*Photo: The Staat girls welcome fall.

In the fall of 2007, my youngest child was enjoying her senior year of high school. Football games, dances and college applications were filling our days. As a single parent, my life had been totally focused on my daughters. Now, with one child married and living over two hours away, and the other getting ready to begin a new chapter in her life, I was wondering what would be next for me.

As a teacher, I had, over time, had many foster children in my classroom. It so happens that this year, I had two beautiful little girls in my classroom that were in foster care. As I watched them grow and change, I kept thinking maybe I could give to a child what their foster parents were giving to them.

PRIDE training began in February 2008. There I sat, in a room full of couples, front and center by myself. All kinds of questions kept running through my mind. Could I do this by myself? At 45, was I too old? Did I want to start all over raising kids? How would I feel when the kids went back home? Pushing all my insecurities away, I completed everything I needed to be a licensed foster parent.

On May 31, 2008, I was at work and my youngest daughter called me. A home-finder had called the house and there was a baby girl that needed a home!  So much to do and so little time! In just a few short hours, I found myself at DHHR and they handed me this beautiful child. It had been a very long time since I had a baby in the house. I’ll admit, I was a nervous wreck. It didn’t take long for us to fall into a routine that worked for everyone. I fell head-over-heels in love very quickly.

So began the court journey. It was long and difficult. Finally, on January 11, 2011, she was my forever child. The sentence spoken from the judge, “You have all the rights, responsibilities and privileges of parenting this child,” still echo in my mind. If my body would have cooperated, I would have turned cartwheels in the courthouse!

Since that day, I have fostered over 40 other children. Some for a few days, some for over a year. One more has been adopted and three more will soon be added to our family. What a journey it has been. In the last few years, all my questions have been answered. Can I do this by myself? No, I have found that I have needed the support of my family and friends. I have been blessed that they have always come through with support, love and a strong sense of humor. Was I too old? Jury is still out on that one! At the end of some days, I feel like I have been run over by a mac truck. My days are busy, working full-time, five small kids at home, never-ending laundry, dishes, baths and homework. Would I change things if I knew then what I know now?  Absolutely not!  While my hands are full, so is my heart. As I have tried writing this, I have kissed a boo-boo, changed a diaper, made lunch, and made my kids do their chores. Things are never quiet or dull at this house!

Now for the toughest question that I had for myself: Would I be able to let the kids go back home without having my heart broken? Once again, the answer is no. Of course my heart broke. Each child that came in my home left a mark on my heart. They all taught me something. Hopefully, I taught them all something too.

I had to ask myself this question: am I more afraid of having my heart broken or more afraid of a child not having a soft place to land in the most difficult time of their lives? I chose to have my heart broken. What will you choose?

*Angie Staats is a single mother of two biological children and five adopted children. She currently lives in Ripley, W.Va. and we greatly appreciate her sharing her story. To learn more about becoming a foster parent in the state of West Virginia, click here. If you are interested in adopting a child searching for a forever family, please visit our adoption website.