The February 2012 Newsletter is Now Online.

Our February MOPS Newsletter is now available online.  Click here to view.

February 9th Meeting Recap

 Today was "Bring Your Hubby to MOPS day"!  We had a great turnout with many husbands joining us for our meeting focused on marriage.  I'm sure the promise of a delicious breakfast provided by the Purple Popsicle and Bluebonnet tables helped to convince them as well.  Thanks to Pastor Lindsay Sadler of First Baptist Church for opening our meeting and breakfast with prayer this morning.


Today's Announcements: 

• Congratulations to Dana U. on the birth of a baby girl, Margaret!  
• Our February Birthdays are Gayle T., Patricia F., Amber Y., and Dana U.
• If you signed up to get tickets for Veggie Tales Live!, please bring money for your tickets to our next meeting (February 23). Tickets are $14 per person. Money should be turned in to Kelly P.
• The Disney Princesses will be coming to John Paul Jones Arena in March.  Talk to Karen L. at the Bluebonnet table if you are interested in going as a group with other MOPS moms and daughters.

Next we had a game of Bingo to give away our On Time Save Time meal.  This meeting's lucky winner was Karen L. from the Pink Petunia table.

Five brave husbands played the Name That Couple game.  They were all winners, taking home a chocolate treat.  Hide it from your wives, guys!

Our special guests today were Kyle and Christine Hoover. Kyle is the pastor of Charlottesville Community Church. Christine is a writer and stay at home mom to their three children.  Today Kyle and Christine spoke about the three keys to a prosperous marriage: Time, Communication, and Conflict Resolution. 

Kyle began by telling how couples need to make an effort to spend adequate time together.  Husbands should ask their wives if they are happy with the amount of time spent together; chances are she would like more.  He also says that it is good for the kids if mom and dad get some regular quality time together without them.

He then gave husbands three areas to work on when it comes to time: everyday, weekly, and special times.  Everyday involves making the daily effort to show affection and appreciation.  Don't put it off for later!  Weekly means scheduling a regular time together, typically a "date night".  Get a babysitter or trade time with another couple and go out to dinner or get a cup of coffee.

Special times are those one or two times a year that you get away overnight (or hopefully longer!) as a couple.  Get the grandparents to watch your kids spend a few days together, just the two of you.

Next we heard from Christine, who wants wives to respond to our husbands when they offer to take us out.  Don't feel guilty leaving the kids for a time! 

Christine then moved to the next of the three keys: Communication.  Men and women communicate differently, with women seeking to connect and share, and men seeking results and goals.  Because of these differences, we have different needs.  Some things husbands should keep in mind:  your wife needs reassurance, and needs to hear that you love and appreciate her on a regular basis.  Think of watering a plant; you can't dump water on the plant once and expect it to thrive, it needs regular watering and care throughout its life!

Kyle offered us wisdom on communicating with men; they deeply desire respect.  He says that men would rather hear, "You are awesome!" from their wives than "I love you!".  They also want to be respected unconditionally, as women want to be loved unconditionally.  He wisely advised us to never talk badly about our husbands in public.  This can deeply wound a man and can ruin intimacy.  A good thing wives can do is ask their husbands how they can show him more respect.

Our final "key" is Conflict Resolution.  Good marriages have conflict, the key is knowing how to "fight well".  Here are ten guidelines offered by the Hoovers for conflict resolution:

1. Settle the problem the day it occurs
2. Make direct and specific statements; don't over-generalize (avoid always/never)
3. Attack the problem, not the person
4. Don't push "buttons" you know will increase conflict
5. Don't belittle, mock, or refuse to deal with an issue
6. Don't over-talk or dominate the conversation
7. Learn when to take a "time out" from resolving an issue
8. Talk to your partner as if you were in a crowded restaurant
9. Learn to truly forgive
10. Be willing to seek help if you are unable to resolve things on your own

Finally Kyle summed things up by leaving us with the following verse from scripture, 2 Corinthians 13:11:

"Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you."

If you are interested in attending a Marriage class, the Hoover's Church will be having one on Monday evenings beginning March 13th. Contact Christine Hoover for more information.

Thanks for another wonderful meeting ladies, and thanks to all the wonderful husbands who attended!  See you at our next meeting on Thursday, February 23rd.

Top Ten Frugal (and fun!) Valentine Ideas for Kids

So we looked at some great ideas for showing our husbands some love on February 14th, but lets not forget our kids!  Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to make memories and start some traditions with our little ones.

