Mentor Mom Panel

These ladies need no introduction. They sit among us every other week, offering encouragement and prayer, insight and baby-holding. Every year they gather at the front and graciously answer our questions with comforting honesty.  Without further ado, lets revisit their their nuggets of knowledge.

On favorite family traditions:

• Share Christmas Eve with neighbors, especially if you are without local family. Neighbors become your family!
• Act out the Christmas story. Get the little ones in on it. If you have an ancient chapel on your country property that's been in the family for generations, even better. 
• Take the long way to a local hotel and spend the weekend. The kids will think they're on a distant adventure!
• Family reunions
• Celebrate St. Valentine's Day w/ Secret Valentines (like Secret Santa) and a special dinne
• Vacation with long-time friends and their families. This tradition can go on for years.
• Easter egg hunt for the whole family (even the 80-year-olds). 
• Everyone gets clues for their last Christmas present. A scavenger hunt helps slow it all down!

On proud Mom Moments:

• Adventurous parenting style...always going to museums, the beach, the zoo. Also, exposed them to real life.
• Didn't yell...got angry, yes, but kept the voice down. 
• Home organization
• Grace.
• Parented with the husband.
• Always available.
• Lots of prayer...mornings in prayer, nights in prayer, seeking God's good grace and praying for the family.
• Activities that were fun for all and gave everyone life, not just the kids (i.e. walking, being outside, etc.)

On making time for yourself as a mom:

• Don't be afraid to hire/ask for help! See those opportunities as NAB them--get away for the day and breathe!
• Go out with friends. 
• Bible study (hire a babysitter for your small group so you can focus), Bible Study Fellowship or Community Bible Study (both have childcare)
• Create a co-op playgroup...four moms, rotating childcare duties so three moms had a free morning. 
• Quiet time every day, for the kids and yourself
• Grab some dessert and catch up with your husband after the kids area in bed. Play games and connect.
• Accept help from those who offer. 
• Create a routine out of something you enjoy (i.e. walk regularly with a walking buddy)

On making time for marriage:

•  It's easy to be distracted by everything else, but make time for it! Or you'll regret it.
• Get up early and sit in the hot tub. 
• Make a regular date night...the kids can come to expect it and see Mom and Dad making their relationship a priority.
• To make a date night possible, enlist friends who are currently sans kids as childcare. Or for friends with kids, trade! 
• Take time away. Make it frequent and make it varied. Remember why you like each other.
• Remember it gives your kids the opportunity to foster relationships with the other people (caregivers) in their lives. 

On relationships with in-laws:

• Examine expectations. It can be complicated because you make it complicated and are disappointed at the outcome. What can help grow good relationships? Listening to their stories and trying to understand.
• There is only one person you can change in a relationship and you can't change a relationship you are not in. Look for the things that are positive among the difficult. Choose what you take away and learn.
• For those long-distant in-laws, it can take time for both you your kids to know them well. But you will. 

And, of course, we wanted their recipes! Check this one out--a fan favorite...

Fiesta Chicken Soup

Recipe By: Myra

Ingredients:
1 chopped onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1 Tablespoons Vegetable oil
1 31 oz can refried beans
2 14.5 oz cans petite diced tomatoes
1 14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes w/ mild green chilis
14.5 ounces chicken broth
4 cups chopped cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken, anyone?)
6 corn tortillas

Directions:
Saute onion and garlic in hot oil till tender.  Add beans and all other ingredients (but tortillas), bring to a boil, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Top with cilantro, sour cream, and Monterrey jack

optional - tortillas (or chips)
Cut tortillas into strips and grease.  Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Or just use chips. Really.