Meet Polly's table!

Here's Polly then and now!

Polly is in 2/4 MOPS and this is her first year as a DGL. She and her husband have four kids, ages 10, 8, 6 and 4.  

Meet her table!

not pictured: Sarah

Each person was asked this question:
If you had an hour to relax at home (assuming that all of your kids were sleeping or gone), what would you do?

POLLY: Take a bath and read a book. 

MENTOR MOM-KATHY: Quilt.  Have someone come to my house for a pedi/mani.

ANITA: Enjoy being in the house alone.

ELIZABETH: Watch TV-Duck Dynasty or Parenthood.

MICHELLE: Play my keyboard or listen to music.

AMY: Read a book or browse Pinterest in my comfy chair with music on. 

KRISTIN: Right now, with having a newborn, I would take a nap :)

SARAH: Right now, I would probably take a nap! (also the mom of a newborn!)

Thanks for sharing your table with us, Polly!

Upcoming Events!

We hope you can join us for the Play Date on October 10th and the Night OWL on October 25th!

Meet the MOPS Coordinators!

Anne and Beth

This is Beth's 2nd year as the 1/3 MOPS Coordinator.  

1. How many years have you been in MOPS?

I have been in MOPS for 5 years.

2. What are the ages of your children? I have two children--5 and 2

3. Where did you and your husband go on your first date?

On our first date we went to Sgt Peffer's Pizza and Italian

Restaurant and then we went to see the movie Luther.

4. What was the best birthday/Christmas present you ever received?

The best birthday or Christmas gift I have ever received was a trip to Chicago with my husband.  My mom came and watched the kids while we were able to get away and have some down time.

5. What did you get in trouble for the most when you were a kid?

When I was little I used to always hide on my mom when we were at the store.  She would obviously freak out because she could not find my brother and I. When we saw her get worked up and a little frightened we would jump out of the clothes rack or wherever we were hiding and say, "HERE WE ARE MOM!" When I think back to those times now I laugh and think about how angry I would be if my kids did the same thing to me.  What a scary situation to put my mom through.

6. Why do you love MOPS?

I love MOPS because through MOPS I have grown closer to the Lord!  I have made some amazing life long friends. It is a place where I can come; be real and share about my struggles and have a community that knows exactly what I am going through because we are all in the same stage of life. MOPS refreshes me, challenges me and encourages me to continually press on even when life is difficult.

This is Anne's first year as the 2/4 MOPS Coordinator. 

1. How many years have you been in MOPS? This is my 6th year!

2. What are the ages of your children? Chloe-6, Brodie-3 & Abi-1

3. Where did you and your husband go on your first date? Trivato's, in Dundee. It's no longer around.

4. Would you consider yourself an introvert or extrovert? I would say I am  a little of both, but probably more extroverted.

5. What is your love language? Quality time

6. Why do you love MOPS? Because it is a place to let your hair down as a mom, rub shoulders with other moms going through the same life experiences and challenges, get a break and be encouraged that what I am doing everyday matters!

MOPS Play Date

The Play Date is this Friday, September 6th at 9:30.

We will meet at the south entrance on 156th street by the soccer fields and boats docks.  

Hope to see you there!

Fun Ideas for the End of the Summer!

We are down to the last few weeks of summer and we want to encourage all of you to cherish each moment with your kiddos! Before long you will be bundling them all up as the cooler winds blow. In the blog this month, we want to toss out some ideas and activities to help you maximize your last days of summer...

Freeze Toys

Image Source

Freeze those happy meal toys inside a block of ice by filling a large container 

with water, putting in the toy and tossing it in the freezer.  Once it is frozen, 

slide the block of ice out of the container, put it in your yard and enjoy as 

your kids try to remove the toy from the ice.  Better yet, make one for each of 

your kiddos!

Go Bowling

Image Source

Sign your kids up for the Kids Bowl Free program at www.kidsbowlfree.com.  

Your free bowling coupons will be emailed to you and then you can enjoy 2 

free games of bowling per child on any given day.

Image Source

For those of you with school-aged kids, make a special date night out of 

school shopping. Take them out for a fun meal before jumping into the quest 

for school supplies.  You will make special memories they will hold close to 

their hearts forever.

Feed the Birds

Image Source

Grab some inexpensive bread and head out to the lake at Boys Town (or any 

lake near you) to feed the ducks!  Don’t forget your camera as a trip to feed 

the ducks always produces some camera worthy moments.

I Spy

Image Source

Take your kids out on an “I Spy” adventure looking for the different letters of 

the alphabet made out of things outdoors.  Take a picture of each letter you 

find until you have found all letters of the alphabet (this may take more than 

one outing).  Once you have found them all, print them and make a little book 

for your kids to remember your fun letter hunting adventure.

