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Salinas Valley MOPS Newsletter
Volume 1
Issue 1
September 2010
NEW! MOPS Bible Study
How to make a
No Sew Valance
With the real life Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
2010– 2011 Steering Team
Coordinator
Stacey Wilson
(831)758-2310 malibustacey@sbcglobal.net
Finance & Registration
Kelli Martignoni
(831)675-2295 kcmartignoni@sbcglobal.net
Sandra Amaral
(831)784-2812 justsan@pacbell.net
Hospitality
Blair Lane
(831) 240-6200 mommylane@gmail.com
Samantha Edwards
(831)444-0765 macnsam1982@yahoo.com
Creative Activities
Amanda Agee
(831)770-0494 mandabug00@hotmail.com
Brandy Stark
(831)449-3290 cbstark@msn.com
Tiffany Silva
(831)385-3302 tlhann@hotmail.com
Service Team Leader
Kelly Richardson
(831)443-6936 daisy4898@hotmail.com
Welcome back to MOPS and to this year’s
newsletter. This is my second year
creating/editing the Salinas Valley MOPS
newsletter. I love graphic designing and editing, but have hit
several creative roadblocks. This is not a one-mom job. Last year
I really struggled at getting your voice and ideas into this
newsletter. I have several great ideas planned this year to get you
involved in the long-creative process that it takes to publish this
baby!
Your first assignment is to name this newsletter… that’s
right, you heard me. Last years theme was Life on Planet Mom
and I named this publication “the Orbiter”. Our theme this year is
Momology; the Art and Science of Mothering. We have taken a
school-like classroom approach in applying this theme to our
fantastic group. Now it is up to you to come up with names. Now,
I am a mom and I know that a task shuch as this requires a bit of
motivation. You competitive types are probably getting ready to
email me your ideas already… but I want to hear from ALL of you.
So, here is your incentive! The winning newletter name will
receive a $10 Starbucks gift card and will be announced on the
October newsletter. All submissions must be to me no later than
October 11th at 11:59pm. My email address is somewhere in this
newsletter (hint: its on a yellow background to your left).
I will announce more ways to get involved in this publication in the
following months with monthly polls, contests and volunteer
contributions. If you love to write or have an important
announcement, please contact me. I look forward to serving you
with this publication!
Publicity
Adrienne Uribe
(831)682-7216 adrienneuribe@att.net
Katherine Harris
(831)443-9645 katharrisemail@yahoo.com
Discussion Group Team
Leader
Sarah Stepanian
(831)-210-4094 sarahstep@gmail.com
ps… a great place to read this is in your bathroom, so if you think
you will loose it or your child will try to make a paper airplane out
of it, put it on the toilet tank right now. Who knows, your husband
might actually read it too!!!
I’ve heard before that if you want
to hear God laugh - make plans.
I am a fairly organized person. I am a leader who likes to
make decisions and move forward with them. I am out
of my mind if I think these things apply to daily life as a
parent.
The thing is, kids change your life. Yes, people say that
to you when you are newly pregnant with #1. “Life will
never be the same”, and “Oh, you just wait”. If you
were like me, you shrugged it off (maybe even rolled
your eyes a little) and thought how YOU were different.
Or perhaps those warnings really freaked you out.
Regardless of your initial response … they were right.
Did you think I ever PLANNED to say things like “take
that pasta out of your belly button right this minute”, or
“stop licking my arm – it’s grossing me out”? Did you
think I ever PLANNED to have to change my shirt three
times a day because there was puke all over it? Did you
think I ever PLANNED to have my boobs leak milk
during the middle
of a presentation to the City Council? NO!
This is why it floors me when moms say that they are
not creative. Wrong. They have to be. Creative in ways
they really never consider, probably. Sure some moms
are crafty-creative, but many more of us are dinnercooking-creative, how-to-get-your-kid-to-stay-in-bedcreative, and even actually-leave-the-house-on-timecreative. Seriously, any of you with a second kid had to
be creative in THAT way… (if you know what I mean).
