We have 3 children. Our daughter is biological and she was in college when we got our boys at ages 10 and 9, they came into our home 9 months apart as foster children. The boys are biologically half brothers. The eldest came first out of a group home. When he first came we talked about what to call us he said “mom and dad”. Our response was great because that’s who we wanted to be for him (wish I had time and space to tell the whole story). Anyway he never called us anything but Mr and Mrs Voorhes for 3 months when he had an accident with a bike. He was so frightened I would leave him or that we would send him back to the group home. I went in the ambulance with him and he kept crying “Please don’t leave me”. I held him all through treatment and we took him home. We were up with him all through the night. I remember going into his room at 6am, woke him and asked questions to make sure he knew who he was, where he was, etc. Then I asked “By the way, do you know who I am?” His answer, “ Yes sir, you used to be Mr. Voorhes, but now you’re my daddy”. I lost it….. His half brother came 9 months later and called us mom and dad immediately. We subsequently adopted them. That was over 40 years ago, but I still love that they call me dad.

Liam and Bella both saying that it felt a little weird calling someone “mom” after seven years of not having anyone to call mom had me close to tears 🥺 All of their kids are so sweet, I’m so glad they found a loving family.

I'm adopted into an interracial family and your family and videos bring me so much comfort, even as an adult. Thank you for sharing with all of us. It means a lot to see a blended family with so much love. Your children are so lucky to have you both as mom and dad

Oh my gosh. Lucas getting a kiss for his hurt hand. So cute, the younger kids really look up to him 💜

It’s just so sweet that Bella calls you mummy! I noticed a few videos ago when her and hanna were shopping and it melted my heart!

I just watched Jake's foster care/adoption story vlog a few days ago and I gotta say, Jake has changed so much in just 2 years! He's all grown up! You guys have really done a great job with all your kids! ♡

I have been watching y’all for years and one of the main reasons I watch every single video is because I was also in foster care and then later adopted and I always leave your videos feeling seen and understood! Thank you!

Here's a question I've never seen asked or seen you guys answer - do sibling groups keep their close bond even when they've been in your home for a long period of time? I know they're very protective over each other at first, but does this settle with time? Is there any jealousy at first when they see their bio siblings forming close bonds with their 'new' siblings in their home?

Please do a follow-up when you get a chance and ask Jamie, Melinda and Ariana. I’d like to hear a little more on how they felt calling Aaron dad, especially if they hadn’t had a father figure present before. I wonder if it would be easier or harder for kids that never had a relationship with a father figure before.

The day Bella isn't holding a chicken sandwich, that's when you know something's wrong.

For the calling Mom and Dad would be cool to put it on a calendar of when they did call Mom and Dad so you remember the exact date every year and make it a special day 😁💯💚

This is so funny! My dad just got re-married and I'm 42! And I've been so close to calling my new stepmom "Mom" but its just so awkward because I'm so old already! but you're right, it's just like an organic thing that starts to happen! I am still going to wait for the right moment!

Looking at the rewind videos, Rylan and Liam have grown so much is such a short amount of time!! They looked soooo little!! When are you going to put past clips together of them when they were blocked out of your videos, that will be so fun to watch!! With Bella as well 🥰

I remember when little Jake was being adopted. He was in foster care for so many days. Crystal had told him she remembered his smile and she knew he was her forever son because she couldn't live without seeing his big smile every day. 😭 Jake was so happy that adoption day. I felt the love in your vvlog and it touched my ❤ heart immensely. You are the most awesome parents 💯✊🏼

10:48 : this moment is SOOOO Bella ! LOL. Her chikfila and the blank stare on her face 😂 love that girl!

Sorry if this question is too much. Being a mother of a girl crazy teen boy I can’t help but wonder…Because you have adopted so many who are now all teens do you ever worry about non biologically related siblings developing romantic feelings for each other? How would you handle that? Do you have discussions with the kids up front about this sort of thing?

