In her thirties, Katie Page found herself single all of a sudden. She immediately felt hopeless about her dreams of starting a family. However, a life-changing decision was all it took to change her life and that of others! She never thought that such a thing was even possible.
The Strangest Thing Happened To This Foster Mom When She Looked After Two Kids
Lost In The World
Katie Page of Birmingham, Alabama had to deal with the end of her marriage in her mid-30s. She could not help but feel sad and had no idea what to do after this. She wanted a fresh start after what she went through. Of course, we think she deserved such an opportunity.
Lost In The World
A New Chapter
She had to turn over a new leaf to reach her dreams. It was why she chose to move to Denver, Colorado after soul-searching in 2015. She got offered to become an integrated service manager at GE Johnson, which is a construction company. Was this the opportunity she needed?
A New Chapter
Her New Home
She was optimistic about it. Now was her time to turn things around! She bought a 4-bed ‘fixer-upper’ property that she wanted to renovate by herself. She said, “The house I bought would require extensive work to transform into my vision and most of which I would have to do myself in order to afford it.” She even told a friend that the house was meant for ‘more.’ She had no idea that she was on the right track!
Her New Home
Keeping Herself Busy
She knew that it was going to be costly but considered it a good thing. This would help her spend only on important things as she worked on the repairs DIY. It would also keep her busy and focused while she focused on other aspects of her life. Despite this, she could not help but feel like something was amiss.
Keeping Herself Busy
Searching For Satisfaction
Even though she was no longer married, she did have options. She was hesitant but felt better about the fact that she could change things. The renovation project kept her occupied but not totally satisfied yet.
Searching For Satisfaction
Infertitlity Issues Of Her Own
She assumed that getting a new place and job would grant her some perspective. While she did get that, it did not give her what she was after. Katie had fertility issues, so she started thinking about adoption.
Infertitlity Issues Of Her Own
She Loves Kids
She wanted a new life direction, which was the reason she began to think about fostering. She liked kids and believed this could give her a purpose in life. After all, she had always wanted to become a mother.
She Loves Kids
Another Prospect
She recently received a letter from the new church she joined. The seminar would be about a fostering program. She liked the idea of fostering children in need. Could she have found her calling at last?
Another Surprise
The Right Path
The meeting at the local church only moved her some more. This finally convinced her that parenthood was the right thing for her. Even though she was nervous about it, she could not help but feel excited.
The Right Path
Her Maternal Desire
Now, there was no better time for her to start the journey than Mother’s Day! It was in 2015 that she sent in her application. It would change her life forever. The new opportunity would lead to much more.
Her Maternal Desire
A Single Mom
She did weigh all of her options before she dived into it. For one thing, it is hard to become a mom when you are a single woman in a new area. Even though it won’t be easy, it was the right choice for her.
A Single Mom
Making It Official
It did not take long before she began to get cases. The foster kids she took under her wing are not only orphans but also children who went through trauma. It only made her want to do her best!
Making It Official
Wanting One Of Her Own
The year after that, she fostered 4 kids. Katie started to like the sound of adopting a child. While she was happy as a foster mom, she wanted parenthood to become a permanent part of her life as well.
Wanting One Of Her Own
Excellent Timing
It did not take her long to wait before the right opportunity presented itself. Two weeks after speaking to the caseworker about it, she received a call. It was about a child who got abandoned at a hospital.
Excellent Timing
Destiny At Work
He was only 4 days old! She did not hesitate because she knew it was destiny. “I want him!” she told the worker and asked that no one else is contacted about the infant. This was what she always wanted.
Destiny At Work
A Short 24 Hours Later
Only a day later, she got another call from the caseworker. She felt hesitant about answering since she wanted to be his foster mom so badly. In a matter of hours, she went to the hospital to pick up the boy!
A Short 24 Hours Later
A Difficult Start
In the past, she got to be the foster mom of a 14-month-old baby. However, it was different to look after a newborn. The poor boy was abandoned at only 4 days old. Sadly, this was not the saddest part yet.
A Difficult Start
Illegal Substance Abuse
Doctors revealed that the baby had been exposed to drugs when he was still in the womb. Luckily, he did not display withdrawal symptoms at all. They also told her that he would not get long-term effects!
Illegal Substance Abuse
Moving Forward
Even though this little boy had it tough from the very beginning, he could forget about that now. He could move on with Katie looking after him. She wanted to do her best to become a good mom to him!
