Recap of April 25th Craft Meeting

Hi all!

We had another great Craft meeting this past Friday April 25^th.    A wonderful breakfast spread was provided by the blue table.  Thanks for the yummy food!

Our meeting started with several important announcements:

·        There is still time to sign up for VBS at Christ United Methodist Church!  The price increases after June 1^st .  Sign up soon!

·        Please register for MOPS if you plan on returning next year before June 1^st.  Our organization gets a discount if we get members registered before June 1^st.  The final deadline to sign up for next year is August 1^st.  Please let your Discussion Group Leader if you are not planning to return next year.

·        Thanks for all the donations for Young Lives :diapers, wipes, and formula!

·        Ladies Night Out at Red Oak Grill on May 1^st for moms only.  Please RSVP to Cori Atkins!

·        Bayou Wildlife Park Outing: Please see facebook thread by Cori Atkins for most recent details.  We need 15 people to get the group rate.  You have to pay with check or cash at the park.  If you are going remember to wear grungy clothes.  It should be a lot of fun!

·        Renata Smith will be performing with Pandora Theatre in Vox Feminina: Mom’s the Word through May 10^th.  Tickets are $15.  Let’s support Renata!

The fabulous Meg Ruffing then led the group in a gardening craft.  We made container herb gardens in Mason jars, chalkboard garden stakes, and seed bombs.  Make sure to check your herb gardens.  They should be sprouting soon if not already.  Our seed bombs contain native Texas wild flowers and grasses.   I believe the garden stakes that were not yet dry were placed in the MOPS closet for pick up at the next meeting. 

Photo shamelessly stolen from Cintia Listenbee...hope she doesn't mind! :-)

 

Cintia then led us in a wonderful devotion.  She reminded us that God wants to be with us in all moments of motherhood.  She talked about the stressful and crazy moments as mothers and what a difference finding God’s peace can make!  In her words, “Put on the glasses of peace!”

We have two meetings left in May.   Next meeting is May 9th.  Purple table is up for breakfast. Summer is almost here!

FAVORITE THINGS! April 5, 2014

April 4, 2014 we had another fantastic meeting! The wonderful  ladies from CUMC were here to sign kids and volunteers up for VBS June 23-27. Please do so if you haven't already! It will be a great time!!!

We enjoyed another delicious breakfast this week brought by the green table (and Liz- thank you!) 

Cori  informed us about Kids College $65/session for 2 weeks with daily 1 hr classes at WCJC. This is a wonderful and cheap day camp including academic and fun classes!

Amanda reminded us of young life formula/diaper drive. Come together as a table for a plan to get together to get donation to bring to next meeting.

This Sunday, April 6th we will meet at Oyster Creek Park for our annual MOPS family picnic!  Bring the kids, the husbands, a few chairs, some toys, food, and drink and join us from 4pm.  In the event of rain, we will cancel.  See you there!

This was one of everyone's favorite meetings as it was full of all our favorite things! Before divulging into all the wonderful things to share, Cintia led us in another blessed devotional reviewing last meeting's prayer journal challenge with Meredith and Cindy sharing how they have gotten into routines and organizing their prayer life to start and end their days more blessed. Cintia encouraged us that even though it may be difficult to put our secret concerns of our hearts into writing where they can be seen, writing it down can help with memory.

 She helped us get a better understanding of devotionals and how setting time of quiet reflection with God and now in the technological world there are a lot of online/app choices including Jesus Calling & Daily Bread that are quick and easy giving a verse, meaning and reflexion. She encourages us that devotionals can help us grab a hold of God and raise our children to do the same. Have him in your life/ a relationship incorporated into daily schedule. Repetition of prayers and verses for even babies...as they learn to speak they can recite it back and they will stay with then.  Time with God can comfort you, give perspective and direction. God wants to love on you. Just need to come to him. 

Then we got to share all our favorite things and socialize with each other. Some add ins included 

Original sprouts product line - hair and body baby wash, buy online or central market that includes a Natural curl calmer and smells great! It is expensive but smells "like Heaven" . The Wetbrush- doesn't pull hair! No one really knows why but it works!!! The talented and fashionable Aleini gave us a hair demonstration on the Sock bun & head band hair-do. She uses only a little help from you-tube to always look fabulous! Another great write in was "potty mouth spray" that is really just a breath freshener but works as a great deterrent for those "sassy" kid mouths. It can be purchased at the register of Magnolia House next to Kroger.

If you missed the meeting and would like the official list of "favorite things", please email Liz Brown at lizbrown2002@hotmail.com.

As always our meetings are an amazing way to start the weekend!

Next meeting is April 25th with the blue table up for breakfast.  Have a blessed Easter with your families!

Recap of March 21st Meeting

Hi all!

Friday brought with it another wonderful meeting.  Many thanks to the yellow table for providing another fantastic breakfast.

