This Week @ MOPS 1.27.15

This morning our speaker was Jeri Redman.  Jeri is the mom of 4 children plus grandchildren and is a professional organizer. 

Her talk was entitled "A Brave New Year".  She challenged us that God has given us this job of motherhood and He has a plan for us.  

“Making the decision to have a child -- it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." -Elizabeth Stone

She reminded us to be BRAVE:

• Boundaries - As moms, we are the gatekeepers of our home.  Do what works for you and the gatekeeping of your house.
• Rules - We establish rules in our home for safety and to make life better.  By enforcing the rules, we show our children that Mommy keeps her word and you can count on her.  "I have to be able to count on you to follow the rule.  If you can't do that, there will be a consequence."
• Activities - Be intentional and selective with activities.  Do things that help your family, not just for appearances.
• Value - You have value beyond measure.
• Enlisting Help - Just need to ask.  We aren't meant to do this alone.  Sometimes asking for help is doing your best.  We can also ask for wisdom from God.
  

She has some tips on her website so be sure to visit!

  http://www.jeriorganizes.com

jeriorganizes@gmail.com

 Many thanks to Lauren Grossman with R+F for sponsoring our meeting!

703-966-8904

LaurenGrossmanRF@gmail.com

http://laurengrossman.myrandf.com/

A huge THANK YOU to the moms who volunteered with Kids Exchange sorting.

You raised $200 for our group!

 We are extending our raffle from last semester.  You can "earn" entries into the raffle by inviting friends to MOPS: one entry for a friend visiting and 4 additional entries into the raffle if that mom registers for MOPS and pays her dues. It doesn't have to just be a friend; it could be moms you meet at the park, library, or anywhere! We'll have a special drawing at the last meeting for a prize basket of fun goodies.

February 3rd

Leadership Meeting

Small Group Playdate

 

February 10th

We will have a speaker from Project Enlightenment as well as a craft!

http://www.projectenlightenment.wcpss.net/

Erin and Heather Pendleton's groups have brunch for February 10th.

http://crossroadsraleighmops.blogspot.com/p/brunch-schedule.html

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d48aaad2ca13-crossroads

Kristin Gruber, Crossroads' Women's Ministry Coordinator, shared that Crossroads has the privilege of bringing gospel artist Babbie Mason to the Millbrook Road campus in Raleigh on Friday, February 27 for a worship concert.

For more information, go to http://www.crossroads.org/babbie-mason

This Week @ MOPS 1.13.15

We started off the new semester with a preschool panel.  We heard about WCPSS' preschool program, homeschooling, church preschools, and private preschools.

 

To view the slides from during the panel, visit: Preschool Options
To view the handouts, visit: Preschool Handouts

Also, visit Go Ask Mom to find out about an upcoming charter school fair
on this coming Monday, January 26th:
http://www.wral.com/charter-school-fair-to-feature-nearly-20-local-schools/14371568/

We also had finance update.  We should be able to come in at budget if all moms pay their dues for this semester; see below for how to pay your dues.  To view the update, visit:  Finance Update

A few other notes...

Cold and Flu season is back!  In order to preserve the good health of those in MOPPETS, both moms and workers should be aware of general health concerns and policies.  Please note the following policies, which determine whether or not a child should be in MOPPETS.  If your child has any of the following symptoms and/or illnesses, they should NOT attend:

• Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or runny nose in the previous 24 hours

• Has been receiving antibiotic medication for less than 48 hours

• A fresh cold with sneezing or requiring frequent nose blowing/wiping

• A questionable rash (Impetigo, measles, mumps, active chicken pox or conjunctivitis (pink eye))

Please don't be offended if our childcare workers show concern about whether a child should be dropped off or not.  We miss you when you are not here, but we want to keep everyone as healthy as possible!

 Many thanks to current MOPS mom Andrea Self with DoTerra Essential Oils for sponsoring our meeting!
 

Heather Franchi and Allison's groups have brunch for January 27th.

http://crossroadsraleighmops.blogspot.com/p/brunch-schedule.html

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d48aaad2ca13-crossroads

As the fall semester went on, we seemed to be starting a little later. 

