Advent

"Christmas is the renewed invitation  to let him -- whose love is greater than our own hearts and minds can comprehend -- be our companion." - Henri Nouwen

source

Simple Ideas for Inviting the Presence of Christ

* Light a candle to remember the presence of Christ in your home and heart

* Take a couple of minutes to really listen to the lyrics of a Christmas hymn or sing one with your child

* Pick a scriptural motto to add to your advent calendar

* Read and /or reflect on Mary's Song found in Luke 1:46-55

* After your kids go to bed spend 5-10 minutes dedicated to silence

* Take responsibility today for one action that you would rather not claim

* Pick out a gift to give Jesus for his birthday from the justice ministry like Compassion International or World Vision; both ministries have gift catalogs.

* Spend five minutes looking at family baby pictures and talk as a family about the joy of welcoming a baby

* Make a birthday cake for Jesus

* Do something generous or kind for your spouse, try not to worry about them noticing

* Forgive someone or ask for forgiveness

* Initiate random act of kindness to a relative, friend, neighbor or stranger

* Have your child draw a picture and include a short note for someone that you know needs some encouragement or is lonely

* Go for a walk or enjoy creating something

Other ideas at:
- Advent reading plan from The Jesus Storybook Bible
http://homewiththeboys.net/jesus-storybook-bible-advent-curriculum-collectors-edition-and-more/

- Service ideas for kids/families
http://www.iheartnaptime.net/25-days-of-service/
http://lillightomine.com/light-em-up-2011.php

- 30 Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas
http://wearethatfamily.com/2012/11/30-ways-to-keep-christ-in-christmas/

- Salt Dough Advent Spiral
http://catholicfamilyvignettes.com/2010/12/01/salt-dough-advent-spiral/

- Free Printable Advent Cards
http://happyhomefairy.com/2010/11/30/bible-verse-advent-cards-free-printables/

Tuesday, December 4th

Mentor Moms Panel - Hear stories, experiences and advice from our Mentor Moms Tuesday, December 4th!

Pinterest Projects

Need an idea for a gift for someone you love for Christmas? Or a fun activity to do with your little ones? Maybe you just don't know what to make for a gathering of friends and you need a recipe. Look no further! Ideas are here. At our recent MOPS meeting, moms, mentors, and leaders brought their ideas for a fun morning of laughter, chatter, and creative exploration. Check out the ideas below. Each project is listed by name with a picture and notes directly below its title. Click images to enlarge them. Some projects only had a photo available. If you need more information, contact us and we'll be happy to help. Enjoy!

Button Christmas Tree Art Project for Kids

Coloring Pages from Photos

 

Confetti Leaf Art

 

Crocheted Baby Blankets

Cross Stitch Family Portrait

 

Decorative Fabric Flags

   

Distressed Chicken Wire Frame

 

DIY Canvas Photos

 

Embroidered Map

 

Fabric Scrap Wreath

  

Fall Sparkle Wreath

Faux Milk Glass Vase

 

Felted Wool Solar System

Framed Fabric

 

Framed Printables

 

Hanging Pocket Advent Calendar

                                                                  Hook Shelf                                           

     

Knit Hats

Lollipop Wreath

Macaroni and Cheese in a Pumpkin

Pear Vanilla Jam

 

Pinecone Rose Napkin Rings

Pinecone Turkey

 

Quillow 

Quilted Space Needle

Spaghetti Ornaments

Teething Necklaces

 

Wine Cork Display

 

Pinterest MOPS is coming!

Tuesday, November 6 is Pinterest Day at MOPS! Bring a project or idea you've used from Pinterest and share it with others. Here is a note from Courtney, our organizer:

As we enter into the holiday season of parties & gift giving, I thought it would be fun to gather inspiration and share ideas of homemade presents, hostess gifts, kids crafts or any tips to enjoy the winter.

Next week on November 6 our MOPS theme will be Pinterest. If your heart is already beating faster and you are starting to sweat just hearing the word Pinterest, then stop reading and just show up.

However, we encourage you to participate. It can be something crafty, a food item, simple gift idea, or a project that you’ve done with your child. For example: I have a friend who gives all her family members a menu for a home cooked meal she will deliver at a pre-arranged day after the holiday's. Mentor mom Terry was mentioning that she takes photos and turns them into coloring book pages (love that idea and can't wait to see it!). It does not have to be an original idea.

