A Moment for Your Monday: Legacy

My family recently attended the funeral of my husband's grandfather - the man our son is named after. In his lifetime, he earned five degrees, was a missionary to Hong Kong, founded a hospital there, served as a surgeon and chief of staff at a hospital in St. Paul, MN after returning to the states, and wrote a walk-through-the-Bible-in-a-year book - to name just a few. He was father of 10, father-in-law to 10, grandfather to 48, grandfather-in-law to 9, and great-grandfather to 16.

As we gathered with the incredible numbers of family, friends, and church members to remember Grandpa's life, it was very clear that he left an incredible legacy here on earth when he went to be with Jesus. I don't think any of his family would call him perfect - his oldest son summed up his life by saying, "Dad wasn't perfect, but he kept getting better" - but I learned some lessons from him about leaving a Godly legacy for my children and, someday, grandchildren:

He spent individual time. During the family service, grandchild after grandchild stood to share stories of the special one-on-one time Grandpa had spent with them. My own husband remembers times like these. He even called every one of them (remember - there were 48) by their first and middle names. I've seen him and Grandma do this with my own son. It was clear that each one was special to him, and he showed it by singling them out for attention. As a mother, I want to show my children individual attention and love when I can.

He made God priority. In every part of his life, he lived out the idea that God came first. From going back to school - not once, not twice, but three times to fill a much-needed roll in the mission field - to praying about every single decision, he did what God called him to. He didn't make excuses for decisions, and he didn't bow to anyone's expectations but God's. My husband summed up Grandpa's life shortly before he died: "This is a man who, for 86 years, has been running hard in everything he did straight for God. And now he's about to finally see his Goal face-to-face." Will my children be able to say the same of my life? Will they say that I ran hard after God with everything I had?

He brought God home. Reading the Bible and singing songs of praise (specifically, hymns, in this family) was an every-day occurrence in Grandpa's home. I think it's safe to say that each of his children have some fond - and many not-so-fond - memories of these times (they did happen at 5:30 AM every morning...). But I think it's also very clear that each of them, and subsequently their families, knows the truths of God well. They have much of Scripture hidden in their hearts and they share it with their own children. Are the words of God frequented in my home? Are the praises of God on my children's lips?

Leaving a legacy for our children is a big challenge as a momma. Some days we fail. Some days it seems insurmountable. But some days it's encouraging to see a real-life example and tangible ways to set about it. The best part? God wants you to succeed! He's behind you as you work, each day, to build that legacy!

What are some ways your family has left a legacy for you? What are some ways you work to leave a legacy for your children?

Pediatrician Follow-Up

Our last speaker, Whitney Dee - a fellow MOPS mom and pediatrician, has taken the time to put together her notes and add some great informational links to what she shared at our last meeting. Thanks Whitney!

Dental Care

http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-care-for-your-babys-gums-and-emerging-teeth_126.bc

*teething: 

-saliva production starts at 2-4 months; 

-average age to start is 6mo; 

-most complete by age 3 (20 teeth including “2 year old molars”), then 6 year old molars, 12 year old molars

-symptoms include increased drooling, chewing, gum swelling/irritation, sleep problems, fussiness....and nothing!

-cold washcloths, teething toys, gum massage; caution re: numbing gels (can impair safe swallowing), teething tablets (some have ingredients that can alter the baby's electrolytes)

-why more colds, etc? one theory distract immune system and increased rates of illness

*losing primary teeth starts around 6 years old

*taking care of teeth:

-first visit depends on dentist: some say at first tooth, others say when there is a problem or when they can cooperate with the exam - check with your dentist

-brush starting at first tooth, floss when there are multiple teeth (just to get in the habit)

-brush after last milk - leaving milk sugar during a full night of sleep can lead to “bottle rot” 

-brushing “position” (sit on the floor with the child's head between the "V" of your legs, can use your legs to pin their shoulders down too if needed)

