Hi blog family!

Don't forget award winning Journalist, Liz Welch, "The Kids Are All Right" sharing her family memoir based on losing their parents 3 years apart! May 16th 4-6pm Mount Kisco Public Library!
 RSVP!!!
free event to the public, (refreshments)


while I am embarrassed to show this picture, I want you to look closely at how thin I was, how my hair had fallen out - I first came into foster care around 5 but I came to the suburbs, (my first "foster home"), around 6 and then to this home around 7. As you can see I was extremely thin the first years, I had came malnourished and SO hungry!! It was due to my birth mothers addiction that we would often be left alone to fend for ourselves, which resulted in eating only what we could find!

Don't be sad for me, I made it through! I wanted anyone who is in  a bad situation now and think you can't survive, You can - you are a winner! Sometimes we have to go through bad experiences to become who we are!

If I had not been given away by my mom due to her addiction, I would be less likely to have a need to be an advocate for foster kids!
I am grateful God spared my life and even though I was abused at a young age by two foster brothers in my foster homes, (one went to jail for 7 years for abusing a 15 year old from the school he worked at and " his 4 year old niece, (who he really served no time for because he "told" what he did to her...so much for justice).
You can look at things and be sad or be thankful for how strong it made you. I have to remember that I had a host of other foster brothers - that were great! I also had my brother with me until I was 18 and signed myself back in to girls residence in NYC! I want you to view your "problems and challenges" in a different light from now on - pull out the positive and process, talk about and release the negative effects!!
By speaking of the good that came out of the bad, you minimize the pain and sadness that can come from being abandoned, abused and neglected!!!
God bought me through this for something!! Yes, I was born to a mother with addiction issues - I'm blessed she did not abort me!!
Yes, She went so far into her addiction, she neglected us and chose to not show up, losing her rights" - but she could have left us in our no lights, no food, no interaction with people home, and we could have burned down the house by accident, (that almost happened when my brother took matches to the curtain, thank God my sister was washing my hair and next to water!!)
Yes, I had to move around for my first 7 years and live with mass amount of mean kids who teased me - but I still was able to go to Paris and become a runway model! (I had the last laugh)
and Yes, I faced homelessness, being attacked outside a village park randomly, being hospitalized - left for dead, and becoming a mother at 23! But I could have been dead from the first two and becoming a mother actually helped me get the therapy I needed to heal from being abused and being left in an orphanage at a young age!
The point is: Nothing happens without reason! IF you are lucky to survive, God had a lesson for you to learn and grow from OR teach others!!
Stop feeling sorry for yourself, stop complaining about negative things in your life FOCUS on the good people, get out and see new places and remember life ain't nothing but a learning experience for us ALL, rich, poor, black, white - everyone must learn or go through something!!
You are blessed and I am thankful today looking at this picture (60 pounds later, lol), that I have food, some of the same friends from that class and grade! and I found people who love me and I am truly happy!! Find your happiness in the pile of life!!! xo
Tanya

Hi blog family!!

May 16th is approaching for our Celebration - did you RSVP?? tgirlcooper@yahoo.com - you don't want to miss this event!!
So much is going on in in the world, just this last month with Boston, who knows when you will encounter an orphan?
The world is a great place and you should be ready to help others - at any time!
Come out Thursday May 16th and learn about how to keep Siblings connected.
 I will be sharing a piece with you from my book: "Surviving Foster Care and Making It Work For You!" my heart breaking separation story from my older sister and baby brother!

Award wining Journalist, Liz Welch, "The Kids Are All Right" will be sharing her story of being separated from her siblings following the death of both parents, the subject of her memoir!
Congratulations to The Recipient of The Robert Cooper Memorial Scholarship!! Congrats to our honorees!

This is a FREE community event!
When:   May 16, 2013 - 4-6pm
Where: The Mount Kisco Public Library 2nd fl
*(if your on time and stay..refreshments served:) lol

Change cannot happen until community gets involved and WE ALL do SOMETHING to help those without parents and resources!!

Because of my brothers generous friends, someones life will be changed, R.I.P little brother!!:)

"Do what you can, with what you have" is what my brother Rob use to say and I share this with you,
so that you can NOT wait until you RICH, Famous, to help others
 but now with what little you have! Everyone has a gift! How can you use yours to help others?
You are your brother - and sisters keeper!!

 I have no "money" but I am able to help kids through people who do!
 Remember this: MOST people WANT to help - but sometimes you have to ask!

FosterKidsUnite is looking for a sponsor - please contact us if your interested!!
Smile, someone is watching you!! xo Tanya

Hi blog family!

it's that time of year again! Come out May 16th and celebrate foster care awareness month at The Mount Kisco Public Library 100 E. Main Street 2nd floor
We will be awarding aged out youth in college with The Robert Cooper Memorial Scholarship!!
We will also be honoring one of our judges who does a lot to help kids in family court!!
Our speaker this year: Award winning Journalist, Liz Welch - "The Kids Are All Right" !
Free event to the public. RSVP:tgirlcooper@yahoo.com

come out and save or change a life! Don't wait for other people or Money to help others, do what you can, when you can, while you can!!! God always sends us angels to help - you just gotta ask!

