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By Krystal, on November 29th, 2011 After a year facilitating groups in the area and connecting with so many amazing Moms, Families and Professionals, I have been called to follow my heart and open up a central place for all families to gather for support, education, and resources! The Village Birth & Family Enrichment Center will be a safe and welcoming space for all families to connect, grow and flourish! There will be groups, classes, workshops and services for Women, Children and Families at all stages of the journey! From fertility support through pregnancy, birth, postpartum and into the preschool and school aged years, there will be something for everyone!
We all know that it truly does, “…take a village…” and with this new center, I hope to grow our village!
I hope to open the doors in the Spring of 2012 and I am turning to all of you…my village…to help make this dream a reality for both my family and for yours! The Village is looking for Sponsors, Donations and Volunteers to help raise the last bit of money we need to get the doors open! I am having a big Sponsorship Launch Party & Silent Auction on Sunday December 4th, 2011 to kick things off and would love for you to join us. The party is from 3 – 5 PM at 6006 La Madrona Dr., Suite D in Scotts Valley, CA (just 3 minutes from Santa Cruz, directly off Hwy 17). We have over 20 items for the auction and everything from massages and photography sessions to jewelry and hand made clothes, with bids starting as low at $15!
There are many ways to help support The Village and I hope you can come celebrate with us!!
If you have any questions, ideas or suggestions, please contact me, Krystal Long at Santa Cruz Village @ gmail . com or by phone at 831 – 216 – 6262 or through the web site www.SantaCruzVillage.com !
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By Krystal, on September 16th, 2011 MOMS is now organizing an informal playgroup (no facilitator) for Moms, Dads, and other Caretakers with children from infancy through toddler-hood. We meet weekly at a local park while while the weather is nice. When the rains start to fall, we will meet indoors!
For Park play dates, please bring sun protection (hats, sunscreen, etc) and a blanket for you and your little ones to sit on. I also encourage you to pack water, snacks and/or a lunch for you and your family. Of course there are usually a handful of toys that the babies seem to pass around, but if you have older kiddos, sand toys, bikes and scooters, chalk and balls are all toys that seem to go over well with the 2+ age groups!
For indoor playdates, again, I also encourage you to pack water, snacks and/or a lunch for you and your family. Of course there are usually a handful of toys that the babies seem to pass around, but if you have older kiddos, please bring along something to keep their attention too!
FOR LOCATION INFORMATION:
PLEASE CONTACT KRYSTAL AT KRYSTAL@MOMSSUPPORTGROUPS.COM
OR BY PHONE AT 831.216.6262
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MOMS Current Schedule
Moms Support Circle: (Prenatal, Breastfeeding and general Mom to Mom Support)
Every Thursday 10:00 – 11:00 am
at 320 River Street, Santa Cruz, CA
VBAC Support Circle:
Every 2nd and 4th Thursday 7:00 0 8:30 pm
at The Red Tent, 15495 Los Gatos Blvd., Ste, C, Los Gatos, CA
Family Playgroup:
Every Monday, 10:30 – 12:30 pm
please contact Krystal Long for location
krystal@momssupportgroups.com or 831.216.6262
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By Krystal, on July 13th, 2011 The only thing that is 100% predictable as a Mother, is that everything will continually change!
My first son has just turned 3!! It is so fun to watch him grow and learn and interact with the world…and at times it is a bit maddening! The terrific threes are definitely something no one ever warned me about!! The tantrums are bigger, the “No’s” are incessant, but the HUGS are also bigger, and the little things that melt your heart are countless!
I have been at home with my little man since he brought me to my knees with morning sickness and this week marks a big turning point in our lives…he is starting preschool! I am so excited to see what this new adventure brings us, and a bit nervous for the transition (in his schedule and in mine). Everything in our lives is shifting forward on the clock and we are going to have to become better “morning people” in the Long Household! :)
This time shift is also trickling into our Group Schedule. I am moving the Moms Support Circle up by 30 minutes so that I may get back to the school to pick up my little man, and not sacrifice the valuable chat time we have after group! Starting next week, THURSDAY, JULY 21st, 2011 we will meet from 10:00 am – 11:30 am at 320 River Street in Santa Cruz!
