Maaah-meee! I’m HUNGRY!

I am admittedly one of the world’s worst cooks. Within the first few months of our marriage, I literally set our apartment on fire. And my husband and I are both notoriously cheap – not a bad thing in these economic times!

That’s why we often turn to sandwiches. Not only are they a quick fix for our three clamoring preschoolers, they are often nutritious, delicious, and expeditious for our on-the-go lifestyle. Here are ten simple favorites to save time and keep cash in your wallet:

1. Peanut butter and jelly. Crunchy or smooth, jelly or jam …need I say more?

2. Egg salad. Hardboiled eggs, a little light mayo and some relish will do the trick!

3. Barbecue. Get a pre-packaged pack from the store and slap it on top of a hamburger bun or sandwich roll

4. Peanut butter and honey. So delicious my kids have coined it “the candy sandwich” …but not for babies under 1 year!

5. Tuna Fish. A can or two of tuna, light mayo, mustard, dried onions, pepper, relish and a dash of lemon juice is perfect on sandwiches or crackers!

6. Meat and cheese. Turkey or ham, Munster or Swiss … the combinations are endless!

7. Peanut butter and banana. Shake up an old standard with a little variety.

8. Grilled cheese. Cheap, easy, and sooo good. There was a reason your mom made it for you every day!

9. Quesadillas. Flour tortilla + shredded cheese + 20 seconds in the microwave = magic! (Add some refried beans for a little protein if you want)

10. Reubens. Rye bread, sour kraut, pastrami or corned beef , swiss or pepper jack cheese and optional Thousand Island dressing.

What sandwich recipes do you have hiding in your kitchen?

-Katherine Craddock

MOPS Fundraiser- Recipes Galore!

Please submit your most yummy, favorite recipes to mops.tkc@gmail.com to be put in our MOPS Meals in Minutes Cookbook!

We will be collecting recipes throughout this Spring and will sell them in an effort to raise money for next year's MOPS meetings.

Please send in at least 3-5 of your best recipes!

All da Single Wadies!

“All da single wadies, all da single wadies. All da single wadies, all da single wadies …”

To my shock, I heard my 2 ½ year old busting out Beyonce from the rear of our minivan. I’ve only listened to that song a FEW times, I thought. I had no idea he had it memorized!

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 tells us that “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

So what’s a mom to do? Here are a few of my tried and true favorites for the car or even as background music during playtime … don’t be surprised if they touch your heart and challenge your faith as well:

CDs:
1) www.psalty.com Anything by Psalty the Singing Songbook. WELL WORTH THE INVESTMENT … buy the series and slowly give it out for birthdays and Christmases over the course of a few years. (Cheapest price is direct from Psalty himself).

2) www.agapelandmusic.com Another goldmine from the 1980s … Nathaniel and the Grublets, Antshillvania (One and Two!), Bullfrogs and Butterflies, and Music Machine are the best!

3) www.gofishguys.com You will find yourself rocking out and your kids singing along. Awesome stuff.

4) www.donutman.com Wacky, fun filled songs that teach your child about Jesus.

5)www.whitsend.org Focus on the Family’s Adventures in Odyssey is THE definitive Christian radio drama for children. The best for teaching life principles and character building. Best for ages 5 and up. (You can listen free on the radio every day as well).

So what about you? Do you have great alternatives to overplayed radio tunes or your child’s worn out CDs … hidden treasures that are well worth the $ investment for the fruit it will reap in your child’s life in years to come?

-Katherine Craddock

Amazing Speaker at Local Retreat!

This two day conference looks to be amazing.

Nationally renown author and speaker, Lysa TerKeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries, takes us on a journey of "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God."

Lysa has appeared on 700 Club, Good Morning America and Oprah Winfrey Show and is the author of several books, including: "What Happens When Women Walk in Faith", "The Bathtub is Overflowing But I Feel Drained", and "A Women's Secret to a Balanced Life".

Join us this April 24th and 25th for a time of reflection and fellowship.

Times and Details
Shepherd Gate Church in Chantilly
April 24th - doors open 6pm - program 7-9pm
April 25th - doors open 8am - program 9am-3pm
(lunch break 12-1pm)

Attendees
Open to all women from 16 years of age and up

Registration Fee
Early registration fee is $75 - if completed by April 1
Standard registration fee is $85 after April 1
Space is limited, so please register early

June Cleaver? Hah!

