<center><a href="http://www.shapinguptobeamom.com/"><img src="http://beautyandtheboysblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2v2dr4m.png" /></a></center>

Today I am hosting the 2013 edition of a year in review with the lovely ladies mentioned above. You can make it about life or blogging or both. The choice is up to you! The link will be open for a week so, get your post written and come linking up with us! I decided to do mine about things I have shared on my blog because I write about life.

January

- Kicked off with a major owie for Jay that I shared in a coffee date post. It was scary and gross!
- I shared my word for the year of 2013 & I’m glad to say, for the most part, I stuck to it.

- I did my first photo shoot & it was for my parents.

- I shared a few things about what I thought Being a mother is.

February

- I celebrated two years of blogging.
- I shared how a beautiful sunset calmed my nerves – sunsets have a funny way of doing that huh. I’m really glad I blogged about this and have these gorgeous pictures to look back on.

- I opened up about my spots on the blog & my emotions were very raw and real.
- I talked about the scar that goes down the center of my chest.
- I love these pictures of a trip we took to the park. This momma is truly blessed with three handsome guys in her life.

March

- I opened up about my anxiety.
- I shared three of my blog crushes.
- Hubby had surgery and I had a little something to say about if your husband is going to have surgery..
- I shared some pretty pictures of How beautiful spring days..

- Turn into wonderful spring nights..
- I started dabbling into what I wore posts a bit more & this was one of my favorites from this month.

- To the soon to be mom, the new mom, the mom of one, the mom or two.. this one’s for you.

April

- I kicked off the month with a bit of a rant.
- I shared part one & two of Jay’s birth story and then went on to share his fun birthday party.

- I have this weird obsession with sharpies, I love them and I love creating with them. I shared a few of those creations on the blog.

May

- I decided to go a little deep with my writing and talked about how God is my light.
- I did a little rhyming in a post, I have to admit it was fun!
- I talked about ten simple things that make me happy.
- Watching them be little is one of my favorite things about being a momma.

- After such a hard devastating tragedy, I wrote about how we must live for them.
- Summer was coming fast and I thought it would be fun to share my summer style so, that’s exactly what I did.

June

- I kicked off June by sharing my favorite summer dress from Kiki La’Rue. I can’t wait for spring/summer so I can wear it again!

- I talked about how sometimes I just feel like I’m failing at this whole motherhood thing.. can you relate?
- After talking about my summer style, I decided to show you what my summer style looks like on me. Oh, I long for those summer days again.

- I brought the topic of bullying to my blog, I interviewed my mother who was bullied a lot growing up and I shared how I knew how it felt. Something I’ve never cared to admit was that I was bullied and I finally admitted it.

July 

- Started out with me sharing my all day date with Kage. I cherish those little dates with my boys.
- I found out that I had a herniated disc, not one, but two. – I didn’t let the news stop me from dressing up for the fourth of July. I think it was the most festive I’ve been in awhile!

- I shared how I fought back tears on a rainy night, sitting in the drive through of a fast food restaurant because Jay warmed my heart.
- I got my MRI results and they shook me to my core. Thank God the thing that couldn’t be identified was nothing serious and I later found out it is arthritis, but those MRI results let me know my life was about to change.
- I opened up about being broken. Re-reading this post brought tears to my eyes because while I have found my inner strength, I still have many days like this.
- I ended July with a little glimpse into my day.

August 

- I talked about how thankful I was to have such an amazing family.
- I taught Jay how to spell with blocks & a dry erase marker!
- I shared my favorite pork chop recipe!

- I opened up about how this is my real life and I’m tired of some bloggers just seeming overly fake.
- I decided to give our dresser a makeover and I absolutely love it!
- Playing in the rain as a kid is just a right of passage. You just have to let them and don’t forget to snap pictures when you do!

- I ended August with a fun little DIY teacher gift. It’s still one of my biggest hits to date.

