MOPS

Dear Walters Wife,
We have a big problem in our home this Christmas. In the past we have indulged our kids with lots of presents under the tree. With the economy this year, we have to cut way back on what we can afford to spend. What do we say to the kids when they notice fewer packages to open? I'm a tongue tied Mom, can you help?

Dear tongue tied,
Walter and I were blessed in that we always had food to feed our family, and the warmth of a modest home. True, there were times when we didn't have much left for "extra's", but we had faith that continually made us grateful each and every day for what we received. We taught our children the lesson of it being better to give than to receive. Christmas time meant baking cookies and pumpkin breads for our neighbors and tucking in a special note of what they meant to us. Sometimes the children would make up their special coupons for shoveling snow or racking leaves that next fall. They came up with those ideas on their own, and it made Walter and I very proud.
Walter and I had lots of fun hiding specials gifts for the children. They would have to follow a treasure map to find their gift. Each year each one got a new scarf and mittens, it seems we could never have too many of those. Christmas eve was a very special event. We filled our tummy's with warm soup and freshly baked bread with apple butter. Then we bundled up and made our way to our little church for Candlelight service. Christmas songs filled the air and the sermon always included the Christmas story.
When you sit by your Christmas tree this year, read the Christmas story in Matthew of how the the gifts of gold, incense and myrrh were given to baby Jesus. In years past, we have observed children being overindulged with "things" and the true meaning of Christmas has not been the focus for many families. You see, if 3 gifts were enough for Jesus, then that seems to be a fitting number for all. When your children begin to focus their attention on others and what they have to offer of themselves to friends and neighbors, they will soon be satisfied with less themselves as far as material things are concerned. They will be filled with so much more in their hearts.

This week's giveaway is the spa basket pictured below.

Post a comment, including your name before Wednesday at 10:00 pm to be entered into our drawing at this week's MOPS meeting, December 4. If you have posted a comment since last meeting, your name will go into our drawing.

You won't want to miss MOPS this week! Everyone is a winner this week! We've got breakfast plans for you, so bring an appetite!

Baked Macaroni & Cheese Casserole

I found this one and had to post it, because let's face it...what toddler does not love mac and cheese? Enjoy!

1 lb. elbow macaroni, cooked according to pkg. directions
1 pkg. Kraft sharp cheese, grated
1 can cream of chicken OR cream of mushroom soup (Campbell's)
Bread crumbs
Milk

Instructions:

Mix soup with 1 can of milk in a bowl.

Butter or spray a large casserole dish.

Put alternating layers of the macaroni, cheese, and the soup into dish. Top with bread crumbs.

Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Serves 6.

******
Add chicken or veggies to make it a one dish meal. Double the recipe and freeze one portion for another night to save yourself time later.

Thanks to Tami's Kitchen Table Talk for the idea.

Okay, so I am finally making it downstairs to my computer (it's almost 2:00 in the afternoon) although I have been thinking about getting down here all morning. We had major issues with our basement after the big rainfall months ago and we still have not gotten around to doing what is necessary to make it so that our children can be down here. (Long story that I will choose not to tell right now.) The only reason I am here right now is because of a friend of mine. Julia is a sixth grader. I met her at our church when she was in 2nd or 3rd grade and I was the children's pastor at VNC. Since then, I have become friends with her family, and have been blessed by my relationship with them a million times over. She is home schooled this year, and her mother offered to have her come over once a week, or so, and help me by watching the children or helping clean the house. Did your eyes just get big? :) Of course, I jumped all over it.
Okay, so here's my "Works for Me" this week. As soon as I am done with this post I plan to go to the other side of our basement and wrap the Christmas gifts on a card table. I went out and bought all the wrapping paper, scotch tape, ribbon, etc. last night, so it's all set to go.
*Side note** 3 Roll pack scotch tape normally $4.50 at Walgreens. This week 2/$2 and you can send in for a rebate for $2, making them free.**
What is "working for me" this year is to have a dear friend watch my children while I wrap presents so that tonight I can actually hang out with my husband...unfortunately the hubster and I will be working on the basement. ;)
I know what you are thinking...LAME POST! Does she think that every mom has a teenage friend that would come watch the children for free? To answer my own rhetorical question: No, I don't. But, what might work for you is to swap nights (or days) with a friend, watching each others' children, so that both of you can wrap presents...or if you have not gotten presents already, so you can get to the store to buy them. Use your directory that you got in MOPS if you are drawing a blank on who to ask. We're all in this together, mommas. So, branch out and be there for each other. If you are looking for an extra way to connect with another mom, this might be a perfect opportunity. Can I just remind you that you are doing a great job? Mom of a preschooler, you are doing a great job.

