FREE planner sheets

Today I am creating planning sheets to help keep our summer homeschooling organized.  They aren't perfect or fancy by any means, but they'll get the job done.  That is, if I remember to not only fill them out, but also refer back to them!  ha! 

You're surely welcome to take a peek and use them if you'd like!

 

 

Click Here to download a WEEKLY PLANNING SHEET

 

Click Here to download a DAILY PLANNING SHEET {2 days per sheet}

Last Day of School!

It's our last official day of homeschool for this school year!  That is as long as everything that is supposed to get finished, gets finished today. ;) 

 We will have about a week off.  During that time we will do Vacation Bible School, and just PLAY.  Then we start SUMMER HOMESCHOOL!  Fun, right?  Well, actually I kind of think it is!  I'm sort of a nerd like that though. 

This summer we are learning about baseball, as the boy starts T-Ball for the first year.  I'm looking forward to the experience he will have.  It's so  much more than just a game.  He will learn:

Accountability, Adaptability, Adjustment, Assertiveness, Character, Courage, Competitiveness, Confidence, Composure, Dignity, Determination, Ethics, Endurance, Goal Setting, Honor, Humility, Humor, Integrity, Loyalty, Leadership, Obedience, Passion, Patience, Resolve, Self discipline, Self control, Sportsmanship, Time management skills, Teamwork, Strength (mental & physical).

-According to Baseball Excellence 

I'm not looking forward to sitting in the hot sun and dodging balls, but I'll just have to adjust.

 

I will have my oldest home form public school for the summer (she's get out Monday), and I'm just so looking forward to having all of us together each day. 
Home is where the heart is, ya know?
So with the two big kids we will be studying/practicing:
Math- using simple sheets from SoftSchools (addition/subtraction for the boy, multiplication & maybe division for the girl).
Reading- using the summer reading program at the library as our guide and encouragement.

 I also downloaded some unit studies and speedy lapbooks to use this summer, from CurrClick .  We'll be going over Moon Phases, Tornadoes, The Sun, and Flag Day during the month of June.
I am trying to keep everything simple, so we aren't overwhelmed with school work.  After all, it IS summer break!

This is my absolute favorite time of year for so many reasons, but these are my top 5:

1. The garden will soon be planted.
2. Evening walks with my love.
3. All 3 kids home each day.
4. More time for family, friends, and neighbors.
5. No time constraints (bed time, and morning alarm).

Waiting, or Doing?

I've had so many spiritual boosts lately.  It was a wonderful morning at MOPS where 3 women shared their stories of how God is working in their lives.  My heart was touched and it left me thinking of MY life.  How is God using me?  I have long thought that I'm pretty insignificant and unimportant.  Not in a "poor me", low self-esteem way, but just in a "I guess I missed my calling" sort of way.

Today I realized today that I'm not worthless. 

I wanted to do so many great things with my life, I had high hopes of someday finding a cure for Alzheimer's, or being a lawyer that defends children in child custody cases.  I never matured and got serious about pursuing those dreams.  And now, those dreams have passed, and right now I honestly don't know *what* on Earth I want to be doing with my life, or where it is headed. 
I've been waiting for my chance to do something great mighty.  While I've been waiting for the next BIG thing I've passed up a whole lot of life just sitting idle & waiting, rather than seeking out where I should be.

I've spent years regretting being married, thinking there is someone better out there for me, and that my husband deserves someone better who is actually doing something with their life.  I've spent years thinking I am the least qualified woman to raise these children, even though I love mothering and the joy I get, I feel like these kids could care less as long as they're fed.  They show no appreciation for what I do.  I've spent years wishing I was a better friend, and years wishing that I was something important.

All of these years I've been waiting, I haven't been doing a thing about accepting where I am.  What a waste.  I'm so ashamed.

I checked Facebook when I got home this afternoon, and yet again, another spiritual boost. 

God calling me to quit WAITING and start DOING. 

 

What are you waiting for?  Or what are you doing? 

Mother's Day

It was just an hour before it officially turned "Mother's Day".  I was sitting on the bed talking with the Princess & the Prince and listening to their stories. The Baby was sitting on my lap, and out of nowhere she spits up on my "good sweatpants".... I smile, wipe it off & keep listening.  In my head, I was reminded of my teen-mom days, when something like this would cause me to change my outfit in disgust and immediately try to wash out whatever got on my clothes.  A few minutes later we are saying prayers and we hear a noise outside. The Princess gets scared.  The lights got flipped off and I stuck my head between the curtain and the window to see what was going on.  Someone was lighting off fireworks for me!  I can only assume it was for me, since it is just about to be MY day.  Mr. Awesome and The Princess put on shoes and take off down the street to check it out.  Yes, at 11pm.  I tell the kids how thoughtful that someone did that, even though I couldn't see the fireworks very well I appreciated the thought.  The oldest rolls her eyes.  She reminds me, of me.  Knowing these are the moments that make up motherhood, I am thankful. 

What to wear?

http://bible.us/116/col3.12.nlt Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

I must remember this:
As I complement a friend on a materialistic accessory...

As I look at my closet & realize, I've not much to wear...

As my daughter comes up the stairs & at first look, I say to her "nice, your clothes look beautiful"...

I know better.  It's not about the clothes, It's about the person.  It's about how the person carries themselves & wraps themselves in God's unfailing love & mercy.  It's about how the person spreads the good cheer of God's love.

We, I, must teach our little people not to judge others, but even more importantly not to judge themselves. 

Be kind. 
I use to say that as much as "wash your hands" or "clean up your toys".

I must remind myself these kids won't remember what I said near as much as what I did.  I must DO GOOD!