Because I’m a teacher at heart – I wanted my first children’s book to be FUN and EDUCATIONAL!
Climb, Soar, Swim, Explore takes you on an ADVENTURE to the top of Pikes Peak (a Colorado mountain) and teaches you fun facts about the animals who live there.
I worked with a talented local artist who hand painted each illustration.
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One year ago, New Life Church was hosting an amazing children’s/family ministry conference called The Gathering. It was during this conference that my husband accepted a job with Target, which meant we’d be moving to Minnesota.
I love Colorado, and I also loved working with this team at New Life. I was struggling with the idea that this chapter would be ending soon.
On the last night of the conference (last year), each person who helped lead the conference was given a box of cereal from Dr. Michelle Anthony – my (former) boss and Family Ministry Pastor. She gave me a box of S’mores and told me that she would like S’more of me. It took everything in me not to burst into tears right then. Just a couple days later, I’d be sharing the news that we’d be moving and she’d be getting S’less, not S’more.
I went home from the conference and shared how I was feeling with Ted. He encouraged me to come back to the conference in 2019 and volunteer.
So this year, I went to Colorado for a Volunteer Vacation! I came to assist, learn, and connect with my New Life friends!
When I first arrived in Colorado Springs – tears filled my eyes. This city has such a special place in my heart, and I was so happy to be back.
The morning of the conference, I drove over to New Life Church with my friend Holly, and helped with the last minute details. All morning I was greeted with love and hugs from friendly faces. It was pure joy.
Because my kids weren’t with me, I got to focus my whole week helping wherever needed … AND catching up with SO many dear people. I loved every minute of it.
In a season of all things new, spending several days in a place that holds so much familiarity & treasured relationships, felt like a well-timed gift.
Though I didn’t sleep much, I came home from my Volunteer Vacation refreshed and full.
If you have some vacation time coming up and aren’t sure what to do – consider a “Volunteer Vacation!” Take the opportunity to go somewhere and help with something. Every non-profit organizations can use an extra set of hands. And when you make time to bless someone or something, you always get blessed in return!
Here is an (affiliate) link to a book filled with ideas on short term adventures that will benefit you and others!
Recently in the middle of the bedtime craziness, my youngest son Luke cried out:
ALL OF MY FEELINGS ARE HURTING!!!!
I tried not to laugh and was able to comfort him that night with a hug.
However, his words stuck with me because throughout the last couple of months, I completely understood what he was talking about:
Then I read Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud. It was full of truth and ENCOURAGEMENT and was the exact book I needed during this transition! He put into words everything I needed to hear. I didn’t know if it was okay that ALL of my feelings were hurting. People move EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. NBD!
And then I read:
“When you don’t feel your feelings, you remained tethered to them in some way” Dr. Henry Cloud.
This gave me the freedom to FEEL all of the feelings, to process them, write about them, talk about them, cry over them and pray about them. I also allowed others to pray for me, hug me, remind me of God’s truth and encourage me.
“To the degree we were invested in something that’s ending, we will have to work the grief through our system in order to be ready for whatever is next…
“When you feel grief, you are saying: I am looking this reality right in the face and dealing with it. Grief also means I am getting ready for what is next, because I am saying goodbye to it.” Dr. Henry Cloud
After processing all of the feelings, I said goodbye. Goodbye to the sadness, anger, worry, anxiety and fear. I also said goodbye to the priceless Colorado adventure and looked back with gratitude!
Feeling the feelings and processing them allowed the closure I needed to end that glorious chapter and to say hello to a NEW one! New friends, new opportunities, new memories and experiences.
I will take my memories, my friendships, and what I’ve learned and build on that in our new place. I will discover new things and develop new relationships.
“Look at the experience, break it apart. What was good about it? What did I learn? What skills did I attain? New knowledge? Take all of that and make it a part of you. It becomes part of who you are. You are now smarter and wiser for having that experience.”
“Face your grief, work through it and let it equip you will make for a good necessary ending.” Dr. Cloud
Thank you Dr. Henry Cloud! I LOVED your book (especially Chapter 12 – Embrace the Grief: The Importance of Metabolizing Necessary Endings!) It said everything I needed as I ended one chapter to begin a new one.
If you are about to have an “ending” of some sort (or know you NEED to end something) – I highly recommend you get this book!!! And maybe start with Chapter 12.
(Affilate Link)
Have you read this book? If so, did you like it too? Leave a comment!