When life hands you lemons – pick up
lemons and throw them back at life (I
mean, how rude, anyways). Just
kidding. Make lemonade. Or better
yet, get creative: make lemon-olanterns, or scrub your feet with
lemons, or (my personal favorite)
make lemon bars!
those
Stacey Wilson
Ready to Register?
We have 45 registered moms in our SVCC MOPS! That's incredible for
September! We are so excited to have so many moms ready for a great year!
Moms can register in MOPS International at any time. Please see Kelli or
Sandra to complete the form and submit payment to start receiving the
MOMSense magazine, MOPS Int'l Emails, and other gifts with your
registration! The cost this year is $110, scholarships are available - talk to
Kelli (675-2295, kcmartignoni@sbcglobal.net) to make arrangements.
November 5th & 6th
Pick up your packet today! Sell
10 or more coupons and receive
a free portrait package plus 12
free Christmas cards!
Principals Corner
Dear MOPS Mamas,
Welcome to our new year of MOPS! I hope you are feeling
welcome, rested, and truly part of this sisterhood today. I know
it’s a little nerve-wracking to start up at a new school, but we are
totally in this together. So get comfortable, get a snack, and be
refreshed before heading back out into the real world of mommy
-hood.
Our twice-monthly sessions will consist of either an
activity presented by our Creative Activities team, or a speaker
addressing us on a relevant topic. During all our meetings we
will be welcomed by our Hospitality team, prayed for by our
Mentor Moms, served by our Service team, and have time to talk
led by our Discussion Group Leaders. (For more info on what
these teams are all about, refer to the Handbook provided in your
Registration Gift/Package).
I’m looking forward to meeting you, laughing with you,
and perhaps even sharing a few notes in class,
Stacey
Guest Lecturer
Our speaker this month is Rebecca Wolf. She is known by
many as an awesome resource for creative parenting ideas.
As a modern day “Mrs. Pigglo-Wiggle” her parenting tips and
tricks have helped many.
I was born in Massachusetts; moved to Dallas when I
was 7 due to Dad's job change; moved to Palo Alto, CA,
when I was 14 when Dad again switched companies.
Mom still lives in Palo Alto in same home (Dad passed
away in 2004 from pancreatic cancer - horrid cancer, by
the way). Mom and Dad were happily married for 46 yrs
and all four of us kids (I'm No. 2) were lucky to have a
super functional family in which to grow up. I went to
high school at Gunn HS in Palo Alto, Connecticut College in New London,
CT, graduating in 1983 (wow, I'm old!) with degree in Early Childhood
Development and teaching certificate. I started My Second Home
(daycare) in 1986-1997; moved into nonprofit management briefly after
that; had always loved real estate, buying my first property when I was 25
and finally, when I had the time, decided to go into real estate full-time in
2005. I have loved it ever since. I live in Hollister with my husband Geoff
(aero-space business, travels) and Lori (20), Nancy (19) and Nick (17) and
three cats! :-)
Join us for Study Hall
Who: YOU!
What: MOPS Monthly Bible Study
When: 3rd Monday of each month
9:30-11:30am
Why: Learn what the bible has to say
about our roles as women, mothers,
and leaders
Service Team
September Service Projects
Both of our September projects will run the rest of the MOPS
semester. I will collect Box Tops and pennies at each meeting in
the MOPS and 3yrs and up Moppets rooms.
Box Tops for Education-Collect box tops from the top of your
favorite cereals, and many other boxed grocery items. Visit
boxtops4education.com to sign up for coupons and other free
offers.
Pennies for Peace- collect pennies to donate each month. The
money collected will support children's education in Pakistan
and Afganistan. Visit www.penniesforpeace.org for more
information.
October Service Project
Operation Christmas Child- Starting in October and ending the
first meeting in November we will collect shoe boxes filled with
small toys, candy, and gifts for needy children around the world.
This is a way for us to bless needy children with what is probably
their only Christmas gift. Check out
www.samaritanspurse.org for more information.
