Adoption Month: Hear from a local family!
“ Evie and Bill McLarty were “sweethearts” in their church youth group and have been married over 28 years. Together they’ve raised four biological children ages 26, 23, 22 and 17 years old. From early on, both Bill and Evie were interested in fostering therapeutic children but originally felt too young and inexperienced as parents to foster.
When thinking about foster care or adoption, people don’t usually consider teenagers, but Mississippi has 3,800 children in foster care, including so many wonderful teenagers in desperate need of a home.
Between the ages of 10 and 25 years old, the brain undergoes changes that impact behavior forever. During these years, meaningful relationships can have a lasting and positive impact on teenagers’ lives. You can shape and rewire young brains with your connection and relationship. Teens aren’t hopeless. They are not a lost cause. With love and support, teens can learn, love, and blossom into the people God meant them to be.
Unfortunately, without love and permanent support, studies show teens are at an increased risk for homelessness, young parenthood, low educational attainment, high unemployment rates, and other adverse adult outcomes.
But there’s good news! It only takes one person to improve these odds for a young person.
The McLarty family was led to foster older children, and their story is a true testament of how one family can make a difference in a child’s life.”
- Mississippi Christian Living
The Gulf Coast Mom Team had the chance to ask some of the most common questions and we wanted to share the responses that Evie shared with us!
What fears did you have about adopting?
One of my biggest fears was the unknown, specifically about each kid. I felt like if I didn’t have all the details, and I wouldn’t know how to help them if a child had been in and out of foster homes. I needed to know all of this to see if they were fit or not for our family.
How did you overcome those fears?
It took some time, but I had to learn that there are some things you may never know, which is okay. There are some things these kids don’t want to share; they want a fresh start, and they need someone to look at them with new eyes. Over time, they will share what they want, and in the end, you love them no matter what.
How did you know you wanted to adopt?
My husband and I talked about this as teenagers dating; we always knew that we wanted to adopt, and we enjoyed a lot of kids. We truly feel called to do this, and we know how great the need is.
What advice do you have for a family considering?
Spend time with those who have already walked this path. Go to support groups and make some new friends. Learning firsthand is so helpful, and it gives you a natural feeling for day-to-day life. Also, don’t shy away from older kids; they need someone on their side, and it's never too late for a forever family.
How has your life changed?
When we have family events, they can be big and loud. This is a change that I love; the more, the merrier. Going from having four biological girls to having six girls and three boys has been a significant change. I never knew I was cut out to be a boy mom, but I love it.
What was your favorite part about the process?
Gotcha day, of course! We get to celebrate the day each kiddo was adopted each year, and we do it by asking, “Cake or Steak?”. If they choose cake, then they get their own slice of cake, but if they choose steak, then we cook them their own big juicy steak. Most kiddos choose steak! It is something special to look forward to each year as we count the years that go by.
As Adoption Month comes to a close, we want to thank Southern Christian Services for giving us an opportunity to share these incredible local families with all of you!
