Marvin MOPS Meeting Summary from 9/12/13

Dear Moms,

We hope this finds you all well and ready to tackle your busy week!  We are so sad that you missed the first MOPS meeting, but look forward to seeing you at the next meeting on September 26^th at 10 a.m. on the second floor at Marvin in the Faith classroom.  This past week, on the board at the front of the room, Holly and Debra wrote an outline for the meeting, and I thought that might be an easy way to let you get an idea of the main topics that were covered.  Most of the information is available in your MOPS folder, which you will receive at the next meeting.   The outline was:

·         What is MOPS?

·         Meeting format and MOPS “Biz”

·         Our Theme

·         Tables—Ice Breaker

·         Our Steering Committee

·         Prayer Request/Devotional

·         “Our Favorite Things”—we did not get to this, but will at the next meeting

·         Table Time

o   Start planning your table night out

o   Plan informal play dates together

o   Access your mentors (prayer journals)

I wanted to tell you a little bit more about Judy Carter’s wonderful devotional.  It was based on our MOPS theme for this year, “A Beautiful Mess,” from Ephesians 2:10.

For we are God’s masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Judy reminds us that we are not products on an assembly line—we aren’t formed the exact same way nor do we come out exactly alike.  God created us with His own hands, and we are God’s handmade workmanship. Where you are and what you are doing right now is not a mistake.  God put you in Tyler, Texas, for a reason.  Though it might not always seem like it, our lives are all part of God’s bigger plan.  If you are having a hard time right now, remember that you are where you’re supposed to be.  God makes no mistakes.  God has a wonderful purpose for our lives!  He is currently working to pry open our fingers to get us to let go of the things we are clinging to (the wrongs done to us, etc.), so he can give us new blessings.  We are part of God’s Great Redemptive Plan!  God doesn’t do things on a whim; it’s all planned beforehand, and we must trust in Him.  So give yourself a break!  Relax!  Be a beautiful mess! Trust that God has BIG PLANS for you.  Judy tells us that we are God’s workmanship—embrace your mess!!

Your table leader should be getting in touch with you soon to update you on the dates decided on during table time.  Have a blessed week, and we can’t wait to see you at the next MOPS meeting! 

XOXO—

Kate Iglesias

Publicity Team Leader

Our Last Marvin MOPS Meeting, THIS THURSDAY, May 9th

Hello wonderful MOPS Friends,

Well, I can’t believe it, but our LAST meeting of the year is THIS THURSDAY, May 9^th at 10 a.m.  It has been such an amazing year meeting new moms and making new friends while having valuable fellowship with one another, and learning about various aspects of motherhood.  Our mentors and leaders, Sarah and Sherry, have planned a special morning for us!  Don’t miss out on this last time to fellowship, and celebrate one another as we approach Mother’s Day!  We will also provide information for various activities planned this summer;  playdates and moms night out.  

OTHER THURSDAY MEETING REMINDERS:

1. Our Mentors will bring food/drinks.  In addition, we will have various specialty coffees for our consumption, so don’t hit Starbucks before you come!

 2. DON’T FORGET ABOUT FALL REGISTRATION!  Holly and I would love to see you all back at MOPS this Fall!  Please bring your COMPLETED registration form (and MOPPETS form if applicable- if you will use our childcare), AND your $25 cash or check (payable to “Marvin MOPS.”)  In order to be registered, you must have BOTH a form and money submitted. 

3. 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.

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 and blessed week,

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator

Gifts from God... MOPS Meeting Minutes from 5/2/13

Hello MOPS Friends,

We were a small but mighty group on May 2^nd, and with only ONE MEETING remaining, we hope you all will come and celebrate  our wonderful time together next Thursday, May 9^th. 

Judy’s Devotional:

“How many of you would describe yourself as “chill” or calm?” 

-          NO HANDS are raised

Psalms 29:11
The Lord gives strength to his people;

                The Lord blesses his people with

                                Peace.

 

Are you feeling overwhelmed with life, children, etc.  If yes, you are NOT ALONE.  These things can exhaust you, and if you are into the details, these things can literally drive you crazy…IF that is what you are focusing on.  YOUR FOCUS needs to be back on GOD.  “The Lord blesses his people with Peace” if you CHANGE your focus, trust in HIM, and thank HIM for taking care of your worries/concerns so you DO NOT have to worry.

Nothing you deal with is too small or big for Him!

How do you stay in constant communication with God?  It’s EASY. 