1.  Go on a Valentine's Day scavenger hunt!  A simple idea for pre-readers is to cut a large heart out of construction paper.  Then cut it into several "puzzle" pieces and hide them around your house.  When all the pieces are collected help kids put them together and give them a small prize.  For those kids that are reading you can do a more traditional scavenger hunt with clues leading them to different areas in your home.  The final clue would lead them to a little Valentine gift (stickers, candy, etc.).

2.  Make a heart-themed breakfast.  Pancakes can be made heart shaped by either pouring batter into a heart shaped mold on your griddle, or putting batter in a squeeze bottle or turkey baster and "drawing" a heart shape in the pan. Then fill in the shape with more batter.  Then cook and flip pancakes as usual. For some bonus mommy "points", add chocolate chips!  You can also use cookie cutters to make heart shaped toast. 

3. Have a Valentine card-making party.  Gather some supplies (construction paper, glue, glitter, stickers) and make some beautiful cards for your friends and family.  Even little guys can get in on the fun: have them finger paint and then cut heart shapes out of the paper. 

4. Valentine's Day is on a weekday this year, so send some love off with them to school.  Include a special treat and write them a note to include in their lunch or snack. 

5.  Buy a pack of red, white, and pink balloons.  Blow them up, and after they fall asleep place them in their room.  They will wake up to a Valentine surprise!  (Note: balloons are a choking hazard so keep them away from babies.)

6.  Paper streamers are an inexpensive way to decorate for the holiday; rolls can be purchased for about a dollar.  You can hang them straight down from doorways to make a "curtain".  Drape them on banisters, or wrap them around your child's chair.  There are lots of possibilities!

7. Make a Valentine's Day "mailbox" from a cereal box. Find some instructions here. Fill it up with some treats, cards, etc. for the big day.

8.  Check out some Valentine/love themed children's books from the library and have your own story hour.  Kids love to be read to.

9.  Make a heart-shaped pizza for dinner!  My kiddos love pizza, and pizza dough is really easy to make yourself (find the recipe I use here).  Add sauce, cheese, and toppings for a special dinner.  If you aren't up for making your own, order a pizza and request that they arrange the pepperoni slices in the shape of a heart.

10.  Brainstorm with your kids about what they can do to show someone else love on Valentine's Day.  Perhaps they can help you make Daddy's favorite dessert, do a chore for a sibling, or color a picture for a grandparent. 

Do you have any Valentine's traditions in your family?  Any fun activities you want to try this year?  We would love to hear about them!  Please post in our comments section or share over on our private facebook group.

Top Ten Frugal ways to show your Hubby some love for Valentine's Day

We show love to our spouses throughout the year, but Valentine's Day is a great excuse to do something extra special for your spouse.  And it doesn't need to cost a fortune!  Here are ten low or no-cost things you can do for your hubby to show him how much you love him.

1. Does anyone else remember "mix tapes"?  Those may be before your time but these days we can make a special CD or "playlist" for our husbands.  Download songs that are special to you as a couple and burn them to a CD.  Or surprise your guy by downloading music to a new playlist on his phone or mp3 player.  Use songs from your wedding, songs from when you were dating, etc.  Listen together and reminisce!

2. Write a love letter with the top ten things you love about your husband.  To make it extra special you can print it out on nice paper and frame it. 

3. Have a living room "picnic".  Dinner out for Valentine's Day is nice, but if you are looking to save a little money why not have a romantic picnic at home?  Rent a movie, spread a blanket on the floor and have a meal together after the kids are in bed. 

4. Make a video of you and the kids wishing Daddy a Happy Valentine's Day.  You can email the video to your husband or post it on youtube and put the link on their facebook account.  This is especially good for those tech-savvy Dad's.

5. Go on a mini-date to your favorite coffee shop and share a rich dessert.  If you want to save money on babysitting find another couple and trade nights with them.

6. Go out for Valentine's lunch or breakfast! This works especially well if you have little ones who are in preschool.  Drop them off and meet your spouse at your favorite breakfast place.  No sitter needed and you still get some special time together!

7. Make or buy some of your husband's favorite cookies.  Wrap up a few, attach a sweet note, then hide them in his car/briefcase/backpack the night before Valentine's Day for a cute surprise.

8. Make a photo slideshow or album using pictures of the two of you over the years.  You will both enjoy looking back on your wedding, the day your kids were born, or to that special trip you took.

