All Posts By

Kathryn

13 In Colorado/ Colorado Springs/ Things to do in Colorado/ Traveling

10 things you MUST DO in Colorado Springs!

.

There are so many incredible free things to do in Colorado Springs, CO (click here to see that list)!  However, there are a few things that are absolutely worth spending a little money to see in do when you visit this incredible city.

.

Here are ten experiences you won’t want to miss:

.

1. Ride the Cog Railroad or Drive to the top of Pikes Peak

.

.

This will be one of the most specular rides/drives you will ever take. Plan for about 1.5 hours up to the top of this mountain.  Be sure to get a picture at the Summit and try a DONUT!   If you aren’t up for driving, the COG railroad is a fun way to get to the top. It’s a bit pricier but a memorable experience!

.

I wrote a children’s book about Pikes Peak and the Cog Railroad. Get your copy by clicking here.

.

2. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

.

.

This is a beautiful zoo right on the side of the mountain. Get right up close to the animals and enjoy gorgeous views! Your family will love a day spent here. My favorite part was feeding the giraffes.

.

3. Space Foundation Discovery Center

This is a space museum for families. Everyone will learn something and enjoy the hands on exhibits. It’s a great way to get your kids out of the house on a cold or rainy day.

.

4. Olympic Training Center

What I love about this place is that you get to watch real Olympians in training! We took our kids at ages 2, 4, 6 and 8, and they enjoyed it, but I would probably recommend that it’s best for ages 5 and up.

.

5. North Pole

A great little Christmas-themed amusement park for kids, right on the side of the mountain. Best for families with children under 10 years old.

.

6. Cave of the winds

Wind your way through Colorado caverns. Explore the wonders of the underground or sail through the sky on the Terror-dactyl ride. There’s something for everyone here.

.

7. Penny Arcade

The Penny Arcade

(The Penny Arcade is in Manitou Springs – next to Colorado Springs – but worth mentioning!) Come to this historic arcade and play lots of different games – some old, some new. There are even a few antique games that you can play for a penny, but most games are 25¢. All ages will enjoy this place. I appreciate the history, my kids (and husband) enjoy the games.

.

8. Glen Eyrie Castle

This hidden gem is a MUST SEE! It’s one of my favorite spots in our city. It’s the home built by the founder of our city. Schedule a tour of the inside, stay the night, enjoy High Tea, or simply explore the incredible grounds.

.

9. Seven Falls

With my husband, sister & brother in law at Seven Falls

This area is called the “GRANDEST MILE OF SCENERY” in Colorado and I think that describes it pretty well!  I’d recommend going with a friend or on a date. You’ll get a good workout as you climb 224 steps. The stairs lead to a beautiful place hike. Click here to read more about my visit, see the pictures, prices, and get all the deets.

.

10. Stay the night at the Broadmoor

The Broadmoor

My husband took me here for my birthday, and it was AMAZING. I hope that each one of you can stay the night here at some point in your life because it is truly fantastic.  Go in the summer so that you can take advantage of the amazing outdoor pool! When you visit, don’t miss the “wall of fame” – a hallway with pictures of all the celebrities that have stayed here!

.

Those are, in my opinion, the top ten best places to see in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

.

This map was made with Wanderlog, a road trip planner app on iOS and Android

.

Would you like a souvenir of your visit?! Click here to buy!

Thanks for your support!

Here’s a list of 20 FREE things to do in Colorado Springs!

And click here for some ideas of what to do in Manitou Springs!

For the best places to EAT in Colorado Springs, click here!

Here is a link to some COUPONS to use for some of the attractions I just mentioned – http://www.pikes-peak.com/coupons/

 

September 23, 2017 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1
5 In Faith/ Family/ Motherhood/ Raising boys

Finding Joy in the Journey of Motherhood

“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.”
― Henri J.M. Nouwen

Being a mom is wonderful. And hard.

I try to get the house picked up before I go to bed at night and then by 10 am, it looks a hurricane swept through. The breakfast is finished, but food is out, dishes are piled in the sink, milk is spilled and “sort of” wiped up. I look in the living room and my boys have pulled out every pillow and blanket we own to make a fort. I look around and feel overwhelmed.