Creamy 3 cheese tortellini w/ tomatoes and spinach

Here is what you need to serve a family of 4:

1 cup of milk, 9 oz three cheese tortellini, 3-6 oz spinach, 1 cup sliced grape/cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup parmesean cheese, 6 oz cream cheese, 1/4 tsp. pepper

Step 1: Over medium heat, place 1 cup milk and 6 oz cream cheese (cubed) in a saucepan. Stir constantly until the cheese is all melted.

Step 2: Once the cheese is all melted, add 1/4 tsp. pepper and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese and continue stirring

Step 3: Cook tortellini according to the package directions. Note that I used one 9 oz container for a family of 4. If you want leftovers or have more than 4 people, I would recommend using at least 12 oz.

Step 4: Wash and cut your tomatoes in half. If you are making garlic bread, this is the time to put it in the oven!

Step 5: Place spinach in with cream sauce, stir and let cook. I used about 3 oz of spinach. The original recipe calls for 6 oz, so if your family loves spinach add it all!

Step 6: Drain tortellini and place tortellini and tomatoes in saucepan to simmer with the spinach and sauce. Let simmer for 3-4 minutes. If you cook too long, the tomatoes will start to pull away from their skin. (I can't believe I forgot a picture of this step- sorry!

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!

Serves: 4

Thanks to Sarah Anne for another great dinner idea!

Dear Walters Wife,
I'm in a sleepy rut. I only have one child, but I get so tired playing, cleaning and cooking that I've been taking a nap ever afternoon when I put down my 2 year old. This is time that could be better spent working around the house or planning fancier dinners. I want to break my napping habit, but I fail everyday. Do you have any suggestions for me to find the motivation or inspiration to get out of this "lazy" rut?
Tired of being tired

Dear Tired,
My dear one . . . being the Mother of a 2 year old can be exhausting. Don't be so hard on yourself. I'm hearing your frustration though, so I will make a few suggestions that might help.
A normal, healthy adult woman needs at least 8 hours of sleep. There are times when we don't get that much in one stretch. If you are not getting good sound sleep each night, then that could explain why you feel the need to nap. So if your body is tired, rest is important to your health - take a nap.
Do you eat healthy well balanced meals that includes all the food groups? If you are lacking in sound nutrition, you will feel sluggish mid way through the day. Are you reaching for snacks that are high in carbohydrates and sugars? These give you an energy high, which follows often with a low that leaves you tired and lacking energy. Have you had a checkup including blood work to see if your hormones and blood levels are in the normal range? You might consider vitamins if you are not taking them now.
Working around the house is a never ending task. Does everything in your home have a place and is it easy to put things away where they belong? Lack of organization can cause tremendous stress, giving you a feeling of fatigue just thinking about what needs to be done. If the task seems too big, it's easy to want to close your eyes and take a nap. I know, because that has happened to me more than you will ever know. I found that once I uncluttered my home and assigned a specific home for each item, it made keeping the house so easy.
Keep in mind that you have a busy 2 year old - does your child play well alone for short periods of time? I remember letting our daughter play in the pots and pans cupboard while I washed dishes or cooked. She was content, although very noisy, and I could accomplish what I needed to do. By the age of 2, you do not need to be entertaining and giving 100% of your attention only to your child. You can spend time together while you are doing your home tasks. Give your child a dust cloth and the two of you can be "dusting" together.
Consider portioning out the toys into bags of the days of the week. On Monday, when you need to be doing something on your own for a short time, present the "Monday toy bag" to your child. Tuesday do the Tuesday toy bag. Each night, you will put those toys back in that days bag and next week, it will be all new again. You may find their attention span is lengthened and their independent playtime extended too. a child is no different than we are. Looking at a huge mix of toys day after day can be overwhelming to them too.
Let's talk a little about the meals. Most Dad's would be happy coming home to a happy wife and a happy child. Now, I'm not dreaming - this can happen. Walter would have been happy with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner and me rested, cheerful with happy children. Here are a couple of ideas to consider. Make a list of dinners that you will have that week. Write down the ingredients you will need and shop for them so that you are prepared. Walter and I worked as a team on weekends. He would spend his time with the children, while I prepared ingredients for our meals that week. If I needed 5 cut up onions, I cut them all at once and put them in the refrigerator, so I could scoop out what I needed without all the fuss at the last minute. I often cooked multiple pounds of ground beef and portioned it into freezer containers, so that was done ahead of time. It would be so simple to make spaghetti at the last minute because everything was prepared ahead of time. I mixed up meatloaf and put it in the freezer, so all I needed to do was put it into the oven. While Walter and I were raising our children, I used to cook stews and sauces on the stove long and slow. Chicken simmered for chicken and dumplings. We didn't have crock pots back then like you have now. That might be a great idea for you to use too.
As far as fancier dinners go, I always had a centerpiece on our table. It wasn't fancy, sometimes I would set an African violet plant that was blooming on the table and sometimes it was a single candle. Our table was meant to be a special place where we settled after a particularly busy day. I tried very hard to keep it clear of clutter and make it a pleasant place to dwell together. I often set the table for dinner in the morning - that way I was prepared ahead of time and last minute distractions didn't cause me stress. While I prepared dinner, I had a sink of dishwater ready and I washed up items as I went along - so there wasn't a huge mess after dinner, just our silverware and dinner plates. Now you have dishwashers that make it even easier.
I hope you find some solutions here, but I would want you to understand that having a 2 year old child is a mighty task. I'm certain that you are a fine Mother and I know your heart is in the right place. Just take good care of yourself and rest when you need it. This too shall pass. Until next time,
Walters Wife

