What about the "bad kids"?

"There are no unwanted children, just unfound families."--Anonymous


We have been so lucky to have been surrounded by amazing people who are incredibly supportive and excited about our decision to adopt from foster care. I have received so many beautiful blessings from high school and college classmates, family friends and our wonderful close friends and family. (A lot of them have been in response to this blog, which is so cool, and yet, no one is "following" the blog, which makes me feel silly. Hint. Hint.) 


I want to publicly thank the amazing people who served as references for us. My principal, Josh, Greg, Leigh-Anne and Dave, Jamie and Jon, the Lights, the Bairds and Danielle, who also told me she would chip in for a new mortgage payment if I could take all of the kids:) I have GREAT friends!!! 


However, there are still people who look at me as if I might have three heads and a tail when I tell them what we've been up to this summer. Then come the questions: Aren't you worried about those kids coming into your house? Will Gabbi be safe? What made you want to do something like that?? So, here are your answers: 
#1.) I would be worried about ANY new people coming into my house, not just these kids because they're coming from foster care. And the rewards outweigh the risks a million times---we get to share our home and our family with kids who desperately need the love and stability we can provide. 
#2.) If you think I would ever do anything to put Gabbi in danger, you're crazy! We are making an informed, researched decision as a family, and that includes our daughter's opinion and her safety. Why are kids coming out of foster care "dangerous"? It was their parents who caused them to be removed from their home, not them!!! These are sweet, lovable kids who just want a chance to be loved and cared for in the way they should have been in the first place. The way I heard it best described was by a couple who had adopted their son at birth. When they were talking to parents considering foster adoption, they said, "Keep your mind open when reading a child's profile. Consider what you would write about your OWN child. How would you sum their lives, their personalities, all of their strengths and flaws into a paragraph?" What child hasn't lied occasionally, or had an issue that should or might require counseling? What if someone tried to sum YOU up in a paragraph? I probably wouldn't sound that great either!
#3.) What would make us NOT want to do this? This is a chance for our family to grow in so many ways. We get to have the big family of our dreams, and at the same time, we get to give children who deserve a second chance the life they deserve. Sounds like a win-win to me!


So--for the naysayers out there who think we're crazy, maybe this isn't for you---but it's definitely the right fit for us!


For those of you who have been our support and encouragement along the way---thank you for making everyday easier--we love you!