may 2014
ENTS
M O T H E R S O F P R E S C H O O L E R S First Presbyterian Church // Edmond, Oklahoma
WHAT MOPS MEANS TO ME
BY KATIE MOORE, MOPS EDMOND-FPC COORDINATOR 2013-2014
This month marks my 4th completed year of MOPs at First Presbyterian Church. That’s roughly 60 meetings sitting around these tables, eating breakfast together, swapping stories, and comparing notes. Which is why I think it’s funny that I still struggle to answer the question: What is MOPs?
It hit me at the last meeting when I got choked up (again) praying for the meeting before it started. The thing is, I always lose it whenever I open my mouth to pray out loud for the first time at each meeting. All the hustle of the week, the emotion I’ve choked back, the burdens I’ve carried, and plates I’ve kept spinning, they catch up with me in that moment of vulnerability. The dam breaks and the pretense is gone: I’m worn out and I need space to slow down and be. To just be.
Thank God for MOPs. Where else do you get to drop off the littles, eat breakfast, and talk with other moms for two hours about the magical moments of mothering or the day that week that you threatened to leave your darling children at Lowe’s? (Hypothetically.) Most of the time I’m dropping my kids off, it’s so I can speed off to cram in as many kid-free errands as possible before I hurry back in time to pick them up. But MOPs is different. It’s not about checking off my to do list. It’s about slowing down to feed my body and soul. That’s what MOPs is to me. I wonder: What is MOPs to you?
IF : GATHERING
Summer Bible Study
Tuesday // 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Did you miss IF:Gathering when it was live or want to relive it? A replay of the IF Gathering will be on Tuesday nights at First Presbyterian Church beginning June 3 from 6:30 to 8 pm. Listen to women including Christine Caine, Ann Voskamp, Jen Hatmaker, Rebekah Lyons, Jennie Allen and others share about calling and what it means to follow Jesus. Learn more about IF at http:// ifgathering.com. There will also be plenty of time for discussion. Childcare is available by reservation. E-mail Katie at katie.moore@me.com for more information.
Wednesday in June & July // 9:30 - 11 a.m. Looking for a Bible study with other women this summer? Come join a study of Beth Moore’s Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy on Wednesday mornings in the months of June and July from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Child care is available by reservation. E-mail Danielle at danielle.herndon@yahoo.com for more information.
2014 Summer Sports Camp June 9-13 // 9:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. The camp is for ages 4-12 (or completed 5th grade) and offers professional training in Basketball, Football, Cheer, Soccer and Team 45 (a special program for 4-5 yr. olds). Registration information can be found at http://www. fpcedmond.org/uw-sports-camp or call 341-3602 ext. 267. Cost is $60 per child.
IMPORTANT REGISTRATION INFO
First, fill out the online registration form, so that we have all of your current information. Please include your children that will need MOPS childcare. http://mopsedmondfpc.blogspot.com/p/join-mops.html Second, pay your $21.95 registration fee to MOPS International. There is a drop down menu for Membership Type and you will select (MOPS International Membership - Non Group) https://www.mops.org/ myaccount/membership.php
Heather Taylor Applegate Mom // Shelly Applegate Born 4/8/14 & Weighed 7lbs, 4 oz.
M O P S E D M O N D F P C . B L O G S P O T. C O M
Cheeseburger Casserole
www.skinnytaste.com // Servings: 9 • Size: about 1 cup • Old Points: 6 • Weight Watchers Points+: 7 Calories: 261 • Fat: 9 g • Protein: 21.5 g • Carb: 21.5 g • Fiber: 2 g • Sugar: 3 g• Sodium: 468.5 mg
ingredients
directions
2 cups (6 oz) uncooked rotini pasta (use brown rice pasta for GF) 2 tsp oil 1 1/2 cups onions, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 1 lb lean ground beef (95% lean) 3/4 tsp salt 1/2 tsp black pepper 2 tbsp tomato paste 28 oz diced tomatoes 2 tbsp Dijon Mustard 2 cups reduced fat grated cheddar cheese 1/4 cup chopped dill pickles
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente and drain well. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the onions and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in the beef and cook until browned; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the tomato paste, then add the tomatoes and mustard. Let the mixture bubble gently until it is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Toss the meat mixture with the pasta and spread it into the prepared dish. Top with the cheddar and bake until the cheese is melted, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle the chopped pickles over the top and serve. Makes about 9 cups.
tips for traveling with kids Adapted from http://www.icanteachmychild.com/2013/05/8-tips-for-traveling-with-kids/
1. Drive…if it is feasible. Flying is overrated with
young children (not to mention expensive) and does not allow the flexibility that traveling in a car does.
2. Plan out your rest stops. Find places with
kids’ toiletries and Children’s Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, and an extra thermometer. This is an easy way to just grab it on your way out the door and not have to make any 4 a.m. trips to Walgreens in an unknown city.
playground and picnic tables. If you are unsure of what stops you want to make ahead of time, you can use a free app like RoadAhead Highway Exit Finder. If you’re the type of family that likes to see lots of offbeat attractions while traveling (like the World’s Largest Ball of Yarn or a 5-Legged Cow), you would also enjoy the Roadside America App ($2.99).
