YOU are Enough

Hello Ladies!

We hope you are enjoying the break....As we are on this break and the summer days are long, please remember that YOU are enough to your kids and family.

We saw this online and had to share...Enjoy!

http://barrentobeautiful.wordpress.com/2014/05/23/am-i-enough/

Family Memorials

We had the pleasure of hearing a touching talk by Julie Adamo on the importance of family memorials.  Memorials are used to remember, or tell the story again.
The Lord set up memorials for us to use as models.  Deuteronomy 4:9 says "Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons".
Joshua 4:6-7 is the first memorial in the bible..."Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?' then you shall say to them, 'Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.' So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever."…
It is important to tell stories of God's goodness to the next generations.
Use notebooks to keep family memories. When God intervenes in your world, remember it so you can pass it on.
Don't limit God. The purpose of memorials is to tell the story again, which makes kids remember God's work in their lives.
A few ideas: Family devotions led by Dad. Pray with kids. Help them look for God during the day. Couch time--show kids that Mom is Dad's priority.
If you get to your kids when they're young, when they are teenagers, they will be a blessing.
Let's try to start some new family memorials at home, ladies! I know we will be happy we did!

Knowing Who We Are & Who We Are Not

We were so fortunate to have our very own Johanna Oddo speak to us about womanhood and mothering!

We are challenged to find what God equipped us for. Remember that you are the best mom for your children, and that He knows His plan for your marriage and family.
It benefits us to surround ourselves with moms not like ourselves...Gain from them, and your kids will benefit from them too.
Know things about yourself. Allow growing. And stretch. God will put us in those scenarios!
Don't define yourself by what you can and can't do---That limits God.
Show your love of God in your own unique ways!
God made us how he wanted us to be...Be OK with that, breaking the bondage of pressure to be somebody else.
On Mothering: Stay consistent and follow through!
Don't forget you are now parenting your future 21 year old. Communicate clear boundaries. Boundaries are good for proper development and foster high self esteem.
Remember: If they don't respect you at home, it won't happen at Target!
Kids need to know they can trust you. Delayed gratification is a good thing for them to learn.
Be confident in your parenting style and it will be easier to be consistent.
Take time to communicate with them where they're at. Treat each child as an individual.
Teach them how to solve their problems. Don't always rescue and remove. Teach to forgive.
Teach that it's OK to have emotions but it's not OK to get out of control.
Never make them feel ashamed for their questions. They will wrestle with God questions.
Match your lifestyle with your words.
Talk about their spouse.
No one will parent your child better than you and motherhood is high calling...let's not forget this, ladies!
Johanna can be reached at johanna@thebridgersm.com

Focus Organizing

Vanessa came to speak with us about organizing our homes.
She gave us a four step process and said the most important thing is to set boundaries!!

Step 1: Assess the space (MESS)

• M - is it a mechanical issue? perhaps a broken drawer? is the space blocked by furniture?
• E - emotional... not everything has to be sentimental, friends.
• S - situational. Did you just have a new baby? Did you just move in to your house (6 years ago for me)?
• S - system. You don't have the proper system in place to be successful

Step 2: Plan

What is your priority?
How much time do you have?
Vanessa gives herself anywhere between 4-8 hours for a closet, while an office can take 16-24 hours.

Step 3: Implement (LEASE)

• L - put like things with like things
• E - eliminate. donate things or throw them away
• A - assign things a home. find a place for everything!
• S - go shopping! Yay!! (for organizing materials)
• E - equalize. Once the system is in place, you have to maintain it daily.

Step 4: Evaluate

Is it working for you?

Thank you Vanessa, for coming to help us out! I know that my house could definitely use a makeover. Spring cleaning needs to happen year round up in here.

You can reach Vanessa at (949) 285-6517 or info@focusorganizing.com

www.focusorganizing.com

Becoming A Strong Mom

Each of us has moments in our life that make us feel strong.  Stephanie Dunnan advises us to focus on those strengths and deny the weaknesses, and don't let others define our strong moments for us.

