Adoption Day in Michigan

MICHIGAN (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Tuesday, the focus was on adoption in the State of Michigan as state workers looked to find children statewide a good home.

There are approximately 6,100 children in foster care whose parents' rights have been terminated, right now over 4,100 are eligible for adoption. Many families celebrated this annual event by growing their families through the legal adoption process.

One of Tuesday's big events was held in Ottawa County, and Newschannel 3 was there.

11 different families adopted a total of 13 kids in Ottawa County Tuesday.

It was a big day for eight-month-old Lucy, a day she's too young to be able to remember, but it was the day her adoption became official.

"It was quite an exciting, exhilarating feeling that we were going to have the chance to be parents," said Tim Russ and Nora Salas, who became Lucy's parents Tuesday, "it was like a dream.

Tim and Nora have been married for six years, they'd been trying to have children from the beginning and about a year ago, decided to adopt. They said that "Lucy is a joy to our family."

Every adoption story is a little different, for 12-year-old T.J., the road to adoption has been a long one. T.J.'s been through the process before, his last adoption fell through because the parents changed their minds. But for the Neitrings, it was never a question.

"Now he knows he's a part of our family," said April Neitring, T.J.'s mom, "it's an awesome feeling."

Al and April Neitring have three adult children, and have been foster parents for about 15 years. After living with T.J. for two years, the Neitrings decided to make him a permanent member of the family.

"When you know, you just know in your heart," April said, "it's good for T.J. and I know he's gonna be a good fit."