Special Kids Adoption Agency Dickinson, ND

Today, this family of five includes three children, ages 7, 9, and 10. Two of the children joined the family through adoption from foster care with the support of AASK. What began as a plan to pursue infant adoption eventually unfolded into a much broader and more meaningful journey. 

A Path That Changed Direction 

The original plan was infant adoption through Catholic Charities ND. Foster care was meant to be temporary to provide short-term care for children while waiting to be matched with a newborn. The moment a 9-month-old was placed in their arms, everything shifted. Adoption became the right path for two children who are now permanent members of the family. 

Growth Beyond Expectations 

When their second adopted child was initially placed with them, there were significant developmental gaps. Speech delays made communication for the child frustrating, often leading to meltdowns because thoughts and needs couldn’t be understood. Medical concerns had gone untreated, and important services had not yet been put in place. They had a strong desire to please others. This child, being older at placement, arrived more guarded.  

With speech therapy, medical care, educational support, advocacy, and most importantly,; time and patience, a transformation unfolded. Today, communication is strong, confidence shines, and academic progress has been remarkable. The transformation reflects resilience, determination, and the power of feeling safe and loved. 

Defining Success 

Success in this adoption story is not measured by perfection. It’s defined as happy, healthy, well-adjusted children who know they are loved unconditionally.  

Adoption has strengthened the entire family. Empathy has deepened. Understanding of trauma and generational patterns has expanded. Exposure to diverse cultures and experiences through foster care broadened perspectives. The family unit itself stands as the greatest success; strong, connected, and rooted in love. 

A particularly meaningful moment came in tribal court, when they were advocating for permanency. A powerful reminder that family means standing firm, no matter what. 

The Power of Support 

Community made a difference. Other foster and adoptive parents provided guidance, reassurance, and practical advice. Post-adoption services through the ND Post Adopt Network continue to offer connection and celebration, bringing adoptive families together and reminding everyone they are not alone. 

Advice for Families Considering Adoption 

• Advocate for yourself and your child. 
• This journey may not be all sunshine and rainbows. 
• Be patient. Permanency takes time. 
• Know that the hard moments are worth it. 

One image that remains especially meaningful is the idea of two trees growing side by side, roots intertwining underground. Adoption is not about replacing roots; it’s about growing new ones together. 

A Story Still Unfolding 

Today, the focus is simple: raising confident, expressive, compassionate young people. Adoption is celebrated openly in this home. It is spoken about with pride and honesty. The message is clear; adoption is normal, healthy, and something to honor. 

Adoption didn’t just make this family bigger. It expanded their hearts and gave their life a deeper purpose. The journey included delays, paperwork, and long periods of waiting, especially navigating tribal court and multiple case transitions. It required perseverance, advocacy, and patience. The outcome is clear every day in laughter around the table, in growing confidence, and in the unshakable bond of belonging. 

That is success. 

In a busy household where children’s laughter fills every room, this family’s life is anything but quiet. The home currently includes ten children in the family altogether, with seven living in the house right now. Homeschooling is part of everyday life, and it began around the same time the family stepped into foster care.

Among the children who joined through foster care, two arrived as infants and eventually became permanent members of the family through adoption.

A Calling Rooted in Faith

For this family, the motivation to foster and adopt came from one central place: faith. Everything in life is a gift, and serving others was a natural response. At an age when many people are finishing their parenting years and preparing for an empty nest, that path didn’t feel right for this household. Instead, there was a desire to keep opening the door to children who needed care and stability.

This family entered foster care hoping adoption might become part of the journey. They understood that outcomes could change, but they were open to wherever the process might lead them.

The Reality of the Foster Care Journey

The journey through foster care and adoption brought many ups and downs. One of the most challenging parts was the uncertainty that comes with foster care. Two infants arrived and quickly become part of daily family life. Plans for reunification would move forward, then change, then move again. Preparing emotionally for children to return home while also recognizing that plans change requires constant flexibility.

Those changes were not only felt by the adults. The biological children in the household experienced the ups and downs as well. Watching siblings arrive, bond, and sometimes leave created important but difficult conversations about love, loss, and the purpose of foster care.

Through it all, the family witnessed both painful and hopeful parts of the system. There were moments that revealed difficult realities such as seeing the consequences of harmful choices made by adults. There were also reminders that people can grow and rebuild.

Today, the family maintains positive relationships with both biological mothers of the adopted children, something they consider deeply meaningful.

Challenges Along the Way

Navigating foster care requires a strong support system. Open communication inside the home became essential, especially with so many people coming and going. Social workers, therapists, and other professionals were often part of the household routine. Honest conversations helped everyone adjust. Community support also played a key role. Church relationships, foster parent meetings, and connections with other families provided guidance and encouragement.

There were also medical and developmental challenges to understand. Both adopted children had been exposed to drugs and alcohol before birth, which meant learning about prenatal substance exposure and how it can affect brain development.

Early screenings helped identify areas where extra support could make a difference. Occupational therapy and in-home services became part of the routine, focusing on things like emotional regulation and impulse control. Early intervention allowed the children to receive help as soon as possible.

Watching Safety Take Root

One of the most powerful moments in the journey came during the early days with one of the infants. At first, the baby barely cried. After learning more about the child’s early experiences, it became clear that long periods had been spent crying until they couldn’t anymore before entering foster care.

As attachment grew within the home, something changed. The baby began crying more. For this family, that moment was actually a sign of progress. In their words, “loud kids are safe kids.” Crying meant the child felt secure enough to express needs and emotions. It meant trust was beginning to form.

Over the years, both children have continued to grow with the help of therapy and supportive services. Emotional development, self-regulation, and communication skills have all improved as the children gain confidence and stability.

What Success Looks Like

When asked what success means in their adoption story, the answer is simple. Success shows up in small moments. It appears in everyday routines, shared laughter, and quiet reminders that serving others brings deep joy. The family often reflects on where these children might be if foster care had not brought them into a safe home.

Faith also plays a central role in how they view success. The belief is that every step forward, every milestone and moment of healing, comes through guidance beyond their own strength.

How Adoption Changed the Family

Adoption has reshaped the entire household. It has taught everyone that life is not only about individual goals or comfort. Instead, it is about giving, serving, and caring for others.

The process also required patience, especially with court timelines, legal procedures, and delays that can stretch the foster care journey much longer than expected. Yet one of the most beautiful outcomes has been watching the children fully embrace one another as siblings. Over time, the two adopted children have simply become part of the family. Sometimes the other kids even say they forget adoption is part of the story.

A Reflection of Something Bigger

For this family, adoption also reflects a spiritual belief that deeply shapes their perspective. The idea that people can be welcomed fully into a family, even when not born into it, mirrors their understanding of love, belonging, and grace. Living that belief out in daily life has become one of the most meaningful parts of the journey.

Advice for Families Considering Adoption

For families thinking about foster care or adoption, the encouragement is simple: take the step.

Many people feel they must be completely ready before beginning something as big as adoption. However, waiting for perfect readiness may mean never starting at all. The journey will be challenging. It may be one of the hardest things a family ever does, but it may also be one of the most rewarding. A strong support system is essential. Family, community, and trusted resources who can help along the way. Being willing to ask for help makes a tremendous difference.

A Message of Hope

Adoption is not easy. For this family, it has been a gift. The journey requires patience, perseverance, and faith. With each small moment of growth, each new milestone, and each reminder of belonging, the family continues to see that opening their home was worth it.

Today, this family is a lively household of five children, four now-grown biological children ranging in age from young adulthood to the late twenties, and one energetic 8-year-old who joined through foster care adoption. What began as an unexpected connection became a life-changing commitment. 

Adoption was not part of the original plan. Through working at a local residential program, the family met a young child who had already experienced significant loss and uncertainty. When parental rights were terminated, and permanency through adoption became the child’s goal, it was clear to the family where the child was meant to be. 