Using the SIGN method, we can assess where we feel strong and channel those strengths into feeling better about ourselves on a regular basis.  We should answer yes to these questions most days of each week, and if you don't yet, keep working at it...it's a process!

S--Do you feel successful at what you are choosing to do at any given time?
I--Do you instinctively look forward to something in your day or week?
G--Are you doing anything that you feel you are growing in?
N--Are your needs fulfilled? How often do you get to do things that make you feel energized?

Put all of your activities into a Love it or Loathe it list to help you STOP...

S--Stop doing things that you don't like or feel strong doing
T--Team up with another person, reaching out to find a mutually beneficial relationship
O--Offer up your time to your strengths
P--Perceive our weaknesses through our strengths (ie, Listen to your favorite music while doing your  not-so-favorite things)

We need to refocus our time, accept and nurture our strengths, not the ones others think we have.

Let's remember that we get to praise God more when we get out of weak moments and celebrate strong ones!

Stephanie based her talk on the book "Find your strongest life" by Marcus Buckingham, and you can learn more about the author at www.stronglifetest.com, in addition to taking a quiz that will tell you your strengths. Have fun with it and GET STRONG TODAY!

All My Friends Have Issues!

We were so delighted to have Amanda Anderson speak to us regarding friendships.  She gave us some great tips on how to have, and be a friend.

 

Friendships are scary but they're also where we can find refined safety.

We need safe and sane friends! Safe friends are honest, willing to admit their faults, able to give and take from the relationship and are interested in personal growth.

To have safe friends, we need to BE safe friends.

1 Peter 4:8 says "Above all, love eachother deeply for love covers over a multitude of sins"

To have lasting friendships with flawed women, stop trying to figure out whose issues are worse.  We must not compete with our friends.  She advises us to not go into relationships wondering if you are the broken one or the fixer.  Competitiveness can kill friendships and comparison will be make them sick. See each other as teachers and encouragers, instead.

Proverbs 27:17 tells us "As iron sharpens iron, so one man (or woman) sharpens another."

Pretending you have it all together makes others feel that they are falling apart...so let's get real with eachother, ladies! And we can't forget that sometimes our issues are not our personality flaws and fears but our circumstances.  "Misfortune shows those who are not really friends" -Aristotle

And, please, don't compare your insides to another's outsides.  Remember, intimacy is based on vulnerability and when we are vulnerable, our friendships grow deeper.

Holding a friend's hand sometimes mean that you will be held back as you hold them up, but hang in there....it's worth it! Remember also that God wants these connections for us, and Satan does not.

We all need a network of girlfriends....that's just one more reason to be thankful for M2M bringing all of us together!

You can contact Amanda at belovedcreations@att.net and her blog can be found at www.scrapsofsoul.blogspot.com

Go and be a friend to someone today!

Marriage Growers (part 2)

Last week we had the privilege of having Leslie Eichler from Marriage Growers International come to speak to us.

Her biggest point was that feeling understood and accepted leads to closeness and affection, which leads to more strength in marriage.

She showed us a tool that I personally can't wait to use. It's called the Start, Stop, Continue exercise. In brief, it allows each person to list things that they would like their significant other to start, stop, and continue and opens up a conversation to discuss things that are important to each person without seeming negative or threatening.

I can't wait to use this tool with not only my Husband, but my kids! I'm excited to really listen to what each child feels is important.

For more information on their ministry, you can see Pastor Ken and Leslie Eichler at www.marriagegrowers.com and you can read Leslie's blog at www.godfamilychickens.com.

Let's start opening up hopeful communication with the people that we love!

Pastor Ken on Marriage

We were so blessed to have Pastor Ken Eichler of Marriage Growers International stop by to give us some amazing insight on marriage and our men!

