New Year 2013...10 days in

 What... no really.. I kid you not.

I have just gotten over the "Holiday Rush", got through the clean up and putting away just in time for some New Year Eve being in bed before Midnight, and the restart of school.  I was silly enough to think I would get a break. I crack myself up sometimes.

I have not made New Year Resolutions for a long time basically because they don't mean much to me. I find it easiest to break promises to myself then to anyone else. It is a little crazy, but so true.

For this blog I was going to include some New Year Blog entries that I had found. After reading them I have decided that we need a challenge not a resolution. We need to make changes that matter that will effect more than just us. 

I challenge you to surprise a neighbor/friend/parent with a dinner invitation.

I challenge you to take time to refresh your soul.

I challenge you to plan 1 meal a week for your family.

I challenge you to start a Christmas Jar.

I challenge you to do something for yourself and NOT feel guilty.

I challenge you to laugh more often.

I challenge you to notice something New in your daily routine.

I challenge you to help your kids get more involved with the family: plan a meal, help cook, clean, plan a family day.

I challenge you to Stop take a Breath and Open your Eyes on the days you feel like you CAN'T.

I challenge you to Try Something New.

I challenge you to Give a little more to help.

I challenge you to get to Know Yourself a little better.

I challenge you to Challenge Someone to do something Wonderful!

 

Some of these look easy and some more difficult, but they are open. They are open to possibilities.  They are open to living a fuller life if you are up for the challenge. The will help you grow, your family grow, your friends grow, and maybe even people you haven't met yet.  I have learned that little things can make the biggest changes even if we don't see the final result. 

May your year be full!

 

 

 

Genesis 1:31

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Thankful for you...

Thankful for you...

So I have been gone for awhile.  I went adrift with Halloween and Thanksgiving. I am still trying to find my bearings. Now, it is really Fall it is crisp outside. Now until January I will be concerning myself with the next event, meeting, activity, what gifts to get, where to get them, how much to spend, where we are spending the holiday and what we will do. It can be so stressful and I never think it should be.

 For Thanksgiving or rather the month of November I have been keeping track of what I am thankful for. It seems like a small thing, but it has helped me to be less stressed. When I think of what I am thankful for it makes me realize how blessed I am. Which is something that we don't focus enough on. We  live in a society that we focus comparing our haves with others.

I have been trying to focus on non-material possession, but rather attributes or things we take for granted. What makes who are we and how we see the world. This excerise has make the me realize the things I take for granted like indoor plumbing, hot water, clean drinking water, and modern medicine. Boy, life would be so different if we didn't have these things. Look around the world there are people who survive without these and their lives can be and are much more difficult.

I have come to appreciate my family even more. While growing up there were many times I didn't want to be where I was. As time moves on and I see my children grow I realize how great my childhood was and wonder if my children will feel the same or how different. I laugh about how silly my parents were like when my mom would make silly faces as she dropped my at the babysitter.  My sibling that seemed to make my life so hard when I was younger but now it's so much fun just to hang out with them.

Then there are those things that you notice about yourself being comfortable in your own skin, how your life choices have made you who you are, or the confidence in believing and having faith.  This is what I need to focus on; how to be me. It is so easy for me to find the best in others, but I don't take the time to look at myself. With everyday life  I allow myself to take a backseat in almost everyone because I think they are more important.

This is not how it should be. We are important in so many ways and to many people. Be important to yourself. Take time to do devotional, pray, and have conversations with God to help you discover who you are and the path you should be on to grow.  We never stop learning and growing unless we allow ourselves to.

Be thankful for you.

 

Favorite Things

Take a minute to think about your favorite thing(s).  Imagine what it is like to enjoy a treat without sharing, your favorite book, taking time for a special beauty trick, or putting on your comfy clothes.  Just imagining it makes you feel better doesn't it. It gives you warm fuzzies and great memories.

We all need these moments and things to helps us recharge, remember who we are, who we were, and focus on the best things and events in our lives.  We spend so much time making sure other people (big and small) are happy that we tend to forget about ourselves. Sometimes it is the smallest things that bring us back from the edge of craziness.  It does not have to be  a day at the spa, a personal vacation or a new wardrobe to make us feel special. We are special and we deserve moments to treat ourselves to something even if it seems small to someone else.  We know that the smallest thing can bring the biggest joy, just look at our children.

Recently, I was lucky enough to hear about other mothers favorite things and the best part they were all under $5.00.  Let me just tell you, you are worth more than that, but it is an easy amount to fit into our budgets.  The things ranged from treats just for us, cupcakes/cakes to share, beauty trick for soft hands, clean hands, books, card games,   healthy easy treats for kids, stain removers, photo albums, and comfy cozy clothing. 

So what is your favorite thing(s)? Is it is budget friendly? Do you think a friend of yours would enjoy it?

