HAMOM ~ Huntsville Area Mothers of Multiples

Hey MOMs!

2012-01-27T11:44:00.000-08:00

The Calendar of Events has been updated!

Also, the information for MOMsMart has been posted and updated. Be sure you check out the MOMsMart page for more details.

January's Meeting

2012-01-09T10:19:00.000-08:00

Hey MOMs!! I hope you guys are getting back into the swing of things in this new year. I don't know about you guys, but sickness set in at our house and I'm just about ready to MOVE!! Take a break from the family and come to our monthly meeting - January 17 - 7pm at First Baptist Church - Room 107. Come to the back door (on St Clair) and look for the signs.

Officer Marcus Hendrix from the Huntsville Police Department will be joining us to teach us some personal safety habits. He may even do some demonstrations we can use later on in the right situations. (But who's to say we can't practice on our husbands?!?! Who knows? We might even be able to use those moves on the kids, if needed?!) I think it will be very informational and I feel sure we'll have a good time.

Give Michelle, HAMOM Hospitality Chair a shout if you'd like to bring a snack to share. If you don't already have her email, please send us an email and we will pass it along to her. I hope to see you all then! -Alison

Alison Hoskins, President

New Year, New Website (Blog)

2012-01-08T10:51:00.000-08:00

Hey MOMs!

Well, we've entered into a new year and a few changes needed to take place. Former board member Rachael T., who is currently acting as our HAMOM WebMOM has been graciously hosting the HAMOM website for the past couple of years, free of charge. Rachael decided to cancel her hosting account, which HAMOM fell under, and migrated the HAMOM website to the blog you are seeing today.

Migrating to a blog makes sense for many reasons. For one, it's completely free, so HAMOM will not have to pay for hosting charges. Secondly, it's simple to use and update. As acting WebMOM, Rachael revamped and designed our previous website, giving it improvements and adding new and different content. Recently, Rachael has decided to go back to college and when you add that into a MOM's life, you all know how difficult it can be to juggle more than just your family and school work. The WebMOM's shoes will soon be filled by a different member and because Blogger is easy to use, is user friendly, and is accessible to anyone with a computer, it made sense to put HAMOM's web presence here.

We hope to keep you updated as well as we can & we hope to see you in the New Year!

Recipe - Sausage & Cheese Muffins

2012-01-08T10:26:00.001-08:00

Sausage and Cheese MuffinsSubmitted by Amy M.

Ingredients:
1 (1lb) package ground sausage
3 c Bisquick
1 1/2 c (6oz) shredded cheddar cheese (I use a little more)
1 (10 3/4oz) can condensed cheese soup
3/4 c water
Directions:
Cook sausage in a large skillet, stirring until it crumbles and is no longer pink, drain and cool.
Combine sausage, Bisquick and shredded cheese in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture.
Stir together soup and water.
Add to sausage mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.
Spoon into lightly greased muffin pans, filling to tops of cups.
Bake at 375 for 20 to 25 mins or until lightly browned.

Recipe - Pretzel Jello Salad

2012-01-08T10:25:00.001-08:00

Pretzel Jello Salad
Submitted by Karen P.

Step 1 ~ The Crust:
2 1/2 cups pretzels, coarsley crushed. (I used honey wheat pretzels)
3/4 cup melted butter
3 Tbsp sugar
Mix the ingredients together and press firmly in a 9"x13" pan. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes.
Step 2 ~ The Creamy Middle:
1 12-oz. container of cool whip
8-oz. cream cheese
1 cup sugar

Cream sugar and cream cheese together. Mix in cool whip. Spread on top of cooled pretzels.
Step 3 ~ The Tasty Topping:
1 6-oz. strawberry jello
2 cups boiling water
2 10-oz. frozen srawberries (I use srawberries with syrup)

Dissolve the jello in the boiling water. Add frozen strawberries, breaking up with a fork as you stir. Chill in bowl until slightly thickened. Pour over cool whip layer. Chill overnight until set.

Recipe - Hot Crackers & Pimento Cheese

2012-01-08T10:24:00.000-08:00

Hot Crackers and Pimento Cheese
Submitted by Alison H.

Hot crackers:~ Empty 4 sleeves of saltines into an airtight container.
~ Stir together 1 cup of canola oil, 1 packet of dry Ranch dressing mix and 3 tbsp of cracked red pepper.
~ Empty evenly over crackers and seal. Shake crackers for even coverage. Let sit for 15 minutes. Shake again and turn container upside down. Let sit for 15 minutes. Repeat process 2 more times - letting the mixtures sit in a different position each 15 minute interval.
Store in an airtight container (such as a ziploc bag).

Pimento cheese:
~ 2 cups of grated mild cheddar cheese
~ 2 cups of grated sharp cheddar cheese~ 2 tsps finely chopped onion (mostly juice)
~ 1 jar pimentos
~ At least a cup of mayonnaise.