He said that intimacy (not always in the romantic way :) ) is at the root of all successful marriages and also the lack of intimacy is a leading indicator for divorce.

Pastor Ken's definition of intimacy is: A close and affectionate relationship that reaches deeper regions of the heart, resulting in feeling understood and accepted.

We need to view our hearts as holding the treasure of intimacy and do whatever we can to help our husbands reach that treasure...we need to create a pathway for him.  We must be aware of the obstacles that are blocking him.  These obstacles can be issues from our family of origin, past hurtful words or experiences, and fears or pressures.  Be aware of them and communicate about them!

Along those lines, here are some important points to remember:

•  Men are more relationally underdeveloped
•  How close we feel to one another predicts marital happiness and success
• Another predictor of divorce is the way we communicate with our spouses, which is an indicator of relational closeness
• We need to be strategic in our interactions with our husbands
• Avoid placing blame or assigning motives to his actions
• It is never right to do what's wrong...if you do, it's YOUR sin, even if HE did it first!
• Forgive as you've been forgiven!
• Talk to your husband with the assumption that he knows nothing :)

We wives are the greatest instrument to speak faith into our husbands so he can become what God has called him to be.

Remember, we do not need to draw on our own strength...God will give us the strength, wisdom and patience needed to have happy, effective, and long-lasting marriages.

Proverbs 18:21-- Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

To contact Ken, email him at Ken@marriagegrowers.com

Mom2Mom is on Pinterest!

One of my favorite things about Mom2Mom is the food. I'm not going to lie. When I'm at home, I'm lucky to scarf down an egg or two in between getting the kids to school, cleaning up the kitchen, and making sure my littles don't injure themselves or each other. Not to mention the fact that as soon as we become parents our plates seem to turn communal. Am I right?

I love being able to show up and eat super yummy food (that I didn't have to prepare) while enjoying adult conversation and not being interrupted by tiny hands or upward gazing eyes, as adorable as they might be.

So I thought that I would link to a couple of dishes that are super easy and super yummy, in case you were having a hard time finding something when it's your turn to bring food.

And then I thought, "Hey! It would be super cool if Mom2Mom had a Pinterest account so I could just go on there and see if they had any ideas or favorites from previous weeks to make." So I made our own Pinterest account (with co-leader approval, of course).

So, if you find a recipe that you love, let one of us know, and we'll happily add it to the appropriate Pinterest board. Of course, you don't have to share, and we'll just be in love with you when it's your turn to bring food, and that's okay too.

At our first meeting, Kristen Valenti brought a super yummy hash brown casserole for a hot dish. She gave me the link, so I pinned it!! Super easy!

Find us on Pinterest ... username...  Mom2Mom (super original, I know)
http://www.pinterest.com/mom2momt/

Heavenly Bodies

Hi ladies!

Last week at Mom2Mom we had Roderick Benford, a personal trainer, (and our very own Emily Benford's husband) came to talk to us about setting goals and getting in shape.

He talked first about how important it is to set both short term and long term goals in order to be successful. A short term goal would be something like drinking water during the day or doing 25 squats. Committing to working out three to four times a week or losing X amount of pounds would be a long term goal. He stressed the importance of asking yourself "How badly do you want this?"

Roderick emphasized that our diets should consist of 60% carbohydrates, 20% fats, and 20% protein. Yay! Carbs!!

He also recommended finding someone to hold you accountable during your journey. This could be as simple as posting a status on Facebook, or as in depth as finding a walking buddy to join you daily. Any way you look at it, you are not alone!! Ask for help!

As far as working out is concerned, he said that it is fairly easy to start your own routine with three simple exercises that don't require any equipment. By combining push ups, sit ups, and squats you can get a great workout at home. Stability, flexibility and core strength are keys to a well rounded workout, so if you could add in resistance bands, or a balance ball that's even better. And just a reminder, spot training doesn't work (don't get mad). The only thing that will tone your muscles is burning the fat, so that we can actually see them. (Cardio is the best for fat burning)

Don't let the baby stop you from getting your squats in!

