[LVTweetHrt]

Yes, a brand new puppy and you aren't the only one who likes puppy breath!

We actually were going to do foster/adoption through an agency (initials are O. C.) here on Sahara, but we decided not to go that route. Anyway, they required us to have an evacuation plan along with a floor plan of our house. I could have gotten that from Housing Management here on base, but I went ahead and drew one out and yes, it kinda looks like the ones they have in hotel rooms and doctor's offices. They (any agency or state) wants you to map out every possible escape route in the event of a fire or emergency. They also may require a Carbon Monoxide Detector. I am sure that they have those at Home Depot or Lowes. Mine came with the house and it is just a plug in style CO detector. The packet that we got from O.C. is just like the packets that you have to fill out with agencies and the state. I basically have a good idea of what is required on a walkthrough of your home and what the actual homestudy consists of because we were already in the process and almost done with the homestudy. It was just too much work to do the foster/adopt thing.

I would love to get together and scrap!!! It would probably be a good idea to find a centralized place that has scrapping rooms you can use and do that. I like to buy my scrap supplies from Pebbles in my Pocket on W. Sahara. They have rooms there as well. Let me know ok? Sounds like a great plan!

Colleen~

Do you like to scrap too?? If you never tried it, you should and we can all get together and talk A-talk! (adoption talk)

Well, gotta get a move on. My brother is over tonight and needs to use the computer. Talk to you girls soon.

Take care~

Monica

[mglv]

hi Monica - I have shopped at Pebbles on Sahara - I love that place!!

I didn't realize you can meet and just scrap there - do you need to reserve space or something?

I'm definitely into meeting. I work mid-week so either evenings or on a weekend is fine.

I guess i need to get my evacuation plan drawn up - at least i already have carbon monoxide detectors in my house too!! Thanks for the insight on that.

Colleen - if you don't scrap you need to get started so you can do a baby book !!!

[ScooterLV]

I scrap!!!! But I stink at it. I started about six years ago and have about 10 pages done. I just started doing it again about a month ago. I did about 4 more pages. My husband bought me a bunch of scrapping stuff for my birthday. When I told him that I wanted scrapbooking stuff he said he wasn't going to be caught dead in a place called Pebbles in my Pocket but he went and survived. He needed a little assistance from the ladies.
He got me a big bag of goodies.

I am getting very antzy on picking an agency to work with. I have been ready to go since yesterday. I guess we just need to sit down and go through my piles of papers and pick somebody and just get started. I am going to relook at the place you are working with Marisa. I will probably call them and just ask them some more questions to see if I feel comfortable with them. Do you like working with AA?


Talk to you ladies later. I am going to get a haircut.
Colleen

[LVTweetHrt]

Hey Marisa~

I am sure that you can use their rooms when they aren't doing classses and stuff. I will have to call and get the info on that but I am all for meeting up and doing more scrapping. I am also not that great at it, but practice makes it better! I have gotten lazy lately, but will pick it back up for sure when Robert leaves for Iraq. I started scrapping in 2000 when Robert was away in Korea for a year and really enjoyed it. I figured that if I start some more pages and work on a "profile" book in scrapbook form, then that will be one step futher in my personal process. Like Colleen, I am also getting fidgety about picking an agency. I wanted the process to have started last week, but with Robert leaving I am going to have to be patient and wait like a good girl! At the risk of being censored -- How do you like working with AA? I also have a huge packet of their info and they are still in the running since they are here in town. I haven't eliminated them 100%. I should look more into them too huh?

Colleen~

I think it would be great if we could all get together and start on some family pages that we can add to our profiles. Who cares if you stink? I am not that great either. I have about 15 pages done I think? Like I said, it has been awhile since I have broken out the scrap supplies (though I do have a lot of stuff in portable plastic rollaway drawers). Weekends work for me because I babysit in the AM and you are probably tired in the PM after working from teaching all day. Let us know!

I will speak to you girls later. Have to get ready and pick up a cake and decoration for Robert's B-Day Party. I am going to be taking him to the Texas and we are going bowling with the family. I had to lie to him and told him that everyone must have forgotten about his b-day so I would take him to the Texas to see a movie. It is going to be such as surprise because he LOVES to bowl!! Ok then! I'm outta here! Later!

Monica

[mglv]

I'm definitely up for scrapping - I started in 2001 after some friends were into it. I don't see them any longer, but I kept it up. I scrapbooked my son's entire first year and it was fun. I also have tons of supplies. Weekends are good for me too.

I started scrapping our disney vacation in december, but only have 3 pages done so I need to get on the ball. Plus I want to scrap my profile also.

