MOPS

Back to MOPS.....

2011-01-19T09:17:00.000-08:00

Next meeting is Monday, February 7th- please join us for last year's favorite speaker- a law enforcement officer gives us a great intro to self-defense. You can't afford to miss this one, mommies!

Our food theme will be Everything Red in honor of Valentine's day.

Please join us!!

Merry Christmas to you and your families, MOPS Mommies!

2010-12-07T07:30:00.001-08:00

See you for our next meeting on January 3rd at 6pm. Please bring your favorite frozen food item (unfrozen of course) to munch on.

Have safe and happy holidays!!

December 6th- Special Guest!!

2010-11-18T13:05:00.000-08:00

Frank Zamora, a local child psychologist and parenting expert, will come to our meeting to give us a brief overview of "Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child." Please join us at 6pm and bring a family holiday favorite food item to share!

Your Mothering Style

2010-11-11T06:36:00.001-08:00

Monday, November 15th, join us to discuss mothering finesse and make take and bake pizzas for our families to enjoy. Food theme: Traditional Thanksgiving Favorites

See you there!

Psychology 101

2010-10-19T07:10:00.000-07:00

Monday, November 1st at 6pm is our next meeting and we will have a very special speaker: our very own Kristy McPherson! Armed with years of counseling experience, she is going to give us an overview of the 5 Love Languages. Soup and Sides will be our food theme and we will assemble a dried soup mix for everyone to take home and enjoy with your family. Don't miss it!

Next Meeting: October 18th- Technology and Your Kids

2010-10-05T07:18:00.000-07:00

Please join us Monday, October 18th for a presentation on technology use in our homes. We will enjoy fall food and as always, each other. See you there!

October 4th- Hard CORE!

2010-09-21T07:45:00.000-07:00

Our next meeting is Monday, October 4th at 6pm. We will take personality quizes and focus on our CORE! Please bring a food that fits your personality: spicy? creative? quick take-out?

SPECIAL THANK YOUS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE WEECYCLE!

Monday, September 20th, 6pm....Momology; The Art and Science of Mothering

2010-08-31T19:41:00.001-07:00

Please join us to kick off the MOPS year on Monday, September 20th at 6pm at Sierra Vista Community Church. Childcare will be provided, we will watch the MOPS Introduction DVD and get to know all of our new mommies! Please bring a breakfast item to share with the group in honor of our new beginning.

Looking ahead to the fall....

2010-07-02T19:13:00.001-07:00

1) Our first meeting will be on Monday, September 20th at 6pm. Plenty of reminders will come your way between now and then. We will be finalizing our schedule for the year at St. Clair's Bistro on Monday, July 5th at 6pm. Please feel free to join us to add your input or just to hang out!

2) We are changing up our one and only fundraiser this year. Emily Bair (a mentor mom for our group) approached us with a fabulous idea and offered to take the lead on the project. On Friday and Saturday, September 17th and 18th, we will host an infant, children's and maternity sale at the church. Gently used and in excellent condition items will be sold and sellers will pay us a $5 registration fee that will benefit our MOPS group, while the seller keeps 100% of their profits. It will be a once-per-year second-hand kids store that this town so badly needs!

Volunteers who work a shift at the sale (and yes, we will need many!) get to shop early on Friday before the sale opens to the general public. We will still have some vendor tables which sell new items but they must be children/infant items. Karin has graciously agreed to handle that part of the sale!

For more information, see our website: www.weecycle-lascruces.blogspot.com or see our ad on Craig's list: http://lascruces.en.craigslist.org/bab/1817022305.html Emily is posting brochures in pediatric offices, preschools, and churches. We are hoping to have a radio ad as well. So, please mark the weekend on your calendar and start gathering items to sell that your kids have outgrown! We will need all of us to help spread the word. Thank you in advance for your ideas and support!