Naomi demonstrating her rad core strength on the Bosu ball.

Push ups for everyone! Knees, toes, it doesn't matter, just do them!

Sandy showing us a proper lunge. 

Squats. Booty out. Like you're sitting in a chair.

Some of Roderick's "favorite" items to stock a home gym include:

• medicine ball
• resistance bands
• TRX
• Bosu ball
• Dumbbells

(A good rule of thumb when you're buying anything weighted is that it should cost around $1 per pound. Most of these items are available at Target or Wal Mart, or even Play it Again Sports or Big 5 Sporting goods.) (And just as a side note, my husband made our own TRX using supplies from a hardware supply store for a fraction of the cost. Here is an example of a tutorial to make your own for only $13.)

If you have any questions or would like to train with Roderick, he can be reached at:

hbpersonaltrainers.com

or

rcbenford1@yahoo.com

Teaching Our Kids to Worship - Dec 4th, 2013

What a joy it was to have Mission Hills'/The Bridge's very own Pastor Kevin West speak to us last Wednesday about how to raise our kids to be true worshippers.  I can honestly say this particular subject spoke deep to my heart because I LOVE worship!!  It was a great reminder that worship is more than just singing songs, that it's a lifestyle.  One to be lived out for our kids to see every day, in every situation.  I know I speak for all of us moms when I say that one of our top prayers for our children is that they learn to love God & Jesus with their whole being and wont be afraid to live out that faith/love.  Kevin gave us some great notes to help teach them to do this, although, I think they can teach us a lot about worship too!  Can you imagine what we as believers would look like if we had their (child-like) faith & pure abandonment in our own worship?  WOW! 

There were a lot of amazing points he made, so I've included pictures of some that were just too much for me to type onto my tiny, iPhone keypad. :) Please feel free to share your own notes in the comments below!  To kick off the recap of this great subject, I'm going to start with an amazing quote Kevin shared:

"Worship is our response, both personal and corporate, to God for who He is and what He has done; expressed in and by the things we say and the way we live." ~ Louie Giglio

Teaching our kids to worship: 

1 - You have to have a goal which is: Raising worshippers of God

2 - What is/why should we worship? (see quote)
              *What
                  - Worship: "to ascribe worth unto"
                  - Read John 4:19-24
                  - True worship comes from the deepest part of who we are and is honest and sincere. 

              *Why 
                  - Psalm 115: 4-8
                  - We become like the god we worship.  (Our kids become like what they see)

3 - How do kids worship?
            - Worship God with all we have, wherever we go! 
            - Worship God from deep inside, with our brains, with our bodies!  (Luke 10:27)
            - How? (first two pics)

4 - How to help kids worship:
            - Start by the music they listen to  - WORSHIP MUSIC!! 
                - see last pic "resources" for suggestions, additional suggestions were:
                                                         Scripture Lullaby
                                                         Britt Nicole
                                                         Tim Timmons 
                                                         Plumb - Blink album

   

Got any picky eaters at home?

Melanie Silverman was a joy to have at M2M! Even if you don't have that picky eater(s) at home, she gave some great advice and was down right entertaining to listen to! I hope everyone walked away with at least a couple tips on how you can help get some good, REAL food into your kids.

Here's a very short recap if you missed yesterday's meeting:

*Most important thing to teach our kids: Eat when you're hungry, stop when you're full.

* wholesomebabyfood.com is a great resource for moms who are starting their babies on solids

* Steps on "HOW" to get your picky eater(s) to eat:
- Structure meals & snacks-spearate by at least 2 1/2 hrs
- They eat what they want…or not at all. (I honestly am a little confused by this one)
- Stop catering to you kids
- Family meals
- Set rules, plan menus and be consistent

* After you meal plan for the week, post the menu. This way your kids know in advance what is being served and you can even decorate the menu with fun characters and say THEY set the menu!

