I've been a part of MOPS for 5 years--4 of those years spent teaching crafty stuff each month. When I found MOPS, I was a new mom to 2 kidlets, & I found a definite escape & solitude at these once-a-month 2 hour meetings. I looked forward to this tiny window of time & found a safe place to share my current struggles (what sort of sick joke is this whole potty training business anyway?!, etc.), & even listen to other mom's experiences (& secretly found deep satisfaction when their stories were worse than mine!). It's where I learned that I wasn't the only one who battled the awful "mom guilt" that crept in at such inopportune times. It's where I learned that my new mommy counterparts craved adult interaction just as much as I did. It's where I realized that it was OK for me to not know what the heck I was doing, & being my best as a mom was the most excellent thing I could offer my children. (And one days best might differ from the next days best.)
Being in leadership as the Creative Activities Leader has helped me to step out of my comfort zone & I've gained so much confidence in myself & I found some really cool friends. I've always LOVED making stuff, but I didn't know how much I loved teaching other people how to make stuff until I was a part of MOPS. And it was a great excuse to learn some new techniques I've always wanted to try. I've served alongside a great team of ladies & it will not be easy to say goodbye.
Next May is my last meeting. And in June, for the weekend retreat set aside for planning the NEXT year's agenda, I will be an honorary attendee alongside my girls Tia & Jules (who are also graduating)---mostly there to whoop it up, have some giggles & celebrate the awesome times we've had!
I have been very happy to have my blog serve as a pit stop to those MOPS moms who have traveled, stumbled or purposefully found their way here for crafty ideas. My kooky craftiness will still be in full effect, so have no fear! I hope this blog can continue to be a place of inspiration for your creative activities each month. I LOVE getting your emails, answering your questions, giving advice & hearing the results of your monthly crafty MOPS endeavors.
I will always be a fan & cheerleader of MOPS. I hope I have left a crafty mark on my group & I hope they never forget "Nik Nik the Crafty Chik". Because, if I do say so myself: "I rocked it."
