Have you ever reached into a mystery box without knowing what’s inside? The mix of excitement, a little fear, and a whole lot of fun? That’s how the Turtle Trouble book begins—a true story of curiosity and teamwork, featuring the four Egly brothers.
Turtle Trouble brings to life one of our family’s unforgettable adventures, where a fun-filled “What’s in the Box?” game takes an unexpected turn. What started as a simple challenge spiraled into something wilder. When a frog and a turtle join the game, the boys can’t wait to put their bravery to the test!
But, of course, adventure always comes with a twist: soon after a turtle appears, it mysteriously disappears! What follows is a fast-paced family search that has everyone wondering—where could the curious creature have gone? Will the boys be able to solve the mystery before it’s too late?
Writing this book was a joy! With four energetic boys, our family’s life is often filled with adventures, unexpected detours, and moments that make us laugh (or scramble!). The “What’s in the Box?” game was a favorite in our house, where each turn promises something new and exciting. But when real creatures entered the game, we were in for a story that would go down in Egly family history.
Turtle Trouble is a story of teamwork, curiosity, and a family’s determination to solve a problem together. Just like our last book, it’s about celebrating kindness, cooperation, and the fun of family life. Our boys had so much fun creating this memory that I knew I had to ‘re-create it’ into a book that we could share with other families.
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Here is actual footage of the day this story was created:
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Where to Find Turtle Trouble
If you’re looking for a story to make your little ones laugh, gasp, and cheer along with the Egly brothers, you can find Turtle Trouble on Amazon! It’s a perfect read for kids who love animals, mystery, and a dash of family fun.
Signed copies will be available in December and would make a wonderful Christmas gift for any child up to age 12.
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How to Win a Signed Copy:
Share this blog post or this link on instagram, Facebook or any of your socials and TAG ME! Every place you share gets you entered to win a signed copy!
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Thank you for supporting Turtle Trouble—we hope it brings as much joy to your family as it has to ours!
If there’s one store that never fails to surprise and delight me, it’s Trader Joe’s. From unique frozen foods to fresh plants that brighten up any space, this grocery store is a treasure trove of amazing products. Recently I wrote a blog post about a few of our favorite things from Trader Joes. Today, I’m adding a few more items to that list.
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1. Plants – Flowers and Herbs One of the best things about Trader Joe’s is their ever-changing selection of plants. Whether I’m looking for a seasonal bouquet to brighten up my home or an herb to use in my cooking, I can count on TJs to have a large selection that is affordable.
The Calla Lilies I picked up this summer have brought me so much joy—they were my wedding flower! And the potted basil I snagged for just $3.99 has been used all summer in my pasta dishes and favorite summer snack…
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Burrata Cheese, Sliced Tomato, Reduced Balsamic, and Fresh Basil
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2. Poffertjes I’d passed right by these for years until a friend said these were her favorite thing at Trader Joe. Poffertjes are mini Dutch pancakes that are light, fluffy, and absolutely delightful. They come frozen and are easy to heat up for a quick breakfast or snack. A drizzle of syrup make them irresistible.
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3. Spices Trader Joe’s spice aisle is a hidden gem. I always stock up on their Everything But The Bagel Seasoning—it goes on everything from avocado toast to eggs. Another favorite is the 21 Seasoning Salute, a salt-free blend that’s perfect for adding flavor without overwhelming the dish. The spices are high quality and often more affordable than other stores.
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4. Salsa The salsa selection at Trader Joe’s is incredible. From the chunky Cowboy Caviar to the sweet and spicy Pineapple Salsa (mom’s fav), there’s something for every palate. I love using their salsas as a topping for tacos, a dip for chips, or even as a flavorful addition to grilled chicken.
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5. Macarons For a sweet treat, the French Macarons from the freezer section are a must-try. These delicate, colorful confections are just the right size for satisfying a sugar craving. The flavors range from classic vanilla to pistachio and raspberry, and each one is delicious. They are perfect right from the freezer into your mouth! Yum.
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6-7. Frozen Pasta Trader Joe’s has nailed the art of frozen pasta. My boys’ two favorites are the Pesto Linguine and the Penne Arrabbiata. These meals are perfect for a quick and delicious dinner. The flavors are authentic, the pasta is perfectly cooked, and the convenience is unbeatable.
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8. Greeting cards – I didn’t even know Trader Joes sold greeting cards until after my last post, someone said these were one of their favorite things to buy at TJs. The greeting cards are only 99 cents!! I grabbed a few to have on hand for last minute events and parties.
