So Fall Begins.

Been a while since I put a new post up. Lets see the group has had over 70 meetups, moms have come, gone, come-back and some havent been heard from for some time. Olivia is now on bedrest, while we have several moms experience some major life changes and needed various support. We have had 2 family BBQ's and they were both successful and fun! I am so proud of DMOC and the Ladies who have helped keep it moving when I was out of commission due to my own life changes! Michelle and Maya are phenomenal help and I hope more great moms join and add the fun!
This is however the turning of a new season....I am concentrating much more on the needs of those who are serious and able to support the group. There are several moms who are lingering and not doing much so when I trim the fat I expect some mess, but hope this group will continue in positive encouragment and real friendship.
Not much more to say except that I'm thankful for the willingness of the members. I truly appreciate the chance to get to know DMOC and their families.

Due Process

Its been a month since I made an entry. The DMOC group is ever changing! We are now using dues as a means to keep the meetup.com site open; instead of my credit card with no payback. I have "removed" several members for inactivity. There are a few more to remove, but what can I say; its not fun telling a mom to 'shove off' - even if she has an 80% unattendance rate and never replies to my 5 e-mails a week. I am sure some are unhappy with me, but its a group - not the Mia Show, or any other person's personal agenda. Some are good at admitting their not able to participate, some are in denial and only take personally the Removal letter.
Anyway, those who remain are the supportive 'got DMOC's back' bunch! They are so fun to meet with, answer their phones, give ideas, and followup if things get complicated. Its nice that their are some women who really want this and can support.
We are also getting involved with Mocha Moms. I was put off by the Stay at Home ONLY idea. Most of DMOC works outside their homes, but its been really nice to meet moms who are home like myself who crave a more diverse social life as well. We had one meet and it was a crazy day. DMOC's calendar was full so we had dual meetups with the Assistant Organizer manning one and me the other. its was nice to talk about race and color in our childrens lives. Of course the hair topic came up, and we raved about products that work for this or that hair texture----Fun!
I think I was able to persuade Mocha Moms to have a meetup for working mothers of color, cause' in Denver diversity is hard to come by no matter your employment situation. They are considering merging a meetup the end of February; and I think its a great idea considering all moms need more peer interaction. I am hopeful its a good mix, and moms are all on common ground.
We are trying to make a change in Denver for mothers of color and our children will benefit to see our effort and pride in who we are; especially with all our many colors and situations.

2009 is Already!

Its been a busy month! Several meetups, my first disgruntled mom, my first mom left the group, first mom opened her homw to us and WOWED ME! I had to be the boss and after it all - its worth it! I must be growing up cause' when people have issues I attack problems head on. I have always been strightforward and aggressive, but now I am balancing out my attentive personality with some deflection and wisdom. I cant solve everyones problem, so agreeing not to agree is an art. There have been several occasions when I could have been more foolish, and thank God I was NOT! I also love that I am making friends with women. Its much easier with children as the purpose. Yes moms night out is fun, but raising the kids, providing a normalcy, showing them its ok to be comfortable in their own skin ---thats my motivation!
I miss Olivia dearly. Not a day has passes that I dont pray she is well and finding comfort in her life in Utah. These women are in my life because of her! I talk to moms and they all have a story, a problem, issues, and some great celebrations too. Its a blessing to get to know them! It's my prayer that they benefit from this group. It ain't about me, or being ethnic......its about mothering in world where you find little support. I gotta be sure and call these ladies to confirm reservations, see that they are ok, and ask: what do you need?
Some never answer, some are really reliable, some are afraid to tell the truth, but each one is great, I mean really great! They are talented, smart, multi-cultural, balancing so much, loving, creative, and funny! I cant wait to see more about this group -its hard to please everyone, but I am pleased that they try! I can only hope more greatness will be seen and shown! Its a New Year and even with issues that will come, I am optimistic that DMOC will continue to create positive momentum!
Now if I can just get all of us in One place at One time----I might die and get to heaven! :)

Moms at the Museum!

