MOPS - Needing Others

I am a part of a group called MOPS.  It stands for Mothers of Preschoolers and is an international organization.  I found this group by chance, my family had moved about 30 minutes from people I knew which may not seem far until you realize I don't drive.  So here we were stuck in a small town with nothing to do, me without anyone to talk to except a 1 and 2 year old, and a husband who had a new job that keeps him away from home a lot.  I was sleep deprived with the baby and still expected to follow after and take care of a toddler and I was at the end of my rope.
Then I saw a sign for a Kids Karnival at a local church.  I decided to go so the girls could go out and do something, plus it was free and we like many have money issues that keep us from being able to take the girls places.  I get there and see that it is set up with games that are meant for older kids.  I was feeling let down for the girls and was trying to push a double stroller (no easy task) so when I saw a tent with shade I decided to go over.
Thankfully as I parked the stroller I saw in the corner games for Preschoolers.  Above the clown head bean bag toss was a sign for MOPS.  I was handed a flier and asked to come to their meeting.  The girls had fun playing the "easier" games and winning age appropriate prizes.  So I kept the flier and thought about it on our way home.
A week or so later I tried to go to a meeting because I was turning into an angry mommy being stuck at home.  I am not proud of it but I would yell at my 2 year old daughter for making getting her dressed harder than I believed it should have been.  I needed a break.  Unfortunately  they were still not meeting  (it was summer) but gave me the day they started again. 
I went to that first meeting, nervous about leaving my daughters with people I did not know.  Wondering if the other kids would be nice to them.  Those two hours were nice even with all my nerves.  My husband was off that day and picked us up after it was over.  He asked if I was going to go back and I said I might.
This is my 3rd year at MOPS.  It has helped in so many ways.  Getting advice, making friends, having a place to vent, and getting those two hours of mommy time every week!
It also helped get my daughters more sociable and get them play time in a stress free place.  When it came time for my oldest daughter to start Pre K this year she already knew 2 of the kids in her class from MOPS.
Best of all, after having time to myself (not being mommy), things got better at home.  I had a stress free time that trickled into home life.  I was a better mommy after getting a break.
I have also receive much support from the other moms.  Last year when my husband had a tremendous amount of working over and training sessions out of town, one of the moms came over weekly for a separate play date with her daughter.  Women in our group have given us rides in the bad weather, or to go swimming, etc.  Even today, as I have an incredible migraine, one of the new moms to MOPS that has a son in my daughters Pre K class came to take her not only to school but to the local libraries story time.
I love this group of women and appreciate them greatly.  I just realized just how much I need them and how much I hope I am a help to them in some way.  Now I am going to lay down with a towel over my head.  : )