Let’s Get to Know Some of our 1/3 Moms!

Thank you, Christa Cottam, for sharing your table with us!

Front row from left to right: Stacy Schieber, Melody Mike, Kelly Leeper, Christa Cottam

Back Row: Julie Richard, Kelly Bebee, Amanda Peters, Wendy Sewell, Margie Alford

Taking a Plunge…

By Kelly Leeper

My plunge into motherhood moment happened last winter. My husband and I were blessed to be parents to an adorable 20 month old little girl and anxiously awaiting the arrival of the birth of our second child. It was the day after thanksgiving, and it was the perfect day to spend outside decorating the house with Christmas lights. In a matter of seconds my world went dark as I discovered my husband broken and twisted lying on our driveway. He was stringing the lights on the highest point of our roof over the garage when the extension ladder gave way. He came crashing down 15 feet onto the unforgiving concrete. Our wonderful neighbors sprang into action by calling 911, sparing my daughter from the tragic scene by taking her inside to play with other neighborhood kids, followed the ambulance to UNMC to offer a shoulder for me to cry on and did their best to keep me calm and not go into labor. After 6 long days and 3 extensive surgeries my husband was able to return home before it was my turn to check into the hospital. Only 5 days after my husband’s last surgery I gave birth to our precious second daughter via C-section.

Over the next three months I plunged head first into motherhood by tending to all the needs of the toddler and newborn in addition to caring for my husband. Regardless of how challenging things became I knew my family needed me and I needed them. The whole experience has had its ups and downs but we have become a stronger and more loving family today.

 

Before I was a mother I never thought I would…

·       Be accompanied to the bathroom by someone who sings the "Potty Song" to cheer me on for going. (Wendy Sewell)

·       Hold out my hand for my child to give me a booger because no tissues were in sight. (Kelly Leeper)

·       Would own a minivan! (Christa Cottam)

·       Be okay with the fact that I would have to walk around for the entire rest of the day with spit up completely down the front side of my clothes. (Kelly Bebee)

·       Have to "borrow" a linen napkin from a restaurant to use as a diaper since we were all out and we were in the middle of dinner! (Julie Richard)

 

Let’s Eat…
 

Monster Bars (by Christa Cottam)

1/2 c. butter

1 c. white sugar

1 c. brown sugar

3 eggs

1 1/2 c. peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla

2 tsp. baking soda

4 1/2 c. oatmeal

2 c. chocolate chips

2 c. M & M’s

Preheat oven to 350º F. Cream the butter and sugars together. Add eggs and peanut butter and mix. Stir in vanilla, baking soda and oatmeal. Stir in chocolate chips and M & M’s. Put in an ungreased jellyroll pan (12 1/2" x 17 1/2"). Bake for 15 minutes. Do not over bake. Enjoy!

Suzi's sloppy Joes (by Julie Richard)

1 lb. ground beef

1 can of chicken gumbo

3 squeezes of mustard

5 queezes of ketchup

Brown the ground beef, drain, then add the rest of the ingredients to the skillet and simmer for 15 minutes.

 

Pumpkin Pie Squares (by Kelly Bebee)

Crust:

1 pkg. yellow cake mix

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 egg

Filling:

2 eggs

1 can pumpkin

3/4 cup sugar

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Topping:

1 cup reserved cake mix

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter

Grease 9x13 inch pan. Empty cake mix into bowl and measure out 1 cup and put aside. Add melted butter and beaten egg to cake mix in bowl. Press into pan.

Prepare filling by beating 2 eggs, add milk and remaining ingredients and pour over crust.

Prepare topping by cutting together the ingredients, and then sprinkle over filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 min. or until knife inserted comes out clean.

Broccoli-Cheese Soup (by Wendy Sewell)

5 Tbsp. margarine

2/3 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup flour

3 cups milk,

3 cups chicken broth,

1 bag frozen broccoli (cooked and chopped),

1 tsp. salt,

Pepper to taste,

About 6 oz. Velveeta cheese, sliced

Melt margarine in large saucepan, add onion, and cook until tender. Blend in flour until mixture is smooth. Add milk, broth, broccoli, cheese, and seasoning. Cook, stirring until all cheese is melted. Do not allow to boil.