We will still have the same amount of time in group, and will still end just in time for us to continue with a lunch date following group for those who are interested and able join! I look forward to seeing you soon!!!
~Love & Light~
Krystal Long
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By Krystal, on April 25th, 2011 When: 2nd and 4th Thursday of Every Month (starting May 12th, 2011) 
Where: The Red Tent, 15495 Los Gatos Blvd., Ste. C, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Contribution: $10 per Group or $35 for 4
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What is a VBAC you ask?!
Why it is a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean!
A VBAC is a safe delivery option for most women who have had one or more previous cesarean (or C-Section births). This group was born from a need for women to give and receive support as they navigate their own thoughts and feelings (and those of family, friends and the medical community) around the option to have a VBAC! The group is also open to Doulas, Midwives and other Birth Professionals who wish to support Mothers on this journey!
My journey to a VBAC started about a month before the Cesarean Birth of my first son in June of 2008! I knew in my heart that there was more to birth than what I had experienced with the C-Section. In December 2011, I had an HBAC (Home Birth After Cesarean) and delivered my second son in the comfort of my own home! The entire journey was full of ups and downs that ultimately made me stronger and left me feeling extremely empowered. It wasn’t always easy, and not everyone could relate to me. A support group like this was the only thing I wish I could have found…and I know I’m not alone in this wanting!
It is with excitement, that I announce the addition of this new, and greatly anticipated group. I have set up an easy online registration form and look forward to the first VBAC Support Circle in just 2 Weeks!!! (Thursday, May 12th, 2011). I am also super excited that The Red Tent in Los Gatos is hosting us! The grand opening was early this month, and if you haven’t been to The Red Tent yet, you are absolutely missing out! The owner, Jennifer Penick is an amzing Woman, Friend, Mother (of 5!!), and a true inspiration! Click over to the website and check it out! There are some great events coming up and they are filling up fast!
I hope you are all out enjoying the spring sunshine and doing things that bring you joy!!!
~ love & light ~
Krystal Long – Founder, Facilitator & Mom
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By Krystal, on April 8th, 2011 After 3 amazing months at the new location, MOMS has welcomed in soooooo many new beautiful faces! Our “Village” is growing and we are all so much stronger and connected! Just thinking about all of the Moms and Babes puts a huge smile on my face.
I want to put out a huge “Thank You!” to the MOMS Community for sharing your time and your infinite wisdom with each other. I also want to acknowledge how wonderful it is that you are making time for yourself to nurture your desire to connect and share with other Moms. Each one of you brings something unique and inspiring to our Circle, and I am excited to see what we will create for ourselves!
Each group has a sprinkling of our Community. Twice a week, I am fortunate enough to sit in Circle with anywhere from 1-4 Mommas, and I love it!! However, I feel that we would all benefit more if we joined together in one group every week (rather than a few of us at 3 different groups.) Whether you are pregnant with your first child, embracing the “terrific 3′s” or learning the intricate dance involved with Mothering a teen….we are all Mothers, and we are all Women who can relate with one another and share a laugh or a shoulder and offer support!
With the intention to bring all the beautiful Momma’s together, I would like to combine the Prenatal, Breastfeeding and Moms Circles all into one! Honor your pregnancy, ask questions about Breastfeeding, share hilarious stories about potty training…whatever it is you need as a Mother, please come join us,
Moms Support Circle, Every Thursday from 10:30 am – 12:00 noon
at 320 River Street in Santa Cruz, CA!!!
For the time being, the last Prenatal Support Circle and Breastfeeding Moms Circle will be as follows:
- Prenatal Support Circle – Tuesday April 12th, 2011 – last group until further notice
- Breastfeeding Moms Circle – Tuesday April 19th, 2011 – last group until further notice
Our Moms Support Circle will continue to meet at it’s usual time (Thursdays, 10:30 -12:00 noon) and be uniting with Momma’s from the Prenatal and Breastfeeding Circles! I am excited for the changes and cant wait to have us all together!
See You Soon!
