Meet the Lemon Family!
Eleven-year-old Abigail originally came to live with Tara and Matt Lemon as a foster child in 2007. As time went on, they learned that the possibility of her birth family completing their treatment plan to regain custody was not looking hopeful. In August of 2008, The Lemons were overjoyed to adopt Abigail as a permanent member of their family.
Tara and Matt have three biological children: Naomi, age 23, Cora, 18, and Elsie, 16. The family has a small farm with many animals. They frequently camp and travel together to attend pig and goat shows. Tara and Matt are also 4H leaders.
Abigail’s parents call her the “animal whisperer.” She adores all animals and hopes to be a veterinarian when she grows up. “Abi loves living on a farm, building forts, and spending every second with her Daddy!”
In October 2015, the Lemons received a surprise phone call from their licensing agent, who shared with them that Abigail had two younger siblings—a fact that they had not known previously—who were in custody of DHS. The Lemons were asked whether they would be willing to foster Henry and Penelope for an unknown length of time. They agreed without hesitation. Two years later, in September of 2017, the family celebrated the adoption of Henry and Penelope. Tara says, “We are so blessed and amazed that these three kids were brought back together!”
Penelope, now 5, loves to dance and sing, and wants to be a rock star when she grows up. Says Most days you will find her following her Daddy around the farm singing a song to the animals. With his warm smile, Henry, age 6, makes friends everywhere he goes. He loves to play video games and jump on the trampoline.
The Lemons believe that individual counseling has been beneficial for their family, and they are appreciative of the mental health services their family has been able to utilize. They describe how post adoption services have been a great help to them with finding the right providers for their children: “It took a long time to find the right therapist for each of our kids - ones that they would ‘mesh’ with, as well as ones who takes Medicaid. Some of our therapists do not take Medicaid and we did not want to disrupt the relationship that had already been formed, so through post adoption services we were able to find funding to allow our kids to continue to see these therapists. We are very grateful for this.”
Adoption has had great impact on the extended Lemon family: Once Tara and Matt adopted in 2008, it created a trickle effect. Tara’s brother and sister both started to foster and have since adopted a total of 6 children between them. Tara writes, “The support that has been created through my siblings adopting has been invaluable.” She adds, “Adoption is the hardest, most emotional, and beautiful thing we have ever done. I am the proudest mom! Adoption WILL change you, I am so thankful it changed us for the good.”
