Balance

Moderation- isn't that the key here? But, sometimes that's so hard to do. Some days I feel completely out of control. There's just too much to do and not enough time. As a mom, if you can get ahead- the day can be great. If you can meal plan, pack the diaper bag, remember the emergency snacks, drink your coffee while it's hot, tell your husband that you're proud of him, go for a run, have a good conversation with a friend, listen to the news, read a good book- man, you are on it! But how in the world do you get it together every day?! Well, that's what we were hoping life coach, Lauren Capitini would tell us.
Tiffany Weiss took some great notes!
Emotional secrets to the mental shift

#1. Embrace your mess (MOPS theme in 2013!)
Being totally absorbed, fully embrace who you are right now remember your strengths
Don't forget you were a woman before you were a mother. Look at your weakness. Unless you know your weaknesses you can't recognize your strengths. And they could become a strength.
Let go of the "what ifs", it wasn't mean to be. Glance in the rear view mirror but focus on what's to come.
#2. Create confidence, you are unique and we each have our own story to tell. (MOPS theme in 2014!) We are hard wired for negativity, for each negative comment it takes 5 positives to balance. 
Jeremiah 17:7
#3 Think and then take action. Thoughts lead to beliefs to actions creating character. Be goal oriented not fear motivated. Am I doing this or not doing this because I'm afraid? Chart it, write it, Pinterest it whatever to document what you need to do to have balance

Keys to success
-Let it go. Represent structure and dependability not perfection to your children
-Self care (you are setting an example in the way you care for yourself!!!) You are a woman first, a power source. You must take time for you physical health, exercise (just move, get the endorphins flowing), sugar kills serotonin causing mood swings, make sure hobbies happen even if it's only once a month for 20 minutes! Preferably something you did before the family. Make time for date night, you have to have sex in order to want it and it keeps the bond between your spouse. Girl's night out, have fun and connect, talk about the hard stuff. Be selective don't give away your valuable time to just to be drained...don't be a savior.
-Celebrate the accomplishments daily. (MOPS theme in 2015!) If all it was was brushing your teeth then celebrate! Specify the positives, it changes you on a cellular level. Positive self talk is so crucial, start the day with 3 positive things about yourself, it really does help.

Life balance is different for everyone and is constantly changing.

Heels off, tissues out- talking about balance!

We've had a few girls nights. Last week was the Creative Grains Studio. This week was Emergency Pregnancy Services then dinner after. I can't stop thinking about how perfect this agency is for our group and all the ways we can help! 

Making awesome art at Creative Grains!

Elizabeth and friends headed to the Clay County fair for a family fun play date. It was kina far out, but they had so much fun!

Clay County Fair

And then we had our last working leadership meeting of the year. It got a little intense in planning for next year. But then we have the blessing of mentor moms. These women are our life coaches, guiding us along this crazy path of motherhood. Just being in MOPS has helped me figure out some sort of balance. With the themes, friendships, words of wisdom and just taking a break. What a wonderful group!

Jan providing a dose of grace and love and wisdom to our leadership meeting

Just a Little Advice

We had a wisdom panel of married couples at our meeting on Monday. My parents talked about staying married and in love through a military career- having fun! Our very own mentor mom, Bunny had awesome stories from her Wyndam. It was fun to hear his side this time! Ha! Rev. & Betty Ann McCarty had sweet words of wisdom from their many years together. Tammy's in-laws, Gillian & Philip Jones had a neat perspective from over the sea. They have a wonderful extended family to help support the marriage. Many years of experience- wow! It seems like communication, patience and forgiveness are all themes we've heard. Listen- really seeking to understand, even when you're mad. There were a few questions from our group. One on anger, fighting in front of your kids. One couple said to hide your big fights. Date nights are key- hire sitters if you don't have family to help. The scariest thing I heard is that this is the easy part....teenagers is when things get really tough! Oh dear!

Happy Birthday to our March gals!

Our amazing marriage wisom panel

Fabulous spread from Amy's group!