I don't normally comment on social media platforms, but I just wanted to state that watching your videos at this time is the most relaxing time of my day, keep it crazy ❣️

Didn't realized how much the boys had grown over the span of this year 🥹🥹🥹

We adopted our grandson when he was in 3rd grade. It took him a while to transition to Mom and Dad and during the transition time he would switch back and forth from Oma and Poppie to Mom and Dad. He calls his biological parents by their first names. I remember how happy I was when he called me Mom, I gave him the choice when we adopted him to continue calling me Oma or to call me Mom. I am glad he chose Mom.

I love how you love and support your children so that they become wonderful adults

My husband’s kids who I adopted a couple years after we got married stated calling me Mom on our wedding day, which happens to be 23 years ago in two days. 🥰🥰🥰

Our son was 5 when he came to us and he started calling us mom and dad after 2 days. The first 2 days he would just say hey! LOL Our daughter was 8 when she came to us and we talked with her and told her she could call us by our names or whatever she was comfortable with. She said she wanted to call us mom and dad so she did from day 1. It's so special!

I was put into foster care at the age of 13 and then adopted by my foster parents at the age of 16 as well as my 3 younger siblings. I believe I started calling my mom mom at either 13 or 14. The thing is I knew her since I was little and was "friends" with her. She was a mom figure to me at the place she worked I would always go to her work and talk to her and she had it on her heart to pray for us 4 kids. She was told in a dream to become foster parents right before my 3 siblings went into foster care. As soon as she finished her classes and got her license she got a call for a family of 3 siblings and little did she know that it was my younger sister and brothers. They went into foster care on my 13th birthday (July 13, 1995). I came to them a month later on August 8th 1995. We were adopted 3 years later when I was 16. I didn't call my dad dad till my 18th birthday when my dad got me my new Winnie the Pooh watch that I finally called him dad(it was harder for me to trust him and any man because of past trauma and abuse) I remember he just cried and cried. I told him thank you dad I love it and love you threw tears in my eyes. And I hugged him for the first time. My siblings were already calling him dad and had since they were first put into mom and dad's home. I finally as an adult met up with my cousins and birth family and now my 3 kids have so many cousins lol. My 16 year old daughter best friend is one of her cousins. Well actually she has 2 best friends that are her cousins. One threw my adoption and the other my birth families side. That's a funny story and one of my best friends is actually my cousin we found that out when she found her dad and we realized it was my uncle lol. We were best friends for 11 years before we found out we were cousins. We were always told that we looked like we could be sisters because my bm side of the family all have similar features lol.

The fact that you never forget to tell them that you love them at the end of each conversation says alot about you ❤❤❤❤keep on doing the great job you are doing

One of my daughters calls me Mommy or Mom. You will like this one. We used to work at same place and she had to call me Sheila and THAT was weird. She even slipped a few times. Yes best word in the world is Mom or Dad.

When crystal was talking about how she reacted and felt when they called her mom reminds me of the episode on The Fosters when Jude called his parents mom for the first time 🥺

Even tho I’m not adopted or anything and I live with my biological mom y’all still r like family to me I have been watching y’all forever like watching all the kids grow up and y’all adopting more js gives me so much joy and comfort like if I’m having a bad day I can just watch y’all’s videos bc they bring me so much joy to see how happy and how much love y’all give to each other I’ve never really had that so yeah I love y’all and I hope y’all continue to grow and stay blessed bc y’all deserve it🫶🏽

Love this , thank you for sharing your amazing adventure with everyone , I know what to start to adopt kids , like Arron and Chrystal!

Honestly, i was looking forward on when will you have this kind of content again. i actually watched the first one i think you were still in st.Johns, you filmed also the same content on when your kids starting to call u as mom and dad. And now your doing it again which feels like the cutest LOVE and Happiness ever cause both parents still remembers when did the kids call them Mom &Dad!! 💕

My first two sets of foster parents, I called them by name. My third foster home, I would always walk up to them and start a conversation or ask a question. My foster dad finally said, “ choose mom/dad or Frank/Mary”! 😂😂😂 Mom and Dad it was…🤗👍🏻❣️

I’m curious, with Bella, Liam and Rylen - in the beginning was it hard for Bella to step away and let you parent the boys like the Sam and Alex / Hannah situation?