Our meeting started with Jessica Forray leading us in an awesome workout!  Jessica owns two franchises that focus on fitness classes for busy moms.  To learn more about her fitness programs (and even sign up to try one!) contact Jessica at jessica.forray@babybootcamp.com or visit:

http://babybootcamp.com/Default.aspx?pageid=1021&mid=109&fid=674&visdate=3%2F16%2F2014+12%3A00%3A00+AM

 

 

Sue Lange from CUMC came to speak to us on behalf of Fort Bend Seniors, a Meals on Wheels program designed for home bound seniors in need.  This worthy cause is in desperate need of volunteers to deliver meals and spend a little quality time with a very special and deserving population.  To learn more, visit www.FortBendSeniors.org or contact the coordinator, Ranett Ramazetti-Montemayor at ranett@fortbendseniors.org.

 

Many thanks to Breanne Ward who answered our leftover burning questions from our talk on nutrition with Heather Reichert.  She did an awesome job!

Cintia Listenbee gave us another thought provoking devotional about journaling our prayers.  Her advice is to follow a PRAYER:

Practice

Releasing

Anxieties

Yielding

Expecting a

Result

 

To see more of her talk, check out her blog here: http://www.simplycintia.com/2014/03/how-to-journal-your-prayers.html

 

Mark your calendars for the MOPS picnic on Sunday, April 6th from 4:30pm to 7:30pm.  We will meet at Oyster Creek Park.  Bring your own chairs, food, beverages, and activities.  Last year this was a great opportunity for us to relax, chat, and for our children and husbands to play and get to know each other.  You don't want to miss it!!!!

 

Our next meeting is on April 4th and it is one of the most popular meetings of the year, MOPS favorite things!!! If you submitted a favorite thing to Cori Atkins, please remember to bring it with you.  Green table is up for breakfast.  See you all then!!!

February 28th Meeting Highlights!

What a great meeting we had for the last day of February!  Thanks to the Orange table for a great breakfast.

Our meeting started with our fabulous speaker Heather Reichert, Registered Dietitian. 

She talked to us about obesity trends, and how it is really becoming such an epidemic, and some things we need to start and STOP doing so that we can be healthier!  Below are some highlights from Heather's discussion:

What Are We Doing Wrong?

We don't drink enough water
We don't eat enough fiber
We eat too much sugar/refined flour
Our portions are too large
We eat too many processed foods
We don't eat enough fresh foods
We don't get enough activity

We need to incorporate resistance training.  As we age we lose muscle mass so it is very important to start doing what we can to keep what we have.  Try to eat food that has 10% or less sodium content.  Remember: Over 70% of disease is preventable through good nutrition.

Please visit Heather's web site at www.heatherreichert.com or like her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/coachheathershealthyhabits


This week Kathleen Randall talked with us about her journey in MOPS and what is has meant to her.  Each year is a little different and a little better and here are six things Kathleen has learned from MOPS:

1. She can make an egg casserole without evening looking at a recipe!
2. Adults need to share too -  we all seem to offer up our time or possessions when someone needs something.
3. You get out what you put in - get involved and don't just go to the meetings, go to the socials.
4. Ask for help when you need it
5. The grass isn't always greener - all journeys are different
6. Never doubt that one person or idea can change things

Upcoming Events

• March 4th (Tuesday) and March 5th (Wednesday) - Park Social at Lost Creek Park around 9:30.  Check our Facebook page because the weather could cause a location change.  A notification will go out if that happens.
• No meeting week of Spring Break
• March 21st - Next MOPS meeting.  This is our exercise meeting, so get ready to sweat, and then eat!
• April 6th - Sunday Family Picnic at Oyster Creek Park around 4:30.  More details to come later, but please put this on your calendar! It should be a lot of fun.

Don't forget the Houston Rodeo is going on March 4-23!

The Yellow Table is on breakfast duty for our next meeting so see you there!  We only have one meeting in March on the 21st. Have a great Spring Break.

February 14th Recap

Hi all!

Valentine's Day brought another great meeting for the MOPS!  Thanks to the red table for the awesome breakfast!

We spent the meeting relaxing in our PJs and getting to know our new table-mates.  We did some ice breakers about dating/gifts/vacations and several people walked away with $10 gift cards to Town Center for their great ideas!  We also got to hear some sweet messages (and see some goofy photos) from our hubbies!

February 20th is the Young Lives dinner.  Please check the Sign Up Genius on Facebook if you need a reminder of what you are bringing.  Contact Amanda Gates with any questions (amanda.gates9@gmail.com).

Cori Atkins is organizing a happy hour for all current MOPS and alumni at Blu in Town Center (across from Flying Saucer) at 6:30pm on Tuesday, February 25th.  This will be a great opportunity to catch up with everyone!  www.blusugarland.com

March 21st is the MOPPET teacher appreciation day.  We used some of our surplus money from the auction to purchase a $20 gift card to a store of each teacher's choosing.  Cintia Listenbee was asking for 15 volunteers to bring food for breakfast for them at that meeting.  Contact Cintia (zekencintia@gmail.com) if you can help out!

Cintia gave us another wonderful devotion about filling our "Love Tank".  Her talk was based on the work of Dr. Gary Chapman (The 5 Love Languages).  If you missed it, here it is:

http://www.simplycintia.com/2014/02/love-as-fuel.html



Renata helps Cintia demonstrate how we fill our "love tank".


