March 2012

Caroline, Mark and kids at oldest daughter's wedding in December 2011

Game On: Meet Caroline Bone By Jana Murphy

Caroline Bone is one of our treasured MOPPETS teachers (with the 2-year-olds) and has been a gem to have at Christ Community Church since 2006. She grew up in Illinois where she met her high school sweetheart, Mark.  They started dating just before she turned 16 years old! They married after she finished college at the University of Illinois, and have since been blessed with six children (Cathrine-24, Christine-23, Coleen-18, Jackson-16, John-13, Jillian–12). She graciously took the time to answer a few questions for us to be able to get to know her a little better. Enjoy!

Q: What has been your favorite thing about being married?

A: It is like having a journey with my best friend. Couldn’t imagine life without him.

Q: What has been your favorite thing about being a mom?

A: Definitely being at home with them when they were little and watching them grow and learn. I felt more in control when they were little, because their worries were so small. Mommy can fix it all then.

Q: Do you have any words of wisdom for moms who are in the midst of the preschool years?

A: Enjoy every moment!!! My mom always told me this when I was surrounded by diapers, car seats, potty training… I thought that I was doing it, but looking back, I realize that I really didn’t. Brings tears to my eyes. It goes by too fast. Our oldest daughter just got married, the week before Christmas!!!

Q: What is it about MOPPETS that brings you back every year?

A: My favorite thing is being around the 2-year-olds. I love this age!!! Watching their facial expressions, especially to see when they are thinking through their eyes. There is so much growth and learning that happens in that year, such as moving from diapers to potty training.

Q: How do you prepare for MOPS each week?

A: I prepare by thinking of each little face, one by one. All the curriculum has been prepared for the teachers by the MOPPETS Coordinator. I love the Veggie Tales curriculum and the crafts have been great this year. Each year has been different and I have liked it all. It is so much fun to have music time with the kids, they love it! And the kids just get better and better every year!

Q: Do you have any special memories from your time with the kids?

A: One game that I like to play with the kids is where they step inside a circle ring, I call it God’s circle of love. Then I have them repeat after me: “Hi, I’m (their name). I am a child of God.” Then I ask them what they like. Last year I had one of the kids answer, “I like to come to MOPS!” ***

“Mentor’s Favorite Things…”

“One of my favorite things I ever received was a card of encouragement from my mother-in-law who has since passed away.  The card was totally unexpected, and it came at a time when I really needed some encouragement in being a mom.  One of our children was going through something difficult, my husband was traveling frequently for business, and I felt like a total failure at times.  It is so amazing how God can use people to encourage us, and I definitely feel like this was the work of his wonderful Hand.  This was the only type of card I ever received from her, but it meant so much.  I can remember reading it and crying because I could feel God's love, wisdom and encouragement coming through her words.  When I am feeling down, I will bring it out and read it.  I also feel like it meant so much because she was someone I truly respected as a woman of God, a wife and mother herself.  This card is truly something I will cherish for the rest of my life. . . . and I am so thankful she took the time to write it. - Renita McElmury  (1/3 Mentor)

“My two favorite things are spending time with my family and traveling.  When I travel with my family, that is my most favorite thing.  I love traveling with my husband, girl trips with my daughter, sister, nieces and friends, trips with my entire family.  I love to travel to far away places and places close to home.  The most important thing is to spend quality time with the ones you love and enjoy God's beautiful creation.  The memories and pictures last a lifetime and bring joy when you reminisce.  I think it's important to get in the habit of traveling with your family while they are young.  It is worth the effort, because when they are older they remember the great times and they make it a priority to travel with their family.  Remember that your trips don't have to be extravagant. They can be day trips and picnics.  What's important are the wonderful memories you make. - Kim Metschke (2/4 Mentor)

Time Out To Cook
Another "Favorite Thing" from Renita McElmury (1/3 Mentor)!! This potato soup recipe came from Taste of Home -- I like the recipes from Taste of Home because they seem to have "every day" ingredients, are simple and most of the time, taste good.

