Confessions Of A Clutter Queen

I haven’t made any new years resolutions. I was way to busy juggling the holidays & life... then all of a sudden- poof! Why hello there 2013. So in lieu of official goals, I’m going to follow Fly Lady’s tips & cleaning habits that she’ll be (hopefully permanently) instilling on my (baby)brain.

I totally want an old school egg timer. Something with a satisfying DING-done. However, you can use an online timer like me here: www.online-stopwatch.com and together let’s tackle some clutter.

15 minutes every day find somewhere new in your house. Purse, car (ahem, cough), kitchen island, etc. Only start if you can get the job done in 15 minutes. Everything you pickup- put it away or, decide to toss it in the garbage, or donate/gift it.

Let’s do this!

:)

10 Parenting Resolutions For All Of Us

Masking Tape Race Track -

easy peasy pennies pleasing

(or use blue painter’s tape for wood floors)

Messes Make Memories

Boxes are for storage: Play Palace, Boat, Race Car, Fort, Truck, Hide & Seek, House...

BETTER MOMS MAKE A BETTER WORLD

BitterrootMOPS Connection | January 2012

Like everyone else this time of year leads me to reflect upon my life and think about what things I want to change going forward. Of course I would love to eat better, exercise more, and a whole host of other things that most of say we would like to do, yet fail to make a priority over and over again.

I want to be better parent.  Honestly, who doesn’t?  I am sure none of us have reached a place where we feel we have perfected this parenting thing.  I don’t think such perfection even exists.  But every day I still try, not to reach perfection, but...

10 Parenting Resolutions For All Of Us

1.

{Cont from page 1}... not to reach perfection, but to do the best I can and to learn to appreciate the imperfect.

I am not going to say I will do crafts, or embrace the indoor use of glitter. Nor will I listen to “kid” music in my car. But I am going to try to be more conscious of the parenting choices that I make. So my resolutions for this year aren’t lofty. I don’t plan on leaving [2012] with a list of resolutions I haven’t even considered since January third.

1: Yell less. It never works anyway, does it? There is always a better option. Unless, of course you are trying to be heard above a speeding train heading right for your child, then by all means yell.

2: Listen more. it is amazing how much strife can be avoided if people, not just parents, took the time to listen rather than just react. The things I beat myself up for the most are the times I when I completely overreacted to a situation that could have been avoided if I had only taken a step back and listened to what my children were really saying to me.

3: Savor the small moments. Read the bedtime story, even though it is past their bedtime. Play the game, even though you think it might cause your brain to spill out of your ears. Sit with your teenagers late at night while they eat a snack at the kitchen table. These are the small moments that you don’t think anyone will remember. And perhaps they won’t remember them, but they will remember how you made them feel during their childhood. Do you want them to remember feeling like a burden, an annoying distraction? Or do you want them to remember feeling cherished?

4: The little things matter. Show them how much you care. Whether it is just looking at them in the eye with a smile on your face when they come home from school, or rubbing their arm as you walk past them. I often text my older kids during the day to tell them something that I think they will find funny. Or I will buy some small treat, and I mean small, and leave it for them on their bed. Just a tiny something to let them know that they are special even in a crowd of a family.

5: Acknowledge that some battles on are not worth fighting. After all, they need photos of poorly chosen haircuts and clothes to laugh at later in life.

6: Parent as if no one is watching. There are times it is tempting to just give in on your personal beliefs or ideals so as to not make a scene. Let the scene happen. It won’t be pleasant. But in the long run, you’ll be thankful you didn’t cave in because you were worried about what your neighbor would  think.

7: Parent as if everyone is watching. You wouldn’t scream and yell at your children in public, why do it in private.  Watch your tone of voice.

8: Unplug.   If you are behind a screen, you are not interacting.

9: Play.  Be silly.  Act like a child.  Have fun with your kids.  

10: Enjoy. Enjoy your kids more. Enjoy your life more. This is probably the most challenging. But personally, I am tired of complaining when really I have nothing to complain about.