Congratulations to the Mistretta family on their beautiful new addition, Bode Richard Gregory Mistretta!  Little Bode made his arrival on February 12th and came in weighing 8lbs, 5oz, 21.75 inches. Rest up, Lana and we hope to see you and meet him soon!

Our next meeting is Friday, February 28th.  Orange table is up for breakfast.  See you all then!

January 31st Recap

Hi all!  Friday was another great MOPS meeting.  Many thanks to the purple table for breakfast!  It was delicious!  An extra-special thanks to those who brought Paleo-friendly items! :-)  You rock!

We would like to send out a HUGE thanks to our Mentor Moms for helping out with child care at the January 17th meeting.  You lovely ladies take such great care of us and we appreciate you so very much!!!

February 20th is our second dinner that we are providing for Young Lives.  We were all asked to participate in one of these dinners, so if you did not participate in the Thanksgiving feast you are up! We will need some volunteers to be there that night to help serve the dinner and set-up.  If you've never been to a Young Lives meeting, it is something very special.  Amanda Gates has a Sign-Up Genius going here:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4CA8AA2FA46-February

Amanda is also gathering information for East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry's Souper Bowl of Caring event in March.  Stay tuned for more information! http://www.souperbowl.org/

The monthly social with kids will be Tuesday, February 4th and Wednesday, February 5th at the Playscape at Sugar Creek Baptist Church from 9:30am-11am.

Heather Lovell led the Secret Sister reveal at our meeting.  If you participated in Secret Sisters and you were not able to attend the meeting, be sure to reveal yourself to your "sister" at our next meeting.

Meg Ruffing led us in a fabulous craft making nest necklaces.  They are super cute!  Thank you Meg!!!

 

 

 

As always, we were treated to a wonderful devotional by Cintia Listenbee.  If you missed the meeting, you can read it here: http://www.simplycintia.com/2014/01/friendship-as-fuel.html

 

Our next meeting is Valentine's Day!  Liz's gift to us is to have a "Day of Relaxation." Come to the meeting in your pj's (and bring your kids in their pj's too!) and use the time however makes you happy!  You can bring games from home, bring some nail polish and give yourself a manicure, bring magazines, bring an unfinished project and complete it while you chat with your new table members!  It's your day momma, enjoy it! 

 

Finally, we have some fabulous new faces in our group.  Meet them here!

Lauren Newton, Sarah Smith, Brooke Hudson, Whitney Moody, Christie Bergeron (with sweet Evie)
Not pictured: Lauren Shapiro, Lynn Shearer, Mila Nyaga, Lindsey Prouada

 



Our next meeting is Friday, February 14th.  Red table is up for breakfast.  We are switching tables, so if you do not know where to go, consult Julia's spreadsheet on Facebook.  Hope all the sick kiddos (and sick mommies) are feeling better real soon.  Take care of yourselves! 

Christmas by Candlelight Recap

We had a wonderful Christmas by Candlelight Meeting!  We enjoyed a delicious catered breakfast in a beautifully decorated room.  Each table was unique and filled with Christmas spirit thanks to the hard work of our Discussion Group Leaders and Steering Team.  A big thank you for all of their hard work spent planning and decorating!  Also a big thank you to Kathie Kelly for the slide show displaying all of our beautiful families throughout the meeting!

 

Tricia Zody, a friend of Cintia, joined us for the meeting and sang several Christmas Carols.  She then shared a message describing her life experiences as a mother and a woman of God.  She offered great advice, tips and reminders.  She really encouraged us to remember that this season when our children are very young is so short and we should cherish it.

 

Announcements:

·        The end of the first semester of MOPS is February 14^th.  Please notify Julia Steinhaus if you are not interested in being in MOPS again for the second semester.  Dues will be due again if you will be continuing for the rest of the year.  Julia will be posting the link to register for the second semester soon.

·        OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY: MOPS provided a $200 gift card to a family in the community who lost their mother in a car accident.

·        A cookie exchange will be held at Christ United Methodist Church Sunday Dec 15^th.  If you would like to participate, please bring 3 dozen cookies.   You will enjoy cookies at the party and also take some home.  Cookies will also be donated from the event.  Childcare is available if you sign up in advance.  Please contact Kathleen Randall if you have questions.

·        Cori Atkins hosted a Wrapping Party at her house on Tuesday! 

·        The Painted Bowls event is coming up as a part of the Super Bowl of Caring.  The event benefits East Fort Bend Human Needs.  Bowls are painted and then donated and auctioned off.  Several MOPS ladies participated last year and really enjoyed it.  More details to come!

·        Young Lives are having their Christmas celebration on Dec 12^th.  If you would like to help you can sign up to drive or help with childcare.  There is also a sign up genius to help with the Christmas Wish List created by the girls in the group.

Amanda shared that the Thanksgiving Meeting at Young Lives was a huge success.  We provided plenty of food and several of the girls were able to take some food home as well.  A big thank you for all who provided food and helped serve at the meeting.  Honey Baked Hams donated $200 worth of ham for the event!  Please support their business over the holidays if you are able.  It is the location located in Sugar Land near Sugar Land Town Center.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!!  Our next meeting is January 17^th!