Despite this, adoption is common and I don't believe it truly makes me any different from my peers, but it has given me a certain appreciation for life that exceeds material objects.
.... interesting :) ... I like the way you have presented this idea :)
Many people assume that only foreign children from China and Russia are adopted by an American family, which is a common occurrence, but they hardly ever consider that children in the US are put up for adoption everyday as well.
... I got a bit confused when I read this line for the first time. I think it is the "foreign children" that led to the confusion. You better consider re-phrasing this one to give its full effect to the reader.