Check out MomFaves.com. Thanks, Courtney, for sharing this resource. Moms, tell us what you think of MomFaves.com. By posting a comment your name will be in our drawing to win a prize the first Thursday in January at our next MOPS meeting.

No seriously, my husband just informed me at lunch that today was Thursday and I got so excited because that means that tomorrow is Friday, but it also means I missed posting on Wednesday. (I know you all were on the edge of your computer chairs just waiting) ;)
Regardless, I am posting a tidbit I stole from moneysavingmom.com and that she stole from freebies4mom.blogspot.com. Isn't it good that moms look out for each other? Here's the scoop:
This is for all the mommas out there who are Pampers diapers lovers, along with me, and are dilligently putting in their Pampers points on pampers.com. You can earn rewards for the points you enter in. Each code on the package of wipes or diapers is worth a predetermined number of points. Here's what Crystal says on moneysavingmom.com...

PSST! Through the end of December, you can get free shipping on all the rewards offered. Plus, go here for some free codes you can use to help boost your points a bit.

Okay, so I know this post is weak, but there will be better posts in the future when I am a little more caught up. Have a great Thursday. ;)

1 1/2 pounds lean (90%) ground beef
3/4 cup quick or old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup barbecue sauce, divided

1 egg
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine ground beef, oats, bell pepper, onion, 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, egg, thyme, salt and black pepper in Classic Batter Bowl; mix lightly but thoroughly.
2. Shape meat mixture into loaf in Stoneware Loaf Pan. Insert Digital Thermometer into center of meat loaf. Bake 50 minutes.
3. Spread remaining 1/4 cup barbecue sauce over meat loaf. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until meat is no longer pink in center of meat loaf and internal temperature reaches 160°F using Digital Thermometer. Remove from oven. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.

Yield: 6 servings

Nutrients per serving: Calories 280, Fat 13 g, Sodium 660 mg, Fiber 2 g

©The Pampered Chef, Ltd. 2008
www.pamperedchef.com

Dear Walter's Wife,
Help! Christmas is almost here and once again we will be expected to "make the rounds". My husband's parents expect us to be with them every Christmas and my parents expect us every Christmas Eve. They all think they are being fair in splitting the holiday time, but honestly, my husband and I are tired of dragging 3 kids around until they are exhausted. How can we break this yearly holiday cycle and begin some traditions of our own? Is it too late to do something this year? Stressed.

Dear Stressed,
Walter and I went through this same dilema ourselves when our children were very young. What was supposed to be a joyful time was indeed very stressful, often winding up with cranky, tired children. As we shared our thoughts with friends, we found some wise ideas to consider for changing. Here are a few of them.
Combine our families together at our home on Christmas Eve, beginning in the afternoon and ending in time for the children to be off to bed at a normal hour. Christmas day was then relaxed and stressfree.
Maintain an open door policy for family to drop by to share the day.
Alternate sharing the Christmas day with each family every other year on the DAY of Christmas. Have the other family gathering on the weekend prior.
Have a progressive dinner with each family hosting a dish - Grandma # 1 for appetizers and
soup, Grandma # 2 for the main course and Your home for Jesus Birthday Cake and opening gifts. That way when the children open gifts they don't have to leave them behind to go visiting.
Keep holidays simple. When it's elaborate, it becomes stressful.

