What started as a simple drop off, turned into a grand adventure.
My son Paul had been invited to spend the night at his friend Isaiah’s house. As he jumped out of the car, he asked if we could come to the backyard before we left. Paul, with his boundless curiosity and love for nature, had discovered a nest full of baby birds in a blue spruce tree next to the lake.
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While we all gazed at the adorable baby birds, Clark’s eyes were fixed on the lake. Something captured his full attention. “Mom, look at that Tiki boat – it’s stuck, and there are people on it. We should go help!”
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With permission from Isaiah’s mom, George and Clark borrowed life jackets, launched the canoe into the water, and paddled out to assist, followed by Paul and his friend Isaiah in the paddle boat.
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The stranded women, initially fearing they’d have to wade through muck and mud with designer shoes and purses over their heads, couldn’t stop praising the brave young men who came to their rescue. The absence of motor boats on the lake made the Tiki boat their sole lifeline, and the unexpected assistance from the boys turned an ordinary afternoon into one they’ll never forget.
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George and Landon waiting on the Tiki Boat
Sometimes, the most memorable moments are the ones you never saw coming.
And sometimes, that memorable moment becomes a children’s book for all to enjoy:
The Great Lake Rescue:A true & heartwarming adventure story, where the Egly brothers learn the importance of helping others & inspire young readers to make a positive difference in the world around them.
Help your family remember that Thanksgiving is more than turkey and pumpkin pie with this fun and rewarding activity.
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If your children need a little motivation to make a gratitude list – call it a “Turkey Ticket” or “Pie Points” and in order to earn their turkey dinner – or dessert – list the ABCs of gratitude. It would be fun to save these and compare them year after year!
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ABCs of Thanksgiving
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On this Thanksgiving, embrace the beauty in simple moments. Remember that ordinary days have extraordinary blessings. Give thanks for what you have, and for the opportunity to make a difference and share God’s goodness with others.
Whether you want to add a few dollars to your monthly budget, have some extra spending money, or just get Starbucks for free – here are 4 apps that will allow you to do that!
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These are my four favorite money making apps that you can download today:
This app saves me up to 20 cents PER gallon every time I fill up!
Click this link or use promo code KATHRYN39226 to get an extra $7 bonus if you make a purchase before December 5, 2023. Click here to start earning: https://upside.app.link/KATHRYN39226
I earn 25 points for every reciept I upload, plus lots of points for extra things I already buy. These points translate into free gift cards to Target, paypal, Starbucks and more.
All you have to do is download the app, take a picture of any receipt (within 14 days), and hit submit.
Just like that, you’ll get points back (literally, you get 25 points just for submitting the receipt!)
You can then cash in these points for fantastic gift cards to help you stretch your budget a little further OR be able to afford some fun splurges!
Earn points for simply walking into stores, more points for scanning products, more points for purchases. Points translate into gift cards to Target, Walmart, Starbucks, and more.
it’s a free app that rewards you for shopping. Sign up with my code to get bonus kicks: SHOP348890
To use: Go to Rakuten.com, type in the name of the online store you are about to buy something from (ie Target.com), then click on their link. I make my normal purchases and get a percentage back in cash!
Smiling offers a wide range of physical, psychological, and social benefits. Here are 15 benefits of lifting those cheeks and showing the world your smile:
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1. Improved Mood: Smiling can trigger the “feel-good” hormones, which can instantly boost your mood.
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Our joy causes us to SMILE, but did you know that smiling actually causes you to feel more joy?! You can’t smile on the outside without feeling better on the inside.
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2. Stress Reduction/Mental Health: Smiling, even when you don’t initially feel like it, can lower stress levels by reducing the release of cortisol, a stress hormone.
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3. Pain Relief: Endorphins released through smiling can act as natural painkillers.
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4. Better Health: A positive outlook and reduced stress can strengthen the immune system, making you more resilient to illnesses.
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5. Better Relationships: Smiling is a universal sign of friendliness and approachability. It can improve relationships.
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6. Makes you Prettier/More Handsome: People tend to find those who smile more attractive and likable.
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7. Better Communication: A smile conveys warmth and connection, making you a more effective and engaging communicator.
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8. Longevity: Research suggests that people with a positive outlook, often marked by smiling, tend to live longer and experience better overall health.
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9. Conflict Resolution: When faced with conflicts, approaching the situation with a smile can make it easier to find common ground.
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Peace begins with a smile.
-Mother Teresa
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10. Better Decision-Making: A positive mood from smiling can lead to more optimistic and rational decision-making.
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11. Heart Health: Smiling may lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart-related conditions.
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12. Enhanced Memory: A positive mood induced by smiling can improve memory retention and recall.
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13. Snowball Effect: Your smile can have a contagious effect, brightening the mood of those around you. Smile first!
