Christ Community Church MOPS: February 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