January Events: A Preview

Happy New Year to you!

I wanted to let you know what we have in store for January, so that you can mark your own calendars and pass the information on as you have time available to do so. Thanks!

Thursday, January 12: Monthly meeting from 9-11 am at Faith Evangelical Free Church... Using the surveys mamas completed at the December meeting, we'll be hearing from an inspiring panel of mamas at all stages of motherhood about a range of topics. It should be a lively and interesting discussion.

Monday, January 16: Mom's Night Out beginning at 7:30 at Faith Evangelical Free Church... We'll be hearing from Teri Nelson about home decor and talking about making things beautiful on a budget. More details as this gets a bit closer.

Thursday, January 26: Monthly Play date at Splashers in the Canad Inn from 9-12. Please plan to join us (and invite a friend!), as the Canad Inn has agreed to let us host a party. The cost will be $6 per person over 4, which if you've been there, you know is a deal ;)

Steering Team Childcare: Thursday, January 5 from 9-11 am will be covered by Pictionary Princesses

Brunch for January 12 meeting: Monopoly Mamas

Please email me at hunt16@msn.com with questions or ideas, and watch for more detailed information to come!

Happy New Year!

We hope you've had a blessed Christmas season!

Many exciting things lie ahead in the new year, and we're looking forward to them.

Please save the date for our January 12 meeting. We'll gather at Faith from 9-11 am.

While you're finishing up all the delicious holiday goodies, we're working out the finishing touches on the plans. I hope to post event information to you late this week.

Wishing you JOY!

December Newsletter and events

This afternoon the December Newsletter posted to email inboxes. If you did not receive a newsletter and would like to, please contact me via email at hunt16@msn.com. I'd love to send you one!

The week ahead is busy with MOPS activities. You can read more about them in the newsletter, but to summarize:

Monday, December 5 at 7:30 pm is our Mom's Night Out Cookie Exchange.

Thursday, December 8 from 9-11 am is our Monthly Meeting.

Tuesday, December 13 from 10-11:30 am is our extra-special playdate at Santa's Village.

If you have questions, or need directions, please contact me either by text/phone at 719.641.0267 or by email at hunt16@msn.com. Hope this season is full of joy for you!

Cookie Exchange!

Please join us for our December Mom's Night Out!

Monday, December 5 at 7:30 pm

Danna Jones' house

719 Barley Court

This has been an annual MOPS event, and it is so much fun! If you want to exchange cookies, bring 4 dozen. If you'd rather just come and visit, feel free to do that too.

Feel free to bake your cookies ahead when you have extra time, then freeze them for the big night. When you leave, you'll have plenty of cookies ready to plate up for your holiday festivities.

You can either RSVP with the cookie type you'll bring in the comments on Facebook, or you can email Danna directly at bdjjones21@msn.com

Cookie exchange recommendations:

1. All cookies should be home made, baked and the main ingredient flour. Please save no-bakes, meringues and the like for other events, as these cookies do not freeze as easily or transport as well.

2. Please bring 4 dozen of the same kind of cookie, so that you can go home with 4 dozen different cookies to make your holiday plates.

3. Please RSVP with your cookie type, so that we can have good variety.

4. Bring one container to display your cookies, and another to take cookies home in.

5. Bring your recipe to share.

6. If you have extra cookies, bring them for us to sample! We'll have other light snacks as well.

If you have questions, let us know.

Happy Baking!

December Preview

With wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving, we still are going to offer you a December Preview:

Monday, December 5: Mom's Night Out:: Cookie Exchange at Danna's. More details on the event invite for this. It is always one of our most fun events! (I'll post an invite here tomorrow)

Thursday, December 8: Monthly Meeting:: Mentor Moms are preparing a special talk about building holiday traditions that bless families.

Tuesday, December 13: Play Date:: Santa's Village (please see event invite, or watch for more details to post here).

Three items for your consideration

1. The MOPS Newsletter for November was delivered to your inbox this afternoon (Sunday, November 6). If you did not receive a newsletter and you would like to, please message me at hunt16@msn.com or at 719.641.0267.

2. At this week's meeting, we'll be taking sign ups for two upcoming events. If you are unable to attend the meeting, but would be interested in attending either of the events, please either message me or use the Facebook invite to RSVP.

The events are our November 30 Fall Fundraiser and the December 13 trip to Santa's Village. You can read more about both in the newsletter. Thanks!

3. Hope to see you Thursday to make Christmas Countdown Wreaths!

November Mom's NIght Out: Date Change

Please join us for Mom's Night Out!