We took some red, white and blue pictures in Colorado Springs, but spent the 4th in Breckenridge! The boys loved the Parade and playing in the huge pile of snow that’s still on Peak 8. Ted and I enjoyed getting one last visit to Breckenridge before our move. We always enjoy the drive there – you never know what wildlife you’ll see. We stopped to watch some Buffalo roam on this trip.
Becky, a childhood friend, and two of her kids came to visit from Broomfield, CO. It was so fun having them spend 24 hours with us!
We hiked and explored, cooked together, and enjoyed catching up. We’re both Indiana girls and been friends all of our lives. I’ve enjoyed spending more time with her since we moved to Colorado.
The #eglyboys have been begging me to take them to Overdrive Raceway! We finally made it there, and they LOVED it! Clark drove as fast as he could – speeding around corners and weaving in and out between other drivers. George was slow and steady; cautiously driving around corners, and leading Paul “safely” around the track.
We explored the Starsmore Nature Center and hiked in Cheyenne Canyon with friends. There are all kinds of trails you can follow in Cheyenne Canyon. However, Clark remembered one specific hike from a field trip and insisted we follow him. He promised us it would be beautiful! Somehow, he found the right trail, we followed him up a narrow passageway and from the top, we had an incredible 360 degree view of mountains and The Broadmoor! He makes an amazing tour guide for an 8-year-old.
The trail Clark insisted we follow.
One of my favorite things to do in Colorado is hiking and exploring with my boys!
Admiring the view!
That was our final ‘regular’ week in Colorado.…now we are packing and wrapping things up at home before we head to Minnesota! What did you do this week? Leave me a comment!
When we moved to Colorado, we thought we’d be staying here forever.
Ted found a good job.
We found a beautiful home.
We met so many new (and old) friends.
I began a job that I love at an amazing church.
I’ve become a writer in Colorado:
Our family has thrived here, and we absolutely love this place. There is so much beauty all around us every day. It’s soul-filling.
However, changes are ahead.
We are about to embark on a new adventure: We are moving to Minnesota.
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. – Helen Keller
My husband has accepted a job with Target Corp. He will be working in Executive Leadership Development at the Target headquarters in Minneapolis.
Until a couple of weeks ago, I had never been to Minnesota.
The only two things I knew about Minnesota were:
Minnesota was not on our radar. It was not in the plan.
I guess sometimes we go off script and follow the adventure of the unknown, unfamiliar.
After I went through the stages of grief, I’m choosing to move forward in joy, trusting we will find and create beauty in a new place.
Though we chose Colorado as our place, my true place is with my family. Wherever they are is home. Where they are is my place. They are my people.
My people. My place is wherever they are!
My favorite quote over the last couple of weeks has been:
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Thank you Dr. Suess!
Our friend and pastor, Daniel Grothe, reminded my husband that when we moved to Colorado, we were ALL IN! He recommended we have the same attitude in Minnesota. Be ALL IN. This is such a good reminder, such wisdom. Thank you Daniel!
I’ll be re-reading the book: This is Where you Belong: Finding Home wherever you are. I’ll also refer back to this POST: 8 ways to LOVE where I LIVE – as we adventure into a brand new place.
I’ve begun following the Twin Cities Mom Blog, and other blogs and checking out Pinterest to see all there is to do in Minnesota.
I’m looking forward to:
Have any of you been to Minnesota? What can you recommend we do and see? Where should we go?
We love their “breck coffee” and overall environment.
Stop by Mi Casa if you are craving Mexican food! We loved the enchiladas, and the salsa was so good! Super quaint atmosphere inside and nice patio outside!
This place has fantastic sub sandwiches. It’s a hole in the wall, so don’t plan to eat inside. I recommend picking up subs, walking to the Gondola, taking the ride to the very top, and eating on the patio at Peak 8.
This restaurant is right in the middle of all the action with great seating in the front on Main Street or in the back, on the patio. The burgers are great!
Eric’s has good pizza, burgers and wings but I only recommend going if you are willing to drop some ‘dough’ on video games. Half of the place is food/half is a gaming area. My kids like coming here – not necessarily for the food, but because of the games!
We love this place because it’s so darn cute. It’s an old YELLOW house with such history inside. And if you want to know how to get your Starbucks for FREE, read this.
I thought I didn’t like crepes…until I tried one from Crepes a la Cart. This place ALWAYS has a line out the door! Our family devoured the cinnamon roll crepe in 3.5 seconds.
