It's something we've never done before on Adopt 8, check back in with a success story family years later. It's been a decade since we first met these kids.
In one of our Adopt 8 segments on March 2001, we profiled three-year-old Randi, a happy little girl who loved to play, and Kevin, who was just one, and slightly behind in his development.
But two years later, in 2003, we featured the kids again along with their new parents, Joe and Jennifer. Both Randi and Kevin were thriving.
"When Kevin came to live with us, he was just 15 pounds, he was 18-months-old, he was just barely there. He would cry when someone came into the room. When he started with us, he sprouted," explained Joe.
And, the sky's been the limit for both Kevin and Randi ever since. Kevin has just one word to describe his life: amazing.
Kevin and Randi say this amazing life with their wonderful parents is the only life they've known.
"They've done so much for me throughout the years," noted Kevin.
They have no memory of what life was like before being adopted.
"If I look back, I don't remember it, but I'm glad they adopted me," said Kevin.
And they are both eternally grateful.
"I'm so happy. I love my parents. I'm doing everything I want because of them. I'm doing cheer at my high school, basically I have everything I want and I have my parents to thank for it," said Randi. "We watch the old Adopt 8 stories, and I don't really think about what life could have been if they didn't. I'm just glad that I was adopted by such a loving family."
Looking back, Jennifer, who only wanted to adopt one child, is so glad Joe talked her into adopted a sibling set.
"We took two kids, and it was crazy, but we wouldn't change a thing. It's been such a blessing in our lives," added Jennifer. "It was crazy at first because we went out to dinner and the next day we had two kids."
Two kids who share a bond like none other.
"I love having a little brother that has been with me my entire life and he does cool things. He was recently in The Grinch at the Old Globe," said Randi.
"We did one scene where we were begging for prizes, and the dance was like, ‘give us prizes, who surprises, give us jimmies and jammies galore,'" sang Kevin.
"He makes me so proud that he goes out and does big things like that," continued Randi. "And I know one day I'll be able to say, ‘you know that kid on Broadway, that's my brother.'"
Through the years, people have assumed this family of four has been together from the start, because Randi and Kevin look a lot like their parents.
"It's kind of funny when we're out with them, someone will say to her, ‘oh you have pretty blue eyes like your mama' and she'll say, ‘thank you,' and she'll kind of laugh inside and say, ‘oh if you only knew,'" said Jennifer.
But every chance they get, Jennifer and Joe still promote adoption and say the creation of their beautiful family through adoption was simply meant to be.
"I still think it's a great way to make a family," said Jennifer. "We still encourage people, who want to make a family, to look into adoption. We wouldn't change a thing."
If you're interested in adopting or becoming a foster family, call 1-877-I-ADOPT-U.
To meet other children in foster care and discover how you can help restore their hope, please click here.