* You are your kids food role model so…
- Eat what you love with balance, variety & moderation
- Love your body
- Slow down and eat mindfully, without distractions
- Use nutrition information as a tool…not a weapon
- Stop talking negatively about everyone's body
- No more "miracle"diets. Kids learn restriction is better than moderation
- Exercise for health, not to "earn" the right to "bad" food


You can find Melanie on Twitter under "FeedPhilosophy" and on Facebook under "Feeding Philosophies".

You can email her at melanie@feedingphilosophies.com if you have any questions!

Triplet Living was fantastic today!!

Such a fun & informative morning with Triplet Living! Thank you Kelsey, Korrie & Kaeli for sharing your tips, tricks and products with us! If you missed the meeting this morning check out their website at: tripletliving.com

You can also follow them on Instagram at:  Tripletliving

And if you'd like to personally send an email to any of them here are their email addresses:

Kelsey@tripletliving.com (makeup)

Korrie@tripletliving.com (hair)

Kaeli@tripletliving.com (fashion/style)

Also thanks to all our wonderful models this morning! 

Round 3 of Getting to Know the Leadership Team

Role: Decor

Leader: AMANDA BLAKE

1. Favorite Verse: Joshua 1:9- "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

2. Hobby?: Being crafty & working on my picture taking.

3. Dream Job: I'm doing it! Being a mommy and teaching social skills to kiddos with high functioning disabilities.

Role: Food Coordinator

Leader: LENA KUBOTA

1. Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 4:10- "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in various forms."

2. Most Played Song on iPod/iTunes: Lately, it is "Build Your Kingdom Here" by Rend Collective Experiment. Ask me next month and it will probably be something else!

3. Title of Autobiography: "Oops!"

Role: Playdates/Outside Activities

Leader: AIMEE GUSTAFSON 

1. Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 29:11-13- "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
**This verse was read aloud at our wedding.

2. Hobby?: When I have a lot of time (ha!) I really enjoy scrapbooking. But I'm hoping to add more craft time in my life somehow. I need craft time! And someday I'd like to learn how to play the violin.

3. Title of Autobiography: How I Survived Raising 4 Kids (I'm in the thick of it so it's a work in progress)

Role: Blog/Crafts

Leader: NAOMI SALAZAR

1. Favorite Verse: Exodus 14:14- "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." 

2. Dream Job: I always wanted to work in a zoo! So I'd say a zookeeper or a veterinarian at a zoo would be absolutely amazing!

3. Title of Autobiography: Living for His Glory & Not My Own

Role: Crafts

Leader: ANA WENSTROM

1. Favorite Verse: Philippians 4:6-7- "Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will gaurd your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

2. Dream Job: "World Traveler"...if there's a job like that. (traveling the world, meeting the locals, learning about their beliefs, traditions, food, daily living, etc.)

3. Title of Autobiography: Lived with a Purpose

Role: Games

Leader: KAYLE JANSSON

1. Favorite Verse: Philippians 4:6-7- "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

2. Most played song on iTunes/iTunes: I listen to "The Message" on Sirus, 92.7, country with the hubby, and the Twilight soundtracks are on repeat most days. The song "Hold Me Now" by Red is rocking my world right now.

3. Title of Autobiography: From Statistic to Saved: Breaking Free From a Lifetime of Lies

It's Time to Meet Your Table Leaders!

                         Table: DAISY

                Leader: KRISTEN VALENTI

1. Favorite Bible Verse: Philippians 4:13- 

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

2. Dream Job: Teacher

3. Title of Autobiography: A Simple Kind of Life

    


                       Table: Gardenia
             Leader: EMILY BENFORD

1. Favorite Bible Verse: Proverbs 3:5-
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight."

2. Hobby?:

Going to Disneyland (if that's considered a hobby) & I LOVE to play volleyball if I ever have the opportunity. My favorite is 4x4 grass.

