Regional Conference Class Options

Wondering what type of classes will be offered at the Regional Conference on November 5th and 6th? We thought so! Below is a list of the classes so that you can start thinking about which ones will benefit you the most. For additional information about the conference, be sure to visit the "Regional Conference" tab which is located on the top left of this blog. (Just FYI, sessions 1-4 will be on Friday the 5th and sessions 5-8 will be held on Saturday the 6th). See you there!

Breakout Session 1
• Playing Through the Struggles
• Creating an Adoption Profile
• Birthmother Grief (for birthmothers)
• Special Needs Adoption

Breakout Session 2
• Networking: Making Your Adoption Happen
• Foster Care
• Bonding With Your Child Through Physical Interaction
• Discussing Adoption With Your Children (for birthmothers)

Session 3 is a birthparent panel (and because everyone wants to attend, there will be no breakout options).

Breakout Session 4
• Dealing With Infertility
• Attachment and Bonding
• Birthmother Support Group and Prep for Mix and Mingle

Breakout Session 5
• Communication in Relationships
• Birthmother Support Group
• Discussing Adoption With Your Children (for Adoptive Families)
• Speed Class Session - Birthmother gifts / ICPC / Birthmother scams / High School Power Point / What to bring?

Breakout Session 6
• Discipline and Effective parenting
• Art Therapy for Grief and Loss
• Being an Adoption Advocate
• Marking the Box - Education by pediatricians on health defects you might face

Breakout Session 7
• Bringing Baby Home - Part 1 of 2
• Optimal Birth Parenting (for Birthmothers)
• Learning to Love Your Birthmother - Adoptive Couple Panel
• Marking the Box - Education by pediatricians on health defects you might face

Breakout Session 8
• Bringing Baby Home - Part 2 of 2
• Trans-racial Adoption
• Being a Birthmother Peer Counselor (for Birthmothers)
• Legal Aspects of Adoption

Regional Conference

As we get more details regarding the Regional Conference in Federal Way on November 5th and 6th, they will be posted on the Regional Conference Page. This page can be accessed by clicking on the link on the top left entitled "Regional Conference".

Making School Assigments More Adoption Friendly Article

The National Counsel for Adoption has posted a great article titled, "Back to School, A Guide to Making Schools and School Assignments More Adoption-Friendly" by Christine Mitchell. It gives some great suggestions for working with schools and teachers on making family related assignments more accommodating for various family types. It also includes alternatives to typical family tree assignments such as "The Rooted Family Tree", "The Family Wheel Diagram", and "The Family Houses Diagram". It is a quick easy to read article, that makes the reader think about how to support adopted children with school assignments that they may find challenging. It can be viewed at the following link: https://www.adoptioncouncil.org/images/stories/NCFA_ADOPTION_ADVOCATE_NO27.pdf

Labor Day Camp Out

If you weren't able to make it to our Labor Day Camp Out at Zions, you really missed out on a fun weekend! The food was delish and the weather was PERFECT. Fun was had by all, and we really missed you! Hope you can make it next time! Here is a recap of some of the fun we had!  Thanks to everyone who came and shared their holiday with us!

Chef, Cassie Willis, making the BEST blueberry pancakes EVER to go with the scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon and strawberries... YUMMMMM!

The Cornwall family joined us even though their birth mom was in labor, good luck with the new baby!

The Gerry Family had a rough night fighting a leaking air mattress, but they sure had fun in the water!

After moving their campsite away from the latrine, the Peay Family was able to enjoy their weekend. So much so that they chose to stay an extra night!

The Willis Family helped keep the fire going all weekend long with some serious "BONZ-EYE" wood chopping skills!

Who says you can't craft while camping?  Julianna and Cassie sure gave it their best effort!

Dylan and Kingston discovered that the best part of FSA is meeting new friends!

Dylan and Camden sure made a splash as they practiced their cherry bombs off the deck.

The Cox Family held nothing back in experiencing all that Zions camp had to offer. 

The Willis Family swinging the day away. It's a sabbath activity if it is done as a family, right?

The Mortensen Family playing around in the tree house.

National Council for Adoption

I was just informed about a wonderful website for adoption advocates called the National Council for Adoption. 

"Founded in 1980, the National Council For Adoption (NCFA) is an adoption advocacy nonprofit that promotes a culture of adoption through education, research, and legislative action.

Our areas of focus are infant adoption, adoption out of foster care, and intercountry adoption. Passionately committed to the belief that every child deserves a nurturing, permanent family, we serve children, birthparents, adoptive families, adoption agencies, U.S. and foreign governments, policymakers, media, and the general public as the authoritative voice for adoption."

I encourage you to take a minute and look it over, it has some valuable information, statistics and connections to the adoption world.  Hope you enjoy!  http://www.adoptioncouncil.org/

Raindrops of the Heart - By Cassie A. Grzesik

Raindrops of the Heart

Before I knew how to write this poem I grew inside my mom
I knew she loved me every moment - yet, something was very wrong
I sensed her unspoken sadness when her heart would beat at night
I didn’t know just what it was, but I knew that it wasn’t right

I grew and grew and grew inside as my mother cared for me
I heard her talk of “making a choice, picking a family”
One day I listened very closely to what was being said
I heard a word like “birth-mom,” and that my mom and dad weren’t wed

I decided to pay attention, so much going on out there
Different people were talking, families kneeling down in prayer
Mom assured me that she loved me but the question of what was right
Seemed to consume her every thought, she wrestled with it day and night

I knew my mother wasn’t sleeping but I had to get some rest
I awoke to the sound of raindrops as mother held me to her breast
And when I looked around me, I saw the light in my mother’s eyes
Her voice whispered safety and comfort, her touch so gentle and kind

She cuddled me so softly as I took in my new way of life
I felt the love only mother could give, love paid at a very high price
Lots of people kissed me (oh, yes, I must have been quite a site)
Aunts and uncles and grandmas, too…all cuddled and held me tight

I then remembered the soft sounds of the raindrops of the heart
I knew a change was coming…that my mother and I would part
The night was full of stories and the dreams that she wished for me
She told me love is forever, another mommy’d meet my needs