Take some time to find your favorite thing, write a note to share why it is your it is special or makes you feel special then give it  to a friend. There is no need to wait for a special occasion to celebrate your friendship. This is a chance to share your joy with someone else and a chance to show someone  that they are special and deserve to take a moment to enjoy their favorite thing.  

Rhythm!

 I have lost it more often than I like to admit.  I always have the best plans for the day. I visualize how the day will be before I get out of bed. Believe me it will perfect everything is finished, the kids are happy, and I feel like Super Mom!  Then reality hits me like a 4 year old who wants breakfast.  

We start with a slow beat of getting breakfast, cleaning up, getting dressed. We walk through the plan together as we list all the things we(I)  want to get done.  Everyone is on board and almost ready to go if someone would just put their shoes  on.  After a brief intermission we are on our way...at which point  I reevaluate my list of "To Dos",  going from 20 to the top 5 knowing that we will only get 2 or 3 of them done. By the end of stop 2  we are ready to head home.  It may not seem like it but that is a rhythm . I know how the beat goes even if it  means I don't get to accomplish everything I planned.

Some keep the rhythm by having meals planned, chore lists, family fun time, or Mommy time.  You need to find what works best for you and your family everyone is different.  We can get caught up with how other people live their lives that we lose focus on our own. There is no reason to compete with other mothers, unless there is a super fantastic prize that someone didn't tell me about.

When we allow ourselves to compete with the unknown "perfect" mom we can start to feel down and alone. We can feel like no one understands our struggles of feeling like we never get anything done, we don't have prefect kids, and how did we ever become a mom.  Do we deserve it?  Can we do it?   Right now, there is a mom who is going though this. She just needs someone to reach out to her.

Let's  connect  with other Moms and not compete. We all lose our rhythm and need a restart. We can find support not only for ourselves, but our families.  It gives everyone a chance to take a break from the  daily routines and focus on finding their own rhythm. It can give you an opportunity to start new friendships.  You can talk to someone and have them talk back. Wow, an adult conversation -in the middle of the day. Seize the opportunity if you see a Mom and connect with her.

 

 

Special Event!!!

September 21, 2012  (This Friday Night!!)

Steve Richard Concert and Christian Family Night at the Race Track

Come join us at Tri-City Speedway for a concert from Steve Richard, fun for the kids with a bounce house, face painting. a slot car race and fun games Then stay and watch some great car racing! .

All of this is a part of Parkway Baptist Church's Global Impact Celebration and children under 12 ARE FREE!

Concert starts at 5:30 (gates open at 5:00pm)

Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance through the church office.

Call 314-434-2310

Come for the concert and stay for the races (6:30pm)  it will be an exciting night for everyone in the family.

 

 

 

Come in. The water is great!

We had our first meeting of the year.

Finding new and fun ways to help Moms. Popcorn Questions.

We  meet new moms, returning moms, new babies, and caught up with everyone. 

Thanks to everyone that attended. 

We got to know our leaders for the year and each other through a BINGO Ice Breaker.

Everyone was out of their seats talking, laughing, and having  a super time. Then we made smoothies, which was a great opportunity to try something new.



You did what!??!!?!    Everyone has a few surprises!

 


 
 

Smoothie Time!

 
 
 
 
 





 We meet again next week!!!

 If you didn't make to the first meeting don't worry we would love to meet you next week.  Give us a call at 314-434-2310  if you are planning to attend so we can have childcare ready. 

Yes, it is a kid free time!

Time for Mommies to recharge and get focused on what makes them great women.

 

 

Come see how MOPS and MOMSNext can change you for the better.

Wednesday Evening Meeting                        Friday Morning Meeting

September 19 at 6:30 pm                                September 21 at 9:00am

Summer is over time to take the Plunge into MOPS and MOPSnext.

Hope everyone had a great summer !

 

Ready for a picnic.



Resting at the Butterfly House.

Enjoying a great day at Creve Coeur.

 

We had some MOPS outings this summer to the Botanical Gardens, Creve Coeur Splash pad, Aquaport, Butterfly House, and a few Moms Night Outs.

 

 

 It was a great time and we are looking forward to even more fun this year.



Fun with furry Friends.

Our first meeting of the year is Friday September 7  at 9am. If you haven't let anyone know you are planning to attend please call 314-434-2310.



Bugs anyone?!?!?!

 

Then get ready to Plunge into a new MOPS and MOPS Next year.

Get ready to explore your relationships in a faith and community. We are ready to see old friends and meet new ones.

As all Moms know you can’t do this alone and we are here to help and support each other.

Botanical Gardens day.

The more the merrier invite more moms to join MOPS. If you have someone who is interested invite them to come to a couple meetings.

TAKE THE PLUNGE !!!

Don't worry we won't let you sink.