Blueberry Banana Bread (by Kelly Leeper)

1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. mashed bananas
1/2 c. quick cook oats
1 1/2 all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. fresh blueberries

Cream together the room temperature butter and sugar. Add eggs and bananas until well combined. Next add the dry ingredients to the batter. To prevent discoloring the batter, coat the fresh blueberries in a light dusting of flour before gentling folding into the mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 65-70 minutes. Check the bread often to prevent over-browning near end of cooking time.

Allow to cool for at 10 minutes before turning out of the pan and cooling on a wire rack. Excellent bread to freeze or devour while warm!

 

Let’s Play…

·       Getting ice cream at Ted and Wally's downtown, for any of the categories! With kids, Children's Museum, story time at the library, hitting the park with sand toys in tow, working in the garden.

·       This time of year, we like to rake leaves into a huge pile and jump into them...or pile them up at the bottom of the slide. Afterwards, it's fun to come inside and warm up with hot apple cider!

·      Hiking at Hitchcock Nature Center in Council Bluffs, IA.

·       My son loooooves the park right now and we can hardly go on a walk and pass by without stopping. So that is our "thing" to do right now.

·       Fun thing to do with friends is have them over for coffee in the morning. The kids are all in good moods at this time, and it is a free fun time to hang out and enjoy a hot cup of coffee!

·       Pick up food from our favorite BBQ place in town and have an impromptu picnic in the park followed by bubble mania. My girls go absolutely wild over the bbq baked beans, corn bread, and bubbles the size of their head

·       Fun date idea is a “stay-cation” with just my hubby in downtown Omaha. Since we live out west we never seem to have the energy or desire to fight traffic to enjoy that part of town, so I keep an eye out for Groupon/Living Social hotel deals.

Take the Plunge!

Take the Plunge

 (by Beth Sanchez and Shanna Beachy)

Have you ever had to take a "Plunge" in life? It might be plunging into the tasks of everyday life (caring for children, running errands, cleaning house etc.) Or it could be jumping into someone’s life a friend or family member and helping them in whatever way you can. Some day’s just getting out of bed seems to be a plunge!

We your MOPS coordinators; Beth Sanchez (1/3) and Shanna Beachy (2/4) definitely have had to plunge into life. Whether it has been from the loss of a loved one, job changes, moving, children, or making new friends; we have had to choose to plunge in head first and love others.

Even though it is sometimes easier to sit on the side lines and just live life; it is not as satisfying as truly plunging in and loving others as if our lives depended on it. Through all the junk in life we have had to love others and allow others to love on us. Life has been a journey sometimes good and sometimes difficult. We pray that this year God would help you choose to take a plunge by deeping friendships, striving to be the best wife and mom as you can be; and growing in your faith. May you truly be able to love as if your life depended upon it.

Take the Plunge!

2/4 Group starts Friday, September 14th

1/3 Group starts Friday, September 21st

___________________________________________________________________________________

Refreshments:

Greek Veggie Dip (from Shanna Beachy)
1/2 cup mayo
8oz cream cheese (softened)
1/2t garlic salt

Combine these 3 ingredients until smooth (I used mixer to get creamy blend) Spread over plate.

Cucumber
Cherry Tomato
Black Olives
Red Onion
Feta Cheese

Dice up veggies and spread over dip. There are not exact amounts of veggies so you can do whatever you want - add/change whatever sounds good! Serve with crackers or pita chips.  Yum!

__________________________________________________________________________________

Peanut Butter Delights (from Beth Sanchez)

1 pkg of butterscotch chips

1 cup peanut butter

7 cups rice krispies

1 pkg of chocolate chips

Melt butterscotch chips and mix in the peanut butter.  Add rice krispies to the mixture.  Pour and spread into a 9x13 pan.  Allow time to cool.

While pan is cooling, melt pkg of chocolate chips.  Spread over rice krispie mixture.  Let the chocolate harden and enjoy!!

