Tomorrow!

December 16, 2009

This month we will be exploring our roles as Ourselves.

MCB will NOT be meeting Dec. 23^rd or 30^th.

***Consider bringing a nice thank you card for your child’s teacher or a small gift as a Christmas “thank you” for their amazing dedication to our kiddos.***

Cookie Exchange: Bring as many as you like to exchange for a like number.

Start time: Kids should be dropped off for child care at 9:30. There will be two door prizes again this week! Your kids must be in their class and your name must be in the bowl by 9:40.

Interview: This week we get to learn more about Gretchen!

Blessings,

Eileen Jacobson

MCB December 9th

December 9, 2009

This month we will be exploring our roles as Ourselves.

MCB will NOT be meeting Dec. 23^rd or 30^th.

One Minute Question: How do you address the topic of “Santa” with your children?

Topic of Discussion: “Our needs” and “who am I?”.

Start time: Kids should be dropped off for child care at 9:30. There will be two door prizes again this week! Your kids must be in their class and your name must be in the bowl by 9:40 for the drawing.

Clothes Give Away: Tuesday the 8^th. Kamiyo will be giving away many items of childrens clothing. There will be some matching sibling outfits. Only a few things will have a nominal price on them. Tuesday 7pm at the Culbertsons House.

Don’t forget to check out our Blog.

http://momscoffeebreakcentral.blogspot.com/

Blessings,

Eileen Jacobson

Brand New Baby Girl Things

Thanks to those who are so willing to donate new baby girl clothing and things to a needy family. Please bring whatever you'd like to give on Wednesday.

Wed. Dec. 2nd Reminder

December 2, 2009

This month we will be exploring our roles as Ourselves.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!!!!

One Minute Question: How do you find time for yourself?

Toy Swap: Secretly raid your kiddos toys for any that they no longer play with but are still in good condition. Bring them to the next meeting to trade for new toys. If you would like to be super sneaky you can drop your kids off first then run back to your car to get the toys. We will save time in the end to stash your new acquisitions in the car before picking up your kids. This will save any heart ache from kids who see that someone has “their” toy or for you to save new toys for Christmas presents.

Topic of Discussion: Our Free-time. (I know, I know, what’s that? It’s been so long you have forgotten what it is.)

Meetings are held each Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Anacortes from 9:30 – 11:30. All ladies welcome!

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hey Girls,

A couple of weeks ago we were discussing some ways to clean with hydrogen peroxide. I noticed it's on sale this week at Walgreen's, and I just wanted to pass on the deal:

Regular price: $0.89
Sale price: 4/$1.00 with in-ad coupon (available at the entrance to the store). That's a savings of 72%! Ok, so yes, it's less than a buck to begin with, but if you're using a lot of it, that can add up. According to "my source", there doesn't appear to be a limit, but I haven't seen the actual ad yet to see for sure.

In case you didn't get to hear the tips that were discussed, here's a couple of sites that I came across tonight:
www.using-hydrogen-peroxide.com
www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/h/hydrogen-peroxide.htm

Happy H2O2!
~Trin :)

November Sonshine!

C'mon over! Bring Your Kids to NOVEMBER SONSHINE

in the Great Room at First Baptist Church

This Saturday, Nov. 14 -- 3:00 to 6:00

Indoors (rain or shine doesn't matter)

LOTS of games, prizes, puppet shows,

even door prizes (gift cards) and coffee for adults!

The kids always have a ball,

and the parents have a good time, too!

5:00 - 6:30

FREE PIZZA

6:30 - 7:30

Contemporary Music Concert

Great music for the whole family

Absolutely NO CHARGE for any of these events!

I'll be there. Hope to see you there, too!

Ann Huston

Just an Add on to Last Week

Okay, so I keep running across this poem when I get all caught up in "my stuff" and forget that God has given me these 2 precious people to raise. This is my assignment and calling for right now.
I thought of it at MCB last week and wanted to share it.

-Stacy

I Took His Hand and Followed
Mrs. Roy L. Peifer

My dishes went unwashed today,

I didn't make the bed,

I took his hand and followed

Where his eager footsteps led.