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By Krystal, on April 6th, 2011 Thursday April 14th, 2011 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
320 River Street, Santa Cruz CA 95006
Being a Mom is a busy job, and keeping up with it all can be a challenge. Finding time for yourself is often impossible. MOMS is hosting a workshop taught by Carrie Vawter-Yousfi from Mommy’s Coach in San Jose and I hope you are able to join us!!
Carrie will be coming to our Moms Circle for a one hour to help all of us better manage our time and our busy lives…and even squeeze in some time for ourselves without the guilt! Grab a friend, tell your clients and share it with your neighbor  This is a workshop that you wont want to miss! Space is limited to 20 people…please RSVP and save your spot!!!
A donation of $5-$10 is suggested. Please let us know your coming and RSVP today!
If you have any questions, you can reach me via email at krystal@momssupportgroups.com or by phone at 831.216.6262
For more information about Carrie and the upcoming workshop, keep reading!
_____________________________________________________________________
The Workshop:
“Organized Family Living: Top 10 Valuable Tips to get organized & stay motivated”
Keep your home running smoothly, your family happy, and your Mommy Time sacred! Mommy’s Coach and Organizational Specialist Carrie Vawter-Yousfi shows you how in this workshop packed with time-saving home tips designed to keep you confident and in control and stay calm!
The Mommy Coach:
CARRIE VAWTER-YOUSFI, MOMMY’S COACH
Carrie Vawter-Yousfi has unlocked the secret to successfully running a busy household, while ensuring plenty of quality Mommy Time. As owner of Mommy’s Coach and a mother of two, Carrie had developed a unique time management program. Her simple strategies are designed to help you get organized, improve family communication, and find time for yourself, without the guilt! Serving families throughout the South Bay, Carrie offers workshops on low-stress household management, convenient meal preparation, creative planning for your new baby, and effective family communication. You’ll feel confident, comfortable and in control as you learn to successfully cope with your changing home dynamic. Carrie helps you avoid the chaos, and rediscover the pleasures of your new family, while finding time to breathe, reflect and enjoy the personal pastimes you love. She has been a member of NAPO (National Professional Organizers) and an inspiring NSA (National Speaker’s Association) member. Carrie has shared her time and talents with Babies R Us, Harmony, Blossom Birth Resource Center, DayOne Center, Good Samaritan Hospital and local preschools in Santa Clara County. She most recently partnered with The Loft in Morgan Hill as an instructor. Contact: Carrie Vawter-Yousfi Mommy’s Coach Founder/ Organizer/ Mom 408.386.0803 phone www.coach4mommy.com
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By Krystal, on January 25th, 2011 The New Year is notoriously know as a great time to make changes and following suit, we are making some big changes with M.O.M.S. Shortly after the New Year, we received an invitation to join a handful of amazing women in a new clinic down in Santa Cruz! We accepted the offer with great excitement and, think all of you will absolutely love our new space and new schedule!
We will be sharing the space at 320 River Street in Santa Cruz, CA! It is the Big Red building just passed the World Market/Office Max shopping center, between Santa Cruz Auto Body & Prima Salon…and conveniently close to downtown! The clinic is home to some wonderful women, including homebirth midwife, Astrid Grove, LM, CPM, acupuncturist & herbalist, Sally Sherrif L.Ac., therapist, Francene Carls, and now M.O.M.S.!!! The space is beautiful and much bigger than our last little room. It’s a perfect place for us to gather and we are happy to call it home!
We are also super excited to share the start of a new and much anticipated Breastfeeding Group! The Breastfeeding Moms Circle will start February 8th, 2011 and meet every other week from 10:30 – 12:00 Noon!
If you are a Breastfeeding Mom (or expectant mom with questions) come join us for open and often candid discussions about breastfeeding. If you have questions or insights about breastfeeding topics including, but not limited to; pumping, milk supply, sore nipples, extended nursing, starting solids and weaning…we are holding a place for you in this Circle!
Lastly, with the move, and addition of the 3rd group, we have also made some changes to our previous schedule. Our Prenatal Support Circle will now meet every other Tuesday from 10:30 – 12:00 Noon, and our Moms Support Circle will now meet every Thursday 10:30 – 12:00 Noon!
