Families Find Ways To Trim Back

Amy and Greg Eversmeyer of Leesburg know the joys of adoption.

They adopted a newborn, Lily, a year ago through a private agency. The Eversmeyers, who have two older, biological sons, said their family is complete with Lily.

"We feel so fulfilled and happy that she's with us," said Amy Eversmeyer, who works as an adoption social worker with the Barker Foundation. "People tell us we're heroes for 'saving' Lily, but really, we feel like Lily has saved us."

In honor of Adoption Awareness Month, the Department of Family Services and the Virginia Women Attorneys Association of Loudoun co-sponsored an Adoption Day Ceremony on Nov. 15 at the county courthouse in Leesburg.

Nine Loudoun families who collectively adopted 10 infants and children were honored and recognized by Circuit Court Judge Thomas D. Horne. After the ceremony, the families were treated to a reception and a free concert in celebration National Adoption Day.

To find out more about being a foster parent or adoption, call 703-737-8824 or e-mail francie.beverage@loudoun.gov.

Or make plans to attend the Adoption Information Fair at Dulles Town Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 7. Representatives from the Department of Family Services, the Virginia Women Attorneys Association, private adoption agencies and adoption lawyers will be available to answer questions about the adoption process.