It’s been a while since I wrote a post (like more than year!) so I thought I’d give you all quick update on my life and where this blog is headed. 

Last year was a year full of changes.  I started back working full time as a chemical engineer in the spring, and my kids started attending the local Catholic school.  Those that know me personally (and those who’ve read most of my posts here) know that I’ve never said I would always homeschool, or anything to that effect.  I HAVE always talked about doing what was best for your family at that time, and that that can look different for each family and for the same family in different years.

There were a number of reasons I wanted to send my kids to the catholic school and if there’s interest, I’d be happy to explain it in a different post.  I won’t pretend it was easy to go from homeschooling to a brick and mortor school.  There are certainly pros and cons to both, but I can say that we are happy where we are.  I love the school my kids go to and I’m enjoying working full time again in the field I originally started in (14 years ago!).  My kids are doing amazing academically <pats self on back> and have improved hugely since the start of the school year with everything other than the academics ;P

What I mean by that is: 

• A rigorous schedule was not what they were used to.  So waking up on time, being places everyday on time was a big struggle in the beginning.  
• Making friends in school was hard at first.  Despite several kids in each of their classes also being ‘new’ kids, they still felt ‘new’ and like they had no friends in the beginning.  Especially Charles, despite being my happiest, most energetic kid, struggled in the beginning to form friendships.  But happy to say, all three of them have plenty of friends now. 
• School schooling vs Kristen’s ‘amazing’ homeschooling.  I have to say, if you ever want your kids to go to a brick and mortor school, maybe DON’T make homeschooling SO fun.  I shot myself in the foot with all my awesome Catholic Schoolhouse blog ideas.  My kids’ school is awesome and IMO they do a LOT of great activities, but they can’t replace the crazy stuff I used to do when we homeschooled. 

Anyway, I could go on, but you get the idea.  Lots o’ changes.  Change is hard sometimes but overall this has been a great devleopment for our family.

Which brings me to this blog!  I don’t write as much.  I don’t make as many new printables- despite having ideas for them.  I simply don’t have time to devote to this website as much- with 3 kids in school, working full time plus all the extra curriculars and regular family life (oh and I got chickens). I know a lot of people use this site and the resources I’ve made, so I definitely don’t want you to lose that.  But something’s gotta give- and so that something will be products.  I plan to take away the store completely and make all the products free.  This helps me because:

• Security has changed for a lot of people’s emails- they aren’t getting my downloads or they are ending up in spam OR their place of work does not allow downloads from my website. I do not have time to figure this mess out.  As far as I can tell, people have no problem clicking on the free stuff.  Its only the paid-for downloads that are emailed to you that cause problems.

Ok that’s pretty much it.  If the issues with downloading the paid-for products goes away… I get fewer emails asking about the paid products not downloading right… which means less maintenance for keeping this site going.  Plus I don’t have to issue refunds for people who mistakenly thought the product was a physical item that I was going to mail to them. 

I realize a lot of you have already purchased items and might feel jilted by this sudden-everything-is-free thing I’m doing.  What I have to say to you is Thank you.  When we were on a single income, every penny I earned on this blog went towards homeschooling supplies, field trips and, yea lets face it, Chick-fil-a lunches with my kids.  I am so grateful for you all supporting me not just financially but also emotionally and mentally by giving me a productive outlet for creativity.  As a community of Catholic believers, I’m sure you can find a way to be happy for those people getting these recources for free, instead of feeling bitter for having paid $4 for the same printable last year.

I am and will always be grateful for this blog, for all of you who read and use it, and for the opportunity to share my gifts with the wider community.  I can’t say I’ll be in engineering forever, or that my kids will always go to school or will homeschool again one day… but what I can say is that each phase of our lives brings us new experiences.  I’m so grateful for the phase of my life when I could devote time to this blog and I hope the printables I created can continue to bless others for many more years! 

Thanks and God bless,

Kristen

I’m sure you’re wondering…when will they be free?  Soon! But I don’t know when exactly.

Check out the Subscribers Only Page!

I’ve had plans to make this Mysteries of the Rosary Lapbook for a long, long time, but never seemed to have the time to put it together. 

I’m pretty happy I finally made it happen.  It includes a how to pray the rosary, all the rosary prayers, and images for each of the mysteries of the rosary.  Everything in the downloadable file comes in both color and black and white.   If you remember my Rosary Cards, these are the same watercolored images. 

The file also includes detailed instructions for printing and assembling your lapbook.  Supplies needed to complete this activity are: a file folder, cardstock to print on, tape/glue stick/glue dots, scissors and coloring pencils or markers to color the black and white versions.

There are two different ideas for including the images of the mysteries.  One way is to cut out around a whole set of mysteries, and accordion style fold it before securing the last mystery to your lapbook. 

The second option is to cut apart the individual mysteries and use tape to make them into a little booklet.

Use the lapbook to help your kids memorize the mysteries, the order of prayers for the rosary, or just as a tool in reviewing.  If you choose to print the black and white version, these can also serve as an activity to keep their hands busy while you actually pray the rosary.

As usual, this downloadable file is on sale for just $3 for the next week, as a thank you to those who’ve subscribed, or check here frequently. Afterward the sale it will still be the very reasonable price of $5.

Head to the SHOP to purchase and download your copy of the Mysteries of the Rosary Lapbook. 

This blog has been a source of joy for me to be able to provide Catholic Educational resources.  I”m so grateful for you all.  But I’ve gotten to a place where I can’t spend as much time maintaining this website, and as such have decided to make all my products free.  You can access the printable Rosary Lapbook materials using the link below.

Download the Rosary Lapbook

Let me know in the comments how your family will use the Mysteries of the Rosary Lapbook~!

Thanks and God Bless,

Kristen

Check out the Subscribers Only Page!

I know it’s a little late to post something like this, most people already have their advent decor up… but this one is free to print at home, so maybe it’ll still be of use to you this year, or at least you can plan to put it up next year.

It’s a simple watercolor painting of an advent wreath with the weekly Advent ‘themes’ in calligraphy next to them.  Click and download to print, and please do not publish elsewhere on the internet. 

Advent Wreath Candles printable art

I framed the original and have it set up in my kitchen!

Thanks and Happy Advent everyone!

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