Meet the Grier Family!
We (Jordan and Amy) knew we wanted to do something to support vulnerable children in our community. After considering our options, we realized there was a huge need for foster home and we became foster parents in 2015. We have fostered many children, often working to help them reunify with their birth parents when that was the plan. After one of those reunifications—of a set of siblings who had been with us for almost two years—we decided to take a break and step back from fostering.
Only three months into our break, though, our local child welfare agency called us about nine month-old twins who needed placement. We knew right away that we were supposed to take these children into our home. In February 2017, Jordan Jr. and Winnie moved indirectly from the hospital. Due to the neglect they had experienced, they had significant developmental delays and were very small for their age.
Within a month of being in our home, the twins had made tremendous progress. We adopted them in November 2018. Now four and a half, Jordan Jr. and Winnie have continued to thrive due to the nurturing environment they are in and the numerous programs (such as Early Steps) that support them. Jordie is an active, affectionate little boy. Every day when I (Amy) pick him up from his learning program, he runs up to me and says, "I'm so glad to see you, Mom! I love you!"; It makes me smile each time. I think back to when they thought he had brain damage, and I'm so proud of what he has accomplished. The phrase to describe Winnie is full of life.
With her big personality, she just explodes into song, dance, and storytelling. She is also a great big sister and protector of her twin and of the little boy we are fostering. She radiates joy and really lives up to her middle name Love. As a family, we make it a priority to have designated fun time each week—playing games, going for walks, watching movies, and going to the park.
Over time, we have maintained contact with the children’s birth mother, sending her picture and letters to let her know how they are doing. As the twins get older, we know it will be essential for them to have some type of relationship with their birth mother. We have also maintained a connection with Jordan Jr. and Winnie’s half-siblings who live with a paternal aunt in Georgia.
In addition to the twins, we have two biological daughters who are 12 and 9. We have also continued to foster children ranging in age from birth to 13 years old, helping them either move back with their birth parents or find permanent families. Our older girls often talk about adoption to other people. They recognize that there are children in our county and state waiting for a family, and the only way for them to get adopted is to raise awareness.
Adoption has changed our life completely. The twins bring such joy and life to our home. We know it can be challenging, but adoption and fostering are the most rewarding things you can do. Our greatest joy is seeing a child’s life completely changed for the better.