 

 

August 2012

Where Are You Plugged In?

By Christine Burklund (Teaching Mentor)

I have a love/hate relationship with my IPhone.  I love that so much information is readily at my fingertips.  I love that my teenagers can send me a quick text updating me on their whereabouts.  I love that I can see pictures of my niece and nephew on their first day of school even though they live in Dallas.  But, I hate how much it interrupts my life!  When my oldest three kids were babies and toddlers, I didn’t own a cell phone.  In fact, I didn’t even own a cordless phone until my third child was born (Ha! Ha! Ha! That tells you how old I am!).  When we went to the zoo or the park or the Children’s Museum, I left the rest of my life at home (no phone, no ipad, no laptop).  I was easily able to completely focus on my kids.   Today, when I take my younger two kids out, my phone is with me…beeping and ringing…constantly pulling my focus away from them.  I hate that.  Some say that I am multi-tasking.  I disagree.  I would say that I am showing my kids, through my actions, that they are not the most important thing to me in that moment.  The email, phone call or text is more important.  Honestly, I think my two youngest girls get just as frustrated with my phone as I do sometimes.  So, I have made a decision and I am going to challenge you to do the same.  I have decided that when I am spending time with my kids that is focused time like reading books together, playing dolls, going to the zoo or the park, I am turning off my phone.  In fact, I am putting it somewhere that I can’t even see it.   And you know what?  My kids are noticing.  What delight I saw on my 10-year-old’s face the other day when I left my phone up in my bedroom to read with her in our family room.  “You forgot your phone, Mom,” she said when we sat down on the couch.  “I don’t need it,” I said.  “I’m here with you.  That’s all I need.”  The smile that spread across her face spoke a thousand words.  That’s what I was going for.  Her little love tank is being filled to brim and my mother’s heart is overflowing with joy.  In other words…leaving the phone upstairs…priceless.

Ladies, the time with our little ones goes by so quickly.  You will never regret turning that phone off and choosing give 100% of yourself to your kiddos when you are with them.  Because we all know, the rest of the world will be waiting for you when you turn your phone back on.  Your kids will not wait to grow up.

(5 year Anniversary)

 

Moment by Moment
by Jenifer Conkright (Teaching Mentor)

As I sat in my office in our basement this morning, I heard the sounds of my husband at work in his office directly above me.  My husband has been traveling quite a bit recently and I stopped working to revel in the sounds of his presence.  As I sunk down into the comfort of the familiar sounds, I thought to myself, “I. LOVE. THAT. MAN.”  (Yes, I thought it just like that – in caps with the periods in between each word.) 

I’m sharing that moment with you because that experience of over-the-top, head-over-heels love is nothing short of a miracle.  It is also a perfect real-life example of the phrase I shared with you all at the last MOPS meeting, “The moments will add up.” As I thought about my love and appreciation for my husband, I realized that this phrase applies not only to parenting, but to marriage as well.  We didn’t just magically arrive at this place in our marriage one day. If you would have caught a glimpse into our relationship at many points along the way, you would have felt very safe betting your monthly grocery budget on the fact that our marriage would not survive.  The change happened one moment at a time.

Although my husband and I began our relationship as a couple who was very much in love, through the years we faced many challenges that caused a lot of stress, distance and pain.  Sometimes there were “big” problems that had a “big” fallout that seemed to take weeks, months or years to repair, but often it was the small daily moments of disconnection or discontentment that eventually added up to mountains of despair and loneliness.  I would begin those seasons thinking, “I hate this.” Unfortunately, sometimes, somewhere along the line, I would unconsciously change the wording from “I hate this” to “I hate it when he does this” to “I hate him.”  That’s a hard thing to admit, especially in writing, but I have a feeling that some of you reading this may have also found yourselves in that place as well.  For those of you who have not been in that place and can’t imagine ever being there, please, sweet friends, be vigilant in keeping those words from your thoughts and vocabulary.  They are dangerous and damaging.

