Our September 23rd Meeting

Tuesday was our second meeting, and it was awesome!

For those of you who couldn't make it, I want to fill you in on all the details!

We had a great morning. Along with New News and door prizes, we got to know a little more about what happens to the things we consume!

We had a great brunch, provided by the CUSTER CAMPERS.

Nancy M. shared with us how she grew up in a home that reduced/reused/recycled, not because it was "in", but because it made sense. She also shared with us how save money by making our own cleaners and other ideas on how to save money by R/R/R.

After Nancy spoke, we got to decorate our reusable MOPS MUGS so we can start reducing our paper waste. (If you missed the meeting, Mindy R. will be setting up a time for those who would like to decorate them. Email westminstermops@rushmore.com if you would like to decorate your MUG.)

Keep your eye out here...Recycling information as well as other information from the meeting will be posted.

Thank you to Karen for her Watkins donations. Thank you to Breadroot Co-op for the coupons. Thank you to Safeway, Lowes, and Walmart for the re-usable bag donations! Thank you to the hospitality ladies who greeted us at the doors!

Thank you each mom who was patient with our MOPPETS rooms. We understand that it was a bit hectic, but please understand that this week was not normal. We want to re-assure you that we work hard to get teachers and/or substitutes here every meeting, however, special circumstances may require us to combine classes.

All teachers who work with the children have background checks done on them, including substitutes, and they all go through an application process. They must all have a love for Children, God, and Ministry. If you know of anyone with these attributes, please let us know their name and number! As we found out this week, there can never be enough people willing to share in this ministry!

Our next meeting will be on October 7th!

If you have any questions/comments/suggestions, please either email us at westminstermops@rushmore.com, or leave a note in the mailbox during the meeting!

I hope you all enjoy the lovely fall weather!

MOPS is TUESDAY!

Greetings Ladies!

I hope you all have been enjoying the beautiful weather!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS if you haven't already! This TUESDAY, September 23rd, is our next MOPS meeting! Childcare Drop-off begins at 8:45!

Please bring in any magazines that you have read and wouldn't mind sharing with the other ladies of the group.

Our theme for the day will be "The Green Adventure" and we will be personalizing our own reusable MOPS mugs! We will also be hearing from Nancy M. who will be talking about "Saving Green, while Going Green!"

I can't wait to see you all on TUESDAY!

Mothers

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?' and get their answer when a little voice says, 'Because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade...It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it.

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom' s opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair ... The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul ... It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

Expectant Mother Events of Interest

For those of you who may be interested:


I have been in contact with a lady who has been helping coordinate a couple events for the Rapid City area regarding childbirth. Both events are sponsored by the South Dakota Safe Childbirth Options, a Christian non-profit group.

One event, scheduled for Monday, September 22nd, is a screening of a documentary called, The Business of Being Born. It is at the Elks Theater.

For more information on this event, please visit http://www.sdsafebirth.org/node/250.

Another event is the Healthy Birth + Healthy Family Conference. It is a two day event being held at Crazy Horse.

For more information on this event, please visit http://www.sdsafebirth.org/BirthConference
If you click on the "Birth Conference Poster" link, it will give you more details.

Are you Breast Feeding?

This might be short notice, but if you are a nursing mom, or if you are pregnant and are considering nursing, there is a support group in our area.

Please visit http://www.blackhillsnursingmoms.com/ if you want more information. Their next meeting is Thursday, September 18th.

Harvest Hayride!

*Pictures to be posted soon!

The hayride at the Herrington Ranch was a truly magical experience. First of all, there couldn't have been a more calm, clear night for our adventure. There were 10 beautiful moms in attendance. We packed up with our blankets, coats, and hot cider for the hour-long ride.

On one side of the sky, the full moon. We were awestruck. The other side held an incredible view of the sunset lowering behind the Black Hills. And the ride itself was bumpy, prickly and most enjoyable.

During the ride we laughed, sang a few songs and prayed with each other. When Karen's husband, Gary, stopped the truck to let us gaze for awhile he gave us one of his own parables.

