Motherhood in our home has never been simple or quiet, but it has always been sacred. Through serving and walking alongside others, including our time with Georgia Kids Belong, our children see that loving the vulnerable is an everyday calling. Especially at Christmas, I’m reminded that nurturing hearts, offering safety, and choosing presence over perfection is how we reflect Jesus. This season, fostering and adoption are our way of saying yes, again and again, to the children God places in our arms.

Christmas reminds us that Jesus stepped into the world not from a place of comfort, but into deep need. He came so that the lost could be found and the orphaned could be welcomed home. Because we have been adopted by Christ, our family believes we are called to live that out, not just in words, but in action.

Being a big brother has shaped my heart in ways I never expected. Watching our family grow has taught me that love multiplies, not divides. Fostering and adoption, when done with intention and support, strengthen families rather than break them apart. I wouldn’t want my family any different from what it is.

Micah’s journey has been both challenging and beautiful. Through confusion, growth, and faith, he discovered what it truly means to be chosen, loved, and rooted in family. His story reminds us why support beyond Adoption Day, like that offered through Georgia Kids Belong, matters.

Jayden’s life reflects the reality that adoption is not a one-time moment, but a lifelong journey. As a twin, a big brother, and a young man learning to navigate anxiety, His story highlights the importance of support, therapy, and organizations like Georgia Kids Belong that walk alongside families long after adoption day.

From delayed beginnings to a life filled with music, confidence, and joy, Jayoni’s story is a reminder that the right support can help a child rise into everything they were created to be. Now, a vibrant young girl who sings in chorus, shines in school, and loves deeply, she continues to walk bravely in her purpose, surrounded by a family who chooses love, service, and belonging every single day.

Jayniah has spent her childhood watching love stretch, grow, and make room for every child who entered the Espino home. As a godchild and honorary sister, she learned to swaddle tiny newborns, comfort sick babies, celebrate the joy of forever placements, and grieve the goodbyes that still tug at her heart. Through every chapter, she has become a witness to the beauty and the bravery of fostering and the depth of family that roots itself far beyond blood.

Zuri’s life began in foster care and led her home through adoption, hope, and love. From early therapies to an ADHD diagnosis at age eight, her journey reflects resilience, growth, and a heart wired for helping others. Her name means “beautiful in character and appearance,” and she lives that meaning every single day.

Stevie began life fighting battles she was never meant to face, exposed to fentanyl before birth and expected not to survive her first days. But at five weeks old, a single phone call changed everything. Today, she is two and a half, thriving, full of personality, and proof that belonging can rewrite a life. This is her story, a story of grace and the power of saying yes.