M.O.M.S. first group will resume on Tuesday February 1st, 2011 with the
Prenatal Support Circle and followed by the
Moms Support Circle on Thursday February 3rd, 2011!
Bring your bellies and your babies and come check out the new building and Krystal’s new baby! See you soon!!!
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By Krystal, on December 6th, 2010  Though I had planned to continue with groups up until delivery, I am having to shift gears and start my maternity leave a bit earlier. As of today, all M.O.M.S. Groups will be temporarily canceled. I am a bit sad that I wont see all your smiling faces every week, but, I am taking some much needed time for myself and my family as we are about to grow from a family of 3 to a family of 4!
I am now 38 weeks along and we are busy busy busy preparing for this little one to join our family. I am going to take the remainder of December off as well as the month of January to adjust to mothering 2 little boys! M.O.M.S. groups will resume with the Prenatal Support Group on Tuesday, February 1st, 2011 at 10:00 AM, and the Moms Support Group on Sunday February 5th, 2011 at 3:00 PM!
Although I will not be available for weekly and biweekly groups, but as always, you are all more than welcome, and encouraged, to contact me via email at krystal@momssupportgroups.com or by phone at 831.216.MAMA (6262). I will get back to you with in 24 hours (with the exception of the day of and few days following labor and delivery of course).
In the meantime, please continue to utilize all the wonderful mamma’s in our community and be sure to take out time for yourself each day…even if it is only 5 minutes!
I will keep you all posted as to when our little one joins us!
(LOVE the photos?! Thought so! The photos are just a few of many from our amazing local Mamma, Amy Snow! Check out her work and book a session at Amy Snow Photography)
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By Krystal, on October 22nd, 2010 With about a months worth of groups behind us, 2 amazing community events, and a zillion emails exchanged, M.O.M.S. is excited to see what the future holds! The community has been so welcoming and supportive of M.O.M.S. and our vision! We are eternally grateful and extremely proud to be a part of the Santa Cruz County birth and family community!
In the last 6ish weeks, we have made connections with midwives, doulas, yoga teachers, massage therapists, OB’s, pediatricians, nurses, acupuncturists and most importantly MOMS and Famlies from every corner of Santa Cruz County and even parts of Santa Clara County! There are endless possibilities for mothers, fathers, and children to give and get support from these amazing providers. Again, we are truly lucky to live in such a mother friendly community!
Now that we have all met, shared laughs and tears, stories and ideas, M.O.M.S. wants to hear from you! We want to know
- what you love
- what you think needs attention
- and what more you would like to see from M.O.M.S. (are there days and times that work best for you, locations that are more convenient, group ideas, etc.)
We have been given requests for special topics, such as; the importance of labor support, inner changes that motherhood brings, changes in relationships and what to expect postpartum. We have received a number of requests for an evening group time. Many professionals have offered to come to group as a guest speaker and share their expertise! We have also been asked to offer groups in different parts of the county and lastly, we have a super fun idea to have a MOMS Night Out!
Whatever it is, M.O.M.S. wants to honor and explore all of your suggestions and requests. So, please leave a comment below, send an email to M.O.M.S. (krystal@momssupportgroups.com), visit our Facebook Page, or give us a call at 831.216.MAMA (6262) and share your thoughts with us.
We can only grow and adapt to what you Mommas want if we know what you want!
Thank you all for all your love and support in our first month up and running! We look forward to our future and growing with all of you!
~Love & Light~
Krystal Long
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By Krystal, on October 12th, 2010
Sunday, October 12th, 2010 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Highlands Park (Children’s Center)
8500 Highway 9, Ben Lomond
The Harvest Festival is an annual event at the SLV Children’s Center. It is a great fund raiser for the program and fun way for families to show their support. There will be food, pumpkin painting, magic shows, games, a book sale, and much for for the whole family.
M.O.M.S. is partnering up with another local mama, Lisa Tracy, and her wonderfully addictive business Thirty-One! We will have a table set up at the Harvest Festival with flyers, samples of Thirty-One products, and opportunities for you to join in on all the fun! So, grab the kids and make your way down to Highlands Park and come say hi to Lisa and Krystal!
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