-          Find something beautiful everyday and view it as a gift from God.  For instance, the interesting cloud shapes that look like animals, or objects that your children can also imagine.  Turn this gift back to God! 

-          Music in the car, especially if children are with you, can be helpful in communicating with God.  Contemporary Christian music, music without lyrics, or children’s music are ALL acceptable!  Be wary of music that contains harmful language that can be repeated by our small and impressionable children!

-          As you run errands with your children, TALK about HOW WONDERFUL it is that we have these places to go to buy food!  Turn your daily routine into a blessed activity!

-          When you hear a SIREN, PRAY with your children for that person who is in trouble.  Pray out loud.  Make this a HABIT so your children will learn how to pray for others, and continue this practice!

-          TURN OFF, or TAKE OUT the video screens in your cars!  These are NOT helping your children as they do not inspire any thought or creativity.  Your children are focused on the screen and not you.  Talk to your kids in the car, make them talk to you!  Before long, there will be no communication unless  you cultivate this habit now.

 So, in order to LOWER your stress, CHANGE your focus to God.  Trust in Him and you will be able to breathe!

Numbers 6:24-25
“The Lord bless you
And keep you;
The Lord make his face shine upon you
And be gracious to you.”

 

MaryAnn Girard

“The Brain Gym Lady”

“What is the purpose of the brain?”

-          It helps us TO SURVIVE!  The brain enables us to form patterns of protection based upon the perception of what is “hurting”us.  Through the DEVELOPMENTAL SEQUENCE, we are teaching our brains to learn behavior that is essential for survival!

 The developmental sequence are stages of associated behavior/reflexes/actions that occur in a specific ORDER for normal development.  Even in utero, there is evidence that the developmental sequence is in action as certain REFLEX patterns (kicking, thumb sucking) are detected.  The birthing process is a sequence of reflexes (muscle contractions during delivery) that is part of the developmental sequence. 

In a baby’s first year of life, it is very important for them to develop their motor patterns, which then develops into language skills.  This is part of their developmental sequence.   Babies when AWAKE, should be on their stomachs to help them strengthen and develop their core and neck/shoulder muscles.  There is some evidence that swaddling prevents the development of some of these reflex patterns. 

Infant reflex development can be assisted without fancy or loud toys, playmats, etc.  All you need is a crib, high chair and a car seat that is LEFT in the car to help your baby with their development.  CARRY your baby in your arms as often as possible for him/her to feel the effects of gravity.  Lay them  on their tummies on a blanket and have them “work” on their core.  Interact with your babies.  Many of the gadgets we buy often do not accelerate or help our babies’ development.  Often, loud environments (noisy restaurants) or bouncy chairs OVERSTIMULATE our children at a very young age.  Give your children opportunities to be creative and imaginative.  Let them develop NATURALLY. 

 Babies do not know what we are saying unless we DEFINE it for them appropriately with our actions.  Saying a word with an accompanying hand gesture, voice intonation, etc. helps them to learn language and meaning.   Three dimensional learning is essential for our children;  feeling, touching, experiencing, etc.  Learning from a video/TV screen does not work! 

Children are concrete thinkers.  If you can describe it by drawing a picture, then you have been successful in conveying your message to your child.  If it is too abstract, then your child will not understand.  The concept of “being good” is abstract for kids.  But if you can demonstrate what is “being good” and give them time to PRACTICE it, then they will start to understand what you mean.  Children will sometimes make mistakes, and you will have to reteach it (this will happen often), but keep repeating it. 

In order to teach behavior to your children, you must MODEL it for them.  They do what we do!  It is not good enough to say it. 

STOP comparing yourselves and your children to others.  You will be doing a great service to your children if you understand each child is their own unique person made in the appearance of God.  Each child may have their own genetic predisposition to meeting certain milestones (i.e. sitting up, walking, reading), and you know your child.  Keep this in mind and understand what is “normal and expected.”   For example, boys are WIRED for violent play (toy guns, sticks, etc).  LET THEM play in a controlled setting, let them wrestle, go outside and experience rough and tumble play, this is NORMAL and part of their developmental sequence.  This is a way for them to be non violent later in life, is to PLAY first and understand limits in this capacity.

Ms. Girard concluded that we all do the best that we can for our children.  We often learn “on the job” and this is normal!  But, what we can take away is now knowing more and being more deliberate with our time with our children;  focusing on having fun, playing and teaching, interacting, and being present.   This never sounds old or repetitive and we all need regular reminders of our primary role and responsibility as a mother!

