Play Date at Lupe Tortillas

We had a great turnout for the play date this morning! Melissa Bryant, Leslie, Paige Fahey, Ramie, Meg, Andrea, Dane, Wendy, Julie, Pam Clay, and a newbie, Vanessa (I think that was her name) all piled onto the patio while the kids played in the sand. We ate, we chit chatted, and enjoyed the weather. I didn't get my camera out until the very end, and even then, I didn't get any great shots. I know that Pam took some pictures, so hopefully she'll email those to me and I'll post them too! Otherwise, here are a few of the tots that were there...

MNO-Olive Garden

Here's your reminder that we are having a Mom's Night Out! Finally!

When: Tuesday, January 22nd

Where: Olive Garden (next to Baybrook Mall)

Time: 7:00pm

Play Date--Jump-N-Jungle

Here's your reminder that we are having a PLAY DATE!!

When: Friday, November 30th

Where: Jump-N-Jungle

Time: 10:00am

20810 Gulf Freeway, Suite J
Webster, Texas 77598
Phone: 281-557-0700
Fax: 281-557-0777

Directions: We are located on the Southbound side of I - 45 at the Nasa Road 1 / FM 528 exit. We are in the large strip center between Garden Ridge and Roberts Carpet.

Remember to bring/wear socks and comfy clothes!!

InfantSee Program

In the first meeting, I talked about taking Jackson to the eye doctor for a free screening for kiddos under the age of 12 months. I just wanted to send the information on again, in case you were needing it. The program is called Infant See. Our particular optometrist is Dr. Beverly Newhouse at Elite Vision (518 and I-45 next to Kroger and Spec's). Basically, it's the earliest vision screening to help prevent/correct vision problems that will effect those precious learning years! When they can't see, they can't learn!

Play Date--Challenger Park

We had a great turnout for the play date--and it was BEAUTIFUL while we were there! I think everyone had a great time chatting while the kiddos played (although I ran after Jackson nearly the entire time trying to keep him from throwing the pebbles at the little girls and knocking the boys down and stealing their toys--he was bully of the day...wonderful...I apologize if your child was on the receiving end of his evilness) I got a few shots of the kids--not many since I was chasing Jack--but the swings were a hit too! Ahh, our beautiful monsters!

All alone...

Yup...(I think) I was the ONLY MOMMY AT MNO! If you got there after 7:35pm...I was already gone. But, I was tired anyway, and really only wanted to come home and put my jammies on and watch the CMAs...so I skipped the concert, and headed home to my boys for a chili dog (what I had fixed Adam and Jackson as I ran out the door, all dolled up and ready for a great salad from BJs) my VS jammy-jams, and a glass of wine.

I hope it's not raining on Friday, if so, head to Chuck E Cheese...if NOT, Challenger Park it is!! I hope Jackson and I aren't swinging and sliding by ourselves!! I know there are about 7 of you that have said you were going to make it, so we'll see you there!! It's 9:15 and I'm exhausted...I'm going to watch Carrie Underwood win another award and go to bed!! (if you don't have her new CD, it's fabulous!!)

MNO--BJs

Just a quick reminder about our Mom's Night Out this week:

When: Wednesday
Time: 7:00pm

Where: BJs

Featured Mom--Dane Brinsko

My name is Dane Brinsko and I have been involved in MOPS since moving here from Baton Rouge four years ago. MOPS was a wonderful way to meet people when I first moved here. I liked how we dropped off our children and then had time together as moms and women. My children are spaced far apart so it helped me make connections with women separate from my children.

My oldest friend, Julie Hoover, encouraged me to find a MOPS group when I moved here. She had participated in a MOPS group in Covington, Louisiana and had very positive things to say about the organization. Julie moved to League City this past summer so now we are both members here.

Today, I am a homemaker with three beautiful children: Hannah (12), Mary (9), Michael (5) and a husband of 17 years. After marrying Thomas at age 19 I transferred Colleges several times to accommodate his job. After seven years, I finally graduated with a degree in early childhood education from the University of Houston and worked as a teacher before starting my family.

I love to travel. My oldest daughter, Hannah, told me recently that she wasn't going to listen to any more of my vacation ideas because for every trip we take I investigate five. Currently, I'm trying to convince the family we need to take the great American road trip next summer and drive from Texas to California.

I'm at peace in this season of my life. My youngest, Michael, has one more year at home so I'm going to cherish every minute of it. I have been at home with young children for the past 12 years so it will be the end of a long chapter of my life when he starts Kindergarten in the fall of 2008.

I thank God everyday for my husband, Thomas. I joke that we met during his six weeks of being wild. I'm so thankful that we have grown together over the years.

Right now, we have a wonderful circle of friends and enjoy going out socially. It is easier now since our oldest can baby-sit (she is available to MOPS families.) Thomas and I have really tried to take advantage of opportunities that Houston has to offer in the last two years.

My personal dreams for the future are: to get my Masters, learn to sew, raise my children to be responsible, happy adults, continue to have a loving relationship with Thomas, become a more fully devoted follower of Jesus and serve others through my volunteer commitments.

