MOPS Canceled Tomorrow!

Hi Girls!
The severe weather got the best of us. Tomorrow's meeting is canceled. We'll see you at the next regularly scheduled meeting! While you're stuck inside, check out some of the fun things you can do with the kids and for yourself at home...check out the videos below.

Thanks!

Welcome to Winter!

Well, we're in the full swing of it aren't we? And as I type this a huge snowstorm is barrelling down on us! Stay tuned for updates as far as MOPS this Thursday. We may have to cancel but I'll let you all know via email. The last time we were together we made the greatest little take out boxes with fun toys to keep the kids busy when we take them out to eat. You know what a challenge it can be! Thanks again for making MOPS such a great time for all! Next meeting we're pampering! Haven't done your nails in a while? Now you'll have the chance...come join us at the next MOPS meeting on Feb 3!

The kids had fun eating the left-over donuts too!

 Can't wait to see you soon!

Merry Christmas!

Last MOPS meeting we made the most adorable craft! If you follow this link you can find instructions to finish the set. It's under "Part 2" of the craft. Thank you for making our Christmas meeting so fun and memorable. We love to witness the talent of our moms!


We wish you all the blessings from heaven this Christmas and New Year!

Love,
MOPS Steering

Happy Thanksgiving!

MOPS is so thankful to have you! We hope you have a wonderful holiday with your loved ones. Make sure to check out the craft corner for some fun things to do with the kids to spruce up your holiday table! They'll love it!

More fun together!

Here are some photos from the last meeting. The kids went on a pumpkin hunt and had so much fun. Our craft was a good one for Halloween! See you soon!

MOPS Photo Outing!

Ladies,
You are invited to Janine Skala's house on Wed., Oct. 20th at 4pm-6pm to have your children (and you if you want) photographed in a lovely outdoor Fall setting by a professional photographer! The cost is only $20 and that includes your sitting fee and a free sheet of wallets! The photographer will also take several photos of your children which you will have the opportunity to browse and shop at your convenience.

Please join us!

13346 South End Lane
Crestwood, IL 60445
Get Directions

October is here!

Hi Ladies!
We've had a great start to the year haven't we? Starting with Bunco on opening day and followed up with our second meeting where we learned why MOPS exists, and why we need each other so. I'm so glad I have all you wonderful ladies to talk to and seek advice from! We truly are blessed with so many wonderful resources right at our fingertips. Joannie Arrigoni, our Mentor Mom, spoke to us last meeting and let it be known that she is available to any of you who should need her help or advice or just a shoulder to lean on. If any of you would like to contact Joannie, her email address is jandjarrigoni@sbcglobal.net, she would be happy to hear from any of you at any time.

We are looking forward to our next meeting on Thursday, October 21st at 9am!


Aren't we creative? It's so fun to do just simple things isn't it? Our fall votives turned out beautifully and those nametags couldn't be cuter!

I believe MOPS helps us be better moms and wives and I'm always interested in what God thinks a good wife and mother is. I reread Proverbs 31:10-31 today and I felt depressed because it describes a wife of noble character and I searched, in vain, for something that sounded like me. But then I thought about it and I realized that it's true, I'm not a perfect wife or mother...but THANK GOD there's a road map for me. Thank the Lord he had the good sense to give us directions and encouragement to help us become the women He envisioned us to be. So don't let the following discourage you but encourage you to follow God's plan for your life.

Proverbs 31: 10-31 (From The Message)

A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful lines and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters the knets to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps and eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!

Welcome Back!

MOPS is beginning again! We hope you had a great summer. Make sure to check the calendar of dates to the right and get them on your calendar now! MOPS is on THURSDAYS this year...please make a note of it!

When you become a mom, everything you thought you knew changes.

Your relationship with your husband, girlfriends, extended family, community, God and even yourself have all changed.

And, somewhere in the middle of all of this, you are left to figure everything out in a world your mother could never have prepared you for.

During the 2010-2011 MOPS year, we will explore how to balance everything life throws at us while at the same time trying to master the art and science of mothering.

See you soon!

MOPS Steering Team

MOPS is ending!

The year has gone by already and now that we've reached it and are looking forward to what's next, I have been thinking a lot about what it means to have a servant's heart. We are always looking for help at MOPS and our moms are so important to MOPS it is important that everyone gets involved. I came across a wonderful sermon about being a servant and what it means and I wanted to share it with you. When reading through this piece, if you feel a tug on your heart, answer the call at MOPS. Serving others in our community through MOPS is a wonderful blessing. Be blessed! And see you on Friday!

