tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post2610243201535974286..comments2024-03-26T09:26:29.609-07:00Comments on Do They Have Salsa in China?: Let's talk lifebooks, shall we?M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-76987418119635752892010-02-11T15:07:32.496-08:002010-02-11T15:07:32.496-08:00I made an overly simplistic one for my DD's 2n...I made an overly simplistic one for my DD's 2nd birthday. I think it has maybe 8 pages...I also was very paralyzed in wanting to do it "right" and "perfect", but decided one weekend that it needed to get one and to just do it. I don't care for it...but it works for now. I have a page for us pre-referral, referral pics, pic of orphanage, pic of first time we saw her, pic of us as a family, pic of foot stamp, a misc pic in China, pic at airport, pic at re-adoption. A few sentences on each page is all I have.<br /><br />I put them in a small 6x6 (I think) scrapbook album so the pages are removable. Of course, this has caused issues with pages being taken out, but its not her forever one. It's what has worked for us.Krishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05692988119185221445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-21989802433295577452010-02-08T20:48:34.384-08:002010-02-08T20:48:34.384-08:00Hi M3- I used Little Lotus Creations to make a to...Hi M3- I used Little Lotus Creations to make a toddler lifebook for my now 4 yo. It is beautiful, you can customize it and Kristi, the woman who makes them is a dream to work with. Plus, I believe she donates some of her profits to Love Without Boundries. My daughter loves hers.<br />Good Luck with yours.Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07727472676605369379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-25795899985544310732010-02-08T08:55:39.289-08:002010-02-08T08:55:39.289-08:00haven't started ours yet either, though she ca...haven't started ours yet either, though she came with one from Hope Foster Home (what a treasure that is), of her time there. I want to somehow incorporate that into her lifebook I'm doing- you know, the continuation of her story. but i am hoping to do it all on-line (m-pix, or use my mac program to make a book- can scan some of her stuff from china and add in our own).kitchuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03907460384010952009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-58437373742978752962010-02-06T20:38:33.821-08:002010-02-06T20:38:33.821-08:00I think that the best thing to do is to NOT get lo...I think that the best thing to do is to NOT get lost in all of the little details. When I look through my baby books, what I like the most are the pictures and my mom's little stories about my favorite foods, the funny things I said, etc. I think that if you incorporate telling their story in an age appropriate way, pics from China, referral photos, what it was like when you got "the call," etc. PLUS all of those things that make each girl special, it will be a treasure for them and you will be so glad that you took those first few steps. I bet you'll get rolling on this and realize that it wasn't nearly as difficult as you thought it would be.Laciehttp://funnylittlepollywogs.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-32397118295123133242010-02-06T17:29:52.255-08:002010-02-06T17:29:52.255-08:00I wanted to follow up on my comment. You got me t...I wanted to follow up on my comment. You got me thinking and I pulled out the ABC book. Bug loved it tonight. We had a good talking through the pictures and the story. So I guess I like it and will continue to work on it. <br /><br />One of the reasons that I did the ABC lifebook is that I wanted something differnt. I did not want a cookie cutter looking lifebook. I am not discounting or knocking anyone that does use the suggestions in books and templates out there- it just did not work for me. Even the baby book templates from CM, I customized them so they were not so cookie cutter.<br /><br />I was thinking about your dilema with twins- you might conside one book now, with pages for both Ree and Ro that can be removed and put in their own books as they get older or if they really want seperate books now.<br /><br />The important thing is that the books reflect you and the grils- be simple, be itcovered in color- what is important is the story that needs to be told.<br /><br />Love and hugs,<br />DebDebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13944684168511187765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-79681905487202429682010-02-06T12:37:29.223-08:002010-02-06T12:37:29.223-08:00I'm doing Sophie's book on Shutterfly so i...I'm doing Sophie's book on Shutterfly so it'll look like a real book. I've been at it for 2 years and it's almost done.<br /><br />I've targeted at her age for now and then I'll do one later for when she's around 10 with more info that she'll be ready for by then.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01476299335356214391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-23092380053437015682010-02-06T12:22:24.176-08:002010-02-06T12:22:24.176-08:00This is so been on the back burner for me too. I j...This is so been on the back burner for me too. I just don’t know how to start. I have 22 pages and pictures from Half the Sky her memory book do I add this in or do I make 2 different books. You have me thinking about this again. Thanks for all the cool links.Paulettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14493053447357838766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-25303529354187306742010-02-06T11:55:26.959-08:002010-02-06T11:55:26.959-08:00I used to teach about lifebooks.
