Growing Kids in God's Way

Ladies,

We are so sorry that you missed today’s meeting.  Many of you have sick children, and we hope they recover quickly!

I’m attaching a link to today’s newsletter which has several new items and events for you to note: 

http://db.tt/4Nf1ceGV

-          OUR MOPS TOTS (2 and under) Playdate (next Thursday, February 17) LOCATION has been CHANGED to the home of Suzanne Lambert at 925 Shepherd Lane, Tyler 75701.  Suzanne’s phone is 903-330-5560.

-          Our Spring Fundraiser will be a GARAGE SALE!  It is scheduled for Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the home of Sherry Trump.   Start gathering up and collecting any of the following items that you have been waiting to donate for a great cause;  clothing (adult and children), toys, baby equipment, etc.  Proceeds will go directly towards our MOPPETS program, and the remaining unsold items will be donated to St. Paul’s.  You will not have to individually price your items!  Details regarding pick up and/or collection of your donated items will be forthcoming.

-          Please take the time and open the Care Calendar when emailed.   The gift of a meal (prepared or purchased) for the recipient and her family is a wonderful blessing and met with tremendous gratitude.

Rev. Marty and Jami Dunbar blessed us with an amazing presentation on “Growing Kids in God’s Way.”  We will be emailing you PDF’s of their handouts shortly.   It would be difficult to summarize their entire discussion as many examples, scriptures and topics were conveyed.  I was however struck by Rev. Dunbar’s succinct recipe for having “Success in Parenting”:  1) Having a great marriage!  This creates security and certainty in our children, and gives them confidence in how they lead their own lives and 2) Having a great relationship with the Lord.  This is our primary relationship and the relationship between husband and wife is the foundation and mirror for which our children learn about relationships, and character.

We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on Thursday, February 23^rd.  Please bring with you at least 3 favorite kid-friendly recipes to share with the group.

Take care, and have a wonderful weekend!

Debra Bochow
Discussion Group Coordinator

It's Marvin MOPS Week (2/9/12)!

Hello Ladies,
Hope you all are having a great weekend with your families.  Thank you again to Sarah and Sherry for hosting such a fun and well attended MOPs Mom’s Night Out last Thursday.  We hope to see more of you at our next outing later in the semester!

Our next meeting is this Thursday, February 9^th at 10 a.m. in Rm. 246 (second floor, Faith Classroom).  Rev. Marty and Jami Dunbar will be joining us to talk about “Growing Kids in God’s Way.”  We look forward to hearing and learning about such an important and necessary facet of mothering our young children.

THURSDAY MEETING REMINDERS:

- Dues if you have not already paid ($25 MOPS International and/or Semester ($50 with childcare and $30 without childcare).  Checks made payable to “Marvin MOPS”  or cash is accepted.  Dues will be collected at your table in a secure envelope provided by your Table Leader.

- 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.

- Start coordinating your Table Night Out with your Table Leader and Mentor before your calendars are filled with spring and end of semester commitments!  This is a great way to really get to know your table mates and mentors! 

- Food will be provided by the BLUE Table

Upcoming MOPS Events:

- February 17 (FRIDAY)- MOPS Tots (2 and under) Play Date at Summer Greenslade’s home.  1308 Donnybrook Ave., Tyler.  469-831-3272

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

Moms Night Out...

What a great way to kick-off our MOPS "spring" semester with a fun dinner at Sonoma Grill!  We had a wonderful time getting to visit and know each other more.  We will definitely plan another one for later this Spring! 

Good and Bad Habits (Spiritual and Dental)

To our sweet moms that missed today's MOPS Meeting:

I hope you are all well, and please know that we thought of each of you during today’s meeting. 

 Judy Carter led our meeting with a reminder about being “thankful”, as this is our theme for the year.  If you do it often enough;  giving thanks, than it wonderfully becomes a habit!  She then specifically targeted our day to day decisions we make, and how often times making bad decisions can also become a habit.  Her example was do we return the extra amount of change mistakenly given to us back to the cashier, or do we keep it and make excuses as to why we would “deserve” to keep it?  Starting off with little bad decisions (like keeping the extra money) can build upon one another.  These bad decisions are being made to please yourself and not God.  He is always right there!  

Dr. Donald Ritchie and his assistant gave a very informative presentation about our children’s dental hygiene and habits.  Starting with when our children should start seeing a dentist (age 1), to recommended foods/snacks to AVOID (raisins, chewy fruit snacks, etc), he covered the spectrum of high points about preschool dental care.   His take away was PREVENTION, PREVENTION, PREVENTION….and our roles as mothers in helping our children develop good habits to avoid cavities and other oral issues. 

Don’t forget our Mother’s Night Out is next Thursday, February 2^nd at 6:30 p.m. at Sonoma Grill.  Please come for great fellowship, food and fun!

Our next meeting is Thursday, February 9^th at 10 a.m.  Hope to see you all there!

Lastly, I am attaching a link to today’s newsletter for your reading pleasure and information.
http://db.tt/Ap9VeZAj

Have a great weekend,

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator   

It's Marvin MOPS Week (1/26/12)!

