M.O.M. Organization 2 Part Series Workshop

Hello Moms or Soon to Be Moms!

We are excited to announce a two part workshop where we will teach you how to use Mind Organization for Moms. What is Mind Organization for Moms? This is what April Perry, creator of this wonderful program, has to say about it:

Let me guess...you're pretty stressed out sometimes. You have hundreds of things on your mind and dozens of balls in the air and even though you feel like you're busy every minute, you can't seem to make a dent in your "to do" list. Am I close?

Mothers are the busiest group of multi-taskers out there, and if anyone needs their minds organized, it's us! We want to relax and enjoy our families, but is it possible to have a great time with our loved ones AND respond to all the pressing demands? Absolutely.

Although I can't make "the madness" stop, I CAN teach you how to get your brain in order so that you will feel completely almost on top of your life once and for all. Sound like a plan?

Based on the best-selling book Getting Things Done®, by David Allen, I (April) have put together a simple, powerful program designed specifically for busy mothers. I've included mom-friendly instructions, photos, and checklists to support you every step of the way.


Price
The price of the two part series is $50. We have been given special permission to offer this workshop at half price. This includes full access to the program plus the workshop where we will show you how to use it.

The first night we will introduce the program so you can walk away with a very real plan of how to get your brain organized. You will leave with the tools to collect and process your mind. The second night we will follow-up with you on your progress, answer any question that might have arisen, bounce ideas off each other, and share with one another what we did that worked (and even what didn't work).


Before you come

For you to be most effective on your path to organization we are asking that you carve out some quiet time (no more then an hour) to write down everything on your brain. Here are some ideas of what might be on your list:

1. Tasks that need to be done right away (paying car registration before it expires on next week)
2. Things that need to eventually get done (like cleaning out a child's closet)
3. Anything you want to do but really doesn't need to be done (like crafting or reading a certain book for fun)
4. Traits you want to develop (learn a new language or become more patient)

Basically this list should cover anything and everything that you need/want to do, be, or become. We recommend starting this list right away and keeping it on hand. That way as more items come to your mind you can quickly get them out of your head. We will show you what to do with that list, at our first meeting.


Time and Place

Time: We will meet on Friday, October 22nd from 7:30-9:30pm and our second meeting will be Friday, November 19th 7:30-9:30pm

Place: At my house


Personal Consultation

If you'd like further individual help in between the two workshops I will be charging an additional $50 for a 2 hour personal consultation where I will physically come into your home and help you get started. I will only be available on Tuesdays and Thursday's during the day. If you need help during the evening let me know and we can work something out.

My sister-in-law Susan will be joining me in introducing this and we are anxious to be of any help.

Please reply back to me if you'd like me to save you a spot!

Mind Organization for Mom (M.O.M) Pictures

Here is the way that I do my system at my home:


This is my command central


My inbox is on the right side corner of my desk






I use the Mead Flex notebook for my "On the Brain once a Week" lists and projects



I use an expandable file to do my Tickler for each month of the year


My Routines & Responsibilities

Love Languages

Susan did an absolutely great job presenting the "5 Love Languages" session. Right at the beginning she took us through the emotion of having our first child and the first few moments of the baby being placed into our arms. She delivered it with so much passion and conviction it was incredible. She was so concerned about it but she did wonderful.

I've read the book and have been aware of the love languages particularly the last 2 months but I still learned more about my own, Trent's and our childrens' love languages yesterday as she went into more detail and posed many different situations that I hadn't even thought of before.

It was another eye opening experience for me.

Sarah

Mine is definitely, without a doubt, Acts of Service! My secondary however is Quality Time and those two just go hand in hand in my opinion. I feel and show my love by doing kind deeds and acts of service to those I come in contact with. I tend to be the first one to volunteer myself for a lot of things, but I do it in moderation because I don't want to juggle too many projects.

I've concluded why I struggle so much to prepare meals and cook in the kitchen... I want to have someone right by my side with me helping me and serving right along with me! Is that funny or what!?!

I give and give, and love to fill my bucket, but its hard to see my children not understand my love language. I wish I could just tell them that cleaning their room all by themselves would show me that they love me but I've tried and it didn't work. I wonder what age that will happen?? When will they recognize that they need to be of service to me or others to show that love language to me?

Trent

Trent's love language is Physical Touch and his secondary is Quality Time. As his wife, in order for me to show him I love him I need to grab his hand when he least expects it, rub his back, etc. For both of us we really enjoy just being together and it doesn't matter what we are doing. That is why we travel a lot especially alone as a couple.

