February Meetings

We had two great meetings in February.  At our first meeting, we had a Stampin Up demonstrator show us how to make cute Valentine's cards for our hubbies or loved ones.  With cardstock (thick paper), two types of glue, a piece of ribbon, a heart shaped punch, and an embossing machine, the ladies cranked out some amazing cards.
Amanda brought the devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.  God is in control, and we don't always have to ask why.  We should be thankful in all circumstances, and sometimes the end results will amaze us!
And of course there was plenty of time for fellowship and snacks!

At our second meeting, the steering team had a wide variety of rainy/windy day activities to show off to the moms.  There was a line of tables on the other side of the room, and moms were able to go down the line picking up handouts, demoing activities, and talking to the steering moms about the activities.  We still have copies of the handouts if you weren't' able to attend the meeting!  Just ask a steering team mom at the next meeting, and we will get you a packet of papers.
The devotion was brought by Stephanie, and the topic was on being content.    The topic came from the first resultion in The Resolution for Women (based on the movie Courageous).  The book definies contement as the equilibrium between the enjoyment of life now and the anticipation of what is to come.  So, the key is to find happiness in each moment, even if you are looking forward to the end of this season of life.

And now for a couple of announcements:

• Unless the 3rd Friday of the month is a holiday, we will be having a Moms' Night Out at Grace Church from 6:30-8:30pm.  These are very relaxed, so come as you are for fellowship and snacks.
• It is time to start thinking about 2014-2015.  We will need at least three more moms on steering team plus discussion group leaders and craft fair organizers.  If you are interested in helping lead out group, please see any current steering team member.
• Don't forget the playdates on the 4th Tuesday of the month.  These are normally in the morning starting around 9:30 or 10 (depending on the location).  For February, we went to Red Light Green Light, an indoor imaginative play area for kids near Cottonwood Mall.  Plans for March and April will be announced soon.

Everyone Likes a Good Deal!

At our last meeting (January 21), the theme was Freebies and Great Deals.  First, one of our moms (Melissa) put together a page on ways to get a ton of things free.  She has been SUPER successful from getting things from travel0sized samples to jackets and big toys free using the ideas on her handout.  Then our coordinator (Wendy) had a handout prepared about the free preschools and many of the charter schools in the area.  The handout included a timeline for the lotteries/registration at the schools.  Finally, another mom (Stephanie) created a handout on some free and almost free resources for moms interested in homeschooling.
After these were handed out, we spent some time at our tables talking about other free or great deals.  And then we shared them with the big group.  Here are some of those ideas:

• Free days at many of the museums and national parks in the area.  Check the websites for exact dates, but some of the museums do them monthly on Sundays.
• Free story times at the public libraries, balloon museum, and Barnes and Noble.
• Free activities at Chick-Fil-A most Tuesday nights (Family Nights).  Some times these include free meals for the kids.  This is at all three stand-alone Albuquerque locations.  Also at Chick-Fil-A, you can turn the toy in to the counter from a kid's meal and get an ice cream cone instead.
• Season passes to Explora and the BioPark.  A note ont he BioPark: unless you have more than 6 people in your family or teenagers, the family pass is not the best deal.  Instead get an individual or couple and "Add-a-guest."  Only get the couple if you have more than 4 kids OR your husband would go to the zoo without you.

January 7th Meeting

Our first meeting of 2014 was last week.  Many of our moms were out either sick themselves or with sick little ones, so it was somewhat of a quiet meeting.  But winter seems to always have these quiet meetings with the cold weather and all of the illnesses that go around. 
We started out with announcements.  The biggest announcement was the new Parents' Day Out at Grace Church.  It will be Mondays and Wednesday from 9am-1pm.  They will allow drop ins if space allows.  If you want more information, you can email us or contact Grace Church directly.  We also passed out the Spring schedule with the basics - play dates, meetings, and steering team meetings. 
After announcements, we did Mom of the Day and then had brunch.  One of our new moms was the Mom of the Day winner!  While we ate, we watched a segment from MOPS.org about motherhood comparisons.  Shauna Niequist went into how we all tend to cry to compare ourselves with others.  But, if we focus on lifting someone else up and making them feel better, we will feel better too.  She also went into how we all have a purpose, but that purpose may only be for a season.  For her, her purpose recently has been to say "no" and focus on her kids.  Although things like packing the bag for school, making the perfect lunch, and keeping a clean house are "good" things, spending time with our kids should always be a focus.  Here is the link to her blog.
After the video, we moved on to craft.  Amanda had a fun trash-to-treasure project using empty wine and beer bottles.  We wrote on them with hot glue and then painted them to make fun works of art.  Here are some of the projects:

Since so many moms were missing, we skipped small group time, instead spending time as a big group just chatting after finishing the craft. 
The kids had fun learning about being thankful.  The story was about the 10 lepers Jesus healed (Luke 17:11-19).  Although all ten men were probably thankful for the healing, only one went back to tell Jesus himself.  We need to remember to thank God for everything He has given us and not take anything for granted.  So, the kids made thankful journals so they could write/draw the things they are thankful for.  Hopefully you can use this to help them to remember to be thankful for all things.
Our next meeting will be January 21.  We hope everyone is well by then and can join us!

Christmas Meeting

Each year, we try to make the meetings closest to Christmas and Mother's Day special.  These are special times of the year for us as mothers, so it makes sense to pamper ourselves at these meetings.

So, today we had a few special things.  First, during the beginning of the meeting, we had live piano music played by the husband of one of our moms.  It was such a blessing to have the live music that created a festive atmosphere.  Then, we had a crepe bar (plus a few other items) for our food.  With a mix of sweet and savory toppings, there was something for everyone.  And to wash down that elegant brunch, we had coffe, rich hot chocolate, and spiced apple cider.  Add the festive (paper) dishes, and it was almost like being at a fancy restaraunt!

