Adoptive Parent Means...

Every month we receive a newsletter from Adoption Affiliates.  The newsletter is usually filled with helpful information and articles.  This month's newsletter included what it means to be an adoptive parent and I wanted to share:

You Know You're An Adoptive Parent If:

1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has ever made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.  
5. It drives you crazy when people ask about your adopted child's "real" parents.
6. You have ever been "pregnant" with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth...2 years.
7. You had no idea how you would afford an adoption but stepped out on faith anyway knowing where God calls you He will provide.
8. You have ever taken an airplane ride halfway around the country or world with a child you just met.
9. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on earth.
10. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
11. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.

* Courtesy of Connecting Hearts: Pride and Joy a publication of Adoption Affiliates, Inc. Vol. 22 No. 3, September 2010