We hope you all have a great weekend and see everyone next Thursday, May 9^th!

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator

Green is good...when there is no fever and you are feeling good!... MOPS Minutes from 4/25/13

Hello Sweet Moms,

We hope you are all well and remembering to take care of yourselves and keeping our God first on our growing to do lists!  There are only TWO more MOPS meetings left this year, and we hope you can attend them as we break for summer.  Our next meeting is THIS THURSDAY, May 2^nd at 10 a.m.  In the interim, I hope you enjoy reading the brief summary from Dr. Danny Price’s presentation last Thursday.  He exuded pride as he introduced himself as Dr. “Snot” and gave us all eager moms the run down on the common ailments that many of us have lived and experienced this past winter!

The cold virus LIKES cold temperatures, and so they often reside outside of our internal bodies, within our nasal passages causing inflamed membranes.  This often leads to congestion, post nasal drip, and “snot.”  He warned that as mothers, we SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID of fever as it’s our body’s response to foreign entities (virus), fighting off the virus.

A cold generally lasts for TEN DAYS, and the color of nasal secretions, if green, is GOOD as that is the sign the cold is going away.  “Green is good” when there is no fever, and your child is feeling good/happily playing.   HOWEVER;  if, as the cold progresses, and the production increases, then green is NOT good.  If then a fever develops, this maybe a sign of sinusitis, and your child may need antibiotics, BUT this IS NOT the majority of the time.

Is it a cold or an allergy?

-          If your child has a clear, runny nose and watery eyes, if he/she feels good, no fever and secretions are clear, this could be allergies.  Sometimes an OTC antihistamine, like Claritin, will elicit a quick response. 

Not every red eye is pink eye.  Pink eye is mostly caused by a virus, but if it is green and goopy it may be bacterial and require antibiotic drops. 

According to Dr. Price, there is NO SCIENTIFIC CORRELATION between immunizations and risk of developing autism.  You may read and research more about this very important topic on AAP.org (American Academy of Pediatrics)

We hope you are all having a good week, and hope to see you all this Thursday, May 2^nd!

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator

It's Marvin MOPS Week....Next Meeting, THIS THURSDAY, May 2nd!

Hello Wonderful Moms!

Here we are, only TWO more meetings left in our MOPS year!  I can’t believe we are so close to the end!  Many of you are starting to experience the end of year crunch and we hope you include MOPS in your schedules.   As you prepare for your upcoming week, please don't forget our next MOPS meeting is this May 2nd at 10 a.m.  This Thursday, we have the pleasure of welcoming Ms. MaryAnn Girard from The Brain Gym.  She will be talking about ADHD (Attention Hyperactivity Disorder), and the importance of child play and the developing brain.  We are guaranteed to have an extremely informative presentation filled with useful information and resources. 

We kindly remind everyone to try and arrive by 10 a.m. so we may start our meetings by 10:15 a.m.   

 OTHER THURSDAY MEETING REMINDERS:

1. The Steering Team will bring food/drinks

 2. FALL REGISTRATION continues!  Don't miss out on securing your spot for 2013-2014.  Please bring your COMPLETED registration form (and MOPPETS form if applicable- if you will use our childcare), AND your $25 cash or check (payable to “Marvin MOPS.”)  In order to be registered, you must have BOTH a form and money submitted. 

 3. 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.

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 and blessed week,

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator

It's Marvin MOPS Week....Next Meeting This Thursday, April 25th

Hello Wonderful Moms!

We hope you had a fantastic weekend with your families!  As you prepare for your upcoming week, please don't forget our next MOPS meeting is this Thursday, April 25th at 10 a.m.  Join us as we welcome Dr. Danny Price, a pediatrician, from St. Paul’s who will cover the A through Z’s of infant and toddler health.  Questions such as when to take our little ones to the pediatrician will be answered and many more!  Please also come with any questions you may have for our expert!

We kindly remind everyone to try and arrive by 10 a.m. so we may start our meetings by 10:15 a.m.   

OTHER THURSDAY MEETING REMINDERS:

1. The RED table will bring food/drinks

2. FALL REGISTRATION has begun!  Don't miss out on securing your spot for 2013-2014.  Please bring your COMPLETED registration form (and MOPPETS form if applicable- if you will use our childcare), AND your $25 cash or check (payable to “Marvin MOPS.”)  In order to be registered, you must have BOTH a form and money submitted. 

