We are a family

A few days ago I was killing some time on the computer and I looked up some of the adoption forums I use to frequent. I realized it had been months since I had gone there. As I read through the familiar discussions I had a revelation. I no longer relate to newly adoptive families or families in the process of adopting. That part of my life seems so distant. I no longer distinguish in my mind the difference between my adopted children and my biological children. Now I have heard adoptive parents say this before and I always thought that maybe they were just trying to convince everyone of their "normalness". But right now as I look at my 7 children I don't think of them as 5 bio and 2 adopted. Adoption is something that happened to 2 of my kids but it does not define them.

I no longer go to the forums with questions about how to cope with attachment related behavior, And when I read questions about it I am like 'oh yea, now i remember going through that.' How strange that I forgot. I no longer feel the need to gather strength from others who have faced the same issues. Not to say I have it all figured out. Issues still surface from time to time. I have my little stash of adoption books were I can find them if I need them. I have the address of the websites that I like bookmarked. I have out social workers number in my phone (although no longer on speed dial). I know we have many issues still to face but right now it is so nice to just be a mother of 7, not a mother of 5 and 2.