Featured Mom--Sue-Ann Sorenson

I was born on Long Island NY, an moved to a small town in upstate New York,
Boiceville (just a few miles from Woodstock!!) when I was 3...lived there
through high school and college. My parents still live in the area.

After a couple of years living just outside New York City in Englewood
Cliffs, NJ, my sister talked me into moving to "Hot"lanta Georgia as a
change of pace, which I did at the end of 1994. Believe it or not, my
future hubby had moved there at the same time from Texas, and we met just a
few months after moving there at a small party of a co-worker of mine who
happened to live right next door to Ron. What can I say...the rest is
history! We married right after the Atlanta Olympics and spent almost 10
years in Georgia, before Ron finally won the argument and convinced me that
Texas was the place to be! I've been happy ever since!

I have two daughters, both born in Atlanta GA, Sabrina in 1999 and Samantha in
2003. We are growing to love League City and all the wonderful people we
have met in our short time here.

Play Date--Kemah

Kemah Boardwalk


Here's your reminder that we are having a PLAY DATE!!

When: Friday, October 26th

Where: Kemah Boardwalk (meet at the Fountains)

Time: 10:00am

It might be too cold, but if it warms up, bring some towels and little swimmers in case the kids run in the fountain! There is also the play ground right next to Flying Dutchman that you will be playing at so comfy clothes and shoes are a must! Bring some cash for the rides--they open at 11:00am (train, ferris wheel, etc) I, unfortunately, am going out of town on Thursday so I will not be there, so look for someone you know and have a cold ice tea for me!

Holiday Shopping Extravaganza

Click on flyer below to view larger

MNO--Pappasitos

Just a quick reminder about our Mom's Night Out this week:

When: Tuesday
Time: 7:00pm
Where: Pappasitos

So far: Amy, Sue Ann, Dane, Suzy, Leslie, Ramie, Charidy, Julie, Meg?, Pam?

...anyone else?

October 19th Meeting

Crafts!! Yup, today was craft day! We had some great new faces, and a casual chit chat day (in case you missed the meeting...very low-key)

We did talk about the Holiday Extravaganza (November 2nd)--don't forget to invite your friends! I'll be sending out an evite soon that you will be able to pass along. The event will not be a success unless we have customers to support our businesses!!

St. Christopher's donated over $400 to our ministry to support our scholarship fund! We appreciate all of their support, as we do not want to turn anyone away from MOPS!

Thank you to the Purple Table for the fabulous food--I'm about 1500 calories heavier. Thank you....

And Christine!! Your adorable toilet paper pumpkin project (okay, it sounds a little corny I'm sure to those of you who were not there, but it was sooo cute!!) was very creative!! Thank you so much for bringing our creative sides out of us!!

Loida grabbed a few shots from the meeting--thanks for the images:

Fall Festival

Leslie has invited all of us to attend the Fall Festival at Clear Lake Methodist Church, Saturday, from 10am-2pm. The kids get to dress up in their costumes and enjoy a day in the sun! See below for more information! Or, call Leslie and you can all meet up!

The Pumpkins are here! The Pumpkins are here! Can you believe it? Along with our Pumpkins, we will be having our Fall Festival on Saturday, October 13 from 10am to 2pm on the Front Lawn. There will be games, rides, a petting zoo and food! Bring your kids and your cameras and prepare to have an enjoyable day amongst the pumpkins. The Festival is entirely free but the pumpkins are not. We donate all proceeds made from the sale of the pumpkins to area ministries such as Interfaith Caring Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, Crossroads and Samaritan Center.

The Pumpkin Patch is open for business from 10am to 8pm every day from Monday, October 8 to Wednesday, October 31 unless we run out of pumpkins!

*images and info courtesy of Clear Lake United Methodist Church

Fun at Chuck E Cheese

We had a GREAT turnout today for the play date! There were 12 moms and tons of kiddos! There were lots of games played, and many slices of cheese pizza consumed! And then there was Meg--the Sponge Bob Square Pants ticket queen! Basically, if you could get your token to land on the green square of this game, you won 50 tickets at a time. About an hour later, and I have no clue how many tokens spent, Meg comes back with a slip for 1103 tickets! You Rock!! (she knows what she's doing to make those boys happy when they leave, I guess!)

I only got a few quick shots before my point and shoot battery went dead...I promise to bring my pro camera to the next one! ...and send me any pics you guys got from today!

Jackson

Samantha

Jackson

Taylor

Melissa and Jackson

Hannah Grace

Meg and Amanda

Bonnye, Baby Noah, and Taylor

Meg's stack of tickets...

Meg and Sponge Bob!!

Play Date--Chuck E Cheese

Here's your reminder that we are having a PLAY DATE!!

When: Friday, October 12th

Where: Chuck E Cheese (Bay Area, next to Target)

Time: 10:00am

Bring some cash for fun games and lunch!! See you there!!