Written by Chris Jordan, shared via AlphaMom.com

Quiz: Which celebrity mom fits your style?by Lindsay Weiss

1. If you could go on a big shopping spree, you'd come home with:A. Hippie-chick shirts, faded jeans, flowing sundresses, textured scarves, and chunky bracelets.B. Fitted, plunging tops and designer skinny jeans, animal-print belts and bags, a sexy siren-red dress, and four pairs of really high heelsC. Two more pairs of your favorite jeans, plain fitted tees in a variety of colors, some cute cotton undergarments, and a colorful spring jacketD. The entire spring line from Dior and a few things from the designer collection at Neimans. Oh, and the must-have Balenciaga bag and five or six pairs of Louboutins.E. Velour sweats, pretty peasant blouses, some stylish flip-flops and sneakers.

2. Smile! For this year's family photo theme, you're going with:A. Candid beach shotsB. T-shirts and tattoos (real ones for you, fake for the kids)C. All-American family out in the countryD. Black-and-white portraits with a sleek city skyline as the backdropE. Whatever happens to be in the background when the baby smiles

3. It's finally time for your long-awaited hair appointment. What are you going to ask for?A. Just a snip here and there — you like your hair long and naturalB. Something dramatic — either platinum blond all over or a few pink highlights, depending on your moodC. Your usual — a trim and discreet highlights to frame your faceD. A brand-new 'do — maybe a sleek, classy bob or something equally chicE. Low maintenance — cute, easy, and long enough to pull into a ponytail

4. Your family dream car is:A. A refurbished VW bus with plenty of room and more attitude than a 2-year-old!B. A candy-apple-red sports car with bucket seats for the kidsC. A fully loaded minivan, complete with dual DVDs and rotating captain's chairsD. A shiny black Mercedes station wagon — accompanied by a chauffeurE. Forget the family-mobile — you're happy sticking with your current car

5. Your idea of quality time with your kids is:A. Laughing hysterically and collapsing in a group hugB. An afternoon filled with good food, good friends, and good musicC. Enjoying some of your favorite traditions — even the simple ones like family game night and bedtime storiesD. Once-in-a-lifetime experiences together, like visiting the pyramids or taking a swim with dolphinsE. Those quiet little moments during pregnancy when you feel your baby kick — or when your newborn stares into your eyes, smiles, and is content with the world

6. It's your turn to host a play-date for your moms' group. In an ideal world, you'd:A. Throw some snacks in a bag and head outside — the outdoors are a playground!B. Take the kids to see a local band and arrange to go backstage to talk to the musicians.C. Find a craft or game the kids can do together and get all the fixings for a cookie-decorating buffetD. Rent out your local indoor playground for a private session and have sushi deliveredE. Put out some cheese and crackers for the moms and let the kids entertain themselves

Mostly A The Free Spirit — Like celeb mommies Kate Hudson and Maggie Gyllenhaal, you're a laid-back, go-with-the-flow kind of gal. You prefer to let your natural beauty shine through and to wear clothes that are colorful and comfortable. As a mom, you're focused on giving your kids the freedom to express themselves and the space to develop their own way of being in the world. Your kids appreciate your low-stress take on life and your ability to inject fun and lightheartedness into almost any situation.

Mostly B The Rocker: Bursting with edgy style, you're most like rockin' moms Gwen Stefani and Christina Aguilera. You feel naked without your eyeliner and lipstick, and you change your hair color frequently — and we're not talking subtle changes. The kids on the playground dream of being as cool as your kids, who always create the most amazing art projects and think nothing of doing their homework in unusual venues as they tag along on family adventures. You know that education extends far beyond the four walls of a school.

Mostly C Keeping It Real: You've got all-American style and traditional parenting norms to match, like celeb moms Reese Witherspoon, & Jennifer Garner. Your favorite everyday look is your broken-in jeans and a cute T-shirt, and your hair is usually twisted back into an unfussy knot or ponytail. As a mom, you're not afraid to get your hands dirty or take on a challenge — whether you're digging in the mud with your kids or whipping up cookies for the entire class. You're usually a calm disciplinarian who can handle even the craziest of tantrums.

