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Many Thorns, Yet Still Roses: Breaking the Silence with Our Story of Sibling Group Adoption
“A must read for all parents,” and “ true testament of faith!”
There I was, in the middle of a crowd, realizing how alone I felt. Life after adopting a sibling group was heavy, and I didn’t know how to share the load. I’d failed to connect with outside friends and family in previous attempts, and was scared to try again. However, deep inside, I knew that fear should not be my deciding emotion. Fear wouldn’t be the reason I stayed quiet and alone. So, I focused on my hope for something better, instead.
I prayed a while, and heard God’s urge for me to open a window that allows others to see inside our trauma family. It felt clear that He would use our chaos and adventure to let others see how to better understand, relate to, and support the trauma families around them, so that no one in adoptive transitions should ever feel alone, especially in a crowd. When my husband and children gave their blessing to share the excitement and devastation of our first year as an adoptive family, I felt affirmed. They all wanted something different for other children in similar circumstances, just as much as I wanted something different for other moms like me.
As a family, we worked to recall every intense low and heartwarming high of our transitional year, and we invite you to both laugh and cry with us through our story. We don’t claim to be better or worse than any other family, but the context of our experience will bring light to a style of family that should no longer be feeling forgotten.
There I was, in the middle of a crowd, realizing how alone I felt. Life after adopting a sibling group was heavy, and I didn’t know how to share the load. I’d failed to connect with outside friends and family in previous attempts, and was scared to try again. However, deep inside, I knew that fear should not be my deciding emotion. Fear wouldn’t be the reason I stayed quiet and alone. So, I focused on my hope for something better, instead.
I prayed a while, and heard God’s urge for me to open a window that allows others to see inside our trauma family. It felt clear that He would use our chaos and adventure to let others see how to better understand, relate to, and support the trauma families around them, so that no one in adoptive transitions should ever feel alone, especially in a crowd. When my husband and children gave their blessing to share the excitement and devastation of our first year as an adoptive family, I felt affirmed. They all wanted something different for other children in similar circumstances, just as much as I wanted something different for other moms like me.
As a family, we worked to recall every intense low and heartwarming high of our transitional year, and we invite you to both laugh and cry with us through our story. We don’t claim to be better or worse than any other family, but the context of our experience will bring light to a style of family that should no longer be feeling forgotten.
- GenresAdoption
382 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2018
33 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 22, 2018
Raising five kids is hard, raising five kids who have dealt with abuse, trauma, neglect and abandonment is even harder. There were times I wasn't the biggest fan of Jessica, she was a bit too something I can't quite put my finger on but darn if I wasn't cheering her and her family on. I'm glad she and her husband were able to give these five kids stability, love, rules and resources to help them work through their various traumas and become the kids they were meant to be.
August 26, 2018
I read with awe this memoir of a couple, Jessie and Jordan who answered a call on their life to adopt a sibling group of five children. To say yes to adopting five children would take so much self-sacrifice and this couple did so willingly to give five damaged and traumatised children a loving home. Jessie tells the story from the start, of making the decision and the whole process they went through. Once the children are part of their family the challenges and the magnitude of what they have taken on unfolds. Each child has complex issues that takes so much patience, wisdom and unwavering love to manage. All five children need specialised care and counselling and Jessie and Jordan tackle each challenge together. The issues and problems they go through, only very special and gifted people would continue and not give up. Even with the doubts and tears that are shed along the way they know that God is with them and He is faithful. All the best for the future Jessie and Jordan. You are amazing!
January 13, 2020
Many Thorns, Yet Still Roses is a remarkable book written by a remarkable woman supported by a remarkable husband. In eloquent and straightforward terms, Jessie Gallaher tells what it is like to bring up five adopted children – twice the size of the typical American family.
With a desire to help the severely disadvantaged, the backing and love of her husband and a fundamental faith in God and in humanity, the author succeeds in a more daunting task than most of us can even begin to imagine.
This is a truly inspirational read for anyone – whether or not adoption has touched them in any way. It shows how good intentions, common sense, a trust in what is best in human nature and unbounding love achieve.
