2nd ANNUAL POOL PARTY

OUR 2ND ANNUAL POOL PARTY was a great success!! Thanks again to Joy for arranging the facility -- it was so amazing! The Clubhouse was complete with a kitchen, large lounge area with big screen tv and lots of comfy sofas, chairs and spacious eating area as well as a great outdoor patio!

As you can see from the photos everyone was having fun... we even had a few teens to help feed the kids!!! We had over 40 people in attendance -- it was such a great time and we are planning to do this every year so remember to mark your calendars in July for this event.

The kids did a great job decorating for the tropical theme ... there were great give-a-ways for the kids to take home! Joy and the boys did a great job grilling the burgers and we had lots of salads, chips, cookies, and ice cream to go around!

Thank you to all who contributed and a special thank you to the clean up crew that left the clubhouse looking better than we started - awesome job!! Should have gotten a picture of Joy H. vacuuming using one good arm!!! Thank you all for making it such a success!!!

MAY'S CELEBRATION BANQUET/CLOTHING EXCHANGE

This was our second year of MOMS and we ended our year once again with a Celebration Banquet and Clothing Exchange! Thank you to all those that supported MOMS throughout the year. We could not have done it without all the wonderful mentors and volunteers that shared their lives with each one of us.

Chef Luis from Food Services at Calvary Church prepared a wonderful buffet which consisted of Praline French Toast, Egg Casserole, Hashbrown Casserole, sausges, bacon, bagels, fruit, coffee & juice - it was awesome.

We took the opportunity to thank all of our mentors and leaders with gifts to show our gratitude for their servanthood. The childcare workers also had the opportunity to share the banquet as well with rounds of applause and gifts from the MOMS as a small token of our appreciation for all the love and care they have provided throughout the year.

We had tons of clothing for the exchange that ranged from infant to adult. It was so much fun to shop without having to take out your wallet! Thanks again to all those that made the year so successful especially our mentors, Diane M., Diane H., Rosie, Rebecca and Mary - you ladies are such a blessing!

FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN

WHAT AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE!!! Thank you so much to all of you who were able to participate in the "Feed My Starving Children" event. Each station consisted of approximately 10 people assembling packaged meals for children in Haiti -- We along with other volunteers from Calvary Church were able to fill 101 boxes which will feed 60 children for an entire year!!

Please check out the website at www.fmsc.com - it is a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of starving children. Every day, 18,00 children die from starvation! There are times available for walk-in help or you can schedule a group of 10. Everyone of us can make a difference!!!

MORE BABIES AT MOMS

Congratulations to Jill, one of our MOMS directors, on the birth of Baby Dallas! Please check out the photos at http://bellababyphotography.com click on "client" and enter "pedersen8019" to view photos - they are so precious!

Some of our new additions this past year are: Baby Elise, Baby Benjamin, Baby Madison (Maddy), Baby Adonia (Addy), Baby Cameron, Baby Noemi, Baby Orlando. We hope to have more pictures to show as well.. send us those pictures moms!! Here are a few that we have collected....

Baby Benjamin

Baby Cameron Baby Orlando

Mentor Rosie with Baby Maddy Baby Noemi

Mommy Alison with Elise & Mommy Rachel with Addy

TAKING PHOTOS LIKE A PROFESSIONAL

At our MOMS' meeting today we had a professional photographer, Todd Pierson, show us how to take photos like a professional! It was so awesome to learn some of the techniques that are used by professionals. As for me lighting and spontaneity was what I was missing!

Todd told us that the five key elements to great photos are:

1. Composition
2. Lighting
3. Background
4. Expression
5. Color

It was a very informative meeting and I trust that everyone left with a least one tip to help them take better photos! Remember kids are best in their natural environment and the pics do not necessarily have to be centered, posed or perfect! Be adventurous and have FUN!!

Check out Todd's website at http://www.piersonkids.com!

Wanted to share this cute video to show how kids can make everything so sweet and precious!

GENERATIONS OF HOUSEHOLD TIPS

April 10, 2008 -- Presentation on Household Tips

Jill will be sharing many household tips along with free samples of laundry detergent, great give-a-ways, and our very own booklet entitled "Generations of Household Tips"

Buckets include the following items:

purple sponge, purple microfibre cleaning cloth, pink rubber gloves, baking soda, spray bottle, paper towels, scrub brush, duster, scouring pad, scented sachet, mesh laundry bag, terry towel rag, and Tide spot remover stick!

Come join us..... April 10 @ 9:15 am - 11:15 -- Room 141 - Calvary Church of Naperville

FUNDRAISER - Community Day - March 1, 2008

Saturday ~ March 1st, 2008
Go shopping to support your MOMS group!
This valuable coupon booklet can be purchased for just $5 each, good toward great merchandise during the special One Day Community Day Sale on March 1st. 100% of booklet sales benefits the MOMS group!

