0 In Book Review/ Family/ Free stuff/ Raising boys/ Saving money/ Things to do in Colorado

Holiday Gift Guide – Best Gifts for children and teachers!

As a former teacher, children’s ministry director, child enthusiast and mother to 4 Adventurous Boys – I have spent the majority of my life ……….. PLAYING!!

I love finding EXCELLENT Toys and Gifts to stimulate and grow CHILDREN….plus… I do not like wasting money on toys that end up sitting on the shelf!

Using all of my experience, I’ve compiled a guide of the top 10 CHILD and PARENT approved gifts for Children ages 1-10. PLUS – a bonus TEACHER GIFT GUIDE!

Coolest idea ever RIGHT? …Ok well, one of the coolest ideas ever.

This guide will be your BEST FRIEND ( ok COFFEE is your best friend ) during the holidays!!!

We can all use LESS STRESS during the holidays RIGHT … It will Cost YOU ONLY 3 bucks!! … that’s less than a Starbucks latte ( NO BIG DEAL …) A 3 dollar DE-STRESSOR …YESSSS PLEASE!!

Think of the TIME and HASSLE this book will save you during the holidays …and it will be in your hand about 90 seconds after you:

A. Find 3 DOLLARS … Dang that’s cheap … should I raise the price?

B. Click on this LINK …https://gum.co/NMeTH

OR when you PRE-ORDER my Children’s Book – Climb, Soar, Swim, Explore! You get a copy for FREE!!!!

https://www.gofundme.com/kathrynegly

Thanks for letting me de-stress your holidays!! Buy the Book Now! … Make a cup of coffee …. sit back and Get that Shopping DONE ….BOOM.
PS…. Hey My 4 Boys ( George Clark Paul and Luke ) say thanks for spending the 3 BUCKS! They a get a cut and purchase and purchase one of the toys from this handy guide!!!

The Gift Guide Unwrapped:

November 8, 2017 By Kathryn

2 In Uncategorized

Go Fund Me Book Launch!

Hey Friends! I’ve written my first children’s book and I would LOVE for you to be a part of the launch! You can give as little as $5 to help this campaign I have gifts for every donation! gofundme.com/kathrynegly

As a former teacher, I love seeing kids do two things – ENJOY a good book and GET OUTSIDE and play. This book encourages both. It will make an excellent Christmas gift for any child age 1 to 10. You will enjoy this engaging story, love the illustrations, (painted by a local artist) and learn fun facts about Colorado Spring’s animals. Thanks in advance for supporting this campaign and helping me publish my first children’s book entitled: ‘Climb, Soar, Swim, Explore!’

I’m including a promo video with the characters in my book and a LINK to the CAMPAIGN is below:

kathrynegly

November 6, 2017 By Kathryn

2 In Colorado/ Colorado Springs/ Food/ Free stuff/ Review/ Things to do in Colorado

7 reasons to LOVE Modern Market

We LOVE Modern Market and here are seven reasons why!

1 – Sunday and Monday you can buy one adult meal, and get one kid’s meal free!

Their kid’s meals are awesome – my boys love their grilled chicken and vegetables. (How can I say no to that?)

2 – With the Modern Market app I have on my phone, I earn points towards free food at every visit!
https://www.thelevelup.com/c/HWGVEF0MBC

3 – If you save your receipt and present it at your next visit (within seven days), you will get 10% off your order!

4 – The food is delicious and HEALTHY (farm to table)!

5 – $2 glasses of wine

6 – Free meal for your birthday!

7 – The more you spend, the bigger your bonuses get!

Visit Modern Market soon – but first download this app – $3 off your first order just for signing up! And the rewards keep adding up after that!
https://www.thelevelup.com/c/HWGVEF0MBC

SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss future posts on how to save a little $!

Do you have a Modern Market near you? What do you like to order?

