[MBA62]

I was wondering if anyone has started or has some ideas about lifebook pages. I started it during the waiting period and have added since Emily came home. However, the pages look a little drab to me. I fear I lack that creative gene I want it to be perfect for her; complete with accurate info and beautiful pages. In checking out some of your adoption sites and seeing how creative everyone has been - I thought I'd go right to the source!!! Thanks in advance for any ideas.
Mary

[mkinzie]

So far I have a page about why we chose her name, one about our wedding (we had an extra marriage license sent when we were paperchasing so I decided to use it and made a page with pics and stuff about our wedding day) two pages about all the "signs" we've had about her since we've decided to adopt, and one about chinese new year. I bought her a little red envelope that's given to children. It has a dog on it. I started a page on the year of the rooster but since we don't know when the referral will come I'm holding off on that. One page has a poem about how adoption changes the family tree in a good way. I also made a page for Valentine's Day, Christmas, etc., holidays that we've celebrated since we've been LID with cards so she'll know we included her. I am also keeping a journal that goes along with the book. Funny stories, fears that we may have or important events like getting the brown envelope. I am struggling with ideas, too, though. I figure once I get the referral and go to china I'll be able to create more pages. Good luck!

P.S. - One of my friends who adopted gave me the book when I said we were adopting. She started a book when she adopted her little boy. Her little boy who is 7 now loves looking at the book about him. She wrote me a great letter about adopting and how much the book meant to her son. That's in the beginning of the book.

[Jdubs03]

I haven't started Hana's lifebook yet, and I didn't even know where to start. I too lack the creativite gene. So I bought Beth O'Malley's book, Creating a Treasure for teh Adopted Child, and started reading it yesterday. It gave some good ideas for content, and there is a section in the back that shows example pages from other people's lifebooks. Cindy Probst also has a lifebook guide that is structured like a workbook. She give some ideas about how and where to start.

My sister is going to make one page for me. She and her fiance went to Maui before Christmas. They went on a hike to an old plantation, which was named Hana. She said that the road to Hana was long, steep, and difficult, but she says it was beautiful and worth the journey. She says it's just like my road to Hana. So that too will become part of her book.

Good luck and let us know how it's coming. I know I could benefit from idea sharing!

Jenn

[twoinblue]

I haven't heard of a lifebook before. What is it?


I have looked at baby books but nothing has seemed right and I have meant to ask everyone here if/where they have found a baby book that will suit getting an older child.

[stephdpenn]

Julie the LifeBook that we have is perfect for us. We bought it online at Adoption Shop.
The baby books that I used for my sons just wasn't right for an adoption.
Her LifeBook came with some preprinted pages that I can fill out. Some of the info included was....Names of people and agency who helped in the adoption, what we done while waiting on a referral, page for her referral info, pages to fill out about travel to China and while in China, pages for info about mommy and daddy and siblings. It also included a page for the bparents which I just removed. That is what is nice about the book, you can remove pages and can never tell that something was taken out. It also includes blank pages for you to personalize. Some of what I have done is typed out the Red Thread verse and different poems. Then decorated these pages with clipart and scrapbooking stickers.
I am taking my time on it to make it perfect for her. Since her book will not include such personal stuff as pregnancy cravings and ultrasounds, like my sons baby books has. I feel like I need to make sure her LifeBook is extra special to make up for the informatin that I can not provide.

Stephanie

[twoinblue]

That sounds right up my alley. Can people PM me with links to shop for one?

[stephdpenn]

Julie I sent you a PM


Stephanie

[bdbd]

I have created six pages so far. The first page explains what her lifebook is. The second is actually the first page I created for her when we decided to adopt. One page explains different types of families, another talks about adoption and what we had to do to get to China and the last (for now) is the letter we wrote to the CCAA. The next page(s) I plan to do will be about China - the culture, religion, horoscope, art, children, etc. I have many ideas, it's just a matter of finding the time to get them down on paper.

Denise

[bdbd]

A couple of additional images...
The others are too large to attach.

[arolloseco]

Denise-

I love your book! It is really beautiful. I am curious, where do you get all the supplies (can you pm me if it's not okay to post)?
thanks!

[bdbd]

Hi Arolloseco.


Thank you for the compliment. I find that wherever I look, there are all kinds of embellishments that one can use for a lifebook/scrapbook page. Some things I have found at the local card or dollar store, others at a scrapbook shop nearby. I also found a great web site that sells all types of scrapbooking supplies and a lot of things specific to China. I'll PM you with the URL.

What works best for me is to decide on the topic, start writing the "journal" part of the page(s) and define the layout and embelishments last. Somehow the design of the page always falls into place once the words are down on paper.

I'm still very new to the whole lifebook/scrapbook thing, but I am really enjoying it. I find being creative to be great therapy.

Cheers,

Denise

[Delphius]

Could you please PM me with the URL too....thanks so much!

[Momof2boysinOH]

Wow, Denise! Great job! You started the process at around the same time as us (we applied on 10/13). I can't believe you already have these lifebook pages done! I feel like a slacker. Hopefully I'll get going on it soon...

[kimmie11]

Could you pm with the URL as well

[bdbd]

Mary,

You area definitely not a slacker. I only have cats to tend with at home. I imagine it would be hard to find time with two little ones in the house.

Take your time and create when you feel inspired.

Cheers,

Denise