Every adoption story is different. This story belongs to Alison B. from Atlanta, Georgia.

Alison can’t remember when her desire to be a mom first manifested. It was always part of her being. Sadly, after having complications with PCOS and difficulties conceiving, Alison suffered a stillbirth at 36 weeks. “Life didn’t go as I had planned and getting pregnant again didn’t happen,” said Alison.

Making The Choice To Foster

“I had friends that were fostering and I thought a lot about that but was afraid that after the loss of my daughter I couldn’t handle losing children in care. I did some reading and found foster to adopt information on Bethany Christian Services website. So in the fall of 2016, I went to an informational meeting at Bethany in Atlanta,” Alison shared. ” I knew when I left there that this is what I was called to do.”

After completing mountains of paperwork, selling her home, buying a new home and moving, Alison began home study in December of 2017. “I learned of my sweet girl in early June 2018, met her late July 2018 and she came home to stay September 1, 2018. Her adoption was finalized on April 25, 2019.”

Changes For The Better

Alison’s life changed since first meeting, fostering and adopting Ciara Grace. “Life is busy, hectic, exhausting and absolutely wonderful! I have never known such love, such joy, and such exhaustion!!!  I never knew parenting would be so tiring!  But, all the work, all the worry, all the miles driving have been totally worth it!!!”

When asked about their adoption day Alison described her favorite moment. “The best experience was seeing the pure joy and excitement on my girl’s face on adoption day. When she knew that that day meant she was mine…forever and I am her forever mommy. Her knowing that she is part of a family that loves her and will always be there for her and she is safe and oh so loved means the world to me!” What beautiful sentiment.

Why Foster To Adopt

We asked Alison for any advice she could offer to those considering foster to adoption. “I would say to anyone considering adoption that the process is not easy, it’s long, it’s hard, it’s heartbreaking, but it is oh so worth it. When that little face looks at you and calls you mommy and smiles and says I love you too for the first time. When they finally understand that they belong and they are loved. Your heart will melt, you will cry and you will thank God for allowing you to make a difference for this one child and know that as much as you have impacted that little one’s life they have impacted yours oh so much more!!!”

Thank you, Alison and Ciara Grace, for sharing your story with us.

If you are in the process of fostering to adopt, we’d like to help you photograph your adoption day. Check out our Framing Forever program for more information. https://www.togetherwerise.org/framing-forever/