Latrell Higgins has experienced some things in life that have not been picture perfect.  We know that children who are part of the foster care system, like Latrell was, wish they have simple, normal things that so many of us take for granted.  Things like a family with good and loving memories, and the pictures that memorialize relationships, growth, and special life events.

About two years ago,   Kelli and Daniel Higgins received a call from social services about a brother and sister in need of a family.  Though they had five children already, and a sixth one on the way, Daniel made the amazing, life changing decision by simply stating, “Let’s go for it.”  Latrell and his sister Chanya, then 10 and 5 were adopted and became a part of the Higgins family.

As the family sat around the dinner table doing what normal families do, Kelli, who happens to be a professional photographer, mentioned the newborn baby shoot she had planned for the next day.  Latrell, now 13, mentioned how he wished he had newborn pictures of himself.

The family had a good laugh, but Kelli, with a mom’s heart found this situation to be bittersweet.  She posted this on her photography facebook:

“So today the Higgins family were sitting around the dinner table talking about anything and everything and the subject of newborn photography came up… my 13 year old adopted son announced that he wished he had newborn Photos of himself! My funny 12 year old daughter thought it would be brilliant if we “recreated” the shoot with our now 13 year old son! We all started laughing at the idea of Latrell in all those cute newborn poses…. so tomorrow that is exactly what we are going to do!! Lol!!!! ”

The next day, she and Latrell entered into her studio and laughed hysterically through this, most special photo shoot.

  Kelli posted these results with the caption, “Here’s my sweet not so little Newborn! His name is Latrell and weighs 112lbs ;)”

 

As Latrell’s story and these pictures have gone viral since she posted them a few weeks ago, Kelli has shared that older children also need to be adopted and loved.  She writes:

“I am completely humbled this morning after realizing my “newborn shoot” with my adopted son Latrell has been shared so many times! I have been reading all the comments by people who don’t know Latrell and myself and I’ve been laughing and crying all at the same time. I feel this has been such a fun way to spread the word about adopting older children and that they really are just “big babies” needing a mothers love. We are never too old to desire love and security and parents!! Thank you all for your sweet loving messages and comments and thank you for sharing my photo.  Love Kelli”

No, Kelli Higgins, THANK YOU.  Your willingness to open your loving home and heart and to adopt two children in need, is inspirational in and of itself.  Now, through your creativity and mother’s love for your son, you have touched so many of us.  Thank you for sharing, as you have created a much needed platform for the 250,000 children who enter the United States Foster Care System annually.

If you are considering adopting, there are many children in need right now. Go to the following website for more info:  https://www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/adoptive/foster_care.cfm