My Favorite Things: Vacations

Want to try a new restaurant but not sure where to go?

Are you pregnant and not sure what baby products you really need?

Are you unsure of what to cook on a busy weeknight?

What better place to turn than your fellow MOPS moms for ideas?

Our new feature My Favorite Things - will give you some ideas of where to start.

Each month we will feature a different question and recommendations will be listed by other MOPS moms in the group.

This month's theme is vacations and we have them broken down into categories:

What is your favorite destination for a romantic vacation?

• Cancun, Mexico - Carrie M.
• Hawaii - Sara K.
• France - Nicki F.
• Savannah, Georgia - Jessi C.
• Isn't it about the person you are with? But Hawaii would be nice! - Sarah L.
• Sandals in St. Lucia - Nicole P.
• Anywhere we can relax together! - Lou Ann C.
• Camping in Colorado (pre-kids) - Rachael K.
• 
  

What is your favorite destination for family vacation?

• Disney World - Carrie M.
• Beach- Sara K.
•  A beach anywhere - Nicki F.
• Florida, Disney World, Grand Canyon - Jessi C.
• Beach, Disney, Mt Rushmore, Colorado - Sarah L.
• Beach or St. Louis - Lou Ann C.
• Museums, aquariums, zoos - any place you can stay awhile and cut out in between place travel time - Rachael K.

What is your favorite destination for a "Stay-cation"?

• Kansas City Zoo - Carrie M.
• Pool - my kids love swimming - Sara K.
•  Our hunting lodge or the lake - Nicki F.
• Coco Key - Jessi C.
• Crown Center, Pool, Legoland - Sarah L.
• Crown Center and the kids love KC in general - Lou Ann C.
• Great Wolf Lodge - Rachael K.

What is your favorite destination for a day trip?

• Kansas City Zoo - Carrie M.
• St Louis - many fun free things to do (zoo!) - Sara K.
• Omaha- Jessi C.
• Omaha (zoo), St Louis - Sarah L.
• Zoo - Lou Ann C.
• Omaha Zoo - hands down the best zoo in the region - Rachael K.

Want to contribute your ideas for our blog or newsletter? Check your MOPS folder for the My Favorite Things feature!

Featured Article: A Gentle Leader

A Gentle Leader by Sarah L.

Originally published March 2013

Do you ever feel like you are running late, lagging behind, or as I like to call it “lolly-gaggin”?  I do my best to get all three kids and myself fed, dressed, packed, and buckled safely in car seats in time to be “on time” to wherever we may be going that day.  Despite my efforts I am often late.

I also try to make myself look decent despite the fact that a  20 month old was hanging on me while I did my make-up and I made 3 batches of peanut butter toast while curling my hair.  I try to make sure my kids’ clothes match, my boy’s hair lays flat, and my girls’ hair is  in cute pony tails.  Sadly, a lot of time they wear what causes the least resistance, their staticky hair is in a loose ponytail or none at all, and my son still forgets his lunch when I drop him off at school.  It isn’t easy getting kids out of the house no matter the destination and no matter the age of the child.

Another thing I have noticed is that I am constantly telling my kids “Hurry up!” or  “Come on, you don’t want to be late do you?” or many other versions of the same.  I find myself walking slower than a snail while one child runs ahead and one drags behind and I simultaneously shout “Wait up” and “Hurry up” at the same time.

A couple years ago I was studying the book of Isaiah and one verse found it’s way deep in my heart and I think of it nearly every day. While it is not the solution I need to get my kids moving out of the house in time, it is the perspective I needed that day and still is two years later.

“He tends his flock like a shepherd;

He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart;

he gently leads those that have young.”

 Isaiah 40:11

Shepherd - it isn’t exactly a high demand career in our society right now.  However, the symbolism is still important.  A shepherd guards, feeds, and protects a flock from danger.  Our family is that flock and God is watching over us and our children day in and day out.  He is providing for our needs and protecting us at all times.  

In the verse it talks about gathering the lambs in his arms and carrying them close to his heart.  In The Message version it says “hugging them as he carries them”.  I love this picture.  How do I carry my children?  Do I lovingly hug them as I go about my day?

My favorite part of this verse is “he gently leads those that have young”.  That is me and you ladies!  He is gently leading us as we care for our children.  After finding this verse I read that the nursing ewes would lag behind the flock because they had to stop to feed and care for their babies.  As moms we are often lagging behind.  We have to stop and slow down to feed and care for our kids, to rest and let our kids nap, to enjoy the things that curious kids want to play with, and God is waiting for us patiently.  Not with a “Hurry up” or a “Come on, you will be late” but he gently leads us, carrying our kids close to his heart.  

I love this verse.  It shows me that God understands right where I am, he meets me there, and values what I am doing, even if I am lagging a bit behind the flock.

End of the year MOPS Family Picnic

The weather was fantastic for a day of play!

What is Your MOPPET Learning: May

While we are enjoying some time with other mothers, the kids are busy in their classes as well. 

Each month we will post a sneak peak at the MOPPETS curriculum for the 2013-14 year.  

This year the kids will be studying the Heroes of the Bible curriculum which has been a favorite in the past.

All kids in the Monkeys, Otters, Lions, Ostrich, and Giraffe classes will participate in a Bible lesson, craft, game, music, play time, short video related to the Bible lesson, (such as VeggieTales) and snack.

Here is a peek at the curriculum for the month:

May- Peter (and Mother's Day)

5/6-Lesson- God Hears us when we pray
Story- Peter is freed from jail.
  Verse-James 5:16
Song-Final rehearsal of songs to sing to moms!

**Practice Jesus Loves Me, Happy All the Time, The B-I-B-L-E, to sing to moms in May.

For a list of the entire MOPPETS Curriculum for the year please check out the "About MOPPETS" tab.