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Easter weekend went great here on my end. As usual we had dinner at my mom's house with the family and organized an Easter egg hunt for my niece and nephew. I really can't complain about it since no arguements or fights ensued. We usually a fight or two breaks out with my family too (Colleen--we have so much in common!). It is like we cannot get everybody together in the same room and if we do GEEZ watch out!

Puppy is doing great! She is 5 weeks old today. Next week is going to be her first visit to the vet--that is going to be fun.

I ordered the following books online from various sources:

THE OPEN ADOPTION EXPERIENCE
ADOPTING AFTER INFERTILITY
DEAR BIRTHMOTHER, Thank You for Our Baby
REACHING OUT: The Guide to Writing a Terrific Dear Birthmother Letter

I got REACHING OUT in the mail on Saturday and have begun to read it and let me say--VERY INFORMATIVE BOOK!!!! The book states that some Dear Birthmother letters are one page affairs and others are forty page "life books" with lots of pictures and documents, but whatever the name and no matter how long or short, they are meant to attain one goal: to introduce us to the bithmothers looking to find parents for their child. It goes on to say that each agency or adoption entity is different and how long, short, what to include and what to omit is basically up to that particular place. They will give very specific instructions and whatever they recommend we are advised to take full advantage of their suggestions (we are paying good money for their expertise) and they know well the types of birthmothers they attract.

I just started it and so far it has been really worth it. It even has some Dear Birthmother letter samples at the end of the book. We'll see if I can tweak my letter and see how good it can really become (because I know that it really has some potential) by following the ten "GOLDEN RULES" of writing our Dear Birthmother letters.

I will let you girls know when I get the other books in (hopefully today). I am going to have a load of reading to keep myself busy while Robert is away. He leaves next Tuesday and it is hitting me hard now.

Oh and I forgot to add, I also ordered this adoption journal called--WAITING FOR YOU: An Heirloom Adoption Journal for My Future Child. "Because you already love a child you have never met! This sturdy and beautiful lifebook will help you create a keepsake for your family for years to come. Waiting For You provides a safe place to keep family photographs, record personal history, and document the adoption process. The inclusive language adjusts to fit your diverse adopting scenarios including single parent or older child." I will attach a pic of the book at the end of this entry. The average price for the book is about 22.00, I paid 15.25 by directly ordering from the author (she even signs the book personally) at mamabuffalobooks.com

Well, I think I have a lot of info here for ya. Gotta get going--picking Robert up at work for lunch. I will talk to you later. Take Care!

Monica