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Mark, Lisa, Isaac (11), Carmen (10), and Joshua (8)

Lisa Leggett: We have been married for over 15 years. Early in our marriage, we had fertility issues. We knew we wanted to have three kids, but we were having difficulty bringing even one into the world! After much prayer, we decided to adopt and to be open to any race and most medical conditions. Our thought was that if God led us to adopt, then He knew exactly who our child was…we would let Him decide what was right for us. We signed up with Grace Adoptions in Conway in November.

In January, we found out that a birthmom wanted to meet us. After having lunch with her, she asked us to be at the hospital when he was born. It was important to her for us to start bonding immediately. Isaac was born February 4, 2002 in south Arkansas. The small hospital gave us a room to stay with Isaac that first night. Having not been through the 9 months carrying a child (plus we only had a few weeks to prepare), I worried that I would not have the maternal instinct you always hear about. The very moment the nurse placed him in my arms is a moment I will never forget. I looked into his sweet brown eyes and knew that I would go to the ends of the earth to protect that little boy. We took him home the next day.

All was going smoothly until 6 months later when I found out I was pregnant (with no fertility intervention)! I was worried about our children being close together…one obviously adopted, one not. My pregnancy was difficult and due to an illness, Carmen was born a month prematurely on May 2003—15 months after Isaac. She was fine, but we made the decision that if we were to have three children, then the third would be adopted.

When they were 2 and 3 years old, we decided to adopt again. We wanted to adopt a child who was already waiting, one that might not have a home unless we provided it. We thought the best place to start was to do a foster adoption. After getting approved, we waited for a year to have a child placed in our home. We wanted to keep our kids in birth order. So receiving an infant who would not just be a foster child, but who would have no risk for being taken from our home was difficult.

We continued to pray and after a year, we felt God leading us to Africa to adopt our child. Grace Adoptions had worked with two adoption agencies that had programs in Africa. Both were in the country of Ethiopia. After calling both agencies, we found that only one had a waiting child list at the time—Children’s Home Society in Minneapolis. We felt led to this agency because we wanted to provide a home for a child who was waiting.

This list consisted of kids who are considered “at risk” for placement, either due to age or medical condition. Since the agency had worked with Grace here in Arkansas, they quickly approved us to receive the list of waiting kids. This list contained an ID number and a brief description, but no pictures or names. We had found three little boys on the list whose descriptions and medical background we thought we were capable of handling. We were told that we could only pick one child’s profile at a time. In order to not influence one another, Mark and I both wrote down the number for the child’s profile we wanted to see first. We both chose the same one and both for the same reason. Despite being very ill and malnourished, this little boy was described as having an “infectious laugh.” We received his profile, sent it to our pediatrician to look at the medical aspects and immediately decided it did not matter—this was our son.

At 10 months old, he was taken to the orphanage. He was severely malnourished and weighed only 8 lbs. He had pneumonia and was expected to die. For a year, he was in and out of the ICU at the orphanage with pneumonia. We found him on the waiting list in November 2006. At that time, he had been in the orphanage for 8 months, the entire time very ill. Anyone who has been around international adoption knows that it takes many months, often years to adopt. We were able to complete our dossier, raise money and travel to Ethiopia by April 2007. From the moment we found him waiting for us to the moment we first held him took 5 months!

Before traveling, I researched attachment disorders that often occur with toddler adoptions. Our little guy had been through a lot and I wanted to be prepared. But within three days of meeting Joshua, he would reach for me when his nannies (whom he had been with for over a year) would hold him. When he came home, he was three weeks from turning 2 years old. He weighed 18 pounds, had never heard English, couldn’t walk and needed surgery. He qualified for speech, physical and developmental therapy. He had surgery in July 2007. By the time he turned 3 in 2008, he tested out of all therapy. He was performing at or above his age for all tasks! We named our little guy “Joshua” because it means “God Rescues.” His birth name, Marato (now his middle name), means “My God is Awesome.” Not bad for a baby who was left to die at 10 months old because he was too sick to save.

On the family dynamics: Isaac is the gentle-natured child. He is our “old soul.” He is very kind and considerate. He can carry on a conversation with an adult as if he is his peer. I often call him my gentle giant because he is already taller than I am. Carmen is outgoing and creative. She was voted president of her class and likes to stay super busy. She loves to tumble and recently learned to do a back handspring. Joshua is very strong-willed. We always say he had to be to survive his early years. His growth was stunted, due to malnutrition; however, he acts as if he is 10-feet-tall and bullet proof. He loves sports and staying busy.

