Meet Kari & Kiley: Our Creative Activities Coordinators

Kari Griffith is married to Bryan and they have three beautiful kiddos - Rylee, Kelsey and Adam. Kari is teacher. She is a crafty mama and loves to be frugal by utilizing the Dollar Store as much as possible.

1. Where were you born? I was born in Sanger.
 
2. I have lived in the Valley my whole life - 31 years.
 
3. How did you first get to MOPS? A friend invited me after we started coming to the Bridge.
 
4. Why did you want to be on the Steering Team for MOPS this year? Love being involved in other people's lives. This gives me a chance to do that while sharing my gifts.
 
5. What's something you would LOVE to see at the potluck table this year? I love REAL Mexican food!
 
6. Where do you grocery shop? I don't like to grocery shop but I shop at Winco and Costco.
 
7. What restores your soul as a mama? When I'm able to talk to my mom friends and know that we all have struggles and joys as a mom, I always get home an appreciate my life and kids more.

8. What do your kids love most about their mama? I have no idea!!! But they are way into "girls night" when daddy goes out. We usually paint nails and watch a movie with popcorn!

Kiley Taunton is mama to Lainey. Kiley works as a cosmetologist and recently started her own photography business called Choose Joy Photography. Kiley oozes with creativity and she's a Pinterest addict. She also loves the sport of couponing and always chases down a great deal!

1. I was born in South Korea near Seoul.
 
2. I have lived in Fresno since 1989.
 
3. Stephanie Lusk invited me to MOPS!
 
4. I joined the leadership team so I could share my ideas, inspire other moms, and encourage moms to be creative!
 
5. More healthy meals!! Salads!!
 
6. Costco or Trader Joe's
 
7. VACATION!!!!!! See you at the 2nd MOPS!! Oh and time away from my lovely daughter or just time away from the daily grind! 
 
8. That I have lots of make-up (lipgloss in particular) and give the best hugs and kisses!!

Meet Alejandra: Our Care Coordinator

Alejandra is married to Pete, and they have three children - Gabriella, Isabella and Lucas. Alejandra is our Care Coordinator for MOPS. Her job is help new mamas feel welcome, to help ladies celebrate their birthdays and new additions, and to arrange Meal Lists for mamas who have babies. Alejandra has been working hard all summer to put together some sweet & handmade gifts for our group and guest speakers.

1. I was born in El Salvador.

2. I have lived in Fresno for 15 years. 

3. How did you first learn about MOPS? After I had my first baby, my sister-in-law invited me to MOPS at her church. It was there that I first fell in love with MOPS.

4. Why did you choose to be a part of the Steering Team this year? I wanted to serve in some way in this ministry because it has been a very important group in my life.  I love to fellowship with other moms, and share the joys and trials of motherhood with them.  

5.  What would you like to see at the Potluck table this year? Eleanor's noodle dish = so yummy!

6.  Where do you typically grocery shop? Trader Joe's

7.  What do you do to restore your mama soul? Aside from spending time with God, my time spent with my close friends. After a good talk and laughter, I feel revived! 

8. What is your kids favorite thing about you? Spending time with their momma! 

Meet Ger: Our Table Leader/Mentor Coordinator

Ger is married Tosh. A former teacher turned stay-at-home mama, she has two children. Colson just started preschool this year and Myla is a bubbly 2-year-old. Ger is extremely organized and has taken on the role of Coordinator for Table Leaders/Mentors this year. She's been busy the last few months recruiting ladies for these roles. We are excited we have 9 tables this year, many of them with two Mentor-friends at each.

1. Where were you born?
Thailand

2. How long have you lived in the Valley?

I have lived here my whole life! :-)

3. How did you first come to MOPS?

A couple of friends invited me.

4. Why were you interested in being a part of our Leadership Team?

Alejandra talked me into it, but I also was thrilled at the opportunity to work with the great and gifted Dorina Gilmore :-)!  It's a great way to get to know other wonderful mommies!

5. What's something yummy you would like to see at the potluck table this year during MOPS?

More healthy options that are homemade.

6. Fave grocery store?

Trader Joe's, Sprouts & Whole Foods

7. What restores your soul as a mom?

a nap, exercise, laughing with my kids, watching movies, reading, date night with hubby, getting together with friends, phone conversations with family & a clean house :-)

8. What would your kids say is their favorite thing about you?

When I asked Colson this question, his response was, "Hugs and kisses!"

Meet Lisa: Our Tech & Finance Coordinator

Lisa is mama to Rebekah, 5, and Rachel, 3.

  
Welcome to our Bridge MOPS blog. Over the next several weeks, we would like to introduce all of you to some of the moms in our group. Today we caught up with Lisa Schmdit. Lisa has served on the Steering Team for the last few years. She is using her administrative gifts to bless our group this year. She is also a photographer and certified Lactation Educator.

1. Where were you born? Torrance, CA (Southern California)
 
2. How long have you lived in the Valley? 20 years
 
3. How did you first hear about MOPS? I heard about MOPS from other moms at church and decided to try it out.
 
4. Why were you interested in being a part of our Leadership Team?
I found the transition into motherhood to be very difficult, especially as a brand new mother leaving a full time job and staying at home full time without a community of other moms to share my trials with. I compare this transition into motherhood similar to the transition when moving to a new town where one has to establish a new community of friends, but as a mom, ones who are at home during the day and understand that I won't be available to get together for dinner easily or often. I did eventually find a group of moms who I consider to be my primary community of friends. I believe that there are many moms out there doing motherhood alone, and I have met some of these moms who seem to be desperately seeking friendship with another mom. A motto of MOPS International is "no mom alone." I wanted to be a part of the MOPS Leadership team because I support this motto, and I believe that MOPS can be a great place for moms to find community with other moms.
 
