“Bottom line is, even if you see them coming, you're not ready for the big moments. No one asks for their life to change, not really. But it does.
So, what are we, helpless? Puppets? Nah. The big moments are gonna come, you can't help that. It's what you do afterwards that counts. That's
when you find out who you are." - Joss Whedon

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Labor Day Camping Details

Are you free Labor Day weekend?  Do you love to camp? If you answered yes to these questions PLEASE come join us at the church owned ZIONS campground in Belfair for a SUPER fun weekend! Here are the Details...

When: Friday September 3rd through Monday September 6th
Who is invited: All adoptive applicants and families.  Birth parents are having their own retreat at ZIONS the following weekend.
Cost: It is only $5 a person per night and kids under 3 are free.  This includes a campsite for your family and dinner for the FSA Dinner and presentation friday night.  The rest of the weekend you will be incharge of your own food.  There is running water (flushing toilets, wash sinks and showers) however showers cost 50 cents each and can be bought at check in. 
What is there to do: Everything at ZIONS is free, and here is a list of fun things they have to do...
-canoeing, paddle boats and row boats
-swimming in the lake
-large field for sports
-HUGE tree house, and play equiptment including a ROPE swing and obsticle course
-fishing (no licence required, just bring your own tackle box)
-archery and horse shoes
-nature walks
RSVP deadline:  I have reserved 8 tent sites and need to let them know by August 1st if we are using them all or not with out being penalized.  So if you want to come you MUST contact me (julianna_mortensen@yahoo.com) AND pay me (put a check in the mail made to Julianna Mortensen) before August 1st.  If I do not have your money I won't save your spot.
Additional information:
-When you email me I will put a packet of rules and directions and other information in the mail to you and remind you about the payment.  I will call and check with you by July 25th if I haven't heard back from you.  In this packet there are some forms I need you to sign and bring with you to turn in at check in. 
-Friday night we will be having an FSA sponsered Dinner, camp fire and education presentation that will count towards your education credit.  The rest of the weekend, no matter how long you want to stay, will be yours to do as you please.
-The camp sites are all located together so while they are private for your family our FSA group will be together for easy socializing. 
-There is a walmart no more then 30 minutes away incase you forget something or run out of ice.
-Befair does have a branch that meets sunday morning, if you are staying over sunday and would like more information on that just ask when you check in.  All lake activities are closed for the Sabath as well as the office.
-You get one arm load of firewood a day for free.  Each additional arm load does cost a small amount, but you are welcome to bring your own wood as well.
-If you have any further questions just ask!

Monday, June 21, 2010

FSA National Conference Information

  • The Conference will be held at the Davis Conference Center in Layton Utah on Friday July 30, 2010 from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM and on Saturday, July 31, 2010 from 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM.
  •  The cost of the conference is $35 per person.
  • Please contact the Hilton Garden Inn for lodging information. Use the Group/Convention Code located in the "Lodging" tab of the registration link.
  • This year we will have a myriad of classes for anyone interested in adoption.
  • Birth Father, Adoption Triad, Adult Adoptee, Adoptive Couple, Transracial Adoption, Ask a Birth Parent and Birth Parent panels will he held throughout the conference and have been a favorite of attendees for years.
  • Are you new to adoption? No problem! We will have classes on Drug/Alcohol Impacts in Children, Infertility-Spiritual/Gospel Insights, Understanding Birth Parents, Adoption Law, What Birth Parents Wished Adoptive Couples Knew, and FSA-Who, What, Where, When and How.
  • Are you looking for more resources and information on transracial adoption? We've got you covered there too. Classes will be held on Latent Racism & Racism & Racial Socialization and an overview of transracial adoption. We will also have the opportunity to view and discuss the film Living on the Fault Line.
  • We will also have classes on parenting available to attendees. Classes are scheduled to include topics such as Communicating/Talking About Adoption With Older Children, Openness, Communication Between Adoptive & Birth Families, The Power of Positive Parenting, Ages and Stages and Unequal Adoption Relationships.
  • We will also have information and classes available on Foster Care, Special Needs Adoption, Children Available for Adoption, Creating Profiles, Intercountry Adoption, Gifts for Birth Parents and Adoption Advocacy.
  • The FSA National Conference is not just for Adoptive Couples, Adoptive Parents and Hopeful Adoptive Couples. There is an entire track of classes devoted to Birth Parents and Birth Families.
  • For more information about the servce project that will be happening, the classes offered for Birth Families and to REGISTER visit the National FSA blog: http://www.familiessupportingadoption.blogspot.com/
Several of our members are attending so please post if YOU are one of them!!!  We hope to see you there!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Summer Picnic

Please join us at Liberty Park (1101 BRONSON WAY N, Renton WA),
Saturday July 10th from 12:30 - 4:00pm for our
ANNUAL FSA SUMMER PICNIC
Bring your family, chairs and a picnic lunch and lets socialize and meet the new
FSA board as well as the new Adoption Team at our LDSFS Renton Office. 
We will have all sorts of fun games set up, such as badminton, bocci ball, kick ball, and Frisbee.  There is a great play structure for the kids to play so we are all sure to have a great time! 

From I-405 North:
Take Exit 2 (Renton/Rainier Ave.) Head North on Rainier Avenue to South 3rd and take a right. Continue on 3rd and take a left on Mill Avenue South. Continue on Mill and veer to the right, which is Bronson Way. City of Renton Library is on your right.
Liberty Park is directly after the library.

From I-405 South:
Take Exit 4 (Renton/Enumclaw). Stay in the lane marked Bronson Way/City Center. The road will veer to the right, which is Bronson Way.
Liberty Park is located on the left.

Park Amenities:
•Lighted basketball courts and tennis practice wall
•Three lighted tennis courts
•Picnic areas and shelter
•Play equipment
•Skatepark
•Tables and benches
•Restroom facilities
•Cedar River Trail access