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14. Improved Confidence: Regular smiling can boost self-esteem and self-confidence, leading to a more positive self-image.
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15. Promotion of Well-Being: Overall, the act of smiling contributes to a sense of well-being and a more optimistic outlook on life.
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I hope you have a BIG SMILE on your face after reading these 15 amazing benefits!
Lately, headlines have felt especially heavy. News of violence in schools, the shooting of Charlie Kirk, and so many other tragedies can leave us reeling, wondering how to hold hope in a world that seems so fragile. Pair that with the ordinary challenges of family, work, and everyday life, and it’s easy to feel discouraged or even numb.
Not long ago, I found myself in a difficult season—disheartened and worn thin. We had uprooted our lives once again, landing in a new state just as one of the coldest winters in years settled in. Friends were scarce, the days were short and gray, and sickness seemed to circle endlessly through our home. The demands of raising four energetic boys were high, but my energy was at an all-time low. I felt physically drained, emotionally weary, and increasingly isolated. As the weeks dragged on, I struggled to find purpose, motivation, or even a clear sense of who I was in this unfamiliar place.
I’m usually the person who’s positive, who sees the bright side … but I couldn’t in this season. What made it harder was comparing myself – to myself! The person I’d been just a year ago was so different than the girl I saw in the mirror.
The previous year was marked by remarkable growth and progress.
Then all of that changed. We moved to a new place. I no longer wanted to set goals, to write, and was living in (what felt like) Antarctica.
Isn’t life supposed to move up and to the right?
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It was certainly moving to the ‘right’ as time continued its relentless march forward. The “up” part seemed elusive. Why had things shifted so drastically?
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In my quest for answers and to regain a sense of equilibrium, I realized I needed to make some changes. It was time to unplug from the constant noise, to halt both the input and output, and just be. After all, we are human beings, not human doings.
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I took a break from writing and blogging. I removed Facebook and Instagram from my phone. I unsubscribed from the podcasts that left me discouraged and overwhelmed.
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Instead, I listened to positive music, I played with my boys, I prayed, read my Bible and a couple of life-giving books, and carved out time to make new friends.
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To burst out of a cold, dark winter… Into the brightness and life of spring takes a lot of SHOVELING of gray thoughts that have become a blizzard in our minds… So thick we can’t even see our hands in front of our face.
Deb Freeman
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Through this process, I learned a valuable lesson: Life doesn’t always follow a linear path. It ebbs and flows, bringing both good and challenging times. It oscillates between loneliness and fullness, happiness and sadness, ugly and beautiful.
The lows serve to deepen our appreciation for the highs.
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Life is like a book. You take it one chapter at a time. Often one page at a time or one paragraph at a time. Some paragraphs are written better than others.
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What I WANTED my life to look like was different from ‘reality.’
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My previous assessment of life was a linear progression. Growth and more growth! Life and more life! Up and further up! Add, don’t subtract.
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However, I’ve come to understand that ‘reality’ is far more complex. Life involves a series of steps forward, with occasional steps backward, sideways meanders, and even a few ‘loop-de-loops.’
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In a world characterized by constant change, I’m thankful for a God who never changes. Who’s love is always certain.
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I am deeply grateful for the nourishing wisdom found in the pages of the Bible, for the solace and inspiration that uplifting books and music provide. For the gift of prayer. My heart brims with gratitude for the friendships that have woven their way into my life and the ‘date nights’ shared with Ted. I’m grateful for the ways my boys make me laugh and how they teach me knew things. I love that nature soothes and time heals. Every day that passed made me stronger, more able to live in (and even love!) this new place.
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Look for the good, even in the dark. Once you train your eyes for little glimpses of goodness, you’ll get better at seeing them.
Shauna Niequist
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Each of these elements brought me back to a place of joy. In the midst of this journey, I rediscovered that my truest calling was wife, mother, and cherished child of God. All other pursuits, at this moment in time, occupy the periphery.
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I am learning that seasons shift, but God’s love doesn’t. Even in the dark, He is steady, kind, and near. When we anchor ourselves in Him, we find the strength to endure and the courage to hope. If you’re walking through a heavy season, may you feel His presence holding you close.
“Have you ever moved to a new place or entered a new environment where no one knew who you were, what you could do, or what dreams ignite your soul?”
Jesus’ hidden years gave him time to grow and become. It was sacred. Time for rest. Unapplauded but not unproductive.”
The author suggests how to rest:
“Take long walks through the woods. Paint a picture no one will see. Watch the stars. Wander through an art museum. Play piano when only God can listen. Write in your journal. Plant a garden.”
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Savor the anonymous season. Respect it’s potential.
-Alicia Britt Chole
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This book was everything I needed for that season. If you are in a “new, waiting, or starting over” season – Anonymous may be the perfect book for you!
