After Katie Page and her husband got a divorce when she was in her early thirties, she could not help but feel lost in life. She had always wanted a family of her own, but how was she going to go about this now? It was a good thing she was always a go-getter. She took a leap of faith and everything changed…
Her Two Foster Children Had A Lot Of Things In Common But What Did It Mean?
Lost In The World
Katie Page is a woman who split up with her ex-husband when she was in her thirties. As you can imagine, it is challenging to go through that when you want a family of your own. The Alabama woman felt unfulfilled in life and wanted to make things right. It was unfortunate that she had no choice but to postpone her plans of starting a family. She clearly needed a new start, which is the reason she wanted to make a drastic change. She could not stand the way things were.
Lost In The World
A New Chapter
Katie knew that the only way she could make her dreams come true was to start over from the very beginning. This is why she made up her mind to leave all her friends and opportunities in Alabama behind. In 2015, she embarked on a soul-searching mission and returned with the determination to change up her life. She had to relocate to do this, but the good thing was that she got a job offer which gave her the opportunity she needed. She left for Denver, Colorado to start working in the field of construction. She took on the integrated service manager position for GE Johnson.
A New Chapter
Her New Home
As you can see, she felt hopeful about this decision. This was the opportunity she had to reach for the stars, right? She then bought a ‘fixer-upper’ house that came with 4 bedrooms. It was in need of some renovations, which she wanted to do by herself. “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,” Katie said.
Her New Home
Keeping Herself Busy
Katie was well-aware of the fact that she would have to spend a significant amount of money if she wanted to do this. However, she actually liked it because it would prevent unnecessary spending! It would also keep her busy while she worked on the other aspects of her life. Of course, it is going to be lonely when you live in a huge place by yourself. Katie felt like there was still something missing from her life. Luckily, there were other possibilities when it comes to starting a family although she is single.
Keeping Herself Busy
Searching For Satisfaction
Katie actually had many options to consider when it comes to this issue. While she was still hesitant, it is great that starting her own family was still an option for her. There was no denying how much the renovation kept her occupied and motivated, although she wanted a different kind of satisfaction.
Searching For Satisfaction
Infertility Issues Of Her Own
Katie thought that she was going to get a fresh perspective after she changed her job and place of residence. She was not wrong about that, but she did not feel satisfied yet. After struggling with fertility problems, she began to wonder if adoption was for her.
Infertitlity Issues Of Her Own
She Loves Kids
Katie wanted to pave a new life direction for herself, which is the reason she started to look into the idea of fostering children. She was good with kids, and this might give her a life purpose. It was truly unfortunate that she seemed to be unable to bear children of her own.
She Loves Kids
Another Prospect
Katie got a letter from the local church she started to go to. She found out that there was an upcoming seminar about a fostering program. She liked the sound of this idea… Could this be her calling at last?
Another Surprise
The Right Path
She went to the meeting and the things she learned there tugged at her heartstrings. This sounded like a great program for someone like her. Although she felt somewhat nervous, she was willing to take a risk.
The Right Path
Her Maternal Desire
Don’t you think that it is perfect that Katie decided to file her application during Mother’s Day in 2015? We cannot think of any other day that would be more fitting! It was going to be a life-changing journey for her, although she did not have any clue just how big this decision was.
Her Maternal Desire
A Single Mom
We do not want to sound like she dived right into this without thinking it through, at any rate. It was likely a difficult choice. After all, she was a single woman who just moved into town. Can she do it alone?
A Single Mom
Making It Official
Katie began to get cases soon after she lodged her application. The foster kids she was assigned to had been kids who survived traumatic pasts. She made sure to give them everything she possibly could!
Making It Official
Wanting One Of Her Own
A year after this, she had already taken four children into her home. Katie began to wonder if it was time to adopt a child of her own. She liked being a foster parent, but she wanted to be a permanent one too.
Wanting One Of Her Own
Excellent Timing
Katie did not have to wait such a long time before she could turn this into a reality. Only two weeks after talking to a caseworker about this, she got a call about an abandoned child at the nearby hospital.