Like me, you will give thanks for people in this world as admirable as Jessie and Jordan Gallaher.
With a desire to help the severely disadvantaged, the backing and love of her husband and a fundamental faith in God and in humanity, the author succeeds in a more daunting task than most of us can even begin to imagine.
This is a truly inspirational read for anyone – whether or not adoption has touched them in any way. It shows how good intentions, common sense, a trust in what is best in human nature and unbounding love achieve.
Like me, you will give thanks for people in this world as admirable as Jessie and Jordan Gallaher.
March 17, 2018
An eye opening story about real life adoption
After being a juvenile probation officer a long time ago, I have seen the dishearteningly cruel childhoods that some have had to endure. Often, those children never find a way out or find anyone who truly cares about them much less someone to love them.
Jessie and Jordan’s story of adopting a sibling group of five reveals the tragic damage that many children are left with after abuse and neglect. Jessie is also, however, able to show God’s work and the impact that hope and love can have on a child (or children) that desperately need help.
It is also an eye opening story of the dedication, hard work, and persistence it takes to be a good parent to children coming from traumatic backgrounds.
I highly recommend this book to anyone considering adoption or anyone who would like a glimpse into a world often hidden from view.
Thank you Jessie for telling your story and letting all of us into your lives.
After being a juvenile probation officer a long time ago, I have seen the dishearteningly cruel childhoods that some have had to endure. Often, those children never find a way out or find anyone who truly cares about them much less someone to love them.
Jessie and Jordan’s story of adopting a sibling group of five reveals the tragic damage that many children are left with after abuse and neglect. Jessie is also, however, able to show God’s work and the impact that hope and love can have on a child (or children) that desperately need help.
It is also an eye opening story of the dedication, hard work, and persistence it takes to be a good parent to children coming from traumatic backgrounds.
I highly recommend this book to anyone considering adoption or anyone who would like a glimpse into a world often hidden from view.
Thank you Jessie for telling your story and letting all of us into your lives.
March 21, 2018
I enjoyed every minute of this book. The honesty and truth shared through experience is wonderful and shows the unconditional love of parents for their children.
March 27, 2018
Couldn't put it down!
This was an inspiring story of one family's journey to adoption. It was a clear look into the processes and challenges in foster care and adoption. Full of insights for all parents and anyone supporting a family in this process.
This was an inspiring story of one family's journey to adoption. It was a clear look into the processes and challenges in foster care and adoption. Full of insights for all parents and anyone supporting a family in this process.
August 20, 2019
This is about a couple who adopted a sibling set of five, each of whom came into their family with significant development, health, and trauma issues. It is a book to read if you or someone you love has made a similar choice. It isn’t a book to read if you’re looking for a well-written book. For one thing, she uses too many exclamation points(!). Also, I find the cheeriness a bit grating, but I’m learning that I like dark more than I’d like to admit. Also, it is just plain too long. As a book. But, that said, I still highly recommend this book if, like I said, you or someone you love has made a similar choice. I have kids like this in my life and because I love them and the family they are in, I want to be educated, informed, compassionate, empathetic, and not a burden or a pain or a snooty know-it-all.
February 13, 2020
I couldn’t put this book down! While I have only fostered two toddlers in my lifetime, I have many friends who have fostered and have taken classes with individuals who have encountered similar experiences as the author. I chose to read this book because I felt it would be good to peek into the life of a family who had done a sibling group adoption (something I am interested in.) I also felt reading this would help me better understand those who are on this path currently. I don’t think you really understand the severity of it all in a quick conversation and so honestly a 400 page book really is required to provide and shape context. I am glad that this story was shared with others and will continue to recommend it to anyone who is considering this path.
February 25, 2019
Superior
Book is more than than the title states. They book provides insight into foster care, foster care requirements and limitations, trauma, diagnoses, behaviors, treatments, foster to adoption and adoption. It also provides a glimpse into family, friends and strangers view and treat you and your family. This book pertains not only to sibling group adoptions but to single child adoptions and foster care families. The book validates everything I dealt with after adopting child. The book night me a peace of mind and support knowing I'm not allow in the battle to save a child and more children in the future.
