Our family, the Longnights, is made up of
myself (Wendy), my partner (Robin) and our 5 children. We have been
blessed to have 2 birth children (Simon-11 and Faith-7) and 2
adopted foster children (Manny-2 1/2 and Jonny- 2, as well as, a
4 1/2 month old girl that is a foster child at this time).
We had been foster
parents when our son was 2, and had the pleasure and joy of helping
at least 8 children "learn" to be loved completely and
unconditionally. We had 3 of these children for over 2 years.
When we moved to California, we again decided we wanted to share our
home and lives with foster children.
We had 5 children
come through our family at that time and then returned to their
birth families. When our birth children were 5 and 9 we decided,
as a family, to become foster parents again. We decided
to become certified as a medically fragile infant foster home.
Soon after, we received our first foster baby (he was 2 days old and
drug affected, with his mom being in prison at the time of his
birth). It took about 3 seconds to fall in love. We got a little
boy!
With total joy and love
we got to adopt Manny. During the process and wait time, we got a
call on another little boy who needed a home. When Manny was 5 1/2
months old, we got our second drug affected baby boy. He was 4 days
old and seemed to have a lot of health issues. When we first took him
to our doctor we were informed that he may be deaf and blind. We
loved him and tried to stimulate this little baby who had no
responses to touch, noise or pain.
When he was about 6
months old, we went camping (in a tent with all 4 children). Jonny,
the second baby, opened up to the world on that camping trip. He was
in his element and he decided to live. At least that is what we
believe! With lots of encouragement, support, work and stimulation,
both boys started to grow stronger.
After talking together
as a family, and letting our oldest son know that eventually
he may become more responsible if the boys have special needs in
the future, he responded with "They are my brothers. I will
take care of them and they can live with me forever. I love them with
all my heart." We have since, adopted both of them and feel so
lucky and blessed. Even on the hardest days, we never doubt our
decisions.
We never planned on
having more than 2 children and can not imagine life without all
of them. We now are caring for a 4 1/2 month old baby girl whose
plan is to return home, but because of her wonderfulness, we have
discovered that our family is not quite complete. We need a forever
little girl, so her big sister can teach her all the things a little
sister should know. We love all of our children and we wouldn't trade
anything. These children were gifts given to us. Not mistakes or
throw away children. If we can help make people more aware of all
that you get when you open your heart and home to these kids, we
will. We have the proof. We are the Longnight Clan!
Simon is now 14, just
got accepted into South Eugene's International High School and like
to dance his other waking hours. Faith, 9, is going into 5th grade
next year. She is beautiful and brilliant at math and spelling. Jonny
and Manny are both 4, although Manny turns 5 in July. They debate who
is bigger since Jonny is taller but Manny is older. They are both in
Head Start and Manny starts Kindergarten in the fall.
Jonny is doing great.
He still gets overwhelmed at certain things, but don't we all! Manny
is bright and sweet and a wiz at puzzles and building things. We also
have 2 foster babies. One is nineteen months and we've had her
most of her life. We hope she will become ours in the end. We also
have a 4 month old that we have had since she was 2 days old.
We never could have
imagined this family. Everyone chips in and we help each other. We
are blessed, we are grateful, and we are just a bigger, better
Longnight tribe!
