COOKIES AND BOOKS...

We had such a fun play date at Sherry's this morning!  Sherry's playroom will never be the same after we all left but the children had a wonderful time!  It was a great time for moms to visit too!  We all enjoyed delicious cookies and the children took home a new book to read from our book exchange.  We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and look forward to many more play dates in the Spring!

 

A very special group of ladies...

There are 13 amazing women who volunteered to serve on MOPS Steering Committee last spring for 2011-2012 MOPS.  They began preparations for our year in the summer and continue to work so hard each meeting. They have shared ideas, planned events and have worked behind the scenes to make our meetings such a success.  This year would not be possible without these wonderful ladies!  Not only do we have an amazing Steering Committee, Sherry and I have 13 new dear friends!  Tonight Judy hosted our Steering Committee in her home for our Christmas Steering Committee dinner.  It was so nice to have an evening of fellowship and much laughter with these ladies. We ended our evening with an ornament exchange.  BLESSED is the word that comes to mind when we think of these 13 ladies.  Thank you Ann, Debra, Heather, Judy, Jordan, Jennifer, Jackie, Kathy, Melissa, Nicole, Stephanie, Suzanne and Summer.... We are so THANKFUL for your committment to serve in MOPS this year and for each of your friendships!  Love you all!!

 

A Time for Fellowship and Favorite Holiday Goodies...

We ended our final MOPS meeting of 2011 with some fabulous fellowship and delicious holiday food!  No one left this meeting hungry...  We had a friendly competition for "best" holiday appetizers and desserts. Lori received the "2011 Best Appetizer Chef" for her Pesto, Sundried Tomato Pizza and Brittney was awarded  "2011 Best Dessert Chef" for her Rum Cake.  For those of you who were unable to attend, we have recipes from all of the yummy dishes if you would like a copy.  Jennifer led us in making adorable gift tags for loved one's Christmas gifts.  We also celebrated our amazing mentors and table leaders who have guided each table this fall.  We look forward to a wonderful Spring with each of you!  Sherry and I feel so blessed to be a part of this amazing group of women in Marvin MOPS.  Merry Christmas dear friends!    

It's Our Last MOPS Meeting in 2011 (12/8/11)!

Ladies,
 
I can’t believe this Thursday, December 8^th at 10 a.m., we will have our LAST meeting in 2011.  We have had a wonderful semester filled with great speakers, meaningful fellowship and special friendships cultivated and strengthened.  So as we end the first part of our MOPS year, we look forward to sharing our Favorite Christmas desserts or appetizers and recipes, followed by a fun craft led by Jennifer Davis. 
 
Thank you all for participating in our St. Paul’s Secret Santa Workshop toy drive!  Our collection receptacles were filled to the brim at every meeting.  We look forward to Ann Weismann’s update.
 
DON’T FORGET!  The Cupcake Piggy Bank is a great place for you to empty your purse/wallet of loose/spare change!  The collection will go to St. Paul’s at the end of the year. Look for it on Thursday!

THURSDAY MEETING REMINDERS:

-       Please bring in your Favorite Christmas Dessert or Appetizer, along with its written recipe.  Please write your recipe on one side of a note card or paper.  We will make copies of all recipes for the group.

-       Don’t forget to bring an empty box to take home these special treats!

Other meeting reminders:

- Dues if you have not already paid ($25 MOPS International and/or Semester ($40 with childcare and $24 without childcare)

- Please DO NOT bring your child(ren) if he/she shows ANY signs of illness.  Drop off time is 9:50-10:00 a.m.  Please pick up your children promptly by 12 noon.

Upcoming MOPS Events:

- December 13 (TUESDAY)- MOPS Play Date:  “Cookies and Books” at Sherry Trump’s home.  We will be doing a book exchange, so please bring a book (wrapped) for every child that comes to the play date. Should be lots of fun for the kids and moms!

 
If you are UNABLE to attend this Thursday’s MOPS meeting, please notify your Table Leader.  If your children are not coming, and are signed up for childcare, please also notify Stephanie Lamb (MOPPETS Coordinator) at steph.lamb@sbcglobal.net or 903-363-7447.
 

I hope to see you all on Thursday!  

Have a wonderful week,

 
Debra Bochow
Discussion Group Coordinator

It's Marvin MOPS Week (12/1/11)!

