made and meet the common core standards. I love your stuff! I've purchased a few of your tpt items and I love them as well!

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  11. Wow. what a roller coaster of a year! Try not to be embarrassed, you didn't do anything wrong! Your little boy is adorable and very lucky to have you. Merry Christmas and here's to an amazing 2013!
    ~Andrea

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  12. Shannon,

    You are AMAZING! I'm struggling to find the words for the admiration I have for you....

    God bless you and Coop!

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  13. You are a strong mama - good for you for standing up and providing for you and your son. It is amazing what we can do when put in an awful situation!

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  14. So sorry about what happened.... you are doing an amazing job!

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  15. Shannon, Please feel pride in your walk. Feel love in your steps. You have been a blessing to teachers and they are simply thanking you. May you and Coop continued to be blessed beyond measure!

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  16. Great job standing on your own two feet! I'm sure finding out all of those things was so hard; but I'm positive you can say that you are a better person because of it! At least you have your DaRlInG son:)
    I'm with you about Panera! I could eat there everyday!

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  17. So proud of you and this year may have been the hardest, but it made you the strongest for your sweet boy! Awesome work, Shannon and here's to 2013!
    Learning With Mrs. Leeby

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  18. I have to admit I have wondered what happened and now that I know, I can't believe what an amazing person you are. You are truly my HERO and you are the S.T.R.O.N.G.E.S.T person I have ever (not) met:) Coop is such a lucky lil man....who gets more ADORABLE by the second. Love to you both and have a FANTASTIC holiday - you both deserve it!!

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  19. You should feel very proud of your accomplishments! Sometimes it takes hard times for us to realize how strong we are. I wish you well in everything you do. Keep making those wonderful units!

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  20. I first want to say, thank you for sharing. It takes a brave person to go through all of that and still make it on top! Be proud of yourself and all that you have done and will do in the future. I know how hard life can be being a single parent. I wish you all the best and a happy new year!

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  21. 2 things: GOOD FOR YOU!! what a strong woman! and How do you find the time?! Thank you for sharing your story, your blog, and of course your TPT store!!

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  22. Cooper is a beautiful boy and he is lucky to have such a strong role model in you! I hope through all the heartache and struggles you realize how incredible you are! Thanks for all you share and I am so glad you are blessed with such a beautiful little man.
    Be well,
    Rebecca

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  23. Your story brought tears to my eyes! I am going through a rough time right now too. It is different circumstances, but still a hard thing. Your story gave me such hope, in that if your were able to get through what you did, there must me light at the end for my struggle too. God bless you and little Cooper!

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  24. Cooper is lucky to have you! You have obviously survived a lot in the past year. Stay strong. You can do this!
    Kimberly
    Funky First Grade Fun

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  25. Just want you to know that you should be so proud of yourself! I could never do what you do...work full time, be a great single mom, blog every week, create new materials. I am barely holding my head above water and have nothing on you! You are an inspiration and provide me with many reasons to never complain or give up on those things which are so important to me; family and kindergarten!

    Have a very Merry Christmas and may the New Year bring you much happiness and joy!

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  26. Bless you and Cooper....I pray for you every time I use something you've created (Um, just about everything you've made!). Of course, I didn't know what had happened, just that it was big and you were hurt. Thanks for sharing your heart....may 2013 be filled with dreams come true.
    hugs, Chrissy
    ReadWriteSing

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  27. You are very brave to tell your story. I admire you for getting through all that you have had to. It is easy to see that you are doing a wonderful job with your son. I don't know how you do all that you do! Your blog is wonderful. You are an inspiration to me.
    Trish

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  28. Sorry to hear about everything you went through! Cooper is adorable!!! I am sure you are a wonderful mother! Keep up the good job and stay strong. Glad to hear you are proud of yourself, you should be!! Hugs!

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  29. I love your blog and have followed it for over a year. I get lots of great ideas from you. I'm so sorry about what you've been through but I promise(from experience) that you will survive and you will become stronger and wiser and a better person. It's hard to see that now but it will come. Stay strong and keep your head up high and love that little boy of yours!

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  30. You are such a strong person to share your story. I wish you the best raising your son. You can turn everything around for yourself!!!

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  31. Shannon, you are one of the most courageous, creative and inspiring women I have ever met. I am in awe of your strength. Thank you for sharing your story & all of your talents with us. Thank you for the "Quirke Alerts" and the smiles you bring to my children's faces. Thank you for teaching at my neighborhood school. I feel honored to know you. Merry Christmas to you & Coop. :)

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  32. I feel as if I know you even though it's just through your blog. Your blog was the first one I was introduced to and have been following it ever since. I have to say it's one of my top 3 favorites! I followed you through your struggles of having a baby, your pregnancy, and when you said something was up with your husband's identity. Each time I read your blogs, I would think to myself, this woman and I could be friends for real! We have so much in common--we both teach Kindergarten, I myself struggled with fertility issues and was ready to start the adoption process with my then husband. About a year ago, my husband of 10 years abandoned me as well, leaving me for someone else. I'm not sure how you do it with a little one, as I struggle with just me to take care of! Thank you for sharing your story, as I KNOW it takes strength, courage, and faith to make each day happen! You should be very proud of yourself! :)

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  33. I just clicked on your blog and instantly liked it. Then I read your story and instantly liked you! There's a song I like. Don't know the name but it says, God might let you bend, but He won't let you break. You're a strong person. You can do it!!..I'm glad I found your cute blog. Hop on over and check mine out when you get a chance.
    I hope you and Cooper and enjoying your break together!!
    Christy
    Mrs. Christy’s Leaping Loopers

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  34. I just read your blog for the first time right now. It's very inspiring. I am sorry for the struggles you went through 3 years ago. I hope things are more stable for you and Cooper now. I am kindergarten teacher in the Cleveland area. Thank you for the wonderful resources you have provided for other teachers.

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  35. I just read your blog for the first time right now and found it to be very inspiring. I'm sorry to hear about the struggles you went through 3 years ago. I hope you and Cooper are in a stable place now. I am a kindergarten teacher in Cleveland, than you for providing wonderful resources for us!

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