Cade and I were married in '98, and in 2001 our firstborn joined our family. Over the next 5 years, we were blessed with three more children. By 2008, we were almost certain that our family was complete. Little did we know, that we were only half way done!
In 2009, after many pleas to both our Heavenly Father, as well as the State of Utah, our two nieces and our nephew were removed from the custody of their parents, whom struggled with drug addiction. For a short time the children were placed in the care of unrelated Foster parents, and then with my husbands parents. When trying to decide on more permanent placement, the children were eventually placed with my sister-in-law, her husband and her two boys. Little did my sister-in-law know, but she would soon become pregnant, and her body doesn't handle pregnancies well. After eight months of the kids living with her, she had to resign herself to the fact that her and her husband couldn't do it anymore. This is when our lives changed.
In May of 2010, Cade and I were contacted by the Department of Child & Family Services as a possible placement for the kids. Cade and I had discussed taking the kids before, but prior to DCFS contacting us, we hadn't actually been forced to realize the ways that this would impact our lives. I will admit, the night I was contacted, I was scared. The amount of emotions rolling through my mind were incomprehensible. I laid down in bed for the night, and immediately felt the need to pray. I got on my knees, and poured my soul out to The Lord, and within mere seconds, I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that these blessed children were to be a part of our family. I have never in my life known such peace.
I now had my answer, but I wanted Cade to come up with his own answer. I asked him to please pray and ponder on the matter. I had talked to other people, in similar situations, and they had warned me of the stress that Foster parenting would have on our marriage, and our family relationships. I wanted Cade to have a personal conviction that our nieces and nephew were to be a part of our family. Cade also got immediate confirmation that these children were to be a part of our lives.
The same week that we told DCFS that we would gladly accept the children as our own, we found out that we were pregnant!
Over the next seven months, we, along with the State of Utah, fought to keep the children out of their parents custody. In December of 2010, when the State was petitioning for both the biological mother and father to have their parental rights revoked, the parents relented, and we were granted permanent guardianship of the children.
They have no contact with their mother, and haven't seen her since May of last year. They have limited contact with their father. Unfortunately, neither of the parents show the ambition to regain the custody of their children. Upon the parents granting us guardianship, we consented to give them one year to get their lives together, and if they didn't we planned to adopt the children. That time is now at hand.
We have now been blessed to have the children be a part of our immediate family for two years. It is our greatest desire to give these children the loving, stable family and home that they deserve. They have been through more than any children should ever have to go through. They have been moved from place to place, home to home, family to family. We don't want them to ever be displaced again. We want them to become a permanent part of our family. A forever family.
We are currently in the process of securing an attorney in order that we might start adoption proceedings. We have procured a lawyer that has consented to a minimal fee (HA!-as far as attorney fees are concerned, that is!). Unfortunately, we are a family of ten, living on a meager income that Cade provides for us. If you are interested in assisting us in making our family a forever family, we would be ever so grateful (Please note the paypal donation button at the bottom of this blog).
Thank you for visiting our blog, and I hope you continue to follow us on our journey to completing the Campbell Clan!
Good luck guys! They deserve you and you deserve them!! (;
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I'm going to donate and share this with my friends :)
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing amazing amazing <3
ReplyDeleteYou, Cade and the children deserves much happiness and I'm happy to help with what I can :)
ReplyDeleteJamie (I don't know how to publish another way than anonymous)
I guess I don't understand if the DCFS wanted you to have children you can't provide for why were you chosen? It makes no logical sense to me. Seems better if they go to other families that can provide for them to keep you from pimping yourself out on a social media site for hand outs. What are your plans if god forbid Cade dies? This just sounds like a train wreck ready to happen. What if you end up divorcing? What if all your kids need braces at the same time or you're all in a car wreck? This proves you can't live on Love. Emotions are great, but they do not pay the mortgage nor do they insure you any substance of living.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your concern. I don't believe that I ever stated that we could not provide for them. I did, however, state that we live on a meager income, and meeting the financial obligations that the attorneys charge for adoption is beyond our capacity. That in no way means that we can not provide for our kids.
DeleteAs far as divorce or death, how does that differ from a family that has less children? There is still a loss. Luckily, we have made plans in case of a death, and as far as divorce, well, obviously that can never be planned for. No one expects to get divorced. The braces, the car wreck, all of the what-if's...who can live that way? It's ridiculous, and someone that is so concerned with the what-if's will never live a fulfilled life. Emotions *are* great, and we pay our mortgage every month. In fact, we've lived in the same house for close to 14 years. :)
If you could read you'd see that they are asking for help with the adoption process, not caring for the children's day to day needs which they've been doing for 2 years now. Adoption, even domestic adoption of family is expensive and a lot of people fundraise for it.