3. Title of Autobiography: 

   Emily Benford (formally know as Emily Gomez...and Gomez-Benford;): 

   The Yay Chronicles

                       

                     Table: LILY

         Leader: BETH MASCIAVE

1. Favorite Bible Verse: Romans 5:3-5

"Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope. Disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by his Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

2. Most Played song on iPod/iTunes:

Keep Your Eyes Open by Need to Breathe

3. Title of Autobiography:

        Work in Progress

                      Table: ROSE

        Leader: REBEKAH TORRES

1. Favorite Bible Verse: Jeremiah 29:11-

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

2. Most Played song on iPod/iTunes:

This question makes me laugh since it made me realize I can't remember the last time I actually listened to what I wanted. Given that I'm never alone to listen to music, I'd have to say the Star Wars soundtrack since that's all my girls want to listen to these days. I don't even know what MY choice would be!

3. Title of Autobiography:

   So Crazy but So Worth It!

               Table: SWEETPEA

            Leader: SARAH OLIN

1. Favorite Bible Verse: Daniel 10:19-

" Do not be afraid for you are deeply loved by God. Be at peace, take heart, and be strong!"

2. Dream Job: Child Advocate Attorney

3. Title of Autobiography:

   Welcome to Crazy Town

                 Table: TULIP

      Leader: KENDRA TAYLOR

1. Favorite Bible Verse: Matthew 6:21-
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

2. Hobby?:
Don't really have a hobby, I but I kind of sew, I really like CrossFit, and I'm raising 4 kids. So I guess my hobby is maintaing my sanity.

3. Title of Autobiography:
  Pigtails and Pinstripes

Meet our Fearless Leaders!!!

Meet DAYNA GRAVELINE: 

Our M2M Coordinator!! 

1. Favorite Bible Verse:
 -Joshua 1:9, "Haven't I commanded you? To be strong and courageous? Do not be terrified, neither be discouraged. For the Lord, you God, is with you wherever you go." I learned this verse as a song/rap when I was at a junior high summer camp and it's been my life verse ever since! 

2. Hobby?
 -Some would say, Mom 2 Mom is my hobby! LOL! I like "learning" to be more crafty and doing things to decorate my house- but this is a process! I love getting out once in a while and hittin' up the Karaoke mic!


3. Most Played song on iTunes/iPod:
  -This is so hard to answer because I am such a music lover in general. My father was a music teacher in public schools and also a music minister at my home town church- so the love of music is in my blood. I get down to some JT (Justin Timberlake), but then also like to shake it to Tim McGraw and some times I pretend I'm Carrie Underwood- but don't tell anyone that! 

4. Dream Job:
  -I feel like I'm living my dream job now as a mommy who also gets to run an awesome ministry at the church I love. But, if I wasn't a mom, I think my dream job would be to be a publicist for either a high-ranking political figure or national non-profit. Before I had babies, I was a publicist for "celebrity" doctors, and love working with TV producers, and writers to "make the news go 'round"- To do the same for a person or cause I have passion for, would be a great roller coaster ride! 

5. Title of the Autobiography of your life:  
   -Dayna Graveline: How I became a Modern-Day Church Lady

**********************************************************************

Meet CHRISTINA MIGGE:
Our M2M Co-Coordinator!!

1. Favorite Bible Verse:

  -Proverbs 3:5-6  "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." 

2. Hobby?

  -Who has time for a hobby with small kids?  What I dream about doing is photography, reading a book (not a children's book), country dancing, and sewing... not in any particular order. 

3. Most played song on iTunes/iPod:

  -Anything Country... but I turn it up and sign outloud when I hear  Little Big Town – “Pontoon”... maybe because it's summer... maybe because we have been hanging at the lake most of the summer... or maybe its because it is just a song about enjoying the moment and being together.

4. Dream Job:

  -Being a mom and a teacher... I have accomplished both... enjoying the perks of a stay at home mom for a year...blessed to be and do both!