Creamy Potato Soup
7 medium potates, peeled and cubed
2 celery ribs, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 quart water
4 tsp. chicken bouillon granules
1/4 c. butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 quart milk
Crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese, optional

***In a Dutch oven or soup kettle, combine potatoes, celery, onion, water and bouillon.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat and cover and simmer for 20 - 25 minutes or until potatoes are tender.  Cool slightly.  Place half of the potato mixture in a blender; cover and puree.  Repeat with remaining potato mixture. set aside.  In the same kettle, melt butter.  Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth.  Gradually add milk; bring to a boil.  Boil and stir for 2 minutes.  Return potato puree to the pan and heat through.  Garnish with crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese.  Yield:  8 - 10 servings. ( 2 3/4 quarts)

I do not put the potato mixture in a blender to puree.  I cool the mixture and then mash it with a potato masher.  This way you can get it to the consistency that you want it.  Then just transfer it to another bowl while you mix the flour & milk mixture.

Game Stats

What is your favorite game?

SCRABBLE – 24 votes

Catch Phrase and Pictionary – tied for 8 votes

Apples to Apples and Cards – tied for 7 votes

Scatergories – 6 votes

Phase 10 – 5 votes

Dominos and Taboo – tied for 4 votes
Words with Friends, Monopoly, Settlers of Catan and Bunco – tied for 3 votes

2 mentions: Bananagrams, The Game of LIFE, Cranium, Charades, Balderdash, UNO, Sequnce, Yahtzee, Suduko, Pitch, Clue, Eucher, Board games

Others mentioned: Ticket to Ride, Monopoly Deal, Backgammon, Killer Bunnies, Perquacky, Funglish, Volleyball, Sorry Sliders, Boggle, SkipBo, Dutch Blitz, Washers, Golf, Shoots and Ladders, Kids Battle the Grown Ups, Spot It, Marbleball, Peek-a-boo, Hand and Foot, Kanasta, Baseball, Tennis, Outburst, Brain Trap, Go Fish (with kids), Gestures, Twister, Solitaire, Rook, Pinochle, Kick the Can, Trivium, Union Pacific (board game), Nertz, Word Twist, Mad Gab, Caribou Island (with son)

The Christ Community Church MOPS Facebook page has 123 followers!! Are you one? Join in and see updates and engage on Facebook with your MOPS friends between meetings:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christ-Community-Church-MOPS/125998760779919

Be A Team Player!

Have any interest in helping with Compass Ministries after school program? Contact Jenny Berg at jennyb@cccomaha.org to see how you can be more involved.

Go Play Around Town

(Websites: http://www.momsofomaha.com/, http://vacation.visitomaha.com/, http://www.visitnebraska.org/)

Celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday on Friday, March 2nd!  Pottery Barn Kids at Regency has a "Read Across America" event and Dr. Seuss celebration March 2nd-4th.  The Maple Street YMCA will have a Seuss birthday party on the 2nd.  Pacific Hills Lutheran Church & Lamb of God Preschool will host Seuss Night on the 2nd, and the Omaha Children's Museum will celebrate the good doctor at their First Friday Family Date Night.

Free Kids Workshop at Home Depot, Sat. March 3rd!  Build a replica of the #20 Home Depot NASCAR!

The Bookworm (8702 Pacific Street Omaha (402) 392-2877) Toddler story times are held in the Children’s Dept. every Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m.  Children’s book clubs geared toward different age levels and/or interests are also available.

Pottery Barn Kids Regency Court Shopping Center (120 Regency Parkway Omaha (402) 393-1137)
Story time is held every Tuesday morning at 11:00 a.m.  Kids who sign up for the Pottery Barn Kids Book Club and attend five Story Time Events will receive a $10 coupon good towards any PBK item in the store. 

Announcements!!

March 2^nd(1/3) & 9^th(2/4): SWAP!!! Don’t forget to bring up to 20 gently used items (clothes for women/maternity/kids, shoes, toys, kids gear, etc.). This can be  brought the night before your SWAP from 7-8pm to the MOPS meeting room, or you can bring it on the morning of your SWAP.

March 16^th(1/3) & 23^rd(2/4): Steve & Terry Walters talk on marriage.

