ALBANY, Ga. — A toddler who was formerly in foster care now has a forever home just minutes away from his biological siblings.
Jay Houston of Albany, Georgia adopted 17-month-old Elijah after learning that her friend, Julie Washington, adopted his three older brothers.
“It’s just really important to me for siblings to stay together," Houston told Channel 2 Action News.
Elijah's adoption was finalized on March 4 after he had lived with the Houstons for about six months. His older siblings were adopted by the Washingtons on the same day.
To celebrate the boys' adoptions, Houston took photos of the siblings together. One photo shows the four brothers together, holding a sign that reads "We get to grow up together!"
She posted the photo to her Facebook page last week, and it has already gotten thousands of likes.
Houston is now a mother of six. She has two biological children and four adopted children.
She said Elijah is already part of the family.
“It’s like he’s always been here. He's always laughing and smiling," said Houston. "We were nervous about having a baby, but he fits right in."
Houston said she hopes sharing her story will inspire others to help foster children.
"I hope people pick up the phone and call their local Child Protective Services agency," said Houston. "You don't have to foster or adopt to help them. There are a million ways to help these kids. "
She said her family is grateful for the opportunity to adopt children.
"My husband and I have been so blessed," said Houston. "We haven’t changed their lives. They have changed ours."
Cox Media Group
