I first started Annaline in pageants to help her break out of her shyness. She is basically an only child since Mary-Kate and Carree are already married. I wanted her to do something where she would make friends. Another reason was for her to not be afraid to let her inner beauty shine as much as her outward beauty. I was not prepared for the profound impact pageants would have on both our lives.
I met my best friend Hailey Trichell through the pageant system. Annaline and her four-year-old daughter, Brenna, were instantly drawn to each other. After Hailey told me how moved she was by Annaline’s sweet disposition, and her ability to make Brenna her friend our friendship also bloomed into what it is today. Ever since we became friends Hailey has shown up for everything in my life these past few months. I wanted her to enlighten everyone on the journey she and her husband Jeff have had with becoming a family through the foster care system. Here is their story through Hailey’s words.
“We tried for six years to get pregnant and failed every time. I have never been pregnant. Our lives pre-kids revolved around our nieces. After we decided to do foster care, we started all day long classes on Saturdays in November 2018 and had three or four home visits.
On February 22nd, 2019, we got our first call for our first placements. All we were told were sixweek- old twins. We had no idea that they would be five pounds and five and a half pounds each.
We had actually told our home development worker we did not want babies, and my husband Jeffery was determined that his answer was no on the twins! Because he only wanted one child. I did not listen! When I received the call about the twins, I was told that the biological mother wanted to give them up for 'temporary adoption'. There is no such thing!
After I agreed to take the twins, I made a call to my mom, and we literally had EVERYTHING times two we could use! I mean EVERYTHING! My aunt along with the foster closet helped us with everything we could use, even an extra crib and clothing.
The first few months were a struggle. Both twins aspirated and were hospitalized. Kadan-Brooks stopped breathing a couple of times. For months they had to be fed every two hours! Jeffery had to work so I did it mostly by myself with the help of my mom, my wonderful sister-in-law, and my best friend Monica. The biological mother had visitation every week, but around April, she stopped showing up for the twins. In my opinion she is not a bad person, she just was not ready for them.
We continued with life, celebrated every pound gained, and we went on their first family vacation to the beach. In October 2019, the biological mother signed over her rights. And after failed attempts to have DNA testing on two men, they took potential rights of father away also.
Kadan-Brooks was diagnosed with torticollis that caused plagiocephaly on the side of his face, not the back of his head. So, tons of therapy and a helmet, and THEN he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which later changed to a club foot. Fast forward - they turned one and quickly started walking! At eleven months, Brenna walked and at thirteen months Kadan-Brooks walked!
In June 2019, the court date was set for finalizing the adoption. The biological mother said she was fully happy with where they were and knew we could give them things she could not. September 9th, 2020, Brenna LaShay Anne Trichell and Kadan-Brooks Gage Trichell would forever and always be ours! They are now four and a half perfectly healthy and loving every minute of preschool! Kadan-Brooks is a daddy's boy who loves everything that involves his daddy! Brenna is a spunky little pageant queen who loves to be the center of attention.
The foster system has its flaws. But with the right people who are not biased and are open-minded it could run so much smoother. They need foster homes where foster parents encourage children to do better and be the best they can be,They also need encouragement for the parents also.”
