Help us Finally adopt Christopher!!!

Hi everyone! Many of you know the long story with our son, but for those that don't know the details, or for those that need a recap; here is the condensed version.

5 years ago we were thrown into a situation where our nephew needed a family foster placement immediately. James and I were in a position to be able to help, but we also knew that despite what was being "said" by bio mom and dad, we knew that if we choose to step in, we would be fully committing to Christopher in all ways. We knew we would look out for HIS best interests with the result being his permanent placement with us by the courts. We had two weeks to prepare for a baby again and to complete all the paperwork, classes and background checks to become a family placement and were suddenly a household of 4 with our newest member still in the baby stage. (something we had completed many years before with Aurora) We said yes and the rollercoaster began.

Christopher had a rough development and birth. Born addicted to meth, he suffered from seizures, problems with his eyes, sensory issues, physical development issues and many more. Christopher's needs and our obligations to the court system became almost our full-time job, but just as any family does, we learned, adjusted, grew and most importantly LOVED our way through all the ups and downs. Christopher quickly became OURS in all ways, but leagally.

Finally in July of 2020 after a disastrous situation with bio parents (that the courts said we had to let happen) we were granted permanent Guardianship, but NOT granted a termination of bio parent rights, which could then lead to adoption. On the one hand, we were soooo grateful to finally have full custody of Christopher after so many years of fighting, on the other hand, very disappointed that there would still be areas of Christopher's life that would require input from his bio-parents because of their retained rights.

Fast forward another year and Christopher is competing in Martial Arts Tournaments and wants to introduce himself with the BARNT last name; which of course we let him do. Jump ahead again to this year in kindergarten, where he is asking questions like "why isn't his last name the same as his sister Aurora's?" and "why do I sometimes have to use the other last name in school?". All good questions, since we have the same ones. James, Aurora and I have lived with a feeling of incompletion for years. In ALL ways, Christopher is our son and part of our family except in Name.

Now we finally have a chance to change that. Christopher's bio-dad has been in prison (again), for the last two years and should remain there until Christopher is 15yrs. old and Bio-mom is awaiting sentencing on two new felony drug charges and it is expected that she will be sent to prison soon.

We can now petition the courts to terminate bio-parent rights and then file for adoption. However, just to get started, the retainer fee for the attorney is $5000 and needs to be paid all at once. After the retainer is paid the rest can be done in payments. We are asking for any donation large or small to help us raise the money for the retainer so we can finally adopt our son and close that chapter for good. Thank you in advance for everything.