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.
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.
Saturday
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!
Another year has come and gone. (They just keep coming faster and faster!)
42 trips around the sun.
I don’t love getting older. I’m trying to learn how to embrace it and even enjoy it. I do enjoy life in general; I just don’t like the idea of getting older. I used to get so excited about my birthday and would count the days until I turned 10, 15, 20, 25…
Now, I wish it wouldn’t come so fast. I don’t like the new wrinkles I see; I don’t like that my metabolism isn’t working as fast. I don’t like saying that I’m in my 40s.
I’m sure if you’re older than me, you’re rolling your eyes over my complaints. And if you are in your twenties, you may be wondering if the arthritis has set in. (No, it has not, thank you)
Though I dread getting another year older, I’m incredibly grateful to have another year of life, of health, and memories. Another year of marriage and motherhood. A year to grow wiser and kinder.
Though I may not get excited about turning another year OLDER, it is always fun to celebrate and be celebrated.
My husband’s cousin invited us to rent a condo with them in this beautiful mountain town. It was a perfect weekend! It was fun getting to explore with people who know this town so well – where to eat, where to play, and what to do/when to do it! All of us had a GREAT time!
The last time Luke played on this playground, he was ONE, now he’s FOUR. How does time pass so quickly?
George loved the water features around town!
I went to the Starbucks in Vail and ordered a super fancy birthday drink. Because I’m a Gold Card Member, I get a drink for free on my birthday. Because I knew it would be free, I ordered a super fancy, LARGE coffee. Everything costs more in Vail, so when the Barista rang me up and told me my coffee would be almost $10, I didn’t care – I would redeem my FREE BIRTHDAY DRINK. I showed her my Gold Card and she said, “Oh, we don’t accept those here.” So…not only did I not get a free drink…I had to dish out almost $10 for COFFEE on my birthday!!!! From now on, I will ASK before I ORDER!!!
Birthday #43 was even more unique than 42. I decided to make it about giving, instead of receiving. Click here to read about it.
If it’s a neighborhood sale, let the coordinator know that you are participating so they include your house on the map.
4. Price your items!
PLEASE sell your items CHEAP! Remember, you want to GET RID OF EVERYTHING! It doesn’t matter if you paid $60 for those boots, list them for $5.
How to price clothes to SELL :
Take a piece of printer paper, and write/type:
Buy 1 item, pay $2
Buy 3 items, pay $5
Buy 10 items, pay $10
Leave several of these “pricing sheets” around your clothes!
This forces people to look through your stuff and BUY MORE so they can SAVE more – which means you will SELL MORE and MAKE MORE MONEY!
How to Price Books:
One book 25cents, 10 books for $1!
My kids have their own little table and love to sell drinks and snacks to hungry, thirsty, or just plain KIND customers!
How to price Snacks and drinks:
50cents each
Optional last day – mark everything down by 50%. I LOVE it when I go to a sale and the owner says “Everything’s half price!” I always find stuff to buy!
Optional last hour – everything is 25 cents!!!
5: Prepare!
I leave cars parked outside my garage a few nights before the sale so I can start setting up.
The night before or morning of the sale, I go place “GARAGE SALE” signs out – pointing people the way to my house.
The Crazy Garage Sale Lady!
Morning of sale – prepare your “FANNY PACK” that you WEAR ALL DAY!
lots of ones/fives/quarters
extra price stickers
a sharpie
your phone
Set most of your stuff out on your driveway so people who are driving by can SEE IT! The more they can see at first glance, the more they will want to stop and shop.
Start early – I was outside working at 6am for any early birds that wanted to stop by. The sale started at 8.
6. Negotiate and SELL!
If people ask if you will take $5 for an item you are selling for $10…always works with them. Remember – YOU WANT TO SELL EVERYTHING! You DON’T want to pack it up and donate it. And please, DO NOT bring it back inside your house!
