MOPS Meeting

Tuesday, October 1 is our next MOPS meeting. We will start right at 6:30 will dinner. If you have signed up to bring a side dish make sure it is open and ready by 6:30. If you are not sure when you signed up you can check the calendar link HERE. Click on the MOPS Meeting dates and you will see a list of who is bringing what. 

If you are bringing your children or child please let Becky know as soon as possible so she can get the appropriate child care lined up. Make sure your kiddos come feed, changed, and ready to party! AND please bring a snack item to share for the year with others: goldfish, cheerios, etc.

Pastor Jeff from Christ Community Church will be coming to speak to us about our theme: A Beautiful Mess. We will also break into our discussion groups to get things rolling.

If you are unable to attend please let April know. 

Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Play Date

Play date tomorrow afternoon (Monday) at 3:30pm at the McDonald's at 6th and Wakarusa. Hope to see you there!

Roasted Veggie and Black Bean Burrito

Here is the recipe I made last night for MOPS. What I like about this recipe is that you can make the vegetables ahead of time and then just put the burritos together 15 minutes before you are ready to eat. Other notes, I did not use cilantro nor did I spray the pan (mostly because I forgot). I've also made this with flour tortillas, however it is much better with the wheat.

This recipe is brought to you by...tastykitchen.com


Ingredients:

• 2 whole Sweet Potatoes, Peeled And Cubed Small
• 2 whole Jalapenos Diced
• 1 whole Red Pepper, Diced Small
• 1 whole Red Onion, Diced Small
• 2 teaspoons Olive Oil
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
• 1 pinch Salt And Pepper
• 1 can Black Beans, Rinsed And Drained (15 Ounce Can)
• ½ cups Fresh Cilantro, Chopped
• 2 teaspoons Fresh Lime Juice
• 2 cups Shredded Cheddar
• 1 package Burrito-Sized Wheat Tortillas Or Wraps (6-10 Count)

Instructions:


In a bowl, toss your raw veggies in olive oil and season with spices. Place in a large baking dish and roast in 425 degree oven for 20 minutes, tossing around halfway through.

Let cool. Add your roasted veggies to a can of rinsed black beans. Add cilantro and squirt of lime juice. Combine gently. At this point, mixture can be stored for later use.

Warm your wheat tortillas or wraps in microwave according to directions on package. Spray a casserole dish with nonstick spray or olive oil spray.

Add two heaping tablespoons of vegetable and bean mixture to center of wrap. Top with shredded cheese. Fold over, fold in sides, place in pan and continue to roll the others. Place into your baking dish, seam side down so that they stay together.

Bake in 375 degree oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Baking this way will make the tortilla wrap crisp. For a softer burrito, spray burrito with nonstick spray, then wrap in aluminum foil and bake for same amount of time.

Makes about 6 burritos.

Tip: Premake your burritos and wrap them in aluminum foil. Keep in refrigerator for 3-4 days for a quick lunch or dinner!

First MOPS Meeting

Tuesday marks our first MOPS Meeting and it is going to be filled with fun, food, fellowship, and fantastic people!

We will start promptly at 6:30 with dinner for us moms. (Children will have snacks but will need to come feed.) If you signed up to bring a side dish, dessert, etc make sure to bring those items before 6:30. If you can't remember what you signed up for, you can see the calendar HERE. Just click on Tuesday's MOPS Meeting and it will list who is bringing what. (You can also add this calendar to your calendars and have all the MOPS events right at your fingertips.)

Our meetings will be held in the basement this year in the "Media Lounge". If you walk in the front doors you will see a staircase to your right. Take those down. If you are dropping off children, the MOPPETS Room is the first door on your right. (Please email Becky if you are bringing your children and let her know how many so we can be prepared.) After you drop your children off, follow the sound of music down the hallway to the end. We'll be there to help direct you!

We will do some introductions, create our name tags for the year, meet in our MOPS Teams (hospitality, creative, publicity/social, MOPPETS) and go over the MOPS Handbook. I have attached a copy of the handbook HERE for you to read before our meeting. We will touch on a few key things, but we won't hit it all and it's filled with useful information.

We still have openings for the year so if you have a friend that is interested bring them along. We will have registration forms available.

I'm truly looking forward to this year and all that God has in store for us. Let's "Embrace our Story" and let God use our "Beautiful Mess" to shine for Him!

See you Tuesday!

My husband sent this to me today. I find it funny and true. It comes from wellcommons.com. HERE is the link to see the whole article.