Oh yes, we went adventuring,

My little son and I...

Exploring all the great outdoors

Beneath the summer sky

We waded in a crystal stream,

We wandered through a wood...

My kitchen wasn't swept today

But life was gay and good.

We found a cool, sun-dappled glade

And now my small son knows

How Mother Bunny hides her nest,

Where jack-in-the-pulpit grows.

We watched a robin feed her young,

We climbed a sunlit hill...

Saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky,

We plucked a daffodil.

That my house was neglected,

That I didn't brush the stairs,

In twenty years, no one on earth

Will know, or even care.

But that I've helped my little boy

To noble manhood grow,

In twenty years, the whole wide world

May look and see and know.

New Links!

Look to the left!
I added the links I jotted down last week.

Enjoy!

Storvick Tomorrow

There is NO MCB tomorrow (wed 11^th).

We plan to meet at Storvik Park from 10am – 1 pm for those who would like to play and chat.

Bring a picnic lunch!

Next MCB - November 18th

November 18th, 2009

This month we will be exploring our roles as Moms.

MCB will NOT be meeting next week, November 11^th,

or November 25^th.

One Minute Question: Do one crazy, mess, spontaneous thing with your kids this week. How did it go?

Topic of Discussion: Creating a quality Parent-Child relationship that will last.

November Sonshine: This is a fabulous kids indoor carnival on Nov 14^th from 3 – 6pm. This family celebration of Jesus will have games, prizes & hotdogs. Everything is provided FREE of charge. The church will be collecting non perishable donations for the food bank. Located in the large recreation room at First Baptist Church.

Don’t forget to check out our Blog.

http://momscoffeebreakcentral.blogspot.com/

Snacks: Please feel free to bring any snacks that you would like to share with the group at any time.

Donations: MCB asks for a donation of $1 per child in the childcare program, up to $3 maximum, each week. (So if you have 4 children then you still only donate $3.) Our goal is to have at least $15 donated each week to cover cost of kid’s supplies and snacks. There will be a donation container, provided each week, in the center table. Thank you in advance!

Start time: Kids should be dropped off for child care at 9:30. We will begin discussion at 9:40.

Coffee: Please help yourself to coffee in the kitchen. J

Please invite a friend or neighbor. Don’t be shy. Aren’t you glad you were invited?

Meetings are held each Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Anacortes from 9:30 – 11:30. All ladies welcome!

Coming up November 4th

November 4th, 2009

This month we will be exploring our roles as Moms.

One Minute Question: What are your favorite FREE activites to do with your children?

Interview: We will be learning more about Kristy Barney!

Topic of Discussion: Taking time to enjoy our children.

THIS SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!! Safe Harbor Four Square Church will be hosting a Fall party for the family the night of Oct 31^st as an alternative to Trick-or-Treating. Everyone is invited. The party starts at 6pm. Feel free to dress up in “non-scary” costumes. Charlotte’s Web (with Dakota Fanning) will be playing, starting at 6:45. There will also be hotdogs, popcorn, candy and games. Everything is provided FREE of charge.

November Sonshine: This is a fabulous kids indoor carnival on Nov 14^th from 3 – 6pm. This family celebration of Jesus will have games, prizes & hotdogs. Everything is provided FREE of charge. The church will be collecting non perishable donations for the food bank. Located in the large recreation room at First Baptist Church.

Snacks: Please feel free to bring any snacks that you would like to share with the group at any time.

Donations: MCB asks for a donation of $1 per child in the childcare program, up to $3 maximum, each week. (So if you have 4 children then you still only donate $3.) Our goal is to have at least $15 donated each week to cover cost of kid’s supplies and snacks. There will be a donation container, provided each week, in the center table. Thank you in advance!

Start time: Kids should be dropped off for child care at 9:30. We will begin discussion at 9:40.

Coffee: Please help yourself to coffee in the kitchen.

Please invite a friend or neighbor. Don’t be shy. Aren’t you glad you were invited?

Need a New Post?

Hi gals! I just was getting tired of not seeing anything new here, so I thought I would add a little update.
I hope everyone is enjoying a nice weekend, maybe some St. Mary's Fest action and reveling in school being out - wahoo! I know I am!

