Helpful tips and information:

This weekend I was lucky to make it to the hair salon to get a little pampering in. While I was at the salon my stylist and I discussed the arduous task of growing out your hair. My stylist called out to a neighboring hair dresser to talk about clients who trim their ends on the days during the New Moon or during the First Phase of the Moon when the light of the moon is increasing the Waxing Moon. Clients use the farmers almanac to pinpoint these dates and schedule their appointments accordingly. The theory continues with the counter effect that if a person trims their ends after the Full Moon when the light is decreasing, during the 3rd and 4th quarters of the Waning Moon their hair growth will slow down...bummer. The neighboring stylist finished by saying that her clients that follow the waxing moon have long full hair.

Helpful tips and information:

If your child loves to play in the sand box and gets sand caked in their hair, sweaty hands and other areas a simple solution besides a quick shower or bath is baby powder. Mrs. Roup, preschool teacher in Rock Port, this summer was kind enough to share this information with me when my toddler emerged from the sand box coated with a grainy tan. Luckily I carry a bottle of powder in Archer's diaper bag. I quickly dusted my sons hair and body, rubbed the powder over the sand and within minutes he was clean.

2013-2014 September Blog Post: Becoming a parent and a MOPS member

This being the first discussion post of the year I would like to preface by saying these posts are rooted from personal experiences, meaning views and statements may differ from fellow MOPS members from time to time as we are all individuals with different backgrounds, values and life experiences. The purpose of the blog is to fulfill the newsletter portion of our MOPS chapter. I also plan on posting synopsis's from parenting resources, helpful tips, recipes and so on. I encourage you to read the posts and respond to share experiences and knowledge from one mother to another.

Welcome to MOPS. We are wives and now mothers, the chapter that changed my life and my husbands’ life the most would be the later. Our courtship was like the relationships we experienced before with other possible suitors or partners. We exchanged phone numbers, went on numerous dates, we were introduced to friends and family until finally we acknowledged that this was something more than before. That this relationship was going to go to a higher level of commitment, marriage.

In stark contrast, when becoming parents there had been no practice relationships, no serious trial and error. Even having experienced countless hours of babysitting, being a daycare provider and eventually a teacher, nothing could have prepared me for being a parent. Becoming a mother changed every descriptive characteristic I could ramble about myself. For example before babies if someone had asked if I had good reflexes I would reply ah no but now with children I have amazing reflexes. The only down side is my reflexes only work for my children so if I am holding my son and trip on something somehow I always manage to get my bearings, sans son I would most likely kiss the ground.

I love coming to MOPS and meeting for play dates because when I get a chance to talk with my new peer group, mothers, we get lost in conversation and it is very cathartic. I think our discussions about what we would and would never do for our children are some of the most caring and thought provoking talks I have ever had. These talks provide me with resources, validation and inspiration. 

This being the first blog post of the 2013-2014 MOPS’ calendar I welcome you to post experiences when you first became a mom or how you’re life as a mom is currently.

Reminders:

• First Mom's Night Out is planned for Sept. 28 at El Portal in Shenandoah. Meet at the church at 6:30 pm to carpool or meet at the restaurant at 7:00 pm.
• First play date is scheduled for Oct. 1 at the Tarkio park at 9:00 am.
• Next MOPS meeting is Oct 15th.
• Hand Tiffany your registration form for MOPS year 2013-2014. You can make check payable to First Baptist Church of Tarkio in the amount of $23.95.
• Please be sure to read the information in your welcome packet. Especially the MOPPETS policies and procedures.

MOPS is starting and you are invited to join us. The first meeting is this coming Tuesday, Sept 17 from 8:30 - 10:30 at First Baptist Church of Tarkio! We will have the opportunity to meet everyone, find out what is planned for the year and make a fun craft! It will be a fun filled meeting with lots to do. We hope you leave refreshed and encouraged.

Please be sure to label your children's diaper bags, sippy cups, etc. to help the MOPPETS workers out. You can sign your kiddos in at the MOPPETS table and drop your little ones off at the nursery and toddler rooms. Then make your way to our meeting room for some mommy time! 

This years theme is "A Beautiful Mess - Embrace Your Story." Over the course of the year we pray you will be encouraged and equipped to Embrace your Mothering Story!

If you know a Mother of Preschooler that hasn't received this announcement please invite them to join us this Tuesday!

I'm looking forward to seeing you at the meeting!

Tiffany, MOPS Coordinator