Life Stories

Our Only Hope

My husband and I had tried for many years to have children. After many attempts of artificial insemination and long waiting, I figured my dreams of having a family were shattered. I wanted a huge family but could not have one.

I longed for children so my husband considered adoption. We contacted an agency and after 10 months of waiting, our dreams came true. They had a 2-month-old baby boy. We got him right away.

Isaiah Leiland Anderson Thornton was his name. He was born April 17, 1986, weighing 4 pounds, 7 ounces and was 17 inches long. We adopted him on June 18, 1986, when he was 2 months old.

Well a year and a half later the agency called and asked how everything was going and if we were interested in a baby girl. We were delighted. Brooke Renee Williams Thornton was born on November 7, 1987, weighing 8 pounds, 8 ounces and was 22 inches long. We adopted her at 4 months.

Justin Lee Crawford Thornton was born May 6, 1989. He weighed only 1 pound, 8 ounces and was 13 inches long. He was in the hospital for three months. We adopted him on December 19, 1989, when he was 7 months old.

Then came Sarah Elizabeth Black Thornton. She was born on March 21, 1991, weighing 7 pounds, 4 ounces and was 20 inches long. We adopted Sarah on September 24, 1991, when she was 6 months old.

Zachary Marc Greene Thornton was born December 10, 1994, weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces and was 21 1/2 inches long. We adopted Zack on September 23, 1995, when he was 9 months old.

Brittney Nicole Jackson Thornton was born on January 18, 1998. She weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce and was 20 inches long. We adopted Brittney on June 29, 1998, when she was 5 months old.

Micah Ray Robbins Thornton was born on July 20, 2000. He weighed 3 pounds, 1 ounce and was 15 inches long. He was drug exposed. We adopted Micah on March 26, 2001, when he was 8 months old.

Gabrielle Marie Savato Thornton was born on September 19, 2001. She weighed 5 pounds, 4 ounces and was 16 inches long. Her mother loved her very much, but sadly died when Gabby was only 5 days old. We adopted Gabby October 20, 2001, when she was only 1 month old.

Devon Joe Dyer Thornton was born August 23, 2002. He was also drug exposed. He weighed 8 pounds, 14 ounces and was 21 inches long. We adopted Devon on November 25, 2002, when he was 3 months old.

On July 23, 2003, we got a call. It was a young mother. She had read our profile and wanted us to adopt her baby girl to be born in October. We were so excited we would actually get to see this one be born and have time to really prepare for a baby.

Summer Lynn Thornton was born on October 7, 2003. She weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces and she was 20 inches long. She was perfect and healthy. We got to take her home the next day. Now our family is complete.

We longed for a family many years ago and ended up with 10 beautiful, healthy children. Isaiah is now 18, Brooke is 17, Justin is 15, Sarah is 13, Zack is 10, Brittney is 6, Micah is 4, Gabby is 3, Devon is 2 and our little Summer is 14 months old. It was the Lord's will for us to not have natural children and give 10 wonderful children homes who may not have had one.

Love, the Thorntons