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Whether you’re a seasoned Trader Joes fan or a newcomer to their aisles, these products are definitely worth adding to your shopping list. Every trip to Trader Joes feels like a little adventure, and I can’t wait to discover more hidden gems on my next visit.
Let me know what your TJ favorites are by clicking on the little comment box next to the title of this post.
A captivating and inspiring tale of exploration, human endurance and survival. It’s hard to believe this is a true story. An amazing book for anyone ages 12 or up.
This book was a breath of fresh air for my soul! It reminded me to slow down and live with intention.
The authors words and methods were simple and life-giving. He doesn’t give you more to do, but plows the path towards less. He shows the reader how to ENJOY this ONE life we’ve been given.
“Through life-giving practices, grounded in the life of Jesus, we gain access to life power beyond our own.” – John Mark Comer
Benjamin Franklin was a fascinating man with so much creativity and wisdom. I loved learning about his life and adventures (and antics)! I had no idea that so many things we use today were thought up by HIM. I loved this story – it would make a great book to read to kids ages 8 and up!
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!
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.
I’m excited to give you a sneak peek into my next children’s book, “The Great Lake Rescue!”
This entertaining tale, inspired by a true story, will be hitting the shelves this summer, bringing the adventures of the fantastic four to life, and reinforcing the message of kindness and helping others.
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When I began my search for an illustrator for this book, I found Alyssa Whetstone. I knew she was a talented Minnesota water color artist, but didn’t know where in this large state she lived. When she agreed to meet with me, I discovered that we teach in the SAME SCHOOL DISTRICT! I’ve loved working with her, and if you are interested, you can find her art here: alyssawhetstoneart.com.
If you know me, you know I love a good book. I don’t just read any book though; life’s too short for bad books. Before I begin a new book, I visit Goodreads and do a little research. A book needs a rating of 4 (out of 5) or better for me to begin.
Because my criteria is high, I’ve read some OUTSTANDING books this year. It was hard to choose just TEN for my TOP TEN of ’22. But here they are.
From left to right: Colleen, Kathryn, Shauna, Erin and Abbi
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Review: Though I’ve only met/chatted with Shauna a couple of times – our lives have followed a similar course. We were born the same year and grew up going to the same beach. We both have dads who love to sail on Lake Michigan. We got married the same year, have two sons the same age, and lived in the same part of the country for most of our lives! Maybe this is why Shauna is one of my favorite authors. I own every one of her books. I wasn’t sure I’d like this one as much as some of her others. However, I loved every single page of her newest book.
Shauna and her family moved to NYC around the same time our family moved to Minnesota. Each chapter of this book is a story from her life, and what she’s learning in that story. I deeply resonated with her insights on transitions, starting over, and finding joy. I cried, I laughed, I stopped to think, pray, and express gratitude.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:
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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This was my favorite book of the year, and I will go back to it again and again.
Review: This is a 40-day devotional that is PACKED with goodness. It would be an EXCELLENT book to start your year.
Here are a couple of great quotes from the book:
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.
You will FEEL how you speak and FIND what you seek.
Public victory comes from private discipline.
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!
Review: Part of why I wanted to read this book was because I loved the title. For an Enneagram 7 (the Enthusiast), the idea of “everything sad” being “untrue” just made me smile.
The book tells the story of a family moving from Iran to Oklahoma – written from the perspective of a middle school boy. Because I read it while I had two sons in middle school, I really connected with the author’s perspective and story. It made me laugh, cry, think, and learn. I was filled with joy by the kindness shown by some, and shocked by the cruelty expressed by others.
The book will give a reader an amazing, up-close perspective on what it looks and feels like to be a refugee in America. This book was outstanding, and I recommend it to anyone 14 or older.
Review: This was the first book I read in 2022, and it was a FANTASTIC way to start the year. If you haven’t read it – I recommend it be your first book of 2023 (with Take Back Your Life)! The author is someone I admire and respect. He’s a great teacher and a fantastic writer. I loved his first book, Chasing Wisdom, and this second book is just as good.
The Power of Place is about the value of putting down roots and investing in the place you call ‘home.’
Review: This book shares the beautiful relationship that developed between CS Lewis and Ms. Davidson. They were pen pals, later met and became great friends, and eventually married. I already loved CS Lewis, but this story makes me love him even more. The author did a fabulous job of re-creating their love story. I recommend the audiobook because the narration brings the story to life. It’s free on the Hoopla app.
