Over at Owlhaven, there is a discussion centering on ways to afford adoption.  Below is my 2 cents.

We adopted our two fabulous older children through the foster care system.  Not only did the state cover all the adoption costs, but they also paid for any future therapy that the kids might need.  Talk about "the price is right."

I am not sure why domestic foster adoption seems to somehow always he the "adoption of last resort," but let me tell you that these kids are wonderful.

Our daughter is an amazing young lady and funny as all get out.  She has a wit that would challenge the most seasoned professional comic.  All this from a child that they said couldn't speak when she was three years old.  Our son is a gentle genius.  When he arrived at our home, he was two years old and testing developmentally at the age of a 15 month old.  The "experts" told us that he would probably be in special ed his whole life.  Well that was not His plan.  Our son is a year ahead in all subjects but Math, where he is two years ahead.  He is on a competitive gymnastics team and is one of the most empathetic children I know.

If your heart is open, there are literally thousands of kids waiting for home right here in the American foster care system.  Sure they may not be babies and they may have had a rocky start to life, but with a good home, involved parents and lots of love, these kids can have an amazing future.

People always tell us what "good people" we are for doing this and that our kids are so lucky.  I always correct them.  We are the lucky ones and my children, all of my children, are the most amazing people I know.

Comments

[Monica]

Beautiful!

[Kim Yamaguchi]

During my first marriage, I adopted three children (one at a time) all through the fost-adopt system. I always highly recommend this method. Then in my second marriage God blessed us with birth children (and step children for me) so I've done it all LOL. But the fost-adopt system will always be special to me.

[Janet]

Our son came to us when he was 10 years old from the foster care system. He is now 18 and about to become a high school graduate. I'm thankful everyday for him and can't imagine life without him. We had two biological daughters before we got him. It's kind of a long drawn out story but I wouldn't trade him for the sun, moon, and stars.