-help until age 8 years: kids do not have the fine motor skills to adequately brush their teeth until then

Extras

Safe sleep (blanket in crib) Blankets are safe after 12 months (as are pillows), but technically *nothing* else is supposed to be in the crib.  We've loved the blanket sleepers even into the toddler years:

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=538549&cmSource=Search

http://www.babycenter.com/baby-sleep-safety

http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/AAP-Expands-Guidelines-for-Infant-Sleep-Safety-and-SIDS-Risk-Reduction.aspx

What is your professional opinion on immunizations? Too long for a blog!!  Bottom line, I support the current schedule of immunizations.  Here are some websites for more info:

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/

http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/AAP-2012-Childhood-and-Adolescent-Immunization-Schedule.aspx

http://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/Common-Myths-about-Immunizations.aspx

Causes for younger kids to need glasses: are genetics a big part or too much tv/video games?

-genetics are a big part, otherwise the causes are mostly acquired like lazy eye, etc.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_eye-examinations-for-toddlers_1437479.bc

Child's feet often peely or cracked under her toes. The internet said athlete's foot is stinky and hers aren't...should I treat with something? Worry?

-juvenile plantar dermatitis “sweaty sock syndrome”; wet/dry, treat with emollients (heavy lotions like aquaphor), frequent sock changes; could try OTC steroids; athlete's foot involves toe webs and you would treat with OTC antifungals for 4-6 weeks (!)

Child has a red “freckle” like spot on her cheek that's been there for months. It's not a scab or a bump – feels smooth to touch

 -This is hard to diagnose without seeing it in person, so I would get it checked by your doctor.  Common possibilities include an hemangioma or cherry angioma

Coming Up

*For Operation Christmas Child details, click here.*

It's a big week coming up at Two Rivers MOPS! Here's what's going on:

MOPS Meeting
Our first meeting of November will be this coming Tuesday, the 13th. As usual, feel free to come starting at 9:15 to check your kids into MOPPETS and get some coffee and goodies before we get started. We are really excited about our speaker, Jess Griz, who is right in the trenches with young children with us! For more information about Jess, check out her blog.

Moms' Night Out

When: Tuesday, November 13, 7-9pm

Where: Jessie Ostrowski's house, 11421 Old Colony Pkwy, 37934

What to bring: Please bring either a Hors d'eoeuvre or dessert to share

RSVP: katiecteague@gmail.com or on the Two Rivers MOPS Facebook group page

Feel free to call Jessie:  630-512-1484 if you have any trouble finding the house.

Operation Christmas Child

Don't forget to bring your packed Operation Christmas Child boxes with you to our meeting on Tuesday! If you can't make it to the meeting, you can bring your boxes to church this Sunday or next, or drop them by the church office 9-5 Monday-Thursday, 9-3 Friday of next week. 

We can't wait to see all of you soon!

Operation Christmas Child

We are excited to announce that Two Rivers MOPS will once again be partnering with Children's Ministries and all of Two Rivers Church to participate in collecting shoe box gifts for Operation Christmas Child.

Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian relief and aid organization, that shares the love of Jesus with underprivileged children around the world through simple Christmas gifts. This is a great, easy, way for you and your family to give back at Christmas time and teach your little ones about giving to others.

Here's how you can participate:

• Fill a shoe box... or several! Have your children help. Create a family assembly line one night around the dining room table, or have each child fill a box for a child their own age and gender. You can find more information on what to include in your boxes here. Be sure to label what age and gender your box is packed for!
• Fill out the form. You can fill out a paper form and include it with your box along with the $7 recommended donation for shipping costs, or you can register your box online to get a tracking number and follow your box around the world to its final destination!
• Drop your box off at Two Rivers Church between November 3 & 18. There will be tables in the lobby and the children's ministry wing during those weeks. If you can't make it on a Sunday morning, you can drop your boxes off during office hours throughout the week (9-5 Monday-Thursday and 9-3 Friday), or you can bring it to our next MOPS meeting on November 13. 