I guess my firs...I used to teach about lifebooks. <br /><br />I guess my first suggestion would be to write the "older" books now - very detailed - because, as the years pass, you forget specifics. Once you get the whole thing written, then you can quickly edit the girls' stories to be more age-appropriate, going through Shutterfly or something to create two simple toddler books.<br /><br />I also highly recommend the two members-only forums Asia Lifebooks and China Digital Scrapbooks.a Tonggu Mommahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01365812914466181060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-72177328730607280632010-02-06T09:31:10.675-08:002010-02-06T09:31:10.675-08:00I haven't started Jammer's lifebook either...I haven't started Jammer's lifebook either but I've got most of the supplies. I'm going to do traditional scrapbooking for it. I am so a texture and feel type of person and want all the different elements traditional scrapbooking offers. <br /><br />We did do a Shutterfly "1st year home" book for him and I like the way it turned out.<br /><br />I've got the outline/topics all drafted out but need to wait until we have the new house so that I have the space to work. Right now I'd have to put it all away each evening and that doesn't make for good progress. If you want my list of topics, just email me and I'll send it your way.Michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09269423321421270481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-77123216396096783742010-02-06T09:27:58.031-08:002010-02-06T09:27:58.031-08:00I would try Snapfish...I have not made a lifebook,...I would try Snapfish...I have not made a lifebook, but have made a book using thier program as a gift. It was incredibly easy and it turned out soooooo fantastic. You can choose the format you want your book to be (hardback, page layouts etc) and then you put whatever you want at the bottom of each page just like a real book. (It can be one word or several sentences) All you do it upload your pics to snapfish into an album and then you have it make a book out of that album. Then you can go through and arrange the order, layout, and add words. The coolest part is that this book looks like a real book that was published for you! It can be hardback with a glossy "book protector" cover and all! Its worth checking out for sure! I loved mine!! Snapfish is free to join as well so all you pay for is whatever you order.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-76984565369247539412010-02-06T08:53:05.812-08:002010-02-06T08:53:05.812-08:00I LOVE Shutterfly. It is really easy, they have a ...I LOVE Shutterfly. It is really easy, they have a ton of layouts and the books are beautiful when printed. I did my daughter's(from Guatemala) and scanned in all important documents. I even have a photo of she and her birth mother and photos of her birth mother alone. It helped me a lot to put together a book and to really collect my thoughts and feelings. Good Luck.T.R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00238547759453844497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-72046173810248090752010-02-06T08:29:44.590-08:002010-02-06T08:29:44.590-08:00Ok- you've gotten great advice already!
I can...Ok- you've gotten great advice already!<br /><br />I can only say that for my girls this has been a HUGE thing for them. Grace reads hers every day. Pearl also reads hers and looks at the photos of her friends in China. She is much more private about reading hers, but also loves to have it read aloud to her.<br /><br />For Kai, I haven't done the hard bound book yet. I use a small book of photos only for him to look at as we read it.<br /><br />I just read from Lisa's comment that you are headed out to see us! I'd love to share my books with you when you are here!<br /><br />Kim BrownThe Brown Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04929571884140558013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-59867438535620153712010-02-06T08:00:46.398-08:002010-02-06T08:00:46.398-08:00I've been slacking on the full blown version f...I've been slacking on the full blown version for as she gets older with all of the appropriate information. We did do 2 age appropriate ones<br /><br />1. ABC book all about Maddie<br /><br />2. Toddler lifebook with age appropriate info and wording<br /><br />I did use templates and they're printed on shutterfly in 8X8 books<br /><br />Something I've wanted to do more of but have yet to have the time is following along on asialifebooks.org they just recently started up the writing schedule<br /><br />Users share their text and look for suggestions for wording, etcKimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18409880864799851996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-81141580373797844702010-02-06T07:58:02.963-08:002010-02-06T07:58:02.963-08:00fashion friday?fashion friday?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-63541767968663212002010-02-05T22:37:37.584-08:002010-02-05T22:37:37.584-08:00So, I haven't done a lifebook. I have printed ...So, I haven't done a lifebook. I have printed off my blog (used Blurb) and LOVED it! It is so great. I am too tired to think really of doing more. So, once you do all the work, let me know how it went and then I will decide if I will attempt one too. :)laurelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13051765178387344518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-2241499827140539482010-02-05T20:19:19.155-08:002010-02-05T20:19:19.155-08:00I know what you mean by getting stuck on the forma...I know what you mean by getting stuck on the formatting. I was going to make a blog book and then a lifebook, but couldn't even pick a format for the blogbook. And then our picture of the FedEx guy was missing, so I got even more stuck. Then I got stuck on the lifebook too. <br /><br />I need a babysitter to come one day so I can work on it.<br /><br />I've made tons of books for friends on Shutterfly and Snapfish, and even one for Casey about her night night routine. But I'm just stuck on the lifebook. I do have the Beth O'Malley book and I like it a lot (thank goodness it's short). And I get an email with monthly tips from her.Jamiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15432470010733756413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-23685364214602318352010-02-05T20:19:00.735-08:002010-02-05T20:19:00.735-08:00I will be very interested in what you find out and...I will be very interested in what you find out and what is said... I have not started Tate's yet. I really do not have time right now .... but hope to knock it out in the summer when teaching and University classes off for the summer. Hmmmmmm, may be something we can work on in our Utah bloggy bash???