She held me close and I wondered if some day I could love like her
Show her how grateful I really am for the pains she chose to endure
Then the room filled with giant raindrops and hearts were pounding so fast
My mother held me so tightly…into another’s arms I was passed…

Now I’m in a new home with a brother who kisses my cheeks
He holds my hand and loves me, his kisses so gentle and sweet
My mommy now, she tells me, of how our family came to be
About mommy, daddy, and brother and my mother who placed me

Yes, the raindrops of the heart make the most beautiful rainbows, too
I have the two loveliest mommies ever, a circle of love that’s true
And yes I hear another heartbeat that is beating close to mine
Not the mother I was born to but a mother with the same shine
She smells a little different; she too, cuddles me to her breast
I feel safe in these new arms and so I close my eyes to rest

I dream soundly of my first days and the songs that my mother sang
The comfort in her loving arms, a love that will never change
I’m grateful for the choice she made and I promise to live my life
The very best that I know how…as I honor her sacrifice

By Cassie A. Grzesik
Inspired By: Robin Grzesik and Kenzie Nicole

Welcome Back!

Well, it has been a week since I got back from the National Conference in Utah, and let me just tell you that it was AMAZING!  They had so much great information there.  Tawnia, Tara, Pam, Megan and I had a wonderful time gathering ideas for our Regional Conference this fall!  It is going to knock your socks off people!!!  (BTW-It will be held on November 5th and 6th, 2010 right here in Federal Way, WA -- save the date!)

So one of the reasons this post has taken me so long to write is because I am having a hard time narrowing down EVERYTHING I got from national conference into something that will fit into one post!   So, I have decided to do a couple of posts.  One for each of the topics that I wanted to bring back and share with my WONDERFUL Western Washington FSA Chapter!  I am only one person and could only attend a small handful of the PLETHORA of classes and panels that were offered, but what I learned is something I would like to share with all of you.  Hopefully you will take a minute to read over the main ideas that I took from the classes and ponder them yourselves.  Ask yourself how it might relate to you!  But before I get to all that I have big news! 

I would like to CONGRATULATE Tawnia Singleton - our Adoption Manager, and Tara Larson - our part-time adoption worker.  They were recognized at the Chair's breakfast for all their hard work putting together the high school presentation and the education courses they offer monthly at the office.   For their amazing efforts on behalf of adoption they received an Outstanding Service Award!  Congratulations Tawnia and Tara and thank you for all you do!

Todd and Rebecca, Tawnia and Tara, Carrie and Derek

Our Regional Chairs, Rebecca and Todd Harrison, and the Oregon Chapter Chairs, Derek and Carrie C., also received recognition for their hard work and time they put into pulling off last years Regional Conference in Portland.  They too received an Outstanding Service Award for all they do for adoption. Congratulations Rebecca, Todd, Derek and Carrie and thank you!

For more information on everything you misses at National Conference please visit the National blog at:
http://www.familiessupportingadoption.blogspot.com/  Mark your calendars for next years National Conference: July 29th and 30th, 2011 at the Davis Center in Layton Utah.  I promise you that you will NOT regret going!

Coping with Infertility - National Conference Course

In order to survive we have to change - Oprah

Change what we Think:
• Remember that we are Children of God and that He loves us
• We are not defined by our infertility
• We can do great things - Positive Affirmations

Change what we Say:
• Say positive things to those around you
• Don't let your Infertility be the focus of your conversation
• Advocate

Change what we Do:
• Have a passion other than your infertility
• Loose yourself in the service of others
• Allow yourself a day to grieve
• Sanctify yourself

Why FSA - National Conference course

No matter where you fit into adoption... FSA needs YOU! We're all in this together.

What is FSA?
• Stands for Families Supporting Adoption
• FSA is the largest adoption support organization in the country
• FSA works closely with LDS Family Services to offer continuing education and social opportunities as a means of building and strengthening families and to offer outreach in the community and promote positive adoption education and legislation
• FSA includes Adoptive Couples, Birthparents and Birth families, Adoptees, Adoption Professionals and others who have in some way been touched by adoption

What does membership in Families Supporting Adoption REALLY mean?
• Network of friends with a similar bond - Adoption.
• You get out what you put in, and then some.

Who is FSA for?
• Adoptive Couples and families
• Birth parents / families
• Children
• Anyone who has been touched by adoption

What does FSA have to offer?
• Activities
• Mentors for adoptive couples
• Service opportunities in the local chapter
• Support
   -Online group discussions
   -Outreach presentations at schools and in the community
• FSA blogs and websites
• Opportunities to share your adoption story

When should you get involved with FSA?
• Now! Everyone can help support adoption, even for just a few minutes each month!
• Upcoming activities / events
   -familiessupportingadoption.blogspot.com
   -familiessupportingadoption.org

Why should you get involved with FSA?
• Greater understanding of adoption
• Relationships for couples and children
• Spirit of Adoption
• Instant network of experienced couples in a similar situation
• Giving Back
• Getting involved helps you get more out of your adoption experience

Opportunities with FSA?
• Education
• Mentoring
• Activities
• Calling Tree
• Historian
• Outreach
• Legislative
• Web Moderator
• Membership / Records
• Media
• FIND SOMETHING THAT INTERESTS YOU!!!

How can you get involved?
• Email your chapter Chair
   -families.supporting.adoption@gmail.com
• Contact your case worker
   -Tawnia Singleton singletonta@ldsfamilyservices.org

Being an Adoption Advocate - National Conference course

You can advocate here or there, you can advocate anywhere!

What does it mean to be an adoption advocate?
• dispelling myths and clarifying misconceptions
• opening your mouth
• helping people use correct terminology
• sharing your passion for and testimony of adoption
• educating
• increasing awareness of the adoption option

Even 'busy' people can advocate for adoption
• everyone is busy, but everyone has time to be an adoption advocate
• the key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. - Stephen Covey
• "have i done any good in the world today?"