Thank you for treating this topic once more. In the videos (my life as and Q&A) on your channel we can find much information. I do re- share those old vlogs on a fan page to avoid assumptions. If I recall it well, Lucas called Crystal Mom when he needed tooth paste. It didn't seem very long after he and Savannah came to live in St John's.(Vlog of August 2020) As Aaron describes it so well from his position as a parent it depends on the perspective. Also, not all biological relatives say as often, at the same age or in the same situation "I love you" back. There are many ways to show connection, appreciation and affection. Much love 🥰

You know there are some people making mean videos about vloggers that make videos of their families. Saying not so nice things. But, I think it is nice to see how other families run their households and it's fun to see all the love. Now I know things aren't so great sometimes in their homes and everyone doesn't always get along or whatever but still the videos are real of the good side in their household. Your videos show how great being a foster parent is and how great adoption is. For even older kids. That even if they had a hard life before doesn't mean they are going to be out of control and such. Also you and the Middles allow them to get in touch and/or keep in touch with their biological's if deemed safe to do so and if they choose to. And, that being adopted is nothing to be ashamed of and that it is actually really special because they were chosen! I love love love your family and love how the kids are with each other. ❤ Thanks for having us over! 🙂

I had to smile throughout this video because you always make what could be an awkward situation better by being transparently you! (To tell you the truth, I'm 70 and I think of you and Aaron as Mom and Dad!!!)

oh i like Hannah thinking back to when..its sweet n funny her trying to remember

It says so much about you both , when most of the kiddos said mom and dad within a month ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Seeing Aaron at Hannah and Chrystal's level just cracks me up. 🙂😀

With Luke.. I remember the toothpaste story 🥰 when he asked Crystal for a toothpaste 😊

After watching ur videos for years I truly feel apart of the family ❤️ I can't say that about many KZfaqrs ‼️

That's was beautiful I think Alex hit the nail on the head with the kids that had been from home to home Just loved it The kids love you guys so much Love you guys HERVEY BAY QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA

I wondered since you do have diversity in your family, do you ever try and celebrate the heritage of your children with special ethnic foods or traditions? I know during the holidays many families make special foods that celebrate their heritage. Or does discussing and researching their heritage cause trauma?

2 Mins ago. I absolutely love this family and think that what they do for these kids are awesome I wish I had a support system like that when I was going thru it too Love yall

What you do to your kids life is absolutely priceless- they are so blessed as you too - love your family xx

Aww this is sweet loved the vlog always watching from the United Kingdom

I'm remember past shows when you've mentioned it all and it was so special. I believe that Hannah was early. Crystal I think you need your nails done girl 💕 make a day and pamper yourself ❤️

I bet the door dash drivers in y'all area see the last name petit and they automatically know where they going :) LMAO 🤣🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️😂😂😂 no judgement cause I door dash so much food as well lol

Liam is so cute. I like the quiet ones. Which would just be Liam, lol.

Thank you so much for answering my question in a video it not only was an amazing video, but I have some learning disabilities so one thing I struggle with is comprehension stubbles with text, and even though you didn’t know that about me 8 truly appreciated this video and all the videos you makes me want to adopt or at least foster in the future :)

I was adopted and it feels great adoption is a blessing

I’ve been wondering. Are you guys going to do an adoption story with Bella, Rylan and Liam? I feel like everyone else got one but them. Will you be sharing anything about their background or lives before the adoption? If that’s a no it’s totally fine I’m not saying you need to. Just curious to get to know them a little better.

