My name is Joseph Barnett Deering.  I live in Madison, Wisconsin, with my wife of twenty years, Beth, and our brood.  We have thirteen children who range in age from 18 down to two.

I'm a stockbroker and my wife, a stay-at-home mom who also writes children's books. 

Six of our thirteen children are adopted; the others, "homegrown".  But they're all ours.

Our children are named Grace Elizabeth (18); Tyler Michael (17); Charite' Michelle (16--Korea); Johnathon Thomas (15--Vietnam); Meredith Marie (14); Robert Joseph (R.J.) (13--Mexico); Tabitha Lee (12--India); Hilari Elaine (12--US); Troyal Benjamin (11--US); Winter Storm (10); Melissa Renee' (8); Thomas Ryan (6); and the youngest, two-year-old Michael Barnett (he was a total surprise).

As you can imagine, the expense to raise such a large family is outrageous, particularly in the area of food.  The teens go thorugh an alarming amount of food; it seems we are always having to go grocery shopping two times a week just to replace what the teens have polished off!

Also the gas costs, what with running kids to sports practice or games, music or voice lessons, doctor's appointments, to and from school.

With gas being so expensive (nearly $3.00 a gallon here, may go up to $4.00 a gallon come summer, according to the news reports), we are having to scrimp/save every penny so we can have the money for gas or other needs in our family.

It isn't easy, but we somehow manage to do it.

I think some of that help comes from Heaven Above. There's been times where we've found some unexpected cash, which couldn't have come at a better time.

We go to church every Sunday at Livng Waters Baptist.  On Sundays, I serve as an usher, greeting the congregation and guests who come visit. It's a great way to meet people, make new friends. I love it.

My wife and some of the children sing in the choir while the littler ones go to Sunday school.

We are very involved with our church, as you can see.

We adopted our first children nearly 12 years ago when they were really little; it's been amazing to watch them grow and flourish under our love.

The others came later; they ended up becoming important members of our family.  They've discovered  we have more than enough love to go around.

Adoption from our standpoint has been a mix of experiences: joyful yet at times intimidating, even terrifying. We had to learn about new cultures different than our own, learn what they liked or hated, and had to learn about the laws of their nations regarding adoption. We wanted to make sure we were doing everything right in our quest to adopt our foreign-born children so there weren't any problems.

The children have learned to get along with each other (although at times there are arguments) and work together harmoniously. The teens can get moody, the school-aged ones can get mouthy or spring attitudes, and the littler ones can get too energetic (or mischevious) for our liking.

We just take it in stride and try to be the best parents we possibly can. We try to be there for the kids, be there when they need a hug or a shoulder to cry on, or when they go to the ER for whatever reason it may be.

Last week, for example:  our little one, Michael, tumbled from a stool while trying to get a DVD off a shelf. He ended up splitting his chin open.

As you can imagine, there was blood all over, and at the sight of it, I freaked. To the emergency room we went, where he got his chin stitched closed. It was scary to see all that blood; I still shake when I think of it.

I just thank God that Mikey wasn't hurt worse than he was.

Well, I have to run. Speaking of Mikey, he's calling; he just has taken his hour-long nap; he's ready to go for another few hours. Take care and God bless! (Took the day off today; personal day. Been working extra hours lately; am tired; needed a break.)

~Joe Deering, father to 13 kids, Madison, WI.