The Race Begins

I jumped out of bed at 7:30 am with kids still snoring next to me (yes, Mattie still sneaks into bed with us) and got in the shower. My mind was racing with the events of the morning. We had a jam packed, fun filled morning ahead of us for our first MOPS meeting of the 08-09 year! My phone rang while in the shower and was a call from my boss, I immediately called her as I rummaged through my closet debating what item to put on my body. The concern for the call through me for a loop as it was both unexpected and disheartening. I ended up taking some extra minutes on the call that through the rest of my morning off a bit causing me to arrive about 8:50 instead of 8:30 am (so glad I live close by).

I love the adrenaline rush of a crowd of people gathering for an event. It really gives me a buzz, so I did not need a cup of coffee this morning. I was geared up and ready to go by the time I walked in the doors. I got the last of the pacifier's hung under chairs for a portion of our game that morning (thanks to Joe LOPEZ) helped with the breakfast parfait bar, answered questions about the morning or hospitality related issues and did a run through of some of the skits with moms. We have so many new moms this year as well as a great number of those returning from last year as well. After greeting my good friend Trina who brought in the completed trail mix welcome bags I set out to greet as many moms as possible. I was amazed at how many names came natural to me (the name tags help!).

I was glad to see my hubby come through the doors as I begged and pleaded for the extra help this morning for my good friend Christi who is our MOPPET coordinator. We really needed more hands and at the last minute had some helpers that were unable to come. Christi was amazing as she worked with the big room of preschool age children! I am praying that we get more support for this group as it is detrimental to our MOPS ministry.

The session began with announcements and getting to know your table discussion time. We then moved into a skit introducing the steering team to the entire MOPS group. Everyone did great remembering their lines and seemed to go well. I talked a little about the fact that everyone in the room shares the common bond of motherhood. The ride then began with the adventures of pregancy. Trina was our model for the preganancy skit and did awesome of course!

"Trina Munsch is modeling our New Mom look. I’m sure you can all recognize this one, she is pregnant and is about to have her first “perfect baby”. Notice how she has a backpack full of books and magazines. She has read them all and has no fear of the future for she knows exactly what to expect from jr. at every stage of his life and the proper way to handle each situation. And by the way if you are having in problems at all with your 3rd child she will be more than happy to meet with you after the show and counsel you on how to best handle it.
Baby diapers were purchased at Costco and should last a few months at least. She has learned what not to do from all the moms she knows and will raise her baby much better than those moms have cause her baby will be different. She has also purchased, washed, folded, and put away into labeled drawers all the clothes baby will need until he is a year old. Trina exits catwalk saying “Remember, see me afterwards & I can answer all your questions.”
Mommy volunteers then had to eat a sample of ice cream, one having relish bits inside it and our brave table leader Maureen got stuck with it! She was such a trooper!

We then moved into the next stage of motherhood-having a new baby! Merri Jaynes was our model for this stage of life:
"Merri Janes is modeling our Midnight-2am-4am Feeding, new baby mom (models shuffles in slowly wearing slippers, pajamas, robe, hat w/ light on it, carrying a worn paperback. She drags her feet and falls asleep then awakes occasionally as she walks. She ends by sitting with baby and bottle in a chair in front of the room). Notice the haggard look on her face from days of less sleep that she would have never believed a person could survive on. She is easily recognizable by the glassy faraway look in her eyes (when she can keep her eyes open.) Don’t be offended if she falls asleep in the middle of conversation. She tries to use her time wisely as you can tell be the headlamp she is using to read while feeding so that those hours aren’t wasted. In fact she has memorized the three lines in her book that she reads every night before falling asleep. Merri yawns and exits."

Mommy volunteers then had to dig through bird seed for little gold pins and Bree rocked finding 4 pins in 3.5 minutes! Awesome girl!!

We then moved to the stage of mothering that includes household responsibilities
"Here is Heidi Creighton who is our “ keeping up with the mounding housework with no problem” mommy (Heidi in with laundry basket and swifter wet jet as well as phone on her ear) is such a multi-tasker. There is no task to small for this super mom! She can fold 5 loads of laundry while watching an entire episode of Oprah, run a load of dishes from lunch and follows the toy trail made by her toddler. Once the guest have all gone home this mama may hit the wall hard. But no need to worry cause when dad comes home he will be there to help or at least watch the evening news! (Heidi C. slowly drags her laundry out with her….)

We then have a mommy volunteer from each table come up to the front and get blindfolded, then they have to rummage through a pile of shoes from each mom in the room and match them up-mom with shoe. It was a battle from the beginning with Alicia! Her competitive streak came out! What a fun time!!

Last stage we addressed was the preschool mommy. This is the stage I am in and completely understand. It is crazy all the time but so worth every minute!!
"Look out. Here she comes. It’s Heide M. our Preschool mommy. (Heide enters as if getting out of her car at a near sprint wearing slippers and carrying her late movie rental and mail). She is sporting our Taxi Mom look. As she wizzes by, you may be able to catch a glimpse of those adorable slippers (quickly shows off slippers). She spends most of her time in her car, so why not be comfortable. A normal day could consist of dropping off her daughter at preschool stopping by the post office and grocery store before stopping for her morning espresso. She then stops by to get daughter from preschool before dashing off to dance class and then dropping off that movie that was due 2 days ago (holds up movie as she exits out)."

We then have the volunteer mommies get their blindfolds out and search for toys that are scattered all over the floor. It was quite a wild events with our prego mommies Corrine and Trina grabbing at eachothers toy bags!

What a great time of remembering or looking forward to each stage of MOPS mommyhood. I am really quite thrilled with this years theme and the start of our year and know we will have even more fun instore! Living it and Loving it!!