I allowed the pain, hurt, and anger to add up one moment at a time.  I kept track.  I kept track of the careless words, the disappointments, the painful memories.  I will be honest, those hurts were real – I wasn’t blowing them out of proportion.  But what it took me a very long time to realize was that I was building a wall of isolation, one brick at a time.  I was constructing a wall of memories that kept me from experiencing the kind of connection I longed for.  That wall was blocking me from seeing the very human, very frustrated, very wonderful man who longed to be able to start each day with a fresh new beginning.

God’s love and the truth that I found in His love letter, the Bible, is what gave me the wisdom, courage and energy to tear down that wall.  It takes energy to love, hope and forgive doesn’t it?  I am so thankful that we don’t have to do it in our own strength.  With God’s help, I began to gather new moments to construct a different kind of wall that surrounds and protects our marriage.  Moments of patience, hope, faith, and awareness of my own weaknesses have added up through the years.  The choices that we make each moment, each hour, each lonely night or joy-filled day will determine what kind of wall will be left standing at the end of our years.  

So, after 30 years together, do we always walk around with glazed over, lovey-dovey eyes?  Is it always easy to live life as two individuals who are somehow mysteriously joined as one?  Nope, it’s not always easy; but I can tell you that it is easier.  It is easier to love, to struggle, to connect, to forgive and to begin again when we can stand together and gaze at the mountain-sized wall that 30 years of love-filled moments has built.  

Sweet ones, please know I am aware that many of you are standing in the pain-filled place where I have stood many times through the years.  One person cannot force another to make healthy, loving choices.  I can’t guarantee that your choice to love will transform your marriage into the relationship of your dreams.  I can promise you that your choice to love will transform your heart and fill your life with great peace while you live, love, wait, hope and pray.  My heart is with you.  God’s heart is with you.   He knows your pain and stands ready to bring you the comfort and courage that made such a difference to me.   Life is messy.  Love is messy.  That’s o.k.  When we hang on to hope and hang in there through the mess, character is deepened, hearts are filled, and precious memories are made.  

No matter where we are on our marriage journey, one thing is true for each one of us - life never stops. Each day is filled with experiences that bring us to a point of decision – will I be one who keeps track of the pain or the potential?  Dear friends, I urge you with all my heart, search for and savor the potential. Choose each day to love, to forgive, to hope, to believe, to connect.  The moments will add up. 

(Christmas of 2012)

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

June 2012

Introducing Christine Burklund: 2/4 Teaching Mentor!

We are thrilled to be inviting Christine Burklund to the 2/4 Steering Team, to the benefit of the whole Christ Community Church MOPS family! She will join Jenifer Conkright as they plunge into the partnership role of Teaching Mentors for another great year of MOPS in 2012-2013. Read ahead and get to know a little bit about this fabulous woman. Thanks Christine! 

MOPS:  Tell us a bit about yourself personally and introduce us to the Burklunds!
CHRISTINE:  I have been a stay-at-home mom for the last 18 years. I love Jesus, coffee and books. Love, love, love to read (especially with a cup of coffee in my hand).  I have been married to my best friend, Dale, for 21 years. We have 5 children ranging in age from 18-8. My favorite day of the week is Wednesdays...if you want to know why, you can ask me some time!  :)

MOPS:  If you had a day to yourself what would you fill it with (you can’t say your husband and kids!)?
CHRISTINE:  That is easy. I would make a nice cup of coffee and start my day out with reading, reading, reading. Then I would love a nice walk with a dear friend followed by dinner at Charlestons.

MOPS:  Is there a most embarrassing Mom moment you would be willing to share with us?
CHRISTINE:  A few years back, we took our kids on a trip to California. As we were driving up Highway 1, my husband pulled over so we could look at a beautiful stretch of ocean. We got out of the car and my whole family, from my husband down to my 3-year-old, proceeded to climb down some rocks to stand right near the ocean. As I began to follow them down, they all started telling me not to come down, that it was too dangerous for me. "What?!", I thought. "My 3-year-old climbed down those rocks. Surely, I can too!" Much to my family's dismay, I began my way down. Of course, I completely crashed and burned...falling and bouncing my way down to the ocean. When I reached the bottom, they all came rushing to me trying ( unsuccessfully) to contain their rolling laughter at what they just witnessed. Fortunately, only my pride was hurt, but my kids (and husband) still laugh about it to this day.