5. Title of the Autobiography of your life:

  -Be Patient, God Isn't Finished With Me Yet 

Pampered Chef Party & Registration Info

Happy Summer Friends! M2M is doing a fundraiser through Pampered Chef and would LOVE if all of us could help support our scholarship funds! The info is listed below. If you have any questions please contact Christina. (cnmigge@gmail.com)

The link to the online party is:

http://new.pamperedchef.com/pws/beq/guest-landing/8837306006683

Also registration is currently underway for our upcoming Fall semester! Please go online to register yourself and your kiddos! Space is limited for childcare so don't wait!

http://www.missionhillscc.org/mom2mom

Looking forward to seeing many of you on Wednesday for a playdate at Christina's house!

Summer Play Dates

What an amazing year we had at M2M!!! I hope lasting friendships were made, prayers were answered and your faith was deepened. A HUGE thank you to Dayna & Christina for all their hard work and commitment! M2M was my saving grace when we moved to CA 4 years ago and being a part of this amazing group with all you amazing women is a true blessing. We hope to see all of you this summer at the play dates listed below!!


June 5: Backyard Playdate, hosted by Christina Migge

June 27: RSM Beach Club Playdate, hosted by Naomi Salazar

July 15-19: VBS at Mission Hills CC (Registration Required, $50 per child)

July 24: Tanaka Farm Watermelon Field Trip (RSVP required, $)

August 7: Backyard Playdate, hosted by Christina Migge

August 21: Mom's Night Out, hosted by Dayna Graveline

Also I came across this blog post last night and wanted to share. Raising grateful kids is a lot tougher than I ever expected & I found the post below encouraging and insightful!

http://wearethatfamily.com/2013/03/raising-grateful-kids-in-an-entitled-world/

And last but not least...if there is ever anything you'd like to see posted on here please let myself (Naomi) or Dayna know. We'd love for this blog to be a place of encouragement, sharing & another way for us all to connect.

Happy almost summer ladies!!!

A post that Dayna found... EVERY SINGLE MOM needs to read it!!!! So so good!! The link is below as well as the whole post...enjoy!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lea-grover/dear-less-than-perfect-mom_b_3184445.html

"Dear Mom,

I've seen you around. I've seen you screaming at your kids in public, I've seen you ignoring them at the playground, I've seen you unshowered and wearing last night's pajama pants at preschool drop-off. I've seen you begging your children, bribing them, threatening them. I've seen you shouting back and forth with your husband, with your mom, with the police officer at the crosswalk.

I've seen you running around with your kids, getting dirty and occasionally swearing audibly when you bang a knee. I've seen you sharing a milkshake with a manic 4-year-old. I've seen you wiping your kids' boogers with your bare palm, and then smearing them on the back of your jeans. I've seen you carry your toddler flopped over the crook of your arm while chasing a runaway ball.

I've also seen you gritting your teeth while your kid screamed at you for making him practice piano, or soccer, or basket weaving or whatever it was. I've seen you close your eyes and breathe slowly after finding a gallon of milk dumped into your trunk. I've seen you crying into the sink while you desperately scrub crayon off your best designer purse. I've seen you pacing in front of the house.

I've seen you at the hospital waiting room. I've seen you at the pharmacy counter. I've seen you looking tired and frightened.

I've seen a lot of you, actually.

I see you every single day.

I don't know if you planned to be a parent or not. If you always knew from your earliest years that you wanted to bring children into the world, to tend to them, or if motherhood was thrust upon you unexpectedly. I don't know if it meets your expectations, or if you spent your first days as a mom terrified that you would never feel what you imagined "motherly love" would feel like for your child. I don't know if you struggled with infertility, or with pregnancy loss, or with a traumatic birth. I don't know if you created your child with your body, or created your family by welcoming your child into it.

But I know a lot about you.