Prayer hotline:  Have a prayer need? Please send it to: prayer4mops@gmail.com

MOPPETS

Thank you for serving your 2 days in MOPPETS! It is VITAL that you show up on your assigned days so we can continue to provide a quality program for our children. If you have a conflict, please switch with another MOPS mom and contact our Childcare Coordinator, Michelle Brewer (michelleb@cccomaha.org), ASAP of the change. Please refer to your directory or your DGL for contact info. When you arrive at the church, check the posting by the nursery check-in table to find where you have been assigned to help. Thank you for your cooperation! This months assignments are listed below:

March 2 - 1/3 Meeting
Collete Schmidtke
Shauna McCoy
Debbie Sledge
Becca Sutton
Michelle sealock
Jen Johnson 

March 7 - 1/3 Steering (9-11:30)
Abigail Wilson
Jennifer Colgrove
Marlene Cameron
Tiffanie Thompson

March 9 - 2/4 Meeting (8:45-11:30)
Laura Haley
Brianne Minturn
Jocie Minturn
Amanda Kirkpatrick
Chris Mayne
Kimberly Storm

March 16 - 1/3 Meeting (8:45-11:30)
Amanda Zach

Anne Greve

Becky Lachin

Christin Schroeder

Jody Hemmingson

Deana Loibl

Heidi Green

Joy Gregory

March 23 - 2/4 Meeting (8:45-11:30) 
Katie Wheat
Laura Farington
Kelli Hasenjager
Gina Hostetler
Paola Lee
Stefani Lane

February 2012

Game On: The Adventures of Potty Training

Heidi with sons (Bowen, Carter) and husband Jason

By Heidi Hackel (1/3 Mom)

Potty training has begun in the Hackel household.  I THOUGHT I was fully prepared.  I did a month of research on what method to use, talked to several friends who have all been through it, and had all the right underwear.  My husband and I had numerous discussions on what to call #1 and #2 (we decided on “empty your tank” and “big potty”).  I even had two potty chairs so we could see which one my son, Carter, preferred.  But nothing prepared me for trying to coerce a 2 ½ year old strong willed child to simply relieve himself on a potty.  Sanity and patience quickly went out the window, as did trying to avoid ever getting pee on my carpet. 

As expected, there were some accidents the first few days, but he was getting the hang of #1.  By day three I was determined to catch him having a “big potty”.  I knew he had to go, so I slipped the potty chair under him in the living room while he was playing cars at the coffee table. A few minutes later there is a precious nugget, of what I would consider at this point to be gold, sitting in the bottom of the potty chair.  Whoo hoo, we are on the home stretch!!!  According to all my sources, once they poop in the potty one time they get it.  But not my son.  The next day he is walking around on his tippy toes saying, “It hurts mommy, it hurts”, and holding his bottom.  After an hour of coaxing by both me and my hubby, he gets a little something out.  The next few days it’s all downhill.  Because he won’t go, it’s hurting.  But because he’s hurting, he won’t go. 

In a flash of what I thought was brilliance, I told Jason to pretend to go in his potty chair using a fun size Snickers as a prop.  He pulled off an amazing pretend potty, if Carter hadn't recognized what it was from the one time he'd had a Snickers at Halloween.  He got very excited that, "Daddy pottied candy!", and tried to reach in and grab it.  But my sweet husband was still going with it.  They went to the big potty, dumped it in, and flushed it.  Carter proceeded to wave and say, "Bye candy".  Well, so much for that idea….

The next two days involved rubber gloves, glycerin suppositories, Mirilax, and eventually just putting a diaper back on him so he could get the “big potty” out before putting him back into his undies so I could try to preserve the progress we’d made with getting the pee in the potty.  This process is still going.  I never thought I would have a website titled Getting your Child to Poop on the Potty bookmarked, but I do.  (And no, I will not be pinning it to my Pinterest account.)