Excellent Timing
Destiny At Work
The boy was just four days old! Despite this, Katie told her caseworker, “I want him!” On top of this, she also told them to refrain from letting others know. Hopefully, this little angel was going to be her son…
Destiny At Work
A Short 24 Hours Later
The following day, she got a call from the caseworker again. She was nervous when she picked up. Was the baby going to be hers? You will be glad to know she took the baby home that exact same day.
A Short 24 Hours Later
A Difficult Start
In the past, she had already fostered a 14-month-old baby. However, this was the first time she took care of a newborn. It was already tough that the boy was abandoned like this, but there was more to it…
A Difficult Start
Illegal Substance Abuse
Apparently, this little boy received exposure to drugs when he was still in utero! It was a relief to learn that he did not suffer withdraw symptoms. On top of that, there was going to be no long-term effects.
Illegal Substance Abuse
Moving Forward
It does not take a genius to figure out that he drew the short end of the stick. However, everything was going to change now that he was with Katie. She wanted to make it up to him.
Moving Forward
Picking A Name
He had been abandoned at the very tender age of four days. He had no name yet. Katie tried to find the name that she would give him. There was no way she was going to simply call him baby boy, after all.
Picking A Name
Baby Boy Grayson
A lot of parents call their newborns simply ‘baby girl’ or ‘baby boy’. This also happened to her, although this changed when she decided to call him by her preferred boy name. He was now Grayson!
Baby Boy Grayson
At First Sight
From the moment she saw him, Katie felt in love with the baby. She felt this connection between them that she could not explain. Apart from this, she was also such a natural when it comes to parenthood.
At First Sight
Her True Calling
Katie soon came to the realization that her calling was actually motherhood! She hoped to raise this little boy as her child. In the past, she fostered a number of kids. However, they always left eventually.
Her True Calling
The Next Step
In the end, she knew that she wanted to be a proper parent to Grayson. Katie knew that it was going to be more difficult than fostering. Despite this, she wanted to become the legal parent of Grayson!
The Next Step
Looking For Answers
Katie had been caring for the little boy since he was four days old. She did not mind doing this because she grew fond of him. Despite this, the caseworker still looked for the birth parents.
Looking For Answers
Searching For His Parents
They did everything they could to look for his birth mother and father. Sadly, their efforts failed. They did not hear from anyone even after posting on social media and putting ads on the newspaper.
Searching For His Parents
Officially A Mom
However, all was not lost. In May 2017, Katie Page finally became the legal son of this little boy. How great is that? Back then, they had no idea that life had more surprises in store for them.
Officially A Mom
Struggling
Grayson needed her utmost attention because he suffered from some physical and developmental issues. These problems stemmed from the drug exposure before he was even born. Although Katie wanted more kids, she decided to wait until he reached 18 months old.
Struggling
Holding Her Horses
Over the next couple of weeks, Katie got calls and emails regarding placements. She got offers for short-term arrangements, but she wanted a long-term placement. Sadly, it did not seem like a good time yet.
Holding Her Horses
He Deserved Her Undivided Attention
Although Katie had been looking to expand her family again, she made sure to give her son the attention that he needed. She focused on him and helped him. This photo is definitely proof of that!
He Deserved Her Undivided Attention
Something Unexpected
It was true that Katie wanted a bigger family, but she needed to set this aside in the meantime. The house was spacious enough for many kids, so at least this was not an issue.
Something Unexpected
A Life-Altering Phone Call
It had only been a month after the adoption when Katie got a phone call that ended up changing her life. Little did she know that this call will have a huge impact on their future!
A Life-Altering Phone Call
Hannah Is In Need
The person on the phone told Katie that they were looking for a home for a baby girl who was left at the hospital. Apparently, the little angel was called Hannah. Something told Katie that she had to help out.
Hannah Is In Need
Despite Her Reservations
Hannah was just like her son in the sense that she received drug exposure in the womb. Aside from that, she was also born in the same hospital. This was not part of her plan, so what was Katie going to do?