Story Time

Image Source

Head over to The Bookworm on Thursdays at 10am for a free preschool story 

time.  Email them at childrens@bookwormomaha.com for specific info on 

their story time offerings.

Outdoor Concert

Image Source

Take your kiddos to a free local concert.  Bring a picnic and let them dance 

and enjoy the music.  It’s great way to wear them out for a hassle-free 

bedtime!

Farmers Market

Image Source

Shop a Farmers Market.  Let your child pick out a piece of fruit or vegetable 

that looks appetizing to them and use the opportunity to teach them where 

and how it grows.  Make sure to use it in a meal or for a snack that day so 

your child can appreciate and learn to enjoy fresh produce.

Play in the Rain

Image Source

If it’s a warm but rainy day…play outside in the rain with your kids (unless 

it’s lightning, of course).  Kids love to run and splash in the rain.  Let out 

your inner child and run free with them.  It is sure to produce fun memories 

and hearty giggles before you are done.

Creature Hunt

Image Source

Give your kids a flashlight after dark and go on a creature hunt.  The tiny 

frogs are out and so are lightning bugs.  It will make your backyard or local 

park come alive!  It’s always a special treat to stay up “late” (even if it’s just 

9pm)!

In-Dependence by Lisa Brown

Have you ever stopped to think about the notion of freedom? 

As an American I have fond childhood memories of celebrating Independence Day but never really grasped the magnitude of freedom until I spent a summer in Romania.  It was 1985 when Romania was still under the rule of Nicolae CeauSescu and very much a country marked by communism and oppression.  I was a college student at the time, traveling from city to city, meeting many beautiful Romanian citizens.  On that July 4^th   I along with several other American student  were sitting around a bon-fire with a dozen or so Romanian students when the KGB broke up our camp and took my new Romania friends to be interrogated.  Apparently back in 1985, for a national to be engaged with Americans was such a threat to the government that they were breaking the law by simply being with us.  As you can imagine this was a defining moment in my life.  It took me being half way around the world for me to appreciate all that I had been given by merely being born on American soil.  

How do you define freedom? The dictionary defines it like this:

 free·dom  - the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint.

While this definition well describes our physical state the Bible clearly defines freedom from a spiritual perspective.

1. John 8:31-32
   Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. "If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you."

2.   2 Cor 3:17 Where the spirit of the Lord is there, there is Freedom.

What I failed to mention about my time in Romania was that I was there on a mission trip teaching people in Romania about having a relationship with Christ.  For those who were Christ followers it didn’t matter that they lived in a communist country behind an iron curtain.  They were free in the truest sense of the word because of a living, active relationship with Christ.

While our society says freedom come from independence the Bible says it comes from being dependent on the One who created and preserves life.

Now that is something to celebrate!

June: Introducing Lisa Brown

Our 1/3 Teaching Mentor

I can remember visiting my matron of honor after she had her first child.  Her son was wearing a soft navy and white velour onesie, had just taken a bath and smelled so fresh. I can recall holding her Gerber baby in my arms when I glanced at my husband of 6 months with a “I want one of these” look in my eyes. In my recollection Reid looked back with a confirming response.  He wanted one too! (Later I realized it was more of a “we will have fun trying” kind of look.) But, he was willing and it all seemed so romantic!

Now, 21 years later, I can honestly say in my opinion there is very little that is romantic or glamorous about being a mom.  I have often said, “God gave me children to keep me humble and dependant on Him”.  Over these past 21 years I have learned how little I actually know about raising children. It became clear that I needed other more experienced moms to teach me innovative ways to care for my family and their ongoing needs. I have learned that my three children are very different from each other and very different from me and their father. I have realized that I don’t always enjoy participating in the things that they are interested in and have recognized how hard school is the second, third, and forth time around. I’ve had to discover new systems to keep our family organized, budgets to keep stylish yet affordable cloths on our backs, and culinary skills to feed 5 unique tastes. It has challenged my sorority girl, would love to be a princess, it’s all about me attitude. But, through it all God has been so good to provide and has been so gracious with me.

With all of that said I want you to know I am thrilled to jump in as the MOPS 1/3 teaching mentor. My hope is to encourage and love on each of you as you maneuver thru these exciting yet exhausting years.

This month Reid and I celebrated 23 years of marriage. Our oldest child is now a JR. in college, our second son just graduated from high school and our daughter is driving and dating. I am still dependant on God for wisdom and direction and God continues to provide and is still so gracious with me. I wouldn’t trade my life with anyone and treasure the memories of watching my children grow up into the men and woman they are today. I have come to the conclusion that being a mom may not be the most glamorous job but it is definitely the most gratifying.