Click the link below

Do you have a servant's heart?

Spring is here

Thank You For The Windows
by Katherine Craddock

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. (Proverbs 17:22, NLT)

Gloomily hunched over my bowl of cheerios, I fully intended to start my day with a full-scale pity party. “Thank you God for this food,” I sighed half-heartedly. Boo hoo. My life was soo bad.

“And thank you for the windows!” my 2 ½ year-old daughter Katie shouted. The windows? Hmm. I guess we did just get new windows.

“Yes, God. Thank you for the windows.” I echoed.

“And thank you for the doors!” she continued. I thought of the small, door-less shacks I had witnessed during a Jamaican thunderstorm. Entire families huddled in living quarters smaller than my back-yard shed, while I vacationed in luxury. Doors are good. We need those.

“Thank you for the doors.” My response was a little louder this time. A slow smile spread across my face.

Katie was on a roll. “And thank you for the walls!” She’s right. Walls are important. Where would we be without walls?

Within seconds, we were laughing and shouting thanksgiving to the Lord at the top of our lungs. Arms raised to heaven, we thanked God for our beautiful house, our pets, and even our shiny new dishwasher.

My toddler’s enthusiasm had turned pity into praise. Truly, I had much to be thankful for. Yes, God. Thank you for the windows.

Having a blue day? Gratitude to the Lord is the best medicine for a broken heart.



Katherine Craddock is a professional writer and pastor’s wife who is the oldest of nine children and mother to one Kindergartner and two preschoolers of her own. She lives in Northern Virginia and is part of The King’s Chapel MOPS.


Chopped Broccoli Salad

Dressing:
1/2 c. sugar
2 T white vinegar
1 c. real mayonnaise
Mix the three ingredients and store, covered in the refrigerator overnight

Salad:
Mix the following ingredients in a big bowl
1c of shelled sunflower seeds
1 jar Hormel bacon bits (3 oz)
1 red onion chopped
1 c cheddar cheese shredded
raw broccoli (chopped) 1 1/2 lbs crowns

Combine the refrigerated dressing with the salad ingredients. Serve.

Merry Christmas!

Hello Ladies! Thank you for coming to our Christmas celebration. We really look forward to it every year and this year was, as usual, a great time. Thank you to Danielle for being brave enough to share her hard work on the violin with us. It is so inspiring to see a busy mom who has found time for her dreams. Whatever you wish you could do, make some time to do it this year! Our children should learn by example that we should make use of our God-given talents.



Kelly did such a great job on decorations. A lot of time and thought goes into preparing for our meetings and Kelly does her job of hospitality so well. Thank you Kelly! You are loved and appreciated.

We welcome our newest Moppet, Timothy Delaria! What a trooper Sarah is! Thanks for bringing him for us all to coo over...

Christine is doing such a great job on crafts this year. The coasters turned out so cute!

And of couse...it wouldn't be Christmas without cinnamon crunch bagels!

Time for MOPS again!

MOPS is coming up again this week and we'll be having our annual Christmas celebration. We are looking forward to seeing you there! Bring a friend! We're going to have a special Christmas craft, a gorgeous catered buffet, music, maybe some caroling and just a great time with each other. If any of you have any special talents you'd like to share with the group, Friday is the day! Just let us know! Here are some photos from last meeting along with a few recipes. See you Friday

French Toast Bake
1/4	cup LAND O LAKES® Butter, melted
2	cans (12.4 oz each) Pillsbury® refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing
6	Eggland's Best eggs
1/2	cup heavy whipping cream
2	teaspoons ground cinnamon
2	teaspoons vanilla
1	cup Fisher® Chef's Naturals® Chopped Pecans
1	cup maple syrup
Garnish
	Icing from cinnamon rolls
	Powdered sugar
1/2	cup maple syrup, if desired

DIRECTIONS

2.	In medium bowl, beat eggs. Beat in cream, cinnamon and vanilla until well blended; gently pour over roll pieces. Sprinkle with pecans; drizzle with 1 cup syrup.
3.	Bake 20 to 28 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 15 minutes. Meanwhile, remove covers from icing; microwave on Medium (50%) 10 to 15 seconds or until thin enough to drizzle.
4.	Drizzle icing over top; sprinkle with powdered sugar. If desired, spoon syrup from dish over individual servings. Serve with the additional 1/2 cup maple syrup.

