(Long, Sad) Update on my Dad and FREEBIE

First, a quick update on my Dad and a thanks to those who have been praying…PLEASE don’t stop!!  We saw the neurologist last Monday.  He took dad off Sinemet (the parkinsons med) b/c he doesn’t think he has parkinsons now.  He wants to send him to Emory in Atlanta for cognitive and neurological testing.  He is suspicious that Dad may have Frontotemporal Degeneration (an early onset dementia).  My world crashed at that moment.  My Dad is 64, sold his pharmacy a year and a half ago, and was ready to retire in September from the chain store that bought his pharmacy.  As if I weren’t devastated enough about my Dad, there is a strong possibility that it is hereditary since both of his parents had Alzheimers, so my brother, sister, and I would each have a 50% chance of having it too.  Age of onset is 40-65.  I was so sick I could not eat last week.  Absolutely devastated…for him, for my mom, for us.  His spirits are good.  He said, “It is what it is.”  Thankfully, my parents are very spiritually grounded, and we all know that we will be together in eternity, in Heaven, healthy and whole one day.  That alleviates some of the fear.

My mom was diagnosed with Lupus when I was 3.  I have never known a healthy, normal mom.  I lived in fear my entire childhood that my mom might die (there were several times my Dad wondered the same thing).  I am sad and bitter that now I have to worry the same thing about my Dad.  Y’all pray for me…please.  I am doing some better.  I am seeing a counselor tomorrow to talk through some of these fears.  I am reading Joyce Meyer’s Battlefield of the Mind book, and I am trying to claim all of God’s scriptural promises for my Dad and my family instead of focusing on the negative.  Today’s scripture I am claiming is Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord.  “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Please pray that verse for my Dad and my family as well.  Thanks for letting me get this off my shoulders.  I refuse to live my life in fear….I will get there slowly but surely!!

Sorry that was so long!  Now, your freebie:

I created a number book to use for beginning of the year number review (since I am moving down to first grade).  I wanted something that could be copied front/back using as little paper as possible, so here goes.  I hope some of you can use it!!

{CLICK HERE}

Teacher Appreciation Jackpot!!

Check out my Alphabet Antics set which will be FREE all day Sunday in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week.  Don't forget to visit all of the blogs listed below for more great free items!  Here is a sneak peak at some of the things included in the 60+ page unit!  While you're snagging this freebie, be sure to snag all of my other free items and shop my other products.  Everything in my shop is 20% off.  Combine that with the TPT coupon code of TAD12 for an additional 10% off, and you'll save 28% off all my products!

It's the most AMAZING blog hop that you can have ever imagined! Over 130 bloggers have come together to show just how much we 

LOVE and APPRECIATE

everything you do to touch the lives of so many children each and everyday.

We have all agreed to give away one of our products from our Teachers Pay Teachers store. Each gift is valued between $3-$8 and will be available to you for FREE! That is estimated to be about $600 in free products for you (we will announce the actual value on Saturday, May 5)! 

Now, due to the number of bloggers that are participating, it has been organized into grade level groups to help find all the wonderful freebies you could ever need. 

PK - Grade 2 - April McNair on A Modern Teacher

Grades 3 - 6 - Laura Candler on Corkboard Connections

Grades 7 - 12 - Adrianne Meldrum on The Tutor House

We are learning new information about this fabulous opportunity each day so make sure to come by for updates and feel free to share this post with a friend! 

I am excited about giving away one of my best sellers! :)

I will also be offering 20% off on all my TPT products.  Combine this with the 10% off TPT will be offering for a whopping 28% off!  Click Here:

'Twas the Night Before School Started (not quite, but soon enough!!)

I stumbled across a hilarious poem today online.  I love the thought of sharing this with the parents at Open House/Drop-in Day!  I also created a few extension activities for students to complete.  I will copy the poem and extension page front/back for students to place in their poetry notebooks.  I hope you can use this…or that it at least makes you laugh! J

Go {HERE} to snag it for free!
(My browser is no longer supported by Blogger...help!!  I tried downloading Google Chrome like it said, and that didn't fix it.  Any suggestions?  It's a pain to post pics, and I can't see half of the toolbar.)

While you’re there, check out my TPT items.  Everything is 20% off through today. J

End of the Month Flash Sale!

To celebrate the end of April, and the imminent beginning of the LAST MONTH OF SCHOOL, I’m having an End-of-the-Month FLASH SALE!  Y’all hop on over to my TPT store for 20% off on all products in my store.  J

Amelia Bedelia makes me Laugh!

I love Amelia Bedelia.  Do you love her as well?  My kiddos laugh hysterically every time we read about one of her escapades.

I have just uploaded my Peggy Parish author study to TPT.  You can check it out {here}.  It’s full of 65+ pages of Amelia Bedelia goodness.  Be sure to download the preview photos to see what all is included in the unit (including the 7 books I have highlighted).  While you’re there, check out my other author studies (including my best-sellers for Robert Munsch and Kevin Henkes).  I am currently working on a Patricia Polacco author study as well.

I had to miss school today due to a sleepless, sick-feeling night, but am slowly getting back into the swing of things as the afternoon goes on.  Y’all have a great weekend.  I am looking to this weekend after such a long week of testing! J

A Pair of Pears freebie (and a prayer request!)

Sorry I have been so out of commission lately.  Life is quite busy in our household, and we are administering tests this week at school.  I am fitting in some fun activities in the afternoon and will post pics later in the week.  I am currently working on a Peggy (and Herman) Parish author study featuring one of my favorite ladies from my childhood….Amelia Bedelia!  I hope to have it posted by this weekend.

In the meantime, here is a freebie from the author study.  Go to TPT to download my

PAIR OF PEARS center activity!

I’d love to ask you guys to say some prayers for my family.  My dad was a pharmacist for 40 years and sold his independent pharmacy to a chain store almost 2 years ago.  He has since gotten sick and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease last month.  He is only 64 years old.  He is unable to work at this time.  Please remember him and my mom in your prayers.  My mom has Lupus and has had it since I was 3, so I am very burdened for my parents’ health.  I love them with all my heart and covet your prayers! J

Henry and Mudge winners!

Congrats to the two winners of my Henry and Mudge reading trifold packet.  They are:

Jen (at the Teacher's Cauldron)

and

Melissa H.

I have emailed both of you ladies the packet.  I hope you enjoy!

For all those who didn't win, I am marking down my Henry and Mudge packet to $3.00 (reg. $6.50) through Sunday.  You can view it {HERE}. :)