3. 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.

 

UPCOMING MOPS EVENTS:

 

1.  MOPS Mom's Night Out is THIS THURSDAY, April 25th at 6:30 p.m.  Meet us at Stanley's BBQ for our last get together of the year!

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 and blessed week,

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator

Keep GOD on TOP of your list!...Meeting Minutes from 4/11/13

Dear MOPS Friends,

We missed each of you last Thursday and hope that you are all well, and will join us again at our next meeting on Thursday, April 25^th.

Judy Carter opened our meeting with her special devotional that centered on the verse from

Proverbs 3:6:

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

As many of us are beginning to experience, the spring time for moms is a busy, busy time.  Our motherly duties center around our child(ren) and their many activities and commitments, and then as a wife, we have our homes and husbands that also require care and attention.  We may at times feel overwhelmed, with cluttered lives, half done lists complete, but in our every day “busyness,” does God exist on our list?  We must put him on top of our list, and NEVER MARK HIM OFF.  If we keep him on top, he will keep us moving in a straight path.  Our focus will turn to him and he will keep us on track and on target. Ask his spirit to GUIDE and ORGANIZE you.  How do we communicate with God throughout the day?  Through prayer…continuously, an open and ongoing conversation. 

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Pray continually

We were so honored to have Mrs. Sue Johnson join us and lead a wonderful presentation on “Getting Your Child Ready for School.”  Mrs. Johnson spent 33 years at Grace Community School, teaching in various grade levels, and spent the last 13 years as the school’s principle.  In a moment of honesty, Mrs. Johnson indicated Kindergarten was her favorite class to teach as the children were “untouched by the baker’s hands!”  Her talk was mostly in two parts.  She focused on two areas that were paramount in preparing our children for school…Character areas and Academic areas.

1.        WE, as mothers, will homeschool our child for FIVE YEARS!  Yes, we may not know it but we are!  We have them with us for their most formative years, and they are LEARNING from us.  From birth to age 5, we are providing their foundation for formal education.  YOU are your child’s MOST significant teacher in his/her life!

2.       CHARACTER AREAS…His Heart…Who He Is--- is much more important than what he knows!

a.       Respect for Authority (obedience)and Respect for Others (getting along)

                                                               i.      You, as the mother, must establish authority with your child (ren);  the teacher CANNOT do this for you!

                                                             ii.      You, as the mother, have to be concrete about obedience.  Your child must listen and do what you ask in a manner that is thorough, immediate, and done with a smile/good attitude.

                                                            iii.      Ephesians 6:1—Children, obey your parents.  It is the ONLY command in The Bible directed to children.

b.      Ability to Listen and follow directions and Concentrate

                                                               i.      Scholl is all about listening and concentrating…”give me your eyes.”  Train your children to look at you, show them you are listening.

                                                             ii.      Don’t ask or say it more than once

                                                            iii.      Check and see if they do what they said they would do

                                                           iv.      Concentration requires them to pay attention for an extended period of time;  let them stick with it!  The reward will be great whey they try and succeed!  BUILD MARGIN into your life to help them accomplish tasks (putting on clothes, shoes, etc…we are always so rushed, but take your time with these few things!)

3.       ACADEMIC AREAS…His Head…What He Knows.  Your child can be smart in OTHER ways besides, reading, writing and arithmetic!  Find out what he is good at, and recognize/maximize his strengths!  And they DO NOT have to be good at everyting!

a.       READIN’

                                                               i.      It is SO IMPORTANT to read to your children!  Help them to love the written word.

                                                             ii.      Don’t try to teach them to read.  Get them READY to read by saying the words together, and having them understand them (comprehension).  Also building their vocabulary helps with reading

b.      ‘Rithmetic

                                                               i.      Counting is essential.  They need to learn how to count to 100

                                                             ii.      Just make it fun!  Count objects out loud.  Avoid doing too many workbooks at home, they may get sick of it when they start school.

                                                            iii.      They should know their telephone number and address by the time they enter kindergarten.

It was a wonderful presentation, and gave many of us insight and practical skills to help our children prepare for school! 

Lastly, FALL registration has begun.  Please find attached a registration form for the new year, and a MOPPETS registration form if you will be using childcare.  Please remember to complete your registration form, AND bring in $25 for MOPS International (cash or check, made payable to “Marvin MOPS”) to the next meeting.  We need BOTH your complete form and dues to secure your registration and spot in our group. We hope you will join us for another great year together!

Debra Bochow