Learn to ask for help and never have too much pride to to get help helping others!!! Many people want to help and do what's right, they are just waiting for you to ask!

You are blessed and favored and I hope to see you May 16th 4-6pm at the Library, make sure you come up and say hi to me so I can personally thank you for viewing our blog!! xo

Tanya

Hi blog family!


the ultimate win is when YOU get life! knowing how to love YOURSELF,
help others, travel, be at peace, enjoy all that God has made, that is when you can find joy and win in life!!

I also wanted to point out another important factor, HEALTH!!!!!! nothing matters if you are in bad health!! NO MONEY, LOVE, POWER can cure bad health!

 Everyone knew my brother looked like a bill of health!
He was not!
CLOGGED ARTERIES!! FOOD KILLED HIM!! smoking cigarettes, not eating healthy...it catches up with us some time or another!!

Learn to eat to live!!
I do not want you to die young like Rob did! ( although I know lots of people who eat bad and smoke, and they live to be 95!! so each one of us is different remember!!!!

Although I always say we are lucky and blessed to have made it this far with our history!!!
I am thankful to God for allowing me to enjoy this lovely human being for 41 years!!!

 (*May 16th we will be honoring him by giving scholarships to those who are aged out in college and those who help foster kids!! Free event, (with food) lol...4-6pm Mount Kisco Public Library!! RSVP at tgirlcooper@yahoo.com you still have time to buy: Surviving Foster Care and Making It Work for you at AMAZON.com



Learn to eat healthy. Stay away from fried foods, vegetable oils, (use olive or canola), stay away from too much butter, sugar, breads...if you know it was NOT in the Garden of Eden, stay away!!

your diet should be 75% veggies, preferably raw..
.NO I am not a doctor but if the you eat a lot of red meats, pork and processed foods....your colon has to work harder to digest all that!
Less is best!
Also EXERCISE!!!
 learn to move, walk, run, bike, skate, basketball, swim, yoga...ANYTHING to keep your body moving and current!!!
A moving body is usually a better one!!
 Remember to eat to live, not because there is food!!!

Today learn to be ok with who YOU are but know how to love yourself by being the best you!! xo

Tanya

Hi blog family!

What a lovely day out today!! OK my camera skills are off!
For those of you in our area, May is National foster care awareness month and FosterKidsUnite is planning our 3rd annual Robert Cooper Memorial Scholarship Ceremony!

Our speaker this year, award winning Journalist, Liz Welch! She will be sharing her story from the book her and her siblings wrote: "The Kids Are All Right" - a memoir on being orphaned after her parents sudden death 6 months apart! Liz does amazing work in NYC teaching foster siblings who were separated on how to stay connected.

I will also share my separation experience and tell you how you can help! Books will be available!

We are also honoring a judge from the 9th district and a foster parent that has nursed over 14 NYC babies back to health and home!!

Come celebrate our free event! We want our community to show our kids we care!

On today's notes.... enjoy each day like your last! Life is short and you can only do what you can do with what you have! I still have days when I feel discouraged but then word courage takes over...and I'm good! ups and downs are part of life, learn to process those feelings, work through them...and this too shall pass..
xo

Tanya



 

Hi Blog Family!

REMINDER:

Another snow day!!! Well I guest being cold and having a warm home is better than being cold..six feet under!! lol.. I am grateful for EVERY day above ground!

May is National foster care awareness month!! May 16th is FosterKidsUnite event at the Mount Kisco Public Library!! Free to public RSVP at: tgirlcooper@yahoo.com or on FB -The Robert Cooper Memorial Scholarship
Our Speaker this year...award winning Journalist: Liz Welch will be sharing her book: "The Kids are Alright", sharing her work she does to keep foster kids connected to their siblings when separated!

We will be honoring a Judge from Westchester County, a Foster parent that has helped over 15 babies back to health and home and one surprise honoree!!


_____________________________________________________________________________

Today's Topic:
STOP TALKING START DOING!!
1. write down your goals, ideas -short term...like today things to get finished - or long term...like finish by next week or month

2. Create an action plan - how to get what you want: do you need people help you? Do you need money? How much? How long will it take you to get that amount? Do you need materials? Find out what resources you need to complete your goals!!! Start gathering it all, one by one!!

3. Execute!!! this is the most important step that is usually left undone!!:( We find people to discourage us, we discourage ourselves, we don't follow thru with "THE PLAN"  - the one you wrote on paper!!

**like NIKE says: JUST DO IT!! DON' LET ANYONE, ANYTIME OR ANY THING STOP YOU FROM COMPLETING A GOAL FROM START TO FINISH!

