D and I call each other our different-hair-colored twin. For example, she's my blonde twin. I'm her brunette twin. Sometimes we also have randomly colored hair and we just have to go with whatever hair color we've picked for the month. We're really kind of similar in so many ways.

At first, it was little things. At the hospital when the Munchkin was born, we noticed that our glasses were similar. And then, as we began forming our post-placement relationship, similarities began popping out of the woodwork. We like a lot of the same things and our tastes in clothes,... more

I love New York. The city. The state itself. I just like New York! And after researching how the state handles post-adoption contact agreements, I have even more love for the state. I mean, the state song is, "I Love New York." Well, I do, too!

Let's see why.

What may be included in postadoption contact agreements? Citation: Soc. Serv. Law § 383-c(2)(b); Dom. Rel. Law § 112-b [Effective 12-21-05] The parties to an adoption may enter into a written agreement providing for communication or... more

Growing up, my parents would take me and my brother to see a movie on Thanksgiving evening. You know, after the turkey was consumed and dishes were washed. There's almost always some movie worth seeing on Thanksgiving weekend because the movie people are smart enough to release the big hits when families have time off from work! This year is no exception, of course.

Today the movie August Rush is being released in theaters. I first saw the preview commercial about a week and a half ago. And I sobbed all over myself. Because of... more

Welcome to New Mexico indeed! I'm excited to share this state's look at post-adoption contact agreements with you even if, in the end, we do have a few minor questions. Some of the wording that this state brings to the game is so far advanced from previous states that we've looked at that I can't help but jump for joy. Of course, the state's motto is, "It grows as it goes." And that's how we should be looking at certain adoption issues when it comes to the laws the govern them, isn't it? They change and grow as we go along and learn things.

And New Mexico is... more

New Hampshire's state fruit is the pumpkin. (Did you know pumpkin is a fruit?) And so it's fitting to review this state's outlook on post-adoption contact agreements with only two days left before Thanksgiving. (You know you're thinking about pumpkin pie right now.) (I am!)

It's not too shabby. Not the best, but really, not too shabby.

What may be included in postadoption contact agreements? Citation: Rev. Stat. § 170-B:14 [Effective January 1, 2006] Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as... more

Nevada. When I think of Nevada, I think of the desert, don't you? Do you find it interesting to learn that the state's name, with origins in Spanish, means "snow-capped?" It kind of changes my view of the state. And, after reading through their post-adoption contact agreement statutes, I actually have a better impression of the state as a whole than I had previously kept. Our 35th largest state (population wise from the 2000 census) seems to have some inkling about the topic.

Let's take a look, shall we?

What may be included in postadoption... more

This week has been... interesting. I'm thirty-seven weeks pregnant. (Or, really, today I turned thirty-eight weeks pregnant but spent the majority of the week counting through the thirty-seven week days.) Yesterday my (older) son celebrated his second birthday. (And, really, he'll be celebrating it today as well at his birthday party.) So, that said, I've also been planning a birthday party. And working. And nesting like mad. And shopping for said birthday. And my daughter's upcoming birthday. And Christmas presents. And. And. And!

I'm kind of worn out. But we do have another successful NaBloPoMo... more

Okay. It really is National Adoption Day. But it's also my (older) parented son's birthday. Today he turns two. And while I recognize the importance of children from foster care being granted permanent families, I'm kind of grumpy that the two days are falling upon one another. So, after this post, I will emotionally boycott any thought of adoption for the rest of the day.

You see, adoption isn't this big celebratory thing for me. Or for my family. I lost a daughter. My Mom and Dad lost a granddaughter.... more

I love a parade. (Are you singing, too?) I do! My Dad used to wake me up on Thanksgiving morning and I would sit in front of the television, dumb-founded with awe, as the bigger-than-big balloons floated by on the screen. Even now, when I'm busy with kids of my own or preparing something for Thanksgiving dinner, I've got the parade on the television set on Thanksgiving morning. It just makes me feel good.

And, considering that Thanksgiving is next Thursday, you might want to consider making it part of your Thanksgiving tradition! (That's why I'm... more

Anything has to be better than the previous two states we've looked at, right? One would assume. Of course, I don't know what's better: states that seem completely oblivious to the issue(s) at hand or a state that almost gets it, on a few levels, but doesn't quite "bring it" to the level necessary in a complex matter such as post-adoption contact agreements. Either way,... more