Adoption is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give a child. The sweet look on these kids' faces after they're adopted are so heartwarming! Everyone deserves to be loved, and these children clearly are.
They Get To Grow Up Together
This little boy spent 389 days in foster care but was eventually adopted by a family who lives in the same neighborhood as his biological siblings! Adoptive mother Jay Houston made the decision to make 17-month-old Elijah a permanent part of her family after her friend adopted three of his siblings.
Elijah not now gets to grow up with his biological siblings as well as his four adoptive siblings! Houston herself was adopted as a child. In an ABC interview she explained, "I'm the youngest of seven kids and I was adopted. Growing up, that's always something I wanted to do.” What a happy adoption story for all involved.
Bless The Broken Road
April & Joe Field weren't big into the idea of adoption. As the parents of five children, bringing another child into their world through the process was confusing. Before meeting the Fields, Addix spent his time in multiple homes. Having special needs put a major strain on folks wanting to adopt him. April & Joe completely understood the feeling.
"My hesitation had more to do with fear and selfishness," stated April. When they finally adopted Addix, their entire outlook changed for the better. "I can't imagine our lives without Addix. He brings so much joy and love into our home."
I Get To Be The One
When Caleb was nearing his first birthday, he was sent to foster care. For three years, the young man stayed in the system. One day, a lucky couple came in and whisked the boy away as a new part of their family. "The overwhelming relief of knowing he will be safe and loved and taken care of for the rest of his life still brings me to tears," said one of the workers.
With a new family, Caleb has been celebrating brand new accomplishments with those around him. The workers hope to run into him when he's much older.
The Greatest Christmas Gift Of All
Michael and Sarah Perks gave three children the most amazing Christmas gift ever in 2014. The Perks had been fostering siblings Corbin, Kierra and Damien for six years, and decided to surprise the children with official adoption papers on Christmas morning. Michael told PEOPLE magazine “It was really, really emotional for everybody.
Everybody was hugging and kissing, smiles all around.” A video of the moment quickly went viral. In it, Corbin opened a box and pulled out papers while surrounded by his siblings. Michael is overheard saying “You’re officially a Perks!” and another child says “You’re one of us now!”
Can't Tear Them Apart
Jana was unaware about fostering until one of her friends mentioned it to her. Intrigued by the concept, she decided to do a plethora of research before discovering this was her calling. Along with her husband, she decided to adopt two healthy boys. Before leaving with her new family, Jana made a surprising discovery.
Those two boys had two sisters that were also in foster care. Jana made the big leap by adopting all four of them. "I would say if you think it might be for you, do not hesitate. There are so many kids that need good homes," she said about her experience.
Happiest Place On Earth
There’s a reason that people call Disney World “the happiest place on earth,” as Janielle and Elijah Gilmour found out in 2016. The biological siblings had been in the care of foster parents Tom and Courtney for three years when the family took a trip to Disney World.
During their vacation, Tom and Courtney arranged for the kids to have a private meet-and-greet with Mickey Mouse, who delivered some very special news: “Your adoption day will be May 24th, 2017.” The entire family and Mickey then took part in a group hug, which was captured on video.
The House That Built Me
Brian and Lee were looking to take care of two new children, but they weren't foster to adopt. The two decided to change that by getting their license, which took them a couple of months to obtain. When the time was right, they decided on half siblings Sofia and Kolten.
Their world changed instantly when the kids arrive at their abode. Brian and Lee are looking to adopt another kid in the future. When it comes to the process, Lee stated, "My advice to future parents is don't give up! The journey is long and hard for everyone involved but it is so rewarding."
A Second Chance
Jeremiah is one of the brightest boys you'll ever meet. There was once a good chance he wouldn't be here today, though. When he was only five days old, he suffered from breathing problems. He was also exposed to various drugs, which could've been fatal.
Jaqueline felt the need to bring him around familiar faces when she adopted him. Before his arrival, she adopted his brother Jacob, and she'll also have his younger sister Ava Rose joining them. "Our home is a busy one with five young children, and that’s the way we like it," Jaqueline said.
832 Days!
Little Michael Brown of Phoenix, Arizona, was in foster care for an unbelievable 832 days before being adopted by his forever family in 2016. He had spent time in the care of two other foster families during that time. Michael's new sister Dezhinna Brown says that the tot has blossomed with his adoptive family. She told Daily Mail that "He’s a lot more outgoing now and you can now see the personality in him.
Now when he sleeps with me, he’ll roll over in the morning and get super close to my face and say, "Dae, I so happy."' Michael’s last name was already Brown before the adoption – a sure sign that this was meant to be his permanent family!
Finding Another Route To Happiness
When it comes to having children, the Alverio family have had their ups and downs. Their first son Ethan was born with the help of doctors due to pregnancy complications. They tried to go for child number two, but further complications made it impossible. They turned to adoption to help expand their family. They chose an energetic kid named Ben, and they've been there through some of his worst times.