Don't forget that Tuesdays are Bowman Bay play days. Bring a lunch, blanket, sunscreen, and play-in-the-sand/water-gear (optional). Its just a great opportunity to get out in the summer bliss and enjoy connecting with other moms and kids. Its a come when you can, stay as long as you want, kind if thing. I am usually there roughly 11-2.

See you then!

www.mealbaby.com/

Hi, ladies:
We're attending a church with lots of young families out here in Indy. Hence, lots of new babies! This website is what our church meal coordinator uses for meal sign ups. Thought it would be handy for MCB moms as I know a few babies who are due very soon! ;)

Proverbs 31 - May 9, 2009

I don't think I'll be going, but if some of you want to go, keep an eye out for each other, or carpool and grab a table together to share breakfast. Got an email from Prov. 31 in my inbox, sending it on to the group. Enjoy - Amylynn

Hi Ladies,
Oops!! Have you forgotten to register for our next meeting which is just 10 days away? Well, it's not too late. But you'd better get on over to the website at www.prov31u.com

and register today!!

Also, just like the army, we're always looking for a few good men!! If happen to know any who would be interested in helping out - say a men's group, youth group, husbands, sons or even a boy scout group - please give Max Dudley an email at maxdudley30@hotmail.com .

And don't forget, be sure and invite that special women in your life - we'll be blessing them in a special way! When you register, be sure to let us know who she is and why she's so special to you in the comment box on the registration page.

Hope to see you Saturday, May 9th! What better way to spend Mother's Day weekend!!!!
Blessings,
Proverbs 31 U

For Facebook Junkies

A group has been started called "Skagit Valley Mom's Network." The idea is to have most of the area family friendly events listed on a calendar so we can stay in the loop. Free events, children's sports events, pay events, community garage sales or specific garage sales with children's items, etc.

Hope you join, and if you don't see your event

Shelter Bay Community Garage Sale

It looks like the SB garage sale weekend is the first weekend in June, the 5th and 6th. I'll be in Virginia that weekend otherwise I'd invite you scavenger hunters by for coffee - dang!

Back from the Printer!

Okay ladies, the recipes are in and copied off. Aren't you curious what fabulous contributions your fellow moms made to the Great Recipe Exchange???? See you Wednesday...

A good wife can bring balance to your life!

He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the LORD. Proverbs 18:22

Wisdom from Gary Smalley's wife, Norma

Welcome, from Gary Smalley & the Smalley Relationship Center
Go to Smalley Relationship Center

Welcome

Stop Fighting Me!

Years ago, I was obsessed with the ministry I was in. My wife Norma argued about it and I realized I had made ministry an idol. She gave up and stopped fighting me about my obsession and it unleashed a powerful force in my life, though neither of us understood it at the time.

Independent of me, Norma learned how to get in line and bring her needs to God. Rather than complain to me, she prayed, "Lord, thank you that all I need is you. You know I want a good relationship with Gary and that I want him to spend more time with the kids and me. I'm going to stop fighting Gary and instead ask you either to change him or help me see what your will is."

Remember I am the one that needed the help. But she stopped expecting life from me and started looking to God. The results were startling. I noticed the change almost immediately. When I came home from work, I sensed a calm spirit in her. Norma's face was peaceful, no longer tense.

I couldn't keep from asking what had happened. "Gary, I got tired of fighting you," she explained calmly. "I realized that I wasn't trusting God concerning our marriage and family, and so I decided to stop complaining and start praying."

Imagine what that did to me. I was convicted that my priorities were out of balance. Once we're into the habit of seeking fulfillment from the world, we won't learn overnight to look to God as the source of life. It took Norma and me months before looking to the Lord became our natural, first response, and we still catch ourselves focusing on someone or something other than God.

Where are you looking today for your source of happiness?

Blessings,


Gary (& Norma) Smalley
Editor, Smalley Relationship Center

Super Simple Spring Suppers Are Here!!!

Super Simple Meal Exchange

We all know how overwhelming and tedious making dinner can be.

