I am beginning to gather the components of a Lifebook for Grace. Many adoption agencies encourage Lifebooks as a means for helping a child to integrate into their new family. Eventually, when they are old enough, it also helps them to understand where they have come from. A Lifebook helps a child to understand their history, and that of their adoptive family. There are many articles and books available to help in constructing a Lifebook. Some can be found HERE and HERE.
Grace's Lifebook will contain information about our family genealogy, which will also be hers. It will tell about our lives and traditions before bringing her home, how we found her, Gothca Day, what little we will know of her history, and the adoption process.
One day I want to be able to show her how we began making her a part of our traditions even before we found her. This Christmas that means that her stocking is hanging with ours. It means that her name is on our Christmas cards. There is an ornament wrapped under the tree to begin her collection, just as there has always been one for Samuel and for Seth. And also, how we chose a little girl named Lyric, about her age, from the Salvation Army Angel Tree to provide gifts for since Grace is not yet with us.
I believe these things are going to help our boys adjust to and anticipate Grace's arrival. And, I hope that one day she will see just how much she is wanted and loved.
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Amy, This is just so very special. I read your post and couldn't help but cry. Grace is getting some very special parents.
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