Monthly Archives: October 2011

The Busy Mom

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By Terri

We are all busy moms

with good hearts

and good intentions

but

do you sometimes feel like you are doing way too much?

There are circumstances where you cannot help the amount of time something takes you away from your family but there are definitely times when we can take a step back and adjust our priorities for our family and for our sanity.

Do you feel like this sometimes?

What comforts you in these crazy busy times in life when you are shuffling kids to sports, running to the grocery store, volunteering at school or maybe trying to work an at home business? Am I speaking to anyone out there?

I look to this bible verse:

“We can do all things through Christ”

Philippians 4:13

I know this is short and simple but it reminds me that he is in charge and if I continue to keep my heart and my prayers directed to him, he will get me through.  He has the big plan.  He knows what I can handle and the direction I will take in life.

I actually have a journal in my car(where I seem to spend my life these days) and anytime I feel overwhelmed, I open it and write. I read prayer cards that I keep there too.  They always comfort me.

 I know it takes time to blog but it helps too.  It is a free online journal where you can share your thoughts and feelings with the world and get great advice in return or just to know someone else out there is feeling the same way.

It’s just plain theraputic sometimes(especially when a spa trip is not available)!

Also visual therapy is great too: picture yourself like the woman below.  How relaxing!

Just remember:

You are not alone.  We are here for each other.  If you are feeling overwhelmed you have 7 other women at your MOPS tables that are probably feeling the same way.

And…

When we truly commit our lives to Christ, He directs our paths. Giving Him full control means that we will have the assurance that we will know the direction He wants our life to take.

(p.s. if anyone is interested in learning how to set up a blog, I would be happy to set up a small class.)

Book Giveaway {closed}

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By Terri

What’s on your reading shelf right now?

Let us know by commenting on this post.

Click on Leave a Comment above the post and tell us what you are currently reading or have good intentions to read(let’s face it…not easy finding the time!)

You will be entered into a drawing to win Tammy Maltby’s beautiful book called Lifegiving.

Tammy Maltby uses scripture to help us walk through the garden of life in a beautiful and creative way.

Giveaway will be open until Wed October 19th at midnight. 

We will have the drawing on Thursday at MOPS.

Have a beautiful Sunday with your families.

One Storytelling Diva

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By Terri

Let me introduce you to our fabulous Moppets storyteller: Amy Karakourtis.

Amy volunteers to come every Mops meeting to teach our children through storytelling.  The children love her energy and can’t wait to go to storytime.  We are so lucky to have Amy come and share her love for Christ with our Moppets. Here is a little bit about Amy’s family and journey into Mops:

My family: I have been married to Mark for 22 years. We have 3 kids: Drew (17), Katie (15) and Becca Grace (6). All of them have been Moppets. I could probably win some sort of prize for being in MOPS the longest since we have 9 and half year gap between #2 and #3. I have served on MOPS Steering Committees in three different states and I love the ministry it has to moms. When I attended my first MOPS meeting in Omaha, Nebraska Drew yelled most of the morning and the mentor mom was so dear and told me to please not give up on coming. I was suffering from postpartum depression after weaning Katie and coming to MOPS became a lifeline to the outside world for me. It was through that Nebraska MOPS group that I became a part of a Bible Study that truly changed my life. When we moved to Florida I helped start a MOPS group at our church and told my “story” for the very first time to a group. They showered me with much love when I had two miscarriages in a period of time. They were definitely the hands of Christ to me. We moved to Austin in July 2001 and welcomed Becca Grace into our family in 2005. We learned that our oldest had a very devastating disease when she was 13 months old. It was MOPS (again!!) that brought me out of my sadness over Drew to a place of serving in MOPS as a Table Leader. The girls at my table that year are still precious dear friends. I had the privilege to serve on Steering as Speaker Coordinator for two years until my baby graduated from Moppets. Being able to come and share Bible stories with Moppets on MOPS mornings is a joy and pleasure to me. I am grateful to be able to “give back” to a ministry that encouraged my heart through so many seasons of life.

 Advice to mamas: Don’t take life too seriously!! I stressed over WAY TOO MANY THINGS!! Be intentional about trying to be fully present in the moment (when you are playing with your kiddos, reading to them, eating an ice cream) and don’t be thinking about all the things you need to get done after “this” is over. People and God’s Word are the ONLY things here on earth that are eternal…let that be your guide on what really matters.

   P.S. Paper Plates are also the best invention ever!

Amy is telling the story of David and Goliath here.  She used stuffed animals to depict the characters and the children loved it!  Thank you Amy for all that you do for our Moppets!

Cakeballs Pleeeease!

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By Terri

How delicious do these look?  These were made by our very own Mops member: Amanda Thompson! She made them for the black table’s dinner given by Mentor Mom, Cathie Anderson.  These classy cake bites are making a big hit at weddings these days instead of the typical tiered cake.  They pop in your mouth for a one to two bite experience.

They are really easy and fun to make.  Amanda shares with us a wonderful resource to look at and drool over: Bakerella.com

Here are some yummy pictures to look at and get inspired for the holidays coming up using the simple cake ball recipe you can find on Bakerella’s website or in her Cake Ball books.

 

many bottles

How cute are these mummy cake lollies(simply making a cake ball but leaving a stick in the base to dry) for Halloween?  Also the cute little ghost meringues how to is on the website: andersruff.com

Spider Bites

These are from Bakerella.  You just make your cake ball and add candy.

IMG_0297

More bakerella…

Thank you Amanda for sharing your cake balls and the website for us to go to for inspiration!

If you love to bake, please email us at theridgemops@gmail.com and show off your skills!