Mix together thoroughly and serve with crackers (especially hot crackers!).

Recipe - Chicken Corn Soup

2012-01-08T10:23:00.000-08:00

Chicken Corn SoupSubmitted by Lindsey M.

Ingredients3 cans cream of chicken soup
1 (14 oz) can chicken broth
1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (10 oz) can Rotel tomatoes with green chiles
1 (8.5 oz) can cream-style corn
8 oz Velveeta, cubed
2 cups chopped, cooked chicken or 2 cans of chicken
1 garlic clove, minced (or equivalent minced garlic)
1/4 tsp. pepper

Directions Combine all ingredients in large pot or crock pot and cook until smooth and thoroughly heated.

Membership Diversity

2012-01-08T09:53:00.001-08:00

New and potential HAMOM members may be interested in our group's diversity. In fact, learning about the diversity of the group is an important element in understanding what kind of MOMs (mothers of multiples) are HAMOM members. When you understand the diversity, you understand how women from all walks of life come together with one common thread, and not only do we learn from each other, but we relate to each other in ways we might find surprising!
We have MOMs with twins and triplets, and have found that MOMs with higher order multiples can't seem to find the time for HAMOM. That's okay, we understand! But those of you sitting out there with four or more may still find our group beneficial (if anything, it's a great reason for having some MOM-only time).

At the end of our 2009-2010 Membership Year, we had 19 sets of girl/girl twins, 25 sets of boy/boy twins, 16 sets of boy/girl twins, and 5 sets of triplets, and total of more than 40 siblings in the group. We also have one member with two sets of fraternal twins, a girl/girl set and a boy/boy set.

We have MOMs that are stay-at-home, work-at-home, and working MOMs. We've got MOMs with children from different marriages, step-children, and blended families.

HAMOM's members have a wide range of experiences regarding fertility and infertility. Some people don't understand that yes, some twins are spontaneous (identical twins, for example) and even fraternal twins can be completely by chance. We've got MOMs who've gotten pregnant on the first round of fertility help, and we've got MOMs who've tried for years upon years to get pregnant, and were truly blessed with multiples.

We all understand how difficult life is with multiples. Whether it has to do with juggling two babies at a time, or even the day-to-day complications and challenges we face when dealing with our personal lives, whether it be a relationship with our family members who just don't understand what we are going through, or challenges our marriages and partnerships have faced after the arrival of our multiples. We've got MOMs who've been through separation and divorce, and are still standing strong.

In addition to blessings, some of us have faced tremendous challenges and even some have faced tragedy. We have children with mild to severe health problems, including debilitating diseases that leave them in need of constant care and medical assistance. We also have MOMs who've lost children.

Our MOMs are strong and wonderful women who gather and support other MOMs still in need of help. HAMOM is a wonderful organization where a new MOM off the street can come in and feel right at home. We welcome, with very open arms, all new and potential members. Being a MOM is something a mother of one or a dozen singletons just can't understand. We are always told others know how it feels to be a MOM because they have two that "are just a year apart" or are "really close in age." We've got news for those people - it's nothing like that! Unless you've had multiples, you will never know what it is like to have twins, triplets, or more. That's what bonds MOMs together and that is what makes HAMOM a wonderful organization to be a part of!

HAMOM Gives Back

2012-01-08T09:48:00.000-08:00

UPDATE for April 2010:

During MOMsMart in March, we raised $162.50 for the Jacob Christopher Salter Memorial Fund at Huntsville Hospital. We raised $30 in HAMOM cookbook sales with 100% of the profit going to the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund at Huntsville Hospital. Our consignors donated items valued at $2,386.50. These items were split between three charitable and non-profit organizations. Preemie clothing and blankets were delivered to the Huntsville Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, books were donated to the March of Dimes book drive via our own Anna Claire Vollers, and the remaining toys, gear and clothing were donated to Christmas Charities. Leftover bake sale items and worker food was donated to the Soup Kitchen on North Memorial Parkway in Huntsville. We also donated a few items to the school library at Owens Cross Roads Elementary. We are so proud to be part of a whole lot of giving, sharing, and caring that will mean so much to members of our community!

UPDATE for December 2010:

During our November Holiday Party, our members donated non-perishable goods to Christmas Charities, the North Alabama Food Bank and the 8th Street Group Home, a local home for mentally challenged adults.

We also adopted three sets of twins from the Salvation Army's Angel Tree. HAMOM spent well over $600 to provide toys, clothing, and other Christmas wishes to these six children in need. Some of our members met at Target on University drive to make the purchases for the children.

HAMOM members wrapped the gifts during the 2010 Holiday Party with paper, bows and other necessary wrapping essentials donated by our members.