5. What's something yummy you would like to see at the potluck table this year? More healthy food options and Dorina's lady finger, Joes O's, trifle dessert.
 
6. Fave grocery store? Easy, Trader Joes! I called to make sure there was one in town before moving here, and it turns out that's when they were preparing to open their first store in Fresno.
 
7. What restores your soul as a mama? Pursuing creative outlets, spending time with other mom friends (without kids) and finding time to be alone, particularly when at the gym praying and meditating while sweating in the sauna.

8. What would your kids say is their favorite thing about you as a mommy? Probably their favorite thing is that I take them fun places often.
 

Meet Katie: Our Hospitality Coordinator

Welcome to our Bridge MOPS blog. Over the next several weeks, we would like to introduce all of you to some of the moms in our group. Today we caught up with Katie Valorosi, our new Hospitality Coordinator. We are excited about some of the creative plans Katie is cooking up for this year's centerpieces and ways to make our meetings more inviting. Katie is also a teacher at DeVry University.

1. Where were you born?  Adrian, MN

2. How long have you lived in the Valley?  Since 2006

3. How did you first come to MOPS?  I came when I was expecting my first baby.  Some of my friends were involved in MOPS!

4. Why were you interested in being a part of our Leadership Team?  I was excited when Dorina said the position they were trying to fill was the one where I got to go shopping!!!  I really have loved MOPS and this felt like a good time for me and my family to be part of leadership.

5. What's something yummy you would like to see at the potluck table this year during MOPS?  I really like Chinese chicken salad!

6. Fave grocery store?  I love Vallarta!!!  I also do a lot of shopping at WinCo

7. What restores your soul as a mom? Time with other moms, time with my hubby and time alone!!  

8. What would your kids say is their favorite thing about you?  Snuggle time! 

A Beautiful Mess: Embrace Your Story

I officially became a mom seven and a half years ago. I have to admit the beginning wasn’t quite as glamorous as I expected. 

My labor started on a Friday. We rushed to the hospital with great anticipation. My girl was already past her due date. When I arrived, they put me in a room with three other mamas to wait for more rooms to open up. The nurse missed my vein when taking blood (I’m deathly afraid of needles) so my sheets were stained. Then I got the news that my beloved doctor was out of town for the weekend. I was trying hard not to panic.

Let’s be real: I was terrified.

Questions flooded my mind: Could I really do this mothering thing? Was I ready? Would I be able to stick to my birth plan? Would I have to give birth in front of all these other mamas and their guests?

Then my labor stalled. They ended up sending me home that night. Only after eating a very spicy chicken dinner (intentionally), walking about 4 miles the next morning with my mom, and my doctor breaking my water did my labor really kick into gear. On Sunday, my husband helped me through hours of wild contractions and the final pushing. Meilani Cora Gilmore was born.

Bottom line: it was messy. Very messy. 

And the days to come would prove even messier. When I brought my baby home the first night, I cried. I sat in our new glider chair on a “donut” pillow and I cried.

I cried because the birth was nothing like I planned. I cried because I was in pain from my stitches. I cried because I wasn’t wearing my pre-maternity clothes. I cried because breastfeeding was hard and painful. I cried because I started thinking about all the bad things that had happened in my life and how they might one day happen to my daughter. I cried because my Meilani was so beautiful, but the world felt so messy and I wasn’t so sure about bringing her into it.

Wasn’t I the girl they voted in high school “The Most Likely to have 37 Children?” I wasn’t sure I would even make it to two.

It wasn’t until months later (maybe years later) that I realized I really was making it. It wasn’t always pretty but I was making my life as a mother. And each day was an opportunity to embrace my story.

This year we are embarking on a new journey as a group.  I’m inviting each one of you to “embrace your story,” but more than that, to share your story with the moms around you. I don’t mean the fake story. I’m not interested in the “picture perfect in your mind” story. I want the real story. I want the “being crazy in the photo booth” story. I’m hungry for the messy stories, the not-so-glorious stories, the failing forward stories, the stories about faith strengthened and redemption found.

 

I know deep in my heart the only way I have survived as mother is because other women walk with me on this journey. My own mother, a few honest mentors and a core group of authentic mama friends have come along side me. They have shared their stories. They have shared their experiences, their hopes, their disappointments, their dreams. They have helped me to see the beautiful in my mess. 

In Ephesians 2:10 it says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (New Living Translation).  Sometimes it’s hard for me to see myself as a masterpiece, but God is teaching me that I am. He is transforming my perspective and helping me realize that as I embrace my mother story I also get the privilege of being part of the Greater story He is writing. 

Won’t you join me?

~Dorina Lazo Gilmore, MOPS Coordinator

Dorina also blogs at Remember Haiti (www.AlohaGilmores.blogspot.com). She is a mama to 3 girls and has been married 10 years to Ericlee. Dorina directs The Haitian Bead Project (www.HaitianBeads.com) and writes children’s books.