Anyone can advocate - no matter how much time you have.
• Anything you do - no matter how big or small - is better than nothing
• these are things you can do with or without FSA
• these are things you can do in your won community and neighborhood
• these are things you can do by yourself or with a group of your friends

What are some things you can do to be an adoption advocate?
• small amount of time
   -share your love and testimony of and spiritual experience with adoption
   -get involved in FSA - there are varying levels of involvement
   -keep adoption info in your wallet/purse to distribute when prompted
   -talk about adoption/pass out materials to family and friends, other adoptive couples or advocates, your hairdresser or barber.
   -if you already have a blog add a list of couples who are hoping to adopt, link to their profiles and link to the national FSA blog.
   -put on adoption spin on the way you answer your questions in church as well as in the lessons and talks you prepare.
   -wear adoption paraphernalia and give as gifts
• medium amount of time
   -Talk about adoption / pass out materials to neighbors, work colleagues, bishops, RS presidents, YSA reps and teenagers you know.
   -if you already have a blog research adoption articles, link to them with your reaction or summary or interview adoption professionals, members of the triad.
   -Add to adoption discussions on social networking sites and blogs: http://www.adoptionblogs.com/, http://www.adoptionvoices.com/, myspace.com, facebook.com, youtube.com
   -car ad - drive around an adoption message or url on your back window.
   -get involved in FSA's school and church outreach programs
• large amount of time
   -talk about adoption/ pass out materials to doctors and nurses at hospitals, attorneys, dentists, planned parenthood, abortion clinics, pregnancy resource centers, rape recovery centers, JHS / HS principals, health teachers and counselors, women's counseling centers at colleges, podcasters, newspapers, women's health clinics, women's shelters, women's rehab centers, prisons, hospital staff and social workers, dept. of human services offices, WIC clinics, student clinics at colleges and universities
   -start a personal blog or adoption blog to talk about adoption/infertility and adoption issues/research
   -help with or volunteer to start a blog for your FSA chapter
   -make a video about adoption and post it online
   -ask to be a guest writer/blogger/interview on popular blogs, podcasts and print media
   -ask popular bloggers, podcasters, journalists, newspapers in your area to advocate for adoption on their site with a featured article.
   -adoption yard sale to benefit friends and family who may be adopting. Provide info on adoption and ask the press to cover it.
   -walk in your city's parade carrying FSA banner and wearing Orange: Orange you glad you chose adoption?
   -mass empty stroller walk
   -birth mothers day walk
   -art gallery display where local art gallery exhibit couples seeking to adopt by displaying artistic expressions of adoption, infertility, family...
   -library display in November for national adoption awareness month. Use school libraries and have adoption stats posted.
   -5K or other race with adoption T-shirts
  -bake sale and sell recipe books

Brainstorm more ideas
• what are things you've done that have worked well
• where do you need help
• what is keeping you from being an adoption advocate

Can't Attend the National Conference?

Hopefully you are considering taking the drive (or short flight) to Utah for the National FSA Conference July 30th -31st. But, just in case you can't make it there, don't miss the keynote speaker.

Former BYU Cougar, 2001 Heisman Trophy Candidate, current BYU Coach ...and Adoptive Father, BRANDON DOMAN will be this year's keynote speaker. You won't want to miss it!

Even if you are not able to attend the conference, we still want to include you! Brandon Doman's Saturday morning keynote address will be live streamed on the Internet from 9:30 to 10:40 a.m MST.

The Internet video will be about a minute or two behind the live event from the Davis Conference Center.

The link for the stream is: http://stream.lds.org/2222-123456

Or you can go to this link for the original post on the National FSA Blog:
http://familiessupportingadoption.blogspot.com/2010/07/national-conference-news-keynote.html

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!

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!

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

Regional Conference Committee

Every year FSA puts on a regional conference.  This fall it is our chapter's turn to host it.  We are looking for volunteers to be on the conference committee and help bring this event to pass.  The committee will be lead by a few of our chapter's board members and will be meeting via phone conference each Sunday night at 8:30pm.  Our first meeting, however, will be held in person at the Renton LDSFS office on Thursday July 1st at 7:00pm.  If you are interested in helping out please join us!  We will be outlining the conference and get the ball rolling, there is a lot to do and we need all the help we can get!!!  For more information please contact Julianna at 360-464-5887.

What's Your vote?

We are having a picnic in the park on July 10th from 12:30 - 4pm.  There will be all sorts of games, mingling and fun to be had, so pack your family a picnic and come meet your new board members!!!

There is only one small problem... what park should we meet at?  What is your vote?  The only guidelines is that it needs to be in the Renton/Bellevue area so that it is centrally located for all of our members.  Here are a few suggestions:

Teasdale

Glenco

Liberty

Jones

Heritage

Leave your suggestion in the comments section and I will pick one next week!

Grief Groups by Tara

The following has been posted on the support page, but I wanted to be sure everyone saw it, so here it is. 

Unresolved grief can affect the relationship between adoptive parents and birth mothers, but more importantly can also affect the relationship between adoptive parents and their child. For those of you who might still be working through feelings of grief surrounding infertility, miscarriage, or the loss of a child we want to provide you with the resources you need. As a result we would like to start a monthly grief support group. The group would meet on the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. The decision to hold the group will be based on need. So if you are interested in such a group please RSVP to the Renton office.

Grief group has been added to our monthly calendar and is a WONDERFUL resource that is being offered to you at no charge. If you are uncomfortable with a group like setting feel free to make mention and arrange a private session.

Education Opportunity - Guest Speaker

Dear adoption friends,

I'm so pleased to be able to invite you to an adoption event Saturday June 5 from 3:00 - 4:30. There will be a guest speaker who will be showing a brief presentation:  "Across the Adoption Spectrum / Insights from Adoptees and their Families" in Renton. Here's some information:

Across the Adoption Spectrum / Insights from Adoptees and their Families

Presenter: Teresa Kelleher (adoptive mom, teacher, author of several adoption-specific language sets and a new book, "Snowflakes, a Flurry of Adoption Stories by, for and about Children and Teens" -- more info below)

Who is invited?
All who have connections to and interest in foster care and/or adoption. Appropriate for pre- and post-adoption parents and teens, as well as those who wish to support them in the adoption journey (prospective foster/adoptive parents, adopted teens and young adults and their parents, agencies, counselors, and teachers, etc.).

