Please join us for our MOPS Kick Off Picnic
When: Tuesday, August 23
Time: 10:30 - 12:30
Where: Wildcat Cove
What to bring: You, your children, a friend who may be interested in MOPS, and your own picnic lunch.
We hope to see you there!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
New London Water Days Parade
Disa, Brooke, Jada, Erica, Jennifer
The moms and their preschoolers!
A few of us were able to take part in the parade with our children to promote MOPS and find some new recruits. We would love to have more mothers join our group, so if you know of anyone who would be interested in being part of such a great group, let them know about our first meeting and our blog!
We hope you are all enjoying your summers!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Happy Mother's Day
I read this today and remember my own disappointment of mother's day years ago. Having the same high expecatations and finally realizing the joys of being a mom and enjoying every moment because they truly grow up fast.
Taken from Family Life Momlife Today
Mother’s Day or ‘Me’ Day?
May 2, 2011 by Julia
Disappointment is an emotion I didn’t expect to experience on my first Mother’s Day. I had set my expectations a little high: breakfast in bed, pampering, long nap in the afternoon, glory and honor showered on me for my accomplishments in the first nine months of being a mother. Instead I woke up nauseous from morning sickness with my second (surprise!) pregnancy. I had a cranky 8 month old baby who would not allow anyone other than her mother to care for her. And I was not flattered by this. Instead of napping that afternoon, I had food to prepare to take to our family gathering that evening. The primary cause of my disappointment: selfishness. I chose to make the day about me instead focusing on the blessing of being a mother and honoring the other women in my life who influenced me. After a few years of wallowing in self-pity every Mother’s Day, I finally realized that I was robbing myself of joy, not those around me.
Since then, I have found great joy in focusing on other women in my life. I appreciate my mother-in-law who nurtured my amazing man. My grandmothers who spoiled me, told me Bible stories and made cookies. My aunts who had me visit for sleepovers, threw great birthday parties for me and took me shopping. And I spend time remembering my mom and allow myself to grieve and miss her.
There are many other women surrounding me that are deserving of honor. My friend, Kathy, who has never given birth or adopted but selflessly fosters children in need as a single mom. I have friends who are expected to be both the mother and father to their children while juggling a career and household. My neighbor, Mrs. Moody, may be finished with the active role of mothering with her children grown, but still yearns for the attention and affection of children. The military family in my children’s school whose mom is serving overseas may need a little mothering from me. The new mother in church could use a nap and someone to rock the baby for an hour or two.
When I focus on others, I realize how blessed I am to be a mother and how many other women deserve thanks for teaching me how! Who can you bless this Mother’s Day?
Find suggestions for blessing other moms around you here.
Taken from Family Life Momlife Today
Mother’s Day or ‘Me’ Day?
May 2, 2011 by Julia
Disappointment is an emotion I didn’t expect to experience on my first Mother’s Day. I had set my expectations a little high: breakfast in bed, pampering, long nap in the afternoon, glory and honor showered on me for my accomplishments in the first nine months of being a mother. Instead I woke up nauseous from morning sickness with my second (surprise!) pregnancy. I had a cranky 8 month old baby who would not allow anyone other than her mother to care for her. And I was not flattered by this. Instead of napping that afternoon, I had food to prepare to take to our family gathering that evening. The primary cause of my disappointment: selfishness. I chose to make the day about me instead focusing on the blessing of being a mother and honoring the other women in my life who influenced me. After a few years of wallowing in self-pity every Mother’s Day, I finally realized that I was robbing myself of joy, not those around me.
Since then, I have found great joy in focusing on other women in my life. I appreciate my mother-in-law who nurtured my amazing man. My grandmothers who spoiled me, told me Bible stories and made cookies. My aunts who had me visit for sleepovers, threw great birthday parties for me and took me shopping. And I spend time remembering my mom and allow myself to grieve and miss her.
There are many other women surrounding me that are deserving of honor. My friend, Kathy, who has never given birth or adopted but selflessly fosters children in need as a single mom. I have friends who are expected to be both the mother and father to their children while juggling a career and household. My neighbor, Mrs. Moody, may be finished with the active role of mothering with her children grown, but still yearns for the attention and affection of children. The military family in my children’s school whose mom is serving overseas may need a little mothering from me. The new mother in church could use a nap and someone to rock the baby for an hour or two.