Monday, November 21

Erica's House: 620 Campbell Drive

Grand Forks, ND 58201

We'll be enjoying some wonderful appetizers and some friendly board game competition. Here's hoping you have a few lucky 13 point letter scores!

Questions: Jill @ 719.641.0267 or hunt16@msn.com

November MOPS meeting invitation!

November MOPS Meeting

Thursday, November 10, 2011, 9 am- 11 am

Faith Evangelical Free Church

1400 24th Avenue South

Grand Forks, ND 58201

In preparation for the holiday season, we'll be making Christmas Countdown wreaths. The photo illustrates some of the symbols we'll attach to the wreath.

For each day, from December 1-December 25, there is a symbol, a few words to think about, and a reference. So, for example, December 1 is a quarter. The narrative says, "A quarter! That equals 25 cents. But 25 also stands for the number of days until Christmas when God gave us his best present. Let's spend the next 25 days getting to know this baby who grew up to be the Savior of the world." Read Luke 1: 26-32

We'll also enjoy brunch and visiting, of course. Invite a friend who you'd like to share this idea with ;)

Hope to see you there!

If you have questions, please contact me at Jill Hunt 719.641.0267 or hunt16@msn.com. You can also find our group on Facebook at Grand Forks, ND MOPS. Happy November!

Looking Ahead to November

We wanted to let you know what we're working on for November, in case you like to see the calendar a bit further ahead.

Mom’s Night Out... November 14 (Working on a great idea from one of your suggestions)

Meeting... November 10, Advent Wreath Project (You won't want to miss this, as it will be fun for you and your kids all through December too!)

Playdate... November 17, join us at Red River Valley Gymnastics from 10:30-11:30 am for open gym

Fundraiser...November 30, 8:45pm cleaning at the Betty following a Men’s Basketball game. Please put this on your calendar, as it will be a fast and fun way for us to take care of our fall fundraising commitments.

Do you have a great idea for a Mom's Night Out or Play Date after the holiday season? We'd love to hear from you about it! Please email me (hunt16@msn.com).

October 27: Pumpkin Patch Playdate!

Thursday, October 27 from 9-11 am

Nelson's Pumpkin Patch (Directions below)

See you at Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch for a play date. The entrance fee is $3, with children under one year free, and this includes a small pumpkin. Other pumpkins and fall goodies will be available for sale.

The pumpkin patch includes a hayride, concessions, corn maze, goats,various games, and other outdoor fun. Light snacks will be provided for children.

Plan to dress warmly and wear good shoes, as this will make the experience much more fun. You might also want to bring your camera!

Address: 2448 20th Ave, Emerado, ND 58228 701-610-9564

Directions: Take Highway 2, West toward Grand Forks Air Force Base. Take the Base exit, then go 1.5 miles north to the big pumpkin. This will be past the base, and there will be a big pumpkin to tell you where to turn east for 1/4 mile

Questions? Jill Hunt 719.641.0267

October 13 Meeting Information

Hope you're able to attend our October meeting! Please feel free to invite a friend too.

Along with brunch and visiting, we have a special speaker, Carrie Knutson, coming to talk about Real Colors. Here is a bit more information on Real Colors:

If you had a key that would unlock the answers to human behavior, would you use it? Imagine having the knowledge to truly understand yourself and others, without requiring years of study.

Real Colors® is that key. The Real Colors® Personality Instrument is a simple, easy to administer system for identifying the four temperaments (Blue, Gold, Green or Orange ). It provides users with an effective tool for understanding human behavior, for uncovering motivators specific to each temperament and for improving communication skills. Most importantly, Real Colors® is easy to incorporate into all areas of daily life. It is the key to achieving higher levels of success, personally and professionally.

We'll be getting an introduction to this, with the full class offered by Carrie (free of charge!) November 7. More details to come on that in the newsletter.

Moppetts will be doing everything PUMPKIN!

October Calendar of Events

October is one of the best months of the year! We've planned some events to reflect the season ;)

Monday, October 10 at 7:30 pm

Mom's Night Out for Caramel Apple Making

Please join us at 3929 Cherry Street (Corner of Cherry and 40th). We'll be making apples to take and enjoying other festive fall treats. It will be so much fun.

Thursday, October 13 from 9-11 am

MOPS meeting at Faith Evangelical Free Church

We have a special speaker, Carrie Knutson, coming to talk about Real Colors. Here is a bit more information on Real Colors:

If you had a key that would unlock the answers to human behavior, would you use it? Imagine having the knowledge to truly understand yourself and others, without requiring years of study.