Todays meetup at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science went well! Two new moms came out and it was great to meet them; three moms I know visited and it was so good to see them again! These mothers sweetness toward their children, patience, discipline, and even frustration with their sometime hardheaded, energetic, kids; who still looked to their mothers with eyes of comfort and cheerfulness; no matter the situation, was inspiring. I can only complain that since we arrived at different times it was not all 6 of us together at one time. But it was wonderful to have the efforts of 5 moms, and then 4 make this meetup well worth it. Its was nice to have some ice breaking conversations, and catch up on issues discussed previously. Each conversation concerning the demands we face: job stresses, kid joys, and the tiredness we all felt after a long day of chasing and being pulled by our little ones through the three levels of the Museum. Toward the end of the meet, we last 4 moms had a moment where we all realized that out kids were the same age, and we were once all pregnant at the same time. Very obvious but, its funny how that is a bond for us. Who knows what we were going through during our pregnancies, and now we were somehow sitting on the same bench talking and newly getting to know one another, as our children played together. Pretty cool thought. Each of us moms are all different, and we have lots in common. Its nice to get to know people and appreciate life together.
Thanks Moms! I hope you enjoyed today as much as I did!
I am thankful for you!

Watch the Tots

So the Book Store Meetup was a success. Moms enjoyed the activity, space and the company of other moms! Yeeahh! Now we are at the point of the Holiday Chaos and all I can think is: hopefully we start the new year strong. There are so many things pulling on all the moms. I know they all have struggles so there must be a balance between good communication and polite accountability from me. Its so much fun to see moms talking, and kids playing with a sense that the purpose is to have an outting with your kid(s) and enjoy some adult conversation too.

The next goal is, what more can I do to create a sense of community in the group. After going out holiday food shopping with the boys and realizing they were going to destroy the produce section - It dawned on me that to have a few hours of shopping time (without the spouse/other family member involvement) without having to pay might be nice. Also not dragging your kids to the store while trying to creatively and frugally shop might actually add to the enjoyment of the Holidays. So thats the next venture.....Execution of the 'Watch the Tots' mission is another subject. I will probably have to call moms and ask individually if they'd like a personal sitting or a group one where the kids could play and 'run amuk' together. Each has to evaluate the time, when they'll have the money to shop and the location needs. I think 5 hours is a fair amount of time especially if they have drive to my home. If I visit them it will be a little less, like about 3 half hours. So thats the next item on the agenda. Lets see what good cheer this might bring DMOC.
Happy Holidays

Getting Things Moving

So here we are just 2 days before the First official meetup. Its been interesting to learn through all the changes. Its nothing unexpected, but I had to troubleshoot the situations. MaShawn my younger sister is an avid blog reader and web design junkie so she is the legs for the ideas that came about. At first we were just gonna blog on a site, but then there was the new member consideration. I just could not leave out the moms out who would be new to DMOC! I was that mom last year- and without some place to hope and meet moms when you dont know anyone for a few thousand miles, theres a cloud of loneliness that meetup.com could shine a light on! So meetup.com was the idea that I went back to. Now mind you, Olivia shut it down because she couldn't keep paying for it when people aren't always consistent - but when you have the stress of putting it together all alone without imput or support its a heavy load to drag. And thats exactly what she was doing; while running a house with a deployed spouse. Ask me about that stress only after a good night of sleep!
I also started a Myspace Page that needs some work, but the goal it to put DMOC in as many advertised spots as possible and make moms of color see there is a place to go in Denver. We also have a Craigs listing too cause its a service Meetup offers.
The cost. Well since I stay home and have one income, thats sufficient for my family alone- I paid for the meetup service. But my heart knows the husband won't 'ok' it forever - so I will have to charge soon. I want to charge after the first three months are up to show moms I am putting in what I have and set the standard that we all have to help.
As of right now I am working at communicating the need for input, suggestions, and other mothers helping and owning this group. I can not do this alone, and I dont want to. Natalie is the first Assistant Organizer, and probably won't be the last. Since we need a stable team of thinkers and doers to make it happen, we will keep moms open and give everyone opportunities to step up and host, coordinate, and reach out to everyone. I dont know Denver, so I need help just to know where to go, and thank God people are opening up! :)
The main thing is we all have to try and make this work. Moms who work, stay home, are married, single, have one or multiple children (of color) - or just looking for diversity need mommy time. I just want DMOC to welcome and maintain the positive network we need.

Hello Moms

Glad you found the site! This is our opportunity to inform each other, collaborate, and decide on our meet ups. Please communicate the things you'd like to do, where, and when. I can't wait to read and respond to each of your posts, and most of all get to events with you!
THIS SITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION! so please give inputs for improvement!