This place has some really creative (and delicious) pizza creations! I recommend the “Kickin Chicken!”
Kenosha is a great place to go with family and friends when the weather is nice. You can sit on the back patio and enjoy the backyard “games” while you wait for your food! My boys like the burgers and wings! I ordered the Bison burger – it was great! My husband enjoyed his Caesar salad. We also shared a plate of nachos with Bison Chili – one order is enough to feed the whole table.
This is a great place to get a hot bowl of soup on a cold day. It’s very small without much seating, though. I recommend ordering Pho to Go. Take it up the Gondola and eat at one of the tables at Peak 8.
Obviously, this isn’t a place you’d go for dinner unless you want a SUGAR RUSH, but it’s gotta go on my list because it’s my kids favorite spot for a treat in Breckenridge. They give you a little bag and you can add as much or as little of the 400+ options. My kids eat something right away and save some for the drive home.
There are so many quaint restaurants along Main Street. Please let me know in the comments where you love to eat in Breck!
Breckenridge, Colorado.
This town.
So quaint. So much history. Such beauty.
I love that it’s just a two-hour drive from Colorado Springs, and only 90 minutes from Denver or Boulder!
If you live in Colorado, or are here on vacation, it’s absolutely worth taking at least ONE day to spend in this magnificent place.
The drive is phenomenal. Your day will be magical. Your soul will be refreshed.
This town must be on your bucket list.
There are two parks right on Main Street that our kids love. They can also splash around in the river on a warm day. The views are beautiful and the people are friendly – we all have a good time!
Breckenridge is the largest historic district in Colorado. Once home to gold mining, Breckenridge’s history dates back to the 1850s. With that said, there are a handful of interesting, free museums! Take a tour, learn about the history of this great little town. I recommend starting at the Welcome Center. It’s a museum filled with lots of interesting information about the city, plus, the staff will provide free maps, and recommend all the best places to go in town!
Blurry view outside the Gondola – prettier in person!
It’s free and PHENOMENAL! This is one of our favorite things to do when we come to town! We LOVE the beautiful ride up the mountain. You can get off at the top, walk around, and play in the snow!
There are spots all over town perfect for family hikes! As I mentioned before, stop by the visitor center/museum. You will get a map and recommendations. The guides inside the welcome center will tell you all about the different hikes – lengths, whether they are hard or easy, and what you’ll see!
Walk all the way down one side, cross over and walk all the way back. It’s probably 8 blocks each way and so many quaint stores to see. I love that many of the stores are old homes. In summer, you can find AMAZING deals on winter items. I found a hooded Patagonia coat for my son for just $20! In winter, find great deals on summer items!
Breckenridge provides a free trolley for you and your family. It will take you from one side of town to another. Just stay on and do a loop to enjoy Breckenridge from another point of view. My kids enjoy this unique experience.
If you come on a Sunday (from June 17 to September 2) don’t miss the Farmer’s Market! You’ll hear band’s playing music, taste local food, and see/experience some of what makes Breckenridge so special.
Bring your bikes and enjoy a bike ride along the river. (Bikes are available to rent as well)
Throughout the summer, you can enjoy a free concert from the lawn on the Riverwalk!
This is a hidden gem found at the base of the Snowflake lift. Hike the Sawmill Trail that follows alongside the river. Once you get to the top of the trail, hike around the corner to the right, and you’ll see a rocky path headed up towards Four O’Clock. Don’t step off the trail just yet, or you’ll miss the magic. Stay on the lower part of the trail that leads behind a few beautiful homes off Four O’Clock Road.
In the winter, we bring our sleds to Breck. There is a FREE sledding hill in Carter Park, which is located at the south end of High Street adjacent to the Breckenridge Elementary School. My kids and I have so much fun sledding this large hill!
Towards the end of January people from around the world come together to compete at making snow sculptures. Just like the World Championship of Sand Sculpting, the snow sculptures are works of art and take hours to complete. If you would like to look at these marvelous works of art in the flesh, check your calendar and make sure that your trip aligns with the snow sculpture dates. This is one of the BEST things to do in Breckenridge during the winter months.
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Have you been to Breck? What do you love about this town? Leave me a comment!
We are blessed to have a church that puts so much intentionality into what they do! My kids and I had a great week learning and laughing together at New Life Church Kid’s Camp. The theme this year was Supernova – discovering God’s Great Galaxy. The music was incredible, great teaching, fun games, engaging skits, and service projects.