Extra tips:
My neighborhood has a ONE DAY sale. I did this last year, and the day was fairly busy, but it’s hard to justify doing all this work for a ONE DAY SALE. This year I decided to open on Thursday, Friday and SATURDAY!
I didn’t do a LOT of pricing until the night before and morning of the sale. I DID have the price sheets written out that I mentioned earlier.
The morning of the sale (starting at 6 AM), I priced items as I set them on tables or placed them along my driveway.
OfferUp – Are you familiar with this app? I love it. It’s free to use and you can sell your stuff in three easy steps. Take a pic, describe your item, price it. I had several items from my garage sale listed on the app. When someone sent me a message about something they wanted, I told them I was having a garage sale, gave them my address and asked them to come by. Every person that came to pick up their item, bought even MORE items from my sale!
Thursday I had customers start arriving at 8 AM and slowed down by noon. I closed about 12:30 so I could do some things with my boys.
On Friday, customers starting arriving at 8 AM and slowed down by noon again. I closed at 12:30.
On Saturday, customers started arriving by 7 AM. This was my busiest day because the entire neighborhood had a sale. But again, it slowed way down after noon so I just started pricing everything WAY down. If someone picked something up, I’d say – “Take it for a quarter!”
Overall, it was a fairly successful sale. I made over $200 and the boys made almost $75 in snack and drink sales!!! Clark is always the rockstar salesperson. He stays and sells from the beginning til the very end.
With a few things that didn’t sell – I did three things.
1 – Packed a box for goodwill.
2 – Packed a box for a friend that could use some boy clothes.
3 – Packed the rest and gave to a friend who is having a sale NEXT weekend to raise money for a trip she wants to take!
Are there any tips YOU would suggest for a successful sale? Leave me a comment!
We had an amazing week at New Life where about 500 children, student and family pastors came to Colorado Springs for The Gathering Conference.
I LOVED being a part of it!!!
Sunday
After church and Monday we met to set up the church. Nearly every classroom and hallway were decorated to welcome guests.
That evening at home, Paul fell down the stairs at a friends house. He came home crying. I was holding him and said, “It must have been scary falling down those steps.” He said, “No, sliding down the stairs was the FUN part! I LOVED that, but my back got banged at the end, and I cried.” (His back WAS bruised, but I’m thankful it wasn’t anything worse and that it was “fun” for him!)
Tuesday
Our team arrived in the morning to complete the last details before we welcomed everyone to the conference. I helped check people in from all over the country – lots of people came from California, the Pacific North West, Minnesota, and Texas!
The day started with music by Jon Egan – It’s always good when Jon’s leading!
That night after dinner, everyone came back to our main auditorium where it was full of “stations.” There was an area with comfy couches where men and women could just sit and pray and receive “comfort” from God. They wrote prayer requests and attached them to the wall, pictured below:
I helped at the “Be Encouraged” station. God often uses others to encourage you. What we did at this station was sit together in small groups. Each group had a jar of questions. We pulled out a question, read it out loud and answered the question as a way for us to get to know each other and “encourage” each other. One person pulled a question that asked, “What’s bringing you the most joy right now?” Each person went around and answered, but the last person responded, “Nothing. I have a hard time finding joy in anything right now.” One lady suggested we stop and pray for her. The group prayed the most beautiful prayers for her. Another person told her, “I’ve been where you are, I’d like to exchange phone numbers so I can help you through this.” I know this lady arrived struggling to find joy, but left encouraged.
Group after group “encouraged” each other with their stories.
After we met as a group, they were to write something on the board. Here’s a glimpse of the “God encourages” board:
The night was POWERFUL! It was scheduled from 7-9PM, but people were there until 10!
That night I fell into bed.
Wednesday
I got up early with my boys, got their breakfasts and lunches made, backpacks ready, and went back to church for another full and beautiful day.
Today our team performed a dance together that we’d been working on for a couple of months.
That day all the conference participant could choose “breakout sessions.” There were about 30 classes on all different topics.
