For the month of December we will be reading through the following passages of scripture. Please join us as we prepare our hearts during this time of year to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

Verse of the Week: Matthew 5:1-12

Read Matthew 5:1-12 

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 

What thoughts come to mind as you read the beatitudes? What is difficult about the beatitudes? How do these truths impact your everyday life? 

You Pick 2

We had 4 great sessions this year for our "You Pick 2" meeting. 

Family Devotions

Lori Cole shared some great tips on how to incorporated family devotion time into our everyday lives. 

Devotional Ideas; 

Experiencing God at Home Day by Day: a family devotional 

The Family Project Devotional: Reflecting God's Design in your home. 

Once-A-Day Nurturing Great kids Devotional eBooks: 365 Practical insights for parenting with grace

One Year of Dinner Table Devotions and Discussion Starters 

Healthy Holiday Menu Plans 

Robin Otterstetter shared a lot of great healthy recipes for the holidays and some great tips on how to stay healthy during the holidays. Click here for all of her recipes and handouts. 

Quick and Easy Mommy Fitness 

Michelle Spadafora, owner of Faithful Workouts, shared some great tips on quick and easy workouts. She has workouts and meal plans on her website, www.faithfulworkouts.com. Click here for her "Time Saving Fitness Tips" handout. 

Growth Chart 

Our craft ladies had growth charts for us to create. 

Verse of the Week: Hebrews 12:1-2

Read Hebrews 12: 1-2

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Motherhood, like the Christian faith, is a long-distance marathon(v.1). How can we run our race with endurance, relying on Jesus in the process? Our faith starts and ends with Jesus. How can we practically show others our faith in Him this week?

Give Thanks

I don't know about you but the holidays have snuck up on me this year. I am just now trying to get my self and my family prepared for all the busyness and celebrations that are ahead of us. I really want to focus on not getting stressed out and really enjoying this time of year by spending time with my family and friends. November is such a great time to give thanks for all that we have. No matter what we have going on in our lives there is always, ALWAYS something to thank our amazing Heavenly Father for!!

I love the traditions that each family has during the holidays. They are so personal and every family has something different that they do. I love this idea from Danae. She puts up her Christmas tree on November 3rd, her mothers birthday, and decorates it with burlap ribbon and thanksgiving leaves. She uses that time to remember her mother and honor her memory and legacy. After Thanksgiving she takes down the ribbon and leaves and makes it a "Christmas tree". 

                                                            

We put up a thanksgiving tree as well. A couple of years ago I made the leaves and wrote the names of all our family and added things like church, friends, etc. Each year we have new names and things to add and now that my oldest can add things he is thankful for that makes it really special too.

I love decorating for the holidays. Here are a few of my favorite Thanksgiving decorations.

A burlap runner for my table with Thankful stenciled on with brown paint. 

I wrote the letters G.I.V.E on the white pumpkins and stenciled the letters T.H.A.N.K.S with brown paint onto the ready made bunting. 

This was my favorite project this year. I made the "Happy Fall Y'all" sign with materials that I already had and I love the way it turned out. 

Another great way to focus on being thankful this month is to write something everyday that you are thankful for publicly. Lets saturate social media with positive messages of what and who we are thankful for. It's not to late to start!! 

During our You Pick Two meeting, Robin, shared lots of really great healthy holiday recipes. For all of her recipes and tips click here.

Here are a couple recipes I'm excited to try... 

Roasted sweet potatoes with Dijon mustard and Rosemary

2 medium sweet potatoes(about 1 1/2 lbs)

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 tsp dijon mustard

2 tsp honey

1 tsp minced fresh rosemary or 1/4 tsp dried rosemary, crushed

1/4 tsp each salt and pepper 

Preheat oven to 400. Peel and cut each sweet potato lengthwise into 1/2 in thick wedges; place in a large bowl. Mix remaining ingredients; drizzle over potatoes and toss to coat. Transfer to a greased 15X10X1in baking pan. Roast 25-30 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. 

Creamed spinach and pearl onions 

1/4 cup butter, cubbed

1 pkg (14.4 oz) frozen pearl onions, thawed and drained

2 cups heavy whipping cream 

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

10 oz fresh baby spinach (about 13 cups) 

In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add pearl onions; cook and stir 6-8 minutes or until tender. Stir in heavy whipping cream. Bring to a boil; cook 6-8 minutes or until liquid is reduced by half. Stir in cheese, salt and pepper. Add baby spinach; cook, covered, for 3-5 minutes or until spinach is wilted, stirring occasionally. 

We wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!! 

Verse of the Week: II Timothy 1:3-7

Read 2 Timothy 1:7

I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you
constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be
filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois
and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to
fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a
spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

What was said about Timothy's grandmother and mother? What influence can godly parents and
grandparents have on their children and grandchildren? What kind of legacy do you want to leave your children? How can you fiercely flourish by embracing v. 7: "God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, and love and self-control"?

