MOPS 2012-13 Theme!

MOPS International Theme 2012-13 Taking the plunge in relationships is being authentic and going deeper. In a MOPS group, relationships offer hope to moms, especially as moms go deeper and take risks to create authentic community. All facets of relationships can be strengthened through taking risks, going deeper and showing authentic love – neighborhood, friendships, marriages, extended families, the world around us and ultimately relationship with God.

Theme Book: Mom Connection: Creating Vibrant Relationships in the Midst of Motherhoodby Tracey Bianchi In this witty, encouraging book, Tracey Bianchi guides moms on a journey toward celebrating and discovering the underlying rhythm of their lives and how that rhythm pulls them into vibrant relationships. Through stories of her own life as a mom and the experiences of others, she shows moms how to gracefully engage the people who cross their paths rather than viewing others as tasks on a list. She also offers a way to find balance in this busy exercise called motherhood.  Theme Devotional: Always There: Reflections for Moms on God's PresenceEdited by Susan Besze Wallace Organized around the times of a mom’s day, and the truth that God is always present, a relationship you can count on. This book is a compilation of many voices and will affirm a mom’s relationship with God and the fact that she can count on God throughout her mothering experience, with the daily joys and sorrows of mothering. "Love as if your life depended on it" 1 Peter 4:8

Steering Scavenger Hunt

For our end of the year steering meeting we decided to have some fun and go on a scavenger hunt. 

 ROAD TRIP! 

 The girls had to find items on their list at the local Marshall's and surrounding stores and take pictures of themselves with the item.  (Meanwhile the coordinators did a little kid-free shopping.)  They got done in record time.  The winners (L.C. and S.K.) got a special trophy that I am sure we will see passed around again soon!  It was fun to have a steering outing.  These hardworking girls know how to have fun!

This might make for a fun mom's night out in the future! *wink*

Congratulations Graduates!

Congratulations to our graduates J.H. and F.S.!  We have loved having you in our MOPS group and look forward to seeing you at MOMSNext!

Mom Connection Book Review and Giveaway!

The coordinators of Indian Creek MOPS were given the opportunity to review a brand new book by Tracey Bianchi, Mom Connection: creating vibrant relationships in the midst of motherhood.  The MOPS International theme for the 2012-13 year is Plunge: Love as if your life depended on it.  

We have both read the book and now you can read our reviews right here on the Indian Creek MOPS blog.  We will also be giving away two copies of the book to two of you! (See below for details!)

Photo courtesy of Amazon

To order Mom Connection click here

Motherhood can be a rewarding stage full of excitement, demands, milestones, exhaustion, and joy.  But, very often it can be an extremely lonely place in life.  Surrounded by children under foot or on a hip will most definitely keep you busy but it can get pretty isolating.  Ironically, in this stage we are generally surrounded by other mothers who we have a lot in common with from potty training to tantrums and even the loneliness.  We pass by each other or become casual acquaintances without developing the deeper relationships that we crave as women.

Since I became a mother nearly 7 years ago I have walked through times of loneliness.  Sometimes I would spend time around other moms all day long at the park, soccer games, or the store but I realized I had no friends that knew what was going on in my life.  No one who understood the place I was in and it felt very isolating.

For me, that isolation is what led me to my MOPS group (Mothers of Preschoolers).  Here I found other moms that were not only in the same stage of life as me but accepted me for who and what I am, as is.  Slowly, over time, I was able to develop relationships with other women in the MOPS group that have become my best friends.  I think that is why the MOPS theme is "No mom alone".  We don't have to be lonely in this stage of life, we can build relationships that support each other.

What does this have to do with a book review?  We just finished up the 2011-12 MOPS year and and we are already planning for next year's theme:  Plunge: Love as if your life depended on it.  Next year's theme is all about building strong relationships and the theme book for the year is Mom Connection: creating vibrant relationships in the midst of motherhood by Tracey Bianchi.  MOPS International  has given me the opportunity to review this great book and also give a copy away to one of you!

Tracey Bianchi, author of Mom Connection, truly understands the lonely place motherhood can be. Early in the book she describes how she felt at the park surrounded by other moms but not knowing how to connect with them.  This is something I could relate to, especially during my first few years as a mom.  In her book she describes the importance of relationships, how to create them, how to balance them, and it is all packaged in a fun, witty, insightful and honest book.  The short chapters make it hard to put down and easy to read during a mom's busy day.  I recommend this book to any fellow MOPS out there as well as moms of kids of all ages.

Sarah

Author Tracey Bianchi has a way with humor in Mom Connection: creating vibrant relationships in the midst of motherhood. She uses that humor to gently encourage moms who are stuck inside their comfort zone and unconnected, out of a rut. She gives practical tips on how to be intentional with relationships with other moms.

The way the book is written makes for both a quick and easy read. Being a mom of prechoolers, I was relieved that each chapter was short but had great input.

At the end of each chapter, the author gives what are called, 'FIVE Mom Tested Tips' which go deeper on being intentional with relationships. I found these tips to be easy enough that I can hold on to and reuse them even after I finished the book.

I think this book is a great resource for MOPS groups around the world, and dives into the theme for 2012-2013 of 'Plunge; Love as if Your Life Depended On It'. Being intentional with any relationship can be overwhelming. But relationships with other moms are often pushed aside due to demands involved elsewhere.

Thank you, Tracey, for writing a book that can bond moms together by giving us simple, stress free ideas for reaching out and getting connected.

~Jenni

Now you can enter to win your very own brand new copy of Mom Connection: creating vibrant relationships in the midst of motherhood by Tracey Bianchi!  To enter please:

1. "Like" Indian Creek MOPS on Facebook

2. Follow our blog at mopsatthecreek.blogspot.com

3. Comment on the Indian Creek MOPS Facebook page stating why you love your MOPS group or another community group you have been a part of.

Two winners will be selected at random!

Good luck!



FINE PRINT:
Unfortunately, at this time we are only open to entries in the surrounding states: Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma.  This contest will be open until May 25th.  The winner will be contacted no later than May 31st.  Thank you for your understanding.