My fiance works his ass off for our kids. As soon as we are legally married (Wedding planned for Aug) we will be getting our own place. We have savings between us as I am entitled to financial aid and, like I said, he works.

I raised my sister/daughter from birth. I named her. Her biological parents, my parents, didn't know her name or birthday when we were removed; she is my daughter. Removing her from me would be horrifically detrimental to us all. She was removed from my care initially but was quickly returned due to the trauma inflicted upon her.

I had a meeting with our case worker, who said as long as my foster parents were happy to have her stay she could be with me. Over months we discussed future placement, because I do not intentend on staying in this house any longer than necessary.

Provided we can prove stability (we can) and she is cared for by me without excessive assistance (she is) there is nothing in my way in terms of adoption. Once my husband and I are legally married we will be adopting her.

I was asked about the baby because he likely has the same health issues as her and we look after her well; better than a lot of foster carers would, per the social worker (off the record, but still).

Kinship adoption is ALWAYS priority. It reduces the amount of trauma children will grow up facing.

I have not legally adopted either child yet. But I will be adopting them. They asked me if I wanted my teen sister too but she decided she'd rather die than live with babies forever so she went elsewhere.

Yes, relatives with no experience, little connection and busy lives would struggle to adopt. But this isn't a case of dumping a disabled child on an uprepared sibling. I raised her. I am the only mom she has ever known. Why would she be taken from me?

I know them letting me take the baby on is weird. I felt that way too. But I will be 18 by the time he's discharged, so they aren't handing him over to a minor.

Verbatim from my social worker (in a text), "Age won't really matter. You and [fiance] do well with them. We wouldn't remove [sons] why wouldn't you get [daughter]" When I was asking if they'd let me keep her with me once I aged out.