 Time to Fall in Love
It was with great faith that Shawn and Stephanie Stewart made the decision in January 2007 to pursue adoption through foster parenting. After having one healthy daughter, Stephanie discovered that for medical reasons little Hannah would be their only biological child. Certain that she still wanted more children, Stephanie began praying that the Lord would make a way for them to have more kids. When Hannah was six years old, Shawn learned about the “foster to adopt” program, through which a couple becomes foster parents with the sole intent of eventually adopting. Shawn was at first reluctant about the idea of adoption, but when he heard about this process his interest was sparked. The Stewarts visited the state Department of Child Protective Services as well as several other private agencies. When the Stewarts visited STARRY, they were sold. “When we came to an orientation at STARRY, we agreed that this was the place God wanted us to be. We were comfortable and we really liked the people,” shared Stephanie. The Stewarts immediately began the foster care licensing process and were licensed on August 9, 2007, with no definite timetable for receiving a foster child (they were told that it could be anywhere from one day to six months). In the mean time, the couple met Melissa Kelly, another STARRY foster parent, during a training session. The Kellys were the foster parents of a two-year-old girl named Shailey and had received word that Shailey’s biological parents would likely terminate their parental rights in the coming months. Having not begun the foster care process with adoption in mind, the Kellys were excited to meet the Stewarts, who could potentially give the foster child they’d come to love a permanent home. The couples decided with their case managers that it was a good idea that Shailey meet the Stewart family. “We met at a park,” Stephanie remembers. “I remember her opening the van door and when I saw Shailey I thought, ‘This is the one…Lord, please don’t let me fall in love with this child until it’s time.’” That June day at the park, Shailey was absolutely comfortable with the Stewart family. She let Stephanie carry her, play games with her and she even took Stephanie’s hand as they walked. With two kids of their own, and one on the way, it was nice for the Kellys to have another family involved in Shailey’s life. At her first weekend visit to the Stewart’s home, Shailey called Stephanie and Shawn momma and poppa, just like Hannah. She took to them right away. Throughout the summer she would visit one to two times a month. The Stewarts were becoming very attached to this little girl, so they were anxious when the Kellys told them that they had decided to move to Oklahoma in September 2008. Shailey’s legal parents had still not terminated parental rights, so the Stewarts had a difficult decision to make. Shailey would need a new foster family, and the Stewarts were the perfect candidates. While they were interested in taking over as Shailey’s foster parents, there was a chance that the Stewarts would eventually have to say goodbye to their new foster daughter. The risk was great, but Shawn and Stephanie decided that Shailey was worth it. They loved her very much and wanted badly to call her their own. Shailey moved to live with the Stewarts in late September. Amber Lucas, STARRY Case Manager shared about the family, “The Stewarts are a truly kind-hearted family and the instant connection they formed with Shailey was remarkable.” It was merely days before the Lord delivered a miracle. Shailey became adoptable. The Stewarts filed adoption paperwork in early October and Shailey officially became a Stewart in February 2009. “The process was emotional, but smooth,” said Stephanie. “STARRY was very supportive and helpful throughout our unique situation.” Eight-year-old Hannah was excited that the Lord had answered her prayers for a little sister. She adores her new sister. With dark hair and a sweet smile like the rest of the family, little Shailey fits right in at the Stewart home. Today Stephanie explains that, "God made her just for us, because it's like she has always been part of our family."
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