looking to adopt in Nevada

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. :rolleyes: Talk to you later, Colleen

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

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!?! :D 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!! :eek: 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:)

: { 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.

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

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!

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.

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! :confused: 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! :D 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!!! :mad: 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:)

Signing up with CC as we speak. Packet and some money is ready to go in the mail. I feel like a ton has been lifted of my shoulders. What a big decision to make. Phewww :D I am happy with our decision. Maybe I will stop biting my fingernails now. That will be my new mission. Now we have to get you moving Monica. Monica tell your husband my good thoughts and prayers will be with him while he is away. We will just have to keep you busy with all were are learning through the agencies so you will be a pro about adoption by the time he comes back. Getting ready to go to the gym again. I am sore all over. I just want to watch tv and eat bon bons. :rolleyes: Colleen

congratulations on the first step!! that is great news Colleen! You must feel so relieved. The nailbiting will not stop now - at least for me it hasn't. There is so much to do ahead now with paperwork. That will keep you very busy. for the scrapping nights, I can't do may 3 as we have a friend flying in from NY that night. He will be here for 2 weeks and I know he and DH will be hanging alot (which doesn't free me up much since I have a son.) I can do any nights, but the friday night sounds best - this way I can stay up late without having to worry about work the next day. What do you think? Maybe we can do it on apr 30th? Monica mentioned we can use their stuff -is that what the $15 is for? Monica, I know we will get together soon for scrapping - I will bring my letter also so you both can read it. I sent mine to the agency and am waiting to hear from them to see if they will suggest changes. I'm glad the guidelines helped. I had most of mine written when I got them, but I did add some more things after reading it. You must be frantic since Robert is leaving in 2 days. Try not to do too much and just enjoy your days with him. I will also be thinking about him alot and send my prayers with him. Like Colleen said, we will have to keep you busy with adoption talk and scrapbooking until his return! talk to you ladies later, Marisa

HEY GIRLS~ What would I do without you two!?! Yes, I am a bit frantic right now and just trying to keep my had above water. I think that scrapping and talking adoption will be the perfect medicine for me and will help pass the time in a constructive way. Like Marisa, Friday or Saturday nights work best for me as well. I know I don't do much on those days and getting together for a night to work on our pages sounds great! APril 30th sounds good to me :) I will let Robert know about your thoughts and prayers. I am sure he will appreciate it. COLLEEN~ Congratulations on this most important decision. I am soooo happy for you and your hubby. You are one step close to getting your forever child! I cannot wait to be in your shoes. Just the elation of choosing an agency and getting the process started is enough to celebrate! Yes, you have to fill me in on the whole process just in case we do work with CC. I want to be so adoption literate that it will scare the pants off of Robert when he gets home. By the time he does get back, we will be so ready to sign and get started. We should exchange phone numbers just in case we need to contact each other in real time. You know to finalize scrap dates and times, to spread some news or just for support. I will PM the both of you my numbers ok? Talk to you soon. Gotta go and help Robert with some minor household repairs so I don't have to deal with them while he is gone. Take Care! Monica:)

Wow that sounds creepy. I swear I am normal. Just starting the adoption process and wanted to get in touch with people from Nevada. Anyway, if any of you still watch this board, chime in! Jen

Hello Jen~ I still watch the boards here--though it has been awhile since I have posted. We are still early in our adoption process. We have already signed with an agency, went to classes, and had our homestudy on January 5th. We are waiting for the letter of approval for adoption and then we can turn in our Dear Birthparent letter, the pre-placement fee and then we are in that infamous waiting pool. We are very excited and cannot wait to move forward from this point. What part of Nevada do you live in. As you may have already read, I am from Las Vegas and normal too. LOL :D How far into the process are you? Have you signed with an agency yet? Well, it was nice to actually get back into writing on the boards again. And it is nice to get to know a fellow Nevadan who is about to adopt. Take Care~ Monica

Hello: I saw your post for Adoption Alliance in TX. This agency was recommended by my social worker and we are thinking of adopting thru them. However, before we commit we wanted to get feedback from anyone who has delt with this agency. Any feedback would be grealty appreciated. Please send me a Private Message. Thanks

I was SO excited to see a Vegas thread that I jumped right in to reply... only to realize how OLD this thread is. Oh well, hi!! I am in Vegas but we have gone the foster to adopt route. We have adopted two sons already, one a newborn we brought home from the hospital. We have had other newborns placed in our care, one went to adoption quickly but we transitioned him to another family. One is swinging next to me as I type, a happy, cooing 5mo girl. We "gave up the dream" of a newborn when we decided to foster/adopt and after our first placement, we would have been thrilled to take another toddler. Turns out we got a phone call for our son's newborn half brother and we were in love. His adoption was never a sure-thing since they had different birthfather's and our second son's bf did everything right. He appealed TPR and, in an unexpected move, gave up his rights on the day of the trial. Anyway, I really just wanted to say I agree with pp that we shouldn't have to miss out on all the stages of development but adopting a toddler is not... a concession. It's a joy to find your child, no matter their age. Foster to adopt is NEVER a sure thing, I have a friend who is losing a 4 year old soon that she thought would be her forever daughter, but it is so rewarding and a very valid way to adopt here in Las Vegas. That said, I'd recommend going through the state to anyone looking to foster/adopt. Some local private foster agencies don't "do" infants or specialize in older, harder to place kids, though their websites and information do not reflect that!! Hi to all the Vegas moms!!