September 

- I kicked off with party two of my summer style. – I talked about how God or life depending on your belief, throws tests and you and how sometimes those tests are just down right hard.
- I asked if you could relate to how I feel about screwing up in motherhood – yeah, I know I talked about it before, but this time was a little different.
- I wrote a post wondering if they will remember things that we did with them when they were younger, especially with their daddy. I love the bond between my husband and our boys and I hope it’s something they always remember.
- I shared a yummy recipe for popcorn chicken salad and it was sooooo good.

- I jumped on the washi tape train and shared a little DIY mailbox I made with it.

- I went on a little rant about the worst thing about being a woman. I love that post.

October

- I talked about how the moments and memories we made on this day, are ones I hope they hold onto the most.
- Life can be stressful and hard so every once in awhile, you gotta throw a little unexpected fun into it.

- I opened up and talked about how sometimes you just have to cry, you just gotta let it out.
- I shared that I am okay with being different. Another post I love.

- I talked about how time is already going so fast and that we should live in the moment, some people missed the whole point of that post and disagreed with me, but that’s okay too.
- I decided to share my favorite makeup products, you definitely want to check this post out.
- I shared another outfit that was a big hit and people couldn’t believe where I got my favorite leggings from!

- I ended October with sharing the first pumpkin we carved!

November 

- Started off with a recap of our Halloween.
- Since I shared my favorite makeup products, I went ahead and shared my favorite hair products as well.

- I tried out a new recipe and they turned out amazing!

- I talked about how so often we wish away time and yet, we always wind up wishing we had more of it.
- I shared my all time favorite pictures that I have ever taken and I referred to the light as Golden honey.

- On my birthday I wrote a letter to my future self.
- I got crafty again and shared a super fun Joy sign I made out of gum.

- I also shared a little DIY Advent calender that was super easy to make.
- I wrote a post dedicated to Kage on his birthday. I still can’t believe he is four.

December 

- I kicked off December by showing y’all the angry birds decor for Kage’s birthday party.

- When Paul Walker passed away, it hurt me more than I ever dreamed it would and I had to write a letter to him.
- I let the boys have some fun playing in the leaves, what is about leaves and kids that is just so much fun?
- I got a little pissed off about everyone complaining about being “trapped” with their families.
- I talked about how I beat writers block because, let’s face it.. it happens to all of us writers.

- I opened up about what I want my kids to know.
- I got crafty again and shared a last minute stocking stuffer for kids and for your husband.

- I finally did a fashion post with my tripod and Kage got in on the pictures.

- To end it I shared some pictures of our Christmas.

Wow if you made it through all that I applaud you. Really though, it was so hard to sum up an entire year when SO much has gone on. I left a ton out which you easily find in the archives, but these are the things I wanted to put in this recap! Sorry it’s so long, but if you took the time to read it, thank you from the bottom of my heart and I hope you have a wonderful New Years!

———————————
Stay connected with me:

1. If you could write a book, what would it be about?
- It would be filled with passion and romance. It would be filled with action and adventure. It would be cozy and exciting!

2. If you had to read one book or trilogy for the rest of your life, what would it be?
- One book would be Northern Lights, one trilogy would be The Hunger games!

3. Who is your current favorite book character and why?
- Katniss, hands down. She cares so much about her family. She is willing to die for her sister, to fight for what should be fought for. She is willing to risk it all at the cost of her freedom and the people she loves freedom! She is strong and beautiful.

4. Is there a book your read every year during the holiday season? If so, what is it and why?
- Mmmm, I don’t really have a favorite Christmas book. I guess I need to get one.

5. Do you have any books on your Christmas list? Name a few.
- Umm, pretty much any book from Nora Roberts that I don’t have and any book from Nicholas sparks that I don’t have. They are my two favorite authors!

6. What is a book you read and loved that you didn’t expect to?
- The lightbearers. Once I read the description I was like ummm, I dunno about this and then I wound up loving it!

Also be sure to join us for the twitter party at 7pm CST! We are discussing Safe Haven {an amazing book} & there is a few great prizes up for grabs! See y’all there!

Don’t you just love my mismatched pajamas? I was too lazy to change into something matching and I like to keep things real anyway.

I have missed being apart of the Literary Junkies Book Club and I am joining back in!