Some thoughts that go through my head are:

  • I’ll never have a clean house.
  • I’m depressed.
  • I can’t do this.

I give myself about 60 seconds to feel that way then I PURPOSEFULLY stop myself. I CHOOSE to think different thoughts and my mood immediately changes.

I can’t do this is replaced with:

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

I am depressed is replaced with:

“Today is the day that the Lord has made and I will REJOICE and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

I’ll never have a clean house is replaced with: I have young children living here and I WILL eventually have a clean house again.

And then – I CHOOSE to be grateful.

I look at the breakfast crumbs and spills and think – my kids aren’t hungry! They have food to eat!

I look at the mess in the living room and think – they are creative! They are playing together!

Motherhood is a journey. A hard and joy-filled journey where life isn’t your own anymore. It’s about choosing joy in spite of the messes they make, the noise and the lack of free time. It’s choosing gratitude when it’s easier to be angry, frustrated, and depressed.

Today, stop and look around at the mess and be grateful for it! It means that LIFE is happening there.

I’m choosing joy one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time.

Stress is a CHOICE! Joy and Gratitude are choices too! Choose well.

What are you grateful for today? Leave me a comment!

For more encouragement – check out the JOY CHALLENGE for MOMs. A daily video on how to choose joy no matter what life brings you. And this study to go along with it.

September 21, 2017 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1
3 In Book Review/ Faith/ Family/ Raising boys

Book Review – Knights in Training

Since it is so likely that our [children] will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. – CS Lewis

Knights in training is one of the best “parenting” books I’ve ever read!

It’s the first parenting book I’ve ever “savored”…

… the first one I plan to read over and over again …

… and the first time I’ve loved a book so much that I reached out to thank the author for writing it!

(Can you tell I like it?)

This book was filled with tons of practical ideas and inspiration in my journey in raising boys who are honorable, courageous and compassionate.

Here’s a quote from the book that sums up why I love this book!

“We need to start training them now to be ready to take the reins of leadership – to live with integrity, to think outside of themselves, and to value the people around them. We need boys who will use their strength for the protection of others rather than to prey on others. With power and strength comes great responsibility.”

I’m grateful for men and women who use their voices to inspire, challenge and teach us! Heather Haupt is one of those voices for me!

If you are a parent or grandparent – get this book!

Have you read it? If so, leave me a comment and tell me what you liked most!

 

September 19, 2017 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1
6 In Free stuff/ Motherhood/ Saving money

FIVE ways to get FREE Starbucks!

If you are like me, you love DRINKING Starbucks more than you love PAYING for Starbucks. It’s hard to justify spending $5+ on a latte when I can make a decent cup of coffee at home for just a few cents.

Well, here are a few ways to get your Starbucks for FREE!

Shopkick App:

I love this app because I earn a free Starbucks gift card at least once a month! It’s an app that gives you “Kicks” when you walk into stores and when you scan or buy products. We’ll both get points toward a free gift card when you try it. Use code SHOP348890 or download http://getsk.co/shop348890

Shopkick

Swagbucks.com:

This is a website that has about 1000 ways to earn points, and all those points can be used towards GIFT CARDS! Check it out here: http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/CMEnthusiast

A snapshot of gift cards I’ve earned through Swagbucks!

Starbucks App:

You get a free drink on your birthday and also after you get 125 “Stars.” The app also runs promotions to earn free drinks. You also get free refills. If you purchase a coffee while shopping at Target, Safeway, or any other location that has Starbucks – don’t leave without getting a free refill on your hot or iced coffee!

Cartwheel App:

Target regularly offer discounted drinks at Starbucks if you use the Cartwheel app.

Buy Gift cards on sale:

Groupon occasionally sells $10 Starbucks cards for $5. If you have a Chase or Visa card, they have promotions for free Starbucks too!

September 17, 2017 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1
6 In Family/ Motherhood/ Raising boys

The Awesome Jar

Awesome Jar

On our counter sits the “AWESOME JAR.” It’s just a glass jar that we use to celebrate the good things in our day. When something happens that brings us JOY, my kids or I will write it down on a slip of paper and add it to the jar. You’d think we’d remember all these great things, but somehow we forget. This “AWESOME” Jar is a like our “remember the good” Jar.