Verse of the Week: I Corinthians 12:12-27

Read I Corinthians 12:12-27

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Do you know what your role is in the body of Christ? If so, is it easy for you to accept this role or do you try to do something else? Paul explains that every member of the body has a different role to play but that each member is just as important as the next. Is there someone you know that needs encouragement to embrace their role in the body of Christ? What can you do to encourage them this week? Paul calls us to unity in v. 25. Do you think today's church has unity? Why or why not? What does a church living in unity look like? How can you live in unity with other Christians?

Brunch Recipes

Do you need some ideas on what to bring to MOPS meetings? Or do you need a new brunch recipe for the holidays? We have gathered some of your favorite recipes to share. 

ENJOY! 

Potato Dish: 

Cheesy Potato Casserole

10 cups frozen hash browns

1/4 cup + 2 TBSP butter

1 can cream of chicken soup

12 oz sour cream

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup onions, chopped

2 cups grated cheddar cheese 

1 cup crushed corn flakes 

Preheat oven to 375. Pour 1/2 cup melted butter into 13x9 casserole dish. Add 5 cups hash brown. Mix soup, sour cream, milk and onions in a separate bowl. Pour 1/2 mixture on top of hash browns. Sprinkle 1 cup cheddar cheese on top of mixture. Add remaining hash browns, mixture and cheese in layers. Sprinkle with crushed corn flakes. Drizzle with 2 TBSP melted butter. Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until potatoes are soft, not crunchy. You can make the night before and bake in the morning. 

Egg Dish: 

Deviled Eggs
18 eggs 
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1tsp yellow mustard
1 tsp finely chopped onion
1/2 tsp seasoned salt 
1/8 tsp garlic powder
paprika 

Place the eggs in a large pot and add enough water to cover them, heat to boiling. When the water boils, remove the pot from the heat. Keep it covered and let sit for 20 minutes. Drain the hot water and run cold water over the eggs. Let the eggs cool for 10 minutes. Peel the eggs carefully, then slice in half lengthwise. Remove the egg yolks to a medium size bowl. Set the whites on a plate. In the medium bowl, add the mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, salt, onion and pepper. Mix well. With a spoon, fill the cavity of each egg white half with the yolk mixture. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Sprinkle with a dash of paprika. 


Easy No Crust Quiche
3 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup bisquik
2 TBSP melted margarine
3/4 cup diced ham
1 cup grated cheese
3/4 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 tsp salt, dash pepper

Beat eggs well in a large bowl. Add all other ingredients and stir(baking mix remains lumpy-don't over mix). Pour mixture into a greased, 9" glass pie plate (glass or glazed ceramic in necessary). Bake 45-60 minutes at 350 degrees. 

Vegetable Dish: 

Robin's Favorite Salad

Romaine or leafy green lettuce

Spinach

Fresh fruit(pears, apples, raspberries, or strawberries)

Crumbled feta cheese

Craisins

Toasted sliced almonds or pecans

Toss the salad with raspberry vinaigrette or homemade balsamic vinaigrette. 

Baked Goods/Creative: 

Pumpkin Bubble-up Bake

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed

2/3 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

1 cup powdered sugar

2  teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

2 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In large microwavable bowl, mix cream cheese, pumpkin, powdered sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Microwave uncovered on High 1-2 minute, stirring after each 30 seconds, until softened. Stir until smooth. Set aside icing. Cut each cinnamon roll into 6 pieces; gently stir into pumpkin mixture. Spoon into baking dish. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown around edges and dough is baked through. Let stand 10 minutes. Drizzle icing on top.

Expert Tips-

Like chocolate with your pumpkin? Top with 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips before baking. Bubble-up bakes are best served warm.

Very Moist Banana-Nut Bread (Kathy Osgood)

3/4 cup oleo
1 1/2 c sugar
 1 1/2 cup mashed bananas
2 eggs 
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour 
1 tsp baking soda 
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup buttermilk 
nuts 

In big bowl cream oleo and sugar. Add mashed bananas, eggs and vanilla. Sift in small bowl flour, baking soda and salt. Alternate dry mixture and buttermilk to creamed mixture. Add nuts.
Grease and flour pans. Makes 2 loaf pans.
Bake @ 325°for 1 hour.

Throughout the year we will continue to post your favorite recipes. If you have a recipe(breakfast, brunch, dinner, or dessert) that you would like to share please email us at fbcmopspublicity@outlook.com. 

Verse of the Week: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Read 1 Corinthians 13
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

What attribute of love comes easiest for you? Which is the most difficult?

Friday Introductions: Day MOPS Mentor Moms

Sheryl Dahm 

Sheryl with her group, the Prosperous Princesses. 