Clark and some of his friends
Ted completed his Go Fund Me campaign and we ordered the first copies of his debut book, “Conversations with a Billionaire!” Ted signed and shipped out all of the pre-orders!
George loves Legos. Occasionally when I find a great deal on a set of a legos, I’ll buy it for him. Clark and George recorded themselves building their Legos, then George edited the video and I uploaded it to their youtube channel: “The Free Range Eglys.” Here is one video George recorded and edited.
Ted and I had our first Duel
Book-signing at a local (beautiful) coffee shop, The Roost! It was a great morning where we met some new neighbors, saw some familiar faces, and sold some of our books!
If you’d like a copy of Ted’s amazing book, click here!
Giveaway winners – Mary Kathryn S. ($40 Gift card) and Judy B. ($50 Tillivery)!
That’s a peek into our week! How was YOUR week? Leave me a comment!
Colorado Friends!
I’d like to invite each of you to Ted and my first ever duel BOOK SIGNING!
In the last few months, my husband and I have both published our first books.
Mine is a children’s book is entitled “Climb, Soar, Swim, Explore: A Pikes Peak Adventure Story. (click here to read more about my book).
Ted’s book is entitled “Conversations with a Billionaire.” His book is an amazing story on life and leadership (click here to read more about his book).
Till Kitchen has invited to come do a book signing at their beautiful coffee bar/restaurant. We’d love to meet you and sign a book for you and your children! PLUS, for every book you purchase, your name will go in a drawing to win a $40 gift card to this fabulous restaurant! (which is on my list of best places to eat in Colorado Springs!) Also, Till Kitchen has offered to give away a $50 gift card for “Tillivery” – their delicious meal delivery service!
Here are all the details:
PS – If you mention the secret word “KathrynEgly.com,” you will get $2 off my book – making it only $8 for you! The is the best price you’ll find anywhere, ever!
Ted’s book is available for the low price of $12 – the best price you’ll see anywhere as well!
Hope to see you there!!!
“In-laws” have a bad rap. In fact, I went to Pinterest and Google and searched “in-law quotes” and could not find one GOOD quote. They were all negative. So, I’m here to put some positivity out there and say that GREAT in-laws do exist in this world! Let me tell you about two of them.
Kevin and Shirley Egly (my in-laws) are as good as they get! When people talk negatively about their in-laws, I for one, can’t even comprehend it. And two, have nothing but good things to say about mine.
Let me brag on them a little bit!
First of all – the raised Ted Egly! I could just stop there…but I won’t…
They love their grandsons and me so well. They encourage us and help whenever possible.
They watch (aka: wrangle/chase/spoil) all four of our boys so that Ted and I can get away! OHHH SOOO NICE!
While we are gone and when we get back, they help with lots of stuff around the house. Kevin completes household projects and Shirley helps me clean and organize.
Not only does Papa do yard work, he teaches our sons how to do it too!
They also play lots of “UNO!” I love that all four #eglyboys can all play now! (Luke is on “my” team)
We do take breaks to eat and explore. For instance, I had to take Kevin and Shirley out to experience King Chef’s Diner.
Voted best breakfast in Colorado. It’s that good!
After breakfast at King Chef’s, we hiked at Red Rock Canyon Open Space.
Every time I go to Red Rock, I spot different types of wildlife. Once, a deer crossed the trail right in front of me. On this visit, we discovered a big Hawk’s nest with baby hawks inside.
Luke didn’t want to hike, he wanted me to hold him. Since this will probably be the last summer I can “hold” one of my babies while we hike, I held him for the first half of the hike. Then we crossed paths with a kind lady and her adorable dog. Luke wanted to walk alongside the dog and followed him through the second half of the hike and all the way to the parking lot. (This made me want a dog.)
Thank you, Little Dog Lucy, for giving Luke something to chase while we hiked!
While the Egly’s were in town, I also had to take them to Hurts Donuts. Papa loves donuts, and so do his grandsons.
I’m grateful for such amazing in-laws! They set the standard high. I hope that I have the same relationship with my daughters-in-law one day!
Kevin and Shirley, I love you and am grateful for you!
#twinning or Raggedy Anne and Andy?! Me and my father-in-law
Can anyone else share a good “in-law” story! Please leave a comment!
Also, if you have a GOOD quote about in-laws, share that with me as well. I still haven’t found one!