Ladies,

What a wonderful long Thanksgiving weekend!  I hope you and your families had a blessed and restful time together.  What a fortuitous time for us to meet again this Thursday, December 1^st at 10 a.m. as we are scheduled to talk about “Family Traditions.”  Our highly recommended speaker, Lynelle Zandstra from Pine Cove, will impart great ideas and suggestions for our new and growing families!

Our fall holiday BAKE SALE was a fantastic success!  Suzanne, Sarah and Sherry will give us the final update this Thursday.

This REALLY will be our last meeting where we will be collecting new and unwrapped toys for the St. Paul’s Secret Santa Workshop.  There is a need for older children’s gifts (soccer balls, sports equipment, bath products).  Let’s provide these precious children with a special Christmas experience!  All donations need to be made to St. Paul’s by December 5^th.

The Cupcake Piggy Bank is a great place for you to empty your purse/wallet of loose/spare change!  The collection will go to St. Paul’s at the end of the year. Look for it on Thursday!

Other meeting reminders:

- Dues if you have not already paid ($25 MOPS International and/or Semester ($40 with childcare and $24 without childcare)

- Please DO NOT bring your child(ren) if he/she shows ANY signs of illness.  Drop off time is 9:50-10:00 a.m.  Please pick up your children promptly by 12 noon.

- Food will be provided by the YELLOW table

Upcoming MOPS Events:

- December 13 (TUESDAY)- MOPS Play Date:  “Cookies and Books” at Sherry Trump’s home

If you are UNABLE to attend this Thursday’s MOPS meeting, please notify your Table Leader.  If your children are not coming, and are signed up for childcare, please also notify Stephanie Lamb (MOPPETS Coordinator) at steph.lamb@sbcglobal.net or 903-363-7447.

Only 2 more meetings left in 2011!  I hope to see you all on Thursday!

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator

It's Time for Pumpkin Rolls

Marvin UMC was so generous to help us prepare for our annual Fall Bake Sale this year.  Mary Lynn said "YES" without hesitation when I called to ask for kitchen assistance... Mary Lynn, Juanita and Anna were so kind and helped us prepare 75 pumpkin rolls in just 5 hours.  They graciously offered to store all of the pumpkin rolls in the deep freeze until the day of our sale.  The generosity overflowed from Marvin Children's Ministry as they provided childcare so our moms could participate in the bake day.  The generosity continued with Marvin membership supporting MOPS at the Bake Sale.  We sold every casserole, cake and pumpkin roll prepared by our amazing MOPS membership!  Suzanne, our Fundraising Coordinator, did an incredible job organizing and leading us  - THANK YOU SUZANNE!  THANK YOU MOPS ladies for all of your support this fall with our fundraiser - baking casseroles, preparing pumpkin rolls, making goodies for the sale and helping at the Bake Sale.  THANK YOU to Marvin UMC staff and congregation for your generous support to Marvin MOPS. 

Our 2011 Pumpkin Roll Bake Day

November MOPS Tots Play Date

We had a great morning of play time for the little ones and time for moms to visit with one another.  It was the perfect day to bounce away some energy and play on the swingset before afternoon naps.  Thanks for coming to "play" at our house today!

It's Marvin MOPS Week (11/17/11)!

Ladies,

What could be better than another great MOPS meeting this Thursday, November 17^th at 10 a.m.?  As Sarah and Sherry mentioned earlier, a representative from Poison Control will be with us to share “Health and Safety Tips for Our Families.”  How relevant especially for us with small, mobile and often curious children?  This should be an extremely informative and interesting presentation!

As we head into Thanksgiving, this is our LAST REMINDER about our upcoming MOPS Fall Bake Sale. It will be held on Sunday, November 20. 

Please bring in your frozen dishes (pot pies/casseroles/other baked goods) to this meeting.  Please contact Suzanne Lambert at 903-33-5560 if you are unable to bring your dish to Thursday’s meeting. She will assist in making arrangements to have it picked up.

Stephanie Lamb, our MOPPETS coordinator, is planning a holiday craft for Thanksgiving.  She needs LARGE pinecones.  Please bring any you may have.  .

This will be our last meeting where we will be collecting new and unwrapped toys for the St. Paul’s Secret Santa Workshop.  There is a need for older children’s gifts (soccer balls, sports equipment, bath products).  Let’s provide these precious children with a special Christmas experience!