What? adoption presentation (basic information about adoption, a few statistics about orphanage "graduates" and those who have "aged out" of foster care, question & answer about adoption topics (any/all topics of interest to the group can be addressed), insights from young adoptees on their experiences before, during, and after adoption. The presenter will also make signed copies of her books available for purchase.

When? Saturday June 5, 2010  from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Where? The Renton Office: 220 South Third Place Renton WA

I hope you'll accept this invitation. Please invite your families, staff, and any/all who are friends of foster care and adoption.  A meaningful adoption education experience is guaranteed.  This will count as 1 1/2 hours towards your required 10 hours of adoption education!

Snowflakes, a Flurry of Adoption Stories by, for and about children and teens. 200+ stories of adoption, many submitted by kids ages 8 - 19. Perfect for families before, during and after adoption to learn what to expect. Viewpoints from the perspective of children and teens as well as their families. Powerful information: the happy, the sad, the challenging, and the delightful!Unique. Honest. Sensitive. Beautiful. A precious keepsake for adoptees and their families.

Snowflakes, a Flurry of Adoption Stories was reviewed in the June 2010 issue of Adoptive Families magazine:

“Adopted children, ...and family members share their points of view on adoption, family, and relationships in this satisfying collection of essays. The book is divided into four sections: stories by young adoptees; teens’ stories; stories for new and prospective parents; and stories from families who successfully adopted older children and children with special needs. Children of all ages, adopted domestically and from abroad, as infants and as older kids, share a range of experiences, from meeting new siblings to missing birth family.

The adoptees’ points of view—the soul of Snowflakes—offer glimpses of lives before, during, and after adoption. The stories they tell, and the advice they offer, resonate...[adoption] themes are most powerful when they are expressed by children.”
                ~ Judith Frist, Adoptive Families magazine (June 2010)

Available on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and on my web site: http://Worknotes.com/AZ/AdoptingFromRussia/Kelleher
Questions? tk.pacifica@gmail.com

Calendar posted

I have posted a calendar of events on the Upcoming Events and Calendar page so check it out.  Mark your calendars for the events that your family needs or wants to attend and watch for more details to be posted as they get closer.  We, as an FSA, are offering monthly opportunities for Adoption Education and both social and emotional support.  We hope that you will take advantage of these opportunities as often as you are able! We promise that the more you involve yourself with FSA the easier the journey of adoption will be.  We look forward to seeing you at these events!

Wonderful Article

A Birth mother member of our FSA passed this article on to me and I wanted to pass it on to all of you. I have added it to the sidebar for easy future access. I hope you enjoy!

Raina Kelley
Birth Moms Deserve Our Respect
Why all the conversations about adoption leave out a key player.
May 20, 2010

When I gave birth to my son two years ago, I was stunned by the depth of my feelings—not the love, I expected that. It was the sense that the life of this baby was now more important than my own. I would fight a mountain lion or step in front of a truck to protect him. I would even, if I had to, send him to my parents to live, if my husband and I could no longer provide the best care for him. That doesn't make me special—it just means I'm a mother, same as hundreds of millions of other women. No matter whether it's staying home, going to work, raising their kids alone or choosing to leave their children in order to provide for them, there is nothing most of us would not do to ensure our childrens' safety. And, for some Moms, giving their children the best chance at a good life means making the most excruciating sacrifice of all: placing them up for adoption.

We hear a lot about adoption, but usually only when things go wrong or a celebrity is involved. We talk plenty about the kids themselves and the selfless families taking them in—whether they're fictional scenarios like the adoption storyline on Glee, or all-too-real news footage from Haiti, Ethiopia, or China. But our culture still seems to show so little respect and support for the women who choose adoption in the face of an unexpected pregnancy. Rarely do we focus, in a positive way, on the birth mothers, aside from picking the most relevant stereotyped assumptions: "Pregnant teen, crack addict, prostitute, trash, etc."

For the better part of the 20th century, adoption was seen as exploitative and cruel to birth mothers. Since single motherhood and abortion were not readily accepted options, women and girls were often forced by their families into hasty marriages or hustled into homes where their babies were taken without their informed consent. But now adoption has come out of hiding—indeed, both domestic and international adoptions have become increasingly common. One would think that women or teenage girls would be able to explore this option free of the guilt and shame. But as Amy Benfer wrote last month at Salon.com when discussing the reaction to notable on-screen pregnancies: "By the end of 2008, you could be forgiven for believing there was absolutely no way to portray a young unmarried woman who happened to be pregnant in a responsible manner: Juno was too smart, funny and likable; Katherine Heigl in 'Knocked Up' was too pretty and too happy; the Gloucester girls were too poor and too dumb; Jamie Lynn Spears was too rich and too dumb; Bristol Palin was too privileged and too Republican. When MTV came out with '16 and Pregnant' in the summer of 2009, it was more of the same: the girls were too trashy or too popular; bad mothers for dropping out of school, or unrealistic role models for other, less privileged girls, should they continue with school."

For Elizabeth Bartholet, professor of law and faculty director of the Child Advocacy Program at the Harvard Law School, society's distrust of birth mothers reveals our enduring bias for biological families. "It is very deeply ingrained in our society that all kids belong where they came from, it's unnatural to give them up. So we stigmatize surrendering the child ... but most young unmarried women who give birth are not in a good position to raise their child. What if we allowed people to think it's also natural to give their children to somebody else to raise?" Don't believe that we're so biased against birth moms? Do a little thought experiment with me—imagine it's the 2008 presidential race all over again. What do you think the response would have been if Bristol Palin had announced she was having her baby but placing it for adoption? Something tells me she wouldn't have been hailed as a real-life Juno but as a selfish promiscuous tart who doesn't care about her baby.

