I like playing with Joel when we get to see each other. We swim, go to the splash pad and play restaurant with the make-believe food and kitchen Joel has in the sunroom.

It’s hard to remember when these children weren’t a part of our family. I vaguely remember my parents telling us that they were adopting a special needs child almost 13 years ago. It was strange for us because my 4 other brothers and sisters and myself were adults at this point (minus the youngest who was still in high school). We had moved out of the house and begun lives of our own.

Name: Joel Poole

Age: 7

Hobbies: swimming, playing with the dogs, wearing costumes.

What is the most important thing you do everyday? Eat french fries.

Name: Josephine “Josie” Poole

Age: 16

Hobbies: rocking out to music, teasing my little brother

Name: J.T. Poole

Age: 16

Hobbies: Music, baseball, swimming, camping, travel, other people’s electronics, cards

Name: Justin Poole

Age: 18

Hobbies: basketball, swimming, reading magazines and doing my “work.”

What is your favorite thing about yourself? The ladies like me.

Name: Jessica Poole

Age: 25

Hobbies: watching TV, coloring, swimming, doing my nails, playing with our dogs.

What is the best moment of your life? When I was voted prom queen