November is National Adoption Month, a time to celebrate the families who open their hearts and homes to children in need, and to highlight the power of love, patience, and dedication in the adoption journey. This month, we are proud to share the story of Ruthie and the Logsdon family—a story of resilience, hope, and unwavering commitment.
Ruthie entered the Logsdon’s’ home at just 2.5 years old. Before that, she had experienced multiple foster homes in a short period, including emergency foster homes. In March 2023, she was welcomed into the Logsdon’s home, beginning a journey that would span 2.5 years until her adoption was finalized at 5.5 years old. During that time, Ruthie blossomed in a home where she felt safe, loved, and supported.
From the very beginning, the Logsdons’ commitment to Ruthie was clear. With reunification as the primary goal, the Logsdons wholeheartedly supported that plan and remained patient and steady, all while ensuring Ruthie’s needs were always front and center.
“It was clear they were in it for the long haul from the beginning. We had to have conversations about reunification being the primary option and to guard their hearts, but they were always ready to support Ruthie no matter what.”
During her time with the Logsdons, Ruthie grew in countless ways. She reached new developmental milestones, gained confidence in everyday skills, and discovered the joy of playing, learning, and exploring in a safe and nurturing home. Surrounded by steady support, she began to flourish — growing not only in security and belonging, but in the practical, day-to-day ways every child should have the chance to grow.
“She has absolutely blossomed. Even early on, it was clear that Ruthie felt safe, loved, and supported by the Logsdon’s, and the longer she was with them, the more they truly became mom and dad to her.”
The journey was not without challenges. Ruthie experienced periods of uncertainty, navigating multiple placements and the complex emotions of being in limbo.
“There were so many moments when we had to hold our hearts loosely. From the beginning, we knew reunification was the primary goal, and we had to be open to that possibility no matter how deeply we loved Ruthie. The long case, the many opportunities given to her biological parents, the confusion that comes with being in limbo — it was all incredibly hard.”
At Coyote Hill, we supported the Logsdons every step of the way—licensing them as kinship foster parents, providing an advocate throughout the case and post-adoption, and offering resources like Christmas, Thanksgiving, food assistance, and respite nights. We also helped structure visits with her biological parents in our Family Connection’s home to minimize disappointment and ensure Ruthie felt safe and cared for during those times.
Some of the most memorable milestones came as Ruthie formed a deep bond with her forever family. One moment that will stay with us forever was the first time Ruthie called the Logsdons “Mom” and “Dad.” It wasn’t prompted or planned — it happened naturally, in the middle of an ordinary day, and it stopped everyone in their tracks. After so many months of uncertainty and transition, hearing those words was a powerful sign of the trust and safety she had found with them. Not long after, she began proudly introducing herself with their family name, a reflection of how deeply she felt connected and at home. It was a beautiful glimpse of the bond that had formed long before the adoption was finalized.
Christina, the mom, shared Ruth 1:16 at the adoption celebration: “But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”
When asked what advice they would share with other families considering foster care or adoption, the Logsdons emphasized:
“Talk to other people who have lived it — their honesty and experience help you understand the realities of foster care and adoption in a way nothing else can. This journey isn’t something you should walk alone. Truly, I don’t know what we would have done without Coyote Hill. They were there through every moment of uncertainty, every hard visit, every big emotion. Their support helped carry us through some of the toughest days and reminded us that hope was always worth holding onto.”
Ruthie’s story is a beautiful example of how love, dedication, and community support can transform a child’s life. As we celebrate National Adoption Month, we honor families like the Logsdon’s who open their hearts and homes. Every journey is unique, but every story underscores the same truth: children thrive when they have permanency.
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