We are in our fifties, but I like to say we have more than enough love in our hearts to do what we do.  

We are foster parents.  We foster chldren who have special needs.  We have fostered over 100 children over the past fifteen years and each child that has come under our roof has been given plenty of love.  

We currently have five children staying with us.  There's 15=year-old Derek Thomas (D.T.) who has Asperger's (a mild form of autism).  Next comes 12-year-old Delilah Grace, who has Down syndrome and heart issues.  Third is 10-year-old Jaquan Tyreese, who has cerebral palsy (but can walk with crutches).  

Then there's the two "babies": five-year-old Jordan Micah (severe asthma and allergies) and four-year-old Emmalene Joy (called "Emma" for short).  Emma has some sort of unnamed "sydrome" that the doctors cannot seem to figure out.  She cannot walk and is nonverbal (but can see and hear).  Emma also has seizures and is tube-fed.

The children keep us very busy, especially Delilah, Emma, and Jordan.  Yet I wouldn't trade none of them for the world!  George (my husband) and I are in the process of trying to adopt the children, but it's a long, drawn out, frustrating process.  

We have had the others and we love them too, but there's just something about this current batch that have tugged at our heartstrings.  We want them as our own and are ready to have the sound of laughter and feet pattering around the house again.

I do know this: our own three children (Ellen, Grant, and Ben) are tickled pink about the idea of having five little brothers and sisters to call their own (and spoil!).  

We are praying with all our heart and soul that we get to keep the five "fosters".  We weant them so bad we can't stand it! They have already taken to us and have already started addressing us as "Mama" and "Daddy".  They have been with us now for the past two/three years, so I think they're pretty used to us by now (and vice-versa).  

George and I don't have any problems with the medical issues: George is a retired doctor; I am a retired nurse who had to leave my job on account of my health (I get SSDI for fibromyalgia).  We still feel young in ou hearts and enjoy our kids and grandkids.

Well, Derek and Delilah are calling for me to help them with a game they are trying to play, so I will go for now.  I hope you enjoyed my story.  Just keep us in your prayers; pray that the adoptions go through!  George (and I, as well as the kids) would greatly appreciate it!  Thanks in advance!

~Anna T.

~To be continued.~