3. Bring lots of travel activities, books, and DVDs. The key to traveling with kids is to change it up. 4. Find lodging that has a kitchen. You might spend a few extra dollars, but you’ll be glad if you’re spending more than a couple of days.
5. Bring your own frozen meals. In the weeks prior
to your trip, double you recipes and put half in a disposable aluminum pan. Jot down the baking instructions, attach, and then throw it in the freezer! Pack all of your meals in a cooler. All the hard work is done…just thaw and throw it in the oven!
6. If traveling with young kids, plan 1 activity each day. You may want to get out early (especially if
your kids are up at the crack of dawn) and do the majority of your activities in the morning. After lunch, everyone is ready for rest (parents included)! Be flexible and don’t over-plan. Most kids enjoy the simple things just as much, if not more, than the big, expensive activities. Check the website of the place you are traveling ahead of time to see what activities they offer (and how much they cost). You can also check out the following websites for activities based on your destination: Trekaroo.com, KidsCanTravel. com, DeliciousBaby.com.
7. Split the kids up at night and naptime...at least until they fall asleep. Being in an unfamiliar
environment can make kids excitable and not want to sleep, especially if other siblings are up and about. You can put one of them to sleep in your bed at night and then transfer that child once all the kids are sound asleep.
8. Keep a picnic blanket, paper towels, and baby wipes in your car at all times. You never
know when you’ll need them. One way to keep all of your “goodies” organized is to put it in clear plastic tubs. Another good idea is to keep a packed and ready (but not in the car due to temperature issues) small box with all the
FROM http://www.laylagrayce.com/blog/2012/07/13/top-ten-tips-for-traveling-with-kids/
For an hour, let them look at books. Next hour, have them play with a travel game. And next, let them watch a DVD.
St. Mary’s School Preschool – 8th Grade Nurturing Your Child’s Potential for the Future
405.341.9541
Want to contribute an article, recipe, devotional, tips or anything else to the newsletter? Are you interested in writing a guest blog post for the MOPS blog? E-mail us at mopsedmondfpc@gmail.com with your ideas.
“What lies behind
us and what lies
before us are small
Family Game Night
matters compared to what lies within us.”
EMERSON
yo Ma celeb rat e
a th wi
Star Wars Day: “May the fourth be with you.”
Cinco d e
our usual tac ny o r to
ipe ec
TRADE SKILLS WITH A FRIEND Learn something new from each other
Go outside and blow some bubbles
delicious t wi s
Don’t forget to
Memorial Day
PLAY HIDE & SEEK with your kids
Meet your spouse or friend for lunch
breathe
with your ki ds ce an
best makeup.”
Take a bubble bath
ANNE LAMOTT
Put family members’ names in a hat— everyone draws one and makes a card for that person
MAKE DINNER with the kids and film yourselves as stars in your own cooking show
MAKE A PLAYLIST full of special songs for your spouse or a friend
Learn About Composting Day
Community events
community events
Clean Up Your Room Day: your kids’ least favorite holiday
“Joy is the
the chicken do d
DONATE SOMETHING you no longer use to a local charity organization
nce Like icken Da y
International Museum Day: support your favorite local museum today
PLAN a combined play date and mom friend date today
DATE NIGHT with your spouse or a special friend
Ch
Limerick Day: “There was an old man with a beard...”
See what’s new on
A
Da
Mother’s Day: our favorite holiday
BE THANKFUL & help your kids get in on the gratitude with these printable journal prompts
Try your hand at Geocaching— a real-world treasure hunt
Lucky Penny Day
Plant some flowers
WRITE A NOTE to someone special in your life telling them how much you appreciate them
CAMP OUT in the backyard or the living room —don’t forget the S’mores
May 10 // FREE Anniversary Celebration
May 17 // Touch-a-Truck
May 11 // FREE Admission for Moms
May 24-25 // Edmond Jazz & Blues Festival
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. / Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum (1400 Classen) FREE admission, family-friendly activities, artist talks & birthday cake. www.oklahomaheritage.com OKC Zoo // Oklahoma Aquarium // Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory at the Myriad Gardens // OKC Museum of Art // Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum // Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
May 11 // FREE Mother’s Day Tea
3 p.m. // Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial) Tea & biscuits in the pavilion as participants learn about animal mothers in nature. www.okc.gov/parks/martin_park
May 16 // Endangered Species Day
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. // OKC Zoo (2000 Remington) Interactive stations to learn about the past, present and future of endangered animals while watching them in their habitats. FREE with admission. www.okczoo.com
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. // UCO parking lot off 2nd Street Provides children with an opprtunity to experience lifesize vehicles & interact with the people who operate them. $2 suggested donation to Edmond HOPE Center. Sun 4-10 p.m. & Sat 2-10 p.m. // Stephenson Park FREE live music, vendors, food, drink, & entertainment. www.edmondjazzandblues.org
Alisa Nelson Studio *Paintings*Custom Art* Children’s Art*Art Lessons*
alisanelsonstudio.com facebook.com/AlisaNelsonStudio alisa@alisanelsonstudio.com 405-921-1883