Reeghan and Paetan

My girls are both Quality Time and their secondary is Gifts. Reeghan always uses the line when every she gets frustrated with us that she wants to leave our family. I know its not a good line for her to use, but I finally figured out that she just needs me to spend "time" with her, which I have really neglected to do, especially the last few weeks. She's growing up so fast that I want to take this time to show her that I really do love her. Its also important to use eye contact while spending time with them as well.

Paetan, on the other hand, is only 5 and she can still change her love language(s). As Susan talked about her daughter Emma, who is a very well rounded person and responds well to all 5 of the love languages, I thought of Paetan. Paetan enjoys all of them and I've recognized that she feels love in all 5 of those areas, which is a good thing. At times I wish I really enjoyed Physical Touch or Gifts but those two are at the very bottom of my list.


How do you figure out what your child's language is?
First, ask yourself this question: What are they constantly asking for?
Next, ask your child:
How do you know Mommy and Daddy love you?
Or you can give them an actual 'love language test' as is found in the Love Languages books (In the kids edition of the book, there is a "kid friendly version" of the test)

As I push away the girls while I am working on 'busy work' or my own little projects, it tells them that I don't love them and I'm withholding something... am I conditionally loving them? A great idea, to overcome this, is to spend 30-40 minutes before you have to go tackle a "to do" and spend that time focused on them and what they want to do and need and then after a time limit is set then you can go do your "to do".

This not only fills us but more importantly it fills their love bucket as well.

It's a very interesting ideology and I am so fascinated by it and wonder what other people's love languages are so that I can use them to better show love towards them. So let me know, ok?

Susan and I plan on presenting this in our workshops and retreats that we will be doing in the future but go ahead and go by the book. The book is written for adults, kids, teens, and even a Men's edition. Its written by Gary Chapman (same name, but no, the author is not my father-in-law)

Retreat Day Two

That morning I worked out all alone I invited some to come but I was all alone so I did my Insanity workout which that is another post for later. I then joined the walking/running group down to the beach and it was overcast and chilly but a very enjoyable walk/run.

We got started for the day with a yummy breakfast buffet and then off to the meeting room for more sessions. We started the day with Saren and Family Systems. I love these kind of topics because I just love "systems" and I love to plan them but its the implementing the plan part is where I seem to struggle a bit. I've got a similar system that I mentioned in my Day One section.

I do need to work a bit more on the money management side of the system so I'm anxiously to try handing out play money instead of real money and maybe incorporate some checks in there as well. I loved the idea of "The Chapman Family Bank" and to put it into my computer so that the children can visually see it.

She then went onto talking about Family Identity and us Chapman's already got that ball rolling back here. Susan was asked to sing the song that her and her family made up and its just adorable and its sung with the same melody as "We are the Champions" and it goes a little something like this:

We are the Chapman's my family,
and we'll endure all things to the end.
Pray, Read and Temple that makes a Champion,
Chapman's are Champions and we are the Chapman's, Eternally!

I also have a few other ideas up my sleeve and a family wall that is still in the works so that post may be here sooner than later.

Another big hit was Susan's session on "Love Languages" she did an incredible job because she knows the information so well and has analyzed and studied it for quite some time to prepare her for this. You could see her Passion in her face and she got us emotionally connected right at the beginning. I should learn a few things from her about presenting.

We took a test to see what love language we were and then we were split up into the 5 different languages and brainstormed ideas to help us improve and figure out what gets to us. It was a great session and alot of involvement. She also gave each of us a test to test our children too. Very eye opening and I've studied it the last 2 months and still find out more about my children, my husband and myself that I can do better at!

The finale then came to April and her Mind Organization which I already wrote about and this go round she video taped it. Which will do wonders hopefully to mothers to actually see her in action with her stuff she uses.


All four of us together we did it!

To conclude the retreat we did a trainer session afterwards with 3 other moms who want to get more involved. We brainstormed ideas and then went through the retreat that we just did and analyzed it and told them about how much we learned about this whole process. It was great to hear April and Saren's view about where they want to take this great organization and I am so thankful to be apart of it.

Retreat Day One

The Whole Group together

We arrived at the magnificent Laguna Cliffs Marriott in Dana Point to get situated and to setup our room and finalize last minute details. I was so giddy to meet everyone and was just ready to "jump in" and learn lots of fun things. But first we did a speed friendshipping game with everyone to get to know eachother.