Preschool Classes at Hidden Hills Ranch
Little Farmers (2-3 year-olds)
Little Buddies (4-5 year olds)
$30 per series or $12 per class
For more information, visit
http://ermco.net/pages/preschool.html
Katie’s Kandor
Last Sunday, our family was getting ready for church
and things were going surprisingly smoothly. Then I
discovered that one of our daughters had found a red
permanent marker and used it to decorate her
bedroom door, her new pants, and worst of all, a
really adorable new doll of her sister's. Ahhhhh!!!!!
Seeing my reaction, my husband quickly took over the
situation, giving me time to step away and count to
10...million. I was so mad! I collected myself as best I
could and after my daughter's sorrowful apology I
told her I forgave her, but I honestly had a really hard
time letting it go completely. We were half-hour late
to church, but arrived in time to hear the pastor talk
about Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, how he could
have chosen not to die, but he decided to do it
because he wanted us to be able to have a
relationship with God. I was quite embarrassed at the
state of my heart that morning, and I sat there
thinking, "I've done so many things to hurt others,
and Jesus died for all of it! How can I be hanging on
to something my child did that hurt me?!" I can't
believe the grace that Jesus has for me! How many
things have I done that could've caused Jesus to be
angry, but instead he is able to see my heart, know
that he paid for my shortcomings with his blood
already, and never love me any less.
I am overwhelmed at that truth! As a mom, I long so
much to have that kind of love for my children. At
times the love I have seems insufficient and
imperfect. I am SO relieved that God knows all about
my insufficiencies and imperfections! The Bible tells
us that they are there for a reason: "My grace is
sufficient for you, because my power is made perfect
in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9) When I am weak,
Jesus is able to not just fill in the gaps, but show his
power perfectly! Only by God's grace was I able to
fully forgive my daughter for her careless action and
move forward with love for her. Grace is defined as,
"the freely given, unmerited favor of the love of God,
or the influence or spirit of God operating in humans
to regenerate or strengthen them." I crave the spirit
of God to regenerate and strengthen me. I can't do
life without it! He loves to give us moms grace
because He loves us and He loves our children! All we
ever need to do at our low points is to ask Him for
that grace, then let go of the mistakes that are in the
past, because His blood already covered them - from
our own shortcomings as parents to red permanent
marker incidences.
Seating Chart
Table #1: Astronomy Mommies
DGL: Kathy Lockwood (imkakky@yahoo.com)
MM: Jan Mirassou (jan@razzolink.com)
Tiffany Silva (tlhann@hotmail.com)
Esmeralda Lopez (esmer678@yahoo.com)
Amy Parker (amypcpa95@yahoo.com)
Tricia Kaiser (ttdunn2003@yahoo.com)
Sarah Powers-Hargett (prov31gurllyip@yahoo.com)
Table #2: Botany Babes
DGL: Julia Paulsen (juliapaulsen@comcast.net)
MM: Lisa Fletcher (lisaf@svcc.net)
Stacey Wilson (malibustacey@sbcglobal.net)
Sam Edwards (macnsam1982@yahoo.com)
Christine Campos (cmcampos77@sbcglobal.net)
Terri Taaffe (TerriTaffe@gmail.com)
Alisa Carr (alisacarr07@gmail.com)
Table #3: Mathematics Masterminds
DGL: Anna Puffer (tovah10@yahoo.com)
MM: Karen Boutry (KBoutry@comcast.net)
Amanda Agee (mandabug00@hotmail.com)
Adrienne Uribe (adrienneu@sbcglobal.net)
