Let's Be Real...

Hello Moms,

We hope you are all well, and as we approach May, we hope you will be able to attend our last few meetings.  You were all missed today!

Since we did not have a speaker, presentation or even a craft in store, our time together today was a much needed “break” from reality.  Our table time was extended to visit and reconnect with one another.  For once, unstructured time just felt perfect! 

Judy always manages to find the right words and message to convey.  She draws upon her own life experiences, and often times, these “happen” to make an impact as she is going about her day.  Today she conveyed two themes that impacted her while listening to her favorite radio station, KVNE.  The first drew upon the notion of “spiritual warfare” and how we are surrounded by negative influences every day in our lives.  It is up to us, as the mothers of our children to keep the angels close, and around our families and children to ward off evil.  Specifically, Judy points to what we listen to in the car while driving with our children.  “What are we listening to?”  If it is songs with questionable lyrics/messages, than we are surrounding our precious children with evil.  We are allowing Satan access to those we love and care for the most.  So moms, be mindful of what is playing in the car.  Keep it wholesome and spiritually healthy!

Second, Judy recounted a precious story about a young girl and her imitation strand of pearls.  She admired them from afar, saved her money, and although she knew they were not “real” she desperately wanted them.  And so she purchased them and held them close and tight.  Her sweet father every night would ask for her pearls, and she denied him.  These were her pearls and she loved them so.  Night after night her dad would ask for her pearls, but she repeatedly would refuse.  Until one night she offered them to her dad saying that he had asked so many times and it obviously meant a lot to him.  Her dad would then take out of his pocket the genuine “real” strand of pearls and gave them to her.  What and why are we holding on to our own “imitation pearls?”  Our Father has the ability to give us the “real thing,” but it is up to us to see and give up what is not true or real for his many rich and “real” blessings. 

Who knew that playing a simple game of “MOPS Family Feud” would be so fun and exhilarating?  Or that we would know so much about topics related to “stuff we find in a car seat” or “name the top 5 baby food flavors.”   And how wonderful is it to hear a room full of women/moms laughing while working together?    I can’t wait for another GAME Day.  It’s good for the soul.

We look forward to next Thursday, May 3^rd (our next meeting) when Katie Butts (fellow MOPS mom) will be speaking and sharing her personal experiences and insight into raising “sense”-itive children.  We are thrilled that she will bless us with her words, and perspective. 

Other Items of interest:

-          Upcoming MOPS playdate is next Tuesday, May 1^st at the home of Jackie Lowe.  

-          Several positions are open for our 2012-2013 MOPS Steering Committee.  Please inquire with either Sherry or Sarah if you have any questions, are interested or would like to learn more about Steering.  It’s a fantastic way of getting to know (better) your fellow moms and working for a wonderful and supportive group of women. 

 Hope to see you all of you next Thursday, May 3^rd!

Debra Bochow,
Discussion Group Coordinator

It's Marvin MOPS Week (4/26/12)!

Ladies,
Spring is definitely in full swing, and if I dare say, we are also busy scheduling our fun filled summers with our kids and families.    The year is quickly drawing to a close and we hope that you will continue to make and carve out the time for yourselves as we approach our final few meetings.  Our next MOPS meeting is this Thursday, April 26^th at 10 a.m. in room 246 (Faith Classroom).  

As a way to take a break from our regular and busy routines, we have planned a MOPS Game Day!  Enjoy our delicious brunch, talk with your table friends, and take a short time out from the hustle and bustle of your day to exercise your mind in a different way!

As we wind down the year, our leaders Sarah and Sherry are already planning for next year;  who, alongside our steering committee help create and run our wonderful program.  There are open steering positions for next year.  If you are interested we'll have Steering "Interest Forms" at our next meeting to complete or visit with Sherry or Sarah.

THURSDAY MEETING REMINDERS:

- 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.

- The BLUE Table will be providing food.

