Adopting a foster child as a single parent

I was a middle aged woman in my 40's with four adult children when my now six year old daughter, was by the grace of GOD placed in my life. I had already raised my own children as a single mom working two jobs for over 15 years when Kashe came into our lives. Her biological mom called me up one day and said she was very overwhelmed and asked me to take her four children for a few days. I had met all of her other children, but never her new five month old baby. My daughters' and I drove to pick them up. That was in July 2002 and I've had the baby ever since. Her biological mom never got her life together where she was able to get her children back. I had no intentions of keeping this precious baby girl forever. My plan was to keep her safe and loved until her mom got her life back on track.

After having the baby in my care for almost two years I pursued to adopt her. The state of Washington gave me so much grief it was unreal. It took me almost two more years after that to finally legally adopt her. DSHS put my family and myself through the ringer. I fought with every bit of my being for this little girl who I had grown to love so dearly as if she were my own. The State of Washington did everything in their power to take her from me.It was simply a power struggle between the DSHS case worker and myself. In the end it was the Judge/Court who had the final say so as to what this little girl's fate would be. Thanks to GOD they allowed me to adopt her. She is now the love of my life. She's the reason I take each breath each day. She is my heart and soul. I love her more than I imagined possible. While I am old enough to be her grandma (I am 50 yrs old) she keeps me young at heart and in spirit. She knows she is adopted and she's seen pics of her biological parents. She is open and honest about it. She is so smart for being only six years old. She says she is happy to be adopted. When she was about four when we talked about her being adopted it started because she asked about being in my stomach. I told her that she didn't grow in my stomach, that she grew in my heart and that I was blessed with her by GOD. I chose her.

If anyone out there thinks that it's impossible to adopt because you are not married and don't have a lot of money, think again. Contact me and I will help you in any way I can.

All my children are adults and I honestly don't know where I would be in my life right now had it not been for GOD placing this beautiful child in my life. I know it was just meant to be.

Take Care! Julie