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6 In Family/ Motherhood/ Peek into our Week

Peek into our CraZy week

Last Friday the big boys went to school and Luke and I had the day together. He LOVES having me ALL to himself – he gets undivided attention!

He likes “reading” books to me, so I recorded him reading our book: Climb, Soar, Swim, Explore!

Saturday

Ted went skiing all day at Vail with some friends from Chicago. He had so much fun but at the end of the day, while skiing a black, slipped on ice and slid (head first!) more than 200 yards down a mountain. While sliding, one of his ski’s popped off and was jabbing him over and over in the side, until he could get himself to stop. He left that day with a gigantic bruise on the left side of his body.

Monday

Ted let me know that he wasn’t feeling well and decided to get the “Ski Wound” checked out. Well, the doctor called the wound “BLUNT TRAUMA” and found that he had internal bleeding. They admitted him to the hospital and began running tests to find out more about the internal bleeding.

Memorial Mission Statement

Tuesday

The hospital trauma team met with Ted and went over his two options to further investigate where the bleeding was happening: option #1.) cut Ted open, option #2.) put scopes inside to identify where the bleeding was happening. They landed on option #2 (thank God!).

I spent the day in and out of the hospital between all the drop offs and pick ups and regular mom stuff. More waiting for answers and for an opening to get the scope done.

Every Tuesday, our local Chick-Fil-A has a family night and this week they had planned a mall-wide Scavenger hunt. Though I wanted to skip this and just be with Ted in the hospital, I had already promised the boys we would go. Having Daddy in the hospital was stressful on all of us, so doing the Scavenger Hunt was a nice way to take our mind off of that and just have fun together!

Scavenger Hunt Mission: Try on a HAT at the Hat Store

Mission: Do a Taekwondo kick by Mr. Taekwondo

After the Scavenger Hunt, a sitter came to our house so I could spend time with Ted at the hospital. The nurse let us know that they should finally be able to fit Ted in for a scope sometime that night, but she didn’t know when.

Since we didn’t have any specific timeline, Ted thought I should go home and be with the kids.

It was so hard on me having Ted in the hospital. I was TIRED physically and emotionally. Not having answers, not knowing when he would be released, not knowing if he was okay, so much waiting and trying to be strong for our boys while their Daddy was in the hospital was HARD! Thankfully, I have a sister who is a nurse and she was able to help me through all of this. I was able to cry on the phone with her and she prayed with me and helped me know that the waiting and not having definite answers is NORMAL!

Late that night, Ted called to let me know that he was going in for the scope. I hated not being there with him! He called me again about 2 hours later to say all was well. They had found bleeding, cauterized it, and now he was going to try to rest.

Wednesday

I brought the boys by to see Ted, then dropped them off at school. Luke and I went back to the hospital and hung out with Ted.

I asked the nurse if she had any idea when he would be released. At first, she said they might want to keep him another 24 hours! UGH! Thankfully, since Ted was doing well, they finally released him and by the afternoon we were ALL able to head home. YAY!

It was SOO good to finally have Ted back home. I’m incredibly thankful for HEALTH and LIFE and FAMILY! The doctors said this could have been much worse.

Thursday

Ted rested and worked from home, and started feeling better!

That night was Family Night at New Life. It’s a fun and free event we do once a quarter to bring families together. There is a central “theme” and then activities all over the church that teach that theme. I took the three big boys and let Luke stay home with Ted.

Friday

Ted was feeling good, the injury was getting smaller, and he went back to work!

Thank you to a friend Corey for this sweet bouquet!

That was a rough week! This week is going to MUCH better! Ted is off and the boys are on Spring Break so we are going to do some fun touristy things around town!

March 26, 2018 By Kathryn

1 In Book Review/ Motherhood/ Product Recommendations

Five Favorite Bibles for Kids 0-12

As a mom with four young children and a Children’s Ministry Director, I love seeing children reading (and UNDERSTANDING) their Bibles. There are so many different shapes, sizes and translations, but here are a few of my favorites. With Easter right around the corner, I can’t think of a better gift to give a child than a Bible.

The Bible App Storybook Bible for Kids– A very simple version of the Bible with only a couple sentences per page and bright, happy, colorful illustrations. This would make a good Bible to read with the littlest of children. Recommended for ages 0-5

Jesus Storybook Bible – A Bible that really is a “story book!” I’ve been reading a chapter in the mornings to my kids. It’s an easy-to-read and easy-to-understand “story” of the entire Bible and helps children understand how the Bible is one fascinating narrative. For ages 2-8

Adventure Bible For Early Readers – Good first ‘Chapter and Verse’ Bible for kids. NIrV (New International READERS Version) is easier for kids to understand than some other translations. If kids aren’t able to understand what they are reading – they won’t want to read at all. For ages 5-9

The Action Bible – Comic strip style bible – great for boys and young readers. Recommended for ages 5-10

International Children’s Bible – Another great “chapter and verse” Bible for kids! This is a translation that is easy for kids to read and understand!