Hello MOPS Moms,
Hope you all have had a restful weekend with your families and are getting ready for another busy week!  I’m looking forward to seeing all of you this Thursday, January 26^th at 10 a.m.  Our featured speaker will be Dr. Donald Ritchie, Pediatric Dentist of Healthy Smiles for Kids.  Following his presentation, he will hold a Q&A session and I know we will have lots of questions for him!    

Our meetings will be held in our “normal” meeting room on the second floor of Marvin UMC in the Faith Classroom.  For all new moms this semester, you will need to take the elevators up to the second floor, and make a sharp left into our room.    There will be signs to direct you. 

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 Lamb, our MOPPETS Coordinator, to let her know:  Steph.lamb@sbcglobal.net, or 903-363-7447.  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

Important Meeting Reminders:

1. For new moms, 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 Davis (Creative Activities Coordinator) at jdburks14@yahoo.com
2. For new moms, 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 Davis at jdburks14@yahoo.com
3. For ALL Moms:  Second Semester Dues are due:  $50 if you are using childcare/ $30 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 your Table Leader in the envelope provided at your table. 
4. Financial assistance is available in the form of scholarships or payment plans.  Please see Heather Parker for additional information.
5. Your tables should be thinking about your Table Night Out.  Table Leaders will be coordinating their table’s outing.  Start planning now before your calendars fill up, which we know they do!
6. Food will be provided by members of the Steering Committee

Upcoming MOPS Events:

- February 2^nd (THURSDAY)- Mom’s Night Out- Location TBA

- February 17^th (FRIDAY)- MOPS TOTS (2 and under) Play Date at Summer Greenslade’s Home at 1308 Donnybrook Ave.  Tyler.  Tel:  469-831-3272

If you are UNABLE to attend this Thursday’s MOPS meeting, please notify your Table Leader.   Table Leaders will be touching base with all of you as Thursday approaches.   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

Starting the New Year 2012 "Being Thankful."

Ladies,
We launched our spring semester reconnecting with old friends, meeting new friends and laying the foundation spiritually and physically for a productive 2012.   Judy’s devotion was centered on her theme for the new year;  “Being Thankful.”   In her words, a thankful spirit is a contented spirit.    By “giving thanks in all circumstances (good and bad),” we can depend on Christ to get us through our tough times.  This is all part of our journey with Christ as there are no coincidences or having just luck.  We should give thanks for ALL of our life experiences!

Daisy Hargraves got our blood pumping and our minds sharpened to make smart choices concerning our health and bodies.  Her motto, “Lean Body. Fat Soul” teaches us to take care of our bodies by our food choices and exercise (which can be done with our kids and at home), and nourish our souls with spiritual food.  What a great way to start the new year!

Our next meeting is Thursday, January 26^th.    Dr. Donald Ritchie, a pediatric dentist, will be our speaker.  He will present and hold a Q&A session.

I am attaching a copy of today’s meeting’s newsletter and a member questionnaire.  We want to know more about you!  Please fill one out and give to Jackie Lowe at the next meeting. 

DUES for the Spring Semester:  $50 (with childcare) or $30 (without childcare) are being collected.  Payment can be either cash or check (payable to Marvin MOPS).

We hope to see all of you on January 26^th!   

 Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator

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

Happy New Year Ladies!

 We are so excited to see everyone again for our first meeting of 2012 this Thursday, January 12 at 10 a.m.   Our meeting will take place in Pirtle Hall, which is on the first floor and on the left as you walk into the church from the parking lot towards the nursery.   We will have someone at the door to guide and direct all returning and new moms to our group.   Please arrive promptly at 10 a.m.  as we want to maximize the time we have together as a group and with our tables.

 As we have in the past, we also will be assigned to a different table, table leader & mentor this semester!  Your new Table Leader will be in touch with you before Thursday.  She will introduce herself and confirm your attendance for the meeting. 

Daisy Mae Hargraves will be our featured speaker this Thursday to talk about “Moms in Motion.”  She will be demonstrating some exercises that are mom & time friendly, and we will also participate in some of her fitness segments.  Please wear comfortable/workout clothing so you can fully participate!

Since we have several new moms joining us this semester, I am reposting a few helpful hints about MOPPETS:
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 Lamb, our MOPPETS Coordinator, to let her know:  Steph.lamb@sbcglobal.net, or 903-363-7447.  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

Meeting Reminders:

1. For new moms, 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 Davis (Creative Activities Coordinator) at jdburks14@yahoo.com
2. For new moms, 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 Davis at jdburks14@yahoo.com
3. For ALL Moms:  Second 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 your Table Leader. 
4. Financial assistance is available in the form of scholarships or payment plans.  Please see Heather Parker for additional information.

Upcoming MOPS Events:

- January 17th (TUESDAY)- MOPS Play Date:   at Kristin Anthony’s home.  20930 Gatlinburg Road, Bullard  (903) 825-1919

- February 2^nd (THURSDAY)- Mom’s Night Out- Location TBA

 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