I got a call from Paul’s teacher saying he wasn’t feeling good. I picked him and he and I cuddled on the couch most of the day. He threw up about 5 times!
That evening we had a Volunteer Gala at New Life Church – an evening set aside to celebrate all of those who volunteer at New Life.
I got all dressed up and even put on hose (does anyone remember those). The #eglyboys had never seen them. I walked down the stairs and Clark asked what happened to my legs and will it come off.
George said, “Mom, don’t wear those! Your leggings are SEE THROUGH!”
Paul told me I just looked weird. Luke comes over to touch my leg and looks at me sadly, like something terrible had happened to his mama and he wasn’t sure what do to. Well, I kept the panty hose on, in spite of all the protests, and attended the Gala for just one hour. It was so much fun and I really wanted to stay, but I had a sick son at home and knew I needed to be with him.
Friday:
Paul was feeling good and back to his regular self, but I kept him home from school just to be sure.
That night I went to New Life Friday night. I love seeing so many new volunteers serving and loving on kids on the 250 kids that come each Friday night!
While I’m so incredibly thankful for the volunteers that are serving, when you have a growing ministry, you always need more hands serving and hearts loving the children who attend each week. Here are 17 reasons why!
I was chatting with a dad at the end of the service. He let me know that their family was moving out of state and their kids were so worried that they’d never find a church like New Life where ‘the leaders let us serve!” This dad was so encouraged by the positive impact New Life had on his family and would really miss being a part of our church family!
Saturday:
In the morning Ted made the boys and I breakfast (and really strong coffee for me).
It was a gorgeous, sunny day and the boys played in the backyard for a couple hours. During this time, George created his very first video! (Check it out at the bottom of this post!)
Later we went on a hike on a new trail. We were on the hunt to find a deer carcass that my sister had discovered at this location.
The hike was incredible and at the end, Ted (Mr. Details who doesn’t miss anything) found the bones of the deer a little off the trail. The boys loved examining it and imaging what might have caused it to die. (A bear?? A snake?) Clark asked if we could bring it home. (Um, no!)
Mission accomplished: We found the BONES!
That night Ted and I got to go out on a date and try a new restaurant called, Odyssey Gastro Pub. It was a quaint little pub that had Uh-mazing brussel sprouts, really good wings, and tacos that were just okay. (After eating the world’s best tacos at Bien Trucha in Geneva, Illinois, nothing else compares.) Our server at the Gastropub was from Oswego, Illinois…just down the rode from where we used to live!
Date night with Ted!
After dinner we spent a little time wandering through Poor Richards book store. Have you guys been there? That place is SO cool! They sell new and used books and have a section for “local authors.” An employee invited me to bring some of my books to sell!!
Sunday:
I went to the New Life Young Adults service to invite them to serve (17 people said yes!). Yay! Ted met me at church with the boys and we attended the 11 am service together as a family. Pastor Brady is teaching a great series on the book of Psalms.
Monday:
I had a whole bunch of errands I wanted to run, but decided that we needed a SLOW day. So I stayed in my yoga pants all day and didn’t put on any make up. One of the ‘errands’ was to get to
the gym but since we were staying home, I just turned on some fun music and Luke and I just danced for 20 minutes. That was WAY more fun. I did most of my work out with him on my back and he giggled the entire time.
Monday afternoons the boys have Chess Club and they LOVE IT! Paul asks me to tell him how many more days til Chess!
Tuesday:
I took Luke to school, then went to volunteer in Paul’s class. After that I worked for about an hour, then drove downtown to drop off a few copies of “Climb, Soar, Swim, Explore!” They were excited to have them because they don’t have any children’s books about Colorado!!!
On the way home, I picked up food from El Taco Rey. I’d been wanting to try their food since before we even moved here and I finally had an opportunity! It was really good! Their chips and salsa were great, and the enchiladas covered in green chili were delicious! The restaurant itself is really small and simple, so I’d recommend taking food to go rather than eating there.
Tuesday night I took the boys to the park while George had his piano lesson.
Wednesday:
I went to work in the morning. I’m honored to be a part of such a great team and do work that I love!
Wednesday night, George has his last Cotillion for this year. The last night is held at the Broadmoor and parent’s attend to see what their sons and daughters have been learning.