When I focus on others, I realize how blessed I am to be a mother and how many other women deserve thanks for teaching me how! Who can you bless this Mother’s Day?
Find suggestions for blessing other moms around you here.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Creative Ideas to teach your Children About Easter
Four Creative Ways to Teach Your Kids About Easter (taken from Hearts at Home) Read the Easter story right from the Bible one night after dinner or before bed. If you use a New International Version (NIV) or The Message Bible, it helps make the story easier to understand. The Easter story can be found in several places but you can start in the book of Mark chapters 15 and 16. Read the Easter story aloud while your kids are decorating Easter eggs. You'll have a captive audience. Keep a stash of jelly beans for mom and dad's use only. In the week leading up to Easter leave a few jelly beans with short notes telling your children how much you love them or how you see God working in their lives. Leave the jellybeans and notes in some fun places for them to find them (under their pillows, in their lunch boxes, in their backpacks, or on their dressers). Make your own Easter story eggs. Fill 9 plastic eggs with a Bible verse and a corresponding item that will help tell the Easter story. Number the eggs and place them in a basket you keep as a center piece on your kitchen table. Beginning nine days before Easter, allow your kids to open one egg each day in countdown order. Read the verse and talk about how the item is an important part of the Easter story. This helps tell the Easter story in a creative way. It's especially beneficial to those kids who best learn with hands-on activities. Here are the items you'll need: #9 Cracker Mark 14:22 #8 Three dimes Matthew 26:14-15 #7 Thorn Mark 15:17 #6 Two sticks (to make a cross) John 19:16-17 #5 Nail Luke 23:33 #4 White Cloth Matthew 27:57-60 #3 Stone Matthew 27:49-60 #2 Cinnamon Sticks Mark 16:1 #1 (Empty) Mark 16:5-6 If you don't want to make your own, you can find ready made Resurrection Eggs online or in Christian bookstores from Family Life.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Bad Mom Confession
Bad Mom Confessions & the ABC’s of Mom Truth
March 25, 2011 By Tracey Momlife Today
In the last month I have…
1 – Allowed the enemy into my thought life and wrongly accused my child of lying.
2 – Been lazy and chosen to sit and be a slug instead of diligently complete a task I had started.
3 – Allowed my children to view something they shouldn’t have, but at the time…it was easier just to “let it go.”
4 – Looked for every excuse possible not to keep a commitment I had made, but wished I hadn’t.
5 – Been totally selfish towards my husband in an area I should have just mustered up the time and energy to do the right thing.
6 – Offered lack luster and unhealthy meals because I was “sick” of always having to cook.
7 – Psycho analyzed another woman in my life to pull her down and make me feel better about myself.
8 – Not done my daily alone time with God… because I was too interested in jumping on the Internet.
9 – Set my children up for failure by not insisting they do what they were supposed to do… because I wanted to avoid the conflict.
10 – Looked in the mirror and beat myself up for all my failures as a mom and wife.
See… you are not the only one who fails.
Can you relate?
Your list may be a bit different than mine, but we all have “epic fails” in our momlife. However, in spite of me (and you) here are the ABC’s of what I know to be true… because of who God is.
You are ADORED and APPRECIATED…God enjoys the crinkle in your nose when you smile and He knows how magnificently special you are – He made you. He sees you when you feel overwhelmed and under equipped and He wants you to cast your cares on Him and let loose big o belly laughs daily to sustain your joy.
You are BEAUTIFUL and BRAVE…God sees your unique beauty gloriously displayed in the gentleness of your eyes and the curve of your smile. Your inner splendor is evidenced by your selfless actions intuitively lavished on your family. He recognizes that being a mom is hard work and celebrates your triumph with an enchanting sunset to woo your overflowing heart towards Him.
You are CAPTIVATING and CELEBRATED…God draws near when you share the quiet heartfelt MOMents of love with His children He has entrusted to you. He knows you are the perfect mom for the children who’s heads lay softly on the pillows your loving hands thoughtfully fluff. He calms your restless soul with quiet assurance that all is well.
