Three Boys Celebrate Mother's Day

After years in foster care, three brothers find a home

By MICHAEL RODDEN, The Daily Sentinel

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Mother's Day is exceptionally special to the Whaleys of Nacogdoches. James and Ulanda Whaley adopted three children a year ago, and on May 20, Rodrick, 3, Raymond, 5, and Rodney, 6, will celebrate having lived in the Whaley home for a year.

"We've been married for 11 years, and we have always had kids of family members and from church over," Ulanda said. "We decided to adopt children and not be foster parents because we knew we would get attached to them."

James and Ulanda instantly fell in love with Rodrick, Raymond and Rodney when they met. They would bring them to their home for visits on weekends and wouldn't want to take them back to their foster home, she said.

The children moved in with James and Ulanda in May, and in December, the children were officially adopted into the family.

After two-and-a-half years in foster care, the three brothers finally found a home together.

Ulanda said Mother's Day makes her feel "humble."

"I love spending time with my family," Ulanda said. "They call me 'momma,' and that always reminds me they are here to stay."

Ulanda is a stay-at-home mom, and James works at Texas Farm Products, and he is also the pastor of Hills Chapel Baptist Church.

"They are a blessing to us," James said, "We often think about how good God has been to us."

The church has also been an influence on the children, as well, as all three enjoy singing songs at church. They said their favorite song to sing is "I'm in Love with Jesus Christ."

"All they needed was a chance to grow up, be safe and make something of themselves," Ulanda said. "We were willing to open our door and hearts to give them that chance."

She said she enjoys watching the boys grow and change and finds it interesting how each brother has his own unique traits. They each have their own favorite foods, and she pointed out how each has his own special interests.

Ulanda said Rodney enjoys reading and spelling, Raymond enjoys electronics and gadgets, and Rodrick likes playing outside and riding his bike.

Ulanda also points out that Rodrick's birthday is the same as her father's, and they also share the same middle name. "It was meant to be," she said.

The three brothers are planning to surprise their mother with "top-secret" gifts they are making. They didn't want to ruin the surprise.

James, said he enjoys making memories with the boys. He has taken them "crawfishing" and likes to give Ulanda some time while he and the boys watch "Gunsmoke" and "The Andy Griffith Show," which are their favorites.

"If we had a bigger house, I would like to adopt a girl," Ulanda said.

Marleigh Meisner, a public information officer for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, said it's hard to find parents like the Whaleys who are willing to adopt a whole sibling group.

"We try to keep families together," she said. "It's better for the children. We never want children languishing in foster care, so we try to go out and recruit families for them."