To me, it also indicates a strain of our culture that is not yet ready to accept that a mother's love might dictate placing her child with somebody else to raise and instead dismisses her as unnatural. As Adam Pertman, executive director of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute explained to me, "Our society has lifted much of the stigma of single motherhood, but still finds it difficult to support a woman who is, as they see it, abandoning her child. These women are told: 'How can you possibly give up your child? What kind of person could do that?' So while adoption is listed as viable option, it's a choice that's rarely made." Indeed, the number of newborn babies available for adoption has remained flat for almost two decades while the number of unmarried women having children has soared.

What if we stopped pretending we lived in a world where the traditional nuclear family is the norm and accepted birth mothers into the fold of family life? We've certainly managed to do that in the world of reproductive medicine where we welcome offspring as biological even if the child was the product of donated sperm and egg. And we've somehow managed to accept a bewildering array of familial choices from multiple stepparents, two moms, or a single grandparent. But, thanks to society's misgivings and misconceptions about adoption, birth mothers are damned if they do and damned if they don't. By indicating that placing a child for adoption is a selfish or painless choice when it's not, or talking about birth mothers as if they were all crack-addled prostitutes or at the very least wayward youth, we not only limit a woman's right to choose but also shut out the possibility that there are other people out there who would love to adopt. Why not try respecting these women as mothers able to make the best decision for themselves and their pregnancies—even if that decision is not to parent?

To view article: http://www.newsweek.com/id/238276

The 411 on the Adoption Education

As the Adoption Education Board member, I figure if I am confused, then others might be too! So...here is a little information about Adoption Education for current adoptive applicants of the Western WA FSA Chapter:

• A minimum of 10 hours of Adoption Education are required for new applicants (anyone applying after January 1, 2010). All approved applicants are encouraged to get as much Adoption Education as possible.
• Prospective birth parents will be informed regarding the amount of Adoption Education attended by prospective adoptive couples.
• The LDS Family Services (LDSFS) Western WA Office has established 5 Adoption Education classes which are required for all new applicants.
• These classes will be held monthly as well as at other various times during the year. (Currently, on the 3rd Thursday of the month in the Renton LDSFS office at 7pm (lasting 60-90 minutes). Additional opportunities to attend these classes will be set up as needed. Currently, they are scheduled in Oregon (on Saturday, June 19th, 2010, 10am -3pm) and will also be held in Renton on (Saturday, August 21, 10am-4pm).  The Class Outline can be found under the Education tab found at the top of this page.
• Additionally, all applicants are required to attend a birth parent panel or birth parent interactive event (such as scheduling to meet with a birth parent for personal feedback on your profile).
• Beyond the 5 office sponsored courses and a birth parent panel or event, Adoption Education hours (for a minimum total of 10) can be obtained through FSA sponsored Adoption Education events and/or the Regional FSA Conference (which will be held in WA this November) or National FSA Conferences (in Utah annually – July 30-31, 2010) and/or outside Adoption Education (such as classes sponsored by the State Division of Health and Human Services (or other reputable agency).

Hopefully the above information helps to answer any questions you may have regarding Adoption Education requirements and opportunities for our chapter. The Western WA FSA Chapter Blog (http://www.fsawa.blogspot.com) and the Western WA Office Blog (http://adoptionhub.blogspot.com) will post Adoption Education opportunities regularly. If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to contact a member of the LDSFS Office Adoption Team (listed on the right side bar of this blog).
I look forward to meeting more of you as we journey together through the maze and blessings of adoption.
Larissa

Adoption Education and Outreach

The next few posts that will be coming in are about Adoption Education and Outreach, so be sure to continue to check back often!  We will be posting information such as

• FAQ's about education hours
• A schedule of educational opportunities
• High School Outreach Programs that LDSFS and FSA are working on getting started

So please feel free to post your questions in the comment section!  Thank you Larissa, our FSA Education chair, for your information and hard work!  For additional information check out LDSFS blog: http://adoptionhub.blogspot.com/

Girls Night Out and Birth Mothers Day Success!

A special thanks to those who attended Girls Night Out and created amazing earrings for our local birth moms. It was a great night and well deserved brunch! Thanks for donating food and your talent!

If you were unable to attend here are some pictures of all the fun you missed out on!

Pam and Larissa setting the tables

Jen, Cassie, Jillian, and Amy working away at the earrings

JayLynn setting up the food area

Many are missing, but the gang at the end of the event with the finished product.

Pam, Larissa, Julianna, Cassie, Denise and Jen (missing are Tara, Bonnie, Amy, and Jillian)

We sure missed having you there and hope that you will be able to get out to our next event: Summer Picnic coming up in July.  Check back in the future for more details.

A new link

Tawnia has a blog for the LDSFS office in Renton and wanted me to share the link with all of you.  I have added it to the sidebar for quick and easy reference. Go check it out!
http://adoptionhub.blogspot.com/

Girls Night Out Invitation

Everyone should have recieved this in an email but here it is as well. Just click on it to enlarge it so you can read it better.  PLEASE email or call me (360-464-5887 / julianna_mortensen@yahoo.com) and let me know what you can do to help this pull together!  Adoption wouldn't be possible without our WONDERFUL Birthmothers so lets pull together and give them a brunch they will never forget!

Thank you for your help!

Call for Help

We are linked to Facebook!

Ok I have got us linked to Facebook!  If you click the share button in the top right hand corner of the blog it will post a link on your profile to the blog.  If you click the Join our Group botton in the bottom left corner of the blog it will link you to the FSA group and give you the chance to join the group. The only catch is that you have to be logged into facebook before clicking the "join our group button"... So just hit the share button first and log on, then hit the join our group button! Wala!!!  I am sure there is an easier way to do this but for now, it works! Enjoy!

Face Lift

Well Hello everyone! This is Julianna and I have been asked to take over the FSA WA AK blog. I am starting out with a couple of things; first off I am giving the blog a face lift and need your help.

1- Do you have a website for your family? Would you like it linked to our blog? If so I need the address. Feel free to just post it as a comment to this post. I will take that address, link it to the blog and create a cute little link button like the ones you see to the right, so that all we have do to see your site is click your button.

