Thank You!

 School Kits for Foster Kids was a success!  We were able to gather some supplies, clothing, and cash (which we turned into gift cards at JC Penny) for these kids in Foster Care.  The clothing, gift cards, and some supplies went to some kids in Kinship Care, where they are being taken care of by members of their extended family who have very limited resources.  The rest of the supplies went to kids in foster care all over the Northern Arizona Region.  They are always in need of clothing, so if you would still like to participate, just let us know!

I just wanted to send out a HUGE THANKS to all those who helped us make this possible.  It was so nice for these kids to get something new.  I also wanted to give a THANKS to JC Penny at the Flagstaff Mall.  They made sure these families could participate is a special invitation event that had a great discount on the clothing they purchased. 

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

Update - School Kits for Foster Kids

Just wanted to post a quick update!

Looks like we were able to join forces with some other organizations, plus add to it individual supply donations and the kids we are working with are ALL getting backpacks full of school supplies!  I am so grateful!!!

Now we are focusing on getting them school clothes that fit them.  I am still trying to determine the best way to do that, so I'll have to get back with you if there is a "perfect" way.

Currently on my list are:
* Gently used clothes - mostly tweens and teens.
* New clothes - mostly tweens and teens.
* PayPal donations - all monies to be used to purchase the clothes.
* Gift Cards to places like Wal-Mart and Target so they can purchase the clothes.

If you have any more ideas for me, I'll take any suggestions you might have!

Thanks to all those who are helping get these kids a good start at school this year!

School Kits for Foster Kids

We have been a licensed foster family for the past 8 years.  During that time, we have had the privilege of caring for 11 different foster children in our home.  Some have stayed for as long as 18 months, while others were only here for a few days.  It has been one of the most learning and growing experiences our family has had.  A parent's love is not limited to feelings toward biological children.  For us, that love was there for each little one, regardless of their length of stay in our home.  We loved them, helped them, taught them, then worked with them to be reunited with their families.  People ask me how I did it.  Sometimes I wonder that myself.  But it was an experience that taught me the love of family (whatever that looks like) transcends barriers, is wider than we can comprehend, and is all encompassing.

The common theme for each of these kids is that they just needed someone to care for them.  Regardless of the specific circumstances that brought them into foster care, their families are struggling, and helping those families rebuild takes work.  The state tries to help, encouraging the parents, looking for extended family to care for the kids, and offering resources for both the kids and the parents.  Many times, the state does fall short, but they are trying to make these situations safer for the kids.  Often state resources are insufficient to meet the needs of these children.  I've seen several instances where extended family members take in children - which is called Kinship Care.  These amazing families care for these kids because they want them to be able to stay with their own families.  The state funds for kids in Kinship Care are close to non-existent.   Imagine the strain on these families financially, to take in extra children and then not be given enough funds to truly take care of them.  Sometimes it is just one child.  Most times, there will be several children ranging in age from newborn - 18 years old. 

Why did I share all this with you?  The service project I am spearheading for Arizona American Mothers is to help some of these families here in Coconino County be able to send the kids in their care to school with clothes, backpacks, shoes and basic school supplies.  I would appreciate your help in making this happen. 

Over this next week, I am collecting extra school supplies, clothes (and yes we will accept gently used clothing!!!!), backpacks, gift cards to purchase clothing or supplies, and on-line donations to PayPal to the email ArizonaAMI@gmail.com.

If you have any questions, ideas, or just want to let me know you have donations I can pick up from you, please contact me at the Arizona American Mothers email - ArizonaAMI@gmail.com.  If you are not in Coconino County and still want to help with this specific project, the easiest way is through the Arizona American Mothers' PayPal account.  If you have items you would like to donate, send me an email and we can see if we can figure something out.  I will be down in the Phoenix area towards the end of the month and could pick items up then if you have something to contribute.

I know these families, the children, and all those who work with these families and kids will appreciate any kind of help they can get.

Interview with Mari Goodman - 2013 Arizona Mother of Achievement

Born the oldest of four children in South Jordan, Utah., Mari Goodman learned the value of family unity at her mother’s knees. After high school, Mari attended Brigham Young University and earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. She is a mother of two girls and has been the foster mother of eleven more children. She and her husband have been involved as licensed foster parents and respite care providers since 2005. Mari runs a blog journaling their adoption efforts along with their family activities at paulandmariadoption.blogspot.com. When she is not spending quality time with her family, she volunteers in her children’s schools, spearheads service projects for the annual Flagstaff Faith in Action Day, and leads a women’s organization of one hundred fifty women. Mari’s latest undertaking is a joint business venture with her sister.

I asked Mari some questions and here are her answers:

1.       How do you balance your time with your husband, children and church/community efforts?

        Sometimes I can do the balancing act better than others.  A lot of the time, I try to include my family in our efforts for the church or the community.   When I have taken meals to families who need it, the girls help make it (ok they sometimes helped) and help me hold it in the car.  When we created a play room/visitation room at CPS for children and their families, the girls and Paul were right there with me - painting the walls, cleaning toys, and donating some of their books and toys.  There are times they haven't been able to help me with things.  In my efforts to balance everything, we try to make sure we have designated family time each week - making an effort to eat dinner together most nights, reading scriptures together, and one night spending time together.  Paul and I also try to make sure we go on dates frequently.  Sometimes that means we go out (dinner, hiking, movie, etc) and sometimes that means playing games together after the kids are in bed.

2.       What advice has helped you the most in raising your children?

        "Remember they are only little for a short time."  "Enjoy each stage."  Yeah, some of the stages are more challenging than others, but finding something in there you can find a positive spin on helps  more than you would think it does.

3.       What have you done/are doing with your children that is very successful?

        I asked the girls to help me answer this one.

*One said the effort we take to make sure we do things together as a family.  Having a family game night, going exploring, eating dinner together, jeep rides, road trips, etc.

*The other one said doing new and different activities together.

         When we first moved to Flagstaff, one thing we tried to do was go see/do something new each month.  As the years have gone by, we aren't able to make that work each month any more, but we are always looking for something new to try out.  Now a lot of the time, we take family or friends to all the amazing places we have found around Northern Arizona.   Our latest "new adventure" was going to Slide Rock with cousins - the girls have never been there before.   It was so much fun one pair of shorts didn't make it - that many times down "the slide" kind of tore up those shorts.  Water shoes are highly recommended for this adventure as well.  So one of the girls got new water shoes from the little convenience store there - hers were too small and they didn't make it into the car that morning.