Now…go look in the mirror and see yourself the way God sees you. I’m headed there myself.
Big Hug to you sister!
March 25, 2011 By Tracey Momlife Today
In the last month I have…
1 – Allowed the enemy into my thought life and wrongly accused my child of lying.
2 – Been lazy and chosen to sit and be a slug instead of diligently complete a task I had started.
3 – Allowed my children to view something they shouldn’t have, but at the time…it was easier just to “let it go.”
4 – Looked for every excuse possible not to keep a commitment I had made, but wished I hadn’t.
5 – Been totally selfish towards my husband in an area I should have just mustered up the time and energy to do the right thing.
6 – Offered lack luster and unhealthy meals because I was “sick” of always having to cook.
7 – Psycho analyzed another woman in my life to pull her down and make me feel better about myself.
8 – Not done my daily alone time with God… because I was too interested in jumping on the Internet.
9 – Set my children up for failure by not insisting they do what they were supposed to do… because I wanted to avoid the conflict.
10 – Looked in the mirror and beat myself up for all my failures as a mom and wife.
See… you are not the only one who fails.
Can you relate?
Your list may be a bit different than mine, but we all have “epic fails” in our momlife. However, in spite of me (and you) here are the ABC’s of what I know to be true… because of who God is.
You are ADORED and APPRECIATED…God enjoys the crinkle in your nose when you smile and He knows how magnificently special you are – He made you. He sees you when you feel overwhelmed and under equipped and He wants you to cast your cares on Him and let loose big o belly laughs daily to sustain your joy.
You are BEAUTIFUL and BRAVE…God sees your unique beauty gloriously displayed in the gentleness of your eyes and the curve of your smile. Your inner splendor is evidenced by your selfless actions intuitively lavished on your family. He recognizes that being a mom is hard work and celebrates your triumph with an enchanting sunset to woo your overflowing heart towards Him.
You are CAPTIVATING and CELEBRATED…God draws near when you share the quiet heartfelt MOMents of love with His children He has entrusted to you. He knows you are the perfect mom for the children who’s heads lay softly on the pillows your loving hands thoughtfully fluff. He calms your restless soul with quiet assurance that all is well.
Now…go look in the mirror and see yourself the way God sees you. I’m headed there myself.
Big Hug to you sister!
Friday, March 18, 2011
— FamilyLife Today (Returning to My First Love - Kirk & Chelsea Cameron)
Okay ladies most of us remember Kirk Cameron from "Growing Pains". And I was one of those girls who had my own little crush on Mike Seaver. I heard this and thought it's something we can all relate to.
— FamilyLife Today (Returning to My First Love - Kirk & Chelsea Cameron)
— FamilyLife Today (Returning to My First Love - Kirk & Chelsea Cameron)
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Spring, oh How We long For You!
At our meeting yesterday we got to talking about what to do until spring arrives.
Some ideas were: get outside for some fresh air, go to the indoor playground at the city auditorium in Willmar, or even to Praire Meadows School in Spicer on Fridays to run in the gym, have the kids do extracurricular activities like swim lessons or Kindermusik.
I found these ideas on Momlife Today under the article "16 Special Activities for Snow Days" by Katie
Special Activities for Blizzard & Snow Days
~Form a pots and pans band. Very loud……but fun!
~Scarf dancing (hold scarves, play music and make the scarves dance to the music) – select the random setting on your play list so the music tempo/style changes a lot!
~Read a story and have your kids act it out.
~Create art with shaving cream, toothpaste, or even conditioner. Anything they can slide their hands around in. Use cookie sheets or large casserole dishes or a table you don’t mind cleaning up.
~Have extended bath time – kids love to play in water. Sit on the floor in the bathroom leaning against the closed door and read – adding oohs and aahs every now and then to whatever they want to show you.
~Pick a wall somewhere in the house and actually “allow” crayon drawing on it and tell them it will stay that way till Spring so everyone can see what we drew during the big Blizzard of 2011, but then we will paint it back to the way it was. (or not!)