In order to have time for everything, we are going to try to start more promptly at 9:30.

Drop off starts at 9:15 for our little ones.

However, if you are running late, please still come as we all have crazy mornings!

 If you haven't done so already, please pay your Spring Semester dues ($50) to cover child care, craft and other expenses.  

 You can pay online with a card here:

 https://public.serviceu.com/RegistrationForm/7701043-301594049/?OrgKey=06d83eca-4e11-4cfa-b96d-f883726e192c

There is also a link that can be accessed from Crossroads' website: http://crossroads.org/mops

You can also pay with exact cash or check made out to Crossroads MOPS at our next meeting.

Please don't let finances get in the way of joining something incredible. We have scholarships readily available. Please email here for more information. 

Spring/Summer Consignment Sales

It's that time of year again!
Are you stocking up on wire hangers?
Making a list of needed kid items like clothes and toys?
Planning to volunteer?

The spring/summer consignment sales season will kick off this week and last into May. 

Most sales will offer clothing, shoes, baby gear, toys, books, movies, sports equipment, strollers, and more. Also think ahead to score great deals on Easter outfits, beach/pool gear, outdoor toys, and other spring/summer items.

WRAL's Go Ask Mom column offers a database of local sales with dates, locations, and contact information.

Database of spring/summer 2015 consignment sales:
http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/goaskmom/page/7941383/

In a recent article (http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/goaskmom/page/7941383/), Sarah Hall offers some tips:

"Some things to keep in mind if you're a first-time shopper:
1. Go prepared! It can be a little crazy searching for deals. So know what you want before you go. Be ready with sizes and a list of all you'll need. Bring a laundry basket, wagon or stroller (without the kid) to haul your loot.
2. Leave the young kids at home if you can (though we all know that's easier said than done).
3. Sign up to volunteer or consign to shop early and nab the best deals.
4. If you're a first-time mom, pregnant mom or grandma, also note that some sales have special shopping hours for you."

Many consignment sale organizations have Facebook pages, and some run contests leading up to their sales, so be sure to "Like" their pages.

Also check out www.consignmentmommies.com for a list of consignment sales, consignment stores, tips for selling/shopping/volunteering, product safety info and more.

We want to hear from you! What advice do you have for those who are considering consigning/shopping/volunteering? Comment below.

A new semester!

Happy New Year!

We will be kicking off a new semester this coming Tuesday, January 13th at 9:30am.
We hope you will continue to be reminded to "Be You, Bravely" throughout the rest of the year because as moms it takes courage to ask brave questions and even more courage to search for the answers.

Returning moms, we can't wait to reconnect, and new moms, we can't wait to meet you and are so glad you are joining our group!
Our "FAQ" section on this blog may help answer some of your questions, but please let us know if you have more!
You can stay connected with us at our Facebook page
and our closed Facebook group (search Crossroads MOPS of Raleigh).

This week we will have a preschool panel sharing about different preschool options!

We have decided to have 2 groups host brunch for each meeting this semester.

Heather Pendleton and Tracy's groups have brunch for January 13th.

http://crossroadsraleighmops.blogspot.com/p/brunch-schedule.html

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d48aaad2ca13-crossroads

As the fall semester went on, we seemed to be starting a little later. 

In order to have time for everything, we are going to try to start more promptly at 9:30.

Drop off starts at 9:15 for our little ones.

However, if you are running late, please still come as we all have crazy mornings!

 If you haven't done so already, please pay your Spring Semester dues ($50) to cover child care, craft and other expenses.  

 You can pay online with a card here:

 https://public.serviceu.com/RegistrationForm/7701043-301594049/?OrgKey=06d83eca-4e11-4cfa-b96d-f883726e192c

There is also a link that can be accessed from Crossroads' website: http://crossroads.org/mops

You can also pay with exact cash or check made out to Crossroads MOPS at our next meeting.

Please don't let finances get in the way of joining something incredible. We have scholarships readily available. Please email here for more information.  

Details coming soon...