6:15 babies call you mom or dad because that’s all they know. But when a child or teen does it..it’s because they’ve chosen you and found you worthy enough and that’s really special.

i love this family channel one of the best i've seen.

This was so interesting. I was adopted byy Aunt. My parents were still alive and out of respect for them, I continued to call them Aunt and Uncle bit wrote Mom and Dad in letters. I think the relationship between you and your kids are great. Each child has such a great and unique personality.

I'd kinda like to hear Jamie and Melinda's story on this too. :)

Beautiful , just Beautiful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes I get so annoyed by the community here for the crazy pieces. On Yesterday's vid which I liked alot btw, their were so many comments like I’m worried about Jamie and Hannah’s levels or check the cars for carbon monoxide, check different rooms as well as other stuff, you all seriously think they don’t already know that? First of all these are filmed days in advance and some of them are posted almost a week after they are filmed, they are fine now, sometimes false readings happen with everything. In hannah’s and Jamie’s case it’d be considered a fluke. Also, the kids are still posting as they normally would on social media and I am sure if the carbon monoxide issue was really wrong, Crystal and Aaron wouldn’t have posted that vid. Not just yesterday’s vid, but so many comments I read on other videos would make you think Crystal and Aaron are idiots and inept to live in the world. They are smart people, they wouldn’t have reached this level of success they have now without intelligence. Some of the comments treat them like 1st graders. Also last week during Ariana’s move out video people were like make sure Hannah’s doing ok she was crying she doesn’t take well to change. Did it ever occur to you that in the heat of the moment its ok for Hannah to express her emotions? I’d be more worried if she stood their with a plain face, emotion means you care about someone or something. In the videos since this, Hannah has been acting normal and has been very happy and therefore has taken to this change well. The point guys is to please chill out ok, some of you push the panic button with the CP’s, but they are well rounded, mature smart people, so sit back and enjoy your journey with them.

I’m not even joking but I was watching the middles version of this video from 2 years and then I see you posted this so I had to watch it

I love your family so much. 🥺 Everyone is so sweet. ♥️

I can’t wait for when Bella and the boys decide to share their adoption story!

I was adopted when I was 10 and I love watching your videos so much

I’m so glad you & Aaron gave them such a loving & healthy environment🥰🥰

I can seriously tell you Crystal when Lucas called you Mom for the first time hahahaha! I found it so cute when I watched that video ❤️

Your family is incredible…so loving and close…❤️

All your children are so happy having you and Aaron for their parents. They are so lucky to have you two so much. Crystal and Aaron are very examples to be a special parent to loved all these children that you two adopted and foster care too. Plus you have couple of your children is your. Thank you all sharing your feeling and your beautiful family.❤️❤️

Door Dash to the rescue lol my son uses it all the time. Love how much they all felt so comfortable calling you mom. Will Bella share her adoption story?

Love u guys!!❤️❤️ so fun! Full of positive vibes! And so wholesome 🫶🏼🥺

You guys are just the best parents

Love y’all, y’all are amazing, give everyone a hugs for me .

Jake is so handsome! Stay sweet… Love seeing all the love 💕 Keep that Crazy Stuff up.

I just love this vid 🥰 Blessings to all... Love n Aloha from one of ur biggest fans in Hawaii 🌈💜

Love y’all so much stay safe and stay healthy positive vibes I’m part of y’all family for life the kids love their mom and dad so much ❤️‍🔥❤️😇🙏🏾🤟🏾♥️❣️🙌🏾🙌🏾❣️♥️❤️❤️‍🔥♥️🤟🏾🙏🏾😇🙏🏾🤟🏾❤️‍🔥💕❤️♥️❣️ they have the best mom and dad in their life Crazy Pieces keep it crazy

I remember when my children said momma for the first time. It takes ur breath away. My daughter is my husband step daughter and she is nonverbal. The first time someone told our son to go to his daddy. Our daughter went to my husband to! That was pretty amazing. Every time now she think my husband is her daddy too.