We had a photo fundraiser- thank you Andrea Bottin for taking your time and talent with us! We can't wait to see the pictures! Awesome St. Patty's play date at Vanessa's! 

The behind the scnes shot for the photo shoot

Thank you for an awesome play date, Vanessa!

Kicking Off Lent

Some of us give something up, some of us do something good, always something to make you a better person. Lot of conversations of what we're doing for Lent. Jan, of course gave a loving message in her mentor moment- the true meaning and what it means to us. Always good tid bits from that lady! Our meeting last week was a cooking meeting- healthy, easy meals that your children will eat. I'd say the huge take away is to go buy an Instapot. Jessica gave us a live demo- oh with her baby attached- just to show how easy this sucker is.

Just whipping up some beef stroganoff

Jessica's mom came and made a fun meal that she makes for her grandchildren. The secret to that one is the seasoning and that cut up chicken cooks faster.

Here's the recipe

Betty, Jessica's mom is making a rainbow of veggies!

Amy gave a great demo with her banana nut bread. She gave all sorts of healthy tips! For an egg substitue you can use chiaseeds, applesauce or yogurt. You can reduce the sugar with Erythritol, Monkfruit or Stevia. Jan highly recommends the William Sinoma Figport with pork roast in a crockpot. YUM! I was happy to leave the meeting with leftovers for lunch and 2 take away chicken tetrazinnis for dinner!

Amy is keeping it healthy

Her banana nut bread is mentor mom approved!

Shrove Tuesday is our largest fundrasier! Thank you to all our moms who came out, cooked and cleaned. It was a huge success and a lot of fun! To the slackers, watch your back! Now, the Lenten season has officially begun! I love the addition of the casseroles to the pancake dinner...especially that crack casserole! Awesome!

Beautiful servers!

2nd Anniversary of their friendship!

We had a fun sky way to the library for story time play date mixed in there somewhere. A play date is so much more fun when you have cool, MOPS moms to chat with while you're kids are having fun, too!

Riding "the monorail" to the library!

And then we had a leadership meeting today to plan for March. The year is already winding down. Don't worry, there's still so much fun things happening!

Missing some of the team, but happy for our Leadership Mondays!

A Birthday party for Laurie, too! Yay!

Love, Love, Love

This group of moms is so good about loving on each other. We deliver meals, babysit, hug, toast and pray. I'm so blessed to be in such a supportive group! Since this is the month of love, of course we go all out for the theme. Our speaker for our first meeting of the month was Ieshai Bailey, board certified sex therapist. I sat next to her and took a page of notes. She was awesome with our group. We sat in a close circle and had an open conversation. Ieshai said communication with your husband is a big deal. Keep flirting, ego stroke, talk about what works for you, try something new maybe. Have sex to connect, not for the future. I thought that was a great point. She reminded us that communication is only 7% verbal. Use a sound machine if you're worried about the kids. Bird bath, kegals, bullet, squirting and slickwid are all some buzz words! Ieshai suggested checking out some tantric massage techniques. Don't forget to stretch, drinks lots of water and do some yoga before! Sex is the most under used anti-depressant and great to ward off anxiety. Go figure!

Great convo with Ieshai!

Happy Birthday February Hot Mamas!

We had some great play dates already so far! Kassie hosted us at her farm a few times. We helped feed the cows and horses. Super fun! The Greek festival is this weekend, too! Opa!

Hey from the Hayride! 

Greek fest fun!

We kicked off the month with a productive leadership meeting planning all the fun for February. Check out the snacks on the table. I LOVED the play date at the park after. I truly needed it! Thanks, ladies! I love you!

Girl Scout cookies!

Watching the truck was the best thing!

