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Family Unites Seven Siblings Through Adoption After Years in Foster Care
A family in Georgia has made an extraordinary commitment by adopting seven siblings who had spent years in foster care. Jessika and James Peterson, who were initially considering adoption, found themselves facing an unexpected yet heartwarming opportunity when they were introduced to not just one or two siblings, but a whole group of seven.
After 1,359 days in the foster care system, these seven brothers and sisters were officially adopted together by the Petersons. The couple had been caring for the siblings—four sisters and three brothers—since August 5, and this week marked their transition into a permanent family. With the addition of their biological son, the Petersons now have a total of eight children.
The excitement on the adoption day was palpable, and the family shared their joy in a delightful video posted on their Facebook page as they headed to the courthouse. “We are all super excited,” James stated in the video, capturing the spirits of the children who had been up early, filled with energy and anticipation. He affectionately refers to them as their “super seven,” expressing how important it was for him and Jessika to keep all siblings together in a loving environment.
Now known as the “great eight,” the siblings have embraced their new family dynamic, including their biological brother, Noah, who humorously held a sign that read, “still Peterson.” Transitioning from one child to a large family of eight can be daunting, yet Jessika is undeterred. She mentions that the most significant challenge was managing the age differences among the children. “The hardest part was going from having a 3-year-old to having a 14-year-old,” she shared, emphasizing the learning curve that came with navigating the complexities of raising teenagers.
The couple always desired a large family but were initially taken aback when they learned about the possibility of adopting all seven siblings at once. Jessika recounts the moment when her husband brought the idea to her, saying, “What do you think about seven?” With a mix of disbelief and excitement, the couple has since embraced the challenge and are eager to continue their journey toward expanding their family.
Currently, the Petersons are also looking to adopt a baby sister who remains in foster care, but they are unable to proceed until they can secure a larger home. They have created a GoFundMe campaign to help reach their goal of $60,000 for a new home, and they are just $2,000 shy of their target. This is a remarkable initiative, especially considering that around 11,000 children are in foster care in Georgia alone. Research shows that siblings placed together experience greater emotional stability and a smoother transition into their new homes.
May is National Foster Care Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about how families can positively impact children’s lives through fostering and adoption. The Petersons’ GoFundMe page highlights their commitment to adopting not only their baby sister but also more children in need. They believe that their journey of adoption is guided by a higher purpose.
If you wish to support the Peterson family’s mission, visit their GoFundMe page to contribute. For more information on becoming a foster parent or adopting, check out resources like AdoptUSKids. And if you’re exploring options for family planning or home insemination, you can find valuable insights in our other blog posts, such as this one.
Summary
A Georgia couple, Jessika and James Peterson, has adopted seven siblings from foster care, ensuring they remain together as a family. They embraced the challenge of expanding their family to eight, including their biological son, and are raising funds to adopt a baby sister still in care. Their story highlights the importance of keeping siblings together in foster care and encourages others to consider adoption.