18 July 2014

The Last 22 Days {In Pictures}

I've been spending the last couple of days recuperating.  It's been a loooooooong month.  In the best way possible.  

Around the end of June, we drove 19ish hours to Indiana and stayed a few days with our family.



A few days after we got there, I drove a couple of hours to meet up with some of my favorite friends for our annual (6 hour) lunch.  

(left to right... Amanda from One Extra Degree,  Michelle from Fabulous in First, and Abby and Faith from The Inspired Apple}


A few days after that, we all hopped back in the Kia and headed north to Michigan...another 3ish hours...and stayed a few days for our annual July 4th festivities.  SO.MUCH.FUN!!



When everyone was headed back to Indiana, Mr. Spouse and I detoured to the airport and headed west to Vegas.  Praise the Lord we flew for that trip!!  



We stayed in Vegas for about 6 days and almost couldn't come home because that city took all our money :) 

We flew back to Michigan.

Then drove 3 more hours to pick up the boys in Indiana.



And after taking a day to rest, we loaded everything up and started our 2-day trek back to Texas.  

I.AM.WIPED.

All that to be said, it really has been an AMAZING month!!!!  Busy, yes.  But WONDERFUL!

Now I'm gonna back it up a little bit and try to highlight my stay in Vegas.  



I was so excited...and so very, very nervous...to present at the I Teach 1st conference.  I ripped the band-aid off my first day there and got 4 of my presentations out of the way.  I met the kindest, most fantastic teachers!!!!  They were so sweet and put my anxious little heart right at ease.  PTL. 
I had the BEST time with these ladies!!!


My family came to Vegas, too.  They're 12 kinds of fun and I had a blast spending time with them, too!  



And did I tell y'all that my brother proposed to his girlfriend while we were there?!!?  He DID!!!  And we were all there to see it go down!  We went down to Fremont Street on Tuesday night and he had all of us girls take a picture together.  While Mr. Spouse was snapping away, my brother got down on one knee behind us....



Then we all moved out of the way and his girlfriend was in shock!




It was so perfect and I loved getting to be part of it!

The rest of the week in Vegas was equally as perfect.  I had SUCH a great time at the Teacher/Blogger Meet up on Wednesday.  It was a madhouse. An absolute madhouse.  But I mean that in the best way possible!  The energy was palpable.  It was like a going to a high school reunion with 700 of your closest {blogging} friends :)  I was so excited to meet so many talented and amazing teachers/bloggers.  I really can't articulate how amazing it was!  You'll just have to come next year so you can see for yourself :)


One of the best things about being in Vegas was having Mr. Spouse there with me. I love that man.  And I know we've been celebrating our anniversary like it's 1999, but we went ahead and continued those festivities at dinner while we were there.  If you love sushi, Sushi Samba is the BEST!!!  SO good!!!



We ended the week on a high note, for sure.  The TpT conference was everything I hoped it would be...and then some.  My dear friend, Deanna, gave the most heartfelt and inspiring keynote speeches.  I've heard her story a million times, but hearing her tell it to a crowd of 800 people was indescribable.  I love that girl.  




I was so excited to meet Paul {TpT founder} and Amy.  How do you say "thank you" to someone who has literally help change your life both personally and professionally?!?!!  You don't.  You just hug it out and hope he knows how grateful I am for his genius.


My favorite thing about Vegas was spending it with these girls.


These people are #mytribe.  




I love them.  They are crazy.  And amazing.  And ALWAYS there for me.  We're always there for each other.  Hands down, these friendships are the best thing about my blogging/TpT journey.  I mean, how could I NOT love these faces?!?!?!??!


Now that you've made it through the LONGEST.POST.EVER, you can head on over to my little shop for a freebie!




I actually had these in my store since starting TpT back in 2010, but I deactivated it last year to update the fonts and graphics.  I never got around to it until just a few days ago, so it's back up and ready to download for FREE!!!



And here's today's Christmas in July deal!  






Don't forget to follow me on FB to keep up with all the latest freebies, sales, and ideas!!  



19 comments:

  1. I can't wait to go to the "I teach 1st" Conference and the TPT conference, there's no way I'm missing it next year! It would be great to meet you if you are there next year. You are truly inspirational :)

    Erika
    Teach Train Triumph!

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  2. Woah girl, that is a lot going on! I'm so excited that I'm moving from 3rd to 1st this year!! Yay! I teach 1st conference here I come :)

    Little In Betweens

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  3. It was just AMAZING to meet you! I can't wait for Vegas 2015!! Congrats to your brother and his cute lady!!

    Christy
    Crayons and Whimsy

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  4. Loved, loved, loved getting to meet you! You are just as I imagined you....adorable, spunky, and sweet! Can't wait til next year!!!

    Natalie
    Teachery Tidbits

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  5. I attended your Be Cool with Back to School for I teach K! And it was my favorite presentation! You were so sweet to take a picture with me too!! Thank you, you are my teaching idol and I was SO excited to meet you- I couldn't even eat lunch that day!! Thanks for all your amazing products and inspiration!!

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  6. Hi Cara,

    This is a bit off topic - but where did you get that gorgeous top you are wearing in the photos with Paul and Amy? :)

    Lauren
    Love, Laughter and Learning in Prep!

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  7. Cara, you have been such an inspiration to me for several years now. I cannot wait to go to Vegas next summer. I love that you share so many sweet family pictures! I absolutely love those proposal pictures. :) So fun!

    Jenny
    Livin’ the Third Grade Dream

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  8. One day I'll make it to the US to join in your fun but for now even reading about it is inspirational!
    From Australia with love
    Julie :-)
    Mrs Stowe's Kinder Cottage

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  9. I hope that I have the opportunity to go next year and meet so many inspirational bloggers!

    Linda
    Down the Learning Road

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  10. Thanks for sharing your fun. I hope to make the conference one year. Do you ever take a bad picture, girl? You're cute as a button!
    Preschool Wonders

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  11. Seriously jealous of all that fun!

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  12. It was so great to finally meet you IRL. I'm already excited for next year's trip to Vegas!

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  13. Oh my girl, that is a long time to be away from home! It was great to see you in Vegas, you were awesome. Enjoy the rest of your summer with your boys.

    Renee
    Fantastic First Grade Froggies

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  14. You are always dresses so cute! Please share where all your cute outfits are from. :)

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  15. Thank you for the super cute goodbye rhymes freebie! My 2nd graders have loved using those over the years. :) It's such a great idea to have a "Christmas in July" sale!

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  16. I am exhausted from reading your post! Wow...what a busy, but fun month! Loved looking at all your pictures and how sweet was the proposal...love it!

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  17. Meeting you in Vegas was a highlight of my trip!! You are just as cute IRL. Thanks for continuing to inspire =)
    Deirdre
    A Burst of First

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