[sundara]

Seems ironic since I could not have kids, but adopting older kids is really great because you get to see the progress faster and they will be on their own (but still my kids!) sooner, so my DH and I will be able to enjoy some fun activities w/o kids while still young enough to enjoy it.

As for the things I most love about my kids now:

1 - they are all beautiful!! Not only in looks but personality as well.

2 - they all want to help the underdog. They have compassion for anyone/anything that is experiencing hurt or pain.

3 - My oldest could be a model, but is making her way as a young mom, and has given me a chance to be grandmom early enough in life to really enjoy it (and I am NOT responsible for diapers, late night crying, etc!)

4 - they are resilient and trying hard to learn to overcome what they have been through. Even with the anger (which I would feel in their place too), they are getting to a point where they are beginning to understand that we are working hard to help them, not to hurt them, and seeing this start to happen is really inspiring (and a huge relief!).

5 - they are funny and charming, and have a lot of fun with their peers.

Guess I could go on and on, but I'll stop for now

[shelly b]

I am thankful and happy that we adopted older children because they are such a blessing. I know my heart would break if they were not a part of our family. Our oldest adopted daughter will always be here at home with us since she functions at about a 4-5 year old level. (She is 20) We made the decision to keep her here in our home instead of a group home or a State School, so we will always have her with us. (I would worry to much about the care she would be getting if she wasn't here.) Our 14 year old daughter is growing up to fast as it is (in some ways, ot so much in other ways). Now Im experiencing the toddler and baby years again being a grandmother! Our oldest bio child will be 27 this month and my two granddaughters are the best! My bio son is 25 and just got married in December so it may be a while until we have more babies join the family. I would adopt our daughters again even with all of the challenges of adopting an older child. I love all four of our precious children.