Featured Article: Loving Yourself

"Mommy, my face looks funny." my daughter stated matter of factly.

Startled I asked "What do you mean honey?"

"When I look in the mirror my face looks weird." she replied.

I was immediately concerned. What would make my cute four year old daughter so concerned with her looks? After I reassured her that she is perfect the way she is, she quickly changed the subject and went on playing as if nothing had happened.

I started wondering if I have something to do with her self image. I don't think I look great in the mirror either. I feel I have come a very long way from my confident self before kids. I am heavier, older, my body has taken on a shape that is unrecognizable to me.

I don't have the time or money to invest on the cute clothes, manicures, and jewelry that I used to love. My daughter knows she looks like me and if I don't like what I see in the mirror, then how do I convince her that I like what I see in her? This realization hit me like a ton of bricks. I definitely need to set an example for my daughters.

We are all beautiful in God's eyes. He created each of us just as we are.  Who am I to criticize what God has made? When I was sorting through all this I remembered the old, but true cliche that looks aren't everything and they certainly don't last. What matters is how you feel about yourself. This nobody of mine has lived 34 years and I have a few battle scars to be proud of. I have three kids to show for the stretch marks (and new body shape). I have sun spots because I love to be outside. I have scars from falling and burn scars from cooking. I have scars from living life! I have callouses on my feet because I love to dance. I have laugh lines because I love to laugh! None of these things are anything to be ashamed of. I am proud of them, I just need to start acting like it. Once I accept this body I live in, I can teach my girls to be proud of theirs. Wouldn't it be great to learn this at a young age instead of waiting until the age of 34 like me? 

I have a new outlook now. When I look in the mirror I see myself, a woman God created to be the mother of these three children and wife to my husband. I have a lot to be proud of. With God's help, I can instill these values in my daughters so they can grow up and take pride in who God made them to be.

Loving Yourself by Sarah L.

Originally published in the January 2013 Indian Creek MOPS newsletter.

My Favorite Things: TV

Want to try a new restaurant but not sure where to go?

Are you pregnant and not sure what baby products you really need?

Are you unsure of what to cook on a busy weeknight?

What better place to turn than your fellow MOPS moms for ideas?

Our new feature My Favorite Things - will give you some ideas of where to start.

Each month we will feature a different question and recommendations will be listed by other MOPS moms in the group.

This month's feature is:

What is your favorite TV show?

• Friends- Sara K.
• Son of Anarchy- Carrie M.
• Survivor - Nicki F.
• Anything cooking - Hell's Kitchen, Masterchef- Jessi C.
• Parenthood, The Office, Diners,Drive-ins and Dives - Sarah L.
• Friends, Modern Family, The League - Nicole P.
• Big Bang Theory or AGT - Lou Ann C.
• Parenthood, Modern Family, Shameless- Rachael K.

Want to contribute your ideas for our blog or newsletter? Check your MOPS folder for the My Favorite Things feature!

MOPS Cook: Potato Enchiladas

Looking for a unique Meatless Monday meal?Check out this recipe submitted by Sarah L.

Potato Enchiladas

Potato Enchiladas?  They sound a bit weird don't they?  They are actually DELICIOUS!  In Omaha, where I grew up, there are quite a few Mexican restaurants that have potato enchiladas on their menu.  My favorite (and possibly the first place to serve them) is Nettie's in Bellevue, NE.  It is owned by my husband's cousin and her family.

Just about all their food is delicious and boy is their chili spicy but if you are going to eat at Nettie's you have to try one of their potato enchiladas.  After tasting these babies you won't think they are weird anymore! 

Now, I live 3 hours away from Nettie's so I am not eating there all the time.  Sometimes when you are craving something this specific you just cannot wait until you get the time to drive 3 hours and eat it.  So, I have created a recipe that is close enough to satisfy my cravings and I hope you will try it some time.

Potato Enchiladas

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 large onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

16 oz frozen potatoes (the diced kind not shredded)

Taco seasoning

4 oz cream cheese, cubed

4 oz Velveeta, cubed

1 cup frozen peas (optional)

1 15 oz can enchilada sauce

Flour tortillas (about 8)

Shredded Colby-Jack cheese

Toppings: sour cream, salsa, green onion, black olives, whatever you like..

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x13 inch pan.

Heat oil in a skillet and saute the onion and garlic in oil until mostly done.  Add the potatoes and cook according to the package directions.  I like to get them pretty brown.  Add the peas and taco seasoning.  Heat until they are peas are cooked. Add the cut up Velveeta and cream cheese and mix until mostly blended.  It is OK if some of the potatoes get a little mashed up.  Remove from heat.

Pour a little bit of enchilada sauce on the bottom of the pan, just to cover.  Take some of your potato mixture and fill your tortilla, top with Colby-Jack cheese, roll up and place seam side down in a 9x13 inch pan.  Continue to fill the tortillas until your mixture is gone.  Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce on top.

Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes or so.  Remove foil, add more Colby-Jack cheese and put back in oven until the cheese is melted.

Let stand for 5-10 minutes.  Serve and enjoy something super yummy and unique!

Seriously - just try it!

Would you like to submit one of your favorite recipes?

Email us at indiancreekmops@gmail.com and you could be featured on the MOPS blog.

What is Your MOPPET Learning: February

While we are enjoying some time with other mothers, the kids are busy in their classes as well. 

Each month we will post a sneak peak at the MOPPETS curriculum for the 2013-14 year.  

This year the kids will be studying the Heroes of the Bible curriculum which has been a favorite in the past.

All kids in the Monkeys, Otters, Lions, Ostrich, and Giraffe classes will participate in a Bible lesson, craft, game, music, play time, short video related to the Bible lesson, (such as VeggieTales) and snack.

Here is a peek at the curriculum for the month:

February- Esther and Daniel

2/4-Lesson- God helps Esther be brave.

Story- Esther

Verse- Psalm 46:1

      Song-Esther's Song

      Kum Ba Yah

  2/19-Lesson-Daniel trusted God to hear his prayers

Story- Daniel and the lion's den

       Verse- 1 John 3:1a and Hebrews 13:6

       Song-Daniel's Rap

            Angels Watchin' Over Me

For a list of the entire MOPPETS Curriculum for the year please check out the "About MOPPETS" tab.