<br /><br />Hugs<br />LisaLisa and Tatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05297382979646286309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-26720290904108040142010-02-05T20:10:27.651-08:002010-02-05T20:10:27.651-08:00As a social worker I have the awesome opportunity ...As a social worker I have the awesome opportunity to see the benefit to the child when adoptive parents cherish the life books that their children started prior to arriving home. That said, no pressure to get one completed!! Just start the process; I urge everyone to consider a life book to be a tool that allows for the child to add to it as they mature and their adoption story matures. Both the kids I work with and their parents LOVE to see their artwork and written life story in their handwriting from three years ago. Life books are such a great tool. Don’t feel pressured to get them completed and perfect – they are meant to be a work in progress.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-86133489320984860512010-02-05T20:10:13.870-08:002010-02-05T20:10:13.870-08:00I'll keep this short because if I drag it out,...I'll keep this short because if I drag it out, I'll surely head down on a shame spiral. We're getting ready to celebrate our 4 year anniversary of being a family. Unless you count the one, lone "class" I went to, then I've started it. But if you won't count that, well, it's a fail. <br /><br />Glad to know I'm in good company, though :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-51162199325277026282010-02-05T20:00:55.329-08:002010-02-05T20:00:55.329-08:00I used The Story Of Me albums at myperfectmemories...I used The Story Of Me albums at myperfectmemories.com to create a 'first year home' <br />book for our daughter (which revolves primarily around photos)...and a second one that includes everything from the second year on up (for school photos, other firsts, etc.). <br />We also have the My China Workbook by Beth O'Malley. I've managed to get the workbook into a 3-ring binder (with the W.I.S.E Up Powerbook tucked inside the pocket) but, that's the extent of that one. Our daughter is 4 and I'm not sure she's quite ready for it yet...I'm thinking next year. <br />M.Mahmeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13389550318044470734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-9076665536736072362010-02-05T19:37:05.910-08:002010-02-05T19:37:05.910-08:00Well, my older daughter has been with us for about...Well, my older daughter has been with us for about 2 weeks less than Ro and Ree have been home with you and I am <i>finally(!)</i> finished with her lifebook and starting on her little sisters (who has been home for over 19 months herself!).<br /><br />I purchased a template from someone who created one on Shutter*fly and since I'm very familiar with S*fly and have made many books with them, I was sure I could do it -- and the moment I got the template I started -- it took me about 1 week to get it done and I am THRILLED that it's done!<br /><br />Now, I just have to get our younger daughter's done, hit "print and we'll be in business!<br /><br />I did buy Beth O'Malley's "creating a lifebook" book but can't find the darn thing anywhere! So frustrating!<br /><br />If you're interested in a link to the gal who made the lifebook template, let me know and I'll send it to you.Truly Blessedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14038333888405690505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-22352400303201281942010-02-05T19:25:01.204-08:002010-02-05T19:25:01.204-08:00Didn't read through all the comments so sorry ...Didn't read through all the comments so sorry if this is a repeat but asialifebooks.com is now working on each page one week at a time I believe and will walk you through the process. I started mine digitally and followed their process and it's so simple and a lot of great resources on that site. If you do the books digitally through photoshop or some other program, you can go to shutterfly and download their template so you will have the template for each page for when you go to have them printed.Tanyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06148783875331330339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-7749829163708037452010-02-05T19:14:19.908-08:002010-02-05T19:14:19.908-08:00Hi,
Thanks for blogging about this topic. I have ...Hi,<br /><br />Thanks for blogging about this topic. I have gotten as far as selecting many of the photos and thinking about what I wanted to say about different topics. <br /><br />Then I was talking to another adoptive mom about life books. I realized after our conversation, that I hadn't really been writing my daughter's life book, instead I had been writing "my" parenting story (wanting a child/family, waiting for you, referral, trip to China, days/months home). <br /><br />I had to sit back and think about the purpose of this life book (I hope to provide my daughter experiences to think/question/ponder her identity and story). So now I am centering it on "her story" as the focus. <br /><br />I also realized I did not have much of her story before referral, but her story does not start at referral - although I have seen many life books where this is the beginning page. Obviously this is difficult because of limited details and pictures. So now I am trying to determine how to tackle this in "her" book. <br /><br />I will be eagerly looking forward to further posts you have on this topic.The Drinkwatershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09366110716322925857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-88138440053466045732010-02-05T18:57:25.648-08:002010-02-05T18:57:25.648-08:00I'm with ya, sister. Before traveling to Chin...I'm with ya, sister. Before traveling to China, I joined a local lifebook group and made great progress. I was SO excited to finish everything in record time.<br /><br />And then we got Em.<br /><br />Haven't touched it since. <br /><br />And it makes it worse that online resources are so much better now and most of what I have done is with paper products, so now I'm torn.<br /><br />I think I will make a toddler version on scrapblog or shutterfly and then finish the more adult friendly version for when she is older and that version will have every document, etc.Caseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17142458669725527786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-89875714104981118252010-02-05T18:13:23.809-08:002010-02-05T18:13:23.809-08:00I used Beth O'Malley's lifebook workbook t...I used Beth O'Malley's lifebook workbook too. Loved it. Talked about how to write about the unknowns. Talked about how to create conversations and questions and how to give as much information as you can, without sugar coating it, or making it up. I made them through Shutterfly. The girls read them often and I can always order another one. If you want to see them, I can send you the log in to my Shutterfly site.norahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10223726805592061959noreply@blogger.com