This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human. We've all been there. You hold on to a coupon but forget about it and suddenly it's expired. Expired in 2012?
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Kids. Their drawings sparked a wild idea. Brought to life by a Hollywood director, a stunt team, and the SUV that makes the unthinkable unforgettable. No tricks, just V6 power, practical effects, and the rugged new Pathfinder. Watch how it all came together and discover why JD Power ranks Nissan number one in new vehicle quality among mainstream brands.
For JD Power 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Study Award information, visit jdpower.com/slash awards. Awards based on 2025 model year, newer models may be shown. Is it just me or is it getting really hard to figure out the best way to save for retirement? Fidelity can help you find clarity so you can save the best way for you.
With a free personalized plan, goal tracking, and timely insights, you'll be set to take on retirement your way. Get started at fidelity.com slash future. Expenses charged by your investments and other costs and fees associated with trading or transacting in your account apply. Fidelity Brokerage Services member NYSESIPC. Um This is Our American Stories, and as you know, we love bringing you adoption and foster care stories.
There are 400,000 children in the foster care system waiting to be loved by a family. It begs the question, what could each one of us do to help these children? Which brings us to Kimberly McCullough and her story. It was a happy day. The sun was shining, and the courtroom was filled with dressed up, smiling people showing up for a little girl and a growing family.
What was clear from the very beginning of her life was that what started in tragedy would not end that way. She would never be alone, and she was so deeply loved by so many people. During foster care training, the goal of reunification was impressed upon us with utter importance and urgency. Children belong with their parents, and when that isn't possible, with extended family. After those possibilities are exhausted, ideally the foster parents will be given an opportunity to adopt the child.
If they cannot, other foster families will be asked. If no family is found, they could end up in a group home. The one thing I pray for the most as a foster parent is the assurance of knowing that wherever my foster children end up, They will be loved, safe, and will know they are worthy of belonging. Uh We walked into the courtroom and took a seat. only to stand right back up when the judge asked all the family members to come to the front.
My instinct was to stay seated, but I was her mom, too, even if only for six months. Her soon to be forever mamma waved us up. I knew she would. They were already like family. But being a foster mom means I'm always careful, cautious, not wanting to make assumptions about my place.
She spent the first forty days of her life in the NICU before she was finally discharged and we could bring her home. We met her forever parents very early on and knew from the beginning they would become her parents, even before anything had been decided. We spent six months getting to know them, first through visits at the county offices, then in our home for dinner. We heard their story. We felt their devotion to their family.
We watched them drive two hours any time they could to see her. they quickly became friends. In record time, she was able to move in with them at seven months old while they pursued adoption. we were thankful to get a chapter in the story God was writing for their family. Finally, at twenty one months old, her adoption was getting finalized.
And even though I said it was a happy day, adoption is never that simple. the best description I've ever heard of adoption is that it's a broken hallelujah. Adoption starts with loss, the loss of biological parents. This is a trauma many, if not all, adopted children will carry with them forever, no matter when the loss occurred. We walked up to the front of the courtroom, and she finally noticed us, or rather my son.
A family member was holding her, and as soon as she saw him, she wriggled down and embraced him. And my oldest baby, my big five-year-old, my miracle baby. He lifted her up with ease, and they stayed just like that, giving each other squeezes and kisses like a brother and sister should. They hadn't seen each other in over a month, but it was like no time had passed. I looked at my daughter.
too young to understand what was going on. But knowing how important it was that she witnessed this, to see in action what we experienced with her two years before. And I see my husband and our tiny one and a half month old foster daughter fast asleep in his arms. My eyes filled with tears. This is hard, but it's beautiful and it's worth it.
They are worth it. The broken. Hallelujah. Fast forward one year, we find ourselves explaining the transition plan to our children again. her time with us was quickly coming to an end.
I tell my now five-year-old daughter, This is our last week with her. On Monday morning she leaves for good. You mean for bad? she replies. She understands what's happening this time.
Our foster daughter is thirteen months old, and had been with us since birth. She's as much a part of our family as every other member. Her joy fills every room her snuggles could not the coldest departs. Yet, what we had experienced in the last eight months I wouldn't wish on my greatest enemy. Her case had been drawn out due to strange and unexpected complications.
Then COVID hit and it just got worse. The hardest part was that she was the one who lost. As much as we wanted her to be a permanent member of our family, every day she spent with us was a day she should be with her forever family. The turmoil of the last year resulted in countless sleepless nights, anxiety-ridden days. anger that made me sick to my stomach, and so many tears shed for our baby girl.
Every time I got a call from someone on her case, it took all my mental and emotional energy not to panic. This was our hardest case to date. but even on the hardest days. I could turn on her favorite song. Watch her giggle and dance with my big kids.
and knew I would do it all again if I could just take one ounce of the pain away from her. This is hard in ways we can't put into words. But it's beautiful. And it's worth it. They are worth it.
I grew up wanting to adopt. I remember as a child wondering why on earth anyone with an extra room wouldn't want to be a family for a child who doesn't have one. It made no sense to me. I married my high school sweetheart. We were kindred old souls and connected on a deep level right from the beginning.
When we started dating at 15, we just knew in our gut we'd be together forever. Our faith brought us closer together and kept us together through college. He knew early on that adoption was going to be in my future. and he didn't run away scared. Little did I know that my heart was growing for foster care too.