Guys, I Get it Now

• By Megan Spreer
• on September 12, 2013

by Megan Spreer

To the people who had kids before me,
I had no idea just how much was going on in your life after you brought that baby home. My brain couldn’t even comprehend how things changed for you. I would never have guessed that you wouldn’t exactly be stoked to leave behind your sweet newborn to rejoin us for a late night. Or why you seemed to never be listening when we had a conversation. Or why you were so crazy about who you asked to watch your kid. I totally didn’t get it.
In fact, I didn’t get a lot about the things that happen after kids. Such as:

Going out on Saturday night will NEVER be the same
There is almost nothing worse than having to keep it together and care for helpless, tiny people the day after you forgot that you no longer have the alcohol tolerance of a 22-year-old. Reliving your carefree days is so not worth paying for it, times a hundred, the next day with a hangover. No. Not ever. Never again.

Just getting a sitter, isn’t “Just getting a sitter”
With all of the horrible stories of child care providers abusing children, neglecting them and kids getting kidnapped while in their care, finding a babysitter is the furthest thing from easy for a parent to do. Once you find one, add that cost to what you’re already spending for the evening and it’s quite an expensive outing. And that is why parents only go out when it’s super duper special...or they never leave the house.

Communication is spotty
Before kids — I won’t lie — I got annoyed when it took my friends and family hours or sometimes days to call me back or reply to Facebook messages. Now that I’m a mom, I consider it a good day if I EVER respond back to people. If I have free time once the kids are fed, bathed, changed, entertained, asleep, and all of my other obligations are done for the day, I’m doing nothing or going to sleep. It’s not you, it’s me. And me is too tired to put together any more coherent thoughts.

Being oblivious to pop culture
I’m not kidding, I had to Google Olivia Munn yesterday. I read two fashion magazines this month and wanted to yell at the writers for the things they were encouraging people to do and wear. I still am trying to understand men’s fashion in 2013. And don’t even get me starting on “twerking.” When did I become so lame? When did I get this old? Get off my lawn!

Kids aren’t as portable as they seem
The first time we took HJ to a family gathering, it took us an hour to pack the car. Then, when we added another kid to the mix, our prep time increased. If we take them to someone’s home who doesn’t already have little people, we almost need to travel in a bus to carry all supplies. We also have to plan around nap times (which don’t happen at strangers’ homes), little people meal times (They eat at 5 p.m.; NO LATER or bad things happen), and bed times.
So to everyone of you to whom I said stupid things or ignorantly planned something that directly caused a meltdown from hell, I sincerely apologize.

I get it now.

Sincerely,
Larryville (Former Jerk) Mom

Mom's Night Out

Tomorrow (Thursday) we will be headed to Cielito Lindo Mexican Restaurant on New Hampshire for a much needed Mom's Night Out. Come join us at 7pm. Hopefully the weather will be cooler and we can liven up the patio! As always join us for dinner, drinks, dessert, or just for some fun!

Registration

Ever feel this way? Put your needs first and join us this year in MOPS. Registration is still open and we would love to have you join us. Contact us if you would like further information. Hope to see you on September 17th for our first meeting.

Registration Night

Registration Night

Come Register for this coming years (2013-2014) "Beautiful Mess". 

We will have a fun Mom's Night Out catching up.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

6:30-8:30pm

Come and Go or Come and Stay

Christ Community Church

1100 Kasold Dr, Lawrence, KS

In the Foyer

Registration is $50 for the entire year! What a deal. 

Once you register you will be entered into a drawing and 

you could win one of TWO half price registrations. 

Snacks and dessert will be provided. 

If you are unable to attend the registration night, we cannot guarantee your spot

for this amazing year. So come early and get that paperwork done! 

For the 2013-2014 year our theme is based on Ephesians 2:10

 "For we are God's masterpiece. 

He has created us anew in 

Christ Jesus so we can do the 

good things he planned for us long ago."

Moms live in messes. The toys, crumbs and spit-up are their natural surroundings. Moms often feel like a mess. They are exhausted, under-showered and hormonal. Their past and present circumstances and decisions can leave them feeling inadequate for God's love and purposes. Like they are the mess in question.

A Beautiful Mess reminds moms that beauty can come out of their difficult spots. The grime of raising children brings the beauty of motherhood. The bruises of life can bring God's redemption. Embrace Your Story reminds moms that our past, present and future can be used for good. God knows where each of us has been, where we are today and he has set in motion where we are headed.

We have lots of fun speakers and things planned for this year. It's going to be a fantastic time of learning and growing and just having some fun! Looking forward to seeing YOU on Tuesday night!