Real Colors® is that key. The Real Colors® Personality Instrument is a simple, easy to administer system for identifying the four temperaments (Blue, Gold, Green or Orange ). It provides users with an effective tool for understanding human behavior, for uncovering motivators specific to each temperament and for improving communication skills. Most importantly, Real Colors® is easy to incorporate into all areas of daily life. It is the key to achieving higher levels of success, personally and professionally.

We'll be getting an introduction to this, with the full class offered by Carrie (free of charge!) November 7. More details to come on that in the newsletter.

Thursday, October 27 from 9-11 am

See you at Nelson's Pumpkin Patch for a play date.

We've reserved this time, and there is a small cost of three dollars for each child. The pumpkin patch includes a hayride, concessions, corn maze, various games, and other outdoor fun. Each child will get a small pumpkin to take home.

Plan to dress warmly and wear good shoes, as this will make the experience much more fun.

More information and directions to come.

Play date: September 22 from 9-11 am

See these swings?

The only thing missing from them is you! ;)

Please plan to join us on Thursday, September 22 from 9-11 am for our first MOPS play date of the year.

We'll be providing crackers and juice for those who like them, but you'll have to bring your own coffee.

Also, this is a flexible time, so if you have a napping baby, just come when he or she wakes up. Or, if you need to leave early, everyone understands.

Sertoma Park is located at 11th Avenue South/30th Street. If you need directions, please call or text me: 719.641.0267

* If the weather is not cooperative, we'll be in touch with Plan B. Praying for sunshine! ;)

September Mom's Night Out!

How do you choose between ice cream and coffee?

Maybe it depends on the weather, or maybe it depends on whether m&ms are available for topping? Either way, we hope you can join us for a casual mom's night out at TCBY/Cariboo.

Cariboo/TCBY is located at 2400 South Washington Street

We'll be starting about 7:30 pm, but feel free to drop in as you're able.

If you have questions, please email or call me at the info below.

Hope to see you there!

Jill

719.641.0267

hunt16@msn.com

September Newsletter!

You should find the September newsletter, hot of the press, in your Facebook inbox today. If you didn't receive a copy, and you'd like one, please email me.

See you Thursday! ;)

First Meeting, September 8!

Please join us as we kick of a new MOPS year! When: September 8 from 9-11 am Where: Faith Evangelical Free Church (1400 24th Street South) As the picture on the invite suggests, we're going to talk about how we can love our community, and we're offering you a couple practical ways to build it up. In addition to catching up, we'll be making baby blankets to pass to the Grand Forks Women's Pregnancy Center. If you have any additional donations you'd like to make to the Women's Pregnancy Center, please bring them. These might include new items like baby bath wash, or other similar items, clothing items your child just never wore, or other items. Judith is preparing an inspiring devotional, and as always, there will be a delicious breakfast and good conversation! Invite friends via this invite if you wish, or email me, and I'd be glad to pass either the Facebook page or website information along. Please contact me if you have questions! I'll put my info below: Jill Hunt 719.641.0267 hunt16@msn.com

September Calendar of Events

Welcome to our Fall 2011 Calendar!

Our MOPS theme this year is MOMSense: Bold, Loving, Sensible.

September 2011:

September 8: First Meeting! 9-11 am

"Loving Your Community"

Faith Evangelical Free Church (upstairs fellowship hall)

Address: 1400 24th Street South

*Childcare/Moppets for children birth to age 5

September 12: Mom's Night out! 7:30 pm

Join us for coffee or ice cream at Cariboo/TCBY! Since they're beside each other, you can have your favorite, or both, along with some good time for getting to know other mamas.

Address: 2400 South Washington Street

September 22: Playdate! 9-11 am

Since the days should still be warm, we'll meet at Sertoma Park

Address: 11th Avenue South/30th Street

Questions? Please contact me either via Facebook or at 719.641.0267

(October calendar and events will appear soon)

An invitation!

"Welcome to MOPS! This year we hope to encourage each other to be bold, loving and sensible, as we continue to grow in our roles as mamas and wives.



In our group every mom is welcomed, accepted and inspired to reach her potential and recognize her influence within her family and her world.

MOPS believes that better moms really do make a better world.



In 2011-2012, we'll be meeting on the second Thursday of each month for fellowship at Faith Evangelical Free Church. On the fourth Thursday, we'll have a planned play date, and we have some FUN planned! 

Please see the other information provided on this page, and feel free to contact us with questions!

Jill Hunt, hunt16@msn.com