Welcome!

Hello! Welcome to the North Creek Presbyterian Church MOPS Blog! A place to share words of encouragement, recipes ideas, book recommendations and more! Please let me know if there is anything you would like me to share on this blog, or any ideas you have! Just email mopsncpc@gmail.com.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Merry Christmas!


As usual, this month passes me by and before I know it, it is Christmas morning.  We are opening presents, eating so much food and making one family visit after the other.  There is much anticipation leading up to this special day and sometimes it can be quite stressful.  For some, it can bring up feelings of loss or pain.  It is a magical time of year, and yet it is not a cookie cutter experience for everyone. As much as I love all the treats, pretty decorations, and traditions, it can bring on a lot of pressure too.  I can feel my chest get tighter as I worry about making things just right.

As the countdown ensues and we have nearly 3 days left before Christmas day... I want to encourage you to take a step away from it all; at least enough to breath for a minute.  Because the truth is that it will all still be there when you get back.  Your sweet babies and little ones will not remember what color wrap you used or even half the toys they may or may not get.  No one will notice if you buy a store bought pie or skip the cranberry sauce.

What they will remember are the conversations, sitting at the table with you, singing carols, and staring at twinkle lights.  Treat yourself to the joy of this season by giving yourself the grace that it is good enough and that you have done a wonderful job.  Skip a bow or two in all the wrapping and enjoy the little things.  Most importantly, when I feel overwhemed by all the expectations I remind myself of the reason for the season.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Blessings -

Upcoming Events...
12/22- Girls Night Out - 7:00 A Festival of Carols at Seattle Symphony
1/6 Mops Meeting 9:30-11:30
1/13 Woodland Park Zoo - 9:30 - 12:00
1/14 NCPC Play Dates - 10:00-11:30
1/20 Mops Meeting 9:30-11:30
1/28 NCPC Play Dates 10:00 - 11:30

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Choosing Joy

Hello Mamas,
I hope you each had a lovely Thanksgiving- I truly do.
I also apologize for my delay in writing you this month.The last couple weeks have been so busy and I am certain yours have been too.  As we approach the holiday season each year, I am always amazed at how busy things get, even when I think I have it together or have things planned.  In an effort to share the realities of motherhood I want to be authentic in sharing the true stories of my experiences with you too.

It has been on my heart to talk with you about the last couple weeks and I hope it will bring you some encouragement.  Most of you will remember that little wind storm we had a week and a half ago.  It was a blustery day that turned into a storm.  A situation which caused many homes to loose their power - ours being one of them.  In the scheme of things, not a big deal; but I found myself throwing a little bit of a pity party.

Here are a few of the details I chose to focus on during those couple days...
-we lost power for a total of 48 hours.
-we shop month to month and freeze many of our groceries.  As the hours turned into days without power, I began to worry that we were going to loose all of our food and have to buy more.  Spending money we just do not have right now.
-We stayed at my mom's whose place is tiny and the kids do not sleep their best there, especially on a school night or when they are coming down with colds.
-it was tiring to drive back and forth for clothes each day and check on things. Laundry was piling up and pretty soon we were running out.
-Mops was canceled and I love seeing all of you mamas a couple times a week.
-I couldn't make coffee every morning and had to go to starbucks.  The second morning they were literally out of drip coffee.
-p.s. it was cold!!!!

Ok.  Even when I write this list and read back over it - I am reminded of how negative it sounds. Sure these were some of the things that were happening and it was also the perspective I was choosing.

But... here is what really happened. It all started with Starbucks.  That second day when I went for my coffee and they were out - I instinctively thought about being frustrated.  As they apologized they also handed me a free coffee voucher.  I quickly realized how wrong my perspective had been.
I again ran through my list above, but instead this time the list looked something like this...

-We only lost power for 48 hours and it could have been longer.  It could have been worse.  Electricity is a pretty wonderful invention that we live with daily.
-We have food and a lot of it.  We can handle the need to replace it one time if needed.
-We had a warm place to stay and were with family. We had each other.
-I was given a break from folding loads and loads of laundry.
-I ran into one of you from Mops during Everly's ballet and had a impromptu play date.  Just what both Everly and I needed.
-I got a free coffee when I couldn't really afford to be out buying lattes.
-We had heated cars and a place with heat.

I have to continue to remind myself to try my best to choose joy in situations where sometimes it is easier to choose something else.  It is a practice to be intentional about and like I said it is something I struggle with, especially as a mama with busy schedules, sick kiddos, no power and the holidays around the corner.  My hope in sharing this with you is that when you are feeling a bit overwhelmed that you will see there are the sweet little gifts inside of the tough places.  Hang in there mamas and know that you are not alone.

Hope that your week is off to a good start and looking forward to seeing you soon.

Annie






Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Seasons



Hello Mamas, it was a treat to gather today and have time of fellowship with one another.