We will have a longer mingling time at the beginning of MOPS and a chance for you to see others folks ideas. Then we will have a brief time of questions and answers. You won't have to explain your project, just be willing to answer a question if someone has one. After the meeting pictures and project information will be available on our MOPS blog (www.upcmops.blogspot.com).

Below is some basic information that we would love to know about your project. You can email it Courtney and she will print it for you OR you can bring it with your project. There will also be extra blank copies at MOPS, in case you forget it or your child decides to color on it.

Item:

Could be a Gift for:

Time to Complete:

Materials & Cost:

Helpful Tips:

If you have any questions feel free to email Courtney at courtneyjroach@gmail.com.

Pizza & Friends - October 30

Don't forget to join MOPS the Open Gym/Make Your Own Take n' Bake Pizza Tuesday, October 30 9:30-11:30 at University Presbyterian Church. Moms and kids play and visit together in the gym and bring home a pizza for dinner. What could be easier? See you there!

October 16, 2012 - Dianna Frey

Dianna Frey's presentation No More Belly Flops in Parenting: Understanding Our Responsibilities had so many good things, it's hard to know where to begin. Enthusiastic and humorous, Dianna guided us through 5 things we are not responsible for in the world of parenting and 5 things we are through personal anecdote and research. Learning this balance is a challenge, but can also free us up to focus on actions that will be more effective and really matter in the long run. 

Here is a sneak peak:
NOT responsible for:
1. Making sure your kids are always _______.
2. Getting the ________ of others.
3. ____________ your children.
4. Doing for your children what they are ___________ of doing themselves.
5. You do NOT have to be ____________...

ARE responsible for:
1. Making tough decisions that aren't ___________.
2. Teaching your child to function _____________.
3. Holding your children ____________________.
4. Going along for the __________.
5. Doing your _____.

So, (once it's up) click the link to the right and enjoy Dianna Frey.
Thank you Dianna!

October 2, 2012

Amy Young kicked off the 2012-2013 year of MOPS with a great talk encouraging us all to expect great things this year and take the initiative to serve one another. Amy participated in MOPS when her children were young and was instrumental in bringing it to UPC. Amy addressed a common issue among mothers of young children - that of isolation. Her statistics indicated many women have feelings of loneliness and long for more friends, especially in urban settings. Thus her challenge for each of us to share our own stories, passions, and gifts with one another to help build community among us. So, here's to a year full of meaningful friendships at MOPS! Thanks Amy!

* Due to technical difficulties, the audio will be posted as soon as possible! Thanks for your patience.

MOPS 2012-2013 starts October 2nd!

There is still time to join this year's MOPS group at University Presbyterian Church. The theme for this year is Natural Beauty: God's Creation. It celebrates that we are each God's creation, uniquely designed and gifted, beautiful by being who we are created to be.

MOPS meets the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesdays each month from 9:30 to 11:30. There is a time of fellowship with your table groups, delicious breakfast, and a speaker each meeting. Childcare is available for children 6 months to 5 years old with warm, caring volunteers and fellow moms. Scholarships are available; no one will be turned away.

So, come, be refreshed, and enjoy some company on the road of parenthood. Click the link in the left sidebar and sign up today!

If you enjoy MOPS, you will love Refresh, too! Refresh is an exciting new community group offered the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from 9:30 to 11:30. It will focus on small group spiritual formation with a different focus each quarter. You may join in the fall, January, or during Lent. The first topic will be spiritual disciplines. Childcare is available for $5 for each child. Scholarships are available for childcare.

Getting Ready for Kindergarten Workshop

Workshop: Getting Ready for Kindergarten

Thursday, August 16, 9:30-11:30am

New school, new friends, riding the bus and more independence are wonderful things that come with kindergarten. Join us to start an open conversation about safety to make sure your child has all the tools needed to GREET the school year!

· Give your child the legacy of safety 


· Reduce your child’s risk for abuse or abduction 


· Empower your child to make safe choices 


· Enable your child to interact safely with adults 


· Teach your child about safe boundaries 



Facilitated by Kim Estes of Savvy Parents, Safe Kids. http://savvyparentssafekids.com

$10/family.  No childcare provided. 