9. If you and your hubby love hanging out with good friends, consider having a Valentine's Day Progressive dinner.  Find two or three other couples and have each one choose a course to host. 

10. Have a romantic, candlelit dinner for two at your home.  Make his favorite meal, light some candles, and play some romantic tunes in the background.  If you aren't into cooking, get takeout from your favorite restaurant. 

What are your favorite frugal ideas for Valentine's Day?  Please post them in the comments or over on our facebook group.  Our next meeting is Thursday, February 9th, and we will be focusing on love and marriage.  Our guest speakers will be Kyle and Christine Hoover.  Hope to see you there WITH your hubby!  Also, be sure to visit the blog again soon for some frugal Valentine's ideas for your kids!

January 26th Meeting Recap

Our January 26th MOPS meeting featured a panel of our mentoring moms answering some burning questions about life, love, and motherhood!  But first let's have some announcements and door prizes.

A warm welcome to our newest Moppet, Karoline!  Congratulations to mom Karen L.!

The winner of the On Time Save Time meal was Wendi Z.!

Calm Christian Parenting is returning to First Baptist Church in Charlottesville.  They will be addressing "How to Stop Defiance and Sibling Fights" on Monday, January 30th from 7 to 9 pm.  This event is free and there is no need to register.  Childcare will not be available.  There has been an abundance of positive feedback about these events so be sure to attend!

Don't forget that our next meeting on February 9th is "Bring Your Hubby to MOPS Day".  Kyle and Christine Hoover will be our speakers and a yummy breakfast will be provided.  We have many husbands attending so let yours know he won't be alone!

Jen L. is hosting an Easter card-making party at her home to make cards for sponsor children.  The party will be on Saturday, February 4th at Jen's house.  If your family sponsors a child come out a make them a homemade card to celebrate the holiday!

Veggietales LIVE! is coming to Charlottesville on Sunday March 11th.  If you would like to sign up as part of the MOPS group please contact Kelly P.  Tickets are $10 per person.

We had some truly wonderful door prizes at this meeting that were provided by our mentoring moms.  Each mentor handpicked items that were special and meaningful to her.  Our door prize winners were: Katie S., Sarah M., Christine H., Michelle C., Leah F., Amanda N., and Sara D.

Our featured guests for this meeting were our very own Mentoring Moms!  Several of you submitted questions that our moms thoughtfully answered prior to the meeting.  Those answers were discussed and elaborated on.  These wise women gave us insight into marriage and sex, tantrums, raising boys, leading your child to Christ, and how to "let go" as our children become more independent.  Just some of the excellent advice these ladies shared included: "Make your marriage and husband a top priority", "Pray, pray, pray through it!", "Let the small stuff go", and "Try to have a regular time with God and let Him lead you in that area".  Thanks so very much to our Mentoring Moms for there open, honest, funny, and poignant advice.  You all are truly a blessing to our group!

So what was your favorite bit of wisdom from this meeting?  Please feel free to post in the comments.  We would also love for you to share any particularly good parenting advice you have received.  Thanks for a great meeting ladies!  See you in February!

The January 2012 Newsletter is Now Online.

Our January newsletter is now available online! Click here to view.

Christmas Craftiness: Make a Candle-Holder

Here is another simple craft to do with the kids:  make a candle-holder.  You will need: a glass jar, tissue paper (cut into approximately 1 inch squares), Elmer's glue (school glue), water, a paint brush, and a small tea-light candle.  Give your child a jar and a bunch of the paper squares.  Dump about 2 tablespoons or so of glue onto a plate and mix in about 3 teaspoons of water, stirring the mixture up with your paint brush.  Add water until until the mixture has thinned out to about the consistency of poster paint.  Brush a layer of the glue-water mixture onto a small portion of the jar, and let your child stick the tissue paper square onto the glue.  Repeat this until the whole jar is covered with a layer of the glue and tissue paper.  Finally, you will brush another layer of glue over all of the tissue paper.  Set the jars in a safe area so they can dry (ours took a few hours).  Once dry, insert a tea-light and enjoy! 

Gluing on the tissue paper.

Showing off his work!

All covered in tissue paper.

Letting the jar dry.  This is an old spaghetti sauce jar.

The finished product!

Be sure to set your candles in a safe place, away from little hands.  Also, remember school glue rinses off in water, so keep your finished jars dry.  For a more permanent application something like modge-podge would need to be used in place of the glue.  Merry Christmas and happy crafting!