What was I doing 25 years ago today and where was I doing it? That is an easy one. I was giving birth to my first born son. Actually, his time of birth in the evening was about the same as when I began typing this story. We were in Midland Texas during the oil boom for a few years, which included his birth. Many people flocked to West Texas during the boom because there were many jobs and lots of money. That was long before our adoption journey began. We parented close to a hundred children in the past 14 years hoping to adopt a baby girl through the Michigan foster care system.... more

Today was our annual foster care license inspection. In Michigan, a foster care license is valid for two years. However, an inspection, as well as all of the paperwork required for a renewal, is required every year. Although we have been licensed foster parents with the same agency for 14 years, the annual license inspection still stresses me out. Fortunately, all of my children pitch in to get the house in order when necessary. It is a family project with siblings picking up their bedrooms, putting their laundry away, and whatever else needs to be done. With two toddlers... more

Adopting two or more related children is the definition of adopting a sibling group. It is possible to adopt sibling groups privately by an arrangement with the birth family or internationally. However, the following information refers only to adopting children who are state and court wards. These children have become available for adoption because the rights of their parents have been terminated. The juvenile division of the probate court has terminated the rights of the parents and committed the children to the state (state wards) or placed the children under the care and supervision... more