Texas Single Mom Overcame All Obstacles to Adopt Her 6 Kids: 'My Family Is One Born of Brokenness'

A woman from San Antonio, Texas, always wanted to be a mom. The longing grew stronger, and she eventually decided to foster needy children. While preparing for the journey, she had no idea how much her life would change.

Susan Noelle Smith's desire to mother a child was ingrained deep within her being. She always hoped to have little ones running around her home, eager to share love and joy with them.

She was a single woman who lived a few states away from her family and friends—still, she believed raising a child was a challenge she wanted to undertake. While Smith knew she wouldn't have an ideal support structure, she refused to ignore her calling.

Starting Her Journey toward Motherhood

Deciding to pursue motherhood independently was difficult, but when friends started fostering, Smith decided to start the long-awaited journey herself.

When Smith received the call to foster a baby boy, she was initially apprehensive. However, she said yes, and baby Jackson entered her home when he was nine months old.

Thankfully, the foster mom had taken six weeks off from work—the bonding time together was crucial and needed. Smith shared:

"I was adjusting to being an only parent, and he was adjusting to me. It took a while but we finally got into a groove, and I started to become more comfortable in my new role."

She Had Fears and Concerns

Smith felt self-conscious when she took Jackson to church with her for the first time. She wondered what people would think and say but was pleasantly surprised when someone gushed about the little boy's cuteness. It was exactly what the foster mom needed.

After a vacation in Hawaii, Smith and her son welcomed a little boy named Bear into their home—he forever changed the family's world.

When Jackson turned one, his birth parents' rights were terminated. Smith was heartbroken for them but happy the journey toward adopting the baby boy could begin.

The First Adoption

Jackson officially became Smith's son in 2015, and it was a joyous day for both of them. Smith raised her son to be kind and humble, hoping his adoption wouldn't define him or his life story. She stated:

"He will be a great many things in his life and I truly pray being adopted doesn’t reach into his top ten. It is how his life started, but it doesn’t define his life."

Despite this, Jackson was proud to tell his classmates he was adopted. He shared his truth, and it warmed Smith's heart, knowing he was confident and content. Smith and her son had settled into their routine and had no idea what was waiting around the corner.

Their Fostering Journey

Smith opened her home to fostering again after her son turned three. Nine little ones passed through her care in over five years—it was a challenging journey, but it was worth it.

After a vacation in Hawaii, Smith and her son welcomed a little boy named Bear into their home—he forever changed the family's world.

Smith soon learned Bear's birth mom was pregnant, and they could get a call about another sibling placement whenever the child was born. Smith was nervous about juggling two kids and didn't know if she could manage three.

The Unexpected Phone Call

When Lilou was born, Smith didn't hesitate to welcome her into their home. She said: "Just like with Bear, I felt [Lilou] was staying forever from the first moment I met her."

Smith was caught off guard when she received a call about another child several months after Lilou joined them. Auggie was a fragile little one with health issues, and Smith knew she needed to be there for him.

His life was not easy, and many details in his story were heartbreaking. While it was tough fostering three kids amid raising her adopted son, Smith did her best.

Their Lives Changed Forever

When Smith later got a call from Child Protective Services (CPS), she had a feeling it would change her life significantly once more. Nobody had been aware, but Bear and Lilou's birth mother had welcomed another child into the world, baby Luca.

Smith was shocked and told the CPS official they must be kidding—but they were not. Smith didn't want to separate siblings but adding another child into the mix was not a decision to be taken lightly. Smith shared:

"Within a few breaths, I said yes. A few hours later Luca arrived home and made it very clear he was exactly where he belonged."

The Mother's Heartwarming Message

Smith adopted Bear, Lilou, Auggie, and Luca, and in July 2022, another baby girl arrived at her home. The mother was busy with the process of adopting her and couldn't believe how her kids had changed her world.

She was proud of her little ones and always told them how special and loved they were. While they don't share Smith's DNA, they are family nonetheless. Smith added:

"My family is one born of brokenness, but it is a family all the same. Every night we say the same thing, 'I am kind, I am smart, I am important because God made me. God made me good and He never makes mistakes. I am wanted.'"

Smith is a wonderful mother, and her kids are lucky to have her—she is equally blessed to have them in her life. We wish them many happy years together.

Click here for another beautiful adoption story. A single man adopted six needy children. The love he has for them will melt your heart.