Let's all help each other out!

If we each make our favorite meal, multiple times, we can easily swap meals and have many fabulous choices for dinner.

Just think, if we have 14 ladies participate then you don’t have to make dinner for two whole weeks!

Super Simple Rules

• Your meal must freeze well.
• Your meal must feed at least 4 adults.
• Your meal must contain meat.
• Your meal must be in a "disposable" container. (so there is nothing to return)

Here is a Super Simple Example

I plan to make my "family favorite" casserole. I will put all the ingredients into a gallon Zip-Lock bag and then double-bag it with the instructions and ingredient list between the two bags. I will then freeze each meal flat in the freezer so that it will store easily in someone else's freezer. You only have to thaw the meal in the bag and dump it into a Corning ware dish and cook. Ta-da, dinner made easy! And what a variety we will have.

There is NO commitment beyond making this one meal. Please contact Stacy by the end of this week if you want to be on the list and on your on your way to weeks of Super Simple Dinners. I will get a count of participants and will email you with a date for exchanging. I am guessing it will be easiest to exchange on a Wednesday morning since most of us have that blocked out on our calendar already.

This offer is not exclusive. Please invite your neighbors and friends to be a part of it. We don't have to all know each other to exchange meals.

Won’t it be great with these long beautiful spring evenings to be able to throw something in the oven, go out for a walk, or play in the park, and come home to DINNER!

Mmmmm! Looking forward to hearing from you!

Last Call For Recipes

Hi Ladies! I am still holding out that a few more of you have recipes to share with the group. After I make the packet, we will be sharing it as a group, so you can have a few minutes to talk about and/or further explain whatever you have contributed. If we all add something, it will be great. “Tips or Tricks” you have for in the kitchen would also be a fun addition.

Let’s extend the deadline a little… Please have your contributions to me by this Friday, March 20^th.

Share your Recipe Secrets!

Hi ladies! Its recipe exchange time!

Do you have a favorite or fool proof recipe that you'll share with the rest of us to shake up our meal planning monotony?

Please email or hard copy me 1 or 2 recipes by March 18th . I will photocopy you a packet of what I receive and we'll all have a few new cooking/baking tricks up our sleeves.

Thanks!

Stacy

Parents alert after attempted kidnapping at Skagit Co. park

Parents alert after attempted kidnapping at Skagit Co. park

05:02 PM PST on Tuesday, March 3, 2009

By ROB PIERCY / KING 5 News

BURLINGTON, Wash. - Parents are on alert after police say a man groped and tried to kidnap a girl from Skagit River Park, a popular place for parents to bring their children.

It happened Sunday afternoon, when an 11-year old girl at the park with her family got cold and decided warm up in the family car.

Once she was inside and just out of sight of her parents, a man driving a car pulled up alongside.

When the girl got out, the man jumped out and started groping her.

"And tried to grab her as she walked away; she screamed," Burlington Police Detective Scott Butler said.

The man let her go, ran back to his car and sped away.

The girl was OK but frightened, and so are parents.

Police don't have a lot to go on.

The girl described her attacker as a white man in his 40s wearing a cap.

Police have been looking at known sex offenders in the area, but so far have come up empty.

The young girl also told police there was a car seat in the back of the attacker's car, holding what appeared to be a toddler.

Anyone with information should call the police.

Commercial for Ebates.com

Hey all...

When we were talking about saving money, Ebates.com came up again!! I remember telling some of you about this website last year, but some were skeptical.  Then Amylynn brought it up this year, it IS a really useful site!! 

Here is how you do it:

Go to Ebates.com.  Sign up.  You just use your email address and create a password.  They are also going to have you enter in your home address and info so they know where to send your rebate check when it comes time to cash in.  You can also donate it to charity if you like.  : )  You can also enter in either Amylynn's or my email address.  Then we get a few bucks for signing you up!!  You will also get some money just for signing up.  If you are confused about how it works, they have a place on their website that explains it. Over the last  2 years, I've gotten almost $200 back!! They have a ton of stores, here are some.....