The Cupcake Piggy Bank is a great place for you to empty your purse/wallet of loose/spare change!  The collection will go to St. Paul’s at the end of the year. Look for it on Thursday!

Other meeting reminders:

- Dues if you have not already paid ($25 MOPS International and/or Semester ($40 with childcare and $24 without childcare)

- Please DO NOT bring your child(ren) if he/she shows ANY signs of illness.  Drop off time is 9:50-10:00 a.m.  Please pick up your children promptly by 12 noon.

- Food will be provided by the TURQUOISE table

Upcoming MOPS Events:

- November 14 (Monday) - MOPS Tots Play Date at Sarah Burkett’s home

AND LASTLY—A QUICK REMINDER to please park in the lot across the street this Thursday!

If you are UNABLE to attend this Thursday’s MOPS meeting, please notify your Table Leader.  If your children are not coming, and are signed up for childcare, please also notify Stephanie Lamb (MOPPETS Coordinator) at steph.lamb@sbcglobal.net or 903-363-7447.

Have a great week, and see you all on Thursday!

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator

It's Marvin MOPS Week (11/10/11)!

Hello Ladies,

Having missed only the last meeting, I feel it has been many weeks since I have last seen or communicated with all of you!  I am so looking forward to seeing you and experiencing the wise and insightful words of Julie Brown this Thursday.  Mrs. Brown will be our featured speaker at our next meeting, this Thursday, November 10^th at 10 a.m.   

Mrs. Julie Brown has come back to MOPS with a tremendous fan base;  our group!  We asked her back so that she may continue to bless us with her creativity, thoughtfulness and life experiences.  Her discussion topic will be “How to keep the HOLY in the HOLIdays.”   So with the temperatures starting to dip into the seasonal appropriate climate, this will be a perfect entrée into the holidays.

Congratulations to our fantastic group of moms and mentors who participated (directly and indirectly) in our Pumpkin Casserole BAKE DAY!  What a tremendous accomplishment and thanks again to Suzanne Lambert for spearheading this endeavor! 

Upcoming Meeting Reminders:

- Our Fall Bake Sale is fast approaching (November 20^th), so please consider baking any one (or more) of our breakfast or dinner casseroles.   Let’s make this fundraiser our most successful to date!  We continue to meet our goals set forth, so let’s keep it going!  You may bring your frozen dish to any of the next two MOPS meetings for the sale.  Please see Suzanne Lambert for details.

- Stephanie Lamb, our MOPPETS coordinator, is planning a holiday craft for Thanksgiving.  She needs LARGE pinecones.  Please bring any you may have or come across to the next meeting.  The deadline is November 17.

- We will continue to be collecting new and unwrapped toys during the November meetings for the St. Paul’s Secret Santa Workshop.  There is a need for older children’s gifts (soccer balls, sports equipment, bath products)

- The Cupcake Piggy Bank will collect spare change each meeting and given to St. Paul’s at the end of year.  What a great way to clean out your purses of your loose change!

Other meeting reminders:

- Dues if you have not already paid ($25 MOPS International and/or Semester ($40 with childcare and $24 without childcare)

- Please DO NOT bring your child(ren) if he/she shows ANY signs of illness.  Drop off time is 9:50-10:00 a.m.  Please pick up your children promptly by 12 noon.

- Bring your calendars and start planning (if you haven’t already) your table outing together!

- Food will be provided by the PURPLE table

Upcoming MOPS Events:

- November 14 (Monday) - MOPS Tots Play Date at Sarah Burkett’s home

If you are UNABLE to attend this Thursday’s MOPS meeting, please notify your Table Leader.  If your children are not coming, and are signed up for childcare, please also notify Stephanie Lamb (MOPPETS Coordinator) at steph.lamb@sbcglobal.net or 903-363-7447.

Have a great week, and see you all on Thursday!

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator

It's Marvin MOPS Week (10/20/11)!

Hello Ladies,

What a beautiful weekend!  I hope you were all able to spend some great family time together in this fabulous weather!  As we prepare for another productive week, this is a reminder that we have another informative and enriching meeting scheduled for this Thursday, October 20^th at 10 a.m.   