MOPS Summer Schedule

2010-06-01T18:34:00.000-07:00

Saturday, June 5, 10am-1pm:
Family brunch at June's home (4970 Black Quartz Rd)

Monday, June 7, 6-8pm:
Moms-night-out at International Delights (no childcare available)

Monday, June 21, 6-8pm:
Peter Piper Pizza (N. Main)
Kids and families invited (everyone pays for their own meals/tokens)

Monday, July 5, 6-8pm:
Moms-night-out at St Clair's in Mesilla (no childcare available)

Monday, July 19, 6-8pm:
Local park (TBD)
Kids and families invited (everyone provides their own dinner picnic)

Monday, August 2, 6-8pm:
Moms-night-out at Zeffiro's (Water St location; no childcare available)

Available Weekly This Summer...

2010-06-01T17:35:00.000-07:00

www.library.las-cruces.org
click 'online events' for a full summer calendar (babies-older children)

Mondays
Free summer movies at Video 4 (1005 El Paseo)
Showtimes: 9, 11, 1, 4 (check online for details)

Tuesdays
Free summer movies at various theatre locations (www.allentheatresinc.com)

Thursdays at 9:30am
Join the other 2 MOPS groups in town (pack a lunch if you plan to stay into the lunch hour)
in June - Veteran's Park (2651 Roadrunner Pkwy)
in July - Apodaca Park (801 E Madrid)
in August - Pioneer Park (W Court/N Miranda)

Fridays at 10am
Barnes & Noble storytime
Then head to the museum, Chuck-E-Cheese or food court

Next Meeting: May 3rd- Travel Planet

2010-04-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

Our next meeting is Monday, May 3rd at 6pm. We will get tips on kid-friendly New Mexico travel and see crafts that keep kids busy on trips. We will nibble on New Mexico foods and reminisce about our wonderful tea party; great job tea party team!

PLAY DATES....

2010-04-06T06:34:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, April 7th, noon, Sagecrest Park- bring a picnic lunch!

If you have any ideas for get togethers this summer, let Candace or Sheila know so we can get the word out.

April 2010 Schedule...

2010-03-16T19:08:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 3rd, 10am: EASTER EGG HUNT
Pioneer Park for kids up to 5th grade- bring your basket and a picnic lunch for a MOPS group picnic after the hunt.

Satruday, April 3, Noon: UNDERWATER EASTER EGG HUNT at White Sands Aquatic Center

Monday, April 5th at 6pm: Spiritual Balance
We'll watch the MOPS DVD "Living with God" and listen to a speaker on relaxation and stress relief. We'll craft microwave heating pads for those super tight spots and we'll snack on comfort food.

Friday, April 9th 6-8pm: Mesilla Park MOPS presents their annual Murder Mystery Dinner. Cost is $20/couple and $12/single- please RSVP to 640-5132.

Monday, April 19th at 6pm: Annual MOPS Tea Party- bring your mom, grandmother or other special woman in your life.

IT'S A GREAT MONTH TO BE A MEMBER OF MOPS!!

Time Crunch Planet

2010-03-09T11:09:00.000-08:00

We had an excellent meeting and self-defense demonstration at our last meeting. Let's all use our greatest weapons, mommies: our brains!!

Our next MOPS meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 15th at 6pm. We'll chow down on our favorite time saving recipes and meet Jenny from Time Flies Planners.