I was with Dr. Jim Burns. He spoke on balancing family, marriage and work.
We had a DONUT WALL in the morning and chocolate fondue for everyone in the afternoon!
That night I made it home to spend some time with my family and tuck them all into bed with a song and a prayer.
Thursday
Pastor Daniel Grothe spoke to the entire group, then everyone chose a breakout session to attend.
We closed the conference with a “remember and celebrate” time where we reflected on our time together and celebrated a few people – one person’s birthday, another person just becoming a parent, another person won a free ticket for next year’s conference!
After everyone left, I went home to change. I had arrived that morning wearing a dress and sandals. I had not looked at the weather forecast – it was snowing outside. I was so cold that I changed into wool socks, pants, and a turtleneck. I brought two boys back to church with me for clean up and tear down.
That night our team had a “remember and celebrate” dinner downtown. The conference was phenomenal and we loved getting to relax, laugh and reflect on some of the things we learned and conversations that happened throughout the week.
Michelle Anthony gave each of us a box of cereal that represented who we are to her. She gave me a box of Smores. This cereal box is one of the sweetest gifts I’ve ever recieved. So much thought and love went into it! Click here to see what she said.
Friday
I wasn’t feeling well today but needed some time with my boys. Luke wanted me to hold him all morning – just to be sure I didn’t leave his sight.
I asked if we could lay on the couch together and watch a movie. I told him I needed to rest because I wasn’t feeling well. He ran and brought me an ice pack and then didn’t stop talking to me through the entire movie. I didn’t get much rest, but we did get to snuggle and “chat.”
That evening I went to church and Ted took George to his piano recital, then met me at church.
It was such a fun and full week, but I was sure I had logged 100 hours. When I checked the time clock, I’d only worked 41 hours. That’s what a lot of moms do every week. It gave me a brand new appreciation for moms that work full time. I’m so thankful that I have a job that I enjoy, and co-workers who are incredible.
I’m also EXTREMELY grateful to Ted for carrying a LOT of the extra load this week so I could be a part of the conference!
Saturday
We had soccer in the morning. George scored the winning (and only) goal for his team!
That evening we had someone take pictures of our family for an article that will soon be published in a local magazine. I’ll let you know when it’s out and send you the link if it’s online.
I went to church and invited the congregation to be a part of Summer Serve! We are asking for people to help with Supernova Kid’s Camp (VBS) and/or jump in to serve three times this summer in New Life Kids – once in June, July and August.
Afterwards, I ran to the store to grab a couple of things. Luke found a tub of cheeseballs. He’s been begging me to buy them for weeks. They were on sale this week, so I agreed. He was so happy and wanted to carry them all around the store – even though the tub was almost as big as him. When we got to the car, he began to buckle the container into his car seat. He was more worried about his snack making it safely home than himself.
Luke and his precious cargo!
That night I went out with some girlfriends to Till Kitchen to celebrate their birthdays!
Sunday
Sunday evening we met some friends at Venezia park for a nerf gun war! My boys had so much fun. I loved watching them run and play and laugh with their friends – all different ages, all playing together – and NO TEARS from anyone! (And no one asking for, or playing with electronics!)
I usually do as little as possible. Luke and I take it easy, read and play.
Relaxing with Luke
Luke spent some time riding his “motorcycle” …then found one little dirty spot and proceeded to use an entire bag of wipes to clean it. I sent the picture to my mother-in-law (Nana) and she sent a similar picture to me – Papa was doing the same with HIS motorcycle!
Mondays are the busiest days for the big boys. They have school, then go to chess club (they LOVE Chess club!), then I pick them up, pass out snacks, cleats and shin guards, and take them to soccer practice.