Recommended for ages 6-12

Do you have a different Bible recommendation? Leave me a comment!

March 20, 2018 By Kathryn

3 In Family/ Motherhood/ Product Recommendations/ Raising boys

Five FUN Easter Basket Fillers!

Easter is just around the corner, and my kids are so excited! I’ve been slowly collecting little things for their Easter Baskets. If you’re interested in any of the items for your family, click on the picture and it will take you directly to that item on Amazon. If you decide to make a purchase, I will receive a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

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1. Socks

Do your kids go through socks as fast as mine do? This is why my kids are getting socks for Easter instead of candy. (I’m only halfway kidding) Thankfully, my boys still LIKE getting new socks, so this is FUN for them!

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Continue Reading →

March 15, 2018 By Kathryn

3 In Family/ Motherhood

A day in the life of a MOM

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.

Here’s what a day looks like for me:

Wake up at 5:45.

Eat a piece of Dakota Bread (from Great Harvest Bread Company) toasted with strong, black coffee.

Spend a few minutes in our family room reading, writing, praying. Write down 1-3 things I want to accomplish today.

Kids wake up.

We read from the Storybook Bible or I ask them to read a book of their own.

They watch Curious George while I make them breakfast and pack their lunches.

Teeth brushed, dressed, beds made.

Walk or drive to the bus stop. Speak encouragement on the way:

“Today is the day that the Lord has made, we will REJOICE and be Glad in it!”
“You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength!”
“Don’t let anyone look down on your because you are young, but set an example in speech, life, love, faith and purity!” I Tim 4:12

Run errands or exercise with Luke.

Come home and have lunch. Read a book to Luke.

Lay Luke down for a nap.

During nap time:

Put in a load of laundry.
Get dinner prepped (this is my goal, not always reality. Sometimes it’s dinner time before I’m thinking about dinner).
Write for my blog, check email, do some ministry work.

Luke wakes up and we walk to pick the big boys up at the bus stop.

Unload backpacks and wash hands.

Have a snack and do homework.

Play, read, practice piano. Take the boys to sports or other activities.

Dinner.

World’s Best Daddy

Finish homework/read/watch a show.

Shower/bath/pajamas/brush teeth.

7:30 PM – Bedtime! I sing a song with each child, every night. I pray individually with them or we all pray together. More about our bedtime routine/prayer if you click here.

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!

March 5, 2018 By Kathryn

5 In Faith/ Family/ Motherhood/ My Journey

My BAD habit…and why Mary and Martha really BUG me!

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?”

February 28, 2018 By Kathryn

2 In Colorado/ Colorado Springs/ Family/ Motherhood/ My Journey/ Raising boys

A Peek into our Week(end)

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!

February 22, 2018 By Kathryn

0 In Faith/ Family/ Motherhood/ Raising boys

The Awesome Jar

Tattling. Tattle-telling. Whatever you want to call it – it’s been around since the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:12-14). I haven’t found a way to stop my boys from pointing out what their brothers have done wrong, but my husband and I found a tool that helps them watch for a what they are doing RIGHT!

We use something called the “Awesome Jar.”

We stumbled upon the idea of the Awesome Jar and have used it in our family to help us live out Philippians 4:8. To notice and call out things that are excellent, praiseworthy, right, noble and admirable.

The Awesome Jar is just a glass container that sits on our counter. My husband and sons decorated it with stickers and some duct tape!

Awesome Jar

We use this Jar to celebrate the good things in our day. When something happens that is admirable, excellent or praiseworthy, my kids, my husband 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 good things, but somehow we forget. This “AWESOME” Jar is a like our “remember the good” Jar. It’s a way to highlight the small wins and bright spots that occur throughout the day.

Recently on my son George’s 10th 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. Clark, my 8-year-old, gathered the neighbor kids and gave them each a gift bag. Each of 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!” George opened the silly gifts, and we all laughed about each one and enjoyed a few minutes there on our porch – brothers and neighbors. 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 right. It encourages them to keep thinking about these things, doing these things, and looking for times when their brothers are doing these things!

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) cleaned up the play room without being asked.”
– or –
“(My daughter) befriended the new girl at school.”

If it was a really hard day, then you have even more reason to pause for a moment, reflect on the day, and identify at least one thing for which you are grateful. Was it an event, a moment or a person? Write it down and put it in the jar.

When you look for the GOOD, you will find it! And the more “good” things 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!”

Do they still tattle? Yes. But they are also noticing and calling out things that are excellent, praiseworthy, right, noble and admirable! And that is AWESOME!

