CASTLE ROCK, Colo. -- Many families will be giving thanks this week for adoption.
November is National Adoption Month, bringing attention to the nearly 150 million children worldwide who are orphans, according to World Orphan Relief.
One of those thankful families is the Cowdrey family of Castle Rock.
They adopted 19-month-old, Abby, at birth. Abby was born 13 weeks premature.
At the time, doctors didn't know if Abby would walk or talk, and they warned her adoptive family she might also be blind and deaf.
But, Abby is beating the odds and has grown into a happy, healthy little girl with three older siblings.
Abby has some corrective lenses she still wears as her eyes strengthen, but is otherwise healthy.
"God's just had his hand on her from the day she was born," said Abby’s dad, Brian Cowdrey.
"We're not perfect parents by any means,” said Season Cowdrey, Abby’s mom. “And we mess up all the time. But, we know that our kids go to bed at night feeling safe. And loved."
An estimated 800 children are adopted in Colorado each year, according to the North American Council on Adoptable Children.
“She is the happiest baby I have ever, ever known," said Season Cowdrey. “People say, ‘Wow, she’s really lucky.’ But, actually, we’re really lucky to have her.”
The Cowdrey’s used Nightlight Christian Adoptions based in Longmont.
“The blessings have abundantly outweighed the hardships,” said Brian Cowdrey.
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