Blog Carnival: What no one told me about adoption

Another wonderful blog I follow has suggested a blog carnival, with the topic "What no one told me about adoption." Parts of my contribution can be applied to any type of parenting - not just adoption. Enjoy!

• No one told me that I would feel extremely posessive of my kids - not when we are with birth family, but when complete strangers ask if I want "my own kids." My kids ARE my own kids!
• No one told me that I would become an expert on chromosomes, shunts, hearts and brains.
• No one told me that I would spend the majority of my free time researching foods, supplements, therapies, and financial resources that will help my children to develop well.
• No one told me that I may not love my children at first sight, and that I would have to spend time telling myself that I love them and praying for them and myself before an attachment would develop.
• No one told me that I could be dealing with attachment issues in my child who was adopted as an infant.
• No one told me that I would love my children's birth families this much.
• No one told me how hard it would be to schedule time to see those birth families that I love so much.
• No one told me that my heart would feel as though it's been ripped out when one of my kids are in pain or feeling sad.
• No one told me that one day I would be sitting here typing this blog, look over, and find my beautiful son (who we were told would never function "normally") smile the biggest smile in the world at me, just because I looked at him. :)