UPDATE for October 2010:

During our September meeting, HAMOM members attended a Coupon Class and as "payment" for the class, we asked our members to bring non-perishable foods for the 8th Street Group Home, a local home for mentally challenged adults. We were able to raise enough to donate three huge, overflowing boxes full of food.

HAMOM also participated in the 7th Annual Liz Hurley Ribbon Run. HAMOM donated $100 (funds raised through MOMsMart) to the HAMOM Pink Ladies, and the group as a whole raised $670! Proceeds from the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run benefits the Liz Hurley Breast Cancer Fund at Huntsville Hospital Foundation. The Fund was established for the purpose of creating awareness about breast cancer, purchasing equipment for breast cancer diagnosis and providing continuing education for the Breast Center staff.

UPDATE for August 2010:

During our Fall 2010 MOMsMart, HAMOM raised more than $211 at the Bake Sale. These proceeds were split between the Patrick family's COTA fund (Children's Organ Transplant Association) and Huntsville Hospital's Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund.

In addition to the Bake Sale, HAMOM donated another $65 to Huntsville Hospital's Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund, partially through the sale of HAMOM cookbooks and also in honor of a recent member who lost a twin.

HAMOM members participated in Swim for Melissa, a fund-raising effort by the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund, which raises money that benefits Huntsville Hospital's NICU. HAMOM donated $100 to the HAMOM Minnows and the team raised a total of $687 through the event!

When you add it all together, during the month of August, HAMOM and its members were able to donate than $850 to the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund! Way to go MOMs!

UPDATE for June 2010:

Member Amy Salter was able to see first hand the generosity our HAMOM members and friends were able to give in memory of her son Jacob Salter, who passed away due to complications from Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). The Salters were left with a huge financial burden after the loss of their son, in addition to the costs associated with the birth and NICU stay of her twins.

From February 15 - March 15 HAMOM and its members took time to seek out donations for the Salters. During this drive, which included to Spring 2010 Bake Sale at MOMsMart, HAMOM was able to raise more than $3000 for the Salters. Some of our MOMsMart consignors also chose to donate a percentage of their profit from their personal sales.

Many local merchants helped us with the drive by donating prizes. Each person who donated during the drive was entered into a "Thank You" prize drawing.

Every single donated dollar went directly into the Salter Twins Donation Account at RFCU. You can read more at Amy & Ken's Caring Bridge Salter Twins site.

UPDATE January 2010:

In addition to HAMOM being a support organization for MOMs (Mothers of Multiples), HAMOM also provides charitable donations through our main fund-raising event, MOMsMart. MOMsMart is HAMOM's semi-annual consignment sale that takes place in the spring and in the fall. Proceeds of our raffle and bake sale benefit the Patrick family's COTA fund (Children's Organ Transplant Association) and Huntsville Hospital's Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund.

HAMOM would like for all of our surrounding communities to know how much HAMOM as an organization has been able to give to worthy causes and individuals in 2009. In keeping with our mission, all of our 2009 charitable donations have provided support, in one way or another, to mothers of multiples in our community. Our members' contributions of precious time, energy, and gently used items are greatly appreciated and have been put to very good use!

In addition to our raffles and bake sales during MOMsMart, which once again benefit the Patrick family's COTA fund (Children's Organ Transplant Association) and Huntsville Hospital's Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund, HAMOM was able to purchase many un-sold preemie clothing from our Fall MOMsMart for donation to the Huntsville Hospital NICU. The NICU gives the clothing to parents or caretakers who otherwise may not be able to provide them for their preemies.

HAMOM members participated in Swim for Melissa, a fund-raising effort by the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund, which raises money that benefits Huntsville Hospital's NICU. Many of our MOMs have seen their preemies benefit from the extraordinary donations made to the NICU through this charity, and many of them are more than happy to work to raise money to benefit future preemies.

HAMOM members also participated in the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run. This annual event not only raises awareness of Breast Cancer, but the proceeds of the event directly benefit the Breast Center at Huntsville Hospital.

In addition to all the wonderful events HAMOM was proud to be a part of, 2009 was wrapped up by a huge donation to the Salvation Army's Christmas Tree Angels. HAMOM adopted two sets of twins from the Angel Tree and purchased much needed clothing and very much wished for toys. Our MOMs came together to shop, wrap and deliver the gifts back to the Salvation Army with plenty of time to spare. It was a great way to end a wonderful year for HAMOM.

In all, HAMOM was able to donate more than $1400 of our proceeds from MOMsMart towards these charities, and we look forward to being able to do it again in 2010.

HAMOM members work very hard to increase the success of MOMsMart each year so we are able to not only meet the same donations from previous years, but to go above and beyond those numbers.

Please take a moment to visit our MOMsMart page to learn more about the event. We hope to see you there!