Almost a year ago, I shared a little bit about my involvement and excitement for MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). Before I jump into too much info and explanation about what MOPS is, let me give you some simple examples of what we do at MOPS…

At MOPS we…

Eat a delicious, hot and plentiful breakfast!

Drink lots of coffee…and coffee creamer!

Take visits to the local fire station…

Have play dates in the church parking lot. Who needs a playground when you have lots of kiddos and their outdoor toys!?!

Have play dates that are a bit more involved…like going to Rich Farms during the fall season to see animals and pick pumpkins!

Eat at Sweet Frog! Who doesn’t love frozen yogurt!?!

At MOPS, we also have a SPA DAY! Free services for all our moms…including massages, manicures and hair cuts!

Participate in local service projects…

And we love to hold babies! Especially new, little ones. 🙂

We also do a lot of sitting around, making crafts, talking and listening…

Doesn’t MOPS seem pretty awesome!?! I think it’s pretty awesome. Let me share a little more…

MOPS is an international group…a “grassroots movement that believes moms are world influencers” and that “better moms make a better world”. The organization has groups that meet all over the world and I belong to the one that is supported by and meets at Chestnut Ridge Church in Cheat Lake. I’ve been attending the group meetings for almost two years and am entering my second year as a leadership team member (I’m a discussion group leader this year, so I’m especially excited!).

MOPS is a place of support, community and friendship. Without it, I don’t think I would have become an avid Morgantown, WV resident, and I don’t think I would know as much I do as a new, young mom. MOPS is basically a gathering of a bunch of moms and their kids. Our moms meet in the church gymnasium, enjoy hot coffee and a hot breakfast, and then engage in discussion time with their groups, listen to a guest speaker or participate in some activities…all the while the kids are being watched by out Moppet workers (yes, it’s mommy-alone time!). Each meeting has a different topic or agenda…from child safety and friendship, to a dad’s panel and doing what you love, we cover a lot! But what I think I love most is the time to just sit and chat with other moms and the opportunity to build friendships.

I have made a bunch of great friends and have learned a lot because of MOPS. I have learned about kids’ activities in the area, parks to visit, play dates to attend, schools to consider…it’s been an abundance of local knowledge! I’ve also learned, that as moms, we all go through similar struggles and triumphs, and it’s nice to have fellow moms there for support. From sharing potty training tips to sleeping frustrations, we talk about it all…and learn so much from each other! It’s through that sharing and conversation that some of the fellow moms have turned into awesome friends that I see on a weekly or monthly basis. And Ally has made some friendships because of it, too. Colton has been proclaimed her “boyfriend” and she sees Vivienne, Galilee and Jackson pretty regularly. She gives her friends hugs, shares her toys with them and is excited to have kiddos her own size with whom she can laugh and play.

So here’s my plug for our Morgantown/Cheat Lake MOPS group! JOIN US! If you’re a mom with a preschooler (infant to kindergarten), you’re welcome! We meet on the first and third Thursdays of every month from September to May from 9am to 11:15am in the Chestnut Ridge Church gymnasium. Childcare is provided and there’s opportunity for membership. Please, come check us out! 🙂 MOPS has been absolutely wonderful, for both Ally and myself.