Carmel Pecan Wreath (Monkey Bread)
*Warning, this recipe is messy in the oven. Cover rack with tin foil or bake on tray to avoid big clean up

1 cup chopped pecans, divided
16 frozen white dinner rolls
3 1/2 oz. pkg. cook & serve butterscotch pudding mix
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup butter, melted

The night before, sprinkle half the pecans in the bottom of a Bundt pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Arrange dinner rolls on top of pecans; sprinkle with pudding mix. Mix brown sugar and butter together; pour over rolls. Spread remaining pecans over top. Place pan in a cold oven and let stand overnight to rise. In the morning, remove pan from oven and preheat to 325 degrees. Return pan to oven; bake for 30 minutes. Turn upside down onto a platter and serve.

MOPS Recipes

Hi Ladies! We're excited to see you tomorrow and know we will all have a lot of fun as usual. A few announcements: There is a vendor fair at the Children's Farm tomorrow from 4pm-9pm and Kelly and Megan will have a table there with their bows: Hot Mess Bows-Boutique bows at garage sale prices so come on by! Also, if anyone has any other recipes they'd like to share, please just email them to joinmops@gmail.com

Last week's recipes:


Eggnog Pound Cake

1-18 1/4 oz. yellow cake mix
1-4 serving instant vanilla pudding mix
3/4 cup eggnog
3/4 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
confectioners sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 10 inch fluted or tube pan. In a large mixing bowl combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggnog and oil; beat on l9w speed until moistened. Add eggs and nutmeg: beat on med-high for 4 minutes. Pour into pan and bake 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes, remove from the pan. Cool completely and sprinkle with confectioners sugar.


Potato Casserole

2lbs. thawed hash brown potatoes
1/2 cup melted butter
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
8 oz. sour cream
10 oz. mild cheddar cheese
1 cup cream of celery soup

Mix all ingredients together. Top with 2 cups crushed corn flakes. Melt 1/4 stick of butter and drizzle on top of corn flakes. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes

Egg, sausage and potato Bake

1lb of Maple sausage links
20 oz. of Simply Potatoes
8oz. mild shredded cheddar cheese
10 eggs
3/4 milk
1/4 stick butter melted

Beat together eggs, milk and butter. Layer meat in bottom of 9x13 in. pan. Pour egg mixture over sausage. Add simply potatoes, top with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

MOPS Recipe Corner

Hi Ladies!
I got a couple recipes from last meeting to share with you!

Carmel Snack Mix-from the kitchen of Leanne deKonig

Put in large paper bag and set aside:
14 oz. Crispix cereal
2 cups peanuts
2 cups pretzels
Combine in large bown:
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white corn syrup
Microwave on high for 2 minutes; stir mixture and microwave 2 more minutes on high. Add:
1/2 t. vanilla
1/2 t. baking soda

Put in large paper bag and set aside:
14 oz. Crispix cereal
2 cups peanuts
2 cups pretzels

Mix the liquid mix thoroughly and pour over cereal in paper bag. Microwave 1 1/2 mins on high with bag folded shut. Shake well. 1 1/2 more minutes in microwave and shake well again. Microwave 15 more seconds on high and then spread out on Reynold's Wrap. Let cool and enjoy! (Store in air tight container)




Caramel Apple Dip
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 c brown sugar
1/4 c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Mix above ingredients together and refrigerate. Serve with apple slices

Breakfast Casserole

12 eggs
2 c milk
2c cheddar cheese
4 c hash browns, shredded
1lb bacon or sausage browned or 1 lb ham cooked
chopped onion to taste

Combine eggs and milk and beat well. Add other ingredients and pour into a 9x12 inch greased baking dish. Bake one hour at 350 degrees.

First Meeting of the Season!

Breakfast is awesome as usual! Look for recipes in the upcoming newsletter! And if you ladies who are bringing food to the next meeting would be so good as to bring your recipes for Jean she will put them in the next newsletter!

Craft time is so much fun! We made bracelets and anklets out of buttons! So creative!

Violet Fox is here!

It was great to see some familiar faces along with some new faces too!

MOPS is a great place to find lifelong friends! Join us next time on Friday October 2nd from 9-11am. We're looking forward to seeing you!

