More than 6,000 Texas children are waiting to be adopted. Child Protective Services has removed them from their homes because of abuse or neglect. On Tuesday, eight of those Williamson County children had their lives forever changed.
The tears shed in Judge Michael Jergins Williamson County courtroom were tears of joy.
"Are you promising Judge Jerkins that you will always love her and be the best parent you can be?" ask the attorney.
"Yes I will," said Wade Klimple.
The Klimples were there to legally adopt his 8-year-old granddaughter Mikaila. She'd been living with them for more than two years. This process made her legally theirs.
"Mikaila needed stability in her life. She just needed a mom. She needed someone, somewhere she could call home," said Marlene Klimple.
"She had a lot of friends in school. She's doing wonderful in school," added Wade.
For Mikaila, it's a day she's looked forward to for a long time, and there was clearly a best part.
"That I just get to be their daughter," she said.
The Klimples were one of six families here celebrating the first ever National Adoption Day in Williamson County. Eight children were given a permanent home.
Stability is what brought the Allen's there. Donnie Allen's niece is 2-year-old Alajih's mother.
"She was having problems with CPS, so we decided we would adopt him and raise him like our own. Which he is -- he's our blood. He's our great nephew," said Donnie Allen.
Alajih has been living with the Allen's for two years -- almost his entire life. They wanted this day and this process for him.
"Mostly for Alajih. To make sure he's got somebody in his life that is going to be there for him," said his newly adoptive parent, Beatrice Allen.
And it's not just this day, but for everyday, for the rest of his life.
Eighty-six children in Williamson County are still waiting to be adopted.
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