The journey into adoption came with unknowns, but the family’s support made all the difference. An adoption specialist remained consistently available to answer questions, provide guidance, and ensure the process felt manageable. Their home visits were relaxed, reassuring, and removed pressure during an already emotional time. Helpful articles, online resources, school-based support, occupational therapy, and respite care continue to be helpful support along the way. 

This family’s path has not been easy. Their daily life includes navigating behavioral challenges that are connected to the child’s early trauma and previous placement disruptions. The child’s progress has come slowly and requires patience, prayer, and persistence from the family. Some days include classroom removals; other days bring proud reports and point-sheet successes. An individualized education plan has helped create structure and growth at school. Over time, good days have begun to outnumber the hard ones. 

For this family, growth has shown up in meaningful ways. Such as a deepening sense of trust and a growing sense of security that this is their forever home. The family has been able to see this child grow at church through their friendships and mentorship from pastors. Also, to learn what it truly means to be a friend and to be a brand-new uncle has been a milestone worth celebrating. 

One especially powerful moment stands out. During a classroom discussion about favorite smells, this child shared that a favorite smell was the adoptive parent. That simple statement captured what words often struggle to express: safety, attachment, and love. 

Adoption has profoundly impacted this entire household. There was once uncertainty about whether it would feel different to love a child not born into the family. Now, there’s never a question. When this child hurts, the whole family feels it. When progress happens, everyone celebrates.  

Success in this adoption story is not defined by perfection. Success means raising a responsible, kind individual who rises above hardships. Success means someone looking back one day and saying, “Look how far that child has come.” It means creating normalcy for someone who has never experienced simple things. 

Adoption from foster care is not easy. There are challenges that do not disappear overnight, because healing takes time. This family would say these challenges are far worth it to offer permanency, worth it to provide belonging, and worth it to watch transformation unfold little by little. 

One day at a time, this forever family continues to grow together. 

When this family first became foster parents, they never imagined they would adopt. With three biological children already grown. They believed their parenting years were behind them. They stepped into foster care simply to support families in need and to offer temporary care. 

Then, everything changed. 

At just two days old, a tiny baby was placed in their home. They were asked to care for the baby for about a week while relatives were located. A week turned into months. Months turned into a year and a half. Somewhere along the way, they realized something profound: they weren’t just caring for the baby while family was found—they were the family. 

Their journey was, in their words, a rollercoaster. Foster care and adoption brought waves of emotion. Joy and gratitude are intertwined with grief for the child’s biological family. They entered the process with open hands, determined to support reunification. They built a respectful relationship with the child’s biological mother, recognizing that adoption is not a story of winners and losers, but one where grief and love coexist. 

There were challenges. Early on, they were new to both foster care and adoption. When expectations shifted, and permanency became a possibility, the uncertainty felt overwhelming. A seasoned foster parent stepped in as a mentor, becoming a calm voice in the storm. Reminding them, “This is a normal step.” That mentorship, along with the steady guidance of AASK, helped them to keep putting one foot in front of the other. 

The child faced medical challenges from the very beginning. Time in the NICU for viral meningitis and recurring ear and sinus infections made the early months difficult. Watching the child grow stronger and healthier has been one of the family’s greatest gifts. Today, the child is thriving and hitting every developmental milestone, making progress in speech, and living the joyful, curious life of a busy child. 

The child is described as the “missing piece” that the family didn’t even know was missing. The child has brought renewed energy, laughter, and perspective into the home, not only to the parents but to the older siblings as well. Starting over on their parenting journey wasn’t part of the plan, but it was one of the most beautiful surprises of their lives. 

One moment stands out above the rest: adoption day. Sitting in the courthouse before the judge, the parents turned around to see the courtroom filled with friends, extended family who had traveled from out of state, and even staff from the child’s daycare. That powerful show of love and community is a memory they will never forget. 