Upcoming Dates to Remember:
·         Our next meeting is NEXT Thursday, May 3^rd.  Katie Butts (fellow MOPs mom) will share personal insight into raising "sense"-itive kids
·         Last MOPS Play Date at Jordan Delaney’s Home (2110 Dueling Oaks, Tyler  75703  210-355-7309) on Thursday, May 15th at 10

 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.netor 903-363-7447.

I hope to see you all on Thursday!

Have a wonderful week,

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator

We Are Still Our Parents' Children

Ladies,

We hope all of you are well and not getting too overwhelmed with the mounting “busy-ness” that typically happens in the spring.  We missed each of you and hope you know you were all thought of as we took group attendance.

I continue to be amazed at how Judy can speak to issues and situations that are directly impacting me at the time!    I know many of you agree, and understand why her part of our fellowship is so important and vital to our spiritual health.   Today’s message in one sentence could go as follows;  “We Are Still Our Parents’ Children.”  Not only are we our parents’ children, we are also our “parents -in laws’ children.”  So what does this mean to us in our daily lives and in terms of being a mother?  Quite a lot actually.  God has directed us as one of the Ten Commandments, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right.”  The promise is that we will be blessed with a long life if we honor our mother and father.  To extrapolate further, when we are married, “two shall become one,” we also get another set of parents and we are to honor our husbands’ mother and father as our own.  We must respect and honor our parents as we have been commanded, not suggested to do so.  In cases where there maybe issues that preclude a harmonious co-existence, Judy recommended that we try and help the situation to improve and move forward.  Pray for an improved understanding, and a softening of heart.   Try to remember this when we find ourselves in a heated or uncomfortable situation with our parents or in laws, as our children will and do watch how we treat them, and they will mirror the behavior they witness and treat us in the same manner. 

In the spirit of “spring cleaning” and our recent garage sale, we spent the later half of today’s meeting “swapping” out our donated items for new merchandise!  

Our next MOPS meeting will be Thursday, April 26th and we will be hosting Game Day!  Our originally scheduled speaker, Katie Butts (fellow MOPS mom) will be speaking on “Raising Sensitive Kids” at our May 3^rd meeting.   So as we roll the dice, answer trivia questions, or create words from random letters, talk with your table mates, learn more about one another, share your latest parenting saga or just enjoy the company of a great group of women.  The BLUE table will provide a delicious brunch!

Upcoming Dates to Remember:

·         MOPS Play Date at Jackie Lowe's Home on Monday, April 16th at 10 a.m.  Jackie’s home address is 8418 Castleton Way, Tyler, 75703

·         Our MOMS Night Out will be Thursday, April 19th at 7 p.m. at Mario’s Restaurant (check your email for your EVITE)

Our MOPS year is winding down and I hope to see you all at our last few meetings!

Have a wonderful weekend and a blessed week,

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator

Our First MOPS Swap

This was our very first MOPS Swap!  Each mom brought up to 3 items from home another mom might enjoy!  We drew numbers for the order we would get to go "shop" and had a great time of "swapping" home decor, children's clothing, toys, purses, and more...

Kimberly drew #1!!!!  She took home a new toy for her girls...

Melissa was #2 and quickly grabbed the adorable Spring purse Debra had brought... 

Baby items from one mom for another... 

Shopping for cute shoes.. 

So much to choose from... 

Our wonderful mentors... 

While we waited our turn to shop... Jennifer led us in a craft to help us be more organized!  Thanks Jennifer for the cute and creative envelopes we each took home. 



It's Marvin MOPS Week (4/12/12)!

Happy Monday Ladies!

What a fabulous weekend!  Hope you all enjoyed Easter with your precious families and thank you again to all of the ladies who joined us last Thursday at our night out at Jakes;  fun times, and more to come!  Also, another BIG thank you to all of our moms who donated items and/or provided their time to help with our spring garage sale;   what a huge success!  After what seems like a long break, we are gearing up for our next MOPS meeting this Thursday, April 12^th at 10 a.m. in room 246 (Faith Classroom).   