Babys/Toys R Us, Kohls, Kmart/Sears, JCPenney, Target, Walmart, Macy's, Ebay!, iTunes (& Apple Store), Barnes & Nobles, Cabela's, Joe's Sporting Goods, Eddie Bauer, Land's End, LL Bean...

You name it, it's probably in there! Anything from 1-8% cash back, or free shipping.. it all adds up!

Ebates.com

Kristy or Amylynn's email : please refer to Eileen's email sheet :) 

Links and Subscribing

I just posted some links and I would love to do more if anyone has more to share. I also put the subscribe to buttons up. It doesn't work like I thought it would though. If you subsribe to one, the updates go to a central webpage. It would work well if you have several blogs that you check. Then you can go to one website to view them.
Hope everyone is doing well. It's been a while since we've seen you!

Kristy, from your photos on Facebook, looks like you had a good Super Bowl party. Which team were you rooting for? I cheered for the Steeler who ran the 100 yds, but then booed him when he started beating up on a Cardinal player. Since we lived in Arizona for 11 years, we naturally were for the Cardinal and were so disappointed when they came "this close" to winning but still lost.

Cha 1 & 2

We will be discussing cha 1& 2 this wednesday! Covenant Marriage by Chapman

-Eileen

ok, so this is random. But I have been looking to replace my pots and pans for ages. I just could not find any that i liked. I did not want to get stainless steel and have all my food stick. I also did not want to get "non stick" since that was what I had and I really wanted to get away from the chemicals in non-stick. So I was in a quandry while my pot handles were falling off and my lids were breaking.

Well, walking through Fred Meyer, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted an "eco" friendly looking tag on a pot. I passed it and then decided to go back. It was a pan that claimed to be 99% recycled and non stick with out ANY chemicals. The non-stick part was all powdered ceramic. So since it was marked down and then also another 25% off of that, I decided to get it.

I gave it the ulitmate test with eggs and cheese. I put cheese on top of the eggs then flipped the "omlet" over so the cheese was directly on the pan. it totally slid off with no issues!!!! Being incredibly impressed, i decided to check out their web site and brace myself for the cost of an entire set. I was again totally impressed. From their non chemical choices there are two sets. One is $200 for a full set and the other $400 but on sale for $250 with free shipping on all purchases over $59.

So here is the info. I have never come across any non-stick non-chemical pots and pans before. And you are helping the environment. starfrit.com - choose english - then on the left hand side choose any options under the "ceram-eco coating".

The one that i bought at FM was the eco-chef fry pan. And it was way cheeper at FM. The two sets are the "chef" or the "alternative". Check them out. I am totally impressed.

-Eileen

Anyone up for checking out Little Leaps?

Stacy told us about Little Leaps (http://littleleapsbabygym.com/index.html) in a previous post. I'm going to Oak Harbor on Tuesday, Feb. 3 to drop of my external hard drive (please keep this in your thoughts and prayers, I am praying that 9 years of photos can be restored by taking the hard drive apart and installing it in another casing)

So.. while wonderful Josh is working on my hard drive, I was thinking of checking out Little Leaps. It will have to be kind of early - I am planning on dropping off the hard drive at 9 a.m. and being at LL when they open at 9:30. I can stay for a little over an hour - another one of my children arrives home at noon on the school bus.

I don't know how much it costs or if they sell coffee, but if anyone feels up for adventure with me, let me know!

-Amylynn

A bunch of sickies and an awesome soother...

Hey Everybody!
Yes, we are all sick at my house. The sickest we've been in a long time! All three girls got pinkeye, and the baby has an ear infection and possibley neumonia! We are all being medicated now, so I think we're on the mend, hopefully. Maybe it's because we went to Chuck E. Cheese, Jungle Playland and the free mall toys all last week. You never know, I'm just thinkin' maybe that's it! Not good planning on my part, since we were supposed to have two birthday parties this week for my girls. Anyway...
So we went to the doctor (Skagit Natural Family Medicine) and they gave us this idea to get the bathroom steamy and use essential oils to help clear the air passages out. I used it myself today and took a hot steamy shower and put some lavendar and eucalyptus essential oils in a pot of boiling water to have in the bathroom with me. They were so great and really cleared me up for a while. It doesn't last forever, but it was so nice while I was in the bathroom and kept me clear for a while. I never realized that essential oils could actually help clear you up, I just thought they were some fru fru smelly things. : )
So I don't know when we'll be back around ya'll hopefully next Wed, but I wouldn't be surprised if we aren't completely well and need to wait another week!
Hope you are all well!
Ari