Our upcoming meeting’s theme is titled “Women’s Health Issues”    Our featured speaker will be Sherilyn Willis, M.D., who specializes in Obstetrics and Gynecology.  She will speak about and answer questions relating to women’s health issues.  Come prepared with questions (i.e. is it normal for all of my hair to be falling out post pregnancy and will it grow back?)  We all can benefit from each other’s inquiries and shared experiences. 

There were several very important announcements made at the last MOPS meeting that we wish to reiterate for those of you who were not able to join us:

- The Halloween Playdate scheduled for October 26^th has been CANCELLED.  Instead, the children will go “trick-or-treating” at Marvin during the upcoming October 20^th meeting.  Our wonderful MOPPETS works will take the children around, room by room.  You may have your children dress in their Halloween costume to MOPPETS, or just their costume mask, if they so choose.   

- The PUMPKIN ROLL BAKE DAY will be Thursday, November 3^rd from 9-2.  Please sign up to help make these delicious treats alongside your MOPS friends!  Stay as long as you are able.  Childcare will be provided.  The sign up sheet will be passed around during the meeting.

- Baking participation for our Fall Bake Sale (our primary MOPS Fundraiser) is super encouraged!  Please consider baking any one or more of our selected dishes/casseroles.  We will have printed recipes and pans for you!

- Stephanie Lamb, our MOPPETS coordinator, is planning a holiday craft for Thanksgiving.  She needs LARGE pinecones.  Please bring any you may have or come across to the next meeting. 

Other meeting reminders:

- Dues if you have not already paid ($25 MOPS International and/or Semester ($40 with childcare and $24 without childcare)

- Please DO NOT bring your child(ren) if he/she shows ANY signs of illness.  Drop off time is 9:50-10:00 a.m.  Please pick up your children promptly by 12 noon.

- Bring your calendars and start planning (if you haven’t already) your table outing together!

- Food will be provided by the ORANGE table

Upcoming MOPS Events:

- November 14 (Monday) - MOPS Tots Play Date at Sarah Burkett’s home

If you are UNABLE to attend this Thursday’s MOPS meeting, please notify your Table Leader.  If your children are not coming, and are signed up for childcare, please also notify Stephanie Lamb (MOPPETS Coordinator) at steph.lamb@sbcglobal.net or 903-363-7447.

Have a great week, and see you all on Thursday.

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator

Moms' Night Out at Carino's

We had a great Moms' Night Out at Carino's on Friday evening!  Lots of laughs, stories shared and friendships made... Thank you ladies for such a fun dinner! 

It's Marvin MOPS Week (10/13/11)!

Hello Ladies,

I hope you all have had a wonderful weekend with your families.  In preparation for the upcoming week, this is a reminder that we have our next meeting this Thursday, October 13 at 10 a.m.    I am looking forward to seeing everyone again!

Our upcoming meeting’s theme is titled “Marriage Matters.”    Chris Legg, a licensed professional counselor will be speaking on marriage.  If you have a question that you would like to submit ahead of time for him to answer during the meeting, please email Sherry Trump (strump02@yahoo.com) and she will send them all to him.  If you don't think of one in time, don't worry!  He will have a time of Q&A  at the meeting. 

We have also consolidated our total number of tables from 6 to 5. This has affected all but a handful of moms (Pink Table and a few more), so you may see some new faces at your table this Thursday.  I am attaching the new list of table assignments for your review to confirm your seating before Thursday.

A few meeting reminders:

- Submit ahead of time or bring with you questions for Chris Legg

- Bring pictures of your family and/or your kids for our picture boards if you have not already

- Dues if you have not already paid ($25 MOPS International and/or Semester ($40 with childcare and $24 without childcare)

- Please DO NOT bring your child(ren) if he/she shows ANY signs of illness.  Drop off time is 9:50-10:00 a.m.  Please pick up your children promptly by 12 noon.

Upcoming MOPS Events:

- MOPS Play Date at Brookshire’s Wildlife Museum & Park on Tuesday, October 11^th from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.  Bring a picnic lunch.  

If you are UNABLE to attend this Thursday’s MOPS meeting, please notify your Table Leader.  If your children are not coming, and are signed up for childcare, please also notify Stephanie Lamb (MOPPETS Coordinator) at steph.lamb@sbcglobal.net or 903-363-7447.

Hope you enjoy the remaining part of your weekend!  See you all on Thursday.

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator

It's Marvin MOPS Week!