Moving Forward
Picking A Name
He had been left on his own at just 4 days old. The baby did not even have a name! Katie spent some time looking for the best name for him. It might change after his adoption, but it felt right to name him.
Picking A Name
Baby Boy Grayson
She only ever called him baby boy after taking him home from the hospital. Enough was enough. There was no time to think of a name for him. In the end, she called him Grayson, her favorite boy’s name.
Baby Boy Grayson
At First Sight
Katie was enamored with this baby from the moment she saw him. She could feel a connection with Grayson that she could not even explain. In the end, she turned out to be a natural at motherhood!
At First Sight
Her True Calling
She then realized that her calling in life was to become a mother. Katie felt the desire to raise Grayson as her own kid. She fostered a lot of children in the past, but they always had to leave at some point.
Her True Calling
The Next Step
Ultimately, it led to her decision to become a real mother. It was going to be quite different from merely fostering. She knew this, but she felt ready to take the next step. She wanted to adopt Grayson!
The Next Step
Looking For Answers
She had been looking after him ever since he was just 4 days old. We can see why he held such a special place in Katie’s heart. He had been with her for almost a year while caseworkers looked for his parents.
Looking For Answers
Searching For His Parents
They did their best to look for his birth mom and dad, but they were unable to track them down. They placed ads in newspapers and online to no avail. No one came looking for him at the hospital as well.
Searching For His Parents
Officially A Mom
In May 2017, Grayson was finally officially her son. At 11 months old, he was now the legal son of Katie! We are sure that they were both thrilled that it was official at long last. We are so happy for them!
Officially A Mom
Struggling
Katie felt like the family was incomplete, but she had to devote her full attention to Grayson. Why? He had physical and developmental issues from the drug exposure. She waited until he was 18 months old.
Struggling
Holding Her Horses
In the weeks that followed, she got calls and emails about more kids in need. They were mostly for short-term arrangements. She wanted something more long-term but felt like it was not the right time.
Holding Her Horses
He Deserved Her Undivided Attention
Even though Katie felt the desire to adopt another child, she wanted to focus on Grayson for now. She wanted to give him her full and undivided attention. Here he was during his first birthday celebration!
He Deserved Her Undivided Attention
Something Unexpected
She wanted to expand the family some more. However, she knew that it would be better if Grayson was older when she did so. There are a lot of rooms in the house, so she wanted to put them to good use.
Something Unexpected
A Life-Altering Phone Call
Just a month after she finally adopted Grayson, she got a phone call that she never expected. Katie had no clue that this was going to be an important moment in their lives! Who was calling and why?
A Life-Altering Phone Call
Hannah Is In Need
The caller told Katie that another newborn just got abandoned at the hospital. They were looking for a loving home for this baby girl, who was called Hannah. Katie felt the need to help out this infant as well.
Hannah Is In Need
Despite Her Reservations
Much like Grayson, Hannah had been exposed to illegal substances when her mother was in utero. She had been abandoned at the same hospital as well. Katie had other plans, but she knew she had to help.
Despite Her Reservations
Yes Or No?
After speaking to the worker about it, she felt déjà vu. In one interview, Katie explained, “During all of the phone calls I made that afternoon, the phrase ‘I know I am crazy, but God is telling me to say YES’ kept coming out of my mouth.”
Yes Or No?
First Meetings
We can see why she felt overwhelmed and scared, but she felt the need to open up her heart and home. A few hours later, Hannah was now in their homes. Katie and Grayson got to meet the little girl at last!
First Meetings
Not A Coincidence
After welcoming this new child into her house, she saw the name of the mom on the baby bracelet. Katie noticed that it was the same name on Grayson’s. She checked the discharge papers and saw that the birth dates of the moms were also similar. Could it be nothing more than a simple coincidence?
Not A Coincidence
What Her Gut Said
She also had similar drug exposure and medical issues that Grayson did. “[The caseworkers] told me her story, which was really similar to Grayson’s,” said Katie. They did not look alike, but were they related?
What Her Gut Said
Something Seems Fishy
“Grayson is half African American with beautiful darker skin and dark curly hair,” Katie said on a blog post. She added, “Baby Girl has a pale white skin tone with straight red-blonde hair.” Despite this, her gut told her to look into it some more.
Something Seems Fishy
She Was Determined
It was not going to be easy to do so since the birth moms had different surnames. Their birth date also had a one-day difference. Still, Katie decided to take it upon herself and find out what was going on.