How do you talk to your children about their birth parents, countries and culture? Both of our boys know about their birth moms and their birth stories. We pray on a nightly basis for their birth families. When we first decided to adopt Isaac, we did not take our situation lightly. As Mark put it, “we don’t want to raise a white man in an African American body.” We realized that there are cultural elements and history that we can never fully understand. We have made it a point to diversify our lives. We go to a diverse church, Mosaic. Our kids all attended elementary school at the most diverse elementary school in Little Rock. We have sought out African American men who can be role models to our boys. We want our kids to know the history of our cultures, not to sugar-coat it, but to be real.

To honor Joshua’s birth country, Ethiopia, I learned to cook Ethiopian food, and our home is filled with art and artifacts from the country. We make it a point to visit Ethiopian restaurants while traveling and have even attended an Ethiopian Orthodox church in Dallas. Helping our boys understand their history is important to us. In order for them to fully understand themselves, we have to help fill in that missing puzzle piece.

What would you like to tell other families about adoption? We have both adopted children and a biological child. The love for each is just as strong. The depths that you would go to protect your child are just as deep for the adopted. We may not look like family on the outside, but our souls are interwoven and the ties that bind us are strong.

Steve, Jen, Riley (10), Ella (5), Piper (3 months)

Jen Johnston: I have childhood memories of placing pillows in my shirt to make believe I was pregnant. Playing house with dolls and Barbie was my favorite pastime growing up. I recall bellowing the song, “First comes love! Then comes marriage! Then comes baby in a baby carriage!” You can imagine my shock when I grew up: First came love, and then marriage, but the baby didn’t come. After disappointment, loss, infertility treatments, and sadness, I turned to God for answers. I asked Him, “Why me?” I wondered if I had done something wrong. Answers came: I was a mother. Even if I could not give birth, I was a mother. I knew without a doubt that my children would come to me some way, somehow.

In time my heart was opened to adoption. My husband and I prayed together for guidance on the matter. We decided to apply for adoption through LDS Family Services, an adoption agency through our church. After we wrote letters to our prospective “birthmother,” made a photo collage, filled out many pages of paperwork, attained a home-study, gave many interviews, had our background checks done, and payed all the fees, our “profile” was complete. All there was left to do was to wait to be picked by a birthmother.

Of all days, Halloween brought the news of a new beginning. Halloween is well-observed in our home. No matter what age a person is, we go trick-or-treating and there is no slacking in costume quality. Dressed in full garb as a disco queen—complete with afro, gold pants and platforms—I received the call on my cell phone. My five-year-old niece Tori screamed along with me as she shook her witchy broom.

The case worker shared with us that both a birthmother and birthfather had chosen us. He placed a basket before us. It was filled with a purple baby bottle filled with pink M&M’s, a homemade blanket, pink bubble gum cigars, and a picture of an ultrasound with a note on it that read, “An Answer to your Prayers.” With tears of joy rolling down our faces, we read the letters from our birthmother and birthfather. We learned that our daughter was due on December 21, 2002. We anticipated it being the best Christmas gift we would ever receive. Our perfect baby, Riley Christina, was born two weeks overdue on January 3, 2003 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The placement took place four days later.

Steve and I met the birthparents, and exchanged many letters and gifts while waiting for Riley to be born. I consider these letters and gifts to be meaningful and special gifts for Riley to have when she is older. They are put away for her in a special box. We still keep in touch through Christmas cards, birthday cards, Facebook, Instagram and email. Riley was baptized when she was eight years old. One of our greatest blessings of that day was to have Riley’s birthparents, as well as their parents and siblings in attendance. It is important to us to teach our children about their biological parents and answer any questions they might have about them. Naturally, children are curious and like to see pictures. In our home we foster an open and honest atmosphere where there are no dumb or off-limit questions. Being adopted is simply a part of their story.

After waiting to adopt a second child for almost three years through our church agency, we were getting antsy to adopt again. We started praying about other options. We decided to put our papers in at another agency, as well as LDS Family Services locally in Utah. I entered our profile on an adoptive parent website called ParentProfiles.com. Three weeks later, we received a message from a birthmother in Norfolk, Virginia. She had chosen us to be the parents of her daughter who was due in a few months. The birthparents invited us to come to Norfolk to be part of the birth of our baby girl. This meant the world to us, because due to the agency policies at the time, we weren’t allowed at the hospital when our first daughter was born.

