Julie Stauffer

<<The experience of learning one is adopted seems>>

I just wanted to address this as the mom of 5 adopted children, several of
whom are old enough to put their emotional experiences into words.

I am lucky enough to know and love the various birth parents and siblings of
my kids. I know that the kids draw from both families but none of the kids
ever lived with their birthfamilies and only see them occasionally. Adriane
and her birthmom both couldn't eat enough beets as babies and they both
underestimate the amount of room they need walking with others, tending to
bump slightly into people. Adriane and I both love animals and would spend
most days with them.

Zach has his birthfather's quick temper and explosiveness. His birthmom's
nervous energy and metabolism. But Zach has learned his coping skills from
us, how to channel his emotions into positive things.

Marsie has the "Caballero temper" but the Stauffer smarts. The two youngest
kids are still sorting out their reactions to the world.

I truly don't believe that you can separate nature from nurture.

Julie