Together on Planet Mom

Hi Moms! It's time for another exciting year of MOPS! Are you ready? We've missed you! I hope your summer was awesome! We can't wait to have you back. We have lots of new topics in store for you this year that will be sure to inspire you in your relationships with your families and your relationship with God.

Join us on Friday, September 18th for the kickoff of our new year!

WHAT IS MOPS??

For you new members, MOPS is from 9am-11am on every other Friday with CHILDCARE! We have breakfast, make a craft, hear a speaker/entertainment or watch a video and have discussion groups! When was the last time you had 2 hours to socialize with your friends without the constant "MOMMY, MOMMY, MOMMY," demands? Let our awesome Moppets workers play with your kids while you play with your friends! Our kids love Moppets. They make crafts, have snacks and learn about God! What a wonderful opportunity for you to relax and keep those kids off the TV for a bit (I know that's MY struggle...)

Don't forget, if you have any special talents, musical, poetry, whatever, we want you to share it with us this year! We found so many hidden talents last year let's keep it going. If you want to volunteer to help this year we have opportunities in our Care Group-a new group which will coordinate a ministry to cater to our MOPS moms who have babies with meals, or light house cleaning, or babysitting. We also want to help out our MOPS moms who are in crisis with illnesses or hardships. We want to work hard this year to be a blessing to each other. Let us know if you have a heart for this ministry. We all know we want to get help when we need it and we would all love to volunteer to give it when needed. If we all pitch in, we can get it done and be blessed because of it!

Don't forget to invite your girlfriends! Contact Megan Fox if you would like cards to hand out at playgroups.

See you soon!

Love,
MOPS Steering Group

Take the ONLINE SURVEY!

It's time for the end of the year survey! Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey so we can make your MOPS experience even better next year!

CLICK HERE!

Brian Skala Fundraising Benefit!

As most of you know, Janine's father-in-law, Brian, has been diagnosed with a very aggressive form of brain cancer. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments like a champion. He is dealing with this life-altering situation with dignity and a strong, brave heart. During this difficult time, Brian is unable to work and the cost of his care is exceptional. There is a wonderful opportunity for us MOPS moms to reach out in a time of need. Brian Skala's benefit is only $30 per ticket and includes:

• Beer
• Food
• Raffle Prizes
• Silent Auction
• DJ and Dancing
• Split the Pot

DATE: Saturday, May 16th

TIME: 4pm-9pm

PLACE: The Joliet Moose
25 Springfield Ave.
Joliet, IL 60435

For ticket information/donations, please contact Amanda at (815) 439-3790. If you are unable to attend the event and would still like to send a donation, please make your check out to Brian Skala and mail to:
Amanda Dehm
2364 Essington Road
Suite #324
Joliet, IL 60435

Petland Outing!

Hi ladies! Here's some photos for the super fun outing to Petland. There's another one coming up next week so check your email for the invitation if you missed this one. Looks like a lot of fun!

Holiday Fun

Hi Ladies!

It's been a long time since an update...sorry! Here are some great photos from the Harvest Bread Co. outing. The kids look like they had a lot of fun! Below the photos is an announcement from one of our vendors from the Vendor Fair with some Christmas specials you might want to take advantage of. As always, it's great to see all of you at MOPS. Have a wonderful Christmas and we'll see you next year!

Love,

MOPS

One of our vendors, Build a Basket Creations, wanted to offer our moms a special sale for Christmas!

The "Holiday Basket" is the most popular of the season and is the perfect gift for just about anyone.

1. Grab-Bag

2.In-laws

3. Friends

4. Babysitter

5. Sister/daughter/mother

6. Co-worker/Boss

Also, ask about Teachers Gifts for UNDER $7 like hall passes, holiday mug basket, flowerpot basket and more!

The "Holiday Basket" is AFFORDABLE & ADORABLE! Includes a scarf, gloves, two holiday mugs, two flavors of gourmet hot cocoa, and the basket wrap and ribbon out the door....$22.00 (Add Gourmet Xmas cookies- $25.00) Seperate purchase of scarves- $11.00, Gloves-$8.00 *All baskets are tax-free* *Due to a high volume of orders, colors may be limited* Thank you, Build a Basket Creations buildabasketcreations@yahoo.com 630.660.2636

Don't forget to check out all of our moms in business links on this page!