A bigger family…means a full home

If you are a grandparent, you know how grandchildren play a big part in your life.

For David Rodriguez and his wife, this is a well-known fact.

The couple has been raising their 4 grandchildren since they were young boys, and on Monday, they gave the boys an adopted forever home.

The boys remained in the care of David and his wife after their birth parents were not able to properly care for them.

The couple said for years they have felt an uneasy feeling, never knowing whether the boys would be able to stay with them permanently.

“I think it’s about time that we get them a stable home and do something for them, and give them someplace to be and not worry about their future,” David Rodriguez said.

The couple has been raising their 11-year-old twin grandchildren since they were babies according to David.

After years of paperwork and court appearances, the uneasy feeling stopped.

“It’s a big weight off our shoulders, I mean going back to court and talking to different people and trying to justify things, it’s finally over with,” David said.

Not nervous, but instead excited.

That’s how David describes the four boys’ emotions today as the adoption was finalized at the Yuma County Juvenile Justice Center.

“They’ve been really energetic, and asking a lot of questions, and they are ready to move on with their lives also,” David said.

David said that it is still difficult for the boys to be away from their birth mother, but he and his wife make sure the boys know she will always be a part of them.

“We instill in them that their birth mom is still their birth mom and always will be, but we are their parents now,” he said.

Not often enough in adoption situations, siblings are not able to stay together.

This was not the case for the 4 Rodriguez boys.

“I think it’s great because that was one of our biggest obstacles, the state and everyone else was trying to separate them from us, and finally we won,” David said.

David wants grandparents like him to know that the adoption process is not easy.

“You have to go through strenuous interviews, background checks, you get strange people in your house inspecting your house making sure everything is safe,” he said.

The oldest brother, 13-year-old Joshua Rodriguez, is excited to start his new life with his grandparents.

“It’s being a part of a complete whole family, and now I can live in a safe place without all these paperwork when we are trying to do things as a whole family,” he said.

Being the oldest brother, Joshua knew it would be important to look out for his siblings.

“I love my brothers, I like taking care of them, and having our whole family together,” he said.

The boys’ cousin, Danielle Lovvorn-Rodriguez, has helped raise the boys since they were young.

Danielle has lived with her grandparents as well for a few years now.

“I’ve been there since day one, I have always tried my best to keep them happy, do things for them,” she said.

“It’s a great feeling that they are going to have a home and not have to worry about anything whatsoever to the point where I am now comfortable to take them camping, hiking, they are about to belong to us so it’s a great feeling,” she added.

Danielle is most thankful that the boys are able to stay together, “it was my biggest fear was that what if they all got separated, that would bring more anxiety and depression in their lives that they do not need,” she said.

Danielle is very happy to be a part of the boy’s lives and can’t wait to see how they will continue to grow as a forever family.