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I just joined the list, so let me introduce myself. I know that everyone's situations are different, and as you read this you will quickly realize that ours is somewhat unique.
As you can see by my signature, we recently lost our 5-year old daughter, Delaney, to AML Leukemia (this is not the traditional childhood leukemia.) She fought bravely and amazed the doctors many times. Her attitude is summed up in a statement spoken by her upon receiving many get-well cards while in the hospital, "Mom, why are people sending me so many get well cards? I'm not sick, I just have leukemia." Her courage and strength carry us on. She lived life to its fullest, even while battling this horrible disease. She became an angel in January of this year.
We also have a 10-year old son, Kevin, with some neurological differences. He is a wonderful boy and loved having a sister.
We had infertility before our daughter and lost a baby halfway through the pregnancy. I also had complications after Delaney's birth (and can no longer have additional children.)
We want to add to our family (not replace our daughter, as she can never be replaced!) We want to add 1 or 2 children younger than our son. We are looking at the preschool ages. We live in San Diego we are going through the process with the County.
I am going to put together a Family book for social workers and children to view. I do most things on the computer and just bought the American Greetings Scrapbooks & More software.
I am looking for ideas for organization or an outline for the Family book. After the Family book, I want to do a LifeBook. Thanks in advance for your help, encouragement, and blessings to all.
Amy Wright
Mom to Angel Delaney, 4/9/96 - 1/7/2002, dx. AML Leukemia 2/6/01 and Kevin, 10, with ADD and a language processing disorder. He is in a standard 4th grade class, loves tennis, Nintendo and roller coasters. Wife to Bob, great husband and wonderful father.
Delaney's website: [url]www.caringbridge.com/ca/delaney[/url]
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What a touching post. God bless you for opening up your heart to other little ones. I know there are few greater teachers than terminally-ill children. Their spirit can be so empowering and filled with optimism. It sounds like your daughter was an angel long before she passed.
Are you planning on making one book for the adults and one for the kids or just one combined? Since you said you like to use the computer, it made me think of a scrap class I was at. The Creative Memories consultant that was teaching it told us there was a company that would send you a kit that you fill out by hand, and then send it back. Then they send you a disk with a font of your own handwriting! It sounded so cool to me. Maybe someone else reading this has heard of this and can help? I'm a true believer that even if it's chicken scratch, having your words be in your handwriting is part of the history you create in your journaling/scrapping. Good luck! :)
p.s. Does the software you mentioned work solo or does it work in conjunction with another one like Word or Publisher?
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For our homestudy, we provided a mini-album with just a few pictures: my husband and I as a couple, our apartment building, and our pets. For our first visit with our children, we created a larger album with the same pictures and information, but it was geared more toward the kids. We also included pics & info on all of our extended family members, and on our friends as well. We left it with the kids to look over until our next visit.
Later, when the kids visited our home, we allowed them to choose who they wanted to meet out of the album. So every visit, they chose someone different - I know they felt really "in control" of the process, since we didn't influence them in any way. My mom was VERY excited that they chose to meet her first - it was the caption under the picture that read "Holly's mom collects cat figurines" that did it - my daughter collects the same thing! :)
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