This season has been my favorite sports season so far. We signed the boys up for YMCA Soccer. George and Clark are playing on the same team. I found a time slot where all 3 big boys have the same practice time on the same field each week – which is only 5 minutes from our house. All games and practices are on this one field! There is also a playground for Luke. I can push him on the swing and watch all three boys practice! I love it. Plus, because we are members of the Y, it was cost effective. I wish every sport would make it this easy on mamas. Paul is having fun and Y soccer is the perfect fit for him. George and Clark say it’s not as competitive as the previous league they played with, but how competitive does it need to be for 8 and 10 year olds?! Anyway, with four busy boys, it’s probably the only season that will be this easy on me – so I’m savoring it!
For future reference – any #boymoms have any advice on how you handle sports schedules and still have sanity and family time?
Tuesday
Luke had preschool, so I got to grocery shopping ALL.BY.MYSELF. It’s a vacation to walk the aisles slowly and methodically, all by myself. Then, I met my friend Beth for lunch. This lady was my FIRST friend in Colorado Springs. We met in the church parking lot on our family’s first Sunday morning at New Life Church. We had both just moved to Colorado Springs, and connected from our first ‘Hello!’ Unfortunately, she is moving this summer. They’re an Air Force family and her husband will begin working in the Pentagon this summer – so they are headed to DC! We had a delicious Thai lunch and could have kept talking for hours, but I had to pick up Luke from preschool.
I’ll miss you Beth!
Wednesday
Today was a work day for me. We all arrived early for rehearsal. We have planned something special for all those coming to The Gathering Conference next week.
New Life Family Ministry Team Rehearsal
Then we had a staff meeting to go over every detail – hour by hour – of the event. It’s going to be so good – phenomenal speakers, good music, fun activities, lots of fabulous “breakout” sessions, great food – I can’t wait!!!! Ted’s taking care of the boys so I can be there for all of it.
I also spent time on Wednesday preparing for our Friday night service, as well as a Breakout Session I’ll be leading at The Gathering on Volunteerism.
PS – If you want to join us for The Gathering, PM for a discount code!!!
Thursday
Luke had preschool so I ran errands, did some cleaning and some writing.
Friday
The boys had no school today so we met some friends to play at Fox Run Park. This is the park where Clark found a snake, tried to sneak it home, but instead LOST it in the car! The big boys played soccer and the little guys went looking for fish, frogs, and turtles in the pond. Paul got his hands on a turtle and they all begged me to let them keep it. (I said no.)
It’s always a good week when Mom’s in town. She only comes to Colorado once a year, so we make the most of our time together when she’s here.
She flew in Tuesday night, and the first thing she got to do was babysit my kids!
WEDNESDAY
I work on Wednesdays and thankfully, she loves to spend time with her grandkids.
That night we went to New Life for the First Wednesday service. It was an incredible night of worship. We went with all four boys – thankfully it’s a relaxed family service, so they got to dance around with their friends. If you live in Colorado Springs, you’ve got to come! It’s the First Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM.
THURSDAY
Thursday morning Luke had preschool, so mom and I got to go our Mom’s group/Bible study. Up until now, my mom has only participated with the group online, so I loved getting to introduce her to so many of the ladies in person!
Thursday afternoon my mom kindly offered to pay for a pedicure while she watched the kids. (I’ve got a good mom!)
George decorating cookies with Grandma
I went to a salon close by that I’d never been to before. My pedicure was a little uncomfortable … at one point I felt a sharp stab in the corner of my toe. By that night, my toe was swollen.
FRIDAY
Friday my toe was still hurting but I got through the day by wearing comfy shoes. At church that night we baptized about 30 people. I love being a part of those special nights. Two of my sons were baptized a few months ago (I wrote about it here).
All the people getting baptized Friday night came up on the stage for prayer.
SATURDAY
We to the Pioneer Museum and then to LarkBurger for dinner. My mom agreed that their chicken sandwiches and fries are some of the best things she’s ever eaten!