"We supported him through a lot of intensive challenges, therapy, confusing emotions and behavioral issues. It was a big challenge at times," they stated. The couple are looking to foster another child.
Angel By Your Side
Being in a foster home is one thing, but Bella had a few more obstacles in her life. She was born with down syndrome and had a tiny hole in her heart. If that wasn't enough, she was diagnosed with leukemia, which is hazardous at a young age.
Despite her extremely rough start, Bella showed the world that she could take on anything. This touched Rae, who adopted the little girl as soon as she could. "We have learned to take each day as it comes and not worry about the weeks and months and years ahead," she stated.
One Big Happy Family
On Josh and Jessaka Clark’s very first date, he told her that he wanted a large family someday. The couple certainly received their wish, in the form of a family of seven siblings who needed a home. They received a phone call shortly after beginning the adoption process in 2016.
"When he got off the phone, he said to me, 'What do you think about seven?," Jessaka told Southern Living. "I said, 'A 7-year-old?' He said, 'Well, there is a 7-year-old, but no... seven children!'" The Clarks said yes, and they now have the big family they always dreamed of.
Take Good Care Of My Baby
At four months old, Dylan found himself in a brand new home with Ann. Unfortunately, the wait to have him legally adopted was a bit long for them. After three years, Ann was proud to officially call Dylan her son.
She didn't want to let him continue his new life without his older sister, though. Ann was able to bring her into the family the following year. To folks wanting to adopt kids, she gives a little piece of advice. "Our advice to other foster parents is to live in the moment and try not to let the unknown consume you."
It Takes A Village To Raise A Child
For Monica, the thought of seeing thousands of children being placed in foster care broke her heart. The Los Angeles County resident decided to change the life of one child named Daniel. The battle to get him was long; after 15 trips to children's court, it finally became official.
The boy has won the hearts of many neighbors on her street. Monica isn't the only one excited to spend more time with Daniel. Her sister is a big fan, too. "My sister flew out here so many times from St. Louis since she could not get enough of this little boy," said Monica.
Like My Mother Does
Mother's Day weekend is the celebration of what our mothers have done for us. For Sarah, this weekend will forever hold a special place in her heart. She went into foster care to pick up her new son Sebastian. It didn't take long for him to instantly bond with Sarah and her husband.
"We can't imagine our family without him. It's like he has always been with us," stated Sarah. After two and a half years, Sebastian became an official part of the family. "While it was one of the hardest things we have ever done, he is so worth it!"
Love Without End, Amen
Brandi's road to having a child was a bit rough. She attempted to go through IVF, but it failed. Unphased by obstacles, Brandi decided to go through adoption. The first child she adopted made the news after they were found dehydrated in the streets. Her second adopted child Erickson would be the end of the road for Brandi.
"We decided to close our license after his was finalized. A very fitting end to an incredible, bumpy, frightening, joyful, worth every minute of the 1074 day journey," she said. With two children, she can finally live with a happy family at home.
The Surprise Of A Lifetime
A teenager named Haver had dealt with the foster system for 10 years when she was placed with the Dockens family. She fell in love with them and knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life as part of their family. The feeling was mutual, and the Dockens made things official in a very unique way! They pulled Haver, and her five siblings, out of school without explanation one day and brought them to the courthouse.
Social services and the family attorney were present. Although she appeared nervous at first, Haver gradually starts smiling as she realized what was going on. In an interview after the adoption was finalized, she said, “Oh my God, this is the best Christmas I’ve ever had in my whole life. I love them [the Dockens] so much. They mean everything to me…I’m just so happy.”
The More, The Merrier
Having one brother or sister is nice, but what about having three siblings? JaiMaria, Jordan, Ralasia, and Jeremiah spent a few years down in foster care before running into the Piazza family. At the time, the youngest sibling was two years old while the oldest was eight years old.
Seeing the four of them together was enough for them to be accepted as part of the family. The Piazza family endorse having a massive pack of siblings in the abode. "If you are looking to foster or adopt please consider sibling groups. The bond that siblings have is so amazing," they stated.
One Door Closes, Another One Opens
The Brooker family wanted to have children, and they had their sights set on reaching that goal as quickly as possible. For five years they tried to have a baby, but infertility made that dream disappear. They decided to turn to adoption, which is where they found their new son Daniel.
While they had nerves about adoption, their son's smile quickly made the whole process worth it. "Children in foster care are such innocent victims of heartbreaking situations; they are so special, and deserve the best humanity has to offer," they stated. They do have plans to adopt some more in the future.
Overcoming Hurdles
One of the most prominent foster care and adoption advocacy groups in the United States is Together We Rise. The group uses social media to share photos of children who are adopted into their forever homes. Together We Rise’s executive director, Gianna Dahlia, says that “[w]ith so many negative stereotypes and news stories surrounding foster care, we are focused only on the positive.
One of the most powerful and positive things that can happen for children in foster care is getting adopted into a forever family. That’s why we started sharing the pictures our supporters were sending us.”
