When Jeff and I first got married, we knew we'd have children.  I originally wanted  no more than 4, he wanted at least 6.  Finally, we agree...11 is enough!  In a period of 5 years, we adopted nine children from 5 orphanages in Russia.  Daniel was 5 and Mitch was 3 when we adopted the first time in July of 1998. Yaraslav (Kevin) and  Misha (Craig) were only 5 months old when we brought them home.  Then, a year later, Jeff spotted a picture of an 12 year old girl named Ula (Julia) in an adoption newsletter.  He was absolutely certain that we should adopt her....so we did.  When we traveled  to Russia to get her, we met her brother Zhenya (James), age 11, and knew instanly that we should take  him as well.  Of course, during that 2nd trip, we met three more at the orphanage, Ira (Irene),  Zhenya (Jeanette), and Kolya (Nickolas). Then, six months later when Jeff returned to Russia to get James, he met a little girl who reeled him in...her name was Elena (Emmalee), age 5.  So, 6 months after James came home, we went back to adopt Irene and Emmalee.  Surprise!  Irene had a brother Dennis in yet another orphanage....he was 9.  We got the paperwork done for his adoption, but  it got lost for a year at the Department of Education.  During this delay, we gave several talks to civic groups, churches, neighbors...anyone who would listen...about the kids we met.  We felt a tremendous pull to help Zhenya and Kolya find a family.  There was something about these kids that tugged at us constantly.  The pull was so great, we decided to adopt them ourselves.  Jeanette came home in June of 2002 at the age of 14.  Nickolas, 15, and Dennis, 11, were adopted together in September of 2002. 

We are currently down to 7 kids who live at home.   Sadly, four of our oldest chose to leave our household for their own personal reasons.  Letting go of my expectations, and trying to understand thier choices has been a difficult and painful struggle.  I continue to pray for them and I'm thankful that I stepped into their lives when I did, even though things didn't turn out the way I had dreamed.   I'm learning how to let go of "oh no" and embrace "oh well".  As they are growing and experiencing the next chapter, so am I.  I am still with them in my heart as they move on...Life is always changing, and God is in charge...

My children are each so individually unique, with their own set of circumstances.  I've decided to create a special page for them....Click on "BRAG".  God had a Plan for us when He put us on this path.  Our kids have a better life today because we all took that risk and leap of faith.  Our family story has inspired others to adopt as well.  As of last year, twenty eight other children have found families as a direct result of us just talking about it.  It's amazing how things evolve...

Have there been beautiful moments?  Yes.  Have there been devastating ones?  Yes.  The issues and conflicts have taken their toll.  Jeff and I are now living in separate households, but are still committed to our children in giving them every opportuny to succeed.  We pulled them out of a hopeless situation and gave them a  better life...there are no regrets about that.  Life is changing and they are growing.  We are all growing.  What will be, will be.