November 4, 2017 By Kathryn

3 In Family/ Food/ Recipe

World’s Best Kale Salad

My mom offered to make a Kale salad while staying at my house a couple of years ago.

“Oh…kay,” I said hesitantly. I didn’t like Kale. I had already tried it in salad and baked as chips and just couldn’t eat it. That is, UNTIL I tried THIS salad. This salad made me totally changed my mind about Kale. This is seriously the WORLD’S BEST KALE SALAD! Created by my mom, Rebecca Bornman! Thanks mom!

Kale salad recipe:

1 bag Kale from (elephant or rougher Kale, not soft, baby Kale)

1-2 chopped Green onion – optional

½ cup cranberry

½ cup chopped almond

½ cup blue cheese (or gorgonzola)

Dressing:

½ cup of OLIVE OIL

lime juice from one lime

½ cup parm cheese

2 Tb honey

Chop the Kale and take out any stems.

Mix the dressing.

Throw all the ingredients on top of the Kale.

Pour the dressing on top, throw on a little salt/pepper or whatever seasoning you have on hand, mix well and enjoy!

Subscribe so that you don’t miss the other delicious recipes!

November 3, 2017 By Kathryn

40 In Book Review/ Colorado/ Colorado Springs/ Raising boys

I’ve written a children’s book – and I need your feedback!

The Magnificent Four who love to explore!

I’ve written a book about my boys climbing Pike’s Peak and encountering the animals that actually live on this mountain but I need your help with the title!

I want something easy to read and catchy. Here are my top picks – they are all similar – but which wording do you like best? They allude to ADVENTURE and ANIMALS! Let me know your favorite!

1. CLIMB, EXPLORE!

SWIM, SOAR!

2. CLIMB, SOAR!

SWIM, EXPLORE!

3. CLIMB, SWIM,

SLITHER SOAR!

4. Climb, Explore, Splash, slither, soar!

(subtitle – A Pike’s Peak Mountain Adventure)

PLEASE leave me a comment (Little box in the top right corner beside the title) and tell me – what’s your favorite title?

October 31, 2017 By Kathryn

2 In Colorado/ Colorado Springs/ Food/ Free stuff/ Saving money

Don’t cook dinner! 8 places to Eat for cheap (or free) on Halloween!

APPLEBEE’S

Head to Applebee’s with your Halloween costume and your kids eat free. (You may want to give your local restaurant a call to make sure they’re participating.)

BASKIN-ROBBINS

In case you’re looking for something sweet before the real Halloween sugar rush, hit up Baskin-Robbins, where all regular and kids-sized scoops are $1.50 on the 31st. If you don’t want sugar with your sugar tomorrow, mark your calendar for the next 31st – every 31st day of the month, get ice cream for $1.50!

CHIPOTLE

As part of their annual Boorito offer, anyone who comes by in costume from 3pm to close gets a $3 burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos.

IHOP

Not only is IHOP offering free food on Halloween — they’re making it totally okay for kids to play with their food. From 7am through 10pm, kids ages 12 and under can get a free Scary Face Pancake and design their own pancake using toppings like strawberries, whipped cream, Mini Oreos and candy corn.

SONIC DRIVE-IN

Swing by Sonic to grab 50-cent corn dogs all day on Halloween.

LARKBURGER

One FREE kid’s meal from open to close on Halloween with an adult purchase of $9. Each additional kids meal is only $3. If you visit Larkburger during their “happy hour” between 3-5pm (every day of the year!) small burgers are only $3.

ON THE BORDER

Get 12 mini, individually wrapped Chicken or Beef burritos for $12.99 (chips and salsa are usually thrown in for free!)

KRISPY KREME

I don’t have one around me (boo-hoo) but if you have a Krispy Kreme in your area – stop by for a free donut on Halloween!

What have you decided? Where will I find YOU eating tomorrow? Leave me a comment! (small box beside title)

Don’t forget to subscribe (on the right) so you don’t miss a post!