Yesterday, for George’s birthday we put a note in our family’s Awesome Jar that simply says: “Clark’s birthday Surprise for George.” Let me tell you about it. After school, Clark gathered the neighbor kids and gave them each a gift bag. The kids put random (used) toys in each bag, placed them by our front door, rang the door bell, then hid. When George answered the door, they all jumped out and shouted, “SURPRISE! Happy Birthday!” He opened the silly gifts, and they all laughed about it and enjoyed a few minutes together for George’s birthday. It was awesome.

Every few weeks we sit down and pull out the notes from our Awesome Jar and “relive” those sweet moments. It also reinforces to my kids what they’ve done well and it encourages them to keep doing it! The notes in our JAR fill us with JOY!

Find a container and make it your family’s AWESOME Jar. Make it a habit to add one thing each day. It might be something like:

“(My son) put his dishes in the sink without being reminded”

– or –

“(My daughter) responded kindly when her sister was mean to her”

If it was a really bad day and you can’t think of anything, then write, “We all survived today!”

When you look for the GOOD, you will find it! And the more good you notice today, the more you will notice tomorrow. Not only YOU, but your CHILDREN as well. My sons have started to say, “Mom, did you see/hear that, it should go in the Awesome Jar!”

Leave me a comment about one “awesome” thing that’s happened in your house this week. And don’t forget to subscribe by putting your email in the box on the right hand column!

September 15, 2017 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1
0 In Family/ Raising boys

George – fearless leader of the #eglyboys

Please indulge me today while I introduce you to my oldest son on his birthday!

George is TEN today! We’ve been parents for a DECADE now!

Here are some things that make him special:

George is curious!  He is always thinking deep thoughts about the future with questions like, “Mom, how will I know when I meet the person I’m supposed to marry?” And, “How will I know how to find a house and pay for it when I’m older?”

George is protective! He’s also always looking out for his brothers. He won’t let them walk anywhere NEAR the edge of the pool because he worries about them falling in. He told me he loves having a baby brother but wants him to grow up quick so he’s strong and won’t get hurt!

George LOVES electronics. I recently told him to go outside to play, so he took my computer and sat outside with it. I closed the computer and explained that playing outside means “No electronics. It means running, riding your bike or playing ball!”

George and I are learning how to edit videos and in the process of creating a youtube channel. However, he recently created and uploaded a little video to my channel that’s had about 50,000 views! (You can watch it here)

George loves to laugh! While reading books or watching movies, he is usually the first to catch the humor and laugh so hard that it’s contagious! (He gets this from his dad and Nana). George also makes US laugh. Recently he asked me if he was born when we lived in the brown house. I said, “No, you were born when we lived in the white house.” He paused for a minute, then his eyes got LARGE and he said excitedly,

“My DAD used to be the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!!!???”

“Sorry, George, not that White House. However, one day, YOU might be the president of the United States. You do have a presidential name and were born to do GREAT THINGS!”

Happy 10th Birthday, you are loved!

 

September 14, 2017 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1
18 In Colorado/ Colorado Springs/ Raising boys/ Things to do in Colorado/ Traveling

20 FREE, fun and family-friendly places to visit in Colorado Springs

One of the reasons why we moved here and why I love my city is so much is because of the endless things to do with our family!

Here are 20 of the FREE things to do in Colorado Springs:

Outdoor activities:

This is a national landmark for a good reason. It should be on every person’s bucket list and I love that it’s right here in town. Every time we visit we see new things. The main parking lot has a bathroom, and the hike from there is stroller friendly! Start there, but I hope you’ll take time to visit every part of this park! Balanced Rock and Siamese twins are two of our favorite spots.

.

A huge playground for kids with a gorgeous view. A large grassy area and a unique water sculpture for kids to play in during the summer.

.

You’ll see this phenomenal rock structure as you drive down the highway. Click here to see pictures and read all the details about our adventure to the top of this rock.

Paul at Pulpit Rock

.

This a gorgeous place to hike with trails that are easy or difficult, short or long – you choose!  We love this place! My mom said it’s better than Garden of the Gods because it’s more “natural.”

.