We spent three long weeks waiting for the baby to come. She was overdue like her older sister. Ella Teresa was born on December 30, 2007. Steve, my husband cut the umbilical cord and I was the first to hold my sweet precious baby. I stayed at the hospital for three days with Ella as if I had given birth. Staying in my own hospital room was a highlight. We spent Christmas and New Years Day in Norfolk, Virginia away from family and friends. But it was well worth it—our family was complete!

Five years later, Steve and I were in our early 40s and we were looking forward to traveling more and doing things that parents do once they are out of the “baby stage.” We thought we were finished having kids. The quote by John Lennon is so true: “Life happens when you’ve made other plans.”

In January of this year I read the question, “Do you want another baby?” from my daughter Ella’s birthmother on Facebook. My answer was “Are you kidding me? Of course!” The baby she would place with us would be the half-sister of my second child. There was not one moment of hesitation. We knew it wouldn’t be convenient or easy, but we knew it would be right.

Piper Jane was born June 10 of this year in Beckley, West Virginia. We now can’t remember what life was like without her. It’s as if she was always a part of our family. We could not be more grateful that she is ours.

Steve and I consider the circumstances around the birth of each of our children extraordinary. Adoption is a miraculous phenomenon because it requires birthparents to love an unborn child more than they love themselves. It is a decision that places the needs of an innocent child at the forefront. Any selfless act of this magnitude is nothing short of a miracle in this life. It also requires the humility and faith of adoptive parents who know that being a parent is not giving birth. It is giving your heart to a child.

Our three girls are vibrant, active, adorable little people. Someday they will leave our nest and I hope that when they do they take with them what it means to be cherished. It’s impossible not to love them more than I love myself. I know they could not be more appreciated or more loved. Parenting does that to you. As you serve, you bond. As you bond, you love forever.

Steve, Mary, Devan (22), Jordan (17), Jenna (9), and Desi (5)

Mary Malone: In 2001, the Lord laid it on our hearts that He had a grander purpose for our lives and that purpose was to adopt. We began researching the idea and spent hundreds of hours online looking at the extensive world of adoption. In late 2003, we made the decision to adopt a healthy baby girl from China. The process was long and we learned a lot of patience. Finally in February of 2005, we brought home our beautiful 15-month-old daughter Jenna. Once she came home we believed our family was complete. Little did we know that just a few years later that feeling would reappear and we knew there was still a piece of our hearts missing.

We weren’t able to start the adoption process again until October 2010. This time around we felt like we needed to step out in our faith even further and adopt an older child with special needs. We often encountered people who thought we were crazy for adopting, and they thought we had definitely lost our minds when we made this decision. Nonetheless, we followed our hearts and in November of 2011 Desi came home. She was four years old and we were originally told her only special needs issue was a missing left forearm. Once she was home, we discovered she has a mild form of Spina bifida called Spina Bifida Occulta. None of these issues slow her down.

Adoption has been a blessing to our lives and has changed our family for the better. It is our hope Jenna and Desi can be a testament and encouragement to those thinking about adoption. Rather than growing up in orphanages thousands of miles away, they are growing up going to dance class, making friends at school, and enjoying every minute they get to spend at church. We sometimes wonder who is the more blessed, the two of them or us.

On the family dynamics: Devan is our oldest child and a born leader. She has a heart of gold and has a strong desire to serve others. Jordan is our second oldest child and has a vibrant personality. She is persistent and compassionate in everything she does (especially concerning animals). Jenna is the heart-beat of our family. She is insightful and has a very tender heart. We are still learning all about Desi's personality, but she would be best described as adventurous. She is fearless and approaches life with a "grab the bull by the horns" attitude. She is full of joy and ready to take on the world.

On discussing birth parents and cultures: Jenna and Desi have always known they are adopted and it comes up in our regular conversation quite often. No topic is off-limits in our house. If they want to know, then we are willing to talk about it. They watch their "Gotcha Day" videos frequently and they know they can ask us any question they have about the time prior to coming into our family and about their unique adoption processes. They ask questions about China and we answer as best we can. Sometimes we look up facts together to give them the best answer. Both girls know that when they are ready and desire to, we will do everything possible to help them find their Chinese birth families. We always celebrate Chinese New Year by showing a video on their classrooms, learning a few Mandarin phrases and eating Chinese food. When they were younger, we explained to them that their sisters Devan and Jordan grew in Mommy’s tummy, and they grew in Mommy’s heart. Knowing this made them feel very valued and loved, especially since we don’t have any pictures from the early days of their lives.