Featured Mom--Adrienne Martinez

Hi my name is Adrienne Martinez! I have been married for 8 years to a wonderful man and we have 3 children. My stepdaughter, Olivia, is 17 and lives with us full time, my son, Aidan, is 5 and stated kindergarten this year at Goforth, and my daughter, Annabelle, is 2 and goes to Happy Harbour preschool. We moved to Texas from the San Francisco area 3 1/2 years ago when my husband was offered a promotion.

I was the past director for the League City MOPS group for 3 years and before that organized the Moppets for a group in Walnut Creek, CA. This year I am the table leader for the Pink group. (The Pink table rules!!) After living in Texas for almost 4 years I can honestly say that all of my best friends here I met in one way or another through MOPS! I love MOPS!!!

I have the privilege of getting to be at home with my kids during the day. But, I get to escape 1-2 nights a week to my Premier Designs Jewlery business! After 5 years of not contributing to my family's income I am loving having some extra money coming in to the household.

My favorite thing to do is go out with my girlfriends to dinner and just enjoy the fellowship of other women.

Deceptively Delicious

I am watching Oprah today, and I am in LOVE with this cookbook! I'm going out to buy it tomorrow (once I've brushed my teeth, changed out of my PJs, taken a shower...but not today!)

Basically, Jessica Seinfield (Jerry's wife) found a way to get her kiddos to eat veggies and fruit--PUREE! She puts it in everything! Any of us that did the Super Baby Foods diet with our babies (were you make all your own baby food!) know exactly what these purees are--she just created recipes that "fool" your kid into thinking they are eating their favorite foods--like Mac & Cheese, Tacos, BROWNIES, chicken fingers--all with great veggies "hidden" inside. I know this is not a new concept, and although Jackson isn't old enough to know that he "hates" peas or broccoli or spinach, I have a husband who could benefit from "hidden" veggies! Ha!

Go to Oprah.com to see the clips from todays show!

Answered Prayers

If you missed the meeting on Friday, Pam Clay, one of our newbies at the yellow table, asked for all of us to pray for her little girl, Chassidy. She was born at 26 weeks, and had to have a shunt put in. Recently, their family got some news that the shunt would need to be replaced due to complications (ie: brain surgery for a child), but thankfully, most of us got the email today from Pam:

"Chassidy had a shunt series(this is where they run an IV through her to make the shunt glow to see how it is flowing) done today and the X-ray was not completely thorough enough and found that her shunt is still running into her stomach and she is not as bad as we thought. Answered prayers for me. =) I thank you all for your support and prayers and I will keep you posted."

God works in mysterious ways. Like I have heard Leslie and Meg and Lorri say many times before, "There is a reason people come to MOPs--whether it's for friends, social activities, a break from the kids, or support in a time of need--we are all moms, going through the same things (at times) that need support.

Pray for each other...
Pray for your family...
...and be thankful for the blessing you have.

Featured Mom--Ramie Babcock

Ramie grew up in Wichita, Kansas. I played competitive softball and received a full ride to a small Catholic college, but passed on the opportunity when my family was transfered to League City, Texas in June 2000. During that summer, I became very close to my family and did not want to move away. I decided to follow my passion of photography to Sam Houston State University. There, I met the love of my life, Adam, on the first day of class, freshman year! He was a frat brat and I was a sorority girl, so we partied like rock stars, but I earned my BA in Photography in only 3 years. After graduation, I was given the opportunity to work for NASA as a Photographer at the White Sand Test Facility in Las Cruces, NM--so I moved! I had a Top Secret Security Clearance and everything--basically, I photographed all the parts/pieces/people that went into space, before and after. Any testing that was done to the shuttle, I photographed before and after. In the return to flight effort, I performed the high speed digital imaging for the testing of ice on the shuttle tiles. It was a great job, but pretty boring (I'm overly creative) and it was far from home. And, I wanted my own photography business...

Adam and I moved back to Houston in time for our wedding (April 30th, 2005) where our own Bonny Barron shot the wedding! We began my business, Ramie Babcock Photography, in July 2005. Adam said we couldn't start having babies until we bought a house, so we bought our home in August and were preggers by September (when we evacuated for RITA!) Jackson graced our presence on June 28th, 2006 (and again, Bonny Barron shot our birth story!), and we could not be more happy to be parents. I still run my business full time (although it's a little stressful) but I consider myself a SAHM simply because I'm home with him and work when I can get it in! My hubby is a manager for Enterprise Rent-A-Car here in the Bay Area and has 3 offices on this side of town. We live in League City and are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Currently, I am the Social Coordinator of MOPs, along with being the Purple Table Leader. I joined MOPs because I felt alone among all of my friends--none of them have kids, nor are they married, so we are all at different points in our lives. I had no one to share my frustration and joys with--and it was in that deep loneliness, that I stumbled upon MOPs--and I've loved it ever since. I am a big advocate that you "get out of it what you put into it" so I encourage everyone to get involved, meet new people, and make yourself visisble. We are all here for each other, so come out and join us!