LOCATION: Class will be held in Calvin Lounge on the first floor at University Presbyterian Church at 4540 15^th Ave NE, Seattle.  For parking info and directions, go to www.upc.org. 

CONTACT: Sarah Baldock, sarahb@upc.org or 206-524-7300.

Invite all your friends to this seminar!  It is also great for those not going to Kindergarten yet, but involved in preschool/daycares.

Pre-Registration is required, click HERE to register.

You can also register at http://savvyparentssafekids.com.

Note: If you have already registered for the UPC Mom’s Morning Out, you will notice this workshop is at the same time, so you will have childcare!  There is a waiting list if you haven’t signed up for this but you can contact Sarah to be added to the waitlist.

Green Cleaning

Fellow MOPS member and mom, Heather McDowell, is offering an exciting deal for UPC MOPS members... who wouldn't mind a little help with house cleaning?

Special Offer to UPC MOPS Community

As a member of MOPS who is loving the program and like-minded mom connections I’m making, this small-business-owner mom would like to extend a special offer to other MOPS moms through her small business: Seattle Green Earth Cleaning, Seattle's eco-friendly and socially-responsible cleaning company:

• 50% off your first house cleaning service
• then 20% off all future services
• And for brand-new moms (either 1^st or subsequent child): 50% off all services for the first 3 months of baby’s life 

We are a local, mom-owned business that strives to enhance our clients lives by providing fully-customizable home cleaning services, while contributing to the community and serving the social good. 

Based on my experience as a new mom, my business has come to specialize in cleaning family homes (read: homes with mountains of toys, handprints on windows and walls, working-parent clutter, pet hair galore—homes in need of safe and special sanitizing). I had my first child in August 2010 at the age of 39 and quickly discovered I was nowhere near prepared for the challenge. How I would have LOVED to have had a house cleaner take care of the cleaning, so I could have focused solely on the transition to motherhood!

We know that house cleaning is hard work and takes precious time--time many of us would rather spend with our loving families, at a job we enjoy, traveling, or in our community. As our motto says: we are here to clean your house, so you can live your life! And you don't have to be wealthy to afford a great house cleaner… we work with each client to create a custom cleaning plan to meet their budget and priorities. And because we are eco-friendly and socially-responsible, you can feel great about hiring us! 

Check out our website to learn more. And to take advantage of this MOPS offer, just fill out our Quote Request and enter the Offer Code "MOPS".

Heather McDowell

Seattle Green Earth Cleaning, Seattle’s ECO-Friendly, SOCIALLY-Responsible Cleaning Company

www.SeattleGEC.com

Heather@SeattleGEC.com

206-595-4209

What are you doing this summer?

“One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter.” 
― Henry David Thoreau


Luckily for us, summer is around the corner. Hopefully, MOPS has provided a bit of sunshine through the gray, sometimes long, winter, and the many transitions and stages of motherhood.

MOPS will be meeting this summer for playdates at the park!

10-11:30am

June 19: View Ridge Park (4408 NE 70th St.)

July 3, 17, 31: Dahl Playground & Wading Pool (7700 25th Ave NE)

August 7, 21: Matthew's Beach (49th Ave NE & NE 93rd St)

September 4, 18: Meridian Playground (4649 Sunnyside Ave N)

Here are some ideas for things to do around Seattle compiled at our recent MOPS meeting.

• Woodland Park Zoo, Zoo Tunes

• Ferry to Whidbey Island

• Boat to Jetti Island

• Ballard Locks

• Farms: Remlinger Farm, Beringer Farm, The Farm, Kelsey Creek Farm

• Pools: Mountlake  Terrace, Shoreline YMCA, Lynnwood, Magnolia

• Beaches: Golden Gardens, Carkeek, Mathew’s Beach, Alki, Madison Park, Blue Beach, 

• Parks: Carkeek, Sculpture Park, Lincoln Park, Saltwater Park, Ross Park, 

• Farmer’s Markets

• Events: Pioneer Days, Bon Odori in International District (Japanese festival)

• Sports: baseball, soccer games

• Seattle Gymnastic’s Academy

• Seattle Center fountain

• Ballard fountain

• Arboretum

• Pike's Place Market -- pick out dinner!

