GROUP

At group last night, Ann and Alise both showed up---both placed about 12 years ago and showed up on the same evening. It was so fun to see them--hugs exchanged. We also had 2 recently delivered birth moms. We talked about working through the grief, getting through the pain of placement which lasts a long time and what helps move one through the healing process.

Alise (came because she wants to get involved again) said that having a goal or a plan would be helpful after placement. She shared some of the struggles she went through since placement. She is now married with 3 children and a supportive husband. She hopes to return to school and get into psychology

As we visited, I asked what they had learned through the experience and if they saw the individual growth through the experience of adoption.

I was excited to hear that several girls plan to go to FSA Conference in SLC (July). They were also excited about becoming moved involved and spreading adoption as a positive option. I get excited when I see that more people will be involved. I look forward to the growth that occurs in 2010. I hope that the high school presentation gets going quickly.

Today I had a conference call with the Chair of the local FSA. We are starting to plan the area FSA Conference (November). It is exciting to see that birth moms will be more involved.

The Adoption Education Hours will continue on a monthly basis. I want to start a "project night" where we meet to work on projects as well as the Birth Mom Quilt. Tara also shared the idea of "meet with a birth mom" where an adoptive couple can get help from a birth mom on their profile. Tara is also working on the birth mom binder which is looking great. She had some wonderful reflective worksheets.

Watch for us on facebook and e-vite.

HIGHSCHOOL OUTREACH

We launched the High School Adoption Outreach power point tonight also. We had 4 birth moms and the FSA Regional Chair and the local FSA co-chairs. We even had a Stake Specialists who said she came to see if she wanted to share it in her stake. What a great idea. After viewing the power point, we discussed how to move forward. I think this will take off and I hope it makes a big different as it is a positive voice for Adoption.

I am going to offer the power point to the Stake Specialists to see if they also want to share it in their stakes. I am going to suggest that a senior might want to take on a project and take this into her school district.

Wait and see!

ADOPTION EDUCATION

On January 31, 2010, Tara and I launched our first Adoption Education classes.

We started at 10 a.m (after I locked myself out of the office. YES! I made cinnamon rolls to cook and share so the office smelled delicious. I had several loads to bring in. I dropped everything on the floor and went back outside for another load. The office door was now locked and my keys were inside. OH BOTHER! Lucky for me, Tara was only 30 minutes away).

We had about 10 couples, the chair for the Regional FSA and a few other attendees. Tara's power point presentations were EXCELLENT. She had a few sleepless nights of worry. She also shared with me that she does not like to speak in front of people. You could not tell. She was great.

We forged through 5 presentations in 5 hours. We did stop for lunch and breaks. I think people learned things that they had not thought of before. We plan to offer a class a month on a Thursday evening.