Despite Her Reservations
Yes Or No?
Katie felt déjà vu during the call. She said, “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
Katie felt scared and overwhelmed, but her maternal instincts advised her to do this and open her home to the baby. After a couple of hours, she did this. Katie and Grayson met Hannah for the first time!
First Meetings
Not A Coincidence
After that, Katie looked at the baby bracelet and realized that the name of her birth mother was the same as that of Grayson. She compared the discharge papers and saw they had similar birth dates too…
Not A Coincidence
What Her Gut Said
On top of this, do not forget that Grayson and Hannah both had similar drug exposures and medical issues. “[The caseworkers] told me her story, which was really similar to Grayson’s,” Katie said later on.
What Her Gut Said
Something Seems Fishy
However, they did not look similar. “Grayson is half African American with beautiful darker skin and dark curly hair,” Katie posted on her blog, “Baby Girl has a pale white skin tone with straight red-blonde hair.”
Something Seems Fishy
She Was Determined
It was not going to be easy to verify her suspicions because of the discrepancies. The birth mothers did not have the exact same birthday and had different surnames as well. Katie wanted to learn the truth.
She Was Determined
What Are The Odds?
Katie tried to voice out her theory to the caseworker. What were the odds that Grayson and Hannah had the same birth mother? Unfortunately, they only told her that this was not a huge possibility.
What Are The Odds?
Getting Answers
Katie did not give up and went to Grayson’s caseworker instead. This person seemed more receptive and took over Hannah’s case as well. A couple of months after this, they finally found the birth mother!
Getting Answers
Anxiety And Nerves
Katie was nervous when she went to meet the birth mother of her foster child. From the moment they met, she knew right away that this was also the mother of her son! How did this even happen?!
Anxiety And Nerves
Figuring It Out
Katie said that she “knew instantly” that this was the same woman who gave birth to and then abandoned her son at the hospital. However, Katie needed to behave calmly no matter what she felt.
Figuring It Out
A Striking Resemblance
They continued to talk, and Katie learned a lot of things about this woman. Soon enough, her theory was confirmed. The birth mother did not only look like Grayson but also admitted to abandoning a son.
A Striking Resemblance
The Confirmation
Katie then asked more questions and found out that the woman has other kids. She also gave birth to a son but refused to report it to the authorities. When Katie reported this to the caseworker, they confirmed that the last name the birth mother used matched a relative of theirs.
The Confirmation
Putting The Pieces Together
It turns out that their hunch was right. The final thing they needed was the results of the DNA test. When it came back, it revealed that Hannah and Grayson were actually siblings with the same mother.
Putting The Pieces Together
Grayson And Hannah
Katie had a hard time believing that she somehow ended up with twins by pure luck. One caseworker helped her find the truth. Of course, it was only natural that she was excited to hear such a thing.
Grayson And Hannah
A Miracle
“What if the baby girl had gone to another family?” Katie said. “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
When Katie learned that the two babies were actually siblings, she did not want to leave any chance of separating them. After all, how could she possibly do that when fate brought them together again?
She Acted Quickly
The Adoption Process
Katie was in love with Hannah by then already. Aside from this, she knew that the little girl made her son happy. It was now time to make the entire thing official by undergoing the adoption process again.
The Adoption Process
Officially Her Mother
Katie attended a court hearing on December 29, 2018. After this fateful day, things were official at last. She was now the legal parent of Hannah! This also means that Grayson was now her legal brother too.
Officially Her Mother
A Beautiful Family
Don’t you think that they look like one beautiful family? Katie was simply happy that she reunited these two children after so much. When she became a foster parent, such a thing did not even occur to her.
A Beautiful Family
Like A Glove
We are not surprised to hear that Hannah fit into their family like a glove. Before she was adopted, she had to spent nearly two years in foster care. Doesn’t this sound like nothing short of a miracle?
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.”
The Ideal Addition
A Family By Fate
She also told People Magazine, “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.”
