Our family has grown in ways we never expected. We started as a family of four, but when we opened our hearts to fostering, we welcomed three siblings—affectionately known as the 3 Cs—into our home. For the past 19 months, we've done our best to make our three-bedroom, one-bathroom house work for all seven of us. Two of our foster children are non-verbal autistic, and our middle child, 'the princess,' also has Pica and mobility challenges that require ankle braces.

While the need for more space has been clear since the 3 Cs arrived, we hesitated to make permanent changes to our home because of the uncertainty that comes with fostering. We wanted to be sure before making such a big commitment. Now, with adoption day approaching and knowing that 'the princess' will be with us long-term, we are ready to take the next step. She currently shares a bedroom upstairs with her older sister, which creates daily challenges—navigating stairs, and the risk of her getting into things that could be harmful due to her Pica. The addition will give her a safe, downstairs bedroom and play space designed just for her, and allow our oldest daughter to have her own secure space as well.

The new addition will also include a second bathroom and a laundry room, which will make a world of difference for our busy family. Seven people sharing one small bathroom can be quite a challenge! We have already been blessed by the generosity of our community—a local church held a bake sale for us, and their men's group is volunteering to help with construction. Many friends have asked how they can help directly, which inspired us to start this GoFundMe. Your support will help us create a safe, loving home for all our children. Thank you for being part of our journey!