1) What are you currently reading? Tell us about it!
I am reading Hot Ice by Nora Roberts. It is a tale of two people who are more opposite than you would think. When they meet under dangerous circumstances, she helps save his life and he promises to pay her back when he gets to his pot of gold, he just needs the money to get to it. She refuses to let him go without her, she refuses to trust him. As they race against the enemy to this treasure in Madagascar they only hope is there. Their lives are on the line, as is their hearts. It’s a passionate, funny & exciting book that will leave you unable to put it down.

I could probably describe it better, but I am super tired as I write this.

2) How many books have you read this year? Do you set reading goals for yourself?
Oh gosh, I don’t even know how many books I have read this year. I am always reading! No, I don’t set reading goals for myself, I’ve never really needed or wanted to.

3) What do you think are the best and worst book-to-movie/TV show adaptations?Ugh. I hate when this happens, but the worst one I have seen is, Tribute by Nora Roberts. The book was AMAZING and the movie downright sucked.

4) What is the first line of your favorite book?
Since Hot Ice is one of my favorite books here is the first line – “He was running for his life. And it wasn’t the first time.”

5) What’s your favorite quote from a book?
“I don’t kick a man when he’s down, unless I’m the one who put him down in the first place. I don’t put him down unless he deserves it. And I don’t break my word if I give it. So I’ll give you my word.” — Northern Lights by Nora Roberts.

———————–

Ellie Coburn // elliecoburn.com | Christina Soto // Piecing it all together | Shane Prather // Whispering Sweet Nothings | Vicki // My Vickilicious Life | Kristine Foley // The Foley Fam | Jenny // Diary of a Dreamer | Nina // Nina’s Bargain Beauty | Ashley Griffith // After Nine to Five | Christine Rosko // Life With a Side of Coffee | Megan Flynn // Freckled Italian Kendra Newton // Kandid Kendra | Julie Grimmett // Julie is Coco and Cocoa | Kayla Leppelman // Love Sparkle Pretty | Ashlea Durrett // Ashlea with an A | Sarah Hallstead // A Plethora of Pondering’s blog | Cassie Yielding // Live. Laugh. Love. | Laura Euler // Storybook Reality | Brett // What Happens at Bakertown | Brittany Trevino // Sunny Tales and Happy Mail | Ashley Wilhite // Your Super Awesome Life | Eliza St. Clair // Case Study | Diana // Fly to the Wall | Elle // Dig Deep Studio | Cody Doll // Catching Cody K. | Wendy E. // Blush and Barbells | Brenda Wilkerson // Don’t Stop Believing
Today is an exciting day, new friends! Welcome to the first ever community fair for women empowerment. 

My name is Ellie Coburn, I’m the owner and founder of the Speak Now Organization and movement for women empowerment. 
Today exists to inspire you to love yourself.Today exists to challenge you to empower yourself.
Today exists to spark a movement that is of such importance…..
A movement of self-worth, self-appriciation, and self-love.A movement that strives to create a community thousands strong of women who believe in themselves and their abilities. 

Today Speak Now is teaming up with 30+ bloggers, woman, and empowerment leaders and telling you that you are beautiful. 

Why are we here sharing this information with you?

We live in a culture that defines our successes based on our weight, general appearance, or financial successes. A culture of female mothers, lawyers, doctors, waitresses, bloggers, realtors, house maids, interior designers, graphic designers, photographers, and endless other lifestyle choices. Interestingly, despite our dynamic differences based on demographics or choices we are expected to fit in with the expectation of the “ideal woman” Today we are here to tell you: 

Speak Now exists to inspire and empower you to look in the mirror each day and pledge to love yourself. Are you in? 

Link Up Below to Show your support. Be sure to share your support with family, friends, and fellow bloggers.Like us on Facebook to stay connected!

Special Thanks to, Sarah Moog, Casey Wiegand of the Wiegands, Annelise Rowe of Aunie Sauce, and  Jenni of Story of My Life

This Event is Sponsored By: 

The Transformation Survival Guide

———————–