Mostly D Posh, Posh, Posh: You enjoy living the high life — much like celeb moms Victoria Beckham, Katie Holmes. Always dressed to the nines, you'd sooner be caught dead than wearing something frumpy. You're by far the most stylish mom you know, and you take great pride in providing the highest-quality goods and experiences for your little ones. You're generous to a fault, and not just with material things — you have a huge heart and are happy to give time and energy to your kids and others. Though they may be the envy of their classmates, your children are surprisingly down-to-earth, and confident that they can do anything they set their minds to.

Mostly E Learning the Ropes: Along with celeb moms Nicole Richie, Halle Berry, and Jessica Alba, you're just starting out as a mom. Your changing body has thrown some fashion curves your way, and you may be getting by on less sleep than you thought humanly possible. When it comes to parenting, you haven't thought much about your ground rules and may not know the difference between a time-out and crying it out. But one thing you do know is how much you already love your little one, and what a miracle it is to bring a life into the world. Ready, set, go… you're on the journey of a lifetime!

Awesome things to do this month!

1/15 FREE Playing with Cameras | Rocky Mtn School of Photography 7-9pm

1/19 Kids’ Vibrations 11-11:45 instruments, d a n c e , a n d g a m e s Downtown Dance Collective

1/25 Friday Night Out! Kids age 3-11 can play ($) at Bitterroot Gymnastics while you go on a hot date! 6:30-10pm

Fri & Sat & Sun Missoula Winter Market

Wednesdays | 10:30am @

North Valley Public Library Story Time & Craft ages 3-7

Thursdays spectrUM

Kids Science Discoveries 3:30-7pm Skaggs Bldg @

UofM in Msla www.spectrum.umt.edu

Thursdays | Free Day @ Ravalli County Museum

Hamilton

Bri$ney  Caldarone  370-­‐5941  CoordinatorJoni  Madruga  207-­‐5415  Co-­‐coordinatorWhitney  Alexander  210-­‐9567Fundraising  &  HospitalitySonja  Reeves  542-­‐8838FinanceJohanna  Bouma  240-­‐2587PublicityConnie  Gevock  273-­‐2547MOPPETS  Coordinator

Table  LeadersLiesl  Uskoski    777-­‐7207Erica  Wagner  241-­‐7471Stacey  Wagner  503-­‐260-­‐1424  Amanda  Scheffel  396-­‐5331  

Mentor  MomsLani  Schoening  777-­‐3078Katy  Hofman  360-­‐1485Marsha  Turner  777-­‐2501Charlene  ValenRno  777-­‐7265Kathy  Edman  777-­‐5788  

1st & 3rd Tuesdays MonthlyLone Rock Bible Church Beginning @ 9:30 am

bitterrootMOPS@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/bittterroot.mops

Love as if your life depended on it

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos

From Pennies on a Platter

Yield: 12 taquitos

3 ounces cream cheese, softened1/4 cup green salsa1 Tbsp fresh lime juice (juice from half a lime)1/2 tsp ground cumin1 tsp chili powder1/2 tsp onion powder2 cloves garlic, minced3 Tbsp chopped cilantro2 Tbsp sliced green onions2 cups shredded cooked chicken1 cup shredded cheesesmall flour or corn tortillaskosher saltcooking spray

*To freeze:  Before baking, flash freeze the taquitos in a single layer on a baking sheet then place in a labeled freezer bag and store up to 3 months.  To bake a frozen taquito (no need to thaw first): Preheat oven to 425˚F and bake for 20 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 425˚F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, salsa, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, onion powder and garlic. Once combined, stir in the cilantro and green onions. Add the chicken and cheese; mix thoroughly.

(If you decided to prep this in advance, refrigerate the mixture at this point until ready to continue.)

Working with a few tortillas at a time, heat them in the microwave between two paper towels until they are soft enough to roll (about 20 – 30 seconds).

Spoon 2-3 Tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto the lower third of a tortilla. Roll the tortilla as tightly as you can.

Place the rolled tortilla seam side down on the baking sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas until the mixture is gone.  Make sure the taquitos are not touching each other. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle with kosher salt.

Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until crisp and golden.

Serve with salsa, sour cream or guacamole.