She Was Determined
What Are The Odds?
Katie talked to the caseworker about it. She explained her theory that Grayson and Hannah were born to the same person. She was only told that it was not likely. Do you think Katie was wrong about this?
What Are The Odds?
Getting Answers
Still, she decided to soldier on and got in touch with the caseworker for Grayson. Katie also asked this person to handle Hannah’s case. Months after this, they were finally able to track down Hannah’s mom!
Getting Answers
Anxiety And Nerves
Katie felt anxious when it was time for her to meet the biological mom of her daughter. As soon as she saw the woman, she knew that this person gave birth to Grayson as well! How did such a thing happen?
Anxiety And Nerves
Figuring It Out
Katie explained that she “knew instantly” that Hannah and Grayson were siblings as soon as she saw their birth mom. Of course, she tried to stay calm. It would be unwise of her to jump into conclusions.
Figuring It Out
A Striking Resemblance
From looks alone, she looked just like Grayson! As they talked more, Katie learned things that confirmed her suspicions. The woman told her that she also had a baby boy that she had to give up in the past.
A Striking Resemblance
The Confirmation
Katie asked this woman more questions and found out that she had more kids. She did not report one baby to the authorities. Katie later told the caseworker what she found out. In the end, they were able to confirm that the birth mother used the last name of a person related to Hannah!
The Confirmation
Putting The Pieces Together
The pieces finally came together at last. Still, they wanted to be totally sure that they were right. It was only when a DNA test confirmed that Grayson and Hannah were siblings that they knew for sure!
Putting The Pieces Together
Grayson And Hannah
Katie could not believe that these two siblings ended up under her wing by pure coincidence. A case worker checked and confirmed what she had in mind. How exciting it must have been for them all!
Grayson And Hannah
A Miracle
“What if the baby girl had gone to another family?” she wondered out loud. “We would have never found her or Grayson’s mother. The connection would have never been made! I could not believe the miracle that had just happened.”
A Miracle
She Acted Quickly
She was able to confirm that Grayson and Hannah were siblings by birth. After this, she wanted them to have each other forever. She had to act fast if she did not want to lose their chance at staying together!
She Acted Quickly
The Adoption Process
Apart from this, Katie already loved Hannah with all her heart. She saw how happy Grayson was with the little girl around. This meant that it was time for her to start the adoption process for Hannah.
The Adoption Process
Officially Her Mother
With the two kids, Katie attended a courtroom hearing on the 29th of December 2018. Finally, it was all official. Hannah was now her daughter and Grayson’s sister by law. Isn’t that incredible? Good for them!
Officially Her Mother
A Beautiful Family
Katie, Hannah, and Grayson made one lovely family. It made Katie happy to know that she reunited two kids separated at birth. Not once could she have imagined that something like this would ever happen!
A Beautiful Family
Like A Glove
Hannah had been in foster care for nearly 2 years before she finally became Katie’s legal daughter. It was not at all hard for her to fit into the lives of Katie and Grayson. It sure sounds like destiny to us!
Like A Glove
The Ideal Addition
“I was happy to just give Grayson a life, and I thought that that was big, but I didn’t feel like that was enough,” Katie said, “So to give him a sister, I couldn’t imagine anything better.” Hannah was the perfect addition to their family!
The Ideal Addition
A Family By Fate
“They were meant to find each other, that’s pretty clear. I think God intended that from the beginning. If they weren’t related, Hannah would not have stayed with our family. She would have been placed with other relatives,” Katie said when she spoke to People magazine.
A Family By Fate
A Born Natural
When she decided to start a life of parenthood, she did not plan to have 2 kids right away. Despite this, she is a great mother. For her, it felt like her true calling. However, there was more to come for Katie!
A Born Natural
Another Surprise
We will have you know that her motherhood story did not end when she adopted Hannah. “What do you mean?” you must be thinking. Well, 13 months after Hannah was born, Katie got another call.
Another Surprise
Their Birth Mother
The caller came from the adoption agency again. They had something to tell Katie that would change her life again. It turns out that it had something to do with the birth mother of Hannah and Grayson.
Their Birth Mother
A Million Thoughts
What do you think it was about this time? Was the birth mother sick? Did she want to take Grayson and Hannah back? Katie must have been thinking about these questions. Let us find out which one it is.
A Million Thoughts
Their Baby Brother
During that call, Katie was informed that the birth mother just gave birth to yet another baby boy. While Katie had no intention to be a mother of 3 kids, it did not seem right to leave a newborn like that.