But I have learned a few things through this process.  To be thankful for a healthy child, who’s only problem is that he is literally anal retentive.  To persevere and stick to what we started.   To do what I know my child needs at the moment, despite what the books tell you to do or not to do.  And to enjoy these times when they are small enough to let you be in the bathroom with them, cheering on a poop. Ahh, I hear my little potty trainee waking up from his nap.  Time to go “empty the tank”. ***

“Mentor’s Favorite Things…”

“One of my favorite things I have done was to have a date with each of my children.  We have 5 kids and both my husband and I wanted to make sure they each felt loved and special.  The fun is in exploring what your child really likes to do when there is no one else around. One of my children loved the pet store.  We would go and just spend an hour looking at the fish, turtles, birds, snakes etc until they got tired of looking.  We had the best “one on one” conversations there.  Another child loved to hike, another loved lunch out just the two of us.  The point is to find whatever their little heart desires and spend time getting to know them.  It is the best investment you could ever make and the dividends will return ten-fold.  Priceless!” – Kristi Barth (1/3 Mentor)

“One of my favorite things I did for my husband Dave was give him a surprise party for his 37th birthday.  I had about 10 couples hiding out in our little barn after dinner on a Friday night.  They made a big sound, Dave thought it was our horse, and he went to the barn to see what was going on.  They were all in there and when he turned on the light they all yelled surprise!  I think I had more fun than he did surprising him.”  – Linda Bishop (2/4 Mentor)

Time Out To Cook (From Kari College 2/4 - via insidebrucrewlife.blogspot.com)

Salted Caramel Mocha Brownie Cups

1 brownie mix (for a 9x13 pan)

4 tsp. instant coffee

1/4 c. hot water

1/2 c. oil

3 eggs

caramel kisses

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Dissolve the coffee in the water. Mix the brownie mix, coffee water, oil and eggs until just moistened. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 - 3/4 full. Bake 18-24 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs on it. Cool in the pan for 3 minutes, then press a caramel kiss into the center point first. Cool 5 more minutes. Carefully remove to a wire rack and cool completely. Frost with Salted Caramel Butter Cream. Drizzle with extra caramel. Makes 15 brownie cups.

Salted Caramel Butter Cream

1 c. butter

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c. caramel ice cream topping

1 tsp. sea salt

4 1/2 c. powdered sugar

1 tsp. milk

*Stir the sea salt into the caramel topping and set aside. Cream the butter and vanilla for 3 -4 minutes. Slowly beat in the powdered sugar. It will be very thick. Pour in the caramel and beat again. If you feel like it is too thick, you can always add a tsp. of milk. Just make sure to whip it in completely. You might have a little bit of frosting left over, but after one bite of it, you will be digging in with a spoon.

Game Stats

When asked which you would rather receive as a gift, chocolate or flowers:

63% Flowers, 32% Chocolate (4 voted both and 2 voted neither!)

The Christ Community Church MOPS Facebook page has 119 followers. Are you one? Join in and see updates and engage on Facebook with your MOPS friends between meetings:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christ-Community-Church-MOPS/125998760779919

Be A Team Player!

Like to bake cookies with your kids and teach them about giving at the same time? Join a Valentine’s blessing to families by baking 2 dozen cookies and delivering them to Christ Community Church by February 5^th. Contact janafayemurphy@gmail.com with any questions.

Have any interest in helping with Compass Ministries after school program? Contact Jenny Berg at jennyb@cccomaha.org to see how you can be more involved.

Go Play Around Town

(Websites: http://vacation.visitomaha.com/, http://www.visitnebraska.org/, www.MomsOfOmaha.com)

Kid's Meal Deals - Selected Restaurants  Check this link for free or discounted kid's meals offered by more than 20 area restaurants.

Fontenelle Forest Nature Center's "Mud Pies" program for children 5 and under.  Available Monday & Tues. mornings until May 20th; starts again Sept. 8th. Cost is $2 per child for members; $3 for non-members.  Adults admitted free. restaurants.

Baby Maestro 10804 Prairie Hills Drive Omaha  (402) 614-0068
Baby Maestro offers fun music & movement classes for children 6 weeks to 5 years old.  Parents or caregivers attend with their children.  Instruction is informal; children participate as they choose to do at their development level.  Class size is 7 - 12 children.  Attend a free class to check it out.