On our first anniversary, at the mature age of 22, we became the temporary legal guardians of a family member who was 15 at the time. Seven months of caring for her changed us. We saw how much good change could happen in someone's life in a stable family setting with a strong support system surrounding us. the community from our church were all in for this journey. We made some incredible memories, had amazing breakthroughs, cried and prayed so much together, and naturally made many mistakes.
It was hard, probably the hardest thing I had done at that point in my life. but it was worth it. She was worth it. After that, we knew foster care was going to be a part of our lives. Our plan, like you can plan these things, was to have a biological child first and then foster.
But a major health scare, multiple surgeries and two years of infertility made us rethink the plan. We didn't want to waste time hoping for a miracle we were never promised, so we decided that we shouldn't delay any longer and signed up for foster care training. During our first week of training, we found out we were pregnant with our miracle baby. But our social worker didn't seem phased. She said that's always what happens and encouraged us to continue getting licensed.
So we did. Fast forward almost two years. Our son is 13 months old and we finally got our foster care license. Two weeks go by and we got our first call. It's a baby girl.
She was born yesterday and will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow. It's just until we find her family. Maybe a few weeks. Can we come pick her up? That's in 12 hours.
I wanted to say yes, but I'm terrified. I turned to my husband. His face does it all. How could we say no? From the moment we saw her in the hospital, we were smitten.
She was beautiful and dainty and oh so tiny. my son was instantly in love, and I got to witness the sweetest little bond formed between the two of them. It was a strange sensation from my heart to grow in love for a little baby that I didn't know existed the week before. As the weeks unfold, what was supposed to be a temporary placement was clearly becoming long term. We find out more about where she came from, the circumstances of her birth.
How she survived it all can only be explained because God spared her life. My second miracle baby. She proved herself to be a fighter, with survival skills through the roof. She was climbing on top of the kitchen table before she could walk, taught herself to get dressed by the age of two, and learned to pick locks not long after that. Her hilarious style and silly and mischievous personality kept us entertained and rather busy through her toddler years.
By the time we adopted her, five days before her second birthday, it really was just a piece of paper making legal what was already our reality. She was our daughter, my son's sister. She belonged with us and it felt like she had always been a part of our family. Her biological father was involved from the beginning. He did everything he could to fight for his baby girl.
He stayed in her life even after he gave us his blessing to adopt her. they had a sweet relationship up until his death last May. their picture, sits in her room, and she keeps a photo album of the two of them in her bed so she can look at their pictures whenever she misses him. A broken hallelujah. I'll be honest, after losing two foster daughters, I pause at the thought of fostering again.
I understand why some families would hesitate to get too attached to a child just to have their hearts broken. and I understand even more the desire to keep hard things away from our children. But I've seen my children's capacity to love in the midst of brokenness. I've seen them say yes to hard things because their hearts are just so big. The kind of big you only get when you're aware of the suffering around you.
That's the kind of human I want to be and I want to raise. and even though I pause at the thought, We're not done. There's so many more little humans that need love. It is hard, but it's beautiful and it's worth it. They're all worth it.
The story of Kim McCullough. a real beauty, one of our very best. Here. on our American stories. People don't listen to radio ads.
While you're driving or making a sandwich, your subconscious pays full attention.
So relax. Let it take over. Sunday makes yard care simple with a custom plan based on your soil, climate, and yard size. No pesticides, no harsh stuff. Custom Sunday Lawn Plan.
Order today and get your Custom Sunday Lawn Plan. Ready for the season ahead. Sunday, a smarter, healthier yard. No one knows what the future holds, but you deserve a weather app that can help. Weatherbug is easy to use and provides forecasts for your every need, from storm warnings to pollen levels, right at your fingertips.
Get the fastest local alerts and comprehensive 10-day forecasts wherever you are. It's hyper-local, real-time, customizable alerts. Make sure the weather never takes you by surprise so you can plan every day with confidence. Download the free weather bug app from the App Store today and start getting accurate weather forecasts 24-7. This is Julian Edelman from Games with Names.
I want to take a second to talk about something that's personal to me. I've had the privilege of working closely with Robert Kraft for a long time. And one thing I've always respected is how seriously he takes up standing up to hate. As a Jewish athlete my identity is something I am proud of. But I also know what it feels like to be singled out for it.
That's why this new commercial for the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate that aired during the big game really hit home. It's about showing up for someone when they're targeted, even if you don't have the perfect words. And sometimes standing next to someone is enough. And you can show support by sharing the blue square. Big adventures, family chaos, untethered exploration.
The Nissan Pathfinder is built for it. Powered by a lauded V6 engine and smooth nine-speed automatic transmission, the new Nissan Pathfinder is Adventure on Wheels. With seating for up to eight, a premium interior, and available second-row captain's chairs, it's adventure in comfort. And with 284 horsepower and 6,000 pounds of towing capacity, Pathfinder is Adventure Unlimited. The new Nissan Pathfinder, power your adventure.
Towing capacity varies by configuration. See Nissan Towing Guide and Owner's Manual for additional information. Always secure cargo. The path to retirement is different for everyone. And as life changes, so do priorities.
Fidelity can help you get where you want to go. With a free personalized plan, goal tracking, and timely insights, you'll be set to take on retirement. Whether you're saving for it or already living in it. Get started at fidelity.com slash take on. Expenses charged by your investments and other costs and fees associated with trading or transacting in your account apply.
Fidelity Brokerage Services member NYSESIPC. Mm.
