It's a Crazy Life, but it's Our Life

Do you ever watch the Duggar Family on TLC and wonder, "How do they take care of all those kids? 19 now I think. They live only a few miles away from GrannyMountain near Tontitown, Arkansas. If you go a little over 100 miles due East, you will meet a family with 21 children! High School friend Leon Bardin and wife Robin had 5 children of their own when they opened up their heart and their home to 16 more through adoption.

Robin's blog It's a Crazy Life, but it's Our Life
documents how their desire to add one more through adoption led to adding two sisters, then 4 more siblings. Robin says, "I was chatting in a new chat room at adoption.com one Saturday night. I was just minding my own business when a chatter came into the room. : ) when someone typed in- Would anyone be interested in adopting 4 kids ages 1, 2, 3, and 4? Hmmmmm.......I sat there and waited for someone in that busy chat room to type in the word-Yes. I waited some more and lo, and behold some crazy woman typed in that word that would change that family's lives forever. ME! I typed that 3 letter word and pushed enter."

2000 and 2001 brought 2 baby daughters, now they are at a dozen kids!
After this it seemed as if everytime the phone rang at the Bardin house, another child was in need of a home. Robin says, "Should we continue answering the phone?? Maybe a number change would be a wise decision?? LOL"
2003~Two sons are added!
Robin and Leon decide that one more daughter and their family will be complete, but this time with the demands of a big family, Robin request that it not be a baby. A little girl who slept through the night would be perfect. But God had other plans for them!
2004~They learned of two baby girls who were in "stalled" situations in the adoption system.
2005 brought a baby girl into the family, she didn't sleep through the night but she blessed them still! Then in 2006 the two baby girls who were stuck in the adoption system came to live with the Bardins'!

All along the way were many battles to be fought with adoption agencies, many sleepless nights. That coupled with the work required daily raising a big family would have broke almost anyone. Robin talks about her struggle, encourages anyone who is going through the process and keeps us posted on the family's ongoing life. Let me tell you, it's a good read!



The Bardin Family were just featured on Springfield, Missouri's KY3.

Here's the link to their interview...

(Scroll down to the bottom of the page and turn the Playlist OFF to hear the video)