This book shares Shauna’s journey back to joy in the midst of some really challenging circumstances. Here are bits of advice she gives:
Get outside and be on the lookout for beauty, especially in nature, read books for comfort. Fresh air helps everything. The world is still good, still beautiful, still interesting and worth savoring. God is still good, still faithful, still kind.
Keep walking, keep loving, keep writing, keep praying. Keep learning, keep forgiving, keep apologizing, keep moving forward. Keep inviting, keep listening, keep opening my arms to all of life.
It doesn’t help to pretend everything is okay. Tell the truth. Allow yourself to be supported by friends and family.
I’m learning home isn’t singular. You don’t lose one, instead, your world and your heart expand with each new home and new set of experiences. The old ones stay and the new ones make your heart and your world bigger.“
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I’m thankful authors who can eloquently put into words what I feel so deeply and can’t exactly articulate. They let me know I am not alone and brighter days are ahead.
This daily devotional is designed to guide readers through the entire Bible over the course of a year. Each entry includes a Scripture passage, insightful commentary, thought-provoking questions, and practical application steps. Here is just one powerful quote from this book
This is a 40-day devotional that is PACKED with goodness and EXCELLENT book to read in a challenging season. Here are two powerful quotes from the author:
Thoughts are like trains, they take you somewhere. Instead of stopping a thought, REPLACE it. You have to actively FEED the POSITIVE and STARVE the negative.
God loves the people in your life so much that He put YOU in their lives. He gave you a means to communicate with them so they could be better off because they encountered YOU!
(Books are affiliate links)
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These books brought me SO MUCH JOY as I realized I am NOT alone. Others have been through similar challenges and came out stronger. And God is always with me, cheering me on.
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How about you? What sustains you during life’s challenging moments? Where do you find hope and support? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment by clicking on the little box by the title.
In 2008, George had just turned one. His wobbly walk reminded us of Frankenstein…so that’s the costume he wore that year.
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2010-2013 George and Clark LOVED costumes and dressing up as different characters.
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George and Clark as Woody and Buzz
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This was 2015 – our first year in Colorado. All the boys were superheroes. I was well protected!
The year of the Superheroes!
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2018 – our first Halloween in Minnesota. George was AntMan, Clark and Paul were Ninjas and Luke was superman (a costume that all the boys have worn and loved).
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Clark was a football player. Our friend’s daughter was a football!
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Luke and his friend were “bad guys” – guilty of being TOO CUTE! Our friends and neighbors were the police -on patrol and handing out tickets!
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Who wore it better?
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This year, Luke and his friends were MINIONS and Gru. I was Mrs. Universe and yes, for a couple hours, the Universe revolved around me!
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Click here to get your sash and create your own costume!
When a neighbor mentioned that he needed some help with a Parade of Home’s Artisan Home Tour, I thought, “Why not? It’s a chance to see some stunning houses and meet new people in the process!”
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You can see these dreamy homes (and 18 others!) today through Sunday. Visit one house for $5 or all of them for $25 (with promo code HOLIDAY). All the details are just a click away, so check out more info by tapping right here.
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Here’s the scoop on two fabulous homes I played host to over on the west side of Minneapolis.
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Which one of these jaw-dropping homes could you see yourself living in?
A 3400-square-foot modern masterpiece out in Medina, MN. It sits on 7 forested acres (yet is still close to restaurants and shopping).
Or, maybe you’re more into the 6700-square-foot, 3 story beauty (with an elevator) on Lake Minnetonka.
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House #1 in Medina, MN built by City Homes
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I was crazy about this blue porcelain shower.
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Here’s an inside tour:
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House #2 in Orono, MN on Lake Minnetonka built by Lecy Brothers
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This property has been in the family for over half a century, but the house itself is brand new. The top level is an ’apartment’ for the grandparents who bought this property in the 60s. The elevator takes them to every level where the next two generations live.
Gorgeous kitchen with a maple island
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The main living area with an art TV and lake view
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Which is your favorite? Drop your thoughts in the comment section by giving that little box next to the post title a gentle click.
And if you’re on the hunt for more design inspiration, follow my sister at Krista Lynn Designs. She’s an interior designer with phenomenal taste! .
Thanks for stopping by! Please consider subscribing!
Here’s an idea for you: Take your kids to the backyard and play a GAME together.
It’s a refreshing departure from the ever-encroaching high-tech world of gadgets, which often leaves little room for imagination.
Playing with your kids is an opportunity to move, laugh, and learn as a family.
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Here’s the good news, it doesn’t have to take all day. Just carving out 10 minutes to play strengthens the bond between parent and child and lowers stress and anxiety for all ages!
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The opposite of play is NOT work. The opposite of play is depression.
Dr. Stuart Brown
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Playing with your kids lowers your stress level and strengthens the bond with your kids! So, let’s embrace the enchantment of play and reap the joys it can bring to our lives.
