[Vicki H]

I thought this would be a good idea.

How do you document the adoption process for your child/children?

[thmc1215]

At first I did the written journal to the babies about the paper process we were going through, the day we got the referral, 1st trip, etc. I kept the journal on my computer so I would jot down things that I bought for them or daily thoughts I was having of them (esp in between trip 1 & 2!!!). These are private entries that I will share with the children when they are older.

After we got home, I did the blogger to share with family & friends.

[dlhall]

I kept a written journal during both of our adoption journies. For my daughter, I have already compiled the information in the journal along with pictures into a lifebook. I wrote the lifebook myself; it's like a story book and than I had it laminated and bound at Kinkos. My daughter loves it. I'll do the same for my son--someday!

Liz

[waitinginnj]

I journeled during the adoption process.

Now, I write letters to my daughter at least once per year. I plan to save them in one box. And, then give them to hear at a significant time - Sweet 16, Graudation, Wedding depending on how things go, I will find the right time.
I print them on pretty paper and date and seal the envelopes.

[angelkisses0102]

On here...I need to print out my posts regarding the kids stories...I started a written journel for Arianna....but...

[sands]

My journal is over 300 pages (typed) and I have made 2 30-minute DVDs of their "birth story and beyond".

I HATE/DESPISE/PUT OFF/CURSE/LOATHE conventional scrapbooking (though somehow I manage to get that don\e, too, because of the guilt - all that **** Catholic guilt - so my children will have a coffee table book of memories - even though they are boys and will probably use it for evil instead of good - like using the pages to burn the shed down - and I will look at my husband who does NO MEMORY KEEPING and silently curse him for being a man - reminding me that I am the only women in the house who even cares about this kind of stuff - which would just trigger another break down)

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! The stress of this post has put me over the edge. Can't type... losing consciousness... why is it so dark...

[heikewould]

I love scrapbooking. I also do journaling along side the photos and on extra pages with it. This first book is her adoption story. If any of her playmates want to know her story she'll have the perfect "book" that tells of her.

I will do other scrapbooks for her but thils first one is primarily her first year from referral to being with us.

I am very behind in my efforts, but this last week I went on a scrapbooking weekend with 30 other women. Three days of nothing but memories!!! I got quite a bit done. Everyone who took a look at my work and read her story cried at how we finally became a forever family.

[DET62]

I kept a journal throughout my adoption and someday my daughter may want to read it. We look at the photos occasionally.

I am trying to turn my journal into a book, when I have time. It's 200+ pages right now, and I need to do some revisions. I just wish I could get a publisher interested. I'd love for people to know it's worthwhile to adopt older kids, even teens [age 13].

Dee

[FloridaJewel]

I started a handwritten journal for dd since right before we got our referral (July '03)---I'm on my 2nd journal for her right now (hardbound journals).

My mom put together a nice book with emails and photos covering the 3 months time between referral and gottcha day. It always brings tears to my eyes to read it.

I bought a (commercial) adoption book which I've yet to do yet!

But I've also kept most of the emails pertaining to the adoption and those are in a file, needing organization! I plan on adding photos to it and binding it somehow.

Now, with the 2nd adoption, I have the blank journal all ready, just need to get the pen and the motivation to start on it! (I think I just got it!)

[Ktates]

Must be something with the Karens! I too have to print out my posts - I saved a lot of emails from that time - the ones I wrote back home of our visits and some of the replies - I was recently reading them - some from my mom and Maura (emjay) brought all the memories flooding back and I was a big puddle...but yeah I have to do some sort of scrapbook/presentation or something!!!

[Vicki H]

Everyone really has some great ideas.

Vicki

[Michele A]

I had a travel journal, which I recommeds to all and I have now started Emma's baby book. I run to calender to write everthing down, so when I get a few minutes, it is a quick reference. Just remember, no matter where you are, write it down, you will not remember later. Even if it is a notepad. The times goes so fast!

[waxhawfamily]

I did two scrap books.

One for the adoption process, the orphanage, trip one and two, the town, Moscow, first days / weeks home, etc...

The second was more of a traditional scrapbook of photos and memories that would never be percieved as stemming from an adoption.

We want DS to be proud of being adopted, but we also don't want it in his face every time he looks at his "baby books". Also, if he wants to show his scrapbook to anyone, he can decide for himself whether or not to pull out the adoption scrapbook as well as the traditional scrapbook.

He will know that we are honored to have been able to adopt him, but he will also have the right to share that part of himself with just those he chooses.