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

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!