                               

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family. 

Quentin and I have been married for 51 years. Our Son Chris, 48, is a Chemistry professor at Wingate University in Wingate, North Carolina. We have 3 grandkids; Zach, sophomore in College; Bekah, senior in highschool; Joel, a sophomore in high school. We all play golf as a family, except for my daughter-in-law and granddaughter.

When your children where younger what were some ways that you celebrated lavishly, embraced rest or noticed goodness?

Tried to lavish on our own children by playing  lots of board games, card games, and limited

TV watching.

Marcia Mains

                                                             

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family. 

Jeff & I celebrated our 44th anniversary this past June. We are both Colorado natives with a 20+ detour in New Mexico where we lived when our kids were little. We have a son, Justin, married to our daughter in law, Stephanie, and a special grand daughter, Faith, who is in fifth grade. They live here in the area. Our daughter, Elizabeth, also lives in the Denver area. Her son, Jeffrey, is in his first year of college and loving it. 

I love to be outdoors, golfing, walking, or gardening. I love photography and always looking for that 'special' shot. Although I'm not much for coffee, I love volunteering in the Gathering Grounds and being a small part of that ministry.  God has blessed me with great friends that I treasure and I love spending time with any of them. I love traveling, too.

When your children where younger what were some ways that you celebrated lavishly, embraced rest or noticed goodness?

Celebrating and making anything an occasion is still fun. When my kids were young, we always had fun celebrating birthdays. Special decorations in their room, the door to their bedroom, & over the table with the cake & presents, were always fun. I was very good in the dark of night getting it just right after they went to bed. We did balloon breakfasts during the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta where we would find a good spot to watch and set up 'camp' with friends cooking breakfast burritos and pancakes on camp stoves. Throw together picnics, where you throw whatever you have together and meet friends for a picnic in the mountains or at a pool were always great celebrations, too. Everything is more fun and the food tastes better, when you share with friends. 

This year I am looking forward to getting to know new friends and learning to intentionally notice goodness more. I am excited to see what A Fierce Flourishing means for this group.

I love the ministry of MOPS and I'm blessed to be a part of it. 

                                            

Adele Westfall 

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family. 

Steve and I have been married for 39 years. Steve is an elder at FBC. We have a son Nathanael, who is married to Bri and they have 2 sons, Noah and Declan, and a baby girl due in December. Our daughter Heidi is married to Todd and they have a daughter Hava. They all live near by and we love spending time together. I love going on hikes and spending time outside. Steve and I lead a small group together at FBC. We also love to ride our motorcycles. We enjoy taking short trips exploring Colorado and we have also taken a 3 week trip to Alaska. 

When your children where younger what were some ways that you celebrated lavishly, embraced rest or noticed goodness?

We went camping a lot as a family. We enjoyed being outside and being reminded of what God has made. I home schooled Nathanael and Heidi so when we needed a break we would go on field trips. To celebrate their hard work we would go out for a pancake breakfast at the end of the school year. 

Breakfast Pizza

MOPS mornings are the craziest mornings in my house. I am trying to get everyone fed and out the door on time and on top of the normal hustle I am trying to fix my hair and make something spectacular to bring for breakfast. Last meeting I tried a new recipe and completely burned my potatoes so I quickly got everyone in the car and ran to King Suppers to pick something up. Needless to say I was a bit frazzled when I finally sat down at my group table that morning. In talking with other moms we all seem to be in a similar situation on MOPS mornings. So we thought we would start sharing some of our favorite, go-to recipes. This is my family's favorite breakfast pizza recipe. We had this for every holiday or special occasion when I was growing up. The thing I love about it is that there are only a few steps and ingredients and it is very easy to make a little or a lot. So it is perfect for MOPS mornings and you can also do some of the steps the night before to save you time on those already crazy mornings. 

Breakfast Pizza 

All you need is shredded cheese, breakfast sausage, crescent rolls, and a dozen eggs. 

Start by spreading the crescent rolls onto your pan. I used a 9x13 this time but I have also used a cookie sheet with sides. 

Beat the eggs in a medium bowl with a fork or whisk. 

Brown your sausage (this step you can do the night before and put it in the fridge until you are ready to use it) 

Add your sausage on top of your Crescent roll crust. 

Pour your eggs over the sausage and crescent rolls. 

Bake in the oven at 375 for 20 minutes or until your eggs are set. Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top and bake for another 5-10 minutes. 

 It is great by itself or served with your favorite salsa. 

Enjoy!!!

We would love to share your favorite go-to recipes. Please email us at fbcmopspublicity@outlook.com. 

