Veteran's Day Printables

Here are a few Veteran's Day Printables for your family.

I have realized that most public and private schools have classes on this day.  Because we have been homeschooling for eight years and I have been out of public school for .... years, I don't recall this not being a day off in recognition of those who have served this nation over the years.  I realized this about two years ago when my brother, who was in high school, invited my husband to a breakfast at his school celebrating Veterans.  I thought, wait, we don't have school that day, why would my brother?  With that said, we take the day off because when my husband is home, he typically has the day off.  We spend the day together as a family hanging out or catching up on projects.

This year my husband is out doing his stuff.  We are still taking the day off to clean out our closets and bedrooms.  We are doing this to donate items to the Goodwill and to local veteran's organizations.  I feel that we are using this day as a moment to teach the children goodwill.  We have embraced this concept years ago in a general sense, but it's time to get the littlest one on board.

I hope you enjoy these printables and take the time to reflect on what this day recognizes.  Thank you and Happy Veteran's Day to any of you that have served or to your loved one who has.

http://www.freehomeschooldeals.com/veterans-day-free-veterans-day-writing-printables/

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Five-Brave-Soldiers-Math-and-Literacy-Activities-for-Veterans-Day-411714

http://www.firstgradewow.blogspot.com/2014/11/veterans-day-unit-thank-you-veterans.html?m=1

Crafty Thankfulness

It's been quite some time since I blogged on this site.  I have been busy with life and my new blog about faith and my walk with Christ.  It's been a blessing to work on and to spread the Good News!
I have decide to come back to this blog after a few years and to share with you my homeschool journey and wonderful home making tasks.
Today I am sharing some Thankfulness crafts and am wondering what everyone is doing to decorate for the Thanksgiving season.
As I type "Thanksgiving Season," I want to share with you something that I wrote for my other blog about being thankful:

The thankfulness bandwagon broke down a couple of years ago. People use to be apt to posting every day of November about the different things that they were thankful for: home, family, friends, job, country, faith and the like. It seems to me that the past few years have left people jaded, complaining more than ever about politics, agenda, equality, love, people, etc or the lack there of some of those. Why be thankful for a month to turn and complain all through December about obnoxious family gatherings, not enough money to buy gifts, snow, cold, not enough presents under the tree, or the fact that agenda wants Christ out of Christmas, etc.? That band wagon should have never been in the first place. Shouldn't we be thankful all year? Shouldn't we be thankful for this county which allows for the perpetrated nonsense that we keep complaining about? Shouldn't we be thankful for those brave enough to escape the persecution and start anew that has brought us to this point?
I am thankful all year... for Father God and King Jesus, husband, children, home, county, family, friends, liberty and hope. I am thankful for my joy that is found in spite of living in the uncertainty that 2015 has given us.
Bandwagon, I haven't abandoned you.  I was on before there ever was a need for you. I am thankful always....
‪#‎GodisGood‬ all the time!

Remember how we would all take to Facebook for the month of thankfulness? I did for the past few years.  This year I have not.  People know that I am thankful every day and I don't need one month to express this. God is Good every day and has provided me with a grateful heart and much joy.
For this Thanksgiving holiday I get to do something that I have never done before.  I get to travel on an airplane with my two littlest ones to a foreign country. I have never traveled on a holiday before and I have never not celebrated with all of my children.  Let me just tell you this, I really hope my brother appreciates my travels since it's because he decided to marry the love of his life in her home town of Toronto, Canada.  I am feeling quite blessed to see a lot of family since we moved away from them several months ago, it's just a bit tough being away from two of my children and husband over a holiday that we really enjoy.

With all of that said, I have crafted! We will be celebrating Thanksgiving the Sunday prior to our travels and instead of giving up on the festive decor, I crafted and put together a few things to help spread the cheer for what we have.  (Side note, those left behind will be celebrating with some dear friends).

Thank- you Hobby Lobby for giving me a few ideas as I took to making a thankful banner, wooden sign and one of my many wreaths.

Here are a few projects that we have worked on and a link to Hobby Lobby that inspired me.

Some Hobby Lobby inspiration for you: 
http://www.hobbylobby.com/  Click on "Get Creative" and there are many wonderful ideas to follow.

With all of the above said, here are some things that I am thankful for every day:
-Father God, King Jesus and the ever-present Holy Spirit
-Religious Liberty
-Husband and my four children
-My parents, step-parents, in-law parents, and all of my brothers and sisters
-My country and the military who so unselfishly stand the watch each and every moment so that we may celebrate in peace
-My extended family, civilian friends and military family
-My parental rights that make this country a safe place to homeschool
-The grand opportunities provided to myself and family over the years to not only explore this great nation but to also be able to serve others
-And the things we all take for granted: a roof over our heads, food on the table, abundant clothing, books, toys and freedom

Happiest Thanksgiving to all!