Mommy Spotlight: Kristy McPherson

2010-02-20T19:46:00.000-08:00

How old are you? 37
Family: Married to David for 7 years, he’s a keeper! 3 kids, Jared (3), and Autumn & Luke (14 mo)
Where did you grow up? Silver City, NM
Do you play a musical instrument? Used to play piano and xylophone, most percussion instruments in band
Do you know how to swim? I can dog paddle…does that count? I audited water aquatics class one summer thinking it was a water aerobics class for senior adults. Apparently that’s lingo for lap swimming. It was bloody awful! I was so embarrassed. I dropped out and never went back.
Do you download and listen to podcasts? Yes, love sermons by Rob Bell (mars hill bible church), John & Stasi Eldredge (ransomed heart ministries), & John Ortberg (Menlo Park Presbyterian church)
How much of the Life on Planet Mom book have you read so far? Zippo
What is your favorite outdoor winter sport? Hiking in our land of enchantment
Did you keep any of last year's resolutions? don’t make any…haha
Do you have your own blog? no, what’s a blog? J/K
How many gifts will you make instead of buy this year? Oh now that is hilarious…you girls know me…i don’t make stuff…wait a minute, does baking count?
What is the best way MOPS can support a new mom? Check in with her a lot. See a need, then meet the need. Don’t wait for her to ask you. I was going thru an extremely difficult time last February. I had just joined MOPS and told Sheila I wasn’t going to make our next meeting in Feb. I told her I was feeling depressed and overwhelmed, was heading to my folks’ home in Silver, and could she ask the group to pray for me. They did. And they also did a whole lot more than that. Several of the gals came over the next week with meals or to just let me take a nap. Cheryl took time off work to help Beth keep my kids. They treated me to a pedicure. I cried thru most of it. I needed some pampering time and the girls knew that before I did. Candace & Sean brought a meal and let me take a nap. Sean even changed a dirty diaper! Sarah, Nicole, Sheila & Emily brought meals and Sheila stayed overnight when I wasn’t doing well at all. Others prayed and checked in with me. It still makes me weep when I think about all the ways love was shown to me. God used them to keep me afloat and to hold on to hope. I will be forever grateful for their friendship!
What's the best gift you got as a new mom at the hospital? Chocolate bars
Best pampering gift? massage or pedicure
What do you do when you’re not with your kids? Starbucks drivethru and then read for an hour in my van…ALONE! Also like to walk for exercise. Finally checking facebook a little more often, my 20th HS reunion is coming up this summer so lotsa people are trying to find each other, what a hoot!

Next Meeting: Healing Planet

2010-02-20T19:43:00.000-08:00

Our next meeting is Monday, March 1st. Join us for for MOPS cirriculum and discussion on "Navigating Unsafe Relationships" and a special presentation from a self-defense expert!

Chick Flick!

2010-02-09T19:42:00.000-08:00

Next meeting is Monday, February 15th at 6pm.

We will watch a girly movie, munch on our favorite movie fare and have 2 UNinterrupted hours of relaxation!

Bring a bean bag, wear your favorite comfy slippers and pull your hair up; NO STYLE NECESSARY!

Loving and Giving in Service

2010-01-21T14:11:00.000-08:00

Our next MOPS meeting is Monday, February 1st at 6pm. Please join us as we "study" and discuss our MOPS cirriculum which will be focused on looking beyond our homes to contribute as moms. We'll share some sneaky kids food and as always, enjoy and cherish our mommy friendships.

Everybody Zumba!

2010-01-05T08:06:00.000-08:00

Our last meeting- Planet Fit Mama-was a lot of fun with a visit from a local personal trainer and a Zumba demonstration. Way to shake it, mommies! For our next meeting, Monday, January 18th, the Universe Expands. We will watch and discuss the MOPS DVD "Growing with Extended Family." See you there!

Next Meeting: Monday, January 4th

2009-12-08T13:42:00.000-08:00

Our next meeting will be held Monday, January 4th at 6pm. Continuing on our health kick, we plan to discuss fitness for all skill levels and enjoy our favorite healthful treats.

******NO MEETING ON MONDAY DECEMBER 21ST*****

Merry Christmas, Mommies! May you and your families enjoy this holiday season and may 2010 bring only the best to our Planet Mom.

The Living Christmas Tree

2009-12-06T14:44:00.000-08:00

The annual Living Christmas Tree Production at First Baptist will be held Dec 12-15. There is an afternoon presentation on the 12th, 1pm, as well as an evening presentation, 7pm. The 13-15 presentations are at 7pm. Presentations will last approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. There is also free childcare for infants up to 18 months. You can purchase tickets, $5/person, at the First Baptist office. Sarah Henderson is helping with the production, so if you have any questions, please contact her.

Next Meeting: Nutrition and Eating Right During the Holidays

2009-11-17T06:43:00.000-08:00

With yummy, yet nutritious munchies at this meeting, we will be visited by a local dietician and pool our talents to make an easy Christmas Gift. See you there on December 7th at 6pm!