That night, Ted stayed home with the boys and my mom and I went to see The Apostle Paul movie. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was a GREAT movie…I recommend you see it! It truly brings the Bible to life and I hope more movies like this are made! There are some frightening parts, so it’s probably best for children 12 and up.
Toe is still sore – wearing comfy shoes and limping.
MONDAY
The boys took the day off school to spend time with Grandma. We planned to visit Cave of the Winds, but Luke was up sick the night before, my mom wasn’t feeling good, and my foot was only getting worse, so we decided to stay closer to home and hike in the Garden of the Gods. That’s always an amazing place to visit.
Mom and Luke resting
That afternoon I decided to go back to the nail salon to show them my swelling toe and they told me it was an ingrown toe nail. They soaked it and then DUG at it with a knife. This is the toe that I didn’t want to touch because it was hurting so bad. The lady DUG at it with a knife. And she wouldn’t stop. She kept digging until she got a piece of my toenail free. It hurt so bad I just start crying right there in front of everyone. She squeezed it at the end and asked if it was better. “NO! You just dug at it with a knife – please stop SQUEEZING it!”
TUESDAY
Luke had preschool so mom, and I got to be Tourists in our Town. I got to show her all around town and drop copies of “Climb, Soar, Swim, Soar” off at Terra Verde and the Pioneer Museum who now have them available for sale! I’ll write about where we ate and what we did in a future post.
Mom and me time!
That night mom watched the boys so Ted and I could go to dinner.
WEDNESDAY
I had to take my mom to the airport. It’s so hard letting her leave because I’m not sure when I’ll see her again. Mom, I love you and visit again soon! Thank you for spending the week with us!
TOE UPDATE:
My toe continued to get worse. I should have gone to the doctor rather than back to the scene of the crime. The lady who was digging at my foot caused a serious infection. My entire foot got so swollen that I couldn’t wear shoes. It hurt to walk. I was putting everything on it to make it heal, but nothing worked so I finally went to the doctor and got antibiotics. The doctor said I could lose my toenail. What was supposed to be a nice, relaxing gesture from my mom – turned into two weeks of severe pain and possibly the loss of my toenail?! I’m not sure I’ll ever get another pedicure!? Have any of you ever had that happen? I have pictures, but they are really gross. If you want to see a picture – I am going to post some under my review of this nail salon here: YELP REVIEW. https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=GrsJ5Nir8YjXaNN91ZzTUg
Thanks for following along on week with mom! I’ll post out our DAY DOWNTOWN soon! Subscribe so you don’t miss a post.
This area is called the “GRANDEST MILE OF SCENERY” in Colorado and I think that describes it pretty well! It really is spectacular and absolutely worth a visit or two (or seven)!
My husband took me to Seven Falls for my birthday a couple of years ago. We went on a “double date” with my sister and her husband. It was amazing. I definitely recommend this place for a date or double date spot! You get to chat, enjoy the scenery, connect with each other and with nature, all while getting some exercise! We LOVED it!
We’ve wanted to get back here ever since that first visit, so we decided to take all four of our boys during their spring break. We weren’t sure how it would go because our youngest two sons were only 3 and 6-year-olds and there is a lot of walking and climbing involved. Read on to find out how it all went!
To get started, park in the lot at the Broadmoor off of 1st street – next to the Golden Bee Restaurant. Parking is free, and a complimentary shuttle picks you up right there. After an 8 minute drive, you are dropped off at the ticket gate. The cost in the winter is $10 for adults, and $5 for children. Summer is $14.50 for adults and $9 for children over 2. Seniors and military $12.50. (Prices may change)
After you pay the entrance fee you are 0.8 miles from the base of the Falls, so you have two choices:
Jump on a tram that will drive you to the base of the Falls. The cost is $2 per person. Seniors are free.
Walk to the Falls. Walking allows you the opportunity to absorb this grand mile. The 6 of us chose to walk. Well, our 3 year old got a piggy back ride for most of it.
The Grandest Mile and my iPhone doesn’t do it justice.