CPR and first aid recap

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By Terri

Rob Vires shared with us that there is a new CPR “app” for any iphone or android based phone. Go to the itunes store (or wherever you purchase your apps) and type in “hands only” in the search engine. It is free! You will get an icon that has two red hands. When you open it, you have 2 main options. You can immediately call 911. You can also push on a tutorial of how to place your hands and it will give you a beat to keep pace with! There are also some instructional videos and resources.

For CPR, health professionals have recognized that chest compressions are MOST important.

Remember this:

C-compressions (30 chest compressions)

A-airway (tilt head to open airway)

B-breathe (2 breaths)

*Do this cycle 5 times which is a total of about 2 minutes

 

If you come across an adult who seems unresponsive/non breathing. Immediately look/point/choose people.

1. “YOU- Call 911.”

2. “YOU-Go find a first aid kit.”

3. “YOU-Go find a defibrillator.”

Put hand on forehead, another hand on chin-this should help to dislodge tongue and get it out of the way!

Draw an imaginary line from nipple to nipple, place bottom of palm on bottom of line and make sure arms are straight. Use your body weight-PUSH HARD-you won’t over do it! With an adult you can depress down 2 inches.

Another counting technique for delivering chest compressions is if you push to the beat of “Stayin Alive” by the Bee Gees. This will be equivalent to 1 min or 100 times.  When breathing, breathe SLOW! Just enough for movement.

Continue CPR stopping after a rotation to ask yourself. 1. Are they breathing? 2. Are they responsive? If the answer is no-keep going!  If you have more than one person, switch jobs. (One person give chest compressions, another breathe)

For a child: Use ONE hand only.

For an infant: Place on a FIRM surface-counter, etc. If on a changing table, remove pad so it is not cushioned. Tilt head slightly back. Put one hand behind shoulders. Use 2 fingers. (or a knuckle or a thumb). Breathe nice and gently.

Survival rate is only 5% for someone being resuscitated via CPR. Remember that you are doing all that you can for them. CPR is the SAME for a drowning victim. Just turn them to their side to let the water out.

If you have a defibrillator: it will electronically walk you through everything. You hook up the paddles and it will decide if it needs to shock the heart. You can find a defibrillator in most public places: public schools, churches, malls, airplanes and airports, even condos are all required by law to have them.

 

Fire Safety:

Every 3-5 years, purchase a NEW fire extinguisher. You can find at most home improvement stores for $15-$30.

Change batteries on all smoke alarms, try and remember at Daylight Savings time-change the batteries twice a year when you change your clocks!

Test that they are all working once a month. (You can make a game with your child-hold them up and let them push the button!)

Ideally-close bedroom doors of children’s rooms when sleeping-the door is a protective barrier that will save precious time in the event of a fire.

Clear out 30 feet around house. Clean of all brush, firewood, etc.

Make sure that your legal papers (insurance, anything you would need to rebuild your life!) are in an accessible place.

 

Choking:

If an infant/small toddler is choking, turn upside down, pat on back. Sit down where your knees are lower than hips, turn child upside down and give 5 back blows(just like a bottle of ketchup! ). Hit between the shoulder blades and be vigorous! Sandwich their body in your hands flip them over, check and flip back again.

If a child is stable on legs and able to stand-kneel behind them, take your fist above their belly button and thrust over and over again.

 

Mom Highlight- Susan Stivers

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By Terri

 Susan Stivers

My husband,Josh,and I have been married for 10 years this December.  We are blessed with three little girls–Abigail is 7, Hope is 5, and Noelle is 2-1/2.  All of them are smart, beautiful, creative, and full of energy! Abigail is your typical oldest child, independent and self-motivated.  Hope is sweet-natured, giving, thoughtful, and eager to please. And don’t tell her older sisters, but Noelle rules the roost! They drop everything for her!  It’s been so fun to watch the sister dynamic between my girls.  Sometimes they are inseparable…best friends with such intense love for each other.  And other times they are each others’ greatest enemies and will do or say anthing to hurt the other.  God reminds me of my childhood through them as I watch them grow and look forward to fostering a sisterly bond between them.  God is good in every possible way, threading the needles of our lives into amazing tapestries.  I look forward to the day when I will walk side by side with each of my girls in their relationships with their Creator.  What a privilege–bless God!

I came to MOPS three years ago soooooo ready for a mom’s group like the one that MOPS offers.  I instantly began  relationships with my table leader and mentor mom and am so blessed that we are great friends today!  Every little part of MOPS is my favorite part of MOPS:  when I serve  my plate with yummy breakfast I say to myself “this is my favorite part of MOPS”; when I get caught up with each of my table members taking any opportunity to encourage them I say to myself “this is my favorite part of MOPS”;  the encouragement and wisdom I’ve gained from every guest speaker makes me think “this is my favorite part of MOPS!”  God has used MOPS to meet my needs on a very personal level, as if He made MOPS just for me.  It has been exactly the tool I’ve needed to stay encouraged as a wife and a mom.  It creates a community for young moms and helps fill in those gaps that grow so quickly just from being so tired and overwhelmed from the hourly things we deal with.  I have always struggled with perfectionism which so often leaves me feeling like an utter failure as a mom.  God is gently showing me how I push myself to operate out of my flesh and to recognize those lies from the enemy.  He is teaching me to choose to believe what God says about me instead…that I’m holy, righteous, cleansed, loved, His beloved child, co-heirs with Christ.  We are His workmanship and are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.  That’s ME, and it’s YOU!  He blessed us with every blessing that He blessed Jesus with!  Praise God!  My prayer is that we can all live out of the freedom that Jesus gave us when He died on the cross and rose to live again.  There is just no other way to live!