I loved getting an opportunity to dance with George!
Thanks for reading about our week – how’s your week been?
Below is the first video George made. They love playing with their nerf guns and made a movie of their ‘battle!’ They just launched their own channel and would love for you to subscribe!
I’m thankful that I’ve been able to be home with my kids since becoming a mama. While I’ve always done something to bring a little money in, whether that’s working part-time, selling on eBay, or watching other children inside my home, my main role is wife and mama. (I wrote a little more about this, click here to read)
It’s been a JOY to be the mom of four precious boys – to watch them grow and learn. It’s a big job, and I’m usually exhausted by bedtime, but it’s so very rewarding! I’m grateful to my husband for how hard he works so that I can be home with them. He also supports me and cares for our boys so that I can work part-time at a job I love. My mom stayed home for the first few years of my life and those were precious memories.
Clean up after dinner. (Ted will do this if he doesn’t have work to do! He’s also the world’s best laundry folder!)
Ted and I now have some time to read/watch a show/ work on blog/book or ministry stuff.
Go to bed between 9:30 and 11.
This is a typical SAHM (stay at home mom) day. I also work some days/evenings and those days look differently. We also don’t have sports and activities every night – thank goodness!
What’s your day look like? What’s your feedback on my day? Leave a comment!
Someone recently purchased “Climb, Soar, Swim, Explore!” and donated it to their child’s class! That sweet group of second graders sent us our first FAN MAIL that made our hearts (and faces) SMILE!!!
Here are some of the comments we received:
This is the BEST book I’ve ever read!
Please write more books!
I CRY when I don’t have a good book so thank you for giving me a good book. (LOL!)
Can you please visit our class?
Unfortunately, this classroom is in Illinois, so I probably won’t get to visit, but if you purchase and donate a book to your child’s classroom, I’d be happy to go in and read it to them (within 30 miles of where I live!)
If you aren’t familiar with the book, it’s a little Mountain Adventure! It takes you to the top of Pikes Peak and teaches you about the animals that live there. This book would be a nice little gift for your child’s Easter Basket!
You can get a SIGNED book, delivered for only $10!!! Click here or leave a comment.
If you want to purchase one on Amazon, click here.
If you are in Colorado Springs and want me to drop them off at your home or business, leave a comment or send an email. Only $10 each – but discounted if you buy 5 or more books!
I have a hard time being “still.” My mind is always thinking and my hands are always moving. There’s always more work to be done than there is the time in the day. I have a job that I love where people depend on me. At home, the laundry and dishes are never done. There are always crumbs on the floor and hungry boys to feed. I have a really hard time sitting and being still.
This is why the story of Mary and Martha has always bugged me (Luke 10:38:42). If you aren’t familiar with the story, Jesus comes to the home of Mary and Martha. Martha is the one doing all the work and Mary is just sitting by Jesus. Martha asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. Jesus tells Martha that MARY has chosen what is BETTER!!!!
I read this and thought, “What?! Doesn’t Jesus understand? Why did he say that Mary was making the better choice? Mary was just SITTING down! Not doing anything productive. She was just sitting at Jesus’ feet.”
I want to say, “Jesus, that’s not fair! You wouldn’t have LUNCH if it weren’t for Martha. The house wouldn’t be clean and presentable if it weren’t for Martha. How could a person just SIT in this situation? Tell Mary to get up and HELP!!”
However, I’m beginning to understand why Jesus said Mary made the better choice. She chose relationships over tasks. She chose people over projects.
I went from being irritated by this story to being so grateful that I follow a Jesus who invites us to rest. To sit. To listen. Jesus doesn’t need us to do anything for him. He just wants a relationship with us. Martha was doing so much, working so hard – for Him! Yet Jesus said that Mary chose what was better. Mary was sitting at his feet, listening. Growing in her relationship with Him.
That story would always sting because I’m Martha. I choose to get work done when I could be connecting with my kids. My husband comes home from a long day at work and I continue to stay focused on a task (or hand him a list of things to do) rather than just stopping to connect, to make eye contact and ask about his day.
Ouch. Sorry Ted.