Colleen and Monica - I PM'd both of you privately about the agency.

[ScooterLV]

How was your Easter weekend?
My husband and I just relaxed and did nothing. It was great. We usually have to spend holidays with his family and a fight or two usually erupts because his sister is wacky. It was nice to have a stress free holiday.

I have been planning on scrapping my wedding. I am slowly getting stuff together to start. The photographer we hired was not very good so I didn't want to pay him for a nice wedding album. I have all the proofs and negatives so I can do my own. Just need a kick in the butt to get started.

Monica how is your puppy?

Marisa I also went to DW last year and it would be fun to scrap that trip. Just add it to my list.

Nothing new here on the adoption road. Still waiting to meet with CC this Saturday then we will make our final decision on who to sign with. I think I am getting nervous about having to pick one and putting all my eggs in one basket. Did you feel that way Marisa?

Talk to you later,
Colleen

[LVTweetHrt]

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

[ScooterLV]

That journal book looks interesting. I may have to look into buying that one. I have all the other books you listed because my cousin was adopting through New Hope a couple of years ago and she had the books from them. So she lent them to me. Some are good - some are boring. I also just bought Reaching Out. Like you said it is very informative. My cousin and his wife ended up getting pregnant during the homestudy. Great timing. They ended up all together having three of their own children naturally after three failed IVFs. What luck for them. That is what I am hoping happens with us. You never know.
Talk to you later,
Colleen

[mglv]

My easter weekend was fun. Both are families are in NY except my mom and brother, but my brother and his wife worked so I didn't even see them.

Saturday, driving past our park we saw a huge easter egg hunt with those giant jumpolene things, and tons of kids stuff to do so we stopped in an my son joined the hunt which was fun. Then, Sunday we spent the day at my mom's house eating til I felt like lead!

But it was fun.

Colleen - I felt very confident selecting my agency because I just felt so comfortable with them. We actually had a meeting with the director today to answer some of our questions and it went well. Things are going quickly and we should have meetings with social workers in about 3 weeks. I am really happy with them if that gives you any comfort.

I can't believe about your cousin having 3 kids after so many IVFs! wow, I guess adoption was not meant for them. I am officially done that route since my husband got a vasectomy in February! (too many heartaches and we didn't want to take any more chances).

Monica - I can't believe your puppy is only 5 weeks old - You got her so young, I thought puppies had to stay with their mom's until 8 weeks. She must be teeny!

I am finished with my letter but I have to just tweak it a bit since I got the outline from my agency today so I'm going ot add a few things. My agency said 6 pages is good. I am at 7 pages (including pictures) and will probably be at 8 finished. I think I have a good one, I hope : } I'm going to give it to the agency when I'm done and see what they think.

For the journal, I purchased a just a blank journal to write in - I didn't realize there was a book out. I had bought a blank journal when I was pg with my son that I wrote in the entire time, so I wanted to do the same for my next child. I haven't started writing yet, I think I will once I finish all the paperwork for the agency.

Talk to all of you soon - let's get together and scrap!!!!

Marisa

[LVTweetHrt]

Colleen~

Like you said--you never know what can happen. I was told that the reason I wasn't getting pg naturally was because I wasn't relaxed enough and always had trying to conceive on my mind! Well, YEAH! Who doesn't have that on their minds when they are TRYING to have a baby?!? Anyways, I know a few other friends of the family that happened to have gotten pg after infertility treatments and then WHAMMO, they got pg during their various stages in the adoption process. I guess what happens is--we actually give up the notion that we are not going to have a biological child so we concentrate our efforts on having one through adoption. We then relax enough and are content with the decision we make regarding adopting a child. Makes sense! Maybe in can happen to us!?!

Marisa~

The reason why I have a puppy that is so young is because my adult dachshund had 2 puppies 5 weeks ago, but one of them died. So now I have 3 dogs in the house--Libby (mama dachshund), Lilly (baby dachshund) and Tinkerbell (chihuahua). All small dogs yes, I don't like the idea of cleaning up after huge dogs. My mom and dad (before he passed away) bred bassett hounds and though they are cute and cuddly when they are small--they grow up and become massive therefore their messes are MASSIVE! Yuk!!

Maybe you can give us an idea of what your Dear Birthmother outline consists of. That way I have an idea what to include and where to strategically place my pictures. There is a chance that we may be working with AA (your agency) as we are looking over their packet of info they sent us. Like I had said before, I am now looking at 3 places and 1 facilitator (though I don't think we are going to go with the facilitator anymore because it was recommended by an attorney not to use one here in Nevada). Granted the attorney wasn't an adoption attorney (he is a famiy law attorney that my mother knows, but does not deal directly with adoptions--his specialty is divorce, child custody, child support etc). So, I think it is either AA, NH or CC. I will be calling CC back in July to get their info since that is when their list should be opening back up again.

