Sunday, March 17, 2013


Let’s Get to Know our 1/3 Ladies…
Thanks Katie, for sharing your table with us!
Back Row:  Jessica Reade, Michelle Kazor, Katie Wheat, Kimberly Storm, Jessica Beck, Stacy Meyer
Front Row :  Susan Friesen, Bethany Doyle,Stacy Heavican
 
Easter Memories

By Katie Wheat



I have many fond memories of Easter as a child, and many nightmares of the matching Easter dresses... with my mom( FYI, never a good look...). I loved getting up Easter morning and going down into our Victorian styled living room. Jelly beans were "hidden" in every nook and cranny of the elaborate furniture and decor. My dad would always tell us about Jesus and all he had done for us and then we would get to search for our Easter baskets. As soon as every Easter basket was found, the mad dash for the jelly bean collecting began!

One of the greatest things about being a mom for me is now getting to experience the joy of the Holidays through my kids. I have always enjoyed Holidays but there is something about seeing the excitement of my 3 year old, or hearing the squeal of my 1 year old as they experience these traditions for the first time!


I may not have a little girl that I can torture with matching dresses, but I am so thankful for the two precious little guys who I know will love their very first Easter basket/ jelly bean hunt, and I can't wait to experience it with them!

 

 
What's a funny one liner you never thought you'd say to your kids...

·         Because God made me the mom. You can complain to Him about it." (Jessica Reade)

·         Did you just eat that" My kiddos are great at finding crumbs, snacks on the floor, in the car...just about anywhere. (Stacy Heavican)

·         "Don't lick your brother" (It's the only one that is fresh in my mind...I used that one just this morning!) (Stacy Meyer)

·         "Hurry up in there! This isn't a fashion show!" (Michelle Kazor)

 

 

What's your favorite go to dinner when you are short on time or cash?

·        Chicken Tortilla Soup- It's basically chicken and four cans of veggies. (Jessica Reade) ~ Recipe below

·        Spaghetti and garlic bread (Stacy Heavican)

·        Brinner! My family loves breakfast for dinner. There aren't many meals quicker or cheaper than whipping up a pan of scrambled eggs and pancakes! (Stacy Meyer)

·        Cheesy Chicken Bake (Bethany Doyle) ~ Recipe Below

·        Hamburger or Tuna Helper (Michelle Kazor)

·        Taco Soup (Beth Sanchez)


 

Favorite book you read last year...

·        Oooh, that's hard!!! "Grace Based Parenting" - non-fiction "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" – fiction (Jessica Reade)

·        The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks (Stacy Heavican)

·        I'm not much of a book reader.  I love my subscription to US Weekly though.  I need short stories/paragraphs that I can read in one sitting.  It's my guilty pleasure to read about celebrities and see how the other side lives. :) (Stacy Meyer)

·        The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman (Bethany Doyle)

·        I don't always have time to read but, I love listening to books on CD. Bringing up Boys by Dr. Dobson has helped me understand my little boy better.  I also enjoyed reading Hinds feet on High places. (Beth Sanchez)




Do you have any cute ideas for Easter crafts or recipes?

·        This year we're going to put glue dots on eggs and roll them in glitter for some sparkly, girly. Polka dot eggs. Gotta love Pinterest! (Jessica Reade)

·        Mine isn't specifically either a craft or recipe, but my kids love it when I fill those bright, plastic eggs with their snacks or meals.  I sometimes put their after school snacks in them.  Or, I put a few in their school lunches.  I fill them with crackers, blueberries, fruit snacks, pretzels...whatever fits!  It's always more fun to eat out of a cute container! (Stacy Meyer)

·        Make your own s'mores but use "peeps" for the marshmallows (Michelle Kazor)

·       One of the things we do every year to prepare for Easter is the Resurection Eggs. I know Jessica already mentioned this but we are going to experiment with the glitter Easter Eggs as well. (Beth Sanchez)

 

Let’s Eat…

Chicken Tortilla Soup (from Jessica Reade via Jana Murphy)

1 lb. chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 can Rotel
1 can black beans
1 can pinto beans
1 cup salsa

Bring all ingredients to a boil and then let simmer for ten or so minutes. Serve with sour cream, shredded cheese and tortilla chips if desired.