Heather Cowdell, Amy Chapman (SIL) and Emily Cowdell


Erin Rollins, Ann Morley and Melissa and Benjamin Beck

Susan and I did some prep work beforehand. We made cute nametags and bought folders for their paperwork. We made "homemade goodie bags" filled with BYU mint brownies, carmeled/chocolate popcorn, toffee, and homemade bread and jam! We wanted them to feel "at home" but also pampered so these treats were a hit!

We began the sessions on, "Taking Care of the Person inside the Mom" and "Finding the Time" which we discussed all that we put on ourselves and what we do to make us first in our life so that we have more to give to those around us.

My session was on "Finding the Time" and it went over very well. I was pleased with how it turned out and feel a little bit more confident in myself in my presenting skills. I shared with them my typical daily schedule that I try by best to follow each day and how they can make time for themselves throughout the day.


My Daily Schedule

I brought up my nap that I wrote about here and realized that some need it and others don't in order to get through their day. It was a great session to bounce off ideas and how other's structure their day. I also shared with them my "Routines and Responsibilities" section of the M.O.M. and how each household needs this.

I briefly discussed the Accountable Kids system that I use for teaching my children chores and accountability. This system goes right along with Saren's session on Family Systems. We also touched on a book written by Merrilee Boyack with is phenomenal which is called, "Parenting Breakthrough"


The Wall System for Accountable Kids


One Ticket equals list


Free Activity List

After my session we walked down to this amazing restaurant called, Mahe, and sat outside which was a beautiful evening and had yummy food. We started table topics and I lead the "Family Traditions" topic. These moms are just great and their insight was what I needed because this topic is a weakness of mine.

That evening we went back to the room and had our last session of the night about "Picking your Priorities" which was a panel discussion with myself, Susan, my MIL Kelly, April and Saren. It was a great discussion on various topics related to the questions that Saren asked us but mainly it was Priorities and how we all juggle too many balls and want to help others but sometimes we just need to say, "It's not for me right now" to politely tell someone "no"

We then had group games which April lead us in so we got to have a little fun and be silly for a minute. After the games Saren asked about the connections that we may have with some and it was interesting to see just how many people had so many connections with eachother either in the areas they've lived or the people they knew. I loved listening to everyone.

To finalize the night we ended up in the hot tub and took the silly "celery" picture idea that April came up with so go read her reasoning here.


Don't we look lovely?

Day One, Check!

Family Wall

I'm on the search for the perfect family wall to display my ancestors and our newly formed family motto and law. I've been searching for a few months now and finally decided on a location in my house for it and I'm excited to get the ball rolling.

Too also be continued.....

It's amazing how much I've been able to accomplish now that my mind is clear of all the "stuff" that I thought about all the time. But now with my M.O.M (Mind Organization for Moms) derived from the book, "Getting Things Done" I am actually getting things done and I love the thrill of accomplishing and making improvements.

I thrive on change for some reason and I enjoy whatever is thrown at me. I thrive on creativity and trying to figure out the next thing to change. Trent may not like it all the time but hey I've got to move things here and there to help me to visualize.

But then there's times like recently where our rental property is in limbo I don't want to face that change so I am praying all will work out for the best because I've done alot of hard work to create my space, my home!

"Get Organized" Retreat in September

Susan (my SIL) and I were given the sweet opportunity to research a place for our first ever retreat for Power of Moms. Best of all Saren and April will be coming to it to present and to bask in their wealth of knowledge and goodness.

We were going back and forth on locations for about 1.5 months. But nothing was feeling quite right about some of the spots that we had picked out. Plus we needed to find a location for at least 30 women. Susan took the grunt of all the work with phone calls she put in too much time but learned alot about herself and just knowing the right questions to ask.

Ideally the best suitable location would be to rent out a home but we could only find 3 homes that would fit that criteria. We found some great cabin type feel homes in Lake Arrowhead that had treehouses and bunk beds. Then we went to the beach and found an ideal one in Del Mar but they never responded to my inquiry. Too bad its there loss. Finally our last beach house we went to look at was just way too small but said it could sleep 30 but very cozy.

So we went back to the drawing board and just went to the typical hotel style retreat. We came across Laguna Cliffs Marriott in Dana Point and looked at their website and just "assumed" they were over our budget. But we learned quick not to make a quick judgment because Jennifer who we are working with is awesome.

She grasped on to who we are as an organization and being a mom herself just feel in love with the idea. So she has pulled strings for us to come and to host our event at her hotel.

It has been quite the experience and I am ready to take on many more like this and to learn to ask and not to assume.

So with that said...... click here to attend.

Come to our RETREAT in September. You will not be disappointed and I know that your husband will thank you for coming too because you will come back fired up and motivated to conquer your fears. Well that's what it did for me but each of us is different and we might take away something else but at least we are trying.

