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Welcome to the 20th issue of Flanders Family Freebies, a weekly themed list of resources designed by me, Jennifer Flanders, in hopes of helping you build a strong, happy, healthy home. Thank you for giving me a place in your inbox -- I deeply appreciate it!

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Hello, Friend.

This week is a big birthday week for our family: my daughter's birthday was Tuesday, mine was Wednesday, and my husband's was yesterday. And, as if that weren't enough reason to rejoice, today is the anniversary of the day we first met, 35 years ago. To celebrate, I'm sharing some of my best birthday printables today. Enjoy!

Free resources for you this week:

• ​Birthday Calendar - keep track of all your friends' and family members' birthdays -- all in one place
• ​Birthday Cards - two sets of cards -- one specific for birthdays and another for any occasion -- each with ten designs to choose from
• ​Birthday Pennant Banner - a bright, festive banner for setting a proper, party atmosphere
• ​Birthday Cake - a family favorite, this chocolate cake has been pressed into service for many a birthday
• ​Birthday Cobbler - we have a few kids who prefer cobbler to cake, so this is the recipe we use to accommodate their discriminating tastes
• ​Birthday Freebies - a great list from Penny Hoarder of over 100 things you can get for free on your birthday
• ​50 Life Lessons - one thing you get with every passing year is experience: here's what my first 50 years taught me (written 6 years ago)

What I’m reading this week:

I finished two books since last I wrote you: Rachel McAdams' audio version of Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, which was every bit as delightful as the first time we listened. And Aging with Grace by Sharon Betters and Susan Hunt, which outlines a plan for "flourishing in an anti-aging culture." I've not yet faced many of the struggles this book describes, such as failing health, prodigal children, and widowhood. Yet I was blessed and encouraged to read the testimonies of God's faithfulness to so many who are in "the afternoon of life" (ages 56-80). Especially since, as of two days ago, that demographic includes me.

What we’re watching this week:

We attended an amazing live stage production of Jesus at the Sight and Sound Theater and also saw the Duttons perform on stage. If you ever find yourself in Branson, we'd highly recommend both these shows for the whole family.

In the meantime, you can get a taste of the Duttons for free on their YouTube channel (start with this crowd-pleaser), and you can watch a different but equally well-done, multi-season version of the Jesus story by downloading The Chosen App and streaming it for free. Our family watched the two newest episodes right before we left town and are continually impressed by what a wonderful job director Dallas Jenkins is doing with this series.

What we’re eating this week:

The place we stayed in Missouri had a full kitchen, so I packed my instapot and several freezer meals, ordered grocery pickup at Walmart for the fresh stuff I needed, and fixed breakfast and dinner in our room every day. That just left one meal a day for eating out. Favorite restaurants on the road? The Flying Crow in Texarkana and Famous Dave's Barbecue in Branson. (To see our pics from each, follow me on Instagram.)

Progress on last week’s goals:

I finished what had to get done before our trip and spent the rest of the week making great memories! My husband's parents and my (widowed) mother were with us, which made this trip extra special.

This week’s goals:

I'm so late sending my link list this week, this is about all I think I'll have time for:

• finish unpacking from trip
• put flowers in the ground
• trim shrubs that are brown after that last freeze
• divide liriope and hostas
• prepare for final co-op class of the semester

By the way, while we were on vacation, I finally got the files approved for the Chinese translation of my marriage book, 25 Ways to Communicate Respect to Your Husband. I am SO HAPPY about this!

A team of Chinese sisters approached me about translating this title a couple of years ago. They completed their part of the project beautifully, but the files got stalled in the review process once I'd uploaded them. But praise be to God, the Chinese version is now live on Amazon, soon to be followed by a Chinese translation of my husband's companion book, 25 Ways to Show Love to Your Wife​

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