Looking for something to do this summer? Head out to Washington State. They are offering free camping for foster children and their foster families.

The offer applies to state parks in the Washington State. I think it’s fantastic. Money is tight for everyone right now, and this may be something that the kids have never had the opportunity to do before.

Getting out in nature is a wonderful thing. Hiking, building a campfire, roasting marshmallows, staying... more

In a week we will be leaving for Massachusetts to attend the ATN conference. I am excited. This is the third year we have done this conference and it has been wonderful every time.

If you haven’t signed up to attend, why not?

What makes the ATN conference different from other conferences is that it is focused on helping parents who are living with traumatized children. Therapists and social workers can benefit as well, but parents are the ones who benefit the most.

Aside from the sessions,... more

The Annie E. Casey Foundation has released a report that indicates many foster children are living in less than ideal conditions and in poverty stricken conditions.

The top five states that have their foster children living above the poverty level are:

• Utah • North Dakota • Idaho • Wyoming • South Dakota

The worst states fall on the East coast, where the ... more

I have blogged, fairly openly, about the fact that I was physically, emotionally and sexually abused. I am working on these issues and am exploring having EMDR done to help with some of my anxieties. While talking with my counselor, she recommended the book, "The Four Agreements" by don Miguel Ruiz.

I got it in an audio version and have been listening to it on my MP3 player when I am walking. It is great uninterrupted time when I don’t have to think about anything... more

While doing all the paperwork for Hannah’s adoption there was a list of books and other things we could do to earn “credit” for pre-adoption education. On the list was a book that I was a contributing author to. Honestly, I had forgotten about writing for it since it was an easy topic for me to write on, and required very little effort on my part, although I did find it amusing that I could get credit for reading a book that I contributed to.

The book is, “Adoption Parenting: Creating a Toolbox, Building Connections” by EMK Press. It is a fantastic book,... more

This was the topic on the back of my bulletin in church today. It was encouraging the congregation to sponsor a child in need. It wasn’t my church specifically, but rather our denomination. I belong to the United Church of Christ and we are very mission based.

However, I had a bit of a problem with the message since kids in the United States were not mentioned at all. Don’t get me wrong, I know full well that kids all around the world need help. We send supplies to orphanages in Haiti and Honduras, but we also support kids here in the U.S.

I know some... more

I received a copy of Adopted Teens Only: A Survival Guide to Adolescence from the publisher. For the most part I really like this book. It is written as a book for teens to help them understand adoption issues and the feelings they have as they struggle for independence and identity.

Here’s a little bit about the author, Danea Gorbett. She’s an adult adoptee who met her birth father when she was a teenager. It was a tenuous relationship. She became a psychologist... more

I love to bake, and unfortunately, I love to eat what I bake. My round shape proves that.

Even more unfortunately, there are many children who go hungry every day. Many children in foster care have been deprived of food due to either abuse or neglect. When Kory came to our home it was obvious that he had been hungry quite often. He ate anything you put in front of him, and lots of it.

There is a way to help kids out and still have fun in the process. The Great... more

We are going to the Milwaukee Admirals game on Sunday night. We were going to go on Friday night, but a wonderful March snow storm made the roads unsafe to travel.

Friday night’s game was for a wonderful cause. $2 of each ticket price was going to Adoption Resources of Wisconsin. I have worked with ARW for several years. They have referred families to me to help find services, hook them up with a support system, or even find respite care. This is an organization... more

Kentucky is offering the first license plate that actively supports and promotes adoption.

The license plate has the logo of Kentucky’s Special Needs Adoption Program (SNAP) along with their motto of “Be A Forever Family – Adopt.”

The license plate is not a guaranteed issue yet, but if it receives a commitment, or request for at least 900 plates within the... more