Adoption awareness month

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Story Published: Nov 2, 2009 at 5:58 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 2, 2009 at 6:40 PM MST

By Danica Lawrence

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Three-month old Andy has a new mother- And lucky for him, his birth mother is still very involved in his life.

"Andrea just means a lot to us," says new adoptive mother, Elisha Sheppard. "I got the stretch marks and she didn't have to," says birth mother, Andrea Hamilton. "We just think of her as our angel," explained Sheppard.

Elisha Sheppard and her husband were waiting since February to adopt a baby.

"We had been trying to have kids for 5 and 1/2 years and we were ready, and we were so lucky and so blessed it happened really fast," says Sheppard.

Both women attended the Mayor's proclamation signing this morning, along with several adoptive parents... raising awareness about why adoption is so important.

"We want to support adoption in every way we can and the only way to put a positive spin on adoption is to support it and show people that it is a positive thing," says adoptive mother Amanda Taylor- who is also adopted.

Adoption awareness month is especially dear to Mayor Jared Fuhriman and his wife, they have been foster parents for more than 11 years.

"We had an opportunity that came before us with some children that were really struggling and had been taken out of a home and we are fortunate to have them with us," says Idaho Falls Mayor, Jared Fuhriman.

Adoptions have increased so much statewide, the Federal government has granted Idaho $400,000 for an adoption incentive fund.

"Last year we completed 330, adoptions, and the year prior tot that we completed 237 so we increased by 100 adoptions," says Adoption and Foster Care Supervisor for region VII, Kathryn McDermott, L.S.W.

Not only is Idaho falls recognizing November as Adoption awareness month, but the community has contacted Governor Butch Otter to have statewide recognition too. For Channel Three Eyewitness News, I'm Danica Lawrence.

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