The journey of parenthood is one that is often filled with surprises, challenges, and joy. For the Krause family, their journey took an unexpected turn when they went from a household of two to having five children under the age of seven in just a few years. However, through fostering and adoption, they found that their family had grown in ways they could have never imagined.
Whitney always knew that she wanted to be a mother. Even as a young girl, she dreamt of fostering or adopting a child. This dream became even more real when she and her husband learned that they could not have children naturally. Instead of letting this news hold them back, they decided to pursue their dream of parenthood through fostering and adoption.
“All of our kids now are 7, 6, about to turn 5, 22 months and 9 months,” Whitney said. “It is wild, it keeps us on our toes and it’s fun most days.”
Their journey began when they became licensed foster parents. They welcomed a sibling group of three children into their home and soon discovered that fostering was not without its challenges. They had to navigate the complexities of caring for children who had experienced trauma and loss, while also balancing the needs of their own family.
Despite the challenges, Whitney and her husband fell in love with the children and decided to pursue adoption. The adoption process was long and arduous, but in the end, they were able to finalize the adoption of all three children. Their family had grown from two to five, and they couldn’t be happier.
“These kids just need a chance. It’s not always going to be easy, but that’s life. These kids just need an opportunity to shine,” Ryan said.
But their journey wasn’t over yet. In a turn of events that they never could have predicted, Whitney became pregnant with what they call their “miracle child.” After being told that they would not have a biological child, this news was nothing short of a miracle.
“We were okay with that, we were at peace that’s fine we have children and there are other ways to become a mom and dad,” she said. “That’s what I think is beautiful about our story is that we can share it’s not just about a blood biological connection.”
Through fostering and adoption, the Krause family’s life was forever changed. They learned that family comes in all shapes and sizes, and that love knows no bounds. Their journey was not without its challenges, but they persevered and were rewarded with a beautiful, loving family.
Their story serves as an inspiration to others who may be considering fostering or adoption. While the journey may be difficult at times, the rewards are immeasurable. Every child deserves a loving and supportive home, and through fostering and adoption, we can all do our part to make that a reality.
Start your foster parent journey today by attending one of our no-obligation Foster Parent Information Sessions to get any of your questions answered.