After a little bit, we did our coffee mug exchange.  Each mom brought a mug (or used a donated one), and then placed it in a brown paper bag to mask the style.  Then our creative leader read a Christmas story with a twist.  Added into the story were the words "RIGHT" and "LEFT."  When one of these was read, we rotated the mugs around our table in that direction.  There were a few points where the tables were abuzz with movement!  Once the story was over, we got to open our bags and see the mug we got.

Then it was time for some table mix ups.  Our coordinator read of a question and four responses.  Each response corresponded to a table.  Once the question and responses were read, we moved to the "correct" table for a chance to talk with other moms.  We switched tables three times, using questions about morning needs, sports, and how early you go to bed.  It was a great chance to meet and talk with moms that aren't in your small group (or you haven't had a chance to sit with otherwise). 

We also had a special devotion delivered by the senior pastor of Grace Church.  Pastor Edwin shared about the Wise Men and how they came to Jesus.  First, they were welcomed by Mary and Joseph, even though they were foreigners.  Just like them, all are welcome to enter into the body of Christ, regardless of their past.  Matthew is a great example of a disciple that came from a sorid past (tax collector) and was still welcomed by Christ.  Second, they came with questions.  It is okay to doubt or question our faith.  We are to come with questions at times, because none of us know all of the answers.  Thomas is a great example of a disciple that often had questions, appropriately nicknamed "Doubting Thomas." 

Pastor Edwin also gave us a few important reminders as moms.  First, time goes fast.  So take the time to enjoy the moments when the kids are young.  Second, record the details!  Putting things like dates and names on pictures and ornaments will be helpful as you get older (you won't remember the details even if you think you will).  And finally, enjoy the season!


A few announcments for the rest of December (more information can be obtained by emailing us):
Craft Night on December 13 from 7-9pm
Cookie Exchange on December 17 from 9:30-12 (kids welcome)

Our first meeting of 2014 will be January 7!

First November Meeting

We had a great meeting to start off December.  We had a speaker from the Every Child Ready to Read program (and ABC Libraries) talk to us about what we can do to help our children be ready to start kindergarten.  The public libraries in the area have a ton of resources for us!  So, if you missed the talk, don't hisatate to go to one of the libraries and ask a librarian for ideas.

The devotion was on worry.  God tells us to givve it all over to Him AND not take it back.  The not taking it back is the hardest part for most of us.

Now on to the announcements in case you missed the meeting:

• There is a special election on November 19th.  Early voting has already started, and most locations have no wait.  Here is more information about the election: http://www.cabq.gov/voting-elections/news/runoff-special-election-nov-19-2013
• Our craft fair was a success!  We met our budget (if not exceeded it), which is great.  Thanks for all the help!
• Moms' Night Out and Play Date information to be announced next week.  Moms' Night out will be the 15th at a restaurant with good desserts!  And the play date will be November 26.

Busy October!

We have had a busy October!  Our second October meeting was a fun one with a get-to-know-you game and a take home craft.  The craft was a little lamb made out of a wash cloth to help tell the story of Jesus as the Lamb of God.  There was also a bunch of time spent talking about the craft fair.

We also had two weeks of play dates.  On the 4th Tuesday, we went to the Galloping Grace Youth Ranch Pumpkin Patch.  This is an awesome, free pumpkin patch located at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho.  They sell pumpkins and other items to raise money for their agricultural programs for kids in the ABQ area.  They also have a Christmas Corral (with Christmas trees) that we will probably visit in December.
Then for the 5th Tuesday, we had small group playdates.  These were at a local park, the zoo, and botanical gardens.  They were a great time to get to chat with more of the moms while the kids had a blast.

And now we are busy with the craft fair, our annual fundraiser.  Moms are busy baking items of the bake sale.  This morning many of us were busy setting up everything up (or watching the kids for the other moms working hard).  And then tomorrow we will be there all day selling items and supporting the crafts.

Be Prepared and Stay Healthy!

We had our third meeting of the year yesterday.  We started out with some very yummy food and great fellowship.  Then we did our standard announcements, devotion, and mom of the day.  Then due to our speaker's schedule, we jumped to small group time.  During small group, the time was split between prayer requests (and praying) and talking about the upcoming craft fair.  The craft fair is our only fundraiser, so it takes as many hands on deck as possible to make it a success! 

Our speaker for the day was a nurse with First Choice .  She talked to us about the things we can do to help stay healthy even during the respiratory virus season that is upon us.  She also talked about nutrition and CPR for adults, children, and infants.  There was even time to try out CPR on dummies as well as look at a mini defibrillator system she brought. 

Key Announcments:
October Playdates - Tuesday the 22nd we will be going ot a pumpkin patch (Rio Grande, Wagner, or Galloping Grace).  Tuesday the 29th will be small group play dates.
Craft Fair - Set up on November 1, and the actual fair is November 2 from 9am-3pm.  See your small group leader or Michelle for more information.

And more about the devotion:
Rebecca shared with us about her mission trip to Central Asia just after college.  She shared who Satan was making her doubt her affectiveness there, making her feel like a failure to God, herself, and those that had supported her.  And then right near the end of the trip, she was able to share the Gospel with her only native friend and her sister.  These two had been praying for someone to come share Christ with them for years.  They remember a missionary couple having dinner with them once as children and the special relationship they seemed to have with God.  Her trip wasn't a failure; God was just waiting for His perfect timing.  We need to remember that was may look like a mess to us in the moment will look different later.