The past eighteen months have brought incredible blessings and hardships to my family. We have endured many court hearings, agency worker visits, therapy sessions and the list goes on. However, I can honestly say, we would do it all over again. Our family has grown in so many ways. Obviously, the size of our family has multiplied, but we have also developed a deeper faith and love with God as well as each other.

On November 19, 2016, National Adoption Day, our whole extended family and a few close friends filled the courtroom. They say it takes a village to raise a child, our village crowded the court room that day. We were all so excited to finally hear the judge read aloud that the state of Pennsylvania granted the adoption of these three children. There was not a dry eye in the room. Our family was finally complete after the many long months of waiting.

So many people want to ignore or hide the reality that a great deal of children are suffering in the foster care system today. There are too many orphaned children and not enough loving families to invest in the kids lives. I think Robert Frost wrote it best, “Two roads diverged in wood, and I/ I took the one less traveled by,/ And that has made all the difference.” My family took a leap of faith and explored the road less traveled and our lives are forever changed.

I encourage everyone to consider being the loving family these children so desperately need. They did not choose to live in the situations they were born into. The children are not bad people, but they are alone. If you cannot bring a child into your home, find another way to help. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer, spread awareness, or even just pray for their safety and well-being. I hope you can find it in yourself to physically, financially, or spiritually invest in these children’s lives. It will make all the difference.

My youngest siblings have severe behavioral issues due to their past and the trauma they endured. My middle sister suffered the most trauma and now has to go through intense therapy and psychiatric help. Our family had planned to go to Disney World for vacation over the summer, but we were nervous because of the kids struggle to behave in everyday life, let alone a foreign place with massive amounts of stimulation. However, my sisters psychiatrist strongly believes in what he referred to as “Disney Therapy”. He told us in the past his patients benefited from a trip to see the famous mouse and friends. So, we decided to go through with the plan and enjoy our family vacation.

The beginning of the week confirmed our original fears for the trip. Upon arrival to the park there were so many people, large attractions, and loud music that the three kids were overstimulated and couldn’t get a handle on themselves. It took a couple days of adjustment to the new place. By the end of the week my sister was going on the biggest roller coaster she would be allowed on for her height, Expedition Everest, Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Overall, our family was able to have a great time on our vacation. We were able to go to all the places we had originally planned. I think my sisters doctor was right. Disney is the most magical place on earth and can be therapeutic for kids who have behavioral problems. There were definitely some bumps in the road, but for the most part we enjoyed our trip. We have great memories to look back on.

The adoption process and everything it includes caused incredible amounts of stress. Throughout the past year there had been many court hearings and meetings with the team of workers that were involved in the process. Our family had spent hours upon hours planning and prepping for the ultimate goal of complete unity.

My siblings and I began a tradition of dinner time dance parties. It seemed to be the only time of the day when we could forget about all the crazy events that consumed our lives. The world around us paused for a few minutes while we leaped and twirled around the kitchen. During those moments it seemed as if everything was right with the world and there was no pain or heartache.

We have continued this tradition even though the stress of the foster care system is now behind us.We sing and dance to the music. Our family loves to belt out the songs of any Disney movie and giggle at the lack of talent we have. I hope this tradition never ends.

We have gotten through many difficult situations by taking a break and having spontaneous dance parties. One of the quotes I live by says, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, its about learning to dance in the rain” (Vivian Greene). My siblings and I have learned to dance in the rain together. I encourage everyone to take time out of their hectic schedules and spend time doing whatever makes them happy.