I’m learning that it’s good to be still. It’s okay that the house stays messy so I can invest in my kids. The dishes and laundry will eventually get done (or not?), but people are the only things that are eternal. My children need me to be present and engaged. My husband needs my heart and attention. Jesus wants me to ‘sit at his feet’ so that He can refresh my soul.
Mary chose what was better because she chose to stop, listen, and get to know Jesus.
Today I’m choosing to be more like Mary. I will STOP what I’m doing, look my husband and children in the eyes…LISTEN to them and TALK with them. That is the better choice.
Today I choose RELATIONSHIPS and CONNECTION over tasks.
I choose PEOPLE over projects.
Have you found yourself trying to just “get stuff done”? What have you found that helps you overcome this and just “BE STILL?”
Help Friends! Today we have a special guest post. My good friend Corey is about to celebrate 25 years of marriage and is sharing what makes a great marriage. I hope you love this as much as I do!
“A good marriage isn’t something you find; it’s something you make…and you have to keep on making it.” – Gary Thomas
Hiya! I’m Corey. I’m a friend of Kathryn’s, a mom of two teen boys, a lover of dark chocolate, a scrapbooker, a recent transplant to Minnesota, and a wife who’s married to her high school sweetheart.
I met my husband, Jeff, on the first day of cross country practice in 10th grade. A couple of years later we started dating seriously and this summer we’ll celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. During those 25 years, we’ve had our ups and downs, moved around the country, faced serious injuries and illnesses, and discovered you can love each other more today than yesterday. In no particular order, here’s what I’ve learned about building a happy marriage:
1. One bank account.
All of our money, whether it’s my paycheck or a bonus he gets at work, goes into one account. We’re in this together and all our money is OUR money. It means that we have to agree on how to spend it and that’s a good thing.
2. A hobby or three.
We love seeing movies, camping, and playing board games. Right now we’re having a great time seeing Oscar nominated movies together and talking about who we think should win. (If you haven’t seen The Shape of Water, it’s unusual and beautiful). When our boys were little, they consumed most of our time and energy. As they’ve gotten older, it’s been important that Jeff and I have things in common to do and talk about that don’t revolve around our boys.
3. Agreed upon rules for fighting.
Ours: no name calling, no leaving the house, no dredging up past hurts. Jeff gets the credit for this and it’s made a world of difference. Disagreements are inevitable so knowing what’s in bounds and out of bounds makes sure that those fights don’t escalate or cause damage.
4. 10:1
There’s research that shows that you should offer your spouse ten times as many positive comments as negative ones. We notice the little things we do for each other and call them out every day. When Jeff stopped by the grocery store to pick up my almond milk yesterday, I thanked him and let him know it made me feel cared for. It’s easy to take each other for granted and remembering to express gratefulness for each other feels wonderful!
5. Different is good.
One of the things I loved first about Jeff is that he’s spontaneous and fun. One summer day in college, he came by my apartment on the spur of the moment to pick me up and spend the day at WaterWorld. It was so fun and unexpected! He loved that I’m planful and organized. When we moved from Colorado to Florida for grad school, I rented the moving truck, found us apartments to look at, and did research on our new home state. But over the years the very things that attracted us to each other inevitably drive the other one kinda crazy. He doesn’t put things back where he found them and I get stressed when things don’t go according to my plan. But when I’m facing a difficult situation and can’t see the solution, Jeff can often see it because he thinks differently than I do.
6. Build a support network.
Long term marriages are precious and rare. I’ve found it helpful to talk to other couples, particularly those who have weathered tough times. Over the summer I had a great opportunity to spend time with Kathryn’s in-laws, Kevin & Shirley, and they were generous in answering my questions about how they’ve kept their marriage strong. Marriages evolve over time and learning how other couples have handled challenges has been insightful.
I’d love to hear from you. What works for you? What have you discovered about how to have a great marriage?
I joined swagbucks a couple of years ago to earn a little extra income – it’s not income that will pay the mortgage, but every dollar helps our bottom line! I consistently earn about $50 a month with only a few minutes of my time each day.
Here’s how to earn some easy “swagbucks” that convert into ‘real’ bucks:
I use swagbucks as my search engine – every few searches earns you 5-30 swagbucks
Take an occasional survey
Answer the daily poll
Invite friends to join. When you invite friends, you both get swagbucks and you can keep earning swagbucks. You earn 10% of everything they earn!
