mom's night out

... And so a new adventure begins tonight. Mom's Night Out !!!

the program runs fall and spring semesters, and this fall will not disappoint. our main topic is "self control." yikes! where to begin with that? who doesn't need a little help in that area?! i know i do!

i am the MNO coordinator for our marvelous group but really and truly couldn't do it at all without the help of the most amazing women ever. more importantly, God is Head of this ministry and i'm so grateful for Him watching out for us.

i want to take some time to highlight each of my beautiful women. we have been together for years, some together longer than others, but frankly we are a well oiled machine and i could not be prouder of them!!



NOELLE is in the first picture with me. she is my friend. a very dear friend. we happened upon each other in a very unusual way (hee hee! - that is a whole other story at a later date!) she is wife to brian, and has 3 beautiful children. she is the best photographer i know. any pictures you see that are awesome of my family/ children? - she took them. she has a heart for God, people and is very creative. she is our discussion group leader- coordinator. you can dish it out with her. she doesn't judge... just loves. love her.



EILEEN is in the 2nd picture. she is my friend. could there be a more tender-hearted woman after God's own heart? she is with her adorable family of 5 in this picture. she is sweet and kind and ultra thoughtful. she is our hospitality coordinator and the job couldn't be more perfect for her. in fact, i think hospitality is her middle name. she immediately makes you feel right at home. her decorating skills rock and her sensitivity makes everyone feel as though they can truly be themselves. sigh! love her.



JOY aka "sweet joy" as i like to call her is in the 3rd picture. she is smilin' with her man, erik, in the pic. her precious children, merrie and cassie are not pictured but they are near and dear to me, too! she is my friend. the thick and thin kind. the one in a million. the "i know everything about you and still love you" kinda friend. i am safe with her and her with me. she is my Activities Coordinator." she rocks it. she is my homeschooling, creative, caring, full of life girl and is the perfect fit for our group. we'd make up a title to keep her. she's that good at everything she does. clearly, i love her.



LYNNE is our new mentor mom and featured here with her entire braatz family. yes you guessed it. she is my mother in law. how cool is it that i can proudly say i love her and am excited to be working closely along side of her?! she is amazing. Godly, full of wisdom and insight, loving, caring and will teach us ladies how to walk closer and closer to "The ONE." we've had a mentor mom, pam, in the previous years and she was tenderly amazing at it, and lynne has some big shoes to fill but i think she will come in with reckless abandon and give the girls everything she has! love her.



JILL is a class act. she is in the last picture with her adorable family of all men! she is my friend. there is really not anything i don't just love about jill. she is so helpful and truthful and loving and energetic. frankly, her laugh makes me laugh. she is infectious with a downright enthusiasm of life, love and God. i want to know her more and more and really can't get enough of her. she is our secretary and darn good at making sure we stay straight with the budget and everything else that only she can do well! i absolutely love her.




Noelle and me!



Eileen and her awesome family



my sweet Joy and her hubby, erik



Lynne (center) and her entire clan together this summer



Jill and her precious family



btw... i also owe a lot to the ladies that are stepping it up and helping us lead table discussions this year. carrie, sandy, mary... you girls are awesome and will be wonderful leading these women closer to Christ.

jenn lawrence gets a special shout out because she is head over all the mto/mno coordinators and makes things happen. i love her very much and am thankful for all she has put forth!!

michele... my right hand girl. couldn't do this or much of anything else without her in my life. period.

mari lynne and debbie... the office ladies who do much of the behind the scenes. thank you from the bottom of my heart.

now, let's get this semester started!!!! :)