2- Do you have an article, information, website, info, or anything to add to the blog? I am wanting to utilize the blog to not only inform everyone about upcoming activities, adoption opportunities, pertinent information to LDSFS, but also to educate about all aspects of adoption. Anything you have to contribute please email it to me at julianna_mortensen@yahoo.com

Once the face life is complete I am hoping to keep the blog updated on a monthly basis, at least, with upcoming dates and activities, opportunities, reminders, new adoption information and so forth... so make it a point to visit back regularly!

-Julianna

2010 Families Supporting Adoption National Conference

Are you thinking of attending the Annual 2010 FSA National Conference in Utah? It is always a fabulous event and a great way to add to your required adoption training hours.

This year it will be held on Friday, July 30, 2010 at 9:00am through Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 5:00pm in the Davis Conference Center (1651 North 700 West, Layton, UT 84041).

Here is a little blurb from the National FSA Facebook page:

We are very excited to announce a new addition to our National Conference. This year we are inviting individuals (including children) to submit art work that represents some aspect of adoption. We will be displaying the pieces at the conference. There will be more information to come. Please start spreading the word.

Adoption Voices

Do you all know about Adoption Voices? If not you need to check it out. It is a social networking site just for those of us whose lives have been touched by adoption. Think of it like facebook just for the adoption community.

Click on the icon above to visit and explore.

Book Review: A Love Like No Other

A Love Like No Other
by Pamela Kruger (Editor), Jill Smolowe (Editor)

For those of us waiting, wishing, longing, there is something soothing and reassuring about hearing and reading the experiences of families whose wait is over. We long to hear that the miracle that we continually hope and pray for will come to pass. It strengthens our faith, reassures us that the Lord is listening, and lengthens our patience.

For those of you who have all ready welcomed miracle children into your families, you may enjoy rejoicing with others who understand the road you have traveled. You may also find comfort in the acknowledgment that despite the difficulty we go through in building a family through adoption, that road does not end with a placement and finalization. Nor is the continuing road always smooth and easily traversed. In addition to the usual ups and downs of parenting, those of us who are called to adoption will have an extra dimension to our family that we are responsible to help our children navigate. The authors of these essays share their children’s reaction to being adopted and how they, as parents, responded to those reactions.

A Love Like No Other: Stories from Adoptive Parents is a deep well of experiences that we can dip into when our own faith is diminished. It may serve well as a periodic “pick-you-up,” reading one essay at a time or you may read it as I did, obsessively over the course of two days, giving me a much needed infusion of hope and resolve.

Now, be forewarned, you may not only need a box of tissues, but you may also need an open mind. These essays are written by parents who adopted domestically and internationally, families who were joined by newborns and families who brought school age children and teens into their families, parents who honor their children’s native heritage and those who hardly acknowledge it. You may not agree with their decisions, with their philosophy, or even their way of life, but one thing is beyond discussion, these parent love their children with a fierce and binding love.

Each of us will react to each of these essays differently. We will each relate to the essayists in our own way. For me the experience of Amy Rackear in her essay “The Second Time Around” hit close to home and, although our situations are not entirely similar, her words and her story resonated with me, giving me the resolve to move forward during a difficult time in our own adoption journey.

The experiences recorded in this book are as diverse as the children we adopt. Somewhere within the pages of this book you are likely to find a family who has walked the road you are now facing, or has walked the road with you. Regardless, each of the stories will teach you something and increase your love for adoption.

Adoption Mini-Conference, Saturday, May 16th at 9:45 am at LDSFS in Renton

Here is the schedule of events for Adoption Education:

09:45-10:00 Welcome and Snack
10:00-10:30 Adoptive Couple Panel
10:30-11:00 Teen Adoptee and her parents (Melissa)
11:00-11:30 Nickie Wood, LDS Family Services
11:30-12:00 State of Washington, Kim Johnson, Foster Care Licenser
12:00-12:30 Birth Parent Panel
12:30-01:00 Lunch

All current LDS Family Services applicants are expected to attend. Anyone interested in learning more about adoption is welcome. Due to the limitations of the location, childcare is not provided.

PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

Remembering Birthmother's Day

This was a great article about how Birthmother's Day came to be and how it help Birthmothers heal and support one another.

Mother's Day tinged with sadness for birthmoms

A Great Resource

In doing some research, I came across a wonderful resource.

The Washington State Adoption Council’s
2009
Adoption Information Exchange

Click on the title to download this valuable packet of information.

Here is the table of contents to give you an idea of what information it contains:

Section 1 Domestic Adoption Agencies. . . . . . . Page 3-4

Section 2 International Adoption Resources . . . Page 5-7
Agencies
Support Groups
Community Resources

Section 3 Special Needs/ Foster Adoption . . . . . Page 8-11
Community Organizations
DSHS and Private Agencies
Support Groups

Section 4 Adoption Attorneys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12-13

Section 5 Pre- and Post-Placement Providers. . . Page14-15

Section 6 General Community Resources . . . . . . Page 16-18
Organisations
Support Groups

Section 7 Counselors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 19-20

Section 8 Search and Reunion Resources . . . . . . .Page 21

Keeping Busy While you Wait

This is a fun article on some things to do to keep you busy and your mind occupied while you are waiting for your new little one to arrive.
Surviving the Wait: Keeping Busy While Waiting to be Matched with Your Child
From Adoption Under One Roof

Help with Funding your Adoption

This is a group that raises money to help families bring their children home.

Spring Fling 2009

We had a lot of fun chatting and getting to know one another better! Thanks to everyone who contributed and everyone who came, and everyone who took home food!!!

See you all at the summer BBQ!

Bring on the Spring Fling

It's almost time! It's almost here! Aren't you excited???? We are!!! We can't wait to see and meet everyone this Saturday.

Remember to RSVP to Kim with the number of happy faces we will see from your family.

families.supporting.adoption@gmail.com

Here is a map to the venue. You can click on the "pin" and then click on "get directions" to lay down a digital bread crumb trail right from your house! (note that the address on the flier is slightly off, it's 19909 SE Wax Rd.)


View Larger Map

Come Out to Our Spring Fling Game Day this Saturday!

We hope to see you there!

Foster Adoption in WA

Lincoln and I have been inspired by the Upton-Rowleys and their beautiful family that was partially created through adopting through the foster care system. (You guys didn't know we've been watching you, did you? You know, we are in your stake!)

