Meet the Miller Family!
“Life is more rewarding when you can love, share, and invest in others.”
Stacey Miller credits her mother with initially inspiring her to adopt. Mom had once mentioned to Stacey and her sisters, adolescents at the time, that adoption would be a fine way to become mothers if “the right man” did not enter their lives. Two of the daughters took that advice to heart. Divorced and childless, Stacy began to want children in her life - not only in her classroom at school, but in her home as well. Her sister and brother-in-law, who had previously adopted two children from foster care, directed her to their agency, Mississippi Family for Kids
Stacey is now the proud single mother of two delightful children: Aaliyah, age twelve, and Kenneth, age six. Aaliyah had been placed into state foster care at age three, and Kenneth was placed at birth. The children were nine and three years old when Stacey adopted them. The past three years of motherhood have been the most rewarding part of Stacey’s life. She states, “I believe life is fuller and more rewarding when you can love, share, and invest in others.” Clearly the attentive nurturing she has invested in her children is showing results.
Aaliyah has developed into a very caring pre-teen who has worked hard to overcome academic challenges. When she arrived to Stacey’s home as a third grader, Aaliyah had already repeated a grade, had many learning gaps, and was receiving poor grades on her report card. Stacey taught and tutored her new daughter to get her caught up. Aaliyah has been on Honor Roll consistently since the end of third grade. Now a sixth grader, she plans to become a teacher like her mom. When not in school Aaliyah enjoys singing and playing basketball. She has recently started piano lessons.
From an initially shy and withdrawn little guy, Kenneth has blossomed into a “talkative, energetic, and charming” first grader. Kenneth does well in school, with math his favorite subject. Outdoor play, dancing, and singing keep Kenneth happily occupied. He creates his own songs and he recently sang a solo in a family singing group. As a family, the three Millers enjoy board games, movie and popcorn nights at home, skating, bowling, and weekend visits with “Granny.” They share holidays and vacations with Stacey’s sister’s family.
The greatest challenge Stacey has encountered in adoption has been helping her children adjust to new family expectations and structure. She explains, “Being in and out of foster care meant that at times they formed certain unhealthy survivor techniques. As a mother I try to help them identify what those are without blaming, and to teach them to replace those habits with healthier ones.”The post adoption monthly financial assistance helps Stacey meet the family’s monthly expenses. She appreciates the Federal Adoption Tax Credit which has helped her to plan for family vacations. She comments, “Without it there would be a financial strain.”Stacey Miller wants members of Congress to know, “Helping to connect children in need of families with willing parents is beneficial not only for the individual families, but also for our country as a whole.”
Aaliyah also wishes to share her view. "For me adoption means having a new beginning in life. The past is the past and now is the future."
Family Portrait Project 2014- Representative Roger Wicker
