Archive for the Category ◊ MOPS ◊

29 Apr 2009 MOPS and my Mammogram!!
Author: admin |  Category: Health and Fitness, MOPS  | Tags: , , , , ,  | Leave a Comment
Mammography pictures, normal (left) and cancer...
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Hi Everyone!!!  (that is supposing someone is out there reading :) )  So, we all know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) and yes I know it’s April but being the age I am ( no I am not going to tell you that!) I was hugely impacted last October at our MOPS meeting honoring BCAM.  We had a doctor speak and two MOPS moms that shared their personal story on how breast cancer had impacted their lives.  Breast Cancer Survivors, both women were amazing in their strength and how they had walked through such a scary time in their lives.  I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room.

The doctor shared that the odds of getting breast cancer is something like 1 in 10 so of the 100 + women in the room, possibly 10 could be battling Breast Cancer at some point in their lives.  That is scary to me and what is worse is while we are on the band wagon for a cure it doesn’t seem like many are asking what we are doing to our world, our food, our bodies, and whatever else……that is causing breast cancer to be so prevalent.  She also said it is more wide spread in the US than in some foreign countries which is certainly food for thought.

One of the gals sharing her story talked about going to the doctor for her annual exam and pointing out that she had a lump in her breast and because of her young age and no family history the doc really dismissed it and told her it was probably nothing to worry about…..so she put it out of her mind, several months passed and the lump grew, she finally went back to the doctor and had it checked out and sure enough, it was advanced breast cancer.  I just wanted to scream for her!!! I was so angry at her doctor for not taking it seriously the first time around….what a reality check.  I know they are just human beings too but man oh man…….those kind of mistakes can cost people their lives.  I am so happy that God was there for her and walked through it with her every step of the way and that she was cancer free and able to share her story.  It really touched my heart.

And it got me thinking that I hadn’t had a mammogram for several years, since I think 2001 before my youngest was born and I hadn’t gotten another since I was nursing etc and just using that as an excuse because well they are just so fun aren’t they!  Well, I had my annual exam, more fun, in November and that was big on my mind, I just thought, it is better to have a mammogram and know than not!  So, after my exam I called and scheduled a mammogram and I was nervous about it……not that I had found anything or anything it just sort of loomed…..you know!  Well, the day I went they were just wonderful, the office was set up like a spa, with robes, coffee, tea etc trying to make it a nice experience.

The exam itself, well, it was quick and sorta painless…..if you don’t mind your boob getting squished and flattened and looking so attractive!! ha! I had to wait 7-10 days for my results and I am happy to say I am just fine!!!! Wahey!!!

So ladies, if you have been avoiding getting a mammogram, please don’t, go, get yourself checked and have peace of mind! and if you aren’t one that gets those annual exams on an annual basis then make an appointment already!!!! Ok?  Ok!

We all need to take care of ourselves because our families need us in all our imperfections!

Blessings!!

Grace

moz screenshot MOPS and my Mammogram!!

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09 Feb 2009 The Monday After…..a very busy weekend!
Author: admin |  Category: Day to Day Family, MOPS, Stay at home moms  | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,  | Leave a Comment

Thanks to my loving husband for posting this weekend and holding down the fort in my absence; I was on a whirl wind of a weekend and did not sit down at the computer until today…..sigh!  It began with MOPS (Mother’s of Pre-schoolers!) on Friday and didn’t end until last evening.

MOPS was great! Everyone enjoyed the Deceptively Delicious recipes we made and we had a wonderful speaker, a dietitian who is also a MOPS mom.  Being a huge label reader myself when I shop I really appreciated all the information she gave.  The best advise yet for those looking to lose weight was making a lifestyle change, move more, eat less and stay away from “diets” which usually means you are cutting out one or more food groups entirely….which isn’t healthy and your body usually rebels at some point because it really needs a little of everything everyday!

I also had a leadership weekend at church and I help in our coffee bar and with hospitality so I had to be there.  It started on Friday night and went through Saturday afternoon.  It was good though, we heard our Pastor’s vision for our church which was awesome and got upcoming events and leadership changes and it was all in all very encouraging and a great time of fellowship.

