Abby, Jerry, Christine, Andrea and Tammy are delightful siblings who need the opportunity to grow up together. Their caseworker exclaims, “These kids are fabulous! I've spent a lot of time with them, and they always keep me laughing. When I am with them, I can’t wipe the smile off my face. I think a family could easily fall in love with these kids and want to parent them.”

Abby is pretty easygoing and adaptable, with a good sense of humor and a great smile. She is very athletic and enjoys playing tackle football, listening to music and playing video games. Jerry is enthusiastic, active and loves to play outside. He is quite sensitive, yet fun-loving, and loves to play video games and football. An avid and adoring University of Oregon football fan, his dream is to play for the Ducks someday. Christine is outgoing, affectionate and also has a good sense of humor. She enjoys playing with other kids and likes to sing, do crafts and go to the movies. She is bright and funny and tends to be motherly toward her younger sisters. Andrea is sweet and affectionate. She likes to make sure that everyone knows what everyone else is doing. Arts and crafts as well as playing outside on her scooter and bicycle are favorite pastimes. Andrea really responds well to praise from adults. Tammy is a happy, affectionate little girl who smiles easily and often, and sings while she plays. She gets along well with others but can be very sensitive. Tammy, who loves Barbie dolls and imaginative play, enjoys singing and dancing, doing arts and crafts, and playing outdoors on her swing set and scooter.

Legally free, all five children came into foster care most recently in late 2010. After some initial separations and moves, they were placed with foster families where they did well for more than a year. After experiencing a very brief and recent adoptive placement that was not the right match, the children are now in a familiar foster home together and doing well.

The family chosen to adopt these siblings needs to be open to mediating some level of post adoption contact with the children’s birth parents (this is especially important for Abby and Jerry). Oregon DHS will examine adoption mediation with the adoptive parents and the birth family to better assess what level of contact would be appropriate and workable. The adoptive home that will be the best fit for these children will have parents who understand and respect the children’s very different needs and personalities, and are able to make each child feel special. The children need to learn early on that their adoptive folks can and will meet their basic, educational and medical needs, including the need to feel safe and have safe adults around them.

The children need a family open to helping them learn more about their Native American heritage. While they are not eligible for tribal enrollment, they lived on a reservation for a time and take pride in their heritage.

Abby, Jerry, Christine, Andrea & Tammy are available for adoption through the State of Oregon. For contact information, email the Idaho CareLine (please include your city AND zip code) or call 1-800-926-2588.