I think so often as moms, we all have a lot to deal with. We hit the ground running every morning and don’t stop until the kids are in bed. Even then, we still have a list of to do's so long that even the most ambitious of overachievers would be overwhelmed. Then, we wake up the next day to repeat the entire process without missing a beat. No sick days (but we do get sick), no lunch breaks, and we most certainly can’t go to the bathroom without someone trying to beat down the door because they can’t live one moment without us. We are moms. A high calling. An overwhelming job...a great job.

I once had a friend ask me how I “did it.” She also has two small children and somewhere along the way I had given her the impression that I had it all together. Shame on me! I quickly explained to her that I actually end most days feeling as though I could have accomplished more and a few days like I have completely and utterly failed. But, there are those women out there that make it all seem so easy. The Stepford Wife. I am extremely jealous of that, and then I have to remind myself that it is probably all just a facade. So, as a shout out to all the other moms out there struggling to make it through until Friday without screaming into a pillow, here are my “mommy flaws.”

*I used to have a clean house…until I had 2 kids. Now, I look around at the end of the day and think about what truly NEEDS to be done. My house is often messy.
*I am a stay at home mom but I don’t love every second of it. Being a SAHM is a great privilege that I do not take for granted. But, I would be lying if I said I love every second of every day. Don't get me wrong, there are many things I love, but there are also things I struggle with a great deal.
*Sometimes, I feel like I have failed my kids entirely. Am I too much of a pushover, am I too strict, do I pick the wrong battles, do I pray for my kids enough, have I crushed their spirit, am I a complete failure?
*I have said some mean things to my kids that I have had to humbly apologize for. I think this is where I have really felt broken as a mom. In those moments when I have said something so harsh that I instantly regret it. I see the look on their faces; I crumble and beg for forgiveness.
*Sometimes, I put my own needs before my kids’ wants. Sometimes, I just need a moment to gather myself so I can be a better mom. I feel guilty doing this but realize it makes me a better mom if I have some “me time.”
*My kids watch TV. Not an insane amount, but if I need to get a meal ready and they are under my feet (screaming, whining, fighting with one another), I will most definitely turn the TV on. I also turn it on first thing in the morning so I can allow myself some time to wake up. I think it gives them a chance to wake up too.
*Some days, I get really cranky, really fast. And even if they aren’t being that frustrating, I am already frustrated. I need to work on that.
*I am not always consistent with discipline. To be honest, sometimes, I am just too exhausted to care.
*On many occasions I have been the woman in the grocery store with two screaming kids in the cart just trying to get through my list before the world explodes.

What I think is so important, as mothers, is that we give ourselves some grace and don't compare our talents to those of other moms. We all have different abilities in life and in motherhood. Take note of the things you know you are doing well as a mother, even if some days it feels like nothing. I have made a habit of telling my husband the good things that happened during the day just as a reminder to myself that it wasn't all a disaster.

Remember that June Cleaver is most certainly a fictional character and, honestly, totally boring!

Written by Jennifer Bentch, mother of 2, and MOPS mom.

Dare you to love!

In light of Valentine's Day, join me in taking the 40 Day Love Dare Challenge!

Check out the link- you can have the dares dropped right in your email inbox!

http://www.familylife.com/site/c.dnJHKLNnFoG/b.4844737/k.9A2/40day_Love_Dare_Challenge.htm

A Simple Truth from a Tot

My daughter will randomly and routinely throughout the day say "Mommy, I love you." I probably hear this 142 times a day although I never truly get tired of hearing it. However, one day I decided to change my answer up a bit. Instead of my typical response of "I love you too!" I asked her "Why?" She looked at me quizzingly, surprised to hear my answer. I asked her again, "Jordan, WHY do you love Mommy?" She stopped for a second, looking completely unsure of what to say. A few seconds later she looked up at me with her big brown eyes and answered "Because you're here with me!" The simple truth of that statement hit me hard.

Above everything else, our children want us to be WITH them. Our presence, our attention, our affection and our smiles are what they desire. Not toys, not even another movie, they want us- their mommies. How freeing this thought was for me. She isn't asking me to be anything but myself and to be there with her as she explores her world. Yes, there are absolutely days when it seems everyone is demanding our attention but what is important to remember is that we are investing in these cherub faces' futures. Our love and attention is building a lifelong relationship that will mean the world to this little person. Parenting is about a relationship. And like any other relationship, it takes effort, intention and time spent with that person. The fruit of that relationship is completely worth the time spent and hanging up of our own self agendas, wishes, and desires.

What an awesome responsibility and honor we have as Moms!