Then after the church conference I went to a baby shower for a good friend of ours, she is having a little boy which is great as she already has a daughter.  They are  very blessed and it was well attended and she got lots of cute things for her new little one.  We of course played games which I usually never win and we got necklaces upon arrival and told we couldn’t say “baby, the mommy’s name or the baby’s name” well, after much losing and gaining of necklaces I came out the winner which was a nice surprise and great fun!  I won a cute little heart shaped box ( I love little things like that) and a Starbucks card…..Wahey!!!! ( I love coffee!!!!)

When I finally got home on Saturday my youngest was pleased I had a slew of necklaces for her! The dog was all over me and wanting another walk! and my hubby bless him wanted to hear all about my day.  My son was having a fit of boredom but was better having gone out earlier with his step-dad and sister so all in all it was good to be home.  I was stuffed from eating ALL day it seemed :)   so I had to figure out dinner for the rest, we then finally sat down after our little one was in bed to watch a movie and just relax for a moment which was very nice indeed!

My oldest daughter called at her usual early time on Sunday (seems mom is always still in bed!) and said she was coming down for the day which was a nice surprise so after church on Sunday we were busy doing this and that with she and her boyfriend.  We had a nice lunch out and after they left I surveyed the disaster that was my house. While it was a good weekend I really hate it when I get to Sunday afternoon and I have hardly been home at all.  My house is usually in a very sad state when that happens and that causes my stress level to go up a fair amount.

So while daddy and our youngest sat down to watch Shrek I got to it with my mop and started clearing through the rubble……after taking a break to make popcorn for the movie watchers I took the dog for a walk and then called it a day!

At 7:30 my lovely daughter was asleep and I was sat down with my husband to finally relax a bit before hitting the hay early……as we were both tired.

It was a nice weekend, filled with friends and family and coming and going but I am thankful that all my weekends aren’t so jam-packed!  This morning I laid in bed and prayed about my busy Monday ahead and made a plan with God to help me get the important things done!

Enjoy the day!!!

Grace

09 Jan 2009 MOPS- Mothers of Preschoolers
Author: admin |  Category: MOPS  | Tags: , ,  | 2 Comments

Hi, one of the things I was excited to become a part of was the local MOPS group here in town, that is, Mothers of Preschoolers.  Because I worked when my older kids were little I had heard of this but never had the opportunity to get involved.  I went to my first meeting in January 2008 and just decided to go all by myself and check it out.  I was pleasantly surprised as I walked in with my kiddy in tow, a young mom saw me coming in the door and of course I looked like I didn’t know where I was going….. :)

She walked with me to the childcare on the next floor and showed me all around and then took me to where the meeting was, that was lovely as I had no idea where I was going and it was a BIG church!  I arrived and signed in and there were just genuine smiles on all the gals, I thought …..this could be really good! and it was….. and is, the gals there are genuine and loving and I try to never miss a meeting! (Besides, it’s just great to eat great food and hang out with the girls right!!?)

They have a great breakfast buffet, coffee, juice and wonderful, informative speakers at each meeting.  The topics are all related to being moms,  and the different struggles and hurdles we have, I have laughed and cried at the meetings this past year.   We had a husband panel last year where the women submitted questions for the guys to answer about all kinds of topics….. I never laughed so hard in my life……poor men!!

I have made some new friends which was a goal for me and I have gotten involved this year with hospitality, helping provide the food for each meeting.

The best part is connecting with other moms and having a couple of hours to just be an adult and have some time to just relax and make new friends etc.  The childcare they have is fun for the kids, my little one just loves to go.

Mops is an International organization and you can check out their website at http://www.mops.org/ and find out about local MOPS groups in your area.

Being a stay at home mom can be a bit isolating and this gives moms and opportunity to get out of the house and connect with other moms that are dealing with and going through some of the same humps and bumps you are.  That is huge especially when you realize that the mom up their speaking to the group has felt the same way you have!

OK, here’s my question of the day: Are you a MOPS mom?  If so, share with me what MOPS has meant to you.   (If you’re not, check out the website or contact me and I can help you hook up with a group in your area.)

Have a blessed day!

Grace

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