October 30, 2017 By Kathryn

2 In Faith/ Family/ Raising boys

Baptism: What it Means and Why it Matters

October 27, 2017 was a meaningful night for our family – our two oldest sons chose to be baptized.

Baptism is a way of to share that you’ve decided to follow Christ, and I am incredibly proud of our boys for making that choice as young men. I chose to follow Christ when I was young, and that decision shaped my life in lasting ways. God has been my Father, my Guide, my Friend, my Counselor, and the giver of every good thing.

Seeing our sons choose a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe, and having the courage to be baptized, filled my heart with gratitude and joy.

–

What does “Baptism” mean?

Baptize means to immerse in water.

Baptism is an “outward” way to show others that you’ve made an “inward” commitment to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior.

It’s like SHOW AND TELL at school. By being baptized, you are showing others that you have decided to follow Christ.

It’s similar to a wedding ring. My ring is an outward symbol of a commitment I made to my husband. Baptism shows people you are a Christian like my rings shows others that I’m a wife.

Why get baptized?

After you become a follower of Jesus, this is a way to make a “public declaration’ of your faith.
It’s being obedient to Christ. Matthew 29:19-20 says^“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus Christ was baptized. If we are followers of Christ, we should follow in his footsteps. (Matthew 3:13-17)
It is a symbol of the resurrection. Just as Christ died, was buried and raised from death. We are quickly submerged under water, and come back up. We are “dead” to sin and alive to LIFE in Christ! (Romans 6:1-7)

Who should get baptized?

Anyone who is a follower of Jesus.

What does baptism look like?

Churches do baptism differently. When I was young, I got baptized in a small pool the size of a hot tub. When I was in college in Florida, our pastor baptized people at the beach. When I was a children’s ministry director in Illinois, we baptized people at a local pool. My nephew got baptized in a lake … my boys were baptized in a trough!

Here is a picture:

How often do you get baptized?

Clark loved it so much he asked how often he could get baptized. I told him once was good. However, I have been baptized twice! I did it as a LITTLE girl, around 5, but didn’t truly grasp the significance of what I was doing. When I decided to follow Jesus as a young adult, I got baptized again. This wasn’t necessary, but something I chose to do.

If you were baptized as a baby or young child, and did not choose for yourself to get baptized, I would recommend getting baptized again.

Parent FAQs

My child was baptized as a baby, does he/she need to be baptized again?

Yes. In the Bible, believer’s baptism was always for people who were old enough to understand and make their own decision about being baptized.

Is Baptism a requirement for heaven?

No. There is only one way to get into heaven and that is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Baptism does not forgive your sins. Baptism is a symbol of Jesus washing away your sins as you are washed in water.

How do I know if my child is ready to be baptized?

My child has made a decision to invite Jesus into their life.
My child understands what baptism means.
My child asks to be baptized (and the above two statements are true).

How do I encourage my child in their faith after they are baptized?

I would recommend getting them a Bible, and or devotional.
Read WITH them.
Talk to them about what God is doing in your life.
Point out the beauty that God created all around you.
Pray together and talk about times when God answered prayers.
Go to church together.
As they get older, you may consider serving together or going on a mission trip together..

Have you been baptized? Let me know when and who baptized you in the comments! And if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Click here to read my recommendations for Bibles and Devotionals for kids.

Is there any proof to the Christian faith? Click here.

Click here to read about my faith journey!

October 29, 2017 By Kathryn

0 In Review

Starting a blog – how to do it yourself!

Have you been thinking about starting a blog?

It’s something I considered for years but stopped because I thought:

What am I going to write about?
Does there need to be ONE more voice out there?
Does anyone really care what I have to say?

Finally, I just decided to put a LAUNCH DATE on the calendar (September 1, 2017) and go for it.

Something that inspired me to move forward was that Crystal Payne of MoneyMakingMom.com offered an inexpensive on-line course that held my hand as I walked through the process of how to create a blog!