pray for me

I'm going through some complicated stuff with my parents....  and sister.  VERY dysfunctional!! I don't want to get into it and bore you all.   I would appreciate it if you could keep me in your prayers.  I need direction, patience, and wisdom!!  

New website for moms and kids

My daughter-in-law told me about a new website that she thinks is fantastic for moms with kiddos -- www.jellytelly.com -- it's a new website by Phil Vischer (of Veggie Tales fame). Check it out and see what you think -- I gather it's full of games and other ideas.

Looking for work, but mostly prayer!

Many of you know that my Husband, Kyle is A Commercial Fisherman and he is currently gone fishing crab on the Washington Coast. But until the crabs are harvested and the captain cuts him a check we are completly out of money! I am looking for any kind of part time work ie. childcare, housekeeping, odd jobs, etc. Could you all please pray for me to find something and let me know if you have any ideas. P.S. could you please pray for my marriage as well, because it is in crisis and I am relying on prayers these days! Thank You So Much!
Bethany Crews

order your book now!

Please order your new book today!!
We will begin our new book in February.
Please purchase yours today!
Covenant Marriage: Building Communication and Intimacy by Gary Chapman

-Eileen

Baked Oatmeal

Help!

I have had a recipe casualty!!!

Last spring Joni contributed a Baked Oatmeal recipe in the recipe exchange that was a HUGE hit with my family. I especially loved it and I'm having a serious craving for it these days. Somehow, it's disappeared and I CAN'T find it... Can you help me?

Calling all casserole queens...

Hey, ladies~
This is the time of year I love staying at home and experimenting with new recipes. :) Especially if they are kid friendly, freeze well, inexpensive and are EASY! This is one that meets all 4 criteria so I have to share! (Note: I gave it to Joni over the phone and she made it for her extended family in Florida...it got thumbs up by everyone. It is Emma's (age 9) new favorite...to eat and make.)

Taco Casserole
Line bottom of a 9x13 pan with 1 can refrigerated crescent rolls. layer the following: 1 can refried beans, 1 lb. ground beef (browned with taco seasoning,) 16 oz sour cream and 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese. Top with crumbled taco chips. Bake at 350 for 30 min. Let cool, cut into squares, top with lettuce, tomato, salsa, etc & serve.

The first time I had this, it had been frozen and was delicious. I like to make two at a time, eat one for dinner that night and freeze the other one (uncooked.) I also don't put the taco chips on the one I freeze until I'm ready to bake it. I also add one can of black beans to the hamburger, as I love adding fiber to my family's diet whereever I can and it can stretch the meal out for 2 dinners! Whoo hoo! A night off of cooking...does it get better than that???

If anyone has any easy, cheap, freezer & kid-friendly recipes to share (especially casseroles) please post! Joy to you all from -10 degrees (!) in Indy... julie :)

Little Leaps

Okay ladies! Here is the gym in Oak Harbor that I mentioned this morning. Its called Little Leaps Baby and Toddler Gym. Check it out! They have drop in play groups, open gym play times, classes, etc. I have heard great things about it from other moms.

Maybe those of us with wee folk should plan an "outing" in the next few weeks and test the place out :)

Wahoo!!!

Ladies, we are SO techy! This is such a great set up - see you all on Wed.

Stacy

Thanks for setting this up Ari!!!!! I have never blogged before. I cant even navigate my email issues. we'll see how i do with this. am I the first to post? cool.

Welcome Moms!

Hey Everybody!
I just got this blog up and working! Hopefully this was easy to find from the instructions I sent you. The goal is to have this be a place to keep the Mom's Coffee Break info central for us all. Please let me (Ari) know if there's something I can do to make this better! Hope you are all having a good week!