I have been doing research on adopting through the Washington foster care system and thought I would share what I have learned here.

DSHS- Childrens' Administration has an organization within it called the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS). They have 44 offices throughout the state.



They have an informative and resourceful website about adoption.
http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/adopt/index.asp

They start by offering a list of questions to ask yourself in order to better understand what kind of adoption through the foster system is right for you.

Then they outline the legal differences between a foster parent and an adoptive parent.

Foster Parents:

• Provide daily care and nurturing of children in foster care.
• Advocate for children in their schools and communities.
• Inform the children's caseworkers about adjustments to the home, school, and community, as well as any problems that may arise, including any serious illnesses, accidents, or serious occurrences involving the foster children or their own families.
• Make efforts as team members with children's caseworkers towards reunifying children with their birth families.
• Provide a positive role model to birth families, and
• Help children learn life skills.

Adoptive Parents:

• Provide permanent homes and a lifelong commitment to children into adulthood and beyond.
• Provide for the short-term and long-term needs of children.
• Provide for children's emotional, mental, physical, social, educational, and cultural needs, according to each child's developmental age and growth.
• May become certified as a foster family and accept children who are not legally free for adoption, but whose permanency plan is adoption.

That last one there really caught my attention, as I recently become aware of the differnce between foster to adopt (working towards adoptiong a child you are a foster parent too) and foster adoption (adopting a child out of the foster care system.)

Next, they have a section dedicated to helping you answer some of the questions that you adopted children my have, especially if they came to your family as older children.
http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/adopt/how_issues.asp
A particularly delightful aspect of this site are the pdf downloads available to create a "lifestory book" for or with your child. It helps them to celebrate and comemorate their entire lives, including the time before they came into your family.

Next on the list is a site dedicated to the adoption laws in our state. They have a "cliff notes" verstion of WA state adoption laws.
http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/adopt/how_requatglance.asp

An imortant item to notice is that you do not have to be a foster parent to adopt through the foster system, (however, it is my understanding that you may have better post-adoption resources available to the child if you choose to become a foster parent.)

The next resource talks about cost. It is well known that the cost of adopting through the foster system is significantly less than private or agency adoption. The only expenses that you are responsible for (and which may even be reimbursed under some circumstances) are attorney fees and home study fees (if someone other than DSHS does your home study.)

They also talk about the Adoption Subsidy available for special needs children. What I found particularly interesting here, is what the definition of a special needs child is.

To be considered a child with "special needs" each of the following statements must be true:

1. One or more of the following factors or conditions must exist:
• The child is of an minority ethnic background.
• The child is six years of age or older at the time of application for adoption support.
• The child is a member of a sibling group of three or more or of a sibling group in which one or more siblings meet the definition of special needs.
• The child is diagnosed with a physical, mental, developmental, cognitive or emotional disability.
• The child is at risk for a diagnosis of a physical, mental, developmental, cognitive, or emotional disability due to prenatal exposure to toxins, a history of serious abuse or neglect, or genetic history.
2. The state has determined that the child cannot or should not be returned to parent's home; and
3. A reasonable but unsuccessful effort was made to place the child for adoption without adoption support. (Other unique conditions may exist in which a child would qualify. Almost every child in the state's Foster Care program qualifies for Adoption Support).

Did you catch that last line there "Almost every child in the state's Foster Care program qualifies for Adoption Support" which means they are eligible for medical and dental care through Medicaid.

If the cost of adoption or the continuing cost of caring for a child are concerns for you, then adoption through the foster system is something you should carefully consider.

Next they go through the steps that you will need to go through in order to adopt through the foster care system.

1. Contact your local DSHS office. You can find the listings here. They will answer questions for you and send you an information packet. You will also need to complete 30 hours of adoption/foster training before you are assigned a social worker.

2. Get a Home Study done. (this is a topic in an of itself, but you can read what they have to say about it here.)

3. "Select a Child" - you may all ready have a child in mind, or a social worker may contact you about a child they think would be a good fit in your home.

4. Visitation and Placement Process- The visitation process can take as little as two weeks or several months. Visits begin with a few hours at a place the child feels safe and progressively get longer leading eventually to staying over night and finally moving into their new home.

5. Post Placement- you will continue to work with your social worker to help arrange for any help that your child may need and the social worker will visit your home periodically until finalization.

6. Finalization- Again, this is a whole topic unto itself. You may read how DSHS outlines the process here.

The last page on the Children's Administration website is a list of resources. I would encourage everyone to take a look at it. It includes information on everything from a scholarship available to adopted children, to answering post adoption questions, to tips on taking advantage of adoption tax credits.

http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/adopt/res_Resources.asp

As you pray about your adoption and consider your resources and finding techniques, be sure to include foster care in your options. Perhaps that is where your child is waiting for you.

Mariners Game

Hello Everyone!!

We just wanted to let you know that the Seattle Mariners are holding a special night to celebrate adoption! We hope to set up a table in order to share with others more about FSA and LDSFS! If you would be interested in volunteering at this booth, please send me an email.

The Mariners are also looking at providing scholarships for those who would like to attend but would not due to cost. Please contact me also if you are interested in a scholarship.

We are so excited about this event!

I will be posting more info sometime this week, as the Mariners just finished all specific details earlier today. We will update you with the latest once we receive the news!

Sincerely,

Galen & Kimberly Mecham


Here is a letter that came to us from the Mariners:

Hello Friends

As the son of an adoptee, I personally know a little of the pain and joy of adoption from my own mother's life experience, so it pleases me to be the first to let you know that May 1st 2009 will be the first of what I hope, is many "We Are Family" nights here at Safeco Field. This will be an evening when we will be able to recognize and honor foster families, adoption and adoptee's, birth families and the professionals who work so hard to ensure that all kids in the Northwest can have a positive future surrounded by a family that loves and respects them.

As it stands now, the basics are these: Tickets will be priced at $11, to allow more family's and co-workers an opportunity for an affordable evening out.