• UVillage, Laurelhurst, other neighborhood free concert series

• Metro bus rides

• Light rail to airport

• West Seattle water taxi

• Ride the S.L.U.T

• Ride the Duck

• Space Needle

• Pacific Science Center

• Museum of Flight

• Paint with water

• Arena Sports - Magnuson Inflatables Open Gym

• Ice Cream Float Boat - tours on South Lake Union

• Wading pools

• Water parks, sprinkler parks - Crossroads Park, Ballard sprinklers

• Library

• Berry picking

• Build your own ice cream places

• Sodo-Sand Volleyball - Sandbox Sports

• Imagine Children's Museum - Everett

• Chocolate Factory Tour (must be 7 to go)

• Trampolines - Kirkland

• Olympia Children's Museum across from the capitol

• Center for Wooden Boats

• Check out the Red Tricycle Website

• 2/1 Coupon Entertainment Books on sale now for $15, just google Entertainment Book

Wardrobe Wrap-Up

Linda Hughes, Wardrobe Stylist and Image Consultant, gave a fun presentation about how to clean out our closets - with respect to our clothes and our souls. Focusing on ridding our spiritual lives from "dross" and presenting ourselves to others that they may see God's light within us can happen through the way we present ourselves. Dressing in what makes you feel happy can bring joy to others as well.

For some tips on updating your look and bringing out more joy in your life, click on the link to the right.

Here are some highlights:
* Focus on trends, not fads.
* Wear stylish shoes.
* Focus on clothes that make your body look good.
* Include layers to make your transition zone look great.
* Accessories can change your whole look.
* Don't save your clothes. Go ahead and wear that special item.

Savvy Moms Safe Kids

Stories of our grandparents or parents roaming free through the neighborhood with the city their playground, no longer seem safe to many parents today. Kim Estes provides practical tips for keeping kids safe this summer and in life while teaching them to understand how to stay safe themselves. Listen to her talk by clicking the link on the right.

Find more information, including the Super 10 Family Safety Rules and links to additional resources, go to her website. Kim also offers a variety of safety classes addressing issues at each stage of childhood.

Kim mentioned some more great opportunities for moms:

* MamaCon in Bellevue May 19: A conference with a variety of presentations and activities for moms. http://mamacon.net/

* "Getting Ready for Kindergarten" August 8: A complimentary workshop of safety tips hosted at KidsQuest Museum. http://savvyparentssafekids.com/calendar-and-events/

Choose the Road To Somewhere

Ruth Seidel gave a wonderful talk about focusing on what gives life to each of us. Through her practices, Ruth shows us how to listen to God through our everyday experiences, both positive and challenging. Asking, "Is this action life-giving or life-draining?" helps us examine our choices and actions. Using these questions as a filter, every decision can lead toward life or death. Even our attitude can be life-giving or life-draining. Ruth uses the Prayer of Examen, a 400 year-old practice originating with St. Ignatius of Loyola, to wake up to God. She practices listening to the last 24 hours and looking for what gave life. Some forms of the Examen Questions from the book Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Gives You Life by Dennis Linn, recommended by Ruth, include:


* When did I give and receive the most love today?
* When did I give and receive the least love today?


* For what moment today am I most grateful?
* For what moment today am I least grateful?

To hear more, click to the link on the right. Enjoy!

Are you joining us for MOPS next year?

Registration for MOPS 2012-13 is now available.  You can register by CLICKING HERE 

Easter Traditions

Have you been wondering how to mark the season of Lent and the celebration of Easter in your family? Here are some fun ideas.

A hands-on idea for Palm Sunday from Catholic Icing: http://catholicicing.com/2012/03/palm-sunday-craft-for-kids/ (don't worry for all those non-crafty-types... this involves finger painting - anyone can do that!)

And here are some fun ideas to count down to Easter while learning about the character of God:

http://www.shauna-lynn.blogspot.com/2012/03/seeing-as-easter-is-just-around-corner.html

or some of the events and symbols leading to Easter:

http://deliacreates.blogspot.com/2011/04/12-days-of-easter.html

and some ideas for Easter traditions from Focus on the Family:
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/holidays/celebrating_the_easter_season.aspx


With Easter right around the corner, what are you doing to mark the holiday with your family?