Family officially adopts five-year-old after fostering her for nearly 2000 days: 'Really gratifying'

After 1,954 days, a New York-based family officially adopted a 5-year-old girl who had been in their care since she was 2 months old, reported PEOPLE. Cindy and Jeffrey Moore shared with Good Morning America that they have "had very high hopes" from the beginning that "we would get to keep Cece long term and be able to adopt her into our family."

"We're ecstatic that it finally, finally got to that point," Jeffrey said. "It's really, really gratifying for us." According to the outlet, the family from Depew, New York, first considered foster care after experiencing infertility years ago, and they have been certified foster parents since 2015. They are said to have welcomed more than 30 children into their home over the last eight years. 

Cece was supposed to spend the night at their house when they first met her, but the universe had better plans. "Once we saw her cute little face, we jokingly told them, 'If you need a place long term, let us know,'" Cindy revealed. "The next day, they said, 'You know, if you're serious about it, we could really use a long-term placement for her.' Here we are over five years later, and that long-term placement has now become a forever home for her."

"We're very blessed" she added. The family posed for sweet photos with Cece's adoption papers at Erie County Family Court on May 11, and she even brought a cute plush toy and a heart-touching sign to her special day. The text on her sign read, "I've been in foster care for 1,954 days. Today, I'm being adopted!"

At the courthouse, young Cece told ABC affiliate WKBW-TV that she's "so excited to be here." The Moore family worked closely with Child and Family Services. According to Mary Czopp, the agency's Chief Development Officer, there are 60 certified foster parents in Erie County and 300 children are looking for a forever home. "My mom and dad are so nice," Cece added. "I love them." 

While fostering can be challenging, the family says it's a rewarding experience no matter how it ends. "In the five years she has been with us, we've always known there is the potential of her to be going home. So there are ups and downs cause you do get emotionally attached to kids, especially little cute ones like this. Something that I think that people need to go into foster care knowing is that the primary goal is always reunification with the family," Cindy shared. "And if that doesn't happen, then you can go down the adoption route."

As they say, "It's not where you come from. It's where you belong." The couple has already adopted two other children through foster care and are currently in the process of adopting another child. "The same day that Cece was actually adopted, we found out that her half-brother that we've been fostering has been freed for adoption," Cindy said. "So we'll be starting the adoption process with him as well."

Jeffrey wants families to know that adopting a child can make a difference in their lives. "I always tell people you take a chance you’d be surprised you know how rewarding it is for both of you and the children in the house," he said. "We've had very sweet kids come and go through our home, but luckily this one isn't going anywhere," Cindy added.