On Tuesday, CBS let us into the private lives of many people adopted as children and those who still need a permanent home. In the Birmingham area we know of a family of 18; two parents and 16 children, 12 of them adopted.
When you walk into the Gardner home in Grayson Valley you can sense that something is a little different. Tons of pictures on the walls, one huge dinner table, and then in the living room are the kids…lots of kids.
"Because first of all I love them… Some day's I don't know."
Beverly Gardner and her husband have four children of their own, then in 1988 adopted a fifth and started fostering others. Now there are 16 children total and 13 living under one roof.
"The more children you have you kind of catch on to things to do that just make life easier," said Gardner.
The Gardner children range in age from 28 to seven. And for the most part it's one big happy family.
"What's it like living in a family of 16 brothers and sisters?"
"Good, it's just kind of loud," said ten-year-old Brian Gardner.
Tony was adopted by the Gardner’s when he was two. He can't imagine where he'd be without his mom and dad.
"A lot of people think it's crazy. And they ask me if it's crazy and I say it's like any other family you see out there," said Tony.
But there are some drawbacks to having such a big family, especially when Santa Claus has to fill 17 stockings.
"Oh, that's not easy. That is Santa Claus' least favorite thing to do in our house," said Gardner.
As for the 17th stocking, the Gardner’s are expecting a new grandchild at just about any time.
One of the Gardner’s children, McKenzie, passed away several years ago, and another is currently serving in the military.