Boys Town Student Art Show. January 01, 2012 - May 31, 2012. Boys Town youth put their best artistic efforts on display at the Hall of History. This show features a variety of artwork from residents of all ages. Recurring daily. Venue: Boys Town. Address: Hall of History, 14057 Flanagan Blvd, Boys Town NE. Times: 10am-4pm. Phone: (402) 498-1186. Admission: Free. http://www.boystown.org

Celebrate Black History on Stamps. January 01, 2012 - March 03, 2012. View stamps of famous Black Americans on display at the Leon Myers Stamp Center, located in the Boys Town Visitors Center. Recurring daily. Venue: Boys Town. Address: Leon Myers Stamp Center, 13628 Flanagan Blvd. Times: Mon-Fri/8am-5pm; Sat/9am-4pm; Sun/11am-4pm. Phone: (402) 498-1141. Admission: Free. http://www.boystown.org

The Adventures of Nate the Great! February 03, 2012 - February 19, 2012. Nate is a mighty detective capable of solving even the most complicated mysteries. When Annie loses a painting of her dog, she calls on him. Taking into consideration the details of her work, he tracks down the most unexpected culprit. Recurring weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday. Venue: The Rose Theater. Address: 2001 Farnam St. Times: Fri/7pm; Sat/2 & 7pm; Sun/2pm. Phone: (402) 345-4849. Admission: $16 or FREE with Membership. http://www.rosetheater.org

Announcements!!

February 3(1/3) & 10(2/4): Couponing and Glass Etching

            (Bring your own glasses, dish or bowl or use one we will provide!)

February 17(1/3) & 24(2/4): Mom Panel!!!!

February 17!!! MOPS & POPS: A Magical Evening! 6:30-9:30pm in the Christ Community Church Student Center (junior high room) $12/couple. Purchase tickets at next meeting.

Prayer hotline:  Have a prayer need? Please send it to: prayer4mops@gmail.com

MOPPETS

Thank you for serving your 2 days in MOPPETS! It is VITAL that you show up on your assigned days so we can continue to provide a quality program for our children. If you have a conflict, please switch with another MOPS mom and contact our Childcare Coordinator, Michelle Brewer (michelleb@cccomaha.org), ASAP of the change. Please refer to your directory or your DGL for contact info. When you arrive at the church, check the posting by the nursery check-in table to find where you have been assigned to help. Thank you for your cooperation! This months assignments are listed below:

February 1 - Steering (9-11:45)  
Sarah Bouman
Jody Hemmingson
Cheri Schnack
Courtney Hinze

February 3 - 1/3 Meeting (8:45-11:30)
Heidi Green
Brenda Boggs
Nicole Deprez
Erika Barber
Chelsea Little
Jennifer Riser

Kristi Langford

February 8 – 1/3 Steering (9-11:30)
Jessica Beck
Christa Cottam
Emily Banks
Jenny Reid

February 10 – 2/4 Meeting (8:45-11:30)  

Courtney Scott
Shelley Williams

Michelle Desmet
Amanda Derby
Jenifer Burchfiel
Cindy Francis
Louise Pedersen

February 17 - 1/3 Meeting (8:45-11:30)
Holly Gillespie
Tami Tran
Carolyn Smith
Stacey Morgan
Haley Abenchuchan
Kirstin Brummels
Kelley Greening

February 24 - 2/4 Meeting  (8:45-11:30)
Tiffani Herfordt
Susan Harris
Cindy Francis
Whitney Julian
Wendy Sewell
Amanda Peters
Jennifer Vidmar

February 29 - Steering (9-11:45)
Christina Ingraham
Joy Gregory
Meredith Ehrenberg 

 

January 2012

Anne with husband Adam and son Elijah

Game On: It’s Okay
By Anne Backer (1/3 Mom)

 

Let me start by saying, it’s okay to take a minute to sit and read this. Heck, throw your feet up on the coffee table, after pushing aside the accumulating dishes and to-do lists littering the table top, and really immerse yourself in this blog. Push away the nagging thought that you should be doing something else, something important, and build a dam against the flood of guilt that threatens to overtake you, because it is okay to do this for yourself.

Recently, I was sitting around with a bunch of lovely moms, who had all left their little ones at home with dad for the night, and we got around to saying how weird it was to not be doing anything. When one mom stood up to check on dinner, I swear, a few us stood up automatically as if we had been conditioned for so long to fix dinner, set the table, pick up the toys, feed the child, etc., that we really didn’t know that we could, in fact, just sit.

We laughed over the fact that we felt funny not to be doing something, and it occurred to me that even though it is good to stay busy, be helpful, and meet our kids’ needs, it is also okay to sit down and relax, read a book, step over a pile of toys while pretending they are not there, or to let someone else feed the baby or wash the dishes.

