Family of Eight Now “Complete” Following Adoption Day
Melissa and Jeffrey Thomas say their Milwaukee-area family is now “complete” after adopting three siblings on National Adoption Day. They had previously adopted the children’s other three siblings this past July.
“Six kids total,” said Melissa. “We definitely are complete. I’m ready to start our next journey. It’s the end of one chapter and the start of an exciting new one.”
The Thomases started fostering through Wellpoint Care Network in 2016 with the openness of also being an adoptive resource.
“Our first placement was reunified with her family,” said Melissa. “Three weeks after she left, Wellpoint Care called me and said, ‘Hey, I have these three kids, three siblings, and I think you guys would be a perfect fit.’ At first, I was like, ‘There’s no way.’ But we had them over for a couple weekend visits and we knew right away that we had to do this. Looking back, that phone call changed our lives.”
Melissa and Jeff served as a safe and stable home for those three children for several years, until they were officially adopted in July.
The three children also had three other siblings who were being cared for by another foster family. The two families would get together frequently in an effort to keep their sibling bond growing.
“We did birthday parties together,” said Melissa. “We did Christmas parties together. We went on vacation together. We all just clicked so well together.”
“They were seeing each other at least twice a month,” added Karen Sosa, Case Manager at Wellpoint Care Network. “Those six siblings have always been kept very close, which is great to see.”
In April, an unexpected situation left Victoria (9), Lizandra (8), and Thomas (6) in between homes and their certainty of staying together up in the air.
“We were trying to figure out what to do,” said Sosa. “Because Melissa and Jeff had an existing relationship with those three already, they asked if we would consider them for adoption of all six.”
“It was just meant to be,” added Melissa.
Because that previous relationship had already been built and three of the siblings already lived in the house, the Thomases say the transition was easy.
“The number one thing that I noticed was how bonded all the kids were,” said Sosa. “It was evident from the get-go that the bond the kids had was really grounding for them. They’ve been through a lot, but they always had each other. They would be excited to spend time together. They’d be excited to share news together. They truly thrive off each other. We couldn’t have asked for a better outcome given the circumstances that got us where we are.”
Now officially a family of eight, the siblings never have to worry about moving homes or being separated from their siblings again.
“We talked about picking out their middle name and that their last name will now be Thomas, just like their three siblings,” said Melissa. “We’re super excited and the kids really cannot wait. I couldn’t ask for anything better than what we have.”
For those who may be considering fostering or adopting, Melissa’s advice is to “expect the unexpected and be open to anything.”
If you’re interested in fostering or becoming an adoptive resource, Wellpoint Care Network can help you take the first step.
