By Kaitlin Shawgo
The Grand Rapids Press
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) -- When Susan Sheets went to court six years ago to finalize the adoption of her daughter Lyni, the 5-year-old looked up at her and asked a question Sheets didn't expect.
"She said to me, 'So, this is my last home?'" Sheets recalled.
The little girl already had lived in nine foster homes.
"I was just like, 'Wow, this is what she worries about.'"
Sheets, who lives in Wyoming with her eight adopted children, was recently presented with one of this year's Congressional Angels in Adoption awards by Rep. Vern Ehlers during a ceremony at Bethany Christian Services.
The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute administers the yearly award program, in which members of Congress honor parents who have enriched their adopted children's lives.
Sheets, 39, is on the Wyoming Board of Education and teaches third grade in the Godfrey Lee district.
She adopted sisters Emmaleigh, 16, and Tierra, 14, in 2002. Five years ago, she adopted sisters Evie, 13, and Lyni, 11. Two years later, she adopted sisters Krystyna, 14, and Tatiyanna, who was eight months old. In 2008, she adopted twins Arieanna and Anderson, 6. Many of the children are in special education or have anger issues. Anderson is autistic.
Children's chances of being adopted decrease if they are older, have siblings, have cognitive impairments or are minorities, Sheets said.
She is passionate about finding homes for children in those situations.
"It becomes a real battle for those kids," she said. "It's not a bad thing. ... These kids have so much to offer."
For the Angels in Adoption award, state representatives work with local agencies who nominate families, said Kevan Chapman, Ehler's communications director. Ehlers works with D.A. Blodgett for Children, Catholic Social Services and, this year, Bethany Christian Services.
About 140 families were honored this year, Chapman said. Four other Michigan families also were given the award. All had the chance to attend the national ceremony Oct. 6 in Washington, D.C. Sheets was unable to attend, Chapman said, so her ceremony was held locally.
As for parenting techniques, Sheets said she stays consistent and reminds herself that no parent is perfect.
"My biggest one is, just love them," she said. "When you love a child and you're there for them, it makes all the difference."
Published: Wed, Dec 15, 2010
