You Know You're An Adoptive Parent When . . .

I'm totally stealing this from someone else's adoption blog. I LOVE IT! My personal thoughts are in orange.

You Know You're An Adoptive Parent When . . .
1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep. (It feels so inadequate to help only one...for now!)
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family. (Lucky for me)
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing. (Not so much sobbing, but definitely getting emotional which is kind of rare for me. Well, it used to be rare)
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you. (I don't know if this is true or not, but if it is, let's get moving people! 7% could correct this issue? Seriously, let's get moving!)
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption. (Pretty much 3-4 evenings a week after the kids are in bed. How do you think I found this list?)
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's "real" parents. (Drives me nuts when people ask about my "real" parents, too. Biological is the word--or birth--leave "real" out of it)
7. You have ever been "pregnant" with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth.(2 years!) (2 years, try 6!)
8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide. (Here's hoping...and believing)
9. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the worldwith a child you just met. (Hopefully in the next few months, this is exactly what we'll be doing)
10. You believe God's heart is for adoption. (100%--again, lucky for me)
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth. (Welcoming them into my heart, family and introducing them to the Lord, of course)
12. You know what the word "Dossier" means, and you can actually pronounce it! (And use a different word for all those out there that have no idea what it means = paperwork)
13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life. (Serious invasion of privacy, but we love ours)
14. 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. (This one even bugs Chris, so you know it's bad)
-Author unknown