Today, success in their adoption story means continually asking what is best for the child. It means honoring the child’s story, navigating relationships thoughtfully, and leaning on community for support. They remain grateful for AASK’s post-adoption services, mentorship, church, and the foster/adoptive families who continue to walk alongside them. 

Their advice to families considering adoption? Foster care and adoption may “break your heart open,” but in that breaking, there is room for extraordinary love. It is a journey of faith, filled with hills and valleys. Surround yourself with people who will walk beside you, be honest about the ups and downs, and trust that even in uncertainty, something beautiful can grow. 

What began as a temporary placement became a forever family. In the most unexpected way, their hearts and their home expanded beyond what they ever imagined. 

Life on a rural farm is busy, loud, and full of movement. The adoptive children are younger, adding more life and activity to the home. Caring for children has become a family effort, creating a strong sense of connection and community within the household.

A Path That Began Long Before Adoption

Foster care was always somewhere in the background of this family’s story. A grandparent experienced the foster care system. Also, extended family experienced foster care and later adoption. Those experiences created a desire to help children who needed stability and support.

The original plan was never adoption. Their goal was to provide temporary care and help children reunite with their families whenever possible. That mindset remained the same until one child came into the home.

Early on, it became clear this child has special needs and would likely have lifelong needs. When discussions about termination of parental rights began, the decision to adopt was not immediate. It involved long conversations, deep reflection, and prayer. The family understood that adoption would bring emotional, practical, and financial responsibilities, especially considering the level of support the child might require in adulthood.

Another adoption followed not long after, though the experience was very different. The child first walked through the front door with a direct question about whether the adults in the home would be their new parents. This was the start of their bond and over the next several years, that bond grew stronger. When the opportunity for adoption came, the idea of life without that child in the family no longer made sense.

Two Journeys, Two Different Paths

The first adoption required careful planning and preparation, especially because of medical and developmental needs. The second adoption moved much more smoothly. 

For the first child, that planning meant having important conversations about long-term care. The family spoke with other parents raising children with special needs, as well as adults who grew up with similar diagnoses. They also had honest conversations within their own household about what the future might look like and how support systems could remain in place as the child grows older.

There are ongoing conversations about generational trauma and how cycles can be broken. Being honest about personal history has become part of building strength and resilience.

Growth That Once Felt Impossible

When the first child arrived, communication was extremely limited. At the time, being completely nonverbal meant even basic needs were difficult to express. With years of therapy, services, and support, the transformation has been remarkable. Conversations are now possible. Instead of simply repeating questions, responses come naturally. Small moments that once felt extraordinary such as asking a question or telling a joke have gradually become everyday interactions.

The second adopted child has experienced a different kind of healing. When entering the home, the effects of trauma were very visible. Working closely with mental health therapists helped create progress over time. Today, there is a noticeable sense of safety and curiosity. Questions are asked often and their personality is shining through. 

A Different Definition of Success

For this family, adoption success is not defined by perfection or by challenges disappearing. Instead, it feels more like a full-circle moment. Each child has a story that begins before joining this family. Adoption does not erase those earlier chapters. Trauma and memories do not disappear simply because legal papers are signed. Those realities remain part of each child’s journey. Success in this home means helping each child feel safe in their own body and in their own story.

Adoption has changed the entire household in positive ways. The family has become closer and more connected. The home often feels like a village, where everyone plays a role in caring for one another.

The Importance of Support

Throughout both adoptions, support from the organization that helped guide the process made a significant difference. Staff members provided directions, answered questions, and helped navigate complex systems, especially when additional services were needed for a child with special needs. Even after adoption was finalized, post-adoption support continued to be an important resource for the family.

Advice for Other Families

For families considering adoption from foster care, the advice is simple: do the research, ask questions, and take time for deep reflection and prayer. Adoption does not fix everything. Trauma does not disappear overnight. 

Behaviors and challenges may continue long after adoption is finalized, but the journey can still be incredibly meaningful.

Even on the hardest days when exhaustion or uncertainty sets in, the truth remains clear in this home, every challenge has been worth it.