MOPS:  Do you have any words of wisdom for moms who are in the midst of the preschool years?  
CHRISTINE:  Remember that by investing in teaching and training your little ones you are making a difference in the world. Your work and words with them matter! Also, remember to take time for yourself and do NOT feel guilty about doing so. It is good for you therefore good for your kiddos to take care of yourself.

MOPS:  What are you looking forward to about being the Teaching Mentor for 2/4?
CHRISTINE:  I am most looking forward to deepening the relationships that I got to start building during this last year of being a MOPS mentor mom, as well as building new relationships.

MOPS:  What was a highlight from this past year as a Mentor Mom?
CHRISTINE:  Oh, most definitely getting to know the beautiful women at my table. A close second was getting to hold and cuddle with their precious babies!!!

There is plenty of opportunity to get to know Christine more during MOPS. The 2012-2013 MOPS year will begin in September. If you are planning to join us in the fall and haven't registered yet, please contact Shanna today at shannabeachy@gmail.com. Enjoy those lovely long days of summer!

May 2012

Game On: Meet Beth Sanchez 
– Future 1/3 Coordinator!!

By Herself

Over the Last couple of weeks, I have been pondering next year’s MOPS theme: “PLUNGE - Love as if your life depended on it!” What a great theme for MOPS and life in general!  How often do we as moms literally plunge into each day!  We never know what to expect minute to minute from the little people in our lives.

One of the things I look forward to in my position as coordinator over the next few years is helping moms get connected with other moms and watching them develop life-lasting friendships. We are truly on a great adventure.  Life is going to throw us curve balls once in awhile but with a good moms support group we can help each other process through the ups and downs of life.  I think that is what I truly love about MOPS!  I have thoroughly enjoyed the amazing friendships I have developed with moms over the last three years.

My life has seen many ups and downs, where I have literally had to choose to plunge in head first instead of sitting on the sidelines watching.  One of the downs I have had to walk through is losing my fiancé to lung cancer. Also, being told that I would never be able to have children. These two things were very life shattering!  However, as I prayed and trusted God, as well as having a good support group of friends, I was able to plunge in and walk through these trials.  

As I moved forward in life after my fiancé passed away, I began praying that God would literally drop my husband off at my door!  That is exactly what God did.  So today I am happily married to my best friend Bobby. God has also blessed us with two miracle babies! Our son is almost four years old and our daughter is 10 months old.

One thing that I love about being a mom is watching my kids learn.  It blows me away the things they pick up and funny things they do and say. I also love those precious moments when my kids sit on my lap and hug me like crazy and whisper “I love you so much mom!” Then there are those days that I don’t enjoy: like the days where I feel like all I have done all day is disciplined my children. However, even though I don’t enjoy those days I continue on, trying to be consistent because I love my children so much that I know these long days are worth the pain.  Through these moments not only are my children growing and learning how to live life, but I am being stretched and my character is being developed more and more.

Throughout life I am trying to choose not to sit on the sidelines when things are hard or things in my friend’s lives are hard.  But, I am trying to be proactive and plunge into life with friends and family! May God give us to strength to love as if our lives depended on it! ***

“Mentor’s Favorite Things…”

“One of my favorite things our family has done is movie night. Watching movies together is not particularly unique, but what I love about it is that we have a handful of favorite shows that we have watched again and again over the years to the point that we all consider these few movies our special family movies. We have many favorite lines from these shows which come up often within the family as "inside jokes." Our favorites are "The Scarlet Pimpernel," "Hello, Dolly," "What's Up, Doc?," and "The Importance of Being Earnest." When DVDs became more common than videos these were some of the first of our videos that were replaced by DVDs. They were gifts from my adult children who had happy memories of watching these shows over and over with the family.”  -Susan Frerichs (1/3 Mentor)