This will be our first annual "MOPSwap"!  The idea was shared from several other MOPS group who loved this meeting.  Everyone brings up to 3 things that you think another mom might enjoy from your house.  You will go home with 3 new items!  These things might include a favorite soap/candle or a "mom" item (ex. cleaning product - Mr. Clean Magic Eraser), home decor item you no longer have displayed that another mom might enjoy, your child's gently used toy they no longer play with, etc.  You can be as creative as you want to be!  Please don't go out and spend any money... the idea is to find things around the house, something nicer than maybe you want to donate to Goodwill or throw away...  We'll have 3 rounds - we will draw numbers for each round and go one by one "shopping" in the MOPSwap room...  It should be lots of FUN!  Jennifer will also have a great craft activity for us to do while we wait for the other tables to shop. 

THURSDAY MEETING REMINDERS:

- Please pay any outstanding Spring dues.  If needed, payment plans or scholarships can be coordinated with Heather Parker (Financial Coordinator). We do NOT want any financial cost to hinder a mom from joining our group. $25 MOPS International and/or Spring Semester ($50 with childcare and $30 without childcare) by cash or check (made payable to “Marvin MOPS”).

- 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.

- The YELLOW Table will be providing food.

Upcoming Dates to Remember:

·         MOPS Play Date at Jackie Lowe's Home on Monday, April 16th at 10 a.m.

·         Our MOMS Night Out will be Thursday, April 19th

 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.netor 903-363-7447.

I hope to see you all on Thursday!

Have a wonderful week,

Debra Bochow
Discussion Group Coordinator

MOPS Spring Fling Downtown!

What a way to celebrate friendship and fellowship with the backdrop of a peaceful downtown Tyler during sunset.  Who would have thought that dining al fresco on top of a building would be so relaxing and fun?  Well, it was the perfect place to relax and visit with our friends as we all prepare for Easter, and the many activities associated with the end of the year. 

It is hard to imagine we are nearing the end of our MOPS year!  Its been a fabulous time of meeting new friends, hearing great speakers, and receiving support from one another.   The friendships we have all made in MOPS are so special as we journey through the early motherhood years.  Cheers to all of our sweet MOPS friends who support, understand and make us laugh through all of our daily dilemmas!  Don't forget....our next Mom's Nite Out is Thursday, April 19th at 6:30 p.m.! 

Our Spring Fundraiser and Outreach...

We have an incredible group of ladies in Marvin MOPS!  Your love and support for our Spring Fundraiser and Outreach left us speechless!  The donations for our Spring "Garage Sale" continued to grow and grow...absolutely AMAZING!   There were lots of ladies who cleaned out many closets to support our fundraiser.  We had clothing, baby gear, dishes, home decor, furniture, and even a dryer!  When we opened Judy's garage to begin several of us were a little overwhelmed where to start... but we had the best time together preparing the piles for our big sale!  This event would not have been possible without our fundraising leadership this year.  Thank you Suzanne for all of your organization of our fundraiser and Stephanie, our "Garage Sale Queen" who led us through sorting and pricing! 

We had a blast Friday evening - sorting, pricing and even shopping by some! 

Judy graciously volunteered to host our MOPS Fundraiser.  This was her "first" time to ever host a garage sale.  I know this must have been overwhelming as she looked inside her garage.  Thank you, Judy and Bruce for opening your home and circle drive for our fundraiser!  You had the perfect location in Tyler for our sale. 

The cars began arriving at 6:20 a.m. to shop our sale before we took the first table down the driveway.  At 7 a.m. they "politely" asked if they could start shopping and from there the crowds continued to come all morning!  We had such a successful fundraiser as well as outreach for St. Paul Children's Foundation.  We took carload(s) of children, adult clothing and baby gear to re-stock St. Paul's clothing closet after the sale. 

THANK YOU to each one of our Mavin MOPS moms!  Your support for our MOPS fundraiser through donations and volunteering has blessed our group as well as St. Paul Children's Foundation.