Here are two quotes from the book that I loved:
God does not love us because we are lovable but because He is Love.
CS Lewis
Sometimes we want to stay and goof off in a mud pit when God has an entire seashore for us to play in.
Review: This narrative unfolds the captivating journey of a young woman transitioning from Islam to Christianity. Her compelling tale resonated deeply with me, serving as a poignant reminder of the unparalleled freedom we enjoy in America and within our Christian faith, especially when contrasted with the experiences of individuals in other countries and adherents of different religions. Exploring our shared faith from a fresh perspective was truly enlightening. Unfortunately, it’s all too common to overlook the profound goodness of God when it has been a constant presence throughout one’s life.
I recommend this book to anyone on a spiritual quest or those 16 and above who identify with the Christian faith.
Review: This memoir delves into the life of a young woman who spent many years in and out of the foster care system. Candidly recounting her experiences, she unveils both the uplifting and challenging aspects of her journey. She is now actively engaged in bringing positive change to the broken system. If you’re interested in hearing a first hand perspective of the foster care system, or hold a genuine concern for the well-being of foster children, this book offers a compelling and insightful exploration.
Review: I read this book with George, and we both decided that Alan Gratz is a fantastic writer! He pulls you into the story and makes you feel like you are part of the adventure. This is fiction, but gives you insight into what it must have felt like to be in the Twin Towers on 911. Great for any reader age 12 and up who may want to know more about what happened on September 11, 2001.
I read this with Clark, and we both loved it. It’s a short book that can be read in one setting. The author writes brilliantly and expresses such beautiful and deep emotion in very few words.
It’s the story of a young boy coming to live with his aunt in Minnesota to escape his war-torn country of Sudan. We felt the wonder, optimism, fear, sadness, and hope through the eyes of the main character (Kek). This would make a great read-aloud for parents and kids ages 8 and up.
Review: An outstanding book written by a survivor of Auschwitz. She writes about her escape “physically” from prison, and how she later learned to escape the prison of the mind. She is the female version of Victor Frankl (Man’s Search for Meaning). There are parts of this book that are really hard to read, but it’s also a book filled with hope and redemption.
The sign above the entrance to the author’s prison camp in Aushwitz says: Arbeit Macht Frei, meaning: Work Will Set You Free. Dr. Eger writes:
Work has set me free. Not the work the Nazis meant, but the inner work. Of learning to survive and thrive, of learning to forgive myself, of helping others do the same. When I do this work, I am no longer a prisoner. I am free.
Dr. Eger
Here are a few gold nuggets I pulled from the book:
You can live in the prison of the past, or you can let the past be a springboard that helps you reach the life you want now.
Get the feelings out. Expression is the opposite of depression. You can’t heal what you don’t feel.
You can’t feel love and fear at the same time.
It’s easier to hold someone or something else responsible for your pain than to take responsibility for ending your own victimhood.
Our painful experiences aren’t a liability, they are a gift. They give us perspective and meaning, an opportunity to find our unique purpose and strength.
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You can’t change what happened, you can’t change what you did or what was done to you. You can choose how you live right now. You can choose to be free.
Review: This book is fantastic and once I started, I couldn’t put it down. The author tells her story of growing up in foster care. Though Tori had a really tough life, there’s a thread of hope and redemption written through the pages. I highly recommend this book to anyone who works with children, or to a person who just loves a good memoir. I’ll share my copy with you if you’d like to read it.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes from her book.
I’ve written this book not so you can see what God did through me, but so that you will believe what God can do through you, no matter the odds.
The worst things that happen to us can open our eyes to how much God loves us.
When God is part of the story, chances aren’t the dictator anymore, miracles are.
Foster kids don’t have to fall into the tragedy the world destined for them. None of us do. God has the final say.
I don’t have to be afraid of my past because I am free from its power over me. I am free from what has been done to me and from what I have done. I’m free from my past symptoms and coping mechanisms. I am a new because of a madman of love first loved me.
Review: I didn’t know much about Eugene Peterson before reading this book except that he wrote The Message Bible and that he mentored my friend Daniel Grothe. This book is engagingly written, full of Peterson’s own words from letters and journals. However, I found it a little boring. Eugene himself was surprised someone would want to write a biography about him. He didn’t think there was much about his life that would be interesting enough for a book. He had a pretty normal childhood, and was a pastor at the same church for 30 years. In my opinion, the book was too long and told unnecessary stories and information. However, here are a few of my favorite parts.
