In my last post I wrote about some of the things my kids "miss out on" because we are a large, transracial adoptive family.

Josh and I try very hard to minimize what our kids have to give up or miss out on and yet it would be naive to think that they were not missing out on anything because of our family size and make up. And yet, I think even more important than what our kids are missing out on, is what they have gained.

Our kids have each other. While they of course bicker at times like any siblings, my kids love each other and are each other's best friends. They are together... more

Life is about choices, and every choice we make has positives and negatives. My husband and I have decided to have a large, transracial family, built mostly through the miracle of adoption.

We could have had our three biological sons and called it good. We could have been just another "normal, three-child family" that could blend into a crowd. But that was not what we wanted and it was not what we felt was right for us and for our family. We have no regrets, and life has turned out so much better than we ever could have even imagined.

That being said, we are aware that because we have a large, transracial family, that there are sacrifices that have been made, and some things... more

One of my favorite pieces of advice for having quality time (and quality bonding and attachment opportunities) for adoptive families is to get out side. When you get out of the house and in to the fresh air and do something fun together as a family, the results can be almost magical.

Our kids have been back in school for almost two months now (how did that happen??) and we have gotten into a good school-year groove. However with the kids getting home, doing homework, eating an early dinner, getting bathed and getting into bed nice and early, and with the sun going down earlier and earlier each day, there is not much time during the week to get outside and play as a family, especially... more

Shane was the third child to join our family, but is now in the middle of the pack, with four older siblings and five younger siblings. Shane is turning eight years old next week, and the kid is a hoot.

Everybody loves Shane. He is loving, sweet, outgoing, funny and thoughtful. He rarely gets in trouble with Mom or Dad. The big kids think he is hilarious. The little kids think he walks on water. His teachers think he is a genius and the "nicest boy ever". All of the boys at school want to be his friend, and all of the girls at school pay him way too much attention for... more

Large transracial adoptive families are often criticized and questioned as to their ability to truly provide for more than your average 1.7 kids. Many countries do not allow international adoptions to large families, and many states in the U.S. do not allow larger families to adopt from foster care. USCIS often gives larger families a difficult time with immigration approvals. I have heard that some think that large families are basically "small institutions." It can all be very frustrating to a mom of a large adoptive family.

Let me tell you that with most of the large families I know, the parents are just as good, if not better parents than the families I know with only one or two... more

A reader recently pointed out an article to me from the New York Newsday newspaper titled, "Adoptive Couples Revel in the joys of big families brought together by love-and by will-if not by birth."

The article takes a look at several Long Island, NY couples that have created larger-than-normal families through multiple transracial adoptions.

The article discusses the declining number of biological children in typical households in the United States, as well as the increasing number of transracial adoptions and the impact that the increasing number of transracial... more

Continued...

6 p.m.- We all sat down to dinner…tacos, tortilla chips, salsa and carrot sticks (and water…we only ever drink anything else on special occasions). We had ice cream for desert called “Brownies on the Moon” (except for Marcus, who had vanilla, because “Brownies on the Moon” has eggs in it).

6:30 p.m.- Josh took Jazz outside while I cleaned up the kitchen and the big kids went to do their 30 minutes of reading. The little kids went off to find their pajamas and pick up their rooms.

7 p.m.- Everyone complained because college basketball was on instead of Survivor. Stinking March Madness. :) Mercy and Nate got their showers done. I did another round of folding,... more

Continued from previous post...

11 a.m.- Started lunch and my best friend called.

11:20 a.m. –Josh and Marcus came home (Marcus came in and said, “Belane! I am home! It is ME!” As if he had been off at war or something…she hugged and kissed him in the same manor). I talked to Josh about Marcus and had the little four sit down to a lunch of Mac and Cheese, crackers, apple slices and water. Josh made lunch for us (he loves to cook!)

11:55 a.m.- Josh went out the door with Maggie and Amanda to take them to preschool. I cleaned up the kitchen while Marcus and Belane went to play.

12: 15 p.m –I read a book to Marcus and Belane (Sam and the Firefly…I love that one!)... more

As promised… a day in the life of me (this is from Thursday, March 15)

6:10 a.m.- That dreaded alarm went off…gosh…it is still so hard to get up thanks to stinking Daylight Savings time. You wouldn’t think one measly little hour could mess things up so badly!

6:20 a.m. - Drug myself out of bed…spent 5 minutes in the bathroom freshening up and headed out to the kitchen.

6:26 a.m.-Looked over emails quickly and took Jazz outside.

6:30 a.m. - Nate, Ry and Shane came up (they aren’t allowed upstairs until 6:30 a.m. and they... more

I was hoping to get some good responses on this post here…so if you get a chance, please leave a comment. I know it is not an easy question, nor does it have an easy answer (or only one right answer), but I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. I will post my answer tomorrow.

We have had a crazy couple of days, complete with broken washing machines (NOT GOOD IN THIS HOUSE), doctor appointments, parent teacher conferences, birthday party, Super Bowl party and now a broken dining room table. Fun, fun, fun.

Everyone is healthy though and so I can’t really complain though (knocking... more