As I sat today, I began thinking about the changing seasons; how we are in the middle of fall and before we know it winter is on its way.  This is true as well for our roles as mothers.  Some of us in times of diaper changing, late night feeding, others running after toddlers and calming tantrums, some with kindergartners and homework, and then not to forget those who have been on this path before us with grandchildren of thier own.

What a gift each season brings and just as the beauty of changing seasons in our weather, which put together make one beautiful year; so does our gathering as women from all different stages of life, encouraging each other in this very important job of motherhood.

Hope the rest of this October is wonderful for each of you and thankful to be a part of a community of such lovely women who do all of the above.

Some important reminders for this month...

  • 10/27 Girls night out - 7:00 p.m. movie (more info. coming soon)
  • 10/31 Halloween Party - 10:30 a.m. Brookdale Mill Creek
  • 11/4   Next MOPS meeting 9:30-11:30
Here are the Lyrics to the kid's sons to practice so they can sing it at the SOFIA trick or treat event at Mill Creek Assisted Living.

I'm A Little Pumpkin 
(tune of I'm A Little Teapot)

I'm a little pumpin
Orange and round,
Here is my stem,
I grew in the ground.
When I get all cut up,
Don't you shout!
Just open me up
And scoop me out!









Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Welcome to a New Year of MOPS!



Hello Mamas and welcome to MOPS this year! It was a wonderful meeting this morning getting to see all your faces, some new attendees and those from years past.  I loved Melissa's message today and it warmed my heart to think of how we can support one another in this adventure we call "Motherhood".  Motherhood is a beautiful calling and what a better way to embrace it than with our theme of "A Fierce Flourishing"; because let's be honest along with the beauty of our role it can also be challenging.  As with any facet of our life the choice to look for joy in all circumstances bears the fruit of so many good things; and done together is a true gift. 

For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the tress of the field shall clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12

As Melissa shared, each of us is unique and beautiful in our own way; we bring so much value to one another and to our families.  I am thrilled to anticipate how we will learn to celebrate lavishly, embrace rest, and notice goodness in each other's company.  Here is to a new year and glad to have you here! Till next time Mamas, have a blessed few weeks ~

Annie

Some Reminders and Upcoming Events for the Month
  • 9/24 ~ NCPC Play Date 10:00-11:30am @NCPC
  • 9/19 ~ Afternoon Tea 1:00-3:00pm @Jen's House (for children 5 and up)
  • 9/22 ~ Girls Night Out 7:00 Dinner @ Tablas Woodstone Tavern in Mill Creek Town Center


Don't forget to be working on your Placemat Projects and bring them in next meeting!

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Easter Blessings

Hello mamas! Hooray for Spring! I hope you have had the chance to enjoy some of the sunshine we have had, as well as some time to rest and relax over Spring Break. Most importantly, I am thankful to have celebrated Easter last Sunday, and I hope the joy of that morning fills all of us with extra hope, faith, and love in the days to come.
In the weeks leading up to Easter, some of us participated in the "1000 Gifts" book study class at Northcreek. I sure enjoyed learning the art of gratitude and being thankful for the many many small blessings God pours into our lives each and every day. If you really stop to count---it is incredible! Just now I can look at the photo of those tulips and appreciate the beauty of the colors, the shapes of the petals, and also how they pop against the beautiful seagreen painted fence. :) (Not to mention how we were created to be able to SEE such brilliant colors).
The author of the book, Ann Voskanp, says: "As long as thanks is possible, then joy is always possible." If you haven't tried it, I encourage you to write a small (or large!) list of gifts you are thankful for--and I pray this process deepens your faith, and brings you closer to our loving, almighty God.

Words of Wisdom




Something Yummy

A place for individual recipes, and/or entire websites devoted to food and cooking! :)

foodnetwork.com
superhealthykids.com

Book Nook

Devotionals, parenting books and inspirational stories that may help us in our mothering journey. 
One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

A Brave New Year

 Happy New Year, mamas! I sure keep thinking about our speaker last week---wasn't she good? I wonder what brave thoughts/ideas/dreams have potentially been running through your head(s) :) A couple days ago, my kindergartner came running up to me when I was attempting to start in on the mountain of dishes after dinner. " Mom, come join us!" she exclaimed. "We're celebrating! We're dancing!" (All three of my kiddos having a dance party in the living room). I stopped briefly to watch and it was such a joyful moment. I think one of the bravest things we can do as moms is to say "No" to "those other" house/life/mom jobs and "Yes" to our kids more often than not. And to just be OK with living in a messy house---albeit one filled with playtime and love. Because one second later, those seemingly small little moments will be over, maybe not to come again. And we will have missed them. Wherever you need it in your life right now, may you have bravery and courage, and may the Lord give you strength in your journey.

Words of Wisdom



Something Yummy

A place for individual recipes, and/or entire websites devoted to food and cooking! :)

Book Nook

Devotionals, parenting books and inspirational stories that may help us in our mothering journey.