Sheryl Gica (Sheryl.gica@yahoo.com)
Jennifer Keyes (keyes.jenn@yahoo.com)
Minda Olsen (emolsen@sbcglobal.net)
Autumn Swarnaras (jereyautumn@netzero.com)
Table #4: Fine Arts Fanatics
DGL Sarah Penny (sheatherw@hotmail.com)
DGL: Kelly Richardson (daisy4898@hotmail.com)
MM: Diane Pate (DianeP@svcc.net)
Lisa Borg (LPRB10@yahoo.com)
Shawna Medema (salt_water_girl@yahoo.com)
Nicole Cervantes (uw63buggirl@sbcglobal.net)
Beth Rutledge (whitetiger787@yahoo.com)
Katie Hignight (katie.m.hignight@gmail.com)
Table #5: Performance Prodigies
DGL: Amy Agan (amybabyrn@netzero.net)
MM: Marty Robison (mawty@yahoo.com)
Heather Ramos (ramos_family_5@att.net)
Heather White (heatherwhite814@gmail.com)
Brandy Stark (cbstark@msn.com)
Kat Harris (katharrisemail@yahoo.com)
Cristina Manuguerra Gage (cristinapm@hotmail.com)
Cassandra Platt (plattfam@gmail.com)
Tina Filippoff (Tinaface@aol.com)
Table #6: Geology Girls
DGL: Sarah Stepanian (sarahstep@gmail.com)
Blair Lane (mommylane@gmail.com)
Kelli Martignoni (kcmartignoni@sbcglobal.net)
Sandra Amaral (justsan@pacbell.net)
Ginger Steiner (gingersteiner@earthlink.net)
Quinn Pisoni (quinn@pisonivineyard.com)
Jenn Griffith (jenngriffi@comcast.net)
Homeroom
October Table Duties:
Moms Refreshments
Astronomy Mommies & Botany Babes
Moppet Snack
Mathematics Masterminds
Child Care Thank You
Fine Arts Fanatics
Clean-Up
Performance Prodigies & Geology Girls
Congratulations
Tiffany Silva welcomed
Addison Louise Silva
June 24, 2010
9lbs 1oz
Anna Puffer welcomed
Jediah James Puffer
July 23, 2010
9lbs 15 oz
Kelly Richardson welcomed
Bethany Anne Richardson
August 29, 2010
8lbs 10oz
Sarah Stepanian welcomed
Luke David Stepanian
September 14, 2010
9lbs
Home Economics
How are these valances made?
Napkins… seriously. They are just
artfully folded over the curtain rod and
safety pinned in place. Even the tassle
is pinned on the other side. Now you
can change the look of a room, or
those colors you are bored of. Napkins
are an affordable way to decorate and
give your room a make over!
No Sew Valance
Do you have any great crafty tips to
share? Contact Adrienne Uribe with
your ideas!
Contributed by Jenny Plumb (daughter of MM Diane Pate)
Four Cheese & Bacon Macaroni
From the Kitchen of Adrienne Uribe
4.
I have made this macaroni and cheese for several of our
new moms. After being asked for the recipe, I decided to
just post it for everyone to share. This is a good enough
5.
recipe to double and put 1 in the freezer. It is not a quick
meal to make, but it will get gobbled up pretty fast!
1 lb box of elbow macaroni
6 slice s bacon, diced
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper
1 pound sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 Cup shredded Colby-Jack cheese
1 Cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 container (16 oz) sour cream
1.
2.
3.
Heat oven to 350. Coat a 3-quart baking dish with
cooking spray. Bring a large pot of lightly salted
water to a boil.
Cook macaroni 8 minutes in boiling water, then
drain. Cook bacon until crisp. Reserve 2 tablespoons
of bacon grease in large pan. Add butter
Whisk in flour until smooth. Slowly whisk in milk.
Add onion powder, salt and pepper. Bring to boil
6.
then reduce heart and simmer 2 minutes. In large
bowl, toss together cheddar, Colby-jack and
mozzarella.
Remove milk mixture from heat. Add sour cream
and 1 1/2 cups of cheddar mixture. Toss bacon pieces
with remaining shredded cheese.
In pasta pot, combine cooked pasta and cheese
sauce. Pour half into baking dish. Sprinkle with half
of cheese mixture, repeat layering.
