"I was just reading through my labor chart and I was overcome.  I could hear your voice calling to me, guiding me through all that pain, all that uncertainty and I realized I've never thanked you.  Thank you, Alisa.  Claire's birth was the most amazing and life altering experience and I feel so blessed that you were there to witness it.  I know you see many babies and families born but you always made us feel unbelievably special and important.  You're a beautiful light in this world."  Lauren J. 2009

 "Thank you for guiding us through such a beautiful time in our life.  We would not have trusted anyone else with brining our sweet baby girl into this world.  Peace, Love and Blessings, C. and M. 2008

Daddy catches his son Zachary... 2006

"What an enormous gift it was to have you with us before, during and after my labor and daughter's birth.  Thank you for your openness, warmth, humor and wisdom.  Much much love, L. and J. 2007

Alisa, you were our guardian angel, whose comforting, knowledgeable and loving presence brought our daughter into the world.  Your beautiful presence by my side made it possible for me to focus calmly and find strength to do what was needed for my daughter's birth.  We felt very blessed to have your presence all night; calming energy in the hospital environment.  Much love and many blessings, S. G. 2006

 "What an amazing journey it has been the past nine months.  We feel truly blessed to have found such a warm and caring birth team.  Our son's birth was an amazing experience, everything we had wanted and more.  Thank you for such great care.  We will never forget you! J. and S. 2006

Weighing baby... 2005

  "Thank you for allowing yourself to be a blessing to so many lives.  Our family cherishes the memories of our 2 home births and you are a special part of those memories.  Thanks for everything!" L.T. 2002

"Thank you so much for all the time and energy you spent in preparing us for parenthood!  And thanks for letting me use up so many of your cell phone minutes to ask every little question that was worrying me.  You have become so special to us!"  E.W. 2002

 "Thank you for being for me in Texas as my friend through this most life changing experience.  I have enjoyed your friendship so much and have learned so much through you.  I am really amazed at how God has used you to help me find life and peace.  I will always remember you and to 'keep searching my whole life.' Thank you for sharing my pain and joys.  [My baby] will know you all her days because I will tell her of my special friend forever.  May God bless, bless and bless you."  R.C. 2001

First bath from Alisa... 2001

 "Thank you for helping me to have such a wonderful experience in [my baby's] labor and birth.  The home birth was even more special than I had hoped it would be, because I was surrounded and supported by friends the entire time.  I admire you for your dedication to this wonderful profession of helping mothers and babies get the best possible start together.  It takes a special person to be willing to be on call all the time, sacrifice your sleep- and all for other people's babies!"  T.Y. 2001

"Words really cannot express our gratitude for the care you gave throughout my pregnancy and the extraordinary effort given on our birth day.  I am very happy that we chose a home birth and feel extremely fortunate to have you as our midwife.  I knew [our baby] was in good hands when she needed it most, and can never thank you enough for delivering our beautiful daughter with such care and concern.  With much love and thanks!"  M.R. 2001

"I hope you know how special you are to me, and you always will be a beautiful and magical star when I remember this birthing year." J.B. 2001

"Once again we appreciate your wonderful services!  Thank you so much for your assistance with [our baby's] birth.  I so enjoy (if that's the word!) how you handle everything during and after the birth.  Your calmness is such a blessing."  A.W. 2001 and 2000

"I have learned a lot from midwives and am grateful for their individual callings, their excellent training, and genuine care.  I am grateful to have learned all that I have from them about nutrition in pregnancy and how it can directly relate to the birth and health of my babies.  I am grateful for my midwives...they have taught me much; honored my story and instincts; informed me of my choices without pressure, respected my decisions, education, and instincts; cleaned my home after birth; taught me about nursing; and put my family and me to bed so we can rest after birth. They became and remain my friend.  That to me is the definition of a midwife...with woman.  I birth at home because it is where I feel it is appropriate for normal birth and where I personally feel safe.  After my initial birth experience in a birthing center, I chose to birth at home. My second child was born at home.  I later went on to carry twins to term, and birthed them at home.  They were over 8 pounds each and came out breech.  It was such an exhausting pregnancy and an eventful and joyous birth.  I am glad I was home."  M. F. 2000 and 2002  

