I've been feeling really blessed lately - like it's my birthday or something - because people keep sending me things (or links to things) i want on the internet, for free...

but first, my workout of the day

Deck of Death

tonight felt like we spent the whole time doing pushups.  Funny how you can do the exact same cards over and over, but every time it feels like a completely different workout.

Also funny how working out with your 13 year old son in addition to your husband makes you try just a little harder :) - i'm the only one not doing real chinups...  I will work up to it again. But maybe not till this fall - can't make me wear shoes! (T says it makes him work out harder, too - Wy just has so much energy!)

Anyway, here are some awesome links i came across this week...

a study guide (900+ pages) for the Book of Virtues - my children love these stories, and this is a way to emphasize character for them next year...

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ShiverAcademy/Book%2Bof%2BVirtues/

 and some Free wE-ebooks :) from This Old Schoolhouse

http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/so-weBooks/JuneBooks.html

two ebooks (if you sub to their email list, they will send you links to free ebooks every month!)

Don't Rush God

and

The Great Books

I'm really heavily into researching homeschooling again right now.  Funny, it's been nine years now, but i am still learning.  I think teaching one new child added in every other year, and one new grade every year keeps me on my toes.  Not to mention puberty, high school, learning styles, different gifts... it all adds up to a challenge!  But a great kind!  I'm also starting up music lessons again with my littles to see if a different *framework* would work better to keep them (and me, mostly) on track...  if we do well over the summer, i might keep teaching them myself for a bit longer...  On the fence...

Tonight i am hoping to print out a ton of pictures and assemble my porfolio for the year - and if i don't do that (i am tired, sticky, stinky and utterly exhausted!) - then i will settle for a quick shower, an exacto knife, Barb Shelton's Homeschool Form+u+la book, and a binder...  When i read her suggestion to take apart the book, i kind of shuddered - i just paid 33$ for this and she wants me to take it apart?!  But i am seeing that it might be the best idea overall, if i want to scan/use/adapt her forms to my own use.  And after a little consultation with my "teenager", i think we will use some of her materials/methods...  Adapt, adopt... trying to keep up!

These are the great years, i think... All my childhood and teenage years i couldn't wait to be a grown up, and now that i am - it is just as awesome and awe inspiring as i thought it would be... I love getting to be the mom, love my little people - am amazed how kind God was to give me the man He did...