Foster to Adopting Infants: Delora’s Journey

Foster to adopting infants can be an intense journey. Life changed in an instant for Delora Beech and her husband. The trajectory of their entire lives changed over the course of one night. They received a call on the night of November 10, 2015, that they didn’t expect. 

Opening Your Home to Infants

That night they received the opportunity to take in Riley, a 5-month-old baby. The couple always expected a teenager because they felt they could handle one. Nevertheless, they decided that even though they didn’t have anything ready to take in a younger child they could handle the responsibility. Riley experienced different health issues early on but through different therapies, the Beech family helped him improve his condition.

In January of 2018, the Beech family received another call from CPS with the request for them to take in Riley’s younger sister, Ansley. At this point, the family needed to take a step back and figure out whether or not they had the capability to take in another child. Their teenage son and Riley already occupied a lot of their attention. They consulted with friends and family for advice before making any decisions. Before they made a permanent decision, they took Riley to visit Ansley at CPS. Riley and Ansley amazed the family with their instant connection. Despite being separated it seemed like their relationship remained strong.

Foster to Adopting Infants: Moving and Growing

After deciding to take in Ansley, the family sold their two-bedroom farmhouse in order to move into a home that fit everyone. The transition Ansley made from her foster home to the Beech’s home seemed seamless. The Beech family officially adopted both Riley and Ansley in 2019.

 An important lesson Delora shared about foster to adopting infants is to be flexible and patient with the situation. In her case, working with CPS went smoothly but sometimes that isn’t the case. Also, make sure to keep a healthy mindset. Counseling during and after can help reinforce a positive attitude and help answer any questions you might have. It’s important to stay positive because in the words of Delora, “Your kids don’t need perfect parents, they need happy ones.”

In Conclusion

In conclusion, we’d like to thank Delora and her family for sharing this fostering to adoption infants journey with us. Together we Rise offers free adoption day photography through our Framing Forever Program. Click here for more information!