Verse of the Week: John 15:9-17

Read John 15:9-17

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

 In verse 11, Jesus says “that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full”. Jesus desires that we have joy – how can we find joy, regardless of our circumstances? Why should we love each other as the Lord loved us? (verse 12)

Verse of the Week: John 15:1-8

Read John 15:1-8

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

What do you think Jesus meant by "abide in me, and I in you"(vs. 4). How do you abide in the Lord? If you don't, how can you practically abide in the Lord this week? What fruit do we bear when we abide in the Lord? 

Friday Introductions:Day MOPS Mentor moms

We are excited to start featuring our Mentor Moms on our Friday Introduction series. We love our mentor moms and our so honored to have them in our groups. This week we are introducing Jill Matthies, Robin Otterstetter, and Jaye Kaufman from day MOPS.

Jill Matthies 

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family:

Todd and I have been married for 34 years this year.  We have two sons, Josiah 30 married to Hilary, and Brody 27 married to Kelsey.  Josiah and Hilary are having a girl in December - first grandchild.  I love to read historical novels, gardening - my favorites are roses and edible flowers to make dishes/teas pretty.  I love elderly people and have many as friends.  I am POA for my 104 year old aunt who will be 105 this December (She'll be 105 years older than my granddaughter :O)  I go to see her in Peoria, Illinois and do things for her twice a year.  Love, love, love her!  

When your children where younger what were some ways that you celebrated lavishly, embraced rest or noticed goodness?  

I would go once a year for a three day weekend with some friends who were moms.  We would take a short road trip to Glennwood Springs just us girls. Close enough to home in case a dad would have an emergency, but far enough away they couldn't "drop by with any kids". We would stay at the Hotel Colorado.  One year we were in the middle of a murder situation at the hotel.  One of the moms actually saw them taking out the body and crime scene tape was up.  After the one who saw it called her husband in a panic, saying she needed to get out of there; she was coming home!  We found out it was a "Host a Murder" party the hotel used to do.  You never know what will happen with a bunch of moms on a weekend away to "relax"!

Robin Otterstetter 

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family: 

My name is Robin Otterstetter and this is my fourth year as Mentor Mom.  My husband Maury and I have been married 25 years.  We have 2 kids. Noah is 17 and a senior at D'Evelyn High School and Alyssa is 15 and a sophomore at the same school.  I enjoy running, biking, hiking, scrapbooking, photography and traveling.

This year I am looking forward to getting to know the ladies in my group and learning how to flourish, whether in rest or in play.

When your children where younger what were some ways that you celebrated lavishly, embraced rest or noticed goodness?

We used to celebrate Christmas lavishly by having a Jesus birthday cake for breakfast.  For birthdays we used to take a special meal into school for lunch. Now for birthdays we have a specially requested breakfast and then go out to their requested restaurant for dinner.  We embrace rest by getting away for travel and having family game nights.  I notice goodness in my kids by trying to call it out and I did and am still keeping a journal of their memorable moments so they can recall all these special times later in life, possibly with their families.

(Since I am often behind the camera, we don't have many complete family photos so this one is from our Poland mission trip during our Egyptian theme night - celebrating lavishly with the American and Polish teens and adults.)

Jaye Kaufman 

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family: 

Wayne & I have been married for 36 years. We have 3 kids: Caleb(33), married to Laurel; Jared(31), married to Sara; & Natalie(30), married to Tim. We have 8 grandchildren - ages 3 months to 6 years! We like to travel, scuba dive, hike and most of all spend time with our grandchildren!

When your children where younger what were some ways that you celebrated lavishly, embraced rest or noticed goodness?

When our kids were young we loved packing a picnic lunch and driving up to a mountain stream where we could picnic and play in the water.

Verse of the Week: Psalm 37:1-8

Read Psalm 37:1-8

Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

What do these verses mean to you? Is it easy or hard for you to "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him"? Why? What steps can you take to obey this command? 

Friday Introductions: MOMSnext

Melissa Fuller, MOMSnext Coordinator

10 Things About Me: 

1.  My name is Melissa Fuller and I'm the coordinator of Foothill's Bible Church MOMSnext group.  What is MOMSnext?   MOMSnext is the next step for moms after MOPS.  We cater to moms of school-age children (K-12th).  We meet the 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month from 7-9PM in the Shed. 

2.  Clay and I have been married for almost 15 years. We have 2 kids...Grace (9) and Josiah (5).

3.  I absolutely love adventure!  I tell my husband all the time that my love language is going on trips!

4.  I've traveled to 5 out of the 7 continents...North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

5.  I'm a collector of globes & maps.

6.  I love flea markets but hate garage sales.

7.  I love anything creative...painting, photography, etc.

8.  Beekeeping is my new hobby...a downfall is the bee stinks, but I can't wait to harvest some honey!

9.  I'm a book hoarder and go to the library at least once a week.

10.  I'm passionate about writing and encouraging women at my little blog...uniquelyhis-blog.com.

Melissa and her family in Steamboat Springs 

For more information on MOMSnext, click here.