Remember the "reason for the season" and celebrate the Birth of Christ with awe and wonder of God's greatest gift to us.

As far as making a change this year, consider these things:
Preparations may have already begun with the parents - don't be disrespectful by pulling
out of the mix at the last minute -
Communication is key to change. Try to help them remember what it was like for them with all the Holiday travel. If that wasn't their experience, or they don't remember, just explain how you feel. Have a plan for next year and announce it far enough in advance that no feelings will be hurt. Avoid bringing up the subject of changing things unless you have a solution to your problem first.
Anytime you are making arrangements that involve many people and many households, compromise is essential to harmony.
Keep Joy, Peace and Love at the center of plans so that you can avoid conflict.

Walter and I wish you a blessed Christmas celebration and hope the New Year brings you blessings beyond measure.
Walters Wife

Dear Walters Wife,
I'm nearly at my witts end - my husband is a good husband, good father and works hard to provide for our family. I'm home all day with our two little ones, ages 2 and 3 1/2. When my husband comes home, he wants to help me with the children like reading to them and giving baths, and getting them dressed for bedtime. Sometimes, there is so much mess when the bath is done, I feel like it's one more job for me to do cleaning up after the 3 of them. It would just be easier if I did it myself. I'm frustrated - how can I encourage my husband to let me do it myself.

My dear frustrated,
I can sense that you are upset about the mess this creates. I have a story to tell you that may help turn things around for you.
When Walter and I were raising our family, we had a similar situation. He worked all day at his job and I tended the children and our home. I tried very hard to have our home in order, dinner cooking and the children presentable when he arrived. It didn't happen everyday, but I did my best to make his homecoming pleasant. Walter was always too happy to be home and he tried very hard to make things "easier" for me when he was there. Naturally, I had become so used to taking care of the children and meeting their needs, that it was very hard for me to not be the "boss" of the children. I encouraged Walter to sit and read the paper while I bathed the children and dressed them in their night clothes.
One evening, I caught a glimse of Walter standing at the bedroom door watching and looking rather, well, lost. That night after the children were in bed, Walter said something was bothering him and he wanted to discuss it with me. I was all ears and eager to listen and offer my advice to his problem. Walter proceeded to tell me that he felt that I had a "hands off" policy for the children. I tell you, I was shocked to hear it. Throughout our conversation, Walter admitted that I made him feel like he wasn't good enough at bathing or dressing the children for bed. He was hurt when I corrected him on where the toys were to be put away at night. He was just trying to help me, and to him, equally important, he wanted to spend quality time with the children alone too. He pointed out that I was lucky to be with them all day long, and he wanted time of his own. Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather! I had never known I was that controlling and hurt him so. I appreciated his honesty. I valued his opinion and loved him so much, I couldn't bear hurting him. In my heart I was trying to make him feel comfortable in his home and have plenty of time to rest. I tried to keep things in order to show respect for him.
We were able to compromise and that brought such harmony to our home. I learned to relax and bit more and let go of my control. After all, they were Walters children too and he was just as important to the children as I was. I learned another important lesson that night too. That it was much more important for Walter to feel respected and loved in his home, than to make sure everything was put in it's proper place each and every day.
If you have a heart to heart talk with your husband and compromise, you may find that there is a happy ending to your frustrated beginning.

Walters Wife

Have you ever heard the "Count Your Blessings song"? I just wasted about a half an hour just looking for the song on YouTube. :) Once I found it I wanted to listen to every one of them on there. I think I found the perfect video to share with you. At first I wanted to find a video that you could share with your kids so you could sing it together, but then when I found this one it seemed too perfect. It will truly make you count your blessings. Click Here to listen to my favorite video of the song.

Okay, so works for me: Take time to list off with your child(ren) the things you are thankful for and then sing this song. :)
Count your blessings. Name them one by one.
Count your blessings. See what God has done.
Count your blessings. Name them one by one.
Count you many blessings. See what God has done.

Our little Preston was thankful for cars and Nina and Papa. He had no trouble listing off things to be thankful for once he understood what we were doing. Have fun. Let us know what your kids say when you ask what they are thankful for. If your little tike is too young to talk to you, sing the song to them anyway. Keely loves to bob up and down to the song.

Have a great day.