Those are a couple ideas but there are SO many other ways to earn extra “bucks.’ If you are interested in earning a little extra money, go here: http://www.swagbucks.com
Today the weather is COLD, but we had a BEAUTIFUL weekend in Colorado Springs!
Saturday we went exploring in Garden of the Gods. Paul found a large hole and decided that, “a bear must live there…but he’s out hiking right now.” (Watch out for the hiking bear!)
Thankfully, we never found the hiking bear, but we did find a herd of Big Horn Sheep!
A purchaser from Garden of the Gods trading post asked me to drop off a copy of my book so that she could review it to consider selling in their store! We dropped it off and then went to our favorite spot to take in the view. George watched his VERY first sunset and was SO excited! He said, “Did you see that? The sun just dropped behind the mountain, that was SOOO cool!” I love experiencing things through my kids eyes!
At home, Clark built his own Bear Cave:
Sunday we went to the Cottonwood Creek Rec Center – it’s part of the YMCA, so as members of the Y, we get to use this awesome facility. It’s almost as nice as Great Wolf Lodge!
That afternoon lots of the neighborhood kids played in our cul-de-sac while the parents gathered to catch up and chat.
Monday the kids were out of school for President’s day so we met some friends and played at Monkey Bizness. Afterwards we came home and made some cookies. While Luke napped, George and I edited a video for their YouTube Channel – Free Range Eglys.
What did you do over the weekend!? Leave me a comment!
I see one lady who is incredibly fit and wish I had her body.
I see another lady who always dresses so cute and wish I had her clothes.
Another friend has the PERFECT house and I wish mine looked like that.
I read blogs and books and wish I could write as good as those writers.
I hear someone speak well and wish I was articulate as them.
But all of these comparisons leave me feeling like I’m not good enough and don’t have enough.
Comparison is a thief – it’s stealing my joy one thought at a time.
How do I conquer this? I stop myself from thinking about what I don’t have and begin to focus on all that I DO have.
I may not be as fit and strong as some ladies I know but I am healthy.
I don’t have the the world’s best wardrobe but I do have so have some incredibly cute things that I’ve found at the thrift store.
I don’t have a picture perfect home but the home we have is very nice and filled with love and happiness.
I’m not the world’s best writer but I keep writing and I’m getting better.
When I change my thoughts from what I don’t have to what I DO have…my heart fills with gratitude. When I focus on what is going well and the gifts God has given me, I begin to experience peace and JOY.
When you are looking at those posts on social media and beginning to compare your life to theirs – stop and remember your blessings. Put down the phone and pick up a good book. Call a friend for encouragement. Ask God to show you what He has put inside YOU – then develop and use those gifts! The more you use YOUR gifts, the stronger they become.
I’m grateful that this world is made up of individuals with such diverse talents who each make the world better with their gifts and contributions. Some of you are using your talent for design and making this world more beautiful – one space at a time. Others are speakers, spreading encouragement and hope, one message at a time. Some are photographers – capturing those beautiful moments one snapshot at a time. Some of you are moms – investing in young lives, one hour at a time.
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We each have blessing, gifts, and talents and those are for us to enjoy and to share with others!
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“A FLOWER DOES NOT THINK OF COMPETING WITH THE FLOWER NEXT TO IT. IT JUST BLOOMS.” – ZEN SHIN
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“For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”
II Corinthians 10:12 NKJV
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If you know your gift – leave a comment and share it with me! If you aren’t sure, take some time to ask God and others to help you discover it!
Do you need a Movie Night Suggestion? Here are our Five Favorite Family Movies. Have you seen these? What movie should I add to this list?
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day!
This movie is one of our favorites!
The movie begins with everything going PERFECTLY for every member of Cooper family. Every member, that is, except Alexander. Alexander is having the worst day ever. That night he wishes that his family could experience a bad day. He wakes up the next morning to chaos and throughout the day, bad things keep happening to every member of his family…except Alexander. The movie has a great ending and demonstrates how to stay bonded as a family – even on a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
Have you watched it? Did you like it as much as we did?
What are your favorite family movies? Leave a comment!
Disclaimer: Each of the links are above are affiliate links which means if you choose to purchase one of the items, I will earn a small commission at not extra cost to you!
