Hello, Reader.

Did you know August is National Parks Month? It is. So it's fitting that my husband and I will be exploring Rocky Mountain National Park this afternoon with his parents.

His Dad is a huge fan of our National Park system. He bought a lifetime senior pass just as soon as he turned 62 and has been using it faithfully ever since -- for 25 years. That makes me happy, as next year I'll be old enough to qualify for one of my own!

In this week's link list, I'm sharing resources on a back-to-nature, National Park theme. Pay special attention to the first link, as it includes lots of other fun and helpful info in addition to the free printable bucket list.

Free resources for you this week:

• ​National Parks Bucket List - how to save on admission, what to bring, special programs, etc.
• ​Outdoor Scavenger Hunt - a bingo-style game to play during nature walks
• ​Wild Animal Coloring Page - a reminder that the LORD God created all the wildlife we see
• ​Great Outdoors I Spy Game - can you quickly spot the wild animals, tracks, & camping gear?
• ​Family Camping Memory Game - play concentration with our bright woodland animal cards
• ​Every Bird and Insect Coloring Page - features the words of Psalm 50:11

What I'm reading this week:

I had fun reading Gordon Korman's Snoop on our trip to Colorado (although I'd be hard pressed to think of a book by this author I didn't enjoy). This one follows the adventures of phone-addicted boy who breaks both legs in a Colorado ski accident. When double casts leave him completely immobilized, he uses the down time plus the live feed from local police cameras to watch with growing alarm the curious events going on in his small hometown -- all from the comfort of his bedroom. His concerned parents eventually take away all his technology, insisting he find healthier ways to spend his long hours of convalescence.The clever way Korman ends this suspenseful book is especially satisfying.

On the podcast this week:

My summer break is drawing to a close, and I plan to return to posting new episodes soon. In the meantime, here's one more from the archives for you....

Loving Life at Home: Episode 10 ​WE FIND WHAT WE LOOK FOR​ Much of our outlook depends on our focus. We find what we look for. Start looking for things to be grateful for, and you’ll find them aplenty. Search instead for irritations and annoyances, and that’s exactly what you’ll see. Listen Now

Progress on last week's goals:

I accomplished almost everything I set out to do last week: I ✅ reduced my inbox to 30 or fewer emails, ✅ recorded 3 more chapters the remainder of my audiobook, ✅ edited 2 (but ❌ not 5) chapters of those recordings, ✅ finished one new Christmas stocking, ✅ spoke at a local homeschool conference over the weekend, ✅ flew to Colorado with my husband's to meet up with parents, ✅ hemmed a picnic blanket (so it would stop fraying everytime I washed it), and ✅ added about 3 inches of crocheted lace to a thrifted dress that was too short for comfort.

Personal goals for this week:

• hike around Rocky Mountain National Park
• finish the lace trim on my dress (another 1-2 inches?)
• finish editing my new audiobook
• fly home from Colorado
• attend my daughter's first volleyball tournament of the season
• drive to San Antonio to visit my son
• spend a day with the family at Sea World
• clean out school drawers/ bins
• stitch 3 schoolhouse ornaments
• record a new podcast

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Thanks so much for all your help! I'll be back next week with more links, reviews, and resources. If you have any special requests, hit reply and let me know. 😊