IT CANNOT GET DONE.....UNLESS you DO IT!!!  LOL
HAVE A GREAT WEEK, SMILE GOD LOVES YOU AND THE UNIVERSE NEEDS YOU!!!
Tanya
 

Les Brown Author and Motivational Speaker - Video

Les Brown Author and Motivational Speaker - Video

fosterkidsonly: Talent show surprise! Tati S.C.

fosterkidsonly: Talent show surprise! Tati S.C. talent 16 year old!!
Use your talent-it is what God gave you. Write better, sing harder, perform better, discover something new...we ALL have talent - find it and use it!! you may save or change a life!!

Hi blog family!

as I listen my talented 16 year old, I thank God for bringing me to her and her sister, my girls are the greatest gifts I could have asked for in this life!!


Wow! today is my 48th birthday!!! 

I am SO blessed to have made it this many years being the child of an addict!!
I thank God every day that not only have i made it, but in better health than many!

We often take for granted the little things, I want you to know, I am blessed and highly favored no matter what has happened in my life!!
Even after abandonment, neglect, rejection and abuse...I AM STILL STANDING TALL!!
why?
 Because it is my right to be happy and be a blessing to others when I can!!

I will not allow negative people, places or things to EVER change my giving heart, for it is one of the many reasons i think I was born. 

We all have divine purpose and let NO man, woman or child stop you from your divine purpose of sharing, caring, mentoring and helping others.

The world has got some pretty selfish people in it today- don't let anyone tell you you can't help others if YOUR without money! that is a lie!! God always sends us angels when we need help!! I know because when I put out a call to send gift boxes to aged out foster kids now in college - St. Joseph's Church seniors came to the rescue!!! These ladies are amazing for helping me help 10 young adults who are without family.  I cannot say thank you enough to these lovely group of lovely seniors, ( who all look fabulous and not like seniors"... if this is the new over 65....i can't wait!! These ladies have spunk, gut, wit and hearts of gold!!

My message: don't let anyone tell you you have to be rich to help others! If you have an idea, share it with your friends, church or anyone who will listen... I know gift cards and candy/snacks may not mean much to a kid who has everything but when you don't have family or your family is poor and your in school...every penny counts! Always remember to help AND say thank you to ANYONE who helps you!! Just because I ended up in foster care does NOT mean ANYONE has to help me, so I thank ANYONE who extends a hand...and I always say thank you! My foster mom use to say: you never know when you will need help again AND someone else may help you just for being thankful!! I am grateful for my 4 kids that sent a thank you, for those that did not, I am sad but, please know, thanks goes a long way!! You cannot be blessed until you have an attitude of Gratitude!!!
As I celebrate my 48 years..I will be thinking of you all who do not have family and those that do...love what you have now, tomorrow is not promised and help others when you can, even if its with a smile, word or gift xo

Tanya
Fosterkidsunite

Hi Blog Family!

SAVE THE DATE: MAY 16th, 2013 celebrate with Fosterkidsunite May, as National Foster Care Awareness Month at Mount Kisco Library again this year 4-6 pm.. This year we have an award winning journalist speaking and sharing her book and story!!!


As you can see, winter is here!! It can be cold outside and this weather can be less motivating at times, especially if your walking! lol.

I want you to think of ALL the obstacles you are facing today. At times life can seem Cold and unfair but that should never stop you from getting to your goals and being the best you!

I approaching another birthday Feb 9th and I often feel I am not "where I want to be"... but know that I keep traveling in this life, staying on track and getting back on when I feel I am falling off!

If you are a single parent, it can be a challenge to reach your goals, while you provide food and a safe home for your little ones....but that cannot stop you, it may slow you down but stopping is not an option!!
If you are living in foster care please start preparing your self for aging out by getting an education!! It does not have to be College" it can be trade school or classes but do SOMETHING that will ensure a financial future! If you had a child early you have to really stay focused and PLAN, PLAN, PLAN!!

Every move should be calculated and having a kid (if you did already), is NO excuse for failure or giving up!! I recommend NOT having ANY kids, until you have a career, can start a college fund for that baby, and hopefully a supportive partner/spouse that will provide financially AND mentally for that child!! I see why God made two parents...both are needed, not only so you can have relief at times...lol.. but so that another voice can guide the child....
I only say all of this because as I get older I realize MY mistakes, I have no regrets BUT I would have done things alot different had I known what it meant to live with no family...choose good friends, parents for your future kids...(that would be someone with an education and a career NOT a jump off, Dough boy, abuser, dysfunctional person that has NO goals or high thought of living their best life!!

Learn from my lessons Nothing can stop YOU but YOU! Stay focused and clear knowing that God and the Universe wants the best for you! I know it can be hard, I am still having a hard time, but I stay trying and refuse to believe that I cannot live a better life - today!!! xo

keep away from negative and work 3 jobs if you have to in order to achieve your goal, as long as your moving, thinking and taking action....something will come your way!!!

Tanya