We are truly blessed to have them as spiritual supporters. We traveled back to their home and sat around the campfire, bonded with each other some more, and ate smores. It was an experience to remember.

-Renae

Fun event tomorrow?

I ran across this, and thought I would share:

Thomas and Friends Play Date

SATURDAY September 13th, from 11am-1pm.

Toys R Us.

Story time every half hour.

Train Table Play Time.

Coloring Fun.

Thomas Trading Cards.

*fine print...You have to supervise the kids, and they might run out of stuff to give you.

Baked French Toast

This delicious dish was made by Mary J. for the September 9th, 2008 meeting:

1 French Bread Loaf
½ Cup Flour
3 Eggs
6 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
3 Tablespoons Sugar
½ Teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 Cup Blueberries (fresh or frozen)
2 ¼ Cup Milk
1 Cup Strawberries (fresh or frozen)
¼ Cup Margarine

Cut bread into 1-inch thick slices and place in greased 9 x 13 baking dish; set aside.

In medium bowl, lightly beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Stir in milk until well blended. Pour mixture over bread, turning slices to coat well. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, turn bread slices over and scatter blueberries over bread. Combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in small bowl. Cut in margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over bread and blueberries.

Bake at 375 uncovered for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Top with strawberries.

Serves 8 adults.

Our First Meeting & Mom's Night Out Information

Hello ladies!

Today was our first meeting, and it was awesome! For those of you who couldn't make it, I want to fill you in on all the details!

We had a great morning. Along with introductions and door prizes, we had a great brunch! I have had several requests for the recipes, so when I get them, I will post them!

We had 2 speakers today. Pastor Bob welcomed us to the church, and he, along with the rest of the church family are happy to have us and are excited about MOPS.

Karen Herrington also spoke about motherhood and the journey it will take us on, and how to prepare for it.

We also got information regarding our upcoming Mom's Night Out.

Karen and her Husband will be having a HARVEST HAYRIDE on Monday, September 15th! We will be carpooling/caravaning from Rapid City. If you want to join us, please RSVP by calling Renae (341-6243), or email (westminstermops@rushmore.com) and we can get ahold of you regarding meeting places (there will be 2, one on the west side, and one on the south side). We will MEET at 5:45pm and LEAVE for Karen's at 6pm. It will be a fun night with hot cocoa, apple cider, s'mores and more! MOM'S ONLY!

If you plan on joining us, please bring a coat, hat, and mittens/gloves, along with a "non-stick" blanket (fleece will NOT work!). The best way to tell if it is a "non-stick" blanket is to take it outside and lay it on half dead grass. When you pick it up, it should be relatively easy to brush the grass off. If it isn't easy, don't take it...it will be even harder to get the hay off!

You will also want to bring your camera, as the full moon will be out that night and I hear the view is AMAZING!

Our next meeting will be September 23rd. The "Green" Adventure is the theme, and Nancy M. will be speaking on ways to Save Green while Being Green. We will be decorating reusable MOPS mugs. Childcare drop off starts at 8:45. The Custer Campers will be providing Brunch and Clean up.

I hope you all have a great rest of the week!

MOPS TUESDAY!

Ladies!
I am so thankful that we have small group leaders that have made phone calls! I apologize for not getting this out to you all sooner! Please forgive me!

TUESDAY (Tomorrow!)is our First MOPS Meeting of the Year! We will have a load of fun, and I hope to see you all there! Child watch drop off starts at 8:45!

Not only do we have a couple of great speakers, we will have information on upcoming meetings and our first Mom's night out! Here is a hint about the Mom's night out...Its next Monday night (September 15th!), and it will be a blast! MOMS only!

Have a great night!

Fine Forgiveness Week at the Rapid City Library, September 8th-14th

Do you have fines at the library? Did you forget to bring your books back while you were camping one weekend????

(Or, do you need to declutter your pantry?!?!)

Well, if so, the library is having a Fine Forgiveness Week, from September 8th-11th. Each pound of non-perishable food will reduce your fine by $5.00!

All the food will be donated to the Black Hills Food Bank.

There are many great things happening at the Library this month. Please visit

http://www.rapidcitylibrary.org/ to find out what other fun things are happening!