Bake uncovered at 350 for 20 minutes. Increase to
broil and broil for 3 minutes, until top is
lightly browned. Cool for a few minutes and
serve.
Minda Olsen, Sept 17th
Christy Elkins, Sept 20th
Amy Parker, Sept 30th
October 2010
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
October is “Get in the Picture Month”
4
5
6
SAT
1
Moms Night
Out
2
7
8
9
14
15
16
21
22
23
28
29
30
Hand the camera to your husband, neighbor or child… its your turn
to shine. Your family needs proof you were actually there!
3
FRI
Awanas
10
11
12
13
Awanas
17
18
19
MOPS Bible
Study
24
25
20
Awanas
26
27
Awanas
31
Salinas Valley
Community
Church
Sunday Services Many mid-week .For more info,
meet 9am &
programs
please visit
10:45am
offered
svcc.net
368 San Juan
Grade Road
Salinas, 93906
831-449-2500
I know that disciplining a child for lying
without reinforcing more lying can be a
slippery slope. How have you dealt with
lying with your own children?
This is not an easy one to solve, although it’s so fundamental. Children lie for many
reasons, often because they want to please and also because they don’t want to get
into trouble. It’s important to first lay a foundation for telling the truth, model it and
then give rewards for telling the truth and apply consequences for not telling the
truth. They must learn to understand that trust comes with truth-telling, which
leads to more freedom. The trick lies in determining whether they are telling the
truth or not - not always as easy as it sounds! My daughter, Jenny, handled this
well recently. One morning, her daughter (nearly 3) denied cutting a hole in her
e
brother’s book. My daughter was pretty positive she had done the deed as she
t
a
Diane P
was carrying scissors and her brother just saw her do it. Therefore, Jenny put her
in her crib to stay there until she admitted what she did. Jenny went back many times to ask her
about it, but she remained stubborn. Each time she tried to avoid telling the truth by saying things like, “Well,
not anymore!” Finally, it was an hour past lunch time and she really wanted to come out, so she admitted it,
saying, “I cut it.” Jenny was able to talk to her about the importance of telling the truth and hopefully she will
do better next time.
Lying at our house is a very serious offense, actually worse than the original
infraction. We have told them, for example, to not hide broken glass, but to tell
right away so no one gets hurt. I think that has been the basis of our explanation
that lying just makes things worse, not better. We also have made all six of us sit
quietly at the dinner table until the guilty party has confessed to the infraction
and then repeated why lying makes things worse, especially the loss of trust and
respect aspects.
Jan Mirasou
At a very young age we tried to use every opportunity to
reinforce the value of truth telling. We sought to model it in our own lives as our
children watched and observed. When I was on the phone or talking with other
adults, the children... who are always watching... could see by my own example if the
truth was coming out of my own lips or not. As they grew and lying, even little lies
began testing us, we made it clear that lying to us would be an automatic spank. I
know some of you may not believe it is appropriate to spank and that is ok, but we
always gave them a chance to tell the truth and say they were sorry and if they
didn't, they knew a spank and a time out were coming. We found as we practiced
Lisa Fletcher
being parents though that we had to make adjustments to our "rule". Each of our
children were such different temperaments/personalities. One would definitely
need a spank and time out and would test us again. The other was so sensitive that I would just have to raise
my tone a bit and give a stern look and she would be confessing and in tears of repentance. So, we found that
we had to adapt to what would work for each child. What we wanted to focus on was to train them that truth
telling is a high and godly value. It is so important to God to tell the truth because when we lie we do damage
to others as well as ourselves. We wanted to get them to the place of not being perfect, because none of us
are or ever will be till we are in heaven together, but instead we wanted them to realize the harm of the lie so
that they could learn the greater lesson of repentance, forgiveness, and grace. That was our goal. To discipline
in order to profit and grow them. It is with a prayerful heart before our loving God that any of us are able to do
this well. I will be praying along with you that God will help you help your little ones to grow in His grace with
truth and love.
Class Notes
To –Do
Playdates