Well got to be going for now. Talk to you girls later! Glad your Easters went off great! Take care.

Monica

[mglv]

: { Monica, I'm so sorry your puppy died. That must have been sad... (hugs)

I sent you a PM note, also to Colleen - I gave you my email address - if you email me I will send you the guidelines which I scanned into a word document.

It's 3 pages so I didnt want to post it here.

[ScooterLV]

We went to the CC meeting on Saturday.
It seemed pretty good. I do like their program much better than NH. I think you will too. If you do the next meeting in June it will be perfect timing for you and your hubby. After the initial meeting then you have to do four days of classes which they said the next classes will be at the end of the Summer. Will your hubby be back by then. He will have to attend the first meeting with you. Unless because he is away in the service they let it go. If we decide to go with them we go to the May classes. My husband really liked CC. I did like them too but still want to ask the other agencies some questions. Now we just need to make our final decision on who to go with. Hmmmmm......

I just got the scrapping schedule for the place on W. Sahara. Maybe we could sign up for a class and go to one of them. What do you think ladies?

I'm off to the gym. Uhggggggg. I use to go all the time but slacked off during my IVF cycles. Hubby is making me go with him. But I will feel better once I start to get going again.
Later,
Colleen

[mglv]

Hi Colleen - I'm interested in hearing more about CC since I never did get to talk with them. We can talk about it when we meet - I like the idea of signing up for a class at Pebbles. Do they have a schedule on-line that we can all look at?

Have fun at the gym - I just started working out again myself after years of ttc and not doing a thing! It feels good though - you'll be glad you went!

[ScooterLV]

Hey Ladies,

No they don't have their classes on their website. You can call and they will send you their schedule.

They have classes on Fridays and Saturdays called Moonlighter classes. They cost 15 bucks per person and run from 6pm till 12am. This class you just go and do what you want to do. Bring your stuff and snacks. They have supplies we can use.

On May 3 which is a Monday - it is Family Pages night. We create two double page layouts about families. This might be good for us since we have to do this for our birthmothers anyway. It coust 15 bucks a person. It runs from 7pm to 9pm. We would have to call and reserve our spaces.

Let me know what you think.

They have a bunch of others too if you are interested in something else.

[LVTweetHrt]

Hi again Colleen and Marisa~

Sorry I haven't gotten back to you girls sooner, but I have been a little busy around here preparing for Robert to leave (laundry, cleaning the house, organizing stuff for him to take). From now until Wednesday I will be running around like a chicken with no head!

Marisa~

I got the guidelines and they were a REAL help. I found that I already have the majority of the points that are suggested we use. When (notice I said WHEN and not IF) we get together to scrap, I will bring my Dear Birthmother letter so you girls can take a look at it. Maybe you can help me decide where to place my pictures!?!

Colleen~

I am soooo glad that you took it upon yourself to check into the classes at Pebbles on W. Sahara. I have been meaning to do it, but when I get a chance I have to so something else! Geez! I am all for the Moonlighter classes and the Family Pages night. Man, imagine what we can do in 6 hours (Moonlighter classes). I love the idea that we can use their stuff, because even though I have supplies sometimes I don't have the "right" nic nac! Whichever class you choose or even both--let me know or just reserve my space along with yours and I will be there.

So, CC's program is better than NH? We will DEFINTELY have to get together and discuss what "hooked" you! And if your hubby liked them--it must be a really good deal! I have an idea from when I called CC about adopting 3 years ago before I started my IVF cycles. At that time their list was open and sent me some info by mail. If I had known then what I know now, I would have bypassed the IVF and went forward with adoption!!! Anyway, there are a few ??? that I want to ask you about them. Hopefully, we can go with CC when Robert gets back. Even my mom says that what she knows of CC it is better. Some customers of hers (she works at a bank) adopted through CC about 6 years ago and those parents have nothing but praises. Hmmm.....we will see. I will call in June and if their list is open I will let them know that I am interested but my hubby is away in Iraq. He will be back in July so I don't see any problem with me starting before ge gets back. He wants this all to move right along. He is even going to be taking one of those reqired readings (the books that I ordered) with him. Hopefully he will have some time between doing God knows what over there to read a little!

Ok then, let me know what is what ok? I will check the boards here as often as I could before Rob leaves. Take care girls! See Ya Soon!!!

Monica