There's nothing more wonderful than giving a child a home. Well, apart from giving six a home, of course.
Yet that's what big-hearted Lacey Dunkin did - and all six kids are from the same clan. Just three months after signing up to become an adoptive parent, the Californian woman got a call from a social worker regarding emergency foster care for four sisters.
And Lacey didn't hesitate to take in Sophia (9), seven-year-old twins Natalie and Melanie and Kaylee (6).
The girls had another sister, Lea, who was a baby and was sent with someone who could look after her.
"It just always felt right, from the first moment I met them, I knew they had a special place in my heart," she told People magazine. "It was just a natural fit from the start."
However, Lacey was shocked when, just nine months later, the girls' birth mum wanted her kids back, including baby Lea.
"Their birth family allowed us to come for visits and babysit the girls whenever possible. We really missed them," said Lacey.
But just a month later, she was even more stunned when the birth mum had another change of heart and asked Lacey if she'd be "willing to adopt all five girls."
"I was shocked, because that must have been a hard decision to make," she said. "She had been considering it for a few weeks, but was worried that her family might judge her."
During the adoption process, the birth mum learned she was pregnant again, with another girl.
"This was my children's sibling, so it wasn't even a question for me to take her in too," said Lacey.
Cecily officially joined the family last March, and Lacey said her family is now complete.
"I have so much love for them. We are so, so proud of them," said Lacey. "I wouldn't trade the six of them for anything. I am so honoured to be their mother."
Lacey shared her amazing story on Facebook in a bid to raise awareness about foster care and adoption.
"I am almost at 500 likes. SOOO crazy!," she wrote. "I'm so blessed to be able to use our story to promote foster care and foster adoption. Thank you all for your support and sweet words."
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