In a heartwarming tale from Georgia, a couple has made the extraordinary decision to adopt seven siblings after they spent four years in foster care. While many might shy away from such a monumental commitment, Emily and Aaron Johnson embraced the challenge without hesitation.
After 1,359 days apart, the Johnsons have officially adopted the four sisters and three brothers, creating a unified family. Since August 5, they have been providing a loving home for the children, and this week the adoption was finalized, making them a forever family.
With the addition of the “super seven,” the Johnsons now have a total of eight children, including their biological son, Lucas. The excitement was palpable on the day of the adoption, and the family captured the joyous moments in a charming video shared on their Facebook page.
“We are all so excited,” Aaron Johnson exclaimed in the video. “They’ve been up since 6 a.m., running around and full of energy.” The children have affectionately been dubbed the “super seven.” In an interview, Aaron expressed their immediate connection with the siblings, emphasizing the importance of keeping them together in a supportive environment.
Transitioning from one child to eight is no small feat, but Emily has taken it in stride. “The biggest challenge was adjusting to the age differences,” she admitted. “Going from a 3-year-old to a 14-year-old brought its own set of challenges, especially with school.”
The couple always envisioned a large family, but they were initially taken aback when they were approached about adopting seven children at once. Emily recalled the moment, “I saw the look on Aaron’s face when he asked me what I thought about seven. I thought he meant adopting a 7-year-old!”
Despite their initial surprise, the Johnsons have not ruled out further adoptions. They are currently hoping to bring their baby sister, who is still in foster care, into their family once they can secure a larger home. A GoFundMe page has been established to assist with purchasing a new house, and they are close to reaching their $60,000 goal.
According to AdoptUsKids.org, there are approximately 11,000 children in foster care in Georgia alone. Research indicates that siblings placed together face a lower risk of failed placements and experience numerous emotional benefits. Keeping siblings together helps them feel secure and enables them to support one another as they adapt to their new family.
May is National Foster Care Month, a time to raise awareness about how families can positively impact a child’s life through fostering and adoption. The Johnsons are committed to their mission and believe they are called to adopt even more children. Their GoFundMe page states, “They are following God’s calling to adopt and believe that their journey is just beginning.”
If you wish to support the Johnson family on their path to expanding their family, consider visiting their GoFundMe page and making a donation. For more information about becoming a foster parent or adopting, check out the resources available at AdoptUSKids.
Summary
In a touching story from Georgia, Emily and Aaron Johnson have adopted seven siblings who spent four years in foster care, creating a new family unit. With their biological son included, they now have eight children, and they aim to adopt more while raising awareness about the benefits of sibling placements in foster care.