If you are interested in learning how to start your own blog but aren’t super tech-y (like ME!), the courses I’d recommend are:

5 days to a successful Blog Launch

and

Blog Start Up 101

If you want to take just one class – go with BLOG START UP 101 – it has the most information and will be extremely valuable in teaching you how to launch your blog!

I’m currently taking a 3rd online class called WordPress 101! I’ve had so much fun learning how to do new things that I thought I’d never be able to do.

I hope these courses benefit you like they have me! Let me know if you already have a blog or when you start one – leave me a comment so I can check it out!

October 28, 2017 By Kathryn

5 In Faith/ Joy

JOY or STRESS – your choice!

To miss out on joy is to miss out on the reason for your existence. –CS Lewis

Did you know that you can CHOOSE joy? That sounds simple, but how do you choose joy? One way to choose joy is by paying attention to what you focus on!

“He is a wise man (she is a wise woman) who does not grieve for the things which he has not but rejoices for those which he has.” – Epictetus

The key is to NOT focus on what we DON’T have, but REJOICE over what we do have! This takes a conscious effort on our part because it’s easier to see what’s NOT working than to see what IS working. It’s easier to focus on what’s NOT right in this world and in our lives than than what IS going right!

You cannot think two things at the same time. You cannot feel two things at the same time. Thinking about the bad in your life makes you feel bad, while thinking about the GOOD allows you to FEEL good. Which one will you choose today? If you actively choose to think about your blessings, you are choosing JOY and will start FEELING JOY!

There is ALWAYS something for which we can be JOYFUL!

“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.” Jeremiah 29:11

“GOD has a GOOD FUTURE planned for YOU!” That alone is a reason for joy!

Take a minute to write down 5 GOOD things in your life. Allow these positive thoughts to REPLACE any negative ones.

Here’s another option:

This was taken from a something I wrote in The 40 Day Joy Challenge for Moms! If you are a mother and would like more encouragement, visit the helpclubformoms.com

October 26, 2017 By Kathryn

3 In Review

My completely honest review of Stitch Fix

I started working recently and decided it’s time to get a few new things to wear.

Except that I don’t like to shop and it’s nearly impossible to do so with four little boys.

So I decided to give Stitch Fix a try.

My friend tried it and recommended it so I got online, answered questions about my style and the types of clothes I would like to receive and about two weeks later, my box arrived! (Below is a video of me unpacking it)

Here are my thoughts on Stitch Fix:

Pros:

FUN – When a box of new clothes arrives in the mail for you – it feels like it’s your birthday! It’s so fun!
Pretty accurate size/style – I chose LIKE IT, LOVE IT, or HATE IT from a selection of outfits when I signed up. I entered my size and answered some fun and simple questions. Four out of the five items I would have definitely picked out to try on.
Simple returns – You can send any items back that you don’t love in a large, pre-stamped envelope. They will refund you for those items.
TIME SAVER – Cute new outfits that I didn’t have to shop for!
Sanity saver – I don’t have to shop with four boys!
Money saver – I don’t have to hire a babysitter to watch my boys while I go shopping.
Conveniently sends you a new shipment based on your preferences – from monthly to quarterly.
Requests feedback so that can better match your style in each shipment. You can even request specific items. They also asked for feedback about cost – was it too high, just right, or too low!
Refer friends (see below) and get a credit towards your next box.

Cons:

Cost – I usually shop at Target, TJ Maxx and thrift stores – so the clothes were more than I like to spend. However, I gave this feedback and we will see if the next box has better prices. If not, I don’t think I’ll continue this service.
If you love to shop and have time for it, this might not be ideal for you. Unless you’d like to see what a Stitch fix stylist would pick out for you?

If you’d like to try it – click here to get $15 off your first box!

Have you tried stitch fix? What do you think? Leave me a comment!

Here’s a video of me opening my first box and trying on each item I received.

October 24, 2017 By Kathryn

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