SAN ANTONIO – There are currently thousands of children in foster care and the month of November is dedicated to raising awareness about the children currently up for adoption.
It's also a time for adoption agencies to shed light on newborn and infant adoptions.
Valarie Byrom, 26, admits she doesn't have an easy life. So when she found out she was pregnant with her second child, she made the tough decision to give up her daughter to a loving couple.
"I chose my family because they seemed like wonderful, outgoing, loving people," said Byrom.
More people are opting for domestic infant adoptions. Mariah Fink, with the Adoption Alliance, said celebrities becoming adoptive parents has helped raise awareness about adoption.
"There are several celebrities that have adopted and that have recently adopted, and I think that's definitely shed some light," said Fink.
Fink also believes adoption has become a viable option for couples who aren't able to have biological children.
"They really, really want to become parents and they have a passion to parent, and there are a lot of children in need of loving, good, permanent homes," said Fink.
So far this year, the Adoption Alliance has placed 40 babies with families across the country.
And while there are different types of adoption relationships, Byrom said she has an open-ended adoption. That means she has very close contact with the adoptive family.
"I get pictures, I get letters, I get to talk to them. I'm very, very blessed," said Byrom.
Thanks to that contact, she's allowed to see her daughter, now 6 months old, grow from a distance.
"Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid like someone's going to judge you. Because in the end, it's the child that matters," said Byrom.
Click here for more information about the Adoption Alliance.