You can also throw ingredients into a crockpot on low for a few hours.



Cheesy Chicken Bake (from Bethany Doyle)

2-4 Chicken breasts, butterflied (or 10 chicken tenders)
1-1.5 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
2 (10 3/4oz) cans cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup milk or white wine
12 oz of stove top stuffing
3 T butter, melted

Place chicken breasts in 9x13 pan. Sprinkle cheese on top of chicken. Mix soups and milk/wine, pour over chicken. Sprinkle with Stove Top stuffing. Drizzle over with melted butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Cover if getting to dark.

Optionally~ can be done in the crockpot on low for about 6hrs. Prepare the same way but pour 1/3 cup chicken broth over top.

 

 

Wednesday, February 6, 2013


Let’s Get to know our 2/4 Moms...
Back Row: Elizabeth, Kristin, Lynette
Front Row: Kathleen, Jennifer, Georgette, Kate
(Kelsy and Bridget-not pictured)
 



Taking a Plunge…


Moving
By Jennifer Riser

One of the biggest plunges of my life began in the fall of 2009 when we found out that my husband’s career dream was coming true.  We knew that the “job” would take us out of Atlanta, GA and to one of the other 49 states.  The time of anticipation was filled with all sorts of emotions.  Initially it was excitement over all the possibilities, next came the sadness of leaving our old life behind, soon followed by resentment over the fact that I would have to leave the nanny job that I LOVED.  All of this was overshadowed by the optimism and hope that we had in knowing that this really was God’s plan and the next step into the future.

January 2010 came with the unexpected news that I was pregnant with our first child.  All of the sudden the move became more serious.  We would need friends and family like we never had before and yet we would be starting over in a new place.  I began to pray every day for a community, believing strongly that the Lord would hear my prayers and answer them.

One day, in the beginning of June 2010, I got the call from Josh saying that we would be moving to Omaha, NE.  I couldn’t remember on the map exactly where Omaha was located, but I did picture lots of cows, cornfields, and worse- SNOW!  It was quite a shock since we were planning on staying on the east coast; however I was pleasantly surprised to find that Omaha is a moderate sized city with fewer cows and more Targets than expected.

Before we showed up to our new home God already began working on our community.  A friend from Atlanta contacted a business owner here who hooked us up with another young couple who had a baby two and a half months younger than our daughter.  I’ll never forget that feeling of excitement over meeting this family and watching the answer to my prayers unfold into a wonderful friendship.

Less than a week after moving into our home in Papillion a friend from North Carolina who attended high school in Omaha connected me with a former classmate of his.  Kari introduced me to Christ Community Church and later to MOPS.  Both of these places are a huge source of my community as a mother and ours as a family.

I am so thankful for the way God met our need for friendship and community in a city where we could have been alone.  I think He loves to show up in our lives in big ways. 

 
What is your favorite type of chocolate?

·         Any and all! Add in peanut butter or coffee & it's even better!! ;-) ~Elizabeth Perkinson

·         Thin dark chocolate ~ Kathleen Russell

·         I like all chocolate! My favorite chocolate candy is Reese's peanut butter cups! ~ Kristin Polking

·         Chocolate- York peppermint ~ Jennifer Riser

·         Any GOOD milk chocolate ~ Lynette Nabity
 
·         Anything milk chocolate...I especially love the candy coated milk chocolate Cadbury eggs and the Reese's PB cup eggs, hearts, etc. that come out at every holiday. ~ Kelsy Kinning
  • I love milk duds. ~ Kate Geiger
 
 

Name something you are thankful for or love about your husband and/or kids...

·         So many! :-) I’m thankful for sweet notes or emails from my husband reminding me how appreciated I am-even for the things that typically go unnoticed....

My 7 year old recently asked if I was the tooth fairy. I told him that I didn't think so. He said, "Well if you were I would give you a thousand thank yous!!" that was thanks enough! :-) ~ Elizabeth Perkinson

·         I love that my husband is happy to see me after work. ~Kathleen Russel

·         I also love that my husband leaves little notes for me and the kids when he goes away on work trips. ~Kristin Polking

·         I love my husband’s sense of humor. ~ Jennifer Riser

·         Love that my husband is fun, spontaneous, eager to learn new things. ~ Lynette Nabity

·         I am thankful that my husband works hard to provide for our family and supports my decision to give up my career for now to stay home with our babies. ~ Kelsy Kinning

What is the funniest word your child mispronounces?