When your families, co-workers and guests arrive at the game, they will be able to check in at a table we have set up, where they may claim a special promotional "thank you," gift from the Mariners with We Are Family discreetly displayed on it.

Before the game we will tell a few stories of adoption or foster family's success and inspiration, and someone will be chosen to throw out the first pitch.

At the beginning of the 4th inning, any group that has sold 40 tickets or more will have their name up on the scoreboard for recognition.

We think this night is going to be a very special event for everyone involved.

Let's Get Together!!!

We are planning a Spring Fling in late April! The date will be posted for you this week. We will also be sending out a newsletter on Tuesday! So keep an eye open for it in the mail.

Galen and I have also been in touch with the Portland and Spokane FSA Co-Chairs and have been filled with lots of sweet ideas. We would love to celebrate those involved in the adoption triad and thus we are looking to do some special projects. We will need volunteers--and these projects can be done at your house and sent to the LDSFS office. Curious to what these projects are? Keep a look out for your FSA newsletter!

So many ideas keep rushing to our minds and we are excited to see them come to pass. We look forward to working beside you as our FSA family in promoting and celebrating Adoption! We are so grateful for you! We hope to see you at our upcoming events!

Have a great night everybody!

Go Adoption!

-Galen & Kimberly Mecham

Great Blogs

I'm not sure if you have come upon this blog, but I think it's great. These sweet adoptive parents shares their ups and downs with their readers, and it's truly inspirational!

Here is the blogspot link:

www.therhouse.blogspot.com

*Here's another one I just came across as well...

www.becauseadoptionmatters.blogspot.com


Enjoy!!

Facebook

Hi all,

I know that a few of you are on facebook- and probably there are
others that are that I don't know about. I've created a closed
private group for us so that we have a nice place to share photos,
stories, and resources.

If you are all ready on facebook and want to join the group (it's a
private group, you won't be able to find it through a search) either
friend me and include a message that you want to be added to the group.

"Megan Penny Wright" (in Seattle)

or send me a message on fb letting me know you want to be added

I hope this will help us all get to know one another a little bit better.

If you aren't on facebook, it is a powerful tool for networking and
finding. It's free and I highly recommend that you join. Joining is
pretty self explanatory, but if you need help I would be happy to
provide personal "technical support" :)

See you there

Megan

2009 Calendar

Hi Everyone!!!

This is Kim & Galen, your new FSA Co-Chairs! We just returned from the LDSFS Board Meeting! It was a great experience to sit on the board and listen to all that LDSFS has to offer. Everyone showed lots of excitement for their responsibilities, including us. We look forward to serving with you on the board as your new FSA Co-Chairs!!!

At the moment, we are currently in the process of calling all of you so we can get to know you better. We want to find out what we as an FSA board can do for you. We would like to be able to understand where each of you are coming from, and what you envision your pre or post adoption experience to be like. We want to able to provide what you and your family need. We would like to encourage the sense of community many of you have desired to have among each other, but haven't been able to form. FSA should be a rock for each of you as you go about your adoption journey.

We come from a very strong FSA (in California) where we could confide in the members of the FSA and get support. Our previous FSA had activities all the time, and the couples became like family. There are times when it's hard to communicate to others what you are feeling as an adoptive applicant, birth parent, or as an adoptive parent. This is where FSA can help. We have either been there, are going through it, or have been touched by it. I am hoping we can get to know each other better this year!! I hope we can become an FSA family, have fun activities, and become good friends.

Some highlights that we hope to pursue this year are:

Major Activities
Spring Fling - Activity possibly mingled with Education late March/ Early April
Summer BBQ- Location TBD (One will be held here and in Alaska)
Regional FSA Conference- Sometime in August
National Adoption Month Activity- Either dinner or a temple trip in November
Christmas/ Winter Party- December or January

Education
We will be having monthly adoption education classes once a month on a Saturday morning.
(****Many of you have desired to have adoption education, since the state of WA does not require any. It's hard to know what to expect when you haven't had any education on the topic, having only a homestudy. We are all in this together. Adoption today is changing so much, so let's come and learn together!)

Blog/FSA WA Yahoo Group
We also are going to be adding contributors to our FSA blog. The current contributor is doing a wonderful job, and will continue in her position as the head of the blog. However, we would love to get a few other people to contribute as well.

***We also want to encourage you to post on the FSA WA Yahoo Group. This can be a great way to get your questions answered, to share your excitement, or other feelings with others who know what you're going through. LDSFS case workers, directors, or anyone else working at the agency will not be allowed to join. They will not see or hear of anything that is being posted. It was touched upon tonight. We reiterated the importance of families being able to chat soely with other members of FSA. The LDSFS respect that and will not be included in the group.

A Facebook group is also being created. We will keep you posted on how to join!


Play Groups/ Bi Monthly Activities
We would like to start up play groups in the Spring. We would also like to have bi-monthly pizza nights as well. We were thinking of having them regionally. For example, those who live in the Olympia area can get together and have play groups and their pizza night the same days or nights families are getting together in the Seattle or Bellingham areas. This way people don't have to drive so far to go meet their new best FSA friends! :-)

(Please email me and let me know what you think of this idea! If any of you would like to coordinate any of these activities in your area, we would be more than willing to put you on the committee for your area!)


Outreach

We are looking for people to give 5th Sunday presentations in their ward and stakes. (Or any ward or stake, including the Deaf and Spanish wards!) Regional Reps with LDSFS are also an asset in getting the word out for these 5th Sunday presentations. We can give presentations at schools, businesses, or anywhere else that would welcome them.

We can set up an LDSFS booth at farmers markets and provide interested people information on adoption. Our last FSA did this. We can set up a little booth, table, and chairs......and there you go.

We can wear our FSA shirts and bracelets. Or we can be a testimony bearer of the blessing of adoption in our lives.



OK well that is not a comprehensive list but I think it should suffice for the moment. If any of you would like to participate on the board, or be in charge of a single task or event, please email us! We would love to work beside you, our inspiration!


Sincerely,


Kim & Galen


P.S. In order to execute these events we will need lots of help from you. If you could contribute in any way- we would be more than grateful. This is going to be great!!!