The Randall Family

We always wanted to have a family and did not think it was possible for us to adopt through an agency or government entity. We were introduced to another gay couple who were foster parents for the state of Nevada and who were in the process of adopting one of their foster kids. We then attended an informational meeting, asked questions, attended the training classes and eventually were licensed.

There were several people who supported us through the process. I think it's important to understand that families will not completely understand the foster/adopt process and will have to research information themselves. The people who really helped us were the boys’ social worker, their therapist, Lily's worker, another foster/adopt couple, and one of our instructors who has become a great friend. There are people in your life who support you and those who don't. We choose to keep positive people around us as much as possible. Raising four kids is hard enough, and ours have some issues we continually have to address and will need to for the rest of their lives.

We had been foster parents for about one year and we were interested in adopting a little boy with severe Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. We met with his caseworker and his foster parents and it was decided that we would not be a good match for him because of his special needs, and that he would be best served by at least one stay at home parent. The social worker asked if we would be interested in three boys 6, 7, and 8 years old. We met them, they met us, and the rest is history!

We have many family traditions, from the obvious (Christmas, Easter, etc.) to smaller but more important ones. Mother’s Day is celebrated to include the boys’ birth mom. Pieces of importance are respected in our home, including a toy car next to the heirloom Waterford vase in the china cabinet. That is the only thing that the boys still have of their history. With the boys and Lily, we do not celebrate a specific day for our adoption. We recognize it generally with someone saying "weren’t we adopted sometime this month?" Life is just "normal" for us now, like we have always been together. We have ALL worked hard to become a forever family. No matter what mistakes you make, the kids always know when to give you a hug to let you know that it's alright…and that's what we’re supposed to do for them.

• Covington and Allen Family
• Sharper Family
• Appleby Family
•  
• More Family Stories

If you have a foster or adoption story to share, please email it to family@adoptuskids.org. We will review your story and contact you if we have questions and would like to share your story on the website. Please include your first and last name, phone number and best time to reach you.

AdoptUsKids is dedicated to increasing the public awareness of foster care and adoption. As a “real” adoptive or foster family, you are an important part of our national media outreach. If you are asked to participate in an interview, please don't be intimidated; sharing your story can make such a difference! We have developed the Media Guide for Families (PDF 1.6 MB/21 pages) to assist you. It provides tips and facts about AdoptUsKids. Thanks for your willingness to help!