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I was honored to be asked by Homefront to write an article for their magazine. Homefront Magazine equips parents to create fun, spiritually forming times in their homes. This magazine helps re-center our focus and align our priorities to what is best! It’s filled with helpful articles and activities that equip us to become the parents that we want to be!

Check out the Homefront website for good articles, game suggestions, and printables. You can also subscribe to the magazine or buy a digital copy from their site. I love receiving my copy each month! It’s the only magazine that I read cover to cover.

January 25, 2018 By Kathryn

4 In Family/ Motherhood/ Product Recommendations/ Raising boys

For the Mom Who Wonders If She’s Enough

Mama, are you tired?

Do you ever lie awake wondering if you’re failing?
Do you feel like you’re falling short in this whole mom thing? Like you’re just not enough?

Jesus understands exactly what you’re going through. He had 12 disciples and I imagine it felt to Jesus like having 12 children. Now granted, they were all potty trained and dressed themselves but still…

They didn’t always listen.
They argued over who was His favorite.
They fell asleep when He desperately needed their support.
And one ultimately betrayed Him.

Jesus gets it.

He understands your exhaustion and your frustration, and He wants to help.

Here are a few simple ways to partner with Him throughout your day.

MORNING

Start the day with one word: Help.

“Help me be the mom You want me to be.
Speak through me.
Love through me.
Help me be present and engaged.
Holy Spirit, fill me.”
(The Holy Spirit is God living within us.)

If you can, try to wake up a few minutes before your kids. And if that feels impossible, ask God for help. He meets us in our weakness and will give you the strength to rise, even briefly, so your tank can be filled before you pour out all day long.

AFTERNOON

Just like we reach for a mid-day cup of coffee, don’t forget your mid-day cry for help.

God is available all day long.
When you’re weary, He gives strength.
When you need wisdom, ask. He delights in answering.
The Holy Spirit gently reveals what your children need, often before you even know to ask.

NIGHT

End the day the same way you began it: Help.

Evenings can be so hard. By the time I put my four boys to bed, I am completely spent. But bedtime matters. Kids are often most vulnerable then. They suddenly open up, sharing things they held in all day.

I climb into bed with each of my boys – to listen, to sing, to pray.

My mom did the same for us, and those moments still feel like a warm hug in my memory.

Mama, you are not alone.
And you don’t have to do this on your own.

Let me share a sweet story about how our nightly prayer time made a real impact on one of my boys.

Each night when I prayed with George, I prayed what we called the “5 L’s.” I asked God to help him be:

a strong LEADER
a good LISTENER
a fast LEARNER
and to know God’s LOVE and show God’s LOVE

When his report card came home, I read a note from his teacher that stopped me in my tracks. She wrote that George has “enthusiasm for learning, is a superstar listener, and is kind to his classmates.”

My heart overflowed. I could see God answering our prayers in real, tangible ways.

Prayer doesn’t just move heaven on our behalf, it also shapes our children’s hearts and lives. When we pray over them, we remind them of who God created them to be.

Through our nightly prayers, my boys are reminded that they are leaders, listeners, and learners, boys who know God’s love and show God’s love.

What not to pray: shaming prayers

“Lord, forgive my son for being a bad boy.”

Please don’t do this. Shaming prayers can plant guilt and discourage children from turning to God when they mess up.

What to pray instead

Pray words that inspire and encourage – prayers that give your children something beautiful to live up to.

“Thank You, Lord, for making my son strong and courageous, kind and bold.”

Pray Scripture with them and over them:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7

One of my favorite resources is The Power of a Praying Parent. My sister Kara gave it to me when I was pregnant with my first son in 2007, and I’ve read it over and over since. It offers powerful, specific prayers and gently teaches you how to pray intentionally for your children.

I can’t recommend it enough.

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Remember this: God chose you to be the mom your children need. Not by accident. Not as a backup plan. He sees you, and He wants to help you become the very best mama you can be.

If today was hard, that’s okay. We all have tough days. God’s mercy meets us fresh each morning, and tomorrow is a brand-new start.

You are deeply loved by your Heavenly Father.
You are chosen.
You are equipped.

You have what it takes, and you don’t have to do it alone.

Please feel free to leave me your prayer request in the comments section (the little box to the right of the title) and I will pray for you!

Don’t forget to subscribe (in the column on the right) so that my posts come directly to you via email!

Love,

Kathryn

January 15, 2018 By Kathryn

2 In Colorado/ Family/ Motherhood/ My Journey/ Things to do in Colorado

Goals for 2018

I haven’t been good about setting goals for myself in the past, but in 2017 I set 3 goals:

Read 40 books
Launch a blog by September 1
Publish a book by the end of the year

Somehow, 2017 ended up being a year that I did all three! I launched a blog (on September 1), read lots of great books, and published my first book! WOW!!! This goal stuff might actually work! So…

Here are my goals for 2018!