Eugene Peterson was friends with the Jackson family (as in Phil Jackson, coach of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls). Phil Jackson wanted to play basketball but his ultra-conservative parents weren’t sure it was a good idea. However, when Phil’s parents saw that Eugene could play basketball, and still maintain his character, they allowed Phil to play. Phil became an NBA player, and then one of the best coaches of all time.
I loved reading about Eugene’s desire to translate the entire Bible in an “easy-to-read and understand” contemporary format. The Message was a book that Zondervan turned down. They thought the market was too saturated and it would be a failure. A little known company (at the time) called NavPress decided to take a chance on this book. The Message has sold more than 20 million copies.
I really enjoyed reading about Eugene Peterson’s relationship with Bono, the leader of the group U2. Here’s a short video about their relationship: https://youtu.be/-l40S5e90KY
Finally, it was fun that the author mentioned my friend Daniel Grothe in the book, especially since Daniel wrote an entire book about their relationship called Chasing Wisdom. Chasing Wisdom is a phenomenal book – I recommend it ten times over Burning in my Bones.
Review: A short but beautiful book on God’s great love for humanity. This is a book I will come back to again and again. I loved how Brennan shared how healing happens when we pass on to another person what we have received from Jesus.
Easter is coming up on April 17, 2022. Are you ready?
What brings a smile to my face on Easter morning is knowing that I follow a Savior that has RISEN from the dead (read more about that here).
What my young children look forward to are Easter baskets. Here are five ideas that will bring smiles to your children’s faces on Easter morning.
The only thing I could recommend more than an Easter Basket is SPEND TIME TOGETHER. Playing tag or hide-and-seek with your kids will bring more joy than any toy.
All four of my boys play and enjoy this game. Their cousins and friends love it too. Have you played? It’s a fun and simple game for kids ages 4 and up!
My 7-year old got this puzzle game for a Christmas gift and our entire family has played it. It’s a great ‘on-the-go’ game for kids. There are 60 different challenges to complete in this game. We highly recommend it!
Put a bunch of chalk in their basket, then go outside and create art and inspiration for your neighborhood or local park.
Clark’s artwork
George’s artwork
Paul’s art
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If you are looking for a church to visit on Easter, you can come with my family, or I can recommend a church for you to visit if you leave me a comment.
I was introduced to 3 fantastic authors this month, and I’m so grateful to have read their work. I’m looking forward to reading more books by those authors.
The first book I read this month was written by a fantastic author, who is also a friend. Power of a Place was a great book to start the new year.
Review: This author is someone I admire and respect. He went to school with Ted, and I worked with him in Colorado. He’s a great teacher and a fantastic writer. I loved his first book, Chasing Wisdom, and his second book is just as good. The Power of Place is about the value of putting down roots and investing in the place you call ‘home.’
Review: This book was so engaging, I did not want it to end. It shares the beautiful relationship that develops between CS Lewis and Ms. Davidson. They were pen pals, and later met and became great friends, and eventually married. I already loved CS Lewis, but this story makes me love him even more. This author did a fabulous job of re-creating their love story. I highly recommend the audiobook because the narration brings the story to life. It’s free on the Hoopla app.
Here are two quotes from the book that I loved:
God does not love us because we are lovable but because He is Love.
CS Lewis
Sometimes we want to stay and goof off in a mud pit when God has an entire seashore for us to play in.
Review: This was a wonderful book that I read with my 12-year-old son Clark. It’s the story of a young boy coming to live with his aunt in Minnesota to escape his war-torn country of Sudan. The author writes brilliantly and expresses such beautiful and deep emotion in very few words. This book can be read in a day but will stay with you for much longer. I felt the wonder, optimism, fear, sadness and hope through the eyes of the main character (Kek). This book gave me a glimpse into what it might be like to be a refugee. I HIGHLY recommend this book! Great for parents to read with kids ages 8 and up.
Review: I read this book with my 14 year-old son and we both enjoyed it. It’s a novel about a boy who went to work with his dad on September 11, 2001. The book does an excellent job recreating the environment from that day. You feel like you are in the Twin Towers that morning trying to escape. This book allowed George and I have to have some great conversations about what happened on September 11.
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Thanks for reading! Please share which of these books you’d like to read or a great book you’ve read recently.