When you arrive at the base of the Falls, I recommend that you start by walking through a tunnel inside the mountain. The corridor is lined with pictures and artifacts from history.
Tunnel through the mountain to the elevator
At the end of the tunnel is an elevator that will take you up to Eagle’s Nest landing. After spending a few minutes taking in the magnificent view…walk down the steps or ride the elevator back down.
Next, walk past a trout pound and watch for the HUGE fish that occasionally jump up to say hello! Then, take a deep breath and begin the climb up the 224 VERY STEEP steps. Thankfully, there is a landing halfway up the staircase so that you can take in the view, rest your legs and catch your breath.
We didn’t know how our young boys would handle climbing more than 200 STEEP steps. Our three oldest sons did not complain ONE TIME. My husband carried our 3-year-old most of the way. I can’t imagine having to carry 30+ extra pounds up all those steps. I was exhausted just getting myself to the top. However, 224 steps isn’t difficult for Ted, who climbs the Manitou Incline on a regular basis. The Incline is 2,744 steps – more than 10 times as many steps as Seven Falls.
If you make it to the top, you are rewarded with a gorgeous hike!
First, you’ll encounter a Ponderosa Pine Tree that’s more than 450 years old! Stop here and try to wrap your arms around this gigantic tree. It took all four of our sons touching hands to get their arms around the trunk of this beautiful tree.
Next, you’ll come to a fork in the path. Go to the right for an easy, 20-minute hike. Go to the left for a hike that will take you about an hour. If you have children in tow, I recommend the shorter hike – we loved it. My sister took the long hike and said it was incredible. If you have the time and the energy, do both!
Next, SLOWLY walk down all the stairs. The climb down is easy but VERY steep and sometimes crowded. Keep ahold onto the handrail!
Stop at the bottom and relax in one of the wooden rocking chairs. Take a few minutes to enjoy the view and reflect on that beautiful hike you just completed.
Rocking Luke and enjoying the view
Take time to watch the trout play in the pond.
Hungry? Eat at the fabulous Restaurant 1858. I recommend the Chili Con Queso nachos. They are made with homemade wild boar chili, chips, cheese and pickled jalapeños.
For all my favorite restaurants in Colorado Springs, click here!
Slowly make your way back to the entrance where a shuttle will pick up and drop you off at the parking lot.
Before you leave, take time to stroll around the lake at the Broadmoor Hotel! This is one of the most beautiful hotels in the country and you’ve just got to see it – or stay the night.
I absolutely recommend that you make some time to visit Seven Falls in Colorado Springs. Add it to your bucket list now, and thank me later!
Watch to see how many #eglyboys it takes to hug the Ponderosa Pine!
For my top ten places to visit in Colorado Springs, CLICK HERE!
For the top ten things to do in Manitou Springs, CLICK HERE!
For 20 FREE things to do in Colorado Springs, CLICK HERE!
To get a signed copy of my Colorado Springs Children’s Book, CLICK HERE!
We loved spending a week being “tourists in our own town” over Spring Break! This “staycation” was exactly what we needed. Time together, exploring our beautiful city. There are still SO many things on my bucket list to do an see around town, but we got to check a few things off the list.
We weren’t sure how our boys would do with all the walking and climbing, but they were TROOPERS! They enjoyed it and didn’t complain at all!
We walked through a mountain cave to an elevator which took us up to the Eagle’s Nest Landing – once you are on the landing, you get a spectacular view of the waterfall.
Next, we walked up 224 VERY steep stairs alongside the Falls. The boys did surprisingly well – I was in front and George actually asked me to “go faster!” (Ted carried Luke most of the way!) If you conquer all those steps, you are rewarded with a beautiful trail to explore.
We spent time exploring at the top before we came back down and watched the very large trout play in the pond.
After all this hiking, we were hungry and everyone wanted Larkburger for dinner. We all love this place, and I love that we can get sandwiches for $3 during Happy Hour!!
