An Evening at the Hot Chocolate Bar

An evening at the Hot Chocolate Bar

We had so much fun at our recent Mom's Night Out Hosted by Jenn Gervens.  We were treated to a yummy hot chocolate bar, games, and of course social time.

It was so nice to chat with friends.

Just Dance... the sequel

The treat of the evening was watching the brave ones take on the game of Pie Face. 

Who knew that pie to the face could bring on such high levels of anxiety. 

Celebrating Christmas
We had a great time at our last meeting, not only did we have fun with each other, we also had touching devotion and were brought back to the Manger with Pastor Steve and Lori's lesson.  Let's not forget that we saw Team 1 take the win on the Holiday edition of Family Feud.   It was a nice wrap up of MOPS Decatur 2015.  Do not worry, the steering team has already planned out our Spring semester starting in January 2016.

Pastor Steve and Lori Bateman

Their personal story book collection

 We had the honor of having Pastor Steve and Lori Bateman from First Bible Church speak with us about how to keep the True story of Christmas alive in our homes.   They shared from their collection of children story books, which tell many of our favorite bible stories in a very engaging and simple way for our children to understand.   Mrs. Bateman gave us a G.I.F.T to remember; Give cheerfully, In everything, For every good deed, Thanksgiving.  She read to us from 1 Cor and shared how we should give like Paul to the church of Corinth.  Pastor Bateman taught us a few things about Mary and showed us what we should learn from her.
1- Become a good theologian, know the Word like Mary did.
2- Teach it age appropriately.
3- Use Manger scenes in Christmas décor, always have Jesus at the center to give kids a visual that shows them what Christmas is really about.
4- Read the Christmas story on Christmas Day.
5- Play Christmas music, "that's how we can smuggle the story in."
6- Also tell the Easter Story, "don't leave Jesus as a baby at Christmas,"  His birth only makes sense if there is Easter. 

The Teams faced off as Tiffany the question

Our kids also made some beautiful Snowman ornaments, thanks Lori!
We have our Annual Christmas Get Together On the 22d at 6pm.  Please RSVP on our Facebook post or via email and we will send out the address.

Merry Christmas!

Welcome

 

When you look up flourish in the dictionary, it reads, “to be in one’s prime; be at the height of fame, excellence, influence, etc.” and “to grow luxuriantly.” Doesn’t that sound beautiful? Doesn’t that sound like something you want? Well, that’s exactly what all of us leaders want for each one of you! MOPS is not only a place to come and find rest, and encouragement, and friends; but we hope it is a place that challenges you to turn your eyes and heart toward your Heavenly Father, and not only grow, but FLOURISH! Right now you are at the height of your influence to your sweet children God has entrusted you with, showing them how to love by loving them; showing them how to serve by serving them and others; teaching them right from wrong; consideration and respect; you know I could go on and on! Make it count, all of it, even those tedious tasks of laundry, dishes, and diapers. Oh how I pray you learn to flourish this year, I know I sure am going to try. Let us love you, let us serve you, let us challenge you to grow luxuriantly, and may this be your best year yet!



Ashley Sickles- Coordinator

Getting Ready for our Kick-Off Meeting

The Steering Team met today to finalize details for our first meeting of the year.  We are so excited to bring you this years' theme: 




There is so much lined up this year, crafts, speakers, and just great fellowship.  Your kids will be happy to join their friends at Moppets.

Our Master Crafters, Arlene and Tiffany showing us how to make the table center-pieces.

We will see you August 28th at 9:15am.  Bring a friend with you.

Food, Fellowship and Fun at the Spring Picnic!

Our MOPS families came together for a wonderful evening of fellowship for our end of the year picnic!  The weather was wonderful, the food was great, and the kids had a blast on their riding toys and just running around in general. I wish I had some pictures of them to share, but they all turned out blurry- they're all so fast!

Some of our guys manned the grill, here they are announcing the feast was ready:

We had some amazing food, from the pasta salad to the dirt cake- it was ALL delicious.

But the best part of the evening was spending time chatting and getting to know each other even better!

I can't wait for the first play date so we can get together again. 

Spring Break fun

Had an enjoyable day with other MOPS mommies at Kidventure.  It's always sweet to see the kids get excited about seeing each that and start playing.  As much as the moms have bonded in our group, I think the kids have equally enjoyed each other.

Ms Lucy brought out a fluffy rabbit for the kids to pet.