Hello Wonderful Moms,

We have another exciting MOPS meeting planned for this Thursday, September 22 at 10 a.m.  We are looking forward to seeing all of you again, and for our moms who were absent at the first meeting, we look forward to meeting you this Thursday!

This upcoming meeting will be our MENTOR PANEL where we can ask our special Mentors questions about topics relating to motherhood, life balance, spousal relationships, etc.  Let’s take advantage of their immense wisdom, experience and insight and come prepared with questions that we all have as we live and care for our families day to day.    We also will have an opportunity to “show and tell” about 3 objects that describe who we are;  this could be a cell phone, lap top or chap stick!

Your Table Leaders by now have been in touch with you and may even be planning your table outing.  I encourage all of you to make time for this well deserved break in your busy lives to get to know your table mates and Mentors in a different and fun setting.

Just to recap, please remember to bring/consider the following for this Thursday’s meeting:

-          Questions for our Mentor Panel

-          Bring 3 objects that describe you or your life

-          Pictures of your family and/or your kids for our picture boards

-          MOPS International ($25) and/or Semester ($40 with childcare/ $24 without childcare) Dues if you have not already paid

-          Please DO NOT bring your child(ren) if he/she shows ANY signs of illness.  Drop off time is 9:50-10:00 a.m. before the meeting.  Please pick up your children promptly by 12 noon to be courteous of the MOPPETS staff.

Upcoming MOPS Events:

-          MOPS Mom’s Night Out at Carino’s Italian Grill on Friday, September 30^th at 6:30 p.m.

-          MOPS Play Date at Brookshire’s Wildlife Museum  & Park on Tuesday, October 11^th  10 a.m. to 12 noon.  Bring a picnic lunch.

If you are unable to attend this Thursday’s MOPS meeting, please notify your Table Leader.  If your children are not coming and are signed up for childcare please also notify Stephanie Lamb (MOPPETS Coordinator) at steph.lamb@sbcglobal.net or 903-363-7447.

Have a blessed week and see you all on Thursday!

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator

"MomSense" at Marvin MOPS

What a wonderful kick-off as we began our 2011-2012 MOPS year at Marvin!  This year's MOPS theme is "MomSense" - be BOLD, LOVING, and SENSIBLE. Our theme verse is "God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible" (2 Timothy 1:7 - The Message).   Our meeting was filled with several new faces and many returning moms from last year.  There were brand new moms with infants and more seasoned moms with several children.  No matter what "mothering" stage moms are in,  Marvin MOPS is a place for all moms seeking connection, support and fellowship!  Our group would not be complete without our amazing 6 mentors.  Returning this year are Judy, Natalie, Lori and MaryAnn along with Leanne, our newest mentor.  We are so thankful to have each of these ladies take the time to pour their guidance and mothering wisdom into our lives, as newer moms.  Our morning began with introductions of our MomSense theme, Steering Committee, Mentors, and devotional by Judy.

We knew our moms would know how to be creative in a MOPS style cooking competition.  How often are the kids asking for a snack, you open the pantry and find very little to offer that they like?.  You stare at the random ingredients in the pantry and wonder what can I make?  "Iron Chef" - MOPS Style competition was very similiar to what we face as moms when the box of goldfish is empty or last yogurt has been eaten.  Each group had an assortment of ingredients to create two snacks, one "savory" and one "sweet."  Our judges (Mentors) voted on creativity, presentation and overall taste of the snacks.  The Orange and Blue table ladies were our most creative chefs this morning!    We ended our meeting by making MOPS prayer journals.  Jennifer, our Creative Activities Coordinator, brought adorable ribbons, papers and stickers for us to personalize mini journals to keep in our purses this year!  We are so excited to begin this year with each of you!  Looking forward to seeing you at our next meeting - September 22nd!

The 2011 MOPS Style "Iron Chef" Competition begins...



Our WONDERFUL Mentors!




3 Sweet New Moms in our Group!



Sisters!

Fun to have new friends at Marvin MOPS!

Working very hard on their "savory" dish!



Great day visiting with other moms!



Our 2011-2012 MOPS "Iron Chef" Winners!!!
The ORANGE and BLUE tables!!!



Our Pink and Purple Table Gals!



The Yellow and Turquoise Table Ladies!

Enjoying time with Miss Callaway!