As you probably know if you’ve been reading this blog, Nancy and I are at the NACAC conference. It’s great to be able to spend the days together. Nancy and I work daily on the effort that is ATN, but we rarely get to be in the same physical place with each other while we’re working.

It’s fun though, to see our completely different styles, completely different strengths and weaknesses. Both Nancy and I have a heart for frazzled parents and for their traumatized, challenging... more

I am so tired tonight I can hardly think. Another day spent talking to folks at the booth here at the NACAC conference in Florida. As I mentioned in this post, I am shocked and pleased at how much traffic we are receiving at our booth. I have heard social workers and agency personnel talking about what they wanted to take home to “their parents” and heard them say, “I think what they really need is the... more

Global warming was in the news this week in Russia. The Voice of America and several other news sources are reporting that a Russian naval expedition is headed to the North Pole to secure Russia's rights to oil and natural gas under the Arctic Ocean. The VOA says that while an icebreaker is now sailing ahead of the research ship, global warming is melting the Arctic ice, which would make it easier to drill for oil in the region. The Russians apparently want to prove that a... more

Six of my elementary school age children were just blessed by a week at a Math Camp. The guidance counselor put it on and invited my kids, undaunted by our inability to pay. We have applied for a local grant yet have not heard a yea or a nay from them.

While these six faced Math Camp and slung accusations of ‘nerd’ at each other, four other children got to go to an Outdoor Adventure Camp with horseback riding, whitewater rafting, kayaking and camping. The biggest dissenter is pictured here. The envy from one group to another was very pronounced at... more

Many times when parents first inquire about a stepparent adoption, the non-custodial parent is still somewhat involved in the child’s life. Either through child support checks alone, or perhaps sporadic visits here and there. One of the first questions that is asked, is how to get rid of the non-custodial parent, so that the stepparent can adopt the child involved.

Sometimes the non-custodial parent is in jail, or is abusive and the... more

You have the choice of using a private agency to do your home study, or using the state agency that is assigned by the program. Some state agencies contract with private agencies to do your home study. Be sure you ask about this when you have your informational meeting.

There are definite pros and cons to each type of agency. One of the largest differences is money. Private agencies charge a fee for the home study. State agencies generally do not charge any fees, or the fees are covered under the non-recurring... more

I have said time and time again on this blog that it is essential for prospective adoptive parents to do their research when it comes to choosing an adoption program and an adoption agency.

Today I am going to give some advice on how prospective adoptive parents can research their options, and can move... more

A group of North Dakota teachers volunteering through a church project has been observing how Guatemalans are getting involved in the upcoming elections. They’ve also decided to register as election observers for the upcoming September elections. With fraud and violence common at elections in Guatemala, these teachers hope to provide some integrity where they are stationed.

And speaking of violence in elections, a Guatemalan ... more

Add another first to Miss Ella’s life experiences: her first boardwalk outing! To say the least, she was fascinated. The colors, the lights, the new foods to try, the ocean; she just ate it all up. We went on a weekday morning that was a little overcast, so it was quite empty and we didn’t have to wrestle the crowds. Honestly, I don’t think the crowds would have fazed her; she loved exploring the boards that make up the boardwalk, going right up to the fence that separates the beach and boardwalk to study the ocean and... more

There has been quite an interesting discussion going on in our Birth/First Parent Blog that has even bled across to other of our blogs as our bloggers weigh in with their own unique points of view.

As a reader who is not a birth/first parent, an adoptee or an adoptive parent, I try to take in everyone's point of view to better understand all members of the adoption triad. I don't pretend to be an expert on any of them but I am learning a great deal about members of the triad as well as our members who leave comments.

One member has left some comments on birth/first parent blogs... more