“One of my most favorite things is when my husband, Brian, and I take a little "get-away" every January. When we were first married (and before kids!), it was a long weekend getaway. After kids...well, just a night away while the grandparents babysit, is about all we can do.  During this time away, we unplug from everything...phones, TV, computer, friends, etc.  We look back over the previous year and go month-by-month making a written list of highlights from that year.  We then discuss plans and goals for the coming year.  This has been an annual tradition for 20 years and it's great to be able to look back from year to year and re-count the blessings & challenges that have been a part of our life!”  -Jen Smith (2/4 Mentor)

Time Out To Cook
Sweet Potato Pancakes (Jana Murphy 2/4)
1 cup whole wheat or all-purpose flour

1 tbsp. Sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. unsalted butter (melted)

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 cup buttermilk (or mix 1 tbsp. lemon juice with cup of milk; let sit 5 minutes)

1/3 cup sweet potato or pumpkin

***In a bowl or mixer, combine first four ingredients, followed by remaining four and stir or mix together. Spoon 3-4” rounds on buttered skillet over medium heat until bubbles appear on top. Flip and cook another minute until brown. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve hot with peanut butter, yogurt, fresh berries and maple syrup. Taken from Parents Magazine May, 2011.

Game Stats

Here are some of the “favorite things” that our Moms listed, by rough category but in no particular order! (If marked with a hyphen and number, the item was repeated that many times):

Pampering/Cozy-time

Spa days-2, massages-3, pedicure–3, facial, Taking a bath, Bath products, My hot tub, Relaxing with coffee, Tempurpedic bed, my bed!, sleeping, My pajamas & bedtime, Cozy pj's, slipper & coffee in the a.m., Down comforter, My bed and soft blanket, My fuzzy throw blankets

Food

Chocolate bundt cakes, chocolate, Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory, Adams peanut butter, pizza, Beef stew, Hershey's nuggets, toffee and almond candy, Bananas foster dessert, M&M’s, Spry power peppermints, Whole Foods, Cookbooks, Trying new recipes, Vegan cookbooks

People

Dates with husband – 2, Being with friends & family, Time with grandchildren–2, Family game night, Hanging out with my mom, Watching movies with family, My baby cooing gently when I hold her, husband, family, Good friends

Reading

Books–4, (John Rosemond, Francine Rivers, “The Core Issue” by Christine Caine), Christian books, Magazines, Sitting on the porch with a good book, Pioneerwoman.com

Devices

Cell phone-3, iPad, iPod-2, iPhone, Laptop, Camera–2, My Kindle-2

Kid Products

Sleep sheep – soothing sound stuffed animal, Wubbanub pacifiers, My son’s little backpack - so he can carry his own stuff,  Diaper Genie, Moby wrap, Arbonne baby products, Cute bows for my girl

Drinks

Lattes, coffee-2, Cinnamon dolce frappucino from Starbucks Pumpkin spice latte/frappucino-3, Chai latte, Wine tasting, wine, Pepsi, Diet Coke, Fountain drinks, Nalgene water bottles

Body

Light-up lip gloss-2, C. O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine from Bath & Body Works, Burt’s Bees lip shimmer – guava, Hairspray, “It’s a 10” hair products,  Bath & Body Works - foaming hand soap

Household

Kitchen-Aide mixer, Keurig coffee maker, Salad spinner, Laundry detergent and drier sheets, Gain detergent, Mr. Clean Magic eraser, Swiffer mop, Dyson vaccum, Haan steam cleaner, Organizing containers, Organizing, New organizing techniques & shortcuts, All storage containers, Velvet covered hangers, Candles–2, Scentsy

Shoes

Yellow box flip flops–2, Comfortable shoes, Ballerina flats, New Balance trail shoes, New shoes

Other

·        God, My worn Bible, Honesty, My faith, FROG (Fully Rely On God)

·        Handbags-2, Purses, Thirty-One bags

·        iTunes gift cards, Podcasts, Music, Christmas music, Christian music, Reality TV

·        The entire fall season (Vala’s pumpkin patch, apples)

·        Planting flowers in the spring, Being outside, To the beach/sunny days, Nature

·        Shopping, Victoria’s Secret, A comfy bra, Scarves, Shrugs

·        Pictures & picture albums, Clear acrylic rubber stamps

·        Cruising in my 1969 Chevette

·        Boxed blank notecards, Small metal card holder

·        Traveling, Traveling with all of my family

·        Turbo kick class

The Christ Community Church MOPS Facebook page has 124 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!