You can enjoy a little museum and pretty view from the base of the falls or take a short and beautiful walk to the top of the falls.

.

If you drive past Helen Hunt falls and park at the top of the hill, there is a gorgeous hike to take with your family. My little ones only made it to the first of the ‘seven bridges’, but we loved the hike and enjoyed playing in the creek at the first bridge.

Crazy for Colorado

.

Drive to the top for an amazing view! Take a hike around the area, then drive to the bottom and play at the huge playground on Maizeland Road.

The view at Palmer Park

.

This is a fantastic, brand new park! It has a splash pad, sandy area, playground, picnic area, places to play basketball, soccer, and tennis; there are biking and hiking trails…it’s incredible!

.

A beautiful park where you can explore and play!

.

.

Indoor activities:

Luke at the Pioneer Museum

This is a gorgeous building right down town. It’s a free museum that is full of interesting facts and displays that teach about the history of Colorado Springs. My boys enjoy playing in the children’s play area, going to story hour, and riding the old elevator. (This is also a good place to go WITHOUT kids so that you can read and enjoy each exhibit a little more thoroughly.)

.

This is a museum you will go through pretty fast, but if you are in the Broadmoor area, or have an interest in cars, this is a neat museum worth checking out! My boys still talk about it. It shows old race cars, including one that CRASHED with the video showing how it happened.

.

Focus on the family has an incredible indoor play area with a giant four-story slide. There’s also an ice cream/snack shop and a bookstore so you may want to bring a few dollars with you, but it’s not necessary. You can play for FREE. Focus on the Family is such an amazing ministry, and it’s a fun place to visit if you are in town.

.

We are blessed with an INCREDIBLE network of libraries in Colorado Springs! Besides being able to check out movies and books – You can attend dance classes, story time, or just play on the computers and with their toys! They have free classes for all ages!

.

Take a tour of their facility and see what they do around the world! It’s interesting and fun for all ages.

.

You can hike, visit the beautiful chapel, the visitor center, one of the playgrounds, or go to a game! This place is HUGE and worth visiting! Go to usafa.edu/visitors to see everything you can do here!

.

A great view of Garden of the Gods park, interesting things to see inside, and history to learn.

.

.

Activities that have Indoor and Outdoor Space:

A pretty place to hike outdoors and explore the exhibits indoors!

My youngest son, Luke, at the Bear Creek Nature Center

.

This stone building was originally the home of the Starsmore family.  It serves as an introduction to Cheyenne Cañon and its beautiful waterfalls, rock formations, and trails. In the nature center you can get a map of the area, bird watch, and play with the hands-on exhibits.

.

An aviation museum with lots of history to learn and planes to see. (Need to register 24 hours in advance to get on base)

.

If you’d like to purchase Climb, Soar, Swim, Explore, click here, submit $10 and I will ship out your SIGNED copy! 

Click here for the best hikes to take in Colorado Springs!
Click here for 10 Bucket list items to do in Colorado Springs 

Click here for the best places to EAT in Colorado Springs

Click here for the best things to do in Manitou Springs

Ice cream at historic Patsy’s in Manitou Springs

Click here for FREE things to do in Breckenridge, CO


For 50+ activities to do with your kids, click here! 

Don’t forget to subscribe (on the right) so you don’t miss any posts! They’ll come right to your inbox.

September 12, 2017 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1
7 In Colorado/ Colorado Springs/ Finding our place/ House Hunting/ Moving

Becoming Colorado home owners!

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. – Melody Beattie

In 2015, Ted received a job offer for a position at the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL). This was a company he had followed for over a decade, reading and using the material they produce on leadership. What an honor to now get to be a part of their team!

We decided to first “rent” a home until we knew which part of town we wanted to live in. After living in Colorado Springs for about 6 months, we were getting familiar with this great city, and knew which area of town where we wanted to buy a home. After looking at several houses, we found the one that we knew was our ‘home.’ From the first time we walked inside, we could feel the love and comfort in this home, and could imagine ourselves living there.  We would soon find out that the family selling the home had moved here from Naperville, Illinois (not far from where we previously lived) and attended the same church as us!

We put an offer on the house and included a letter about our family – why we wanted their home and what we loved about it. The house had only been on the market 6 days and we knew others were interested, but thankfully, we got the house! They let us know that the letter was what made them want to sell their home to us.

