Mommy Spotlight: Carrie Minturn

This week, we meet Carrie. I have had so much fun getting to know Carrie and her wonderful servants heart as she has served wholeheartedly as one of our table leaders.

Name: Carrie Minturn

Husband: Todd

Kid(s)/Ages: Bryce (4), Cody (21 months)

How long have you been coming to MOPS ? 1 year

Favorite thing about being a mommy: How to choose??? Motherhood has been maybe the most transformative experience in my life next to becoming a Jesus follower! I love that my kids draw me into the moment that actually is and away from all the other things I can get wrapped up in. Their honest wonder-filled perspective on life is good for my soul.

Who is your real life hero? My hubby…not in the “ride in on a horse and rescue me” sort of way, but more in the I love who he is and can’t believe I get to be married to him. Todd is gentle and strong, wise and loving. We didn’t’ meet until we were in our thirties, and I’d given up on believing that there could be someone like him out there for me! He loves me and our kids in deep and sacrificial ways. He’s also a powerful advocate for ethnic minority staff in our movement (we both work with InterVarsity’s FIFUL), and for the poor in our city. I thank God for him daily.

What makes you most relaxed? A coffee shop with my journal and nowhere to go (when does that happen?) Conversations with good friends. Bubble baths (if only our house had a bathtub…). Pedicures. Time in my prayer corner…candles, afghan on my lap, Bible and journal. Grocery shopping alone. J

What makes you most stressed? Piles around my house and no time to do anything about them!

Favorite thing about being a mom? I think I answered this one? J If I get a second answer, I’ll add that I love seeing my kiddos be who they are. I love seeing their personalities emerge. My kiddos make me laugh every day.

Hardest thing about being a mom? Having to explain the realities of pain and evil and knowing that I need to allow my kids to experience pain and suffering as part of their own life with God.

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? PURPLE! To know me is to know I love this color!

Favorite coffee beverage: Non-fat, half-caf, 2 pump vanilla latte

Favorite candy: Dove dark chocolate…or any kind of dark chocolate…or really any kind of (good!) chocolate…

Favorite food? Mediterranean

Favorite movie? Chocolate – such a profound picture of the contrast between grace and legalism

Favorite hobby: scrapbooking, card making

Favorite recipe: I have an AMAZING scone recipe from a coffee shop I used to frequent when I lived in Wisconsin….

Mommy Spotlight: Jill Kahrimanian

Name: Jill Kahrimanian

Husband: Ara Kahrimanian

Kids/Ages: Grace (5), Lily (3), Baby K (still cookin)

How long have you been coming to MOPS? Started in September 2010

Favorite thing about being a mommy: The responsibility of teaching a little person about Jesus and seeing them learn to know Him and love Him

Who is your real life hero? My grandma Dorothy, an unbelievably godly woman, who has set an example for our entire family.

What makes you most relaxed? A hot shower after kids are in bed

What makes you most stressed? Grace, when she gets mouthy with me

Favorite thing about being a mom: see above

Hardest thing about being a mom: maintaining patience

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Electric lime (just picked my favorite shade of green from the girls' crayon wheel)

Favorite coffee beverage: Starbucks Toffee Nut Latte (when I'm not pregnant)

Favorite candy: I have lots, but a few favorites are sour gummies from Disneyland and Sees candy.

Favorite food: Italian, especially anything al forno, that is, baked with cheese on top

Favorite movie: Moonstruck

Favorite hobby: crocheting and home improvement projects

Favorite recipe: Rachel Ray's Mexican Lasagna
Ingredients:
3 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 lb ground chicken
2 Tbs chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 (14 oz) can stewed tomatoes or fire-roasted chopped tomatoes
1 cup medium heat taco sauce
1 (15oz) can black beans, drained
1 cup frozen corn kernels
Salt
8 (8-inch) spinach flour tortillas, or regular flour tortillas
2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese
2 scallions, finely chopped (sometimes I prefer to top it with sliced olives instead)

Preheat oven to 425 deg

Preheat large skillet over med high heat. Add 2 Tbs olive oil. Add chicken and season with chili powder, cumin, & red onion. Brown the meat 5 min. Add tomatoes and taco sauce. Add black beans and corn. Heat through, 2 to 3 min, then season with salt, to your taste.

Coat a shallow baking dish with remaining oil. Cut tortillas in half to make them easier to layer with. Build lasagna in layers of meat and beans, then tortillas, then cheese. Repeat: meat, tortillas, cheese again. Top with scallions (or olives). Bake lasagna 12 to 15 min until cheese is brown and bubbly.

I often make a double portion of this and keep one in the freezer. Enjoy!

Mommy Spotlight: Meagan Blumberg

Take the opportunity to meet Meagan this week. She is one of our very awesome table leaders.

Name: Meagan Blumberg

Husband: Brandon Blumberg

Kid(s)/Ages: Jaxon (3 yrs.) & Lincoln (5 mos.)

How long have you been coming to MOPS? 2 1/2 yrs.

Favorite thing about being a mommy: Long hugs from little arms and sweet slobbery kisses. :)

Who is your real life hero? My mom...I'm slightly addicted to her!

What makes you most relaxed? Starbucks and bubble baths (not at the same time).

What makes you most stressed? Clutter

Favorite thing about being a mom? Long hugs from little arms and sweet slobbery kisses. :)

Hardest thing about being a mom? Days when they just won't nap! I love them, but we all need some alone time here and there!

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Cerulean.

Favorite coffee beverage: Decaf, Nonfat, Raspberry Latte

Favorite candy: Almond Joy. I'm a sucker for anything with coconut in it.

Favorite food: Lobster. In all honesty, I get excited to eat just about anything. I love food!

Favorite movie: I love romantic comedies (which my husband absolutely hates!) because I want a predictable, happy ending. If it makes me cry, but ends happy, even better. Ridiculous, I know!

Favorite hobby: Cooking

Favorite recipe: I make a mean fajita. :) Am I supposed to actually type out a recipe here?! Haha! If so, my salsa chicken recipe is in the church cookbook and that's really good and healthy.