Family Feature: The Wood's

The Wood family at 4KIDS Family Christmas Party in December 2019.

Written By 4KIDS Foster & Adoptive Mom, Denise Wood

When we first got the call about two brothers in need of a foster home, we were both excited and sad. They had been with a previous family for 3 years who were no longer able to continue fostering them. I remembered what it was like to be separated from my siblings when I was younger, so we wanted to make sure they could at least stay together during this difficult transition.

For reasons beyond our control, the case lasted another 5 years before we were able to adopt Kerwin (now 11 years old) and Franklyn (now 9 years old). In total, the boys were in foster care for 8 years, and in those years experienced many losses: their biological family, their first foster family, and many case workers, day care workers, teachers, therapists, and others.

In the midst of those years, we trusted that God was working all things together for good. Despite all that they have endured, they have also experienced many gains. They have gained two older sisters, Jailisa and Nya, who love to tap into the boy's silliness and creativity. They have gained a love for church, camping, football, baseball, wrestling, soccer, roller skating, video, geo caching, theme parks, and more. As far as their character goes, they both have grown so much since our first meeting. Kerwin had so many fears that he has overcome using healthy coping skills and is developing self-control in many areas. Franklyn is still working on transitioning issues, but he is using tools he has learned through EPIC and from his 4KIDS Therapist to help him. Most recently, they both made the A/B Honor Roll at their school!

If you ever ask them about their experience in foster care, they will both tell you that it was a time in their lives where they remember feeling most "special and cared for." The boys themselves advocate for people to become foster parents. "People should be foster parents because kids need parents to love them," shared Franklyn. "I would tell others to be a foster family because there are a lot of kids in this world that need loving, caring parents that want to be a part of a family," added Kerwin.

I have loved every crazy, exhausting minute with these two precious boys. They are so different than our daughters, and never a dull moment with them. Woody and I are so thankful God placed them into our lives.