DeleteOne of the first things we teach our children, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!". Jen, I hope you know anyone who matters to you loves your family and what you are doing for all of your kids. Don't pay any attention to hateful negative people.
DeleteAs a professional educator, I have worked with children in the foster care setting and foster parents. All SUCCESSFUL placements have one common characteristic: they are all working towards a permanent adoption. Nothing matters more to these children than knowing they are loved and this will be their permanent home and family. I have so much admiration for Cade and his family.
DeleteDr. Jill Muir
Wow Anonymous who posted at 8:57pm what if's are just that nobody can let those what if's control their lives. and people ask for far more selfish self-centered things daily on social media cites. Cade and Jenn opened their home to these kids and more than that their hearts. Most people would not do this weather they have a million dollars or not these kids will grow up in a loving stable home. Money isnt everything and many many people have little to live on month to month and raise children. Anyone willing to open their home and hearts like they did deserve a little humanity from others and if that means donations not to support their children but to officially adopt three of their children then yeah ask away. I think it would be more selfish for them not to do everything in their power including asking for donations so they can adopt their kids. It sickens me that someone can actually belittle what they are doing for their kids to help make them feel wanted in a forever home. I pity you anonymous.
ReplyDeleteJennifer and Cade, I've always thought you guys were a blessing to all of your kids, I'll be praying for your adoption process to go smoothly and will share your story and donate when I can ~Brooke~
ReplyDeletePS I hope you delete that comment left above mine by some horrible troll (I hope its a troll anyway and not someone you actually know)
Oops the mean comment was above mine when I posted this, not the one that's there now.
DeleteYou and Cade are the most loving, wonderful selfless people. Lots of luck, love and prayers for you all.
ReplyDeleteTina
I can't help financially right now, but ya'll are to commended for what you are doing. Some may call it "pimping out for the social media" like your idiot troll, but normal people call it helping our neighbors in a time of need, like we all should do when we can.
ReplyDeleteI stand completely sorry for what I said at 857pm. Totally uncalled for and said out of something I must be dealing with internally in myself. I do hope you delete my post as it really does not represent my heart but my selfish hurtful mind. I am glad 100% that you are able to keep family together in this time and for the future. I read your response and understand what you're saying completely. Unfortunately I'm not a troll as referred to by someone else. I wish I were at this moment and that I could run off and hide in trollville. I guess I'm dealing with my own personal issues of being adopted by very mean family members as a kid who exploited me to physical, mental, and sexual abuse and I had no one to cry to, no one to care. My own personal hurts clouded my opinion and I am sorry for the stupidity of my words that are now unfortunately out there to be quipped apart and digested by the world at large to view. Some children in these situations are not as lucky as your 2 nieces and nephew to have a warm loving home to go to.I wish you all the best in the world and in the spirit as well. You have rock solid faith and a courage I hope you keep and instill in all your children. Blessings, not cursing upon to you and your family and may the joys of life always be before you!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your sad experience. It reinforces the importance of placements with good, loving people - family or not. My best to you.
DeleteI am so very excited for you, Cade, and the rest of your family. You have been wonderful parents to the children these past 2 years and have always fought for their best interests. You are all so blessed to have each other and I cannot wait to hear that the children will forever be in your family <3
ReplyDeleteLauretta
Also, Anonymous- kudos to you for admitting your original post was harsh and uncalled for. I commend you for coming back to apologize, as it was the right thing to do. I hope that over time you are able to find peace with what you have experienced in your life and are able to grow and heal.
I think its great that you can call them yours soon! I hope everything goes well for you and only wish we could donate more. Good luck! You are in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous that posted at 9:38AM, you are entitled to your foul opinions, but I am deleting your post because you choose to use language which shows the lack of creativity within yourself.
ReplyDeleteIf you actually read the blog, you would note that we are trying to ADOPT three of our relatives, whom were taken from their drugged out parents. We also have FIVE other children, not two. We are not asking for money to put food on the table, pay our mortgage, or buy us a new television. We are "begging" (as you put it) for money to help these children be able to stay with us forever, so that they might not be displaced, or without a mom and dad ever again. Thanks.