A California family has welcomed 3-year-old and 1-year-old siblings but how they managed to do it is warming the hearts of many.
Autumn and Matthew Scudder already had three teenage daughters and wanted more children. However when they were unable to have more kids biologically they turned to adoption.
They were introduced to a little girl named Veronica and when they began the process of adopting her they found out she also had a toddler brother, Preston who’d spent his whole life in foster care.
Kylie Scudder with her newly-adopted sister, Veronica.
Kylie Scudder with her newly-adopted brother, Preston.
After beginning the adoption process with the children six months ago the Scudder’s were able to finally formally call Veronica and Preston theirs – and their older daughters couldn’t have been more thrilled.
The Scudder’s firstborn daughter Kylie, 17, was so ecstatic about their growing brood she shared photos online once everything was official.
She had her new little brother and sister hold up a sign counting the days they’d been in foster care – 1171 days for Veronica and 459 for Preston – and tweeted her delight about being able to be a sister to them for the rest of their lives.
“Today, we officially adopted my little brother and sister. im so emotional right now!!! welcome to the family, veronica & preston,” Kylie wrote.
The tweet went viral with thousands of people sharing the post.
“I’m adopted from a rough life! I can’t imagine how happy those kids are. You guys are amazing! Good luck with everything,” one person said.
“This makes my heart so happy, congratulations to you and your family,” wrote another.
Kylie reached out to thank everyone for the support and said that while she wouldn’t be giving out specifics about why the children have been separated from their biological family, she was keen to have them begin their lives in their forever home.
Kylie told The Huffington Post that the adoption has changed the whole family for the better.
“[T]he adoption to us has meant unconditional love,” Kylie told The Huffington Post. “It doesn’t matter that Veronica and Preston aren’t blood related to us, or the way they joined our family. They’re our family, and we love them so much. Adopting them has helped our family learn and understand a whole new level of love.”
Mum Autumn also told The Huffington Post that because the adoption was finalised on Election Day in the US it could have resonated with people who were looking for examples of goodness and hope while anxiously awaiting the political result.
“I’m so happy that our joyous occasion is bringing smiles to people during such a stressful time in America,” Autumn said. “Although America is divided right now politically, we are still a country of compassionate people ― and the overwhelmingly positive response about our Adoption Day is proof of that.”
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