I know that you didn't get everything that you wanted. I know that you got a wealth of things you never knew you wanted until they were there in front of you. I know that you don't believe that you're doing your best, that you think you can do better. I know you are doing better than you think.

I know that when you look at your child, your children, you see yourself. And I know that you don't, that you see a stranger who can't understand why the small details of childhood that were so important to you are a bother to this small person who resembles you.

I know that you want to throw a lamp at your teenager's head sometimes. I know you want to toss your 3-year-old out the window once in a while.

I know that some nights, once it's finally quiet, you curl up in bed and cry. I know that sometimes, you don't, even though you wanted to.

I know that some days are so hard that all you want is for them to end, and then at bedtime your children hug you and kiss you and tell you how much they love you and want to be like you, and you wish the day could last forever.

But it never does. The day always ends, and the next day brings new challenges. Fevers, heartbreak, art projects, new friends, new pets, new fights. And every day you do what you need to do.

You take care of things, because that's your job. You go to work, or you fill up the crock pot, or you climb into the garden, or strap the baby to your back and pull out the vacuum cleaner.

You drop everything you're doing to moderate an argument over whose turn it is to use a specifically colored marker, or to kiss a boo-boo, or to have a conversation about what kind of lipstick Pinocchio's Mommy wears.

I know that you have tickle fights in blanket forts, and that you have the words to at least eight different picture books memorized. I've heard that you dance like a wild woman when it's just you and them. That you have no shame about farting or belching in their presence, that you make up goofy songs about peas and potatoes and cheese.

I know that an hour past bedtime, you drop what you're doing and trim the fingernail that your 3-year-old insists is keeping her up. I know that you stop cleaning dishes because your kids insist you need to join their tea party. I know you fed your kids PB&J for four days straight when you had the flu. I know that you eat leftover crusts over the sink while your kids watch "Super Why."

I know you didn't expect most of this. I know you didn't anticipate loving somebody so intensely, or loathing your post-baby body so much, or being so tired or being the mom you've turned out to be.

You thought you had it figured out. Or you were blind and terrified. You hired the perfect nanny. Or you quit your job and learned to assemble flat-packed baby furniture. You get confused by the conflict of feeling like nothing has changed since you were free and unfettered by children, and looking back on the choices you made as though an impostor was wearing your skin.

You're not a perfect mom. No matter how you try, no matter what you do. You will never be a perfect mom.

And maybe that haunts you. Or maybe you've made peace with it. Or maybe it was never a problem to begin with.

No matter how much you do, there is always more. No matter how little you do, when the day is over, your children are still loved. They still smile at you, believing you have magical powers to fix almost anything. No matter what happened at work, or at school, or in playgroup, you have still done everything in your power to ensure that the next morning will dawn and your children will be as happy, healthy, and wise as could possibly be hoped.

There's an old Yiddish saying: "There is one perfect child in the world, and every mother has it."

Unfortunately, there are no perfect parents. Your kids will grow up determined to be different than you. They will grow up certain that they won't make their kids take piano lessons, or they'll be more lenient, or more strict, or have more kids, or have fewer, or have none at all.

No matter how far from perfect you are, you are better than you think.

Someday your kids will be running around like crazy people at synagogue and concuss themselves on a hand rail, and somebody will still walk up to you and tell you what a beautiful family you have. You'll be at the park and your kids will be covered in mud and jam up to the elbows, smearing your car with sugary cement, and a pregnant lady will stop and smile at you wistfully.

No matter how many doubts you might have, you never need doubt this one thing: You are not perfect.

And that's good. Because really, neither is your child. And that means nobody can care for them the way you can, with the wealth of your understanding and your experience. Nobody knows what your child's squall means, or what their jokes mean, or why they are crying better than you do.

And since no mother is perfect, chances are you are caught in a two billion way tie for Best Mom in the World.

Congratulations, Best Mom in the World. You're not perfect.

You are as good as anybody can get.

With love,

Lea"