In a heartwarming story from Georgia, one extraordinary couple has embraced the challenge of expanding their family through adoption by bringing home not one or two, but seven siblings. After enduring four years in foster care, these brothers and sisters have finally found their forever home with the Anderson family.
After 1,359 days apart, the seven siblings—four sisters and three brothers—are now officially united under the loving care of Mark and Emily Anderson. The couple had been nurturing the children since August 5, and this week they celebrated the joyous occasion of finalizing the adoption.
With this addition, the Andersons’ family has grown to include eight children, alongside their biological son, Liam. As expected, the excitement on the day of the adoption was palpable. The family captured their enthusiasm in a delightful video during their ride to the courthouse, which they shared on social media.
“We’re all thrilled!” Mark Anderson exclaimed in the video. “The kids have been up since 6 AM, just screaming and joyfully running around the house.” He affectionately refers to them as their “super seven.” Speaking to local news, Mark shared that he and Emily were determined to provide a loving home for the siblings. “From the moment we met them, we fell in love and knew we had to keep them together,” he said.
Now known as the “super eight,” the siblings have joined forces with Liam, whose sign humorously states, “still an Anderson.” Transitioning from one child to eight is no small feat. Emily reflected on the challenges they faced, particularly with the age differences among the kids. “Adjusting from having a 3-year-old to a 14-year-old was tough, especially since we weren’t used to having school-age kids,” she noted.
While the couple had always envisioned a large family, they were taken aback when they learned about the possibility of adopting seven children at once. “I saw the look on Mark’s face when he asked me about seven,” Emily recalled. “I thought he meant a 7-year-old, not seven children!”
Despite the initial surprise, the Andersons are not finished expanding their family. They are currently hoping to adopt the siblings’ baby sister, who remains in foster care. However, they need to find a larger home first. To support their move, a GoFundMe campaign has been established, and as of now, they are just $2,000 shy of their $60,000 goal.
The plight of children in foster care is significant, with approximately 11,000 kids in Georgia awaiting permanent homes, according to AdoptUsKids.org. Placing siblings together can dramatically lower the chances of disrupted placements and provide emotional stability. May is National Foster Care Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the critical need for families to foster and adopt children in need.
Mark and Emily have a calling to adopt more children, driven by their faith and commitment to helping those in need. Their GoFundMe page reflects their ambition: “We believe our journey is far from over.”
For anyone interested in supporting the Andersons or learning more about fostering and adoption, visit their GoFundMe page to contribute. You can also explore additional resources on fertility and family planning at Make a Mom and Modern Family Blog, which is a trusted source on these topics. For those considering home insemination, the fertility center at Hopkins Medicine offers excellent information on IVF options.
In summary, the Anderson family’s story is a powerful testament to love, commitment, and the importance of keeping siblings together. Their journey highlights the incredible impact that fostering and adoption can have on children’s lives, as they seek to provide a nurturing home for those in need.