Amara Adoption Stories

DeAnna and Elle adopted Kora

DeAnna and Elle always wanted to parent and many factors led them to choose adoption. As Elle says, “Why not help children already on this planet?” Both felt strongly about adopting a girl, explaining that “whatever problems she may have, we can relate and draw from our own past experiences.”

On the day the couple finalized the adoption, they truly realized what it means to be a parent. The judge asked, “How has Kora coming into your life changed you?” Elle responded, “I didn’t know how much my parents loved me until I became a parent to Kora.”

Now that Kora is part of the family, DeAnna and Elle have a new sense of contentment. In each ordinary moment of life they recognize how much happiness their baby has brought them, “We know every parent says their child is smart. Kora is also determined, easy, and an extroverted little girl with a great laugh.”

DeAnna and Elle have an open adoption with Kora’s birth parents. They continue to work together in a situation that can be awkward at times, but which they hope ultimately will be valuable for Kora. “We want what is best for Kora and for her to know her complete family.”

Evident to all are Elle and DeAnna’s open hearts and their gratitude to everyone who helped bring Kora into their lives. “The staff at Amara was very supportive and right there with us. We can’t imagine having chosen another agency,” they said.

Trish and Kent adopted Abbey

Trish and Kent went the next day to pick Abbey up from the hospital. Her leg was broken and in a cast due to an accident. Their three year old daughter Maggie, who was also adopted through Amara, was excited to become a big sister. “This is Abbey and we got her from the doctor!” she told everyone. “But after a few days,” says Kent, “the novelty wore off and Maggie wondered when we’d ‘return’ Abbey. Maggie’s response was typical for an only child who gets a sibling, but it was a difficult transition for her.

“Surprisingly, Abbey adjusted much easier than the rest of our family did. She was a happy child from day one and did amazingly well. Once out of her cast, she walked herself over and voluntarily plopped in my lap,” says Kent about the first time that Abbey really showed her affection to him.

After Abbey’s adoption was finalized, the family sent a letter and pictures to Abbey’s birth mother. “Abbey’s birth mother immediately wrote back telling us that she was extremely grateful knowing that Abbey was safe and in good hands.”

Ndudi and George adopted Chizarem

Ndudi and George, born in Nigeria and now living in the Puget Sound area, say many first-generation Africans return to their home country to adopt a child to keep the legacy and culture in the family. But Ndudi and George decided to adopt a child in America, because they knew that many children here need an adoptive family, too. “We waited for a very long time to get pregnant,” says the couple, “and then our son came to us through another woman. We pray for his birth mother and we’ll tell him about her when he is old enough to understand.”

“When we first met our son in the hospital,” says Ndudi, “he was looking at us and he was smiling. He was just one day old and he was smiling! How can you describe that moment? It was just perfect; it was precious. We named him Chizaram, which means ‘God has answered my prayer’ in Nigerian.”

The birth mother of Ndudi and George’s son is a single, working woman who realized that she could not adequately take care of another child. She came to Amara to make an adoption plan and wanted to place her unborn child with an African American couple.

Ndudi and George found Amara when they searched for adoption agencies online. “Amara means ‘mercy’ in Nigerian and we were attracted by its name. We couldn’t have asked for more. We got support every step of the way. It was incredible,” says Ndudi.

Joie and Doug adopted siblings Alex and JD

Throughout the adoption process, Joie and Doug felt drawn to sibling groups. They both have siblings and they understand the strong bond that siblings can share. One day, they learned about Alex and JD—brothers who were four and three years old. “We had that feeling that they were our kiddos,” says Joie.

As first-time parents, Joie and Doug realized that “knowing how to parent” is different than “actually doing it.” The couples feels fortunate that Alex and JD were together in the same foster home. “The foster family provided Alex and JD with values that aligned with how we wanted to parent.” As Joie and Doug continue to figure out what works for each of their child, they cannot describe the joy the experience of parenting has been for them.

Joie and Doug enjoy watching the brothers discover, learn, and grow every day. “It is also so wonderful to see their bond as brothers and know that they will have that for the rest of their lives,” continues Joie

Looking back at the adoption process, Joie and Doug says that waiting for their boys was the hardest part, but that it was totally worth it.

Sara and Steve adopted Tara

Tara was a vulnerable infant of four months and in urgent need of a temporary foster home. Tara needed lots of love and holding, and her new foster parents Steve and Sara were happy to oblige.

Steve and Sara knew thatTara’s stay with them would likely last only months. But they quickly offered to be a lifelong resource for her if she needed an adoptive family. “We talked about it a lot, and we prayed as a family,” says Steve. “We were all clear that if providing temporary foster care blesses a child for six months, it blesses her for six months. It’s not about us, it’s about the child.”

Sara and Steve’s love for Tara grew and their daughter Kailee became smitten as well. After nearly two years of uncertainty, Sara and Steve were chosen asTara’s adoptive family. The family stays in touch with Tara’s birth family, because, as Sara says, “the more people who love her, the better.”

Today, Tara is a funny, bright and confident three year old girl. “When people learn that we adoptedTara, they often say to us: ‘What a blessing you’re giving her!’ ” Sara continues, “Actually, we feel so blessed to have her in our lives.”

The photos are courtesy of PhotoMura Images.