It's that easy! Have you participated in Operation Christmas Child in the past? What has been your experience? How have you used it to teach your children about giving during the Christmas season?

Fall Leaf Garland

While scrolling through fun fall art projects recently, I came across this idea for a fall leaf garland craft. It was easy, cheap, and required supplies that I would bet a lot of you already have on hand - definitely a must for family crafting in my book! I knew I wanted to share it with you. But to make it a little more fun, I thought I would try this one myself first and show you the process!

I started by drawing leaves onto coffee filters. Mine were the brown, unbleached kind. They worked just fine, but white filters probably would have produced brighter leaves in the end. 

And just to show you that yes, you can craft with little bitties, here's Gavrel with his watercolors - he's 18 months old.

In all fairness, he was far more interested in dipping the paintbrush in the water cup than actually painting the leaves. He did manage to make it through all 12 leaves - 6 coffee filters - before signing "all done."

This step wasn't in the original directions, but I thought it would be fun to add the letters for "happy fall" to our garland. 

I just free-handed our letters, but it would be just as east to type them up, print them off onto card stock, and cut them out from there. I cut all these out while Gav was painting our leaves.

Once the leaves were dried, I cut them out and punched holes through them and each of my letters. Then I strung them all on a piece of yarn. The original directions say to knot off each leaf, but I just double-threaded each piece and it worked out fine.

Since it's so light-weight, I just used Scotch tape to hang it from our mantle. Isn't that fun?

With older kids, you could let them do the stringing. It's great for hand-eye coordination, my little-bit just isn't quite there yet!

My favorite part is that I can tell guests that Gavrel made it himself! :-) Happy Fall everyone!

Recipe: Bringing Starbucks Home

Are you trying to get your fill of Pumpkin Spice lattes while they last? Here's a great, easy way to get your fix without leaving home or busting your wallet. You'll probably even have enough to share!

photo source

Try out this crock pot pumpkin spice latte recipe next time you have a girlfriend or a group over. 

And while you're at it...

photo source

Why not throw in some pumpkin maple coffee cake, too?

Enjoy your homemade coffee shop experience!

A Moment for Your Monday

Choices seem to be a daily obstacle as moms: we have to make choices about how to spend our time, what to get done (or not get done), how to feed our little ones, what toys to give them, how to handle meltdowns and tantrums, and even just what color socks to put on them. That's not even to mention bigger decisions like working, schooling, spiritual training, safety or health concerns. We are bombarded every day.

Add to that the pressure we feel from reading blogs, scrolling through Facebook or Pinterest, talking to our pediatricians, or just watching other mom friends. And then it creeps in.

Fear. 

What if my child is forever afraid of being outside because I worry about her touching things and getting sick? What if my child doesn't learn to read in time because I just don't have the energy when I get home from work to play all those cool educational games with him? What if my children develop some horrible disease in adulthood because I didn't buy all organic groceries or I let them play with plastic toys? What if I am just a horrible mother because I wasn't able to breastfeed?

Do any of those sound familiar? What do you fear? What keeps you up at night? What thoughts creep in when you least expect them?

Today, during a moment of your Monday, consider this truth from your Father:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 

-2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

Fear is not from God! Let me say that again, because I want you to hear it - fear is NOT from God! It is the result of a sinful, broken world and an enemy who wants to destroy anything good in us. Because the truth is: mothering is good. That intense love you have for your children, that desire to give them the best all the time - it's part of God's Fatherly heart reflected in you, and it is very good.

The fear? That's not part of God's heart at all. 

So trust in this: you are doing your best for your children. I know it, because I know it's God's heart in you for them. By all means - learn, grow, be inspired, and try new things. But when you can't do everything your neighbor does or you're too tired some days to do any more than survive, fear not! Trust yourself, and trust the God who loves and looks out for you and your children.

Today I commit to not mothering out of fear. Will you join me?