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!

Our First Meeting...

We are about to begin a brand new MOPS adventure together!  The first meeting of the year is this THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 10 a.m.- Noon in the Arts & Crafts Room on the 2^nd floor.  If you are new, this room is to the left of the elevator.  There will be signs to direct you.

We are so fortunate to have Sarah B. and Sherry T. our Co-Coordinators this year.  We are blessed to have Judy C. continue as our Lead Mentor.  These dedicated women and the rest of the Steering Team have thoughtfully planned our group’s activities and are ready to help support you in your role as mom this year.  This year, we have added some new features to enhance our support, connection and communication with one another:  We are now on Facebook- Marvin UMC MOPS.  Please join our Facebook group and follow our blog to get up to the minute information on upcoming meetings/events or be part of a “mom moment” conversation.

This year’s theme is MomSense:  Bold-Loving-Sensible.  Developing a mothering strategy is somewhat like playing a game--- and this year’s theme is appropriately game related.  Have fun being a mom!  Playing games involves being bold and taking risks, loving those in the game with us and being sensible while figuring out what works and what doesn’t. 

If you will be using childcare, also known as our MOPPETS program, you may bring your children to the childcare rooms which are located on the first floor.  There will be a sign to direct you.  If your children are not coming, and you are signed up for childcare, it is important that you contact Stephanie, our MOPPETS Coordinator, to let her know.  This affects how many volunteers/workers/rooms we need.

Some additional important reminders about our MOPPETS program:

• Please LABEL ALL of your child’s belongings (sippy cups, pacifiers,etc.) 
• Please DO NOT bring your child if he/she shows ANY signs of illness.  Please refer to the “Moppets Guidelines” for further instruction
• Drop off time is 9:50-10:00 a.m. before the meeting.  Please pick up your children promptly by noon to be courteous of the MOPPETS staff

Other First Meeting Reminders:

1. Please bring a picture of your immediate family to be displayed on a board so we can learn each other’s families.  You may bring an actual hard copy photograph or email your picture to Jennifer (Creative Activities Coordinator) at jdburks14@yahoo.com
2. Please bring pictures of your kids to be displayed on a separate board.  You may bring an actual hard copy photograph or email your picture to Jennifer  at jdburks14@yahoo.com
3. First Semester Dues are due:  $40 if you are using childcare/ $24 if you are not using childcare.  If you have not paid the $25 MOPS International dues, then these are also due.  Checks made payable to “Marvin MOPS.”  Cash is also accepted.  Dues go to Jamie, our Financial Coordinator. 
4. Financial assistance is available in the form of scholarships or payment plans.  Please see Jamie  for additional information.

We are so excited to welcome new and returning moms to a new MOPS year! 

See you on Thursday!

Debra

Discussion Group Coordinator