Their Baby Brother
Some Deep Thinking
Yes, it meant that Grayson and Hannah had another sibling in need of a good home. Katie was shocked. Was she ready to take in yet another child? Of course, it is no small thing to adopt yet another child.
Some Deep Thinking
A New Edition
Katie gave it some thought. For her, it did not feel right to let the sibling of her children go uncared for. She decided to look after the newborn baby and eventually began the adoption process for him as well!
A New Edition
Welcome To The Family
It was a leap of faith for her to take in the newborn boy. Called Jackson, he fit into the family very easily. It did not take long for the whole family to fall deeply in love with him! It was time to make it official.
Welcome To The Family
The Adoption Process Was Under Way
Katie added this photo to her Instagram page on the 9th of June 2019. She said that the hearing already had a date. At the time, she was just happy that Jackson was with them. She loved looking after him!
The Adoption Process Was Under Way
Protecting His Privacy
The adoption process was still ongoing, so she had to protect the safety and privacy of the kids. They got lots of media attention when the story came out. This is why she always covered her youngest’s face!
Protecting His Privacy
A Happy Family
The kids lived in harmony at the house as they waited for his adoption to be finalized. Hannah was 2 years old by then. She is an energetic little girl who likes shoes, dolls, and clothes. She likes looking after her brothers and wants to be just like her mom!
A Happy Family
A Social Butterfly
Grayson, on the other hand, has turned three years old. Due to go to preschool soon, he is a social butterfly and likes meeting new people. He has a lazy eye and wears glasses to address the issue. Cute!
A Social Butterfly
No Longer A Single Mom
Katie has recently met the man of her dreams. She said, “While I can’t share his face as I vowed never to post him on social media so I could get him to take a photo with me, I can share how grateful I am for him.” She met this mystery man through her pastor, and he has witnessed the “craziness of foster care.” Isn’t it nice to hear that she has someone to help her through this amazing journey?
No Longer A Single Mom
Responsibility After Responsibility
Katie has received a lot of support and help when it comes to raising the kids. She can turn to her mom, sister, and roomie for help. After all, she continues to work full-time at the construction company!
Responsibility After Responsibility
Multiple Jobs
Apart from work and caring for the kids, she also works on renovating the house. On top of this, she also has a small business! Aside from running woodandgrace.net, she is a consultant for Rodan and Fields.
Multiple Jobs
A Flexible Arrangement
Rodan and Fields is a beauty company selling skincare and makeup products. Katie gets to work for them remotely. This way, she gets paid enough to make ends meet. But does she still have time for the kids?
A Flexible Arrangement
Future Changes
“I am hopeful that one day this opportunity will give me the chance at the freedom to spend more time with my children and one day expand our family even more. My current traditional career path doesn’t make my dreams seem possible…so I began to consider ways to supplement that complimented my lifestyle and was flexible,” she once explained.
Future Changes
Sharing Her Life
She uses social media platforms for the promotion of her business. She has Instagram and Facebook, but also runs her own page called woodandgrace.net. She likes to talk about interior decoration and renovation on the blog!
Sharing Her Life
They’ve Changed My Life
“The last 35 years has been far from easy or the ‘perfect’ life, but it has been mine and has always been driven by my ‘CRAZY’ dreams,” she said in reference to her adoption and foster care journey. “If people only knew how my children have changed mine far more than I could ever have imagined.”
They’ve Changed My Life
Some Extra Help
Thanks to her business smarts, she has enough money to pay the bills and more. She wants to get a live-in nanny for the kids as well. Katie said that foster moms have to accept frustrating situations and deal with lack of communication. Without her faith, she said that things would have been unmanageable.
Some Extra Help
Staying Determined
Of course, she is passionate about foster care. She has written encouraging messages about it. “I don’t know if I believed in miracles for sure. I have no doubt now,” Katie said on Good Morning America.
Staying Determined
Still In Process
She is still working on making Jackson her legal son. Katie said, “It takes patience beyond what I feel I have sometimes. It makes me and those who support me angry some days. But encounters/relationships with the children make it worth the hard times.”
Still In Process
A Life-Changing Experience
Can you imagine that the family started when she decided to adopt Grayson? If it were not for that decision, the siblings would not be together. Katie even said, “It is my greatest adventure and I can’t imagine my life without this experience.”
A Life-Changing Experience