Crystal and Aaron you both have such big hearts to adopt all these children would love to foster/adopt children in the future I love children I have 3 children of my own and I would love more tyfor showing others love no matter what.

Can you please ! do a updated video the kids adoption stories now they are older? And only if they want to share .. I absolutely love you guys ❤️

That is a good question. I could see Crystal signing it mom because despite the kids maybe not choosing to use the term yet, she still feels like mom and doesn’t wanna exclude them. However, I could also see her being super patient and respectful to the kids timeline with things.

I love this family so much. Crystal and Aaron you are such an amazing couple and have so much love and acceptance of these children. Every child should be loved like that. The children love you so much and have such an appreciation of what you offer them as a family.

That was a awesome question. I was wondering about that. Hugs to you all.💕💕

I really loved this video and would greatly appreciate a house tour video! 🥰

I wish now that I had been adopted. I was in foster care forever. I'm truly happy for y'all.

Love your channel you are all so sweet xx 💗

When we adopted our three older children, they called us daddy and mommy the day we picked them up from an out of town foster home we were excited!! About a month later my then 7yr old confessed they called us daddy and mommy right away because they thought we were their bio parents😅

I have loved watching all the kids growing up and getting more independent you guys have done an amazing job with them all xx love you all xx

7:37 my astronomy heart skipped a beat and got excited! Lol, yes! Get into science, buddy! Future astronaut 🧑‍🚀?

This is interesting and I really appreciate those for sharing.

Great topic for a video, I love that you respect each kids history/trauma and take things at their pace, even though in your heart you already knew they were your forever kids. I think another great topic because I have asked this question in the past would be (excluding the year) when each kids birthday is as I would like to have some advance notice to make cards and send gifts to arrive on time

I think that's neat of you to let them call you Crystal, mom etc. And your husband or dad. I was in a adult foster home up intill they retired at the end of December 2013 for 13 years. I started calling them Judy and Rob and later mom and dad and they were ok with it from me 20 yrs old on and I still think of them often but don't have contact anymore with them because they wanted a different life to travel, watch their grandkids and their adult sons grow up and be retired and focus on each other

I love watching y’all videos ❤️❤️

Aww it was yet another sweet vlog Loved it 🥰

Bella needs to have a brand deal with chick-fil-a for real! Lol but I do love this video!

Lol, Jake was this small when he came to us and now he's this high. We don't know what happened. LOLLLL

I just love you guys !! Such wonderful human beings

Your babies are so sweet and adorable ‼️♥️ I love them ALL‼️ momma Crystal your love is reflected in each one of them and Hubby too‼️ Your family is beautiful inside and out ‼️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Love your channel!!! 💜

I started calling my mum and dad, mum and dad, 10 months after my adoption, before that I called them ma or pa real names (similar to mama crystal).i was confused, because 16 months before that me and my sister had no family, no one to care for us, and then suddenly we have this whole family that I didn't think I deserved (my sister deserved the world) so my sister was the first to call them mummy and daddy, just 3 months after being legally theirs, she was only 6 so I kinda understand why she was quick to call them that. I took longer as I knew my birth mum for 6 years before we were took away. She was taken away from my BM 2 days after being allowed home. So to me it felt strange having someone else to call mum. Are they going to treat the same as BM or are they going to be nice to me? It took me awhile but the reason I first called them mum and dad was after my scoliosis surgery and I was scared and wanted comfort. So I woke up and cried, I want my mummy. My mum ran to me crying literal happy tears. I made her year she had told me. So it took awhile for me, I'm happy to know that all your kids called you mom after a few weeks-months

I love your videos. Thank you for sharing your video with us and have a great evening!

Clicked the moment I got the notification. I look forward to your videos❤️

I really really enjoy watching your videos and your family! You guys are amazing! It makes my day when you guys post videos!

Love it! Being a mom is the best feeling in the world! ❤️😉

This was honestly such a good video idea I loved this!

Love your sweet family .hugs ❤️