Mother-in-Laws

Did that title get your attention? I've been searching for the MOPS article I read years ago that truly changed my relationship with my in-laws. No kidding- MOPS saved me there...well, that and intense therapy sessions with Jan & Bunny. The article basically said that you have to look with love on these people. All the in-law panels tell us to remember that your MIL did something right by raising the man you fell in love with. That is a good reminder, but whatever article I read went deeper. It stressed that you need to just let go of all the things that drive you crazy and just look with love. That was my mantra for at least a year (and sometimes still). Our panel this year was two of Jan and Bunny's friends, Norma Basford and Anne McAfee. They seem like amazing MILs with excellent understanding of boundaries. That seemed to be the key. Open communication, it might be tough at first. But, in the end it will really help your relationship so everyone is on the same page. Lots of great questions- even with some hoping for a better relationship with their mother. It was another great meeting- and man, those breakfast casseroles were awesome!

Jan introducing Norma and Anne while snuggling Grace. What a rockstar mentor mom!

I had to take a picture of Simmons. I hadn't seen her in so long! There she is, hiding behind Talley and listening intently. 

The handout. I love the "take a step back"

Vanessa's Twinkling Treasures hosted this month's girls night. It was a relaxing night at Vanessa's. No one got in the hot tub, but some moms got massages from a massage therapist who was there! There were super fun play dates, too! Lunch at Chuck E Cheese, candy making at Sweet Petes and a play date at Tammy's house. Elizabeth is really rocking these play dates! Awesome job!

Relaxing night at Vanessa's

Keeping Our Starry Eyes

Even though we only have one meeting in December, we keep still put out lots of activities. Don't feel pressured to go to everything. But there's definitely something going on for everyone to help through this whole parenting thing. We went caroling at an assisted living facility and a nursing home. We also did a Christmas craft play date at the Riverside Art Center.

Christmas crafts

We also had the MOPS & POPS Christmas party at the Hollands. It's always fun getting the guys together. Awesome Mojo's BBQ, pudding shots and lots of fun!

A sleeping baby crashed the party

We had our first meeting of 2017 with a "live google" meeting. We asked each other parenting questions. Potty training was a huge hit. Jane Iredale mineral make-up was a suggestion if you're looking for something new. Also the book Are you Fully Charged, for figuring out a balance in your life. Jan did a fabulous mentor moment, reminding us to stay positive and think of all the good things in our lives. Back to those starry eyes!

Happy Birthday to our January stars!

Live Google!

Great article from Jan!

A little something to remember from Bunny

 This Friday was a super fun play date at my house. We took turns on the paddleboat to see the manatees. It was a gorgeous day to be outside. I think everyone had a great time spending the day together. Such a happy Friday!

Paddleboating

The Spirit of Christmas

Having kids helps to keep Christmas so magical. And those moms who are pregnant- what a great way to identify with Mary! Or swaddling a baby! It's so special. Life is busy and crazy and exhausting. It's usually the middle of the night, when I sit and think, "Am I doing this right?" The speakers at today's meeting were very reassuring. Fr. Tom and Perrin kicked it off. I love how real they were. Messing up and showing forgiveness is such an important lesson for our kids. They talked about incorporating Christ into our family lives. Great tips, books to read and lessons to follow. But really, keep Christ as the center, you and your spouse first, then the kids. Lead by example. I loved the answer to my question about not pushing them too much, by giving them choices. "You have to go to church on Sunday and youth group, but you can pick which one." Love that!

Fr. Tom giving us words of wisdom

MOPS pal, Tammy spoke next. She echoed much of what Fr. Tom and Perrin said but added to it. She gave great tips on getting God time to yourself, at the YMCA or in the carpool line. Fun bible books for kids, work books, bible studies during the week to reinforce what you hear in church on Sunday. She highly recommends "10 Gifts of Wisdom". We're so blessed to have her in our group. Please contact her if you'd like more resources.

Great versus to help us!

Happy Birthday to these hot mamas! So much to celebrate this month!

Our cookie decorating play date turned out so well! It was chaotic and a little like Lord of the Flies. But, I think all the kids had a blast- and the moms, too!

Frosting!!!

We have a few more fun things coming up! Stay tuned to the Facebook page and the google calendar on the right! Remember the spirit of the season, we're here for you!