Easter reflection

Just when everything looks frozen and dead,

there is life, hope,

and resurrection.

Happy Mothers Day

She has to have four arms, four legs, two hearts, and double the love.There is nothing single about a single mom. "She is clothed with strength & dignity; she can laugh  at the days to come.She speaks with wisdom,  and faithful instruction is on her tongue." — PROVERBS 31:25-26

It always comes down to time and money

The reality of treading water

The resource referral we are offering here at “Call Mom” is a small gesture to reach out to the families that fell between the cracks. With several kids attached to their back they are sacrificially treading water, hoping to bring their kids to safety somehow.

Coping to survive sets many up to escape. When the method of escape becomes a deeper pit, it is the end of the rope. That is the point when we at last (hopefully) get the call for “a neighbor”, “a lady where I work”. 

When they finally make the call, they are either professional panhandlers, greedy, or making a last ditch effort to do or die in order to safe their precious blessings/kids. I personally love to get that call. Been there, done it, done it twice. We don't judge. We listen, have a plan, stand with you, and see you through if you are willing. Nothing surprises us any more, however, now we know what to do and where you can get the help that can pull you through.

“The matchbox girl” book is not just a story from times past. Those ladies sit in the pews of your church, work in the cube next to yours, sit next to you at a school functions. They appear invisible because YOU don't go to the food bank, thrift store, the library (to use the computer) or to their home where they share a can of soup between the three or four of them, keep heat to a minimum in the winter and strategically pay bills to avoid late charges and over drafts that can wipe them out. When they don't ask for help any longer it is because they have been lectured, humiliated, used, judged and rejected so many times that they are hanging on to the shred of dignity that is left. There goes your “pride” verdict.

This web site is the tip of a huge iceberg. I encourage all readers this season to have the compassion to see with the heart.

*All calls are confidential. Some of you have limited minutes. Leave a message with your main question, we do the research and call you back when you have pen and paper to jot down the information.

Hugs,

Mom

find what you need right here

We are getting many calls for information that is already pre-sorted on line here to save you time and frustration.

Just type your need like: fun stuff, military, financial, etc in the space next to the blogger button on the top left corner.

If you need to talk, we are here for you to help you sort through stuff. We are not counselors, just mothers who had to raise kids on our own, went through hardships, and "get it".

If you have been referred and have trouble with english, we hope that your friend can translate for you so that we can help you. We care about your circumstances! We always can pray with you even if we can't understand you.

Hugs,

how about mentors who love God and value life?

Here is a brief summary of what Alternatives provides:
- Pregnancy tests
- Statements of positive tests that can be used to apply for Medicaid
- Options counseling for pregnant women
- Limited ultrasounds offered on a case-by-case basis; we are now able to offer ultrasounds on our mobile clinic, which is at our Parker office every second and fourth Thursday, 10:30-2:30
- Referrals for community resources, prenatal care, and adoption agencies
- Prenatal vitamins
- Baby clothes/blankets/bottles
- Diapers (one time gift)
- Formula (one time gift)
- Baby food (0-9months)
- Larger baby items such as swings, crib bedding, etc. as donated
- STD testing at our downtown office (females only); clients can receive treatment for some STDs, and will be referred or prescribed for any that we do not treat in-office.
All of our services are free and confidential. Clients are asked to bring picture ID (if available). The walk-in hours at our Parker office are 10-4, T-Th; we are also able to meet with clients outside of these hours by appointment.

Cherise Lacaze, M.A., N.C.C.
DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES
ALTERNATIVES PREGNANCY CENTER
19029 E. Plaza Dr. Suite 255
Parker, CO 80134
720.851.2040

The month of r o m a n c e ; )

"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams."

Dr. Seuss

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Birthday January moms : )

Ecclesiastes 11:5 As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

The best is yet to come! Trust me. I know.

Hugs



Happy Birthday September Girls

No-shows

Some of the most painful situations for moms and children are the no-show dads.


I was visiting with a few moms and the children after church when one little girl said: "I wish I had a dad".

It just tore my heart out. Time, distance, and forgiveness had not significantly diminished the pain of emotional abuse of a parent who is unavailable for the over-fought custodial visitations time and time again.

Some of us are flexible with distractions. Sometimes we outright lie (Daddy had a flat tire) etc. Some of us enable the negligent parent with our apathy.

Send us your comments on how you cope and overcame. We'd like to encourage other women who become the firewall between dad and the children.

Hugs!

Honor your mother

During the past few days I had many conversations with moms in a relaxed social setting. Having lost my mother at an early age I was saddened by "entitlement" comments from adult children who are doing well.
I hope for grace and maturity that the following will mend some gaps.

honor is a wide-ranging verb; no one specific behavior is commanded. It is open-ended.

The commandment to honor our parents is not based upon what our parents deserve, but rather on God's direct command: “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded

you. . .” (Deuteronomy)

Maimonides: “It is possible for a man to honor and revere and obey those whom he does not love.”

On a first level, "'Honor' speaks to filial behavior, not to filial judgment or sentiment”  (Broken Tablets)

In such a situation, honor can still involve positive acts to help them, improve their lives, to the degree we are able. Revere/fear can still involve not interfering with the esteem due them from others.

Honor may also involve forgiveness.



Happy Mothers Day

overwhelmed?

not today - intentionally

 It's a day to be special and honored

wear your crown (of value) today

walk with your head up in grace and dignity

and do what you always do to survive...

laugh at your situation and disarm it

you are royalty!

Hugs, Mom

"When God leads you to the edgo of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly!" 



first best quote of the year

“Are you okay?” and for the first time since becoming a single mom, I felt like I had a girlfriend who got me, the mom. I felt like I had someone on my side again. 


That's what it's all about.

Holiday Manners

Today I had lunch with a mom and her two daughters age five and eight. The girls were relaxed and displayed good manners. Something that came natural for them because of repetition. What a delight! It does not cost, except to model and encourage.

In our increasingly casual society, parents still want their children to have good manners, but many don’t have the time to teach them, or aren’t making the time. Whether you’re just starting to introduce manners or you need to “revive some deteriorated skills,” make kids aware of how manners are relevant to them, says Cindy Post Senning, a director of the Emily Post Institute and co-author of Emily Post’s Table Manners for Kids.
Basic manners:
Practice at home. That’s where good manners begin, right?. Focus on three things that mean the most to you, Senning says, such as not chewing with an open mouth, properly using utensils, and passing serving dishes – to the right instead of across the table. Other basics: properly placing the fork and knife on the plate between bites, and never, ever commenting negatively the food.
Go over basic greetings. Even the youngest child can shake hands and say hello, Senning says. Older children should be reminded to greet adults properly with “Hello, Aunt Mary,” or “Hello, Mrs. Jones.” And eye contact, kids!
Write thank-you notes/Christmas cards. (they are gifts of appreciation) Make it a family activity so kids see that grown-ups write notes, too. A lovely handwritten note is something many people keep for a long time.

Children imitate parents. Teach them well.

have fun with that

http://youtu.be/z06mQT_vkkw

Mothers Day

She couldn't be happier. Wow her!

Spring Plant Sale ( Friday and Saturday) at the Botanical Garden. The annual plant sale offers more than 85,000 types of plants for Colorado gardeners. Contact: 720-865-3500