While everyone was admiring the sweet cuddly pet, Elena was sizing

 It up seeing if it would be good for dinner, she even petted it to see the fat content.  

Can't, pedal yet? no problem, Titus found a nice boy to give him a push.

Sneaky boys, had us moms looking for them and they climbed to the top of the house where we couldn't see them.

They take their sport very seriously.

Christmas 2014

Happy New Year's to all.  As we get ready to go to our first meeting of the year, I wanted to share moments from our last Meeting of 2014.  The food was delicious!  We all got to work on a  craft with the purpose of gifting it.

We had a coffee bar with all the fixings, thanks to Brenda.  

All gloves came off as we got ready for the games! 

Partnered up to wrap a gift using one arm each. 

Stephanie Taking a break from all the action.

Necklace I made.  Robbie's care taker at the gym nursery loved it.  Looking forward to what this year has to offer.  

PJ party

Had one of the best play dates this year.  Great turn out with lots of fun. 

Kids watched the Veggie Tales Christmas movie and Frosty while munching on popcorn and their snack necklaces. 

Necklaces were a huge hit! Great for road trips too. 

Brooklyn was a smart cookie and built her own bed.  

Nothing better than a movie and snacks and a plus for mommies as we got to chit chat. We will definitely have to do this again next year.  

Christmas for our Troops

MOPS mommas love to get crafty, specially when it's going to someone special.  This week we made Christmas ornaments and cards which will be included in Christmas care packages that Blue Star Mothers will mail out to their sons and daughters deployed overseas.  Our kiddos got in on the action and made adorable snowflakes.  

Before craft time, we were blessed by a sweet devotional on Thanksgiving from our mentor Kris and fine ice breaker with Paula.  

Handmade ornaments.  Thanks to Tiffany for organizing and prepping everything for us.  

Getting busy with the ribbon

Having some laughs while working

Our pre-k kids have some craft talent also, look at these cute snow flakes and cards!!!! 

Our 2& 3 year olds made crafts of their own.  Thanks to all our child care workers ! 

Craft Time

Moms enjoyed the chit chat time while the kids made turkeys. 

Our kids got creative at Somerville Playhouse today.   

The little ones enjoyed Ms Jessica's bucket of fun! 

The little ladies were extra creative... You can never add enough feathers

September Fun

 September has been a fun time for the MOPS Moms.  Our family BBQ was a blast! Thanks to all that came out.  It was such a nice relaxing time, we may have to schedule another one.
  Our first meeting this month included a mentor panel where the mentors faced tough questions and gave out valuable advice.  This month we also added a new group, "The Explorers" thanks to our growth in members!




Food Line was yummy

Getting some girl talk in

Kids had the most fun because they had the run of the place

Small Group Time at the American Heroes Table

Added a brand new table "The Explorers" due to our growth of members this year!

Mentor Panel

Brave Moms

"Be You Bravely" is our theme of the year and our kick-off meeting was all about facing our fears and putting on our capes, badges, boots, and parachutes.  

We had a wonderful turn-out with lots of new moms and many veteran MOPS mommas.  This year also brought us new mentors, Brenda thanks for the great conversation and your sugar cookies! Kris was involved w MOPS as a mom and is now providing us with valuable advice.  Sweet Arlene is with us again this year and led off our year with a devotion meant to encourage us to get out of our shells. Dana and Deanna welcome aboard! 

To recognize Brave moms everywhere our small groups were divided into four small groups, Super Heroes,  Military, Adrenaline Junkies, and American Heroes.  

It wouldn't be a complete MOPS meeting without a game ....and food of course! Paula tuned in to our competitive sides and set us off on a relay race.   The American Heroes won the race by feeding, changing a diaper, drinking water and rocking the baby to sleep - they are quite the pros at this stuff. 

A big shout out to our Sponsors for the year! Thank you for supporting Decatur MOPS.   Our moms are out and about daily and the services you provide are a blessing to our kids! 

Thank you:

La Petite Academy for the Goody Bags!

The School of Fine Arts

Somerville Playhouse

Morgan County 911

K-May Donuts

Turquoise Turtle 

Kid Venture - Madison

The Enrichment Center

Kids Paradise Inflatables

Your Story Captured Photography

Keep an eye out on our MOPS Facebook page for events and specials they have going. 

Hope to see all our moms with their families at our first family BBQ on Sep 5th at 6:30 at the pavilion at First Bible.  Bring your outdoor games, it will be fun.