Summer LEAP at Compass Ministries – Interested in serving in a summer program that Compass is holding for six weeks? It will be held on Monday-Friday, 12-4pm from June 4-July 13. Volunteers are welcome for one day or many, to come help serve lunch or work with the kids for a couple of hours. Fridays are field trip days and chaperons are needed. 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/)

Summer U Jr. at Christ Community Church This year, 4 & 5 year olds and kids having just completed Kindergarten can join the fun with Summer U Jr. They will love the singing, games, teaching and activities geared just for them. Select the Summer U Jr. course below to register. $15 per child / Non-refundable (check website for programs through 5^th grade) https://www.cccomaha.org/summerU/index.php

Dad & Me: Out of this world with Dad Saturday, 6.16.12 / 9:30 AM at Christ Community Chruch. Dads of children 3-6 years old: Join us for one-on-one time with your child that will be "out of this world" fun. Each child will decorate their own rocket and participate in other great activities. Tickets are on sale 5.20-6.10.12 from Dawn at dawnb@cccomaha.org $6 for Dad, grandfather, or uncle and 1 child and $2 for each additional child. Space is limited; must purchase tickets in advance.

Hot Shops 11th Annual Spring Open House, May 5th-6th!  The more than 80 artists of the Hot Shops Art Center downtown invite the public to see their latest artwork and learn how they create them.  There will be live demonstrations, gallery shows and live music.

Midwest Winds Kitefliers Club Annual Spring Festival!  As part of National Kite Month, see professional kitefliers perform at the LaVista Soccer Complex, 7346 S. 66th St.

Midlands Pirate Fest at Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch, May 5th-6th!  Piratey family fun at the Pirate Fest.  See the link for admission prices and hours.

St. Bernard's Parish Carnival, Sunday, May 6th!  St. Bernard's, 65th & Military, will hold their parish carnival on the 6th from 11:30 to 5 pm.  There will be rides, sweet treats, toys, and games. 

Home Depot Kids Workshop, Sat. May 5th!  Build a planter box to keep and get a free builder's apron.  From 9 to noon, while supplies last.

Other Fun Stuff at Joslyn Art Mueseum (http://www.joslyn.org/visit/kids-programs/)

·        Check out our new Family Flashlight Tour! - A new, kid-friendly gallery guide that's available in the Scott EdTech Gallery. Use a "flashlight" to find your way through the Egypt exhibition and learn interesting facts along the way!

·        Saturday Surprise - Stop in every other weekend for free art-making!

·        Story Adventures - It's never too early for stories and art!

·        Family Fun Day - Activities, art-making, and gallery fun for everyone!

Announcements!!

ONLY ONE MEETING LEFT FOR EACH GROUP! SEE BELOW!!!

May 4^th(1/3) & 11^th(2/4): Last meeting…Celebration morning! And registration for 2012-2013!!

***Summer Blog: Our Teaching Mentors will be encouraging us with one blog entry at the beginning of each month over the summer. Be on the lookout!

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:

May 2^nd – 2/4 Steering (9-11:45)

Amy McEnroe

Natalie McNair

Stephanie Heinauer

Mary Cavell

May 4^th – 1/3 Meeting (8:45-11:30)

Kathleen Russell

Angie Timm

Sharilyn Toney

Liz Fogle

Michelle Shaughnessey

Leigh Dunn

Sarah Bouman

Shauna McCoy

May 11^th – 2/4 Meeting (8:45-11:30)
Kylie Shada
Martha Elvir
Shauna LeGrande
Stacy Meyer
Kristin Goolsby
Michelle Kazor
Kelli Hasenjager
Kim Sorenson