We set a closing date for the end of April, but the lease for our rental home was through September. I called the Rental Agency about breaking our lease. They quoted all the fees involved for doing that, and my heart sank for a minute. Then I remembered a conversation I had with someone who knew the owners of this rental home. I remembered her telling me that the owners were planning to moving back soon after living overseas for five years. I wondered (to myself) where the owners would live since our family was renting their house.

I asked our rental agency if they would contact the owners of our rental home to see if they might want their house back.

Amazingly, the owners said, “YES!”

We did not have to break the lease or pay any fees for moving out early!!!!

Wow!

We are now Colorado homeowners and absolutely love it! We are grateful to get to live in such an amazing place. I share more specifically about what we love to do here in this post.

I hope you’ve enjoyed following us in this journey as much as I’ve enjoyed telling you! It’s been fun to look back and see how God has gone before us, opening doors at every step. We took a leap of faith and flew. I hope it’s inspired you!

CLICK HERE to read 10 things I didn’t know about Colorado until I lived here! 

Click here to read a post I wrote about 10 things you MUST do in Colorado Springs! 

September 10, 2017 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1
1 In Colorado Springs/ Faith/ Finding our place/ Friendship/ Uncategorized

Finding old friends in our new place!

Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. – Anais Nin

When we moved to Colorado Springs, there was only one family we knew. They were our neighbors and the only who had helped us find our home. After 13 years in Chicago, we had developed a strong community of friends, and it was hard leaving that behind.

Soon after arriving in town, old friends of my husband (Ted) recommended we visit New Life Church because he thought there’d be some people at New Life that Ted might know. We went to a Friday night service and discovered that the Friday night pastor went to high school with Ted! Ted knew nearly a dozen people that were a part of New Life Church! How incredible to be in a brand new place and have some really special friends from the past! These are people that knew him well and immediately welcomed us into the church and their homes. From our very first visit, we knew that New Life is where we belong.

 

 

If you are in Colorado Springs and don’t have a church home, visit New Life Church. The pastors are incredible teachers, the music is absolutely amazing, and we love the children’s ministry! And best of all, it’s a church filled with some really incredible people.

In my next post, I’ll finish our “Pikes Peak or Bust” saga by telling you a great story about how we found our permanent home in Colorado.

Also, tomorrow is the last day to enter to win my giveaway. I’ll be choosing a winner tonight! Go here to enter!

September 9, 2017 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1
6 In Faith/ Motherhood/ Raising boys

Clark – our super kid!

Let me introduce you to #ClarkWayne, who is celebrating his Golden Birthday today!!

Since the day he was born, Clark has rocked our world.

He was such a happy baby with BIG kissable cheeks, but didn’t love sleeping. (Why sleep when there’s the entire world to discover!?)

As a toddler he was so precious, but would BITE when he didn’t like something. (This caused us to get kicked out of the gym child care for a few months.)

As a preschooler he was so friendly, but a little too ROUGH when playing with friends…which made a lot of uncomfortable moments with other moms. (So many apologies…)

He’d wake us up before dawn and whisper, “Mama …waffles…juice!”

Thankfully, Clark stopped biting. He still climbs, but has more stability. He’s still a little rough, and wakes up way too early, but he is SO full of LIFE and JOY.

He often exclaims that this is the “BEST DAY EVER” just because there’s a fort in the living room or because we make s’mores after dinner.

He’s a leader who knows how to gather his friends for a cause – whether it’s a lemonade stand, dog wash, fort building, bike show, backyard games or foot races…he’s never bored.

He is thoughtful: “Mom, here’s a quarter from my piggy bank. I’d like to buy you some coffee.”

He is funny: “Mom, George is 7, I’m 5, Paul is 3, and Luke is BLASTOFF!”

He always keep me on my toes. Click here for the story about how he snuck a snake into the car – and then let me know he lost it while I was driving down the road with a car full of kids.

This summer, Clark and I had great conversation about what heaven is like that ended with Clark praying and asking Jesus to be his forever friend!

We are so glad to get to celebrate one more year with Clark – our SuperKid!

September 8, 2017 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1