What a weekend!

I don't even know where to start! I've been looking forward to this weekend for quite some time now and it came and went by way too fast.

I found the Power of Moms from a book I read and have loved the site ever since and then they introduced learning circles and a bunch of girls from my church started a little group and we meet once a month. Then the website announced a Retreat! I knew I wanted to get involved with such a great support group so I jumped right in!

I am so grateful that I did go. It was my Mother's Day gift. Susan and her sister, Laura, came along too. I met some amazing, real, down to earth moms. I am so grateful to call them my friends now.

The highlight for me of course was to met, talk and eat with the Eyre's (Linda, Saren and Shawni) to be quite honest here. I've enjoyed their readings and knew that I wanted to model their style of parenting.

I learned a great deal about just taking care of myself first and then I will have more to give to my children. The biggest struggle that I face as a mother is going to bed early and waking early.

Once I got home I came to the conclusion that I am just a crabby mom and I am quick to snap at the children if I wake up late because I slept in. I would get a good 2-3 hours work done in the morning before my children need me. Then I will have more to give to them and spend the day just playing!

Another great thing was April Perry's Mind Organization. Boy, I thought I was organized this girl put me to shame! She is amazing. She has the know how and to get our mom minds organized. I would love to share with you what she taught me but she sells it on the Power of Moms website click here to find out more.

I excited too because I was trained to be a Power of Mom's trainer in which I will tag team with my SIL Susan to host workshops and retreats for moms here in our area. I am anxious to get it started and we have alot of great ideas flowing already to take on this new challenge.

More information will be forth coming when it comes available.

Overall I was just empowered to combat alot of my weaknesses about what I struggle with as a mom but also was uplifted because I am a mom and I am doing the best that I can.

So excited to see how much the Power of Moms will change the culture of motherhood!

Escaping the Perfection Deception

I was the discussion leader this month and I have never lead a discussion before so I had a few mixed words here and there and I learned what not to do for next time. Anyway I can't be perfect, right?

This month our articles were on Perfection. I can honestly say that this is something that I do not struggle with but I have a few things in my life where I try to strive for absolute perfection. The article started out with the question of whether or not you like Mother's day or if its just a "feel guilty that your not doing your best as a mother" day. I have never had that feeling either on my 6 mother's days that I have had. I really look forward to being spoiled and pampered by my husband and children. I don't care so much what they give but what they do to serve me on that day.

The sooner we can recognize how crazy and unrealistic some of our self-imposed expectations are, the sooner we will be free to be truly great mothers. I love that line in the article because I find myself at times consumed in why my children are doing the things they do that I expect them to know that I don't focus in on just enjoying the teaching moment.

My expectation of motherhood before kids was focused on alot of just play time and just getting down on the floor with them and just being a kid myself. Fast forward to now and I can only count only a few times when I can actually remember doing it and enjoying it with them. I get wrapped up in my selfish desires and neglect them. I didn't expect this to happen.

Four suggestions for putting out the perfectionist in you:

1. Strive for excellence, not perfection. We constantly tell our kids to "Just do your best!" and yet we don't offer ourselves the same kindness. To perfect means to improve, refine, hone and workon. It's more about striving than arriving.

2. Practice contentment and gratitude. Force yourself to count your blessings. I have started a gratitude journal but i don't use it very often. Just take the time to notice whats around you.

3. Be your own kind of mother. Elder Ballard said, " There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else." As mothers were not in the same boat but in the same ocean. Comparing each other's boats and constantly keeping track of who is ahead does nothing to get us where we are trying to go; it only distracts us from the care of our precious cargo. I compare my motherhood with another blog that I read and I just enjoy reading her writing and the way she handles things with her children but at times I feel like I am comparing my life to hers and then I get down on myself. I don't do this very often but I do it with her because I find myself one day in her position.

4. Remember that mothering is not about you. OF course you need to have your own "me time" at times to just realize how much you really do love and miss your children. Its a good thing! Our children's needs are very basic and according to them you are at the top of their list. There will be plenty of years in my long life where I will be able to fulfill my "me time" activities. Someday there will only be pictures and memories of the recital, lemonade stands, etc. So now is my time to bask in the fistfull of flowers, the open mouth kisses and tickle bugs and those trusting eyes that are looking up to you.

My quest for perfection is not so much about how my home looks as how it feels. It's not so much about how I look but about how my kids feel. Try each day to make my kids feel loved and happy, secure and capable of meeting the challenges of life.

My new favorite quote, "With a positive attitude and gratitude always in my heart there will be perfect days!"