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Need game ideas?
TAG!! Good, old-fashioned TAG! When my kids ask me to play TAG, I want to say: “No, I’m too old … too tired.” However, I push that feeling aside, realizing this is an opportunity to connect with my kids and burn some calories! You don’t have to play for HOURS! Usually in 5 to 10 minutes we are worn out from running and laughing so hard! Try it!
There are endless parenting books on the market – many good ones, a few really bad (or just plain BORING), and a few GREAT ones! Here are four of my favorites:
This book contains practical ideas and inspiration for raising boys who are honorable, courageous and compassionate.
“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 consider this a must-read for every Christian parent. It’s filled with page after page of Biblical truth and practical encouragement.
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We have this one life, this short time on earth to make our mark and to make life count. We have these children in our care for a blink of an eye. NOW is the time to be engaged and fully present. Now is the time to rise up and be the parent who trains and prepares our children to become the individuals they were created to be.
Susie Larson, author of Growing Grateful kids
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God promises to give wisdom if we ask him. We need wisdom because every child is different. The Lord will show you how to parent each of your children in a way that will help him or her to grow to be the person they were created to be.
This book was written by a parent and psychologist. I found it practical, extremely helpful, and even inspiring. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it so much that I went online and purchased a hard-copy. Topics include respect, chores, homework, helping your child deal with a ‘bad day,’ and building ‘faith practices’ in your home (though you don’t have to be a person of faith to find IMMENSE value in this book)! I highly recommend it to all parents.
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Unsure how to find grace and security in the complex world we’ve inherited, we try to fill up the spaces in our children’s lives with stuff: birthdays, lessons, rooms full of toys and equipment, tutors and therapists. But material pleasures can’t buy peace of mind, and all the excess leads to more anxiety—parents fear that their children will not be able to sustain this rarefied lifestyle and will fall off the mountain the parents have built for them.
Dr. Wendy Mogul, author of The Blessing of a Skinned Knee
To care for the physical needs of others while ignoring their spiritual needs is like giving a hamburger to a hungry man sitting on train tracks and not telling him a train is coming. The Bible calls Christians to care for both physical and spiritual needs, and ignoring either puts people in serious danger.
Natasha Crain, author of Talking to Your Kids about God
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Natasha Crain discusses the evidence for the existence of God, how science confirms the God of the Bible, how Christianity is different from other religions, and how all these things apply to us and the world around us. An excellent book for Christian parents who want to know how to answer their child’s questions. I recommend it to any Christian parent or parent who may be curious about God.
Gratitude is a fundamental aspect of emotional intelligence and well-being, and teaching it to children can have long-lasting positive effects on their development and outlook on life.
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When you are grateful, an invisible blanket of peace covers you … it makes you happy, strong and warm.
Om Swami
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Cultivating a heart of gratitude in our children begins when we model what that looks like.
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Here are 10 ways to cultivate GRATITUDE in our children:
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Model It: Children often learn by observing their parents. If you consistently express gratitude, your children are more likely to do the same.
Talk about It: Verbalize your feelings of gratitude regularly. When you thank others for their kindness or acknowledge the positive aspects of your life, you demonstrate to your children the importance of being thankful and appreciating the good things.
Teach the Value of Effort: Help children understand that many things they enjoy in life, whether it’s a meal, a clean home, or a loving family, require effort and work. Show them how to appreciate the effort that goes into providing these things.
Encourage Reflection: Encourage your children to reflect on what they’re thankful for. This can be done through conversations, a gratitude journal, or asking them about the best part of their day. This practice helps them become more aware of the positive aspects of their lives. Here’s a link to a fun Gratitude Activity.
Give Back: Volunteering as a family can be a powerful way to show children the value of gratitude and compassion for others.
Limit Materialism: In a consumer-driven world, it’s important to teach children that long term happiness doesn’t come from getting more stuff. Talk about how experiences and relationships are the biggest sources of fulfillment and gratitude.
Be Patient: Developing a sense of gratitude is a process that takes time. Children may not always express gratitude naturally, so be patient and provide gentle guidance.
Avoid Comparisons: Discourage comparisons with others. Instead, focus on individual growth and the unique circumstances that make each person special. Click here for more on Comparison.
Celebrate Achievements: When your children show gratitude or acts of kindness, celebrate and reinforce these behaviors. Positive reinforcement can motivate them to continue being appreciative and kind.
Correct Missteps: If your child displays ingratitude or entitlement, use these moments as teaching opportunities rather than scolding. Explain why their behavior is not aligned with gratitude and help them understand the impact of their actions on others.
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Incorporating these practices into your parenting can help instill a sense of gratitude in your children, which can contribute to their emotional well-being, resilience, and the development of positive relationships throughout their lives.
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Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
