In a heartwarming story from Georgia, a devoted couple has made an extraordinary commitment by adopting seven siblings, ensuring they stay together after spending years in the foster care system. After 1,359 days apart, these four sisters and three brothers have finally found their forever home with new parents, Emily and Michael Harris.
The Harris family, who also have a biological son named Liam, took in the seven children on August 5. Just recently, they celebrated the joyous occasion of finalizing the adoption. The excitement was palpable, and the family captured the moment with an adorable video on their way to the courthouse.
“We’re all super thrilled,” Michael says in the clip. “The kids have been up since 6, running around and shouting.” He affectionately refers to them as their “magnificent seven.” Emily shared that when they first met the siblings, they instantly fell in love and knew they had to keep them together.
With the addition of the seven siblings, the Harris family now proudly calls themselves the “Fabulous Eight.” Transitioning from one child to eight is no small feat, but Emily embraces the challenge. “The most difficult part was adjusting to the age range, going from a 3-year-old to a teenager,” she explained. “It’s been a learning process, especially with school since we didn’t have any school-aged kids before.”
Initially surprised by the prospect of adopting seven children at once, Emily recalls her husband’s reaction: “When I heard ‘seven,’ I thought he meant a 7-year-old, not seven kids!” Their initial shock has turned into a resolute determination to create a loving environment for their large family.
The Harris family is not finished yet. They have a baby sister of the siblings still in foster care, but due to space limitations, they cannot adopt her until they secure a larger home. To facilitate this move, a GoFundMe page has been created, and they are closing in on their $60,000 goal, with just $2,000 left to raise.
Georgia has about 11,000 children in foster care according to AdoptUSKids.org, and studies show that maintaining sibling bonds can lead to more stable placements and emotional support during transitions. May is National Foster Care Month, a time to highlight how families can positively impact children’s lives through fostering and adoption.
The Harris family is committed to this mission, believing that their journey to adopt more children is far from over. If you wish to support their cause, consider visiting their GoFundMe page and contributing.
For more insights into fertility and family planning, you can explore resources like Hopkins Medicine’s Fertility Center, which is an excellent guide for those interested in starting a family. Also, check out Make a Mom’s fertility booster for men for helpful tips.
To learn more about the importance of sibling placements, visit Intracervical Insemination, an authoritative source on this topic.
In summary, the Harris family has undertaken a beautiful journey by adopting seven siblings, demonstrating the power of love and commitment in creating a family. Their story serves as an inspiration for others considering adoption, especially during National Foster Care Month.