A Family By Fate
A Born Natural
Katie had no idea that she would be the mom of two kids in such a short amount of time. Luckily for them, she was a natural mother. Perhaps this was really her calling in life…
A Born Natural
Another Surprise
It seems like this motherhood story is not over just yet. Can you believe that there came yet another important phone call for Katie? This next one happened only thirteen months since Hannah was born…
Another Surprise
Their Birth Mother
This call also came from the same adoption agency. They had some news for Katie and the children. They were calling to say something about the birth mother of her adopted children. What was it?
Their Birth Mother
A Million Thoughts
Katie could not help but worry for the birth mother. Did something happen to her? Was she sick? She did not know what it was, but she only needed to listen to find out the answer.
A Million Thoughts
Their Baby Brother
Katie found out that the same woman just gave birth to one more baby boy. Even though she did not feel equipped to raise three kids so soon, it did not sit well with her to leave the newborn kid on its own.
Their Baby Brother
Some Deep Thinking
It meant that Grayson and Hannah now had one more sibling in the world. Katie was shocked to hear such a thing. However, she did not know if she could take care of three children at the same time.
Some Deep Thinking
A New Edition
She thought about it a lot but ultimately decided that the only thing she could do was to unite the siblings. She welcomed the baby into her home and started working on adopting him too!
A New Edition
Welcome To The Family
Katie was too goodhearted to simply abandon Jackson, the newborn baby. He did not have a problem fitting in with the family either. In fact, he succeeded in making everyone fall in love with him as well.
Welcome To The Family
The Adoption Process Was Under Way
On June 9, 2019, Katie made this post on Instagram to mention the court date for the young boy. She was still serving as his foster mom, so there was no problem when it comes to raising little Jackson.
The Adoption Process Was Under Way
Protecting His Privacy
She does not want the kids to receive too much attention, especially when the media caught on to their story. She wanted to adoption to go on without a hitch, which is why she hides Jackson’s face like this.
Protecting His Privacy
A Happy Family
The children have since grown up, of course. Hannah has since turned two. She is now an energetic little girl who adores fashion and dolls. She admires her mother too! She wants to be like Katie in the future.
A Happy Family
A Social Butterfly
Meanwhile, Grayson has turned three years old. He will be in preschool very soon. He is an extroverted child who likes meeting new people. We also think his glasses (for lazy eye) looks amazing on him.
A Social Butterfly
No Longer A Single Mom
Katie is no longer all that single, however. She met someone through a pastor! “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 said.
No Longer A Single Mom
Responsibility After Responsibility
Katie has the support of many people when it comes to taking care of the kids. It can be hard at times because she still has a full-time job. We bet she is glad that her sister, mother, and roommate help out.
Responsibility After Responsibility
Multiple Jobs
Aside from that, she continues to work on the house as well as the business she launched! She writes for her website, woodandgrace.net, as well. Lastly, Katie works on the side for Rodan and Fields. Whew!
Multiple Jobs
A Flexible Arrangement
Rodan and Fields is a beauty company selling makeup and skincare products. Katie gets to work remotely as a consultant, which helps pay the bills. We are sure it is hard to raise three children.
A Flexible Arrangement
Future Changes
Katie explained, “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.”
Future Changes
Sharing Her Life
Katie is very much active on Facebook and Instagram. She promotes her businesses there, of course. She also runs woodandgrace.net, where she often talks about the home renovation project. Check it out if you want to learn more about it.
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 once wrote on the blog. “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 decisions, she has money to hire extra help when she needs it. She plans to get a live-in nanny to help out with the kids. After all, it can be hard for foster moms to deal with a lack of communication and other frustrating moments.
Some Extra Help
Staying Determined
Katie is a strong advocate for foster care. She has talked about it on her social media accounts as well. “I don’t know if I believed in miracles for sure. I have no doubt now,” she said in the past.
Staying Determined
Still In Process
At the moment, she is still working to make Jackson an official part of the family. She explained, “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
We think it is amazing that the family has come together this way. If Grayson went to a different person, things would be very different. Katie even confessed, “It is my greatest adventure and I can’t imagine my life without this experience”.
A Life-Changing Experience