 "Thank you for the best prenatal care possible.  Your devotion and kindness will make anyone else who cares for me pale in comparison.  Thank you for your friendship that came at the perfect time in my life.  Best put in my husband's words, 'Alisa kept you sane for many months.'  Thank you for the many laughs and tears you have brought into my life.  May there be many more!"  L.P.  2000

"How can I ever begin to thank you for the role that you have played in my life?  From the very beginning I had the up most confidence that my baby and I were 100% safe in your hands.  As we got to know each other, my family and I fell totally in love with you.  You have such a bright personality and a sweet spirit that draws people near to you.  You have stayed for hours past your visit to hear me talk, cry or complain about the newest "drama" in my life.  I never would have guessed that I could feel so totally bonded to you.  I cannot explain to you how at peace I felt in your care.  Any fear that I had, you quickly diminished while being totally honest and up front with me.  You have gone way beyond your call of duty to be a friend, a confidant and a psychologist with always the right words to say.  You have played a tremendous role in my life and in the arrival of [my baby]." H.M. 1999

First breath... 2005

"We can't begin to thank you enough for all you have done concerning the twins birth and since then.  I don't know how we would have managed without you, especially those first few days." G.S. 1999  

 "I think you already know how grateful I am to you but I just wanted to say it again.  I am so happy with my birth experience and I owe it all to you.  You are such a kind and caring person and I am grateful for your friendship.  I know how busy we mommies keep you but please don't lose touch with us.  We will always be thankful for the day I called you and for all you did for us.  Love, A.B. 1998

 "I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate the kind of persona and midwife that you are.  You were so easy to talk to when I was so frustrated toward the end of the pregnancy.  You were compassionate and stayed on top of the situation at the same time.  I have so much respect for what you do and how well you do it.  I don’t' know if you get told, "Good job" very often, but I wanted to make sure I told you.  So- "Good job, Alisa!"  I'm going to miss our weekly visits.  Thank you so much for making this pregnancy and birth such a wonderful experience.  I just can't tell you how good I fell about the whole thing.  I'll have those memories for the rest of my life.  Love always, K. A. 1998

 "Alisa, Sister of my soul, friend to my heart; Blessed are your hands that bridge the divide; Catching new life - I bring forth a child; Your tender touch greets him; a final heartbeat inside; We three joined eternally; By this second in time; Quietly present, out of the light; Trusting my power, letting me shine; A peaceful birth, my son at my breast; An aching past, I lay to rest; Thank you.  With love from D. and J. N. born into your loving hands 1997

"I just can't tell you how much it meant to me to have you right by my side, helping me through one for the most difficult times in my life!  I will always think of you as an angel at my bedside helping me bring our new baby into the world!  I'll always be grateful!  With love, L. C. 1996

 "I realized through [my daughter's] birth how much midwives serve, meeting only the needs and wants of the mother in labor.  Thank you for helping us.  May God bless you as he did the midwives in Moses' time.  I'm glad you got to come to the birth. Love, S. D. 1995

"Alisa, I'm so grateful that you were with me during labor and delivery.  I really appreciate the time you spent answering my questions throughout my pregnancy and coming to check on me that last day.  Come over and see us any time.  Love, J. J. 1993

 "A heartfelt thanks to you for your ministry to our family in this special time.  We are glad you could be here with us.  We love you, D. and V. 1993

 "Alisa, We really appreciate your willingness and desire to help me with my daughter's birth.  You really have a gift in that area.  Your patience and gentle spirit helped me so much.  I really was feeling apprehension because of past experiences.  Thank you for listening and helping me through those labor hours.  Love, G.K. 1991

 "This note is long overdue.  I wanted to thank you for being at our birth and for being such a great help.  You definitely made the labor easier by rubbing my back and your encouraging words.  Keep up the great work with all your other pregnant moms.  You are special because you have chosen a profession that has many long hours but with sometimes very little thanks.  It is sort of like being a mom except you are doing it for others instead of your family.  It is easy to sacrifice for your family, because of the love you have for them, but to do it for others is showing a true servant heart.  I know that someday you will get paid for delivering babies, but somehow I think even if you didn’t' you would still do this the rest of your life.  Thank you again for being there.  Love, L.L. 1991