Mothers sometimes feel the stress of the world on their shoulders, and I say, it’s okay to politely reach over, take that ball of stress resting heavily on you, and throw it off once in a while. When you have a baby, you hear whispers of the adage, ‘don’t forget to take time for yourself,' and in the back of your mind you’re thinking, yeah, right, and when do I do that?

But I say, it only happens when you allow yourself to be okay with not being super-mom. Ask for help when you feel that ball of stress start to tingle at the top of your spine, remind yourself that you need a life, too, outside of changing dirty diapers and running a car pool service, and above all, do not let guilt keep you from reading this blog, getting out of the house for a couple hours, taking up a new hobby, or sitting down while your husband or your kids check on dinner.

Because a healthy you can run a lot longer than a worn-down, weary version of yourself. We need to teach our children that being busy, busy, busy isn’t the picture of success, but instead, it is leading a meaningful life. I challenge you today to think of a hobby you have been secretly dreaming of (mine would be to learn how to dance, like jazz, tap, or ballet), and do it! Ask your hubby to babysit for the night, grab a sitter, or trade nights with another mom, and take up that new hobby.

And I promise you, it is okay to do that. ***

“Mentor’s Favorite Things…”

“My favorite thing I ever did was go whitewater rafting in Colorado down the Royal Gorge.  It was terrifying, and my husband got thrown out of the raft in the first hour, but it was so fun! I hope to go many more times in my life! – Shally Luzum (1/3 Mentor)

“Looking back, one of my favorite things that I’m glad I did as a woman is sit with a man I didn’t know from church whose wife was having surgery.  At a ladies Sunday school class meeting one night our leader ask if anyone could sit with Mavis’s husband (she was a mentor for our class) while she was having surgery. I hardly knew Mavis I was fairly new to the class. Seeing that no one was going to volunteer, I did, which if you know me is a little out of my comfort zone. I mean what am I to talk about with this older man that I don’t know. Anyway that day came and it wasn’t as scary as I thought; I think it was comforting for him to have someone with him to help pass the time. Many years passed and I was amazed that he continued remember that day. It is rewarding not only for us to help out someone in need but we don’t know how much it may mean to the person we help. I now realize that it wasn’t about me and my fears but about a person that needed someone to care. There are times when someone may need a smile, a hug, a kind word, or a caring person just to listen, let us be those people.”  – Jan Ohlsson (2/4 Mentor)

Time Out To Cook (Following recipes from the kitchen of Katie Ebers, 2/4 Hospitality)

Breakfast Before Casserole (*make the day before serving)
1 lb. spicy sausage
6 eggs
2 c. milk
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dry mustard
2-3 slices bread (cubed)
1 c. grated cheddar cheese

*Saute sausage. Drain. Beat eggs with milk, salt & mustard. Layer bread cubes, sausage and cheese in a greased 9x13 pan. Pour egg mixture on top. Refrigerate over night. Bake @ 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Beat 2 eggs, 1 cup sour cream, 1 cup butter, 2 cups sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla.

Mix in 2 cups flour, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. baking powder.
Grease and flour angel food pan. Put in 1/2 batter and 1/2 topping.
Put in other 1/2 of batter and remaining topping. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.
*Topping:  3/4 cup chopped nuts (optional), 5 TBSP. brown sugar, 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Game Stats

Winter is the LEAST favorite season of the year according to our survey. Only 1 person circled winter as the favorite, so all the rest of you hang in there and enjoy the quality time inside!

BOLDNESS IS… (in the words of our ladies)

·        Doing something out of your comfort zone (#1 response)

·        Brave, courageous, confidence, strength, daring…

·        Being brave to take a stand

·        Overcoming your fear, doing what scares you

·        Trusting God, being the face of God to everyone I meet

·        Taking a risk, stepping out in faith

·        Being carefree, letting go and having fun

·        Doing something crazy or that says “wow!”