1. Personal Goals

Market my book
Continue writing –
- 2 posts per week for this blog,
- Bible Studies for the Help Club and
- articles for Homefront Magazine,
- and write new drafts for my next children’s book
explore new places – Aspen, Telluride, Cave of the Winds, Crag, Paint Mines, Wolf Sanctuary
Keep learning – podcasts, classes, books, etc

2. Marriage Goals

Go on a monthly date with my husband
Go on an overnight with just the two of us

3. Motherhood Goals

Stay ENGAGED, present with my sons – enjoying each moment (It’s going by so quickly!)
Spend one-on-one time with each one

4. Ministry Goals

Build relationships with kids and volunteers
Invest in current volunteers
Personally invite 50 more people to serve

Leave a comment with a goal you have for 2018 (Little box beside the title of this post)!

Don’t forget to subscribe (on the right under my picture)!

December 30, 2017 By Kathryn

2 In Family/ Motherhood/ Raising boys/ Traveling

Peek into our Week

A Peak into our week before Christmas 2017

Friday, December 15

Every year, my husband’s company (The Center for Creative Leadership) host a Christmas event and Santa comes to visit. I picked up the kids from school a little early to spend some time with them at the event.

Santa and Luke

The boys got to hear Santa tell a story, sang some Christmas songs, opened a gift, and ate together while headed over to New Life (where I work on Friday nights).

At church, I had a two meetings with two new volunteers and helped a couple of others get connected with the people with whom they’d be serving. Once the service started, I noticed a mom standing in the lobby with her kids. I found out that her son didn’t want to go to class because he wasn’t sure if he knew anyone. I asked if he would go with me and told him I’d help him get to know some other boys. We walked into his class and two boys came over, gave hugged him and told him they’d missed him! You could see the smile grow on his face. Then, one of the boys remembered he had severe food allergies and asked if they could pray for him. The two 9 and 10 year old boys gathered around this young man and prayed that God would heal him! From there, the boys spent the rest of the evening together! This is why I love working with kids!

Saturday, December 16

We had a little family Christmas.

Clark was SO excited about his “Heely’s” (shoes that have “rollers”) and new Bible,
George loved his soccer shirts/jerseys,
Paul enjoyed his new games,
Luke loves his new running shoes because the make him SO fast!

Sunday, December 17

We went to church, then I had coffee with a friend. That evening I went to a Volunteer appreciation dinner at Holly Newman’s hone. It was an incredible evening. I got to know volunteers better over dinner, and then we gathered in the living room and reflected on what God has done in New Life Kids in 2017. There was SO.MUCH.GOOD that happened this year and I’m so grateful to be a small part of it!

Monday, December 18

We enjoyed a day where we didn’t have to go anywhere or do anything! Then the doorbell rang…and on the porch sat two large boxes ….

In the boxes were my books!!!!!! It was thrilling. Like Christmas had arrived at my door. (I wrote a little bit about it on instagram)

That evening I signed books, dropped some off at the post office, and made personal deliveries.

Tuesday, December 19

I had 7-8 kids at my house all day. I watched 3 kids for a friend and a neighbor spent most of the day with us too. We played in the morning, then jumped in the “Egly Sleigh” and delivered a few books, then played some more.

Wednesday, December 20

I went to a volunteer meeting at church, then got to drop off a bunch of books and gifts at the Hope and Home Foster Care. Every year they have a day where foster parents can come pick up gifts for their foster children! We’ve donated gifts for this event for the last two years, and I as excited to donate a bunch of books this year too! Each book was personally signed with a note of love and encouragement inside.

We were planning to leave for Tulsa on Thursday, but bad weather was coming our way and we decided to stay ahead of that and left as soon as I got home.

(Playing with a Rubix Cube to pass the time on the drive to Tulsa)

Thursday, December 21

I got to spend time with my sisters Brooke, Rachelle and Rachelle’s family. We took the kids to explore an old engine and see the Tulsa Driller. That evening, we went to look at Christmas Lights.

Friday, December 22

My boys played all day with one of their favorite Tulsa friends (Caleb Blonsky)…then Ted and I went our with some of our favorite Tulsa friends that night – the Blonsky brothers and their wives. We’ve been friends since before we were married and always pick up right where we left off when we are together. It’s as if no time has passed and we cherish our time with them. We were all together 16 years ago for Craig and Robin’s wedding (the couple on the far left) and we all got to be together again to celebrate their 16th anniversary!

What have you been up to this week? Leave me a comment!

December 23, 2017 By Kathryn

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