Meet the Moody Family!

Jennifer and David Moody have created a cohesive and joyful family by adopting siblings Benjamin, Waverly, and MaKenzie; blending them in with their birth daughters Courtney, Alyssa, and Sophia. With six children ranging in age from 2 to 17, life in the Moody household is never dull.

The Moodys learned of the need for foster and adoptive parents through their pastor at North Point Community Church. When they approached DFCS (Division of Children and Family Services) to obtain their foster care certification, they had no intentions of adopting.

After having cared for 70 foster children, their plans changed with little MaKenzie, a child who came to them at age 17 months and “stole our hearts.” Kenzie was 3 years old when they adopted her in September, 2016. When Kenzie’s older brother and sister needed a safe home, the Moodys stepped in, adopting the 7-year-old twins, Benjamin and Waverly, this past summer.

Adopting children from chaotic pasts has introduced Jennifer and David to new challenges. They have been learning about special needs such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, educational and developmental delays, eating disorders, and mental health issues. The Moodys appreciate the coverage Medicaid provides for the children’s weekly “trauma-based, cognitive behavior therapy.”  They write, “Trauma-based therapy has changed our perception of our children's behaviors and given us tools to help them.”

In their short time with the Moodys, Ben, Waverly, and Kenzie have made remarkable progress. Ben is exploring and enjoying range of age-appropriate interests – from dance to swim lessons to a number of sports. He has become a well-liked classmate whom peers eagerly seek out on the playground. Waverly is also trying a number of new activities, focusing on swim lessons and cheer-leading.  Her classmates know that quiet Waverly will become a loyal friend once she warms up. Kenzie has become a gifted gymnast, and she generally excels at “everything” when she has teachers who understand her lack of impulse control. When Kenzie first came to the Moodys, she was mute and thought to be autistic. Mom writes, “Kenzie is neither! She has blossomed into a sweet, thoughtful girl with a vast vocabulary.”

The Moodys’ birth daughters have been an important part of the newer children’s recovery. With her deep love for all children Courtney, now age 17, has helped to nurture and encourage her younger siblings. Alyssa, age 12, regularly plays with her newest brother and sisters. Tender-hearted Sophie, age 2, runs to sit in “time out” with her new sisters and brother anytime they are in trouble.

The greatest obstacle this family has faced in adoption has been “lack of records.” Because the twins had many changes in caseworkers, a majority of their medical records were missing. Jennifer and David ask policymakers to establish centralized medical clinics exclusively for foster children “so that we can make sure all of their medical needs are being met and records can be found in one place.”

Reflecting upon their decisions to adopt, Jennifer writes, “We feel that the children were meant to be ours. They just came to us in a different way.” To others considering adoption, she advises, “Adoption is an amazing opportunity to share your life. Be thankful and grateful for the blessing to raise these children.”