Book is more than than the title states. They book provides insight into foster care, foster care requirements and limitations, trauma, diagnoses, behaviors, treatments, foster to adoption and adoption. It also provides a glimpse into family, friends and strangers view and treat you and your family. This book pertains not only to sibling group adoptions but to single child adoptions and foster care families. The book validates everything I dealt with after adopting child. The book night me a peace of mind and support knowing I'm not allow in the battle to save a child and more children in the future.
March 27, 2018
I have several friends who are foster parents or adoptive parents (or both), so I found this book to be really enlightening. I love how honest it is. I had no idea some of the struggles adoptive/foster parents go through. It really makes you see people differently and not judge so quickly. I think this book will help me have a better understanding of what my friends' are going through and help me be a better support for them.
May 27, 2019
Realistic Read
No one can truly prepare you to be a parent, but this is especially so when you foster/adopt children coming from broken places. This is a good book to read in preparation of your journey and know that you are going to heavily lean on God. Humor and good friends are also part of the equation. My heart breaks that there are so many trauma kids out there and the situations are just getting worse.
No one can truly prepare you to be a parent, but this is especially so when you foster/adopt children coming from broken places. This is a good book to read in preparation of your journey and know that you are going to heavily lean on God. Humor and good friends are also part of the equation. My heart breaks that there are so many trauma kids out there and the situations are just getting worse.
June 4, 2020
Such a good book! I highly recommended . Was hard ti put down to do life, till I was done reading :) thank you Jesse for putting in words so many emotions , struggles, fears, hope and thank you for advocating and educateing about foster care and adoption. very inspiring read! bless you and your beautiful family ❤
Such a good book .I'm a froster mama and recommend this book to everyone. Very inspiring and a real page-turner!
Such a good book .I'm a froster mama and recommend this book to everyone. Very inspiring and a real page-turner!
April 4, 2018
Eye-opening personal account of the realities of adoption
This family has been through so much. Their story demonstrates that faith and perseverance has gotten them where they are. Reading this book helped me understand what adoptive families go through and will help me to be more empathetic in the future.
This family has been through so much. Their story demonstrates that faith and perseverance has gotten them where they are. Reading this book helped me understand what adoptive families go through and will help me to be more empathetic in the future.
February 6, 2020
Stressful read but very enjoyable
Wow, what an ordeal. This is an excellent example of parenting, patience, reliance on God, and many other things. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book despite the stress from being fully involved in her descriptions of the tantrums and such. Really well written!
Wow, what an ordeal. This is an excellent example of parenting, patience, reliance on God, and many other things. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book despite the stress from being fully involved in her descriptions of the tantrums and such. Really well written!
April 10, 2018
Wonderful bookauttheator
I loved every word and chapter.threatens is really about loving the hard to love and giving of oneself for others... Think about this book when you see some parents with a difficult chip with limiter resources
I loved every word and chapter.threatens is really about loving the hard to love and giving of oneself for others... Think about this book when you see some parents with a difficult chip with limiter resources
April 6, 2018
I loved this memoir. I could relate to her so much.
May 4, 2018
Great read, truthful yet uplifting, inspiring !
I couldn't put it down!! Very recognizable , the struggles, the heartbreak and yes the small triumphs. Powerful and uplifting!
I couldn't put it down!! Very recognizable , the struggles, the heartbreak and yes the small triumphs. Powerful and uplifting!
September 23, 2018
Excellent book in this genre
I read a lot of memoirs about adopting. This one feels really honest and is well written. I can't imagine having the stamina to live this.
I read a lot of memoirs about adopting. This one feels really honest and is well written. I can't imagine having the stamina to live this.
June 23, 2019
Amazing insight into adopting from foster care.
April 11, 2018
Inspiring
The author of this book is inspiring to me as a mother. She takes each challenge head on and never lets nay-sayers get her down. A must read for all who deal with kids in any capacity.
The author of this book is inspiring to me as a mother. She takes each challenge head on and never lets nay-sayers get her down. A must read for all who deal with kids in any capacity.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews