Meet the 2012-2013 Lakes Area MOPS Steering Team!
Steph Tvrdik – Coordinator
What an amazing God I serve! He’s continued to trust me to coordinate this amazing group of women to work together to serve you in MOPS and your children in the MOPPETS program.
The goal of Lakes Area MOPS is to provide a place to where we can connect with other ‘real’ moms and revitalize our energy, which will help us all be the best moms we can be! As a stay-at-home mom running my own graphic and web design business, I know my energy is sapped on a regular basis. I love being a farmer’s wife and taking care of my two little boys, mowing lawn and gardening (flowers and vegetables), but it can be extremely difficult to find some time (or justify it) for myself.
That’s why I’m so excited about this year! Please get in touch and share what you would like to gain by being a MOPS mom. We want this group to fulfill the needs of moms just like you!
Kirsten Vaagenes – Mentor Mom
My husband and I, along with our two teen children, moved to Alexandria over a year ago. I am the “family manager” of our home and enjoy the variety of activities that each day brings. I love to read, scrapbook, bike, and go for walks.
Amber Denny – MOPPETS Activities
My name is Amber Denny. I joined MOPS last year and I love it. The women are great, the conversations are meaningful, and the meetings are fun. My family moved to Alexandria in July of 2011 and have quickly made this our home. We love the community and the beautiful scenery. We have two children: Cora, who is three and Wesley, who is one and a half. We are expecting our third child in March. We are so excited to see God’s plan continue to unfold in our lives. We are so thankful for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Korie Anderson – Discussion Group Co-Leader
I have been married for 10 years and I am homeschool mom to 3 great children. We moved south of Glenwood from the cities about 5 years ago to raise our children in the country and so I could stay home. I love to read, spend time with friends and take naps in my free time.
Nancy Femrite – Creative Activities
Hi! My name is Nancy Femrite, and my husband, Robby, my three boys and myself live in the middle of nowhere, on a hobby farm, west of Lowry, where I am a full-time mom. When I’m not homeschooling, volunteering, or doing the many things that a mother must do each day, I enjoy music, reading, baking, and doing anything that involves being outside or with animals. I’m also a self-proclaimed cheap-skate and die-hard re-user.
I’m so looking forward to this new year of MOPS, and I can’t wait to meet new moms and learn (and create) together!
Cassey Johnson – Creative Activities
Hi my name is Cassey Johnson. I am a stay-at-home mother of 2, Gabrielle, 4, and Ethan, 7 months. I have been married 2 years this October to my amazing husband Joey. We moved to Alexandria 2 years ago this December and have loved every minute. I joined MOPS the January after moving here and I have loved every meeting! I have made so many friends through MOPS. They are such an amazing group of women. Also I love to do any thing artsy and crafty; when I have free time 
. I can’t wait to meet all of you this year!
Kaylee Emter – Finance
I have been married to my highschool sweetheart for 9 years and I am a mother of three children-a 6 year old girl, a 4 year old boy, and an 18 month old girl. I love being able to stay at home with our children, but also enjoy being able to work a few hours a week from home helping my husband with bookkeeping for the family business. I have really enjoyed my time with MOPS and have met so many great mothers who have shared valuable wisdom with me! In my free time I enjoy to shop (and coupon), read, and spend time at the lake.
Meredith Runge – Hospitality
I’ve been married to my best friend, Bruce, for 13 years and we have three sweeties whom I love spending my time with. I’ve been a stay at home mom for three years now and prior to that was a full-time working mom. We live by Kensington and this summer have enjoyed adding more animals to our little hobby-farm. I enjoy taking care of our home whether its mowing, cutting wood, gardening or projects around the house as well as reading, playing with the kids and having bonfires . Being at home with my kids has taught me so much about life and I’m so thankful for this opportunity to be a full-time mom.
Lisa Koehntop – Hospitality
I live by Lowry with my husband of 12 years, Lucas and two children, Ryan and Emma. After 10 years in corporate America, I left to stay at home with my kids. I now homeschool my kids and run a very part-time long-arm quilting business. My hobbies include quilting, reading, gardening and cooking.