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Michael and Thelma Conklin, Pennsylvania

We are an active and fun family of 13 children, and feel very blessed to have such a large family.  We bought our home 2 years ago and feel fortunate to have found a home with 10 bedrooms, and 5 bathrooms.  The children have plenty of room to run and play, both inside and outside.  Daddy Michael is a wonderful dad and an Executive Chef.  We are lucky that he works for a company that respects his high commitment to his family.  Mommy Thelma is a stay at home mom and Registered Nurse. We have had much experience caring for children needing special medical attention, and it is because of our ability and knowledge, we would like to welcome you and your child into our lives.

Our sons, Michael age 13, and Zachariah age 12, Kendrick age 7, and Jeremiah age 7, are being homeschooled.  They are enjoying learning at home and at their own pace.  Each of our children learns at very different speeds, and that is why we have chosen to be their "teachers", both in academics and in their spiritual lives. Theodore is 5 years old and attends a pre-school.  He needs speech services and loves the 1/2 day school activities.  He needs a nurse to go along with him, and they enjoy that time together.
                  

Our daughter Tula, age 9, is currently enrolled in a learning support classroom where she is making remarkable progress, and we are thankful that she enjoys going to school. Our daughter Jasmine is 6 and has just started kindergarten.  She loves going to school and making new friends.  Jeremiah misses her when she is at school and is happy to see the school bus at the end of the day.
                   

Our son Abraham, age 5 years, is home with us and receives early intervention services in the home.  He has medical needs that prevent him from attending a public school at this time.  He thrives in our daily routine, as there is always someone to play with.  Our daughter Tatiana is also 5 years old.  She is also at home and receives services in the home setting.  She is has been with us for a little over a year and has made remarkable progress.  She is a delightful little girl and we just love her so very much.  Our son Christian is 4 years old.  He is a typical little boy who enjoys being home and playing with his brothers and sisters.  He came to us a year ago from California.  We are amazed at the things he enjoys, and the many new ways he is becoming quite the "big boy".
                    

We never really set out to have a large family, each child was brought to us for a reason and we just feel blessed to have grown into a large family.  After Christian, we thought we were finished.  We had waited for 2 years to bring him home from CA.  During that wait, other children came, and we still waited for him. Our daughter Amelia is 22 months.  She had special medical needs at birth, and now is just perfect.  She is developing right on target, and has us all wrapped around her little finger. She has a fabulous smile and personality.  She is a delight.  Our son Jacob is 1 year old.  He also had medical needs as an infant and is now right on target.  Just like his siblings, he knows he is adored and just thinks a smile will get him the world.  I guess in his world it works!!!!
                  

Again, we thought we were finished.  Then last summer baby Victoria came home to us.  She is a medically fragile baby. All I can say about Victoria is she is well loved and cherished, and I can not remember the time before she was here. We do not know what her future holds, but we do know that we have been blessed with a gift and for that we are grateful.

Being parents of 13 children is a fun place to be.  Michael enjoys being a dad and a husband to Thelma.  He takes a very active role in parenting and is capable of caring for all the children if Thelma is away from home.
                     

Thelma has been a nurse for 20 years, and will readily say that being a mommy is the best. 

 
It is because of our faith and trust in Christ that we are able to be parents to children who require 24/7 attention.  We have rough and unsure times with the children, and we must rely on Christ's promise to carry us through these difficult times.  We have learned to trust that Christ has called us to care for his children, and he will provide for our needs.  We have a very loving and stable marriage, and are just so grateful for the many opportunities we have been given to deepen our love for each other and for our children.

We also have help with several of the children.  Victoria and Theodore have a night time nurse.  This ensures that Michael and I can get a good night sleep.  My older sister is like a grandma to our children.  She helps in our home 3 days a week and helps out around the house with whatever needs done.  She loves the little ones, and they love her.  I have a large extended family, sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews, and now great-nieces and -nephews, who also love our children. 

We can already notice the positive experiences the children have been given by being part of our busy, loving, and happy transracial family.  Our oldest boys Michael and Zachariah were birth children.  They will readily tell anyone about the younger siblings, and their love for them is quite obvious.

As I close this letter, let me begin by saying a prayer for you. As I close this letter, let me begin by saying a prayer for you. Our prayer is that you feel Christ's love and give you peace.

If you are reading this letter, you must have a child that you are hoping to place with a forever family.  You might be afraid and a bit overwhelmed by having to reach such a hard decision.  Again, we ask for your peace of mind and comfort.

If we are chosen to be parents, trust us to love your child the best way we know how. We will provide a very stable and lifelong advocate for your child's needs.  They will be loved and given every opportunity that will help them reach their fullest potential.

We will show them Christ's love through our hearts and hands as we care for them.  Happiness will be part of their lives. Thank you for giving your child the chance to see the light of day, and experience being loved and cared for.

Sincerely,
          Michael and Thelma Conklin and family