2nd Annual Shop Til You Drop

2009-11-15T09:04:00.000-08:00

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Next Meeting November 2nd: $$$

2009-10-22T14:50:00.000-07:00

Topic: Money, money, money
Speaker: Brad Beasley, a CPA offering tax tips
Craft: Money saving craft/gift
Hospitality: "Cheap" meals (Diahn, Renee, Nicole, Karin, and June)

We'll sign up for the Nov 7 fundraiser: set up, hospitality, childcare, and clean-up.

See you there!

Countdown to 2009-2010 MOPS Year....

2009-09-10T10:03:00.000-07:00

Our first meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 5th from 6-8pm at Sierra Vista Community Church (514 N. Telshor Blvd). Please join us in helping eachother be the best moms that we can be! "Together on Planet Mom" is our theme this year; we will focus on the spiritual, the financial, the emotional, and the physical challenges of being a mother as well as celebrating together the sheer joys of being the mama. CHILD CARE IS PROVIDED. Please contact Candace or Sheila with any questions you have or to let us know that you are coming....

A Year of Transition....

2009-09-09T22:16:00.000-07:00

This MOPS year will be a year of change for our little group; Cheryl Montoya will step down as our leader. While carefully guiding the handing over of the reigns and continuing to support the group with her unmatched hospitality and welcoming spirit, we will have to begin to adjust to MOPS life without Cheryl.

The birth of our MOPS group:
Cheryl started the evening MOPS group three years ago after much prayer and excuses to the Lord about how she was not a leader and someone else needed to start one. She originally started looking for a MOPS group to attend but since she worked full-time outside of the home, the daytime MOPS wouldn't work. She started thinking: "Hey, what about those moms?" She knew an evening MOPS group would be great. And since Moms would just be getting off work, the idea of eating together as well as feeding the kids in MOPPETS came about. For a while, Cheryl prayed that the Lord would burden someone (else) to start a group like this because she thought it would be a great thing for her and for her kids. "The Lord has such a sense of humor, doesn't he?"

Her passion for the moms who needed an evening MOPS option won out over her fear of being the leader and she decided to start the group. She saw a need for supporting the women who daily, tirelessly and humbly support the families and homes of our community. Bravely, she approached Sierra Vista Community Church seeking their support for the outreach ministry. Sierra Vista Community Church was supportive of this new outreach ministry and by year 2, they included childcare and other MOPS expenses (charter fees, memberships) in their budget.

"It has been a project where I was much more blessed than burdened by the leadership. I learned a lot about what my strengths are and what my challenges are," commented Cheryl. "Some of those challenges were not growing these women to become the leaders of tomorrow. There was much more of a come-and-relax-type atmosphere and because of that I had a hard time asking for help. But the most wonderful aspect of MOPS was seeing a mom rush into a meeting a little late with her child crying down the hall. Obviously she had had a rough day, but by the end of the meeting, there was a kind of peace in her face, a renewed energy to go home and do this "mommy thing" all over again. It was a tremendous reward to see moms walking out feeling better than when they had walked in for the meeting."

Outside of MOPS:
Chery and Joe were married in their late 30's. Her biological clock was ticking loudly so the pursuit to have a baby happened almost immediately. However, getting pregnant was not coming that easy. She prayed diligently that God would bless them with a family. They decided to cover all bases just in case she was unable to get pregnant. Cheryl and Joe had a home study done to see about adopting a child from Children, Youth and Family Dept (where she works as a management analyst). She had some fertility tests done as well as her husband. She knew that God had a plan but couldn't understand why He wasn't revealing it to her IMMEDIATELY. She was just about to start fertility drugs when she found out that she was pregnant. So Aiden was born when Cheryl was 40 and Madison when she was 41. They are 18 months apart. "What a joy they are!!!"

On being a mom:
"Being a mom is such a wonderful/scary experience. I hope I am teaching them the great life lessons they need to become kind, compassionate, and productive men/women in society. I pray about their future spouses and that Lord will be number one in their life. What an awesome responsibility. But I'm also reminded that we have to give our children (each day) back to the Lord for His guidance. The scary part isn't so scary anymore."

Looking Back...

2009-09-09T19:52:00.000-07:00

MOPS 2008-2009