Beth Gawlowicz knew her husband J.J. would hit it off with Jahid when she heard the 10-year-old rattle off his list of favorite things. Spaghetti? Check. Sports? Check. Digital photography? Check. A love of bad jokes? They were practically twins!

It was June 2004 when Beth and J.J. met their future children for the first time. They were at a local McDonalds, and before they knew it, four-year-old Karam was ducking behind J.J.’s legs while playing hide and seek with her brothers, Jahid and Hamee, eight. While Jahid loved talking about his hobbies, Hamee sat quietly in the middle, smiling occasionally and taking it all in.

Although Beth and J.J. previously had doubts about adopting three children together, once they met the kids, they didn’t question their decision. “We were in love from that moment on,” Beth said.

It was just a few months later when the three siblings moved in. It was supposed to have been only a weekend visit, but Hurricane Jeanne changed that. Because they didn’t want to risk driving the kids during bad weather, the case workers decided to keep the kids with the Gawlowiczes for an extended period. Things went so well, the children stayed for good, helping to paint and decorate their bedrooms in their favorite colors.

According to J.J., the transition was surprisingly smooth, though of course it did have its awkward moments. In fact, when the Gawlowiczes speak to families taking The Children’s Home MAPP (Model Approaches to Partnerships in Parenting) classes, they like to emphasize the positive aspects of fostering or adopting children. “Sometimes it’s easy to go overboard in trying to prepare families for what might happen or go wrong,” J.J. said. “We like to show how there are a lot of good times too.”

The children have adjusted to their new family life so well, all three made honor roll at Grace Christian School, where they are allowed to study at their own pace. Moreover, Karam completed the highest number of paces in the entire school last year.

And all three children, now ages seven, twelve and thirteen, were thrilled to take part in National Adoption Day last year. Their adoption was finalized November 17, 2006 at the Hillsborough County Courthouse.

According to Beth, while the foster or adoption process can sometimes be challenging, “It is definitely worthwhile,” she said. “There are a lot of great kids to love out there.”

To find out more about fostering or adopting a child, please contact Ed Tokarz, Adoption Specialist, at (813) 864-1434.