·         Natalie, my 5 year old, used to say "whobody" instead of somebody. ~ Elizabeth Perkinson

·         Bridget mispronounces 'handband' for 'headband.” ~ Kathleen Russell

·         Jenna, my 5 year old, when she doesn't want her sister or brother to copy her she says, "Stopy Copy Me!" ~ Kristin Polking

·         Funniest word- mittles instead of nipples. "Mommy! Cameron's crying ...he needs to eat from your mittles!" ~ Jennifer Riser

·         Kane (19 months) doesn't say much yet so it's almost always a guess and Kaelyn (2 weeks) won't be talking for quite awhile. J ~ Kelsy Kinning

·         Funniest word- when my youngest child called the handicapped signs, candyhapped signs. ~ Lynette Nabity


What do you do to make valentines day fun/special for your family? Crafts, food, fun?

·         Not my best holiday! Last year the kids got certificates for dates w/ mom or dad. (The boys just had theirs "redeemed" this month with their dad!!!) My oldest said, "it's ok if you want to give us a date again for Valentine’s Day, but can we not wait so long to do it!!" Yes, Sam! ~ Elizabeth Perkinson

·         Valentine’s Day is low key at our house, but we do exchange cards and have a special family dinner. ~ Kathleen Russell

·         We give the kids a small gift with candy and we write 3 things we love about each of them. ~ Kristin Polking

·         For Valentine’s Day dinner, I would make everything red and heart-shaped.  Meatloaf made in a heart-shaped pan with spaghetti sauce on top, red heart shaped jello, heart shaped muffins, strawberry heart shaped cake! ~ Lynette Nabity

·         My oldest is only 19 months so we haven't started any Valentine’s Day traditions, but I am making Valentine’s Day cards with the kids pictures and sending them out. Maybe we will bake Valentine’s Day cookies this year! ~ Kelsy Kinning
·         We usually do a fun craft for the kids valentines. Last year we made heart crayons. ~ Kate Geiger
 
 
 

Let’s Eat…
 
 
 
Using canned cinnamon rolls. Yum!
 
 
 
Breakfast idea from Martha Stewart
 
Cute lunch idea
 
 

Fun Craft idea
 
Cute decorating idea
 
Valentine card idea for those special grandparents.  :)
 
All ideas were found on pinterest! :)



Sunday, January 6, 2013

There – and Back Again
 
A New Year’s Resolution Revolt By Beth K. Vogt
 
 
Did you make any New Year’s resolutions?
I didn’t. I abandoned the annual tradition of writing down personal goals several years ago. New Year’s resolutions were more frustrating than fulfilling. What were my chances of success when I lost my list of dos and don’ts by the end of January?
Then I heard about focusing on a word for the year. One word. Surely I could keep track of a single word for 365 days.
A life-changing New Year’s tradition began four years ago. As I prayed and read the Bible each fall, God revealed new words for each year:
  • Gratitude
  • Contentment
  • Simplify
  • Forgiveness
Centering my attention – my prayers, my Bible reading – on one word for 12 months has produced tangible personal change.
  • The year I emphasized “gratitude,” my glass-half-empty view of life overflowed when I kept daily lists of what I was thankful for.
  • The word “contentment” translated into “Be happy with what you have” – and decreased my impulse buying.
  • “Simplify” coincided with a year-long illness forcing me to let go of supposedly must-do priorities.
  • This past year, I focused on forgiveness. This 11-letter word challenged me to more fully understand how to forgive those who’ve wounded me.
Unlike me, maybe you could find your list of New Year’s resolutions in seconds – and you’re off to a good start at keeping them. Consider looking over your list and asking: Can I distill all my goals down to one word?
Maybe you’re fretting about not having a list – or the fact that you’ve already lost you’re oh-so-carefully written out 2013 aspirations. Sometimes a mom’s best intentions – even the ones carefully written down – get lost in the busy-ness of caring for family, juggling schedules, looking for that ever-fleeting moment of quiet.
Take a deep breath and let the resolution requirement go. Pick a word. One word.
You've got plenty of time. Take a moment to think about one focus that you would like to stay on this year. Maybe your word hides within a Bible passage. You’re also welcome to adopt one of my previous words.
No pressure. After 26 years of active duty as a mom, I understand that motherhood comes with enough pressures. The demands of motherhood can weigh you down. And sometimes your desires for improvements – no matter how beneficial – can weigh you down too. Looking back, I realize oftentimes the heavy burdens I carried weren't ones Jesus asked me to pick up. Nope. They were ones that I lugged around because of my unrealistic standards for myself as a wife, a mom, a woman.
It’s a New Year. Pick a word. You’ll be amazed how a single word can change you in the next 12 months.

Beth K. Vogt and her husband experienced a double-dose of parenthood – three children in their 20s and a surprise fourth in their 40s. The author of “Baby Changes Everything: Embracing and Preparing for Motherhood after 35,” Beth edits Connections and is a regular contributor to MOMSense Magazine.



Thursday, December 6, 2012

Let’s Get to Know our 1/3 Moms!
(Thanks Abbie Wilson for sharing your table with us!)
Back Row: Shauna LeGrande, Alexa Margary, Tiffanie Thompson, Alicia Kurzenburger, Jessica Van Voorst
Front Row: Marta Kolosso, Abbie Wilson, Chris Mayne
 
Christmas in Russia
 
By Shauna LeGrande
 
Let's go back in time to Christmas 2009. My family had just moved to Moscow, Russia one month earlier. My oldest son Conrad was 22 months and my son William was five months. We were still adjusting to our new life and had just received our household goods a few days before Christmas. I did my best to completely unpack the house by Christmas but there was still a lot of work yet to be done. I accepted the fact this would be no ordinary Christmas. I was so caught up with unpacking, getting my oldest son settled in his new preschool and just life in general that it didn't dawn on me we didn't have a Christmas tree! My options were limited as our car had not arrived from the States yet, so I either had to pay a driver to transport me or hitch a ride with a neighbor.....except I quickly realized that just about all of the expats had left Moscow for the holiday break. So, I took the Metro to the closest mall to see what I could find. To my amazement I found the most pitiful trees on display for unrealistically inflated prices. There was no way I was going to spend $200+ on a sub-par miniature tree. So, I decided to focus my efforts on the Christmas feast, rather than décor.
 
Later that day when I picked up my son at preschool, I commented on the school’s beautifully decorated Christmas tree and mentioned my discovery at the mall. Since the school would be closed through early January, the director (also my son’s teacher) readily offered the tree for us to borrow. I felt a little weird about the thought of getting a hand-me-down Christmas tree, but figured something was better than nothing. At that time it was snowing and the most efficient way to transport my two year old to and from our residence and school was to drag him on a sleigh. It was quite a site to see a crazy woman pulling a sleigh with a little boy and a Christmas tree. Note, this was no landmark Christmas tree as it made Charlie Brown’s tree look like a prize winner. Still, we staged our little loaner Christmas tree in a prominent place in our home and placed a few gift-wrapped presents around the tree. We even managed to get our two young sons to pose for a Christmas photograph to capture the story.
 
The Moscow winter of 2009 was the coldest in 90 years, but it forced us to hunker down on our cozy home. I don’t remember what we ate for Christmas dinner, or what Santa Claus brought the children but I do remember how it felt to be together. Despite the challenges of living in a completely foreign place with no friends (yet) or family, we were together and God was watching over us. As our family reflects on past Christmas days my husband and I will continue to tell our children about our many adventures in Russia, especially Christmas in Moscow.
 

 


A Tradition in Our Family is...

·         One of our Christmas traditions at the Kurzenberger's is when all of the presents are opened on Christmas morning the grandchildren get to wrap up grandpa in all the leftover wrapping paper. They think it's funny to bury him in the wrapping paper. (Alicia Kurzenberger)
 
·         As a first generation American of Puerto Rican decent, my memories of Christmas conjure up many traditions. As I mature in my Christian walk both as a wife for 11 years and a mom of 2, I want to make sure my family maintains our cultural traditions without losing site of the true meaning of Christmas. 
 
The 24th of December was always our Noche Buena celebration. Preparations would start early in December because one of the staples of the menu was pasteles; a laborious task but oh so delicious. I recall staying up late as my family sat around the table sharing stories as they prepared the pasteles in assembly line fashion. One of my grandmothers always made my sister and I specially sized pasteles. This year I am excited to have my grandmother visiting in early December; I will be making my first pasteles with her. It should be interesting trying to find all the ingredients locally.
 
More than the food we will prepare, it's the time I will spend sharing, learning, laughing and maybe even some singing with my grandmother that I will remember for years to come. She always reminds me of her choice to follow Christ on a Christmas Eve when she was 16. Through all the hustle and bustle of the season, it's her love of Jesus I want to cling to the most as I now have my own family to infuse with Christmas traditions.  (Alexa Margary)
 
·         Growing up we always set up our Christmas tree in front of a window.  We were missionaries in Taiwan and being a Buddhist/animistic country Christmas was little known.  One night we noticed that some neighbors (we lived in apartments) were all gathered at their window looking at our tree lit up.  This memory has always been a good reminder to celebrate CHRIST at Christmas and let our His light shine through me. (Abbie Wilson)


Let’s Eat…
Frosted Cranberry Salad (from Tiffanie Thompson)
 
1 13 1/2 ounce can crushed pineapple
2 3 ounce packages lemon gelatin
1 7 ounce bottle gingerale
1 1 pound can (2 cups) jellied cranberry sauce
1 2 ounce package dessert topping mix (Dream whip)
1 8 ounce package cream cheese
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 Tbsp butter
 
Drain pineapple and reserve liquid. Add water to pineapple juice to make 1 cup of liquid. Heat to boiling and dissolve gelatin. Cool to room temp. Stir in gingerale and chill till gelatin is partially set. Blend pineapple and cranberry sauce together and add to gelatin. Put in 9x9 pan and chill till firm. Prepare Dream whip according to package. Whip cream cheese until smooth and mix with Dream whip. Toast pecans in 1 Tbsp butter and sprinkle on top. Can also use a 9x13 pan. Double the recipe and use 9x13 pan if you want the jello part thicker.
 
Irish wheat soda bread (from Jaime Stiles)
3 cups whole wheat flour
3 cups white flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3 cups buttermilk
Mix dry ingredients
Stir in buttermilk
Transfer to floured surface and knead briefly and lightly just to mix ingredients and shape in ball.
Transfer to greased cookie sheet. Flatten ball of dough to an oval about 1" thick
With a sharp knife cut deep cross in center of loaf almost to cookie sheet (this allows bread to cook in the middle)
Brush loaf with buttermilk to produce a shiny glaze
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes
 
Zucchini Bread (From Alexa Margary)

3 eggs
1 cup canola oil
2 1/4 cups sugar
2 cups grated raw zucchini
2 tspn cinnamon
1 tspn salt
1 tspn baking soda
1/4 tspn baking powder
Less than 1/4 tspn ground nutmeg and cloves
3 cups unsifted flour
1/2 cup milk
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raisins

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour into a loaf pan. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about one hour. Store in a covered tin or tightly wrapped in foil.

 
Easy Peanut Butter Blossoms (from Marta Kolosso)
1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated peanut butter cookies
3 tablespoons sugar
36 Hershey's® Kisses® Brand milk chocolates, unwrapped
 
Heat oven to 350°F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll in sugar.
On ungreased cookie sheets, place balls 2 inches apart.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately top each cookie with 1 milk chocolate candy, pressing down firmly so cookie cracks around edge. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely before storing.
 
Frozen Peppermint Oreo Dessert  (from Jessica Van Voorst)
1 package of Oreos
1/4 cup oleo
1/2 gallon peppermint ice cream (may use other ice cream flavor of your choice)
2 jars Hershey's hot fudge topping (Microwave enough to spread easily)
8-ounce Cool Whip
nuts (optional)
 
Crush 3 cups Oreo cookies and add 1/4 cup oleo (melted). Press into bottom of a 9x13-inch pan. Freeze. Spread 1 jar of Hershey's hot fudge topping on top. Freeze. Spread 1/2 gallon softened peppermint ice cream on top. Freeze. Spread 1 can Hershey's hot fudge topping on top. Freeze. Spread an 8-ounce carton of Cool Whip on top and freeze. You may garnish the top with crushed Oreos or nuts.






Fun Things To Do in Omaha This Holiday Season...

*Holiday Air Affair at Strategic Air & Space Museum, Sat. Dec. 8th!  Send Santa off to space in a hot air balloon at 9:30, then go inside for the lighting of a museum aircraft, cookie decorating, photos with Santa, and other activities.
 
*17th Annual Christmas at the Cathedral, Dec. 7th & 9th!  Hear music from the Omaha Symphony Chamber Orchestra at St. Cecilia's Cathedral.  There will be a guest appearance by the Archdiocesan Children’s Choir. ($3)
 
*"Madeline's Christmas" at The Rose Through Dec. 16th!  Everyone’s favorite schoolgirl in the bright yellow hat is back for some festive fun in France!  This musical theater production is recommended for ages 4 and up. 
 
* Gingerbread House Display at the Mormon Trail Center
Starting on November 17th, 2012 and running through December 29th, 2012, the Mormon Trail Center will house the annual Ginger Bread House Display.  The display is free to attend. The center will close at 4 P.M. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, and will be closed on Christmas day
 
*Visit Live Reindeer at Mulhall's Through Dec. 16th!  There will be reindeer-themed activities for kids throughout the store, too.
 
*Christmas at Union Station @ Durham Western Heritage Museum
801 South 10th St. Omaha (402) 444-5071
 
*Dickens in the Market - Victorian Christmas
The Old Market Omaha 10th to 13th Sts., Harney to Jackson Sts.
Each Christmas season, Omaha's Old Market becomes a Victorian-Era holiday marketplace.  Festive decorations, carolers in Victorian dress, and horse-drawn carriage rides add Dickensian cheer to the festive season each Saturday and Sunday.
 
*Holiday Lights @ Gene Leahy Mall 12th & Farnam Omaha
A million lights decorate the trees at the Mall from Thanksgiving to early January.

*Holiday Wildlights @ Henry Doorly Zoo
3701 South 10th St. Omaha
Wander through the Omaha Zoo's winter wonderland. Glimpse at the glittering lights on the trees and bushes, and catch sight of the moving animal images. Make a holiday craft in Santa's Workshop, visit the Touch Tank in the Scott Aquarium and have a snack from Durham's TreeTops Restaurant. 
 
*Classic Holiday Film Series @ Marcus Midtown Cinema
Saturdays at 10AM, November 24 - December 22nd
 Admission only $5
 
Join Midtown Cinema for the 2012 Classic Holiday Film Series, in conjunction with the Miracle on Farnam Celebration at Omaha's Midtown Crossing. Enjoy classic holiday films for the whole family on Saturdays at 10AM for only $5 from November 24th to December 22nd!
 
A Christmas Story
November 24th
 
The Grinch
Dec. 1st
 
Miracle on 34st Street
Dec. 8th
 
Elf
Dec. 15th
 
It's a Wonderful Life
Dec. 22nd
 
For more information and/or to purchase tickets:

*Indoor Ice Skating Rinks:
 
Mid-America Center Ice Arena
Motto McLean Ice Arena in Hitchcock Park
Moylan Ice Plex
*Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks:
 
Dundee Neighborhood Ice Skating Rink
(No website). This is a small outdoor ice skating rink that Dundee Bank and the Dundee-Memorial Park Neighborhood Association provide free of charge to the public. The City of Omaha flooded the sunken area in the boulevard parkway at Happy Hollow Boulevard and Underwood Avenue. Skating is at your own risk. Because there are no lights around the rink, skating is limited to daylight hours. Skate rental is not available, so please bring your own. Please also be aware that there are no restrooms or other facilities.
 
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Ice Skating Rink
University of Nebraksa Medical Center Ice Skating Rink
 ConAgra Foods Ice Skating Rink (Holiday Season Only)