Step 1
Buy valuable coupon booklets for just $5 each, good toward great merchandise at the Carson Pirie Scott stores. Coupon booklets available from either Karen, Jill & Deirdre!

Step 2
Shop the One Day Community Day Sale on March 1st and use your coupons
Step 3
Feel great about helping your community and getting some great deals as well!

IF you can help us sell coupon books at the store, please let us know!!!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!

The success of our MOMS group is dependant upon the many volunteers who dedicate their time and gifts to serve moms. All of our volunteers are moms themselves with many demands on their time. WE NEED YOUR HELP!! Please join us by stepping out in faith and helping in the many positions we have available.

Review the leadership list below and advise one of the Directors if you are able to serve in one of these positions.

DIRECTORS

Lead group meetings

Lead leadership meetings

Oversee planning
Staff leadership positions
Lead prayer
(Karen Lee, Deirdre Cooper, Jill Pederson)

Administrative Coordinator

Record minutes of meetings
Prepare and update forms
(registration, attendance)
Prepare contact list
(Joy Myong)

Financial Coordinator

Collect registration fees
Record fees and expenses

Collect offering and any craft or activity fee
Complete reimbursement for expenses
Prepare financial report

(Deirdre Cooper - records kept by Pastor Ben's Assistant)

Hospitality Coordinator

Welcome & greet new members
Send personal note to new moms
Prepare welcome folders for new moms
(Position not filled)

Facilities Coordinator

Set up & clean up for meetings and events
Ensure signs are posted before meeting
Maintain supplies and replace when necessary

(Diane Miller & Diane Hawk)

Craft/Event Coordinator

Plan and organize events

Plan crafts, including set up and prepare sample craft in advance
Purchase materials for craft and keep inventory
(Melissa May & Kim Kolkman)

Fundraising Coordinator

Coordinate fundraising events

Recruit volunteers for events
Schedule events
(Deirdre Cooper - until filled)

Blog/Newsletter Coordinator

Follow up with leader to include info about upcoming events
Design, edit and organize blog
Keep blog current and updated
Canvas moms for ideas and/or applicable information
(Deirdre Cooper)

Childcare Coordinator
Oversee childcare providers
Prepare childcare schedule
Contact with reminder
Communicate with moms regularly concerning child care issues
(Karen Collier - also need someone to organize curriculum)

Mentors
Support and encourage moms
Take prayer requests and pray for needs
Facilitate table talk
Collect registration and forward to financial coordinator
Call to remind moms of upcoming meeting
Develop and nurture your relationship with each mom
(Diane Miller, Diane Hawk, Mary Halfacre, Rebecca Taylor, & Rosie Williams)

Outreach/Service Coordinator
Coordinate meals for new/sick moms
Coordinate support for new/sick moms
Organize and plan community service work
(Alison Tirona & Rebekah Munch)

NEW INITATIVES - SHARING & RESOURCE TABLE

We will be starting a "Sharing Table" and "Resource Table" at our next meeting. If you are able to assist with these initatives in any way please let one of the leaders know! We need your help and support to make this a success!!

THE SHARING TABLE
This will consist of items that you may no longer require and wish to bless other moms with. Some items could include: coupons, diapers or toys that your child has outgrown, lotions, household items, decorative items, etc. Please ensure all items you donate are in good condition.

THE RESOURCE TABLE
This will consist of CDs, books, and DVDs. We presently have all of the Hearts at Home conference CDs from March 2007 - which we recommend that you take advantage of (invaluable information). We have also recently received a donation from John Furth (Kelly's husband) of Kelly's collection of Joyce Meyer CDs. We also plan to add parenting reference books and study guides. If you have any items to donate please let Joy Myong know.

REVISED MOMS' SCHEDULE 2008

MOMS' REVISED SCHEDULE 2008


JANUARY

10 MOMS - 9:15 Topic:Body Imaging Spkr: Jill Pederson

24 MOMS - 9:15 Topic:Power of a Praying Mother Spkr: Marta Gemelli (Moms in Touch)


FEBRUARY

14 MOMS - 9:15 Topic: Redefining Romance by Jill Savage (via prerecorded CD)

28 MOMS - 9:15 Interaction Day


MARCH

13 MOMS - 9:15 Topic:For Women OnlySpkr: A Surprise!

27 MOMS - 9:15 Interaction Day


APRIL

10 MOMS - 9:15 Topic:CPR TrainingSpkr: TBA

24 MOMS - 9:15 Topic:Household Tips with Interaction


MAY

8 MOMS - 9:15 Topic: The School Years*Home Schooling Christian, Public?

22 MOMS - 9:15 Spring Celebration Banquet & Clothing Exchange


*Please note that the schedule is subject to change - check with your mentor for details