I swear sometimes people like to point out just what the right amount of children is just to drive us crazy.  Believe me, we've heard it all before and frankly, I'm getting sick and tired of all the attention already ...

It shouldn't matter how many kids we have.  All we care about is that our kids have a home and a family, and we love our kids as if they had all been born to us!  It also shouldn't matter that a lot of our kids don't look like us, but that doesn't stop us from loving them (or being their parents) any less!

My name is Amy Moore Prohut; we (meaning my husband, Garrett, and myself) have adopted 22 children from various countries around the world, as well as domestically (here within the continental United States).  Our children range in age from two on up to 25, and most happen to have disabilities.  We live in Oak Park, Illinois.

We have 11 girls and 11 boys.  Their names and ages are: Maynard Abrahiam (25, Kenya, Africa); Keith Philip (23, Washington, DC, USA); Jeremiah Paul (20, Poland); Melanie Sue (21, Georgia, USA); JAmes ("Jimmy") Parkland (19, Tennessee, USA); Meredith Colleen (18, Rwanda, Africa); GaryAdam (16, Poland); Haylie Dawn (15, Russia); Melissa Doreen (14, Connecticut, USA); Ima Rose (13, India); Matul Amandita (12, India); Devin Patrick (11, Korea); Marshall Dean (10, Phillippines); Corwin Thomas (9, Vietnam); Sophia Faith (8, China); Scott Deric (7, Mexico); Samuel Thaddeus (6, Honduras); Carlie Marie (5, China); Evan Carter (5, Tanzania, Afica); Harper Danielle (5, China); Nevaeh Grace (4, China); and Lotus ("LoLo") Nathalie Hope (2, China).

As I said, most of the kids have special needs.  Some are quite noticeable while others aren't quite as obvious; yet they still happen to have disabilities, just the same.  Eight of the kids (Maynard, Jeremiah, Merrie, Haylie, Ima, Matul, Corwin, and Nevaeh) are in wheelchairs while two (Melissa and Jimmy) have Down syndrome and are both mentally disabled.  LoLo was born with albinism: even though she is Chinese by birth, she sticks out very well because she has snow-white hair, pale blue eyes, and light pink-tinged skin that is highly susceptible to sunburn; so we have to keep her covered or in the shade as much as possible, or else she could get very sick and increase her chances of getting cancer.

Scott and Sammy both have autism (Scott is more affected; while Sammy can communicate and make his wants known, Scott goes to a school for children with moderate to severe autism).  As for Evan, he has spina bifida and chooses to ambulate on crutches and leg braces.  Carlie was born without arms or legs but can get by in her own determined fashion.  She is absolutely incredible!

Nathalie and Harper are deaf but are otherwise as normal as can be.  They are each other's best friend and are always together: they are extremely close.

So that is our family.  Warts and all, we are still a family.  It's gotten to the point where Garrett or I cannot imagine our brood without any of the kids.  We've grown to love each and every one fo them very, very much.

As for us, I am a homemaker/homeschool teacher while Garrett builds houses and does part time construction.  We have a pretty good life; God's seen to it that we have everything we possibly need to get by, even during these tough, uncertain economic times.  God has blessed both of us tenfold, and we are all eternally grateful to Him for allowing us to become a family.  It isn't easy, but it's been worth it; the benefits far outweigh the storms or bad times!  And if we could adopt, believe me, we would do it again! 

You haven't heard the last of our story.  You will be hearing from us again.  Until next time, this is Amy Joy Moore Prohut saying so long; may God bless you as much as He's blessed us over the years!

~Love, your new friend in Illinois, Amy Joy.  :)