·        Speaking your mind

·        Doing something unexpected

·        Acting outside of the “box”

·        Doing something despite of what others think

·        Putting yourself “out there”

·        ...is hard to do, but important

·        Taking charge and not being stepped on

·        Going where no man has gone before

·        Trusting your inner feelings or what your heart tells you to do

·        Standing up for someone when they can’t stand up for themselves

·        Being confident and humble at the same time

·        Caring enough about others to speak the truth to them

·        Saying what is on your mind even when people don’t want to hear it

·        Doing something when you are really unsure of the outcome

·        Standing up for what you believe, in a graceful and confident manner

·        Standing up for something regardless the cost

·        Doing something out of the ordinary without reservation

·        Stepping out on the ledge to do something or meet someone new

·        Not being afraid to be yourself and try new things

·        Doing what your heart tells you or what is right, even when it isn’t easy

The Christ Community Church MOPS Facebook page has 117 followers. Are you one? Join in and see updates and engage on Facebook with your MOPS friends between meetings:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christ-Community-Church-MOPS/125998760779919

Be A Team Player!

!!!Book Drive!!! If you still had books for Compass Ministries that you were unable to bring to our December meeting, please bring them and they will be passed along to Comapss. Thank you ladies for all of the books that were given!

Go Play Around Town

(Websites: http://vacation.visitomaha.com/, http://www.visitnebraska.org/, www.MomsOfOmaha.com)

KiDS Body Shop (Papillion, NE) If you're like me, you worry about how your kids are going to get enough exercise once the cold weather hits. From November through February, I'm always searching for fun ways for kids to get some vigorous exercise in indoor settings. Did you know that KiDS Body Shop offers activities that are available to the general public? For more details, click here: http://www.kidsbodyshop.com/
 
Besides gymnastics and swimming opportunities, KiDS Body Shop also provides several additional activities which are open to the public. Open Gym Open Gym is a time when you and your children can come enjoy our gym outside of class. Open Gyms are held on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 2:00 PM through May 15th 2012.

Indoor Ice Skating Rinks:

Mid-America Center Ice Arena:

http://www.midamericacenter.com/aren...formation.aspx

Motto McLean Ice Arena in Hitchcock Park:

http://www.cityofomaha.org/parks/par...ties/ice-rinks

Moylan Ice Plex: http://moylaniceplex.com/

Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks:

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Ice Skating Rink:

http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/parks/...tmactivity.asp

University of Nebraksa Medical Center Ice Skating Rink:

http://www.unmc.edu/services/bus-fin...ss/skating.htm  

Dundee Neighborhood Ice Skating Rink: Free. Happy Hollow Blvd. and Underwood Ave. At your own risk, daylight only, no skate rental or restrooms.

Announcements!!

January 13(2/4): Nancy Davies on Discipline
January 20(1/3): Lisa Brown on her "Favorite Things"
January 27(2/4): Jenifer Conkright (Lighter Side of Life)

Prayer hotline: Have a prayer need? Please send it to: prayer4mops@gmail.com

MOPPETS

Thank you for serving your 2 days in MOPPETS! It is VITAL that you show up on your assigned days so we can continue to provide a quality program for our children. If you have a conflict, please switch with another MOPS mom and contact Heidi Harner(2/4) or Shantel Crellin(1/3) ASAP of the change. Please refer to your directory or your DGL for contact info. When you arrive at the church, check the posting by the nursery check-in table to find where you have been assigned to help. Thank you for your cooperation! This months assignments are listed below:

January 4 - 2/4 Steering (8:45-11:45)
Anne Bauer
Chelsea Little
Amy McEnroe
Molly Asher
   

January 11 – 1/3 Steering (9-11:30)
Tiffani Herfordt
Tracy Krelle
Julie Richard
Shannon Swaney

January 13 – 2/4 Meeting (8:45-11:30)

Kimberly Sorensen
Lauri Quiner
Alicia Kurzenberger
Marlene Cameron
Jennifer Chambers
Martha Elvir

January 20 - 1/3  Meeting (8:45-11:30)
Leigh Dunn
Kelley Greening
Yolanda Hardesty 
Emily Gorab
Mary Cavell
Kara Clemens
Heidi Green

January 27 – 2/4 Meeting (8:45-11:30)
Shauna LeGrande
Stacy Meyer
Kristin Goolsby
Michelle Kazor
Shannon Hoegh
Alexa Margary