~My kids loved to make “trails” all through the house with things (I used a big box of lids we had saved) but also they did it with cards from a few card decks. We got out a map and talked about the road systems all over the U.S. And I told them to build their own road system all over the house. Then they’d use matchbox cards to drive – sometimes they didn’t even do that, just built the road! They also did that with books some too.
~Make paper plate art – Use crayons or scissors, or both.
~Put on masterful plays using stuffed animals as actors… or as the audience.
~I would lay down and I would be the road and mountain and valley for the matchbox cars – great way to sneak a one eye open nap and keep them busy!
~Hop in the bed, they get to read/look at books with a flashlight under the covers, I’d sneak a nap….or at least rest!
~Create your own “Toy Story” scenario and imagine what all the toys in your house do when you are not around, ideate a story line together, then go have them make it happen with the toys.
~Pillow jumping. We would gather all the pillows in the house, even couch cushions, put them in a huge pile and they would pillow jump and I would judge with numbers.
I~ got out the old Easter Eggs and hid them all over the house – empty – they just loved to hunt. If you don’t have the Easter Eggs come up with something else. At my mom’s house she once hid a bunch of little soft fake strawberries all over her house. Anything you have in mass you can hide, give them a basket and let them hunt. This one lasts a good loooooong time and they want to do it over and over. Then let them hide for you – they love to watch me look and give me hints!
~Make sock puppets – then put on a show. Or do the old fashioned draw on your hand and turn your hand into a puppet. Duck behind the couch and use the top of the couch as the stage. Have them act out a story they already know. From a movie or something you’ve seen or read recently.
~Sing old camp songs and teach the kids how to sing them.
~Form a pots and pans band. Very loud……but fun!
~Scarf dancing (hold scarves, play music and make the scarves dance to the music) – select the random setting on your play list so the music tempo/style changes a lot!
~Read a story and have your kids act it out.
~Create art with shaving cream, toothpaste, or even conditioner. Anything they can slide their hands around in. Use cookie sheets or large casserole dishes or a table you don’t mind cleaning up.
~Have extended bath time – kids love to play in water. Sit on the floor in the bathroom leaning against the closed door and read – adding oohs and aahs every now and then to whatever they want to show you.
~Pick a wall somewhere in the house and actually “allow” crayon drawing on it and tell them it will stay that way till Spring so everyone can see what we drew during the big Blizzard of 2011, but then we will paint it back to the way it was. (or not!)
~My kids loved to make “trails” all through the house with things (I used a big box of lids we had saved) but also they did it with cards from a few card decks. We got out a map and talked about the road systems all over the U.S. And I told them to build their own road system all over the house. Then they’d use matchbox cards to drive – sometimes they didn’t even do that, just built the road! They also did that with books some too.
~Make paper plate art – Use crayons or scissors, or both.
~Put on masterful plays using stuffed animals as actors… or as the audience.
~I would lay down and I would be the road and mountain and valley for the matchbox cars – great way to sneak a one eye open nap and keep them busy!
~Hop in the bed, they get to read/look at books with a flashlight under the covers, I’d sneak a nap….or at least rest!
~Create your own “Toy Story” scenario and imagine what all the toys in your house do when you are not around, ideate a story line together, then go have them make it happen with the toys.
~Pillow jumping. We would gather all the pillows in the house, even couch cushions, put them in a huge pile and they would pillow jump and I would judge with numbers.
I~ got out the old Easter Eggs and hid them all over the house – empty – they just loved to hunt. If you don’t have the Easter Eggs come up with something else. At my mom’s house she once hid a bunch of little soft fake strawberries all over her house. Anything you have in mass you can hide, give them a basket and let them hunt. This one lasts a good loooooong time and they want to do it over and over. Then let them hide for you – they love to watch me look and give me hints!
~Make sock puppets – then put on a show. Or do the old fashioned draw on your hand and turn your hand into a puppet. Duck behind the couch and use the top of the couch as the stage. Have them act out a story they already know. From a movie or something you’ve seen or read recently.
~Sing old camp songs and teach the kids how to sing them.
What do you do?