Just in time for Christmas, one Arkansas couple has given seven siblings their “forever family.”

Michael and Terri Hawthorn began foster parenting before they had their four biological children. After the first two foster kids, the Hawthorns had other children in and out of their home. Terri worked for American Cultural Exchange Services. The couple ended up hosting foreign exchange students for 15 years. “We’re parents to kids all around the world,” says Terri. 

A Forever Family

In 2016, they met the seven siblings. The siblings didn’t come all at once. First were the twins, Lacey and Layna. Then came Kyndal. It took months and a lot of prayers before the siblings were reunited. On December 3, the Hawthorns adopted all seven siblings: Dawson, 15; Kyndal, 11; Lacy and Layna, 10; Addiley and Arria, 9; and Nixon, 8.

“I’d been praying to have a family that I can enjoy Christmas with,” Dawson told Fox News. “You’re safe. You know you’re not going to leave and it’s good to know you’re in a forever family and you won’t have to worry about danger.”

“It feels good to actually have a family to wake up to every morning,” says Kyndal. “This has been the best Christmas I could ever have actually knowing I have a mom and dad.”

They are a Blessing

“This is a blessing, they are a blessing,” Terri explains. “Every day, these kids wake up, and they are giggling and they are happy. And, you see the smiles on their faces. That’s what makes this worth it.”

“I don’t actually consider us unique,” Terri continues. “I just feel like God has blessed us with the ability to love unconditionally. I just feel like children are a gift from God. These children don’t ask to come into foster care — they come from horrible, horrible, situations some of them … we feel like we’re a rescue home for them.”

Terri hopes that their story will prompt others to think about opening their homes to foster kids. “There is such a big need for families in Arkansas, and we will be the first to tell you, it’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. Lots of prayer and love is what made this possible.”

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