The excitement and hope in my heart as I prepared for my first MOPS meeting of the Fall.

MOPS morning preparation - diaper bag with supplies

Getting ready for MOPS - the little package I prepared last minute

I'm blessed to stay home with my baby. It's just he and I right now. He turned 1 almost a month ago. This is the cute little package I got ready for him last night (v. last minute unsurprisingly) to take to MOPS with us this morning like the instructions said on Facebook.

MOPS = moms of preschoolers or something like that if you don't know or don't have a group in your area. If you do have a group in your area, check it out! (Learn more at MOPS International.)

I can't begin to tell you the excitement and hope in my heart and mind as I prepared this tiny bag so I could bring my backpack purse with me that also houses diaper supplies. I was a little sad that he's not a tiny baby who would be staying with me, but excited for freedom and enjoying some enrichment time without someone hanging on me. If you're navigating the chaos of busy parenting routines, you know exactly what I mean.

MOPS was scary when I first tried it last Spring and I'd be lying if I wasn't a little nervous to go this morning, but I mainly had joy in my heart as I prepared. If you're looking for encouragement about finding your community and support system as a mom, read about how I find moments with God in everyday chaos.

My excitement only bubbled over when I walked inside and saw familiar faces, an iced coffee station, breakfast pizza, and the cutest decorations. I put on a name tag and walked to drop my 13mo baby off in the nursery.

We weren't necessary running early but pretty well on time so when I got to the door of the nursery, I was met by the screams and cries of...

[To be continued...]