Tuesday
Being a member of the YMCA means that you get access to all the campuses around town… each place has something unique for families to enjoy. Today we spent a few hours at the Cottonwood Creek Rec Center. They have a wave pool, lazy river and huge slide – it’s like a smaller version of Great Wolf Lodge.
Wednesday
I went to work in the morning for a couple of meetings and to do some Easter preparations.
After work, we went to another YMCA – the Garden Ranch location – where they have Rock Climbing and Jumpy Castles for kids!
Clark rock climbing
Thursday
First – in honor of Easter – we quietly snuck outside to “egg” our neighbors before they woke up. Go here to read about that.
After that, we went to the Western Mining Museum. Our oldest son George, age 10, had been begging us to take him back here since his first visit a few weeks ago with his class on a field trip.
The boys loved “mining for gold” (aka “playing in mud”). They found some fun little gems and everything you find; you get to take home!
There are lots of machines and hands-on stations. I recommend taking the guided tour that happens twice a day. The tour guide explained how the machines were used and fired each one up so we could watch how they work. The Guide taught us a lot about the history of Colorado mining. Outside the museum, there are more machines to climb on and explore, plus tons of room to run and play.
Friday
In the morning, all four boys went to the dentist to get their teeth cleaned. I love our dentist’s office – they have a room with four chairs and all my boys can get their teeth cleaned at the SAME TIME! Can I tell you how much I love that?! It’s a pediatric dentist – so the lobby is well-equipped for kids, the staff are GREAT with kids. Since the boys all did well during their visit – they each earned a “token” which they redeemed for a small prize. There is even a playground as you exit the building!
That afternoon we enjoyed a couple of hours downtown. First we stopped at Story Coffee. It’s the cutest little coffee shop next to Acacia Park. And when I say little, I mean TINY…as in TINY house TINY. It’s not a place you’d sit and enjoy a private conversation or a board game. However, just outside the coffee shop is a park with tables. My latte was perfect and the baked goods we ordered were delicious.
After Ted and I loaded up on caffeine and the boys on sugar, the boys threw a football with Ted and played in the park.
That evening I went to New Life Church to serve in the children’s ministry during our incredible Good Friday Service.
contain endless opportunities for adventure and discovery
To end our week of “Touring our Town,” we had dinner at Phantom Canyon. This was a restaurant we visited during our first trip to Colorado Springs almost three years ago. The ambiance of this place is very cool – it’s in an old building downtown with large windows, tall ceilings and exposed ductwork. The staff is friendly and the restaurant has quality service. However, I wasn’t crazy about the menu. Lots of fried food. We ordered hamburgers and fries for the kids, which they enjoyed, but the hummus, soup and salad Ted and I shared were okay – but not something I’d care to order again. This place won’t go on my list of best restaurants in Colorado Springs.
Sunday
I arrived New Life church by 7:00 AM to prepare for the guests that would be arriving for the 8:00 AM service. Ted and the boys arrived later and we attended the 10:00 AM service together. I stayed to serve again for our third service. It was great day at New Life!
After church the boys enjoyed opening their Easter baskets and hunting for eggs in our backyard.
They had a second egg hunt to look for Resurrection Eggs. After the boys found all 12, we opened them one-by-one together and talked about the Easter story using the little items inside each egg. This was a fun activity, and you can probably find the eggs on clearance at Hobby Lobby and save them for next year. (That’s what I did last year!)
We enjoyed (and when I say enjoyed, I mean I couldn’t stop eating) a White Chocolate Raspberry Nothing Bundt Cake given to us by the Newman family. That cake is dangerous. It’s way too good!
That wraps up our week of adventure in Colorado Springs. We are grateful for time together as a family exploring our beautiful city! This was SO MUCH better week than last week!
If you don’t have a copy yet – a recommend you purchase my Colorado Springs Children’s book entitled – Climb, Soar, Swim, Explore!
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.
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!