What would you like to tell other families about adoption? I think a misconception about adoption is that you are going to get a child that is “messed up.” There are definitely cases where the children have endured such abuse and neglect that they are unable to function inside the parameters of a family, but the majority of these children just need a family to love them and give them the security that a family brings. Another issue that families bring up is the financial burden of adoption. We have learned that where there is a will to bring home a child, there will always be a way. Adoption does take money but if you do your research, you can make it affordable.

Mark, Kim, Kennedy (15), Reagan (13), and Wesley (11)

Mark Leverett: I was adopted by two wonderful parents when I was 6 months old, and I did not know my biological father or mother. I have always wanted to give a child the same chance I was given. After a 25-year search, and only two weeks after finalizing our adoption of Wesley, I found my biological mother living in West Helena. A news story ran on a Memphis television station about the reunion, and a lawyer in Chicago was sent a version. That lawyer sent the video to his high school friend and told him that the young man look strangely familiar—his high school friend was my biological father. I have met and have a wonderful relationship with them both. In fact, my father lives in Sherwood and is one of my favorite golf partners. I'm writing a book on the entire experience entitled “Amazing Grace.”

On the family dynamics: Our family dynamics are much like any typical family. The kids are very active in school and sports activities. They have a typical love/irritation relationship. Kennedy is the reflective, calculating child. She takes her time, thinks through most everything and is a very sensitive person. She plans to become a veterinarian. Reagan goes a mile a minute. She is the jokester, quick-witted and artistic. She plans to pursue a career in architecture. Wesley is reserved by nature; he is blessed/burdened with a dreamer personality type and is a hard worker. Currently, he plans to become the POTUS.

On discussing birth parents: We have not discussed in detail with Wesley how we will deal with his birth parents. My parents told me when I was young that they wanted me to find my birth mother. My parents, as much as they could, helped me to locate her. It really speaks to their unselfishness. I hope Kim and I are as selfless with Wesley.

What would you like to tell other families about adoption? Adoption is a very selfless act. It not only blesses the one adopted, but those who made the sacrifice to adopt. Every child deserves a parent or parents that can love and care for them, even if it is not those to whom they are born.

Don, Mindy, Braxton (12), Sky (9), and Jordan (2)

Mindy Barranco: Our story started 41 years ago. I was adopted from the Gladney Agency in Fort Worth, TX. Fast forward 30 years: Don and I were having trouble getting pregnant and it was a no brainer. We went through the Gladney Agency and adopted Braxton. It was a sweet and sentimental journey to get our first baby. We love his birthmother with all our hearts and had a close relationship with her. Two years later, a friend told us that a birth mother was looking for a Christian family to adopt her unborn child. It tugged and pulled at me until we responded. Next thing you know, we are on a plane to Nevada to meet our second baby, Sky. Our third blessing was my version of an “unplanned” pregnancy! Last fall we got a call from Nevada DHS telling us that Sky’s half brother was in foster care and asking if we were interested in adopting him. After much prayer, we decided this was exactly what God wanted us to do. So this spring all four of us jumped on a plane and went to get Jordan!

On the family dynamics: We are just a normal, busy and crazy family of five. The kids fight like any other family. Braxton is smart and level headed and honestly just like his daddy. Sky is artsy and creative and emotional just like her mom! Jordan is 2 years old and a true firecracker with a sweet smile that always wins us over. We laugh, we play, we cry, we love. Honestly, I don’t think we could’ve given birth to children that fit us any better.

How do you talk to your children about their birth parents? We tell them the truth. Their birth parents loved them so much, but just couldn’t take care of them. They wanted them to have a mommy and daddy and they picked us for them.

What would you like to tell other families about adoption? God has a hand in every adoption. We believe this with all our hearts. In our home is a framed sign that says “Adoption is proof of answered prayers.” We’ve gotten proof three times! Growing up, my mom always had a saying “you were born in my heart not under it.” These sayings sum up our feelings about adoption.

Adoption is a beautiful thing. We have been given the gift of parenthood through a process that is so full of love and compassion. Our children could not be our children any more than if we had given birth to them. Just like any other parents, we would do anything for our children and we love them immensely.