Marvin and Wendy Holland are a couple in their fifties. Marvin owns a trucking business and they live on a farm in the outskirts of Cuba, Missouri. Together, Marvin and Wendy are parents to 16 children. Six are biological and ten are foster kids. Over the last 5 years, they have adopted six out of the ten foster kids and they are looking forward to adopting the rest of the four kids one day. Today, they live with nine of their foster kids.

When asked, they said, “It’s a shear joy to have these children around, they are the ones who makes our lives beautiful and content.” Wendy and Marvin’s story is an inspiration.

The Holland family gathers around their dinner table where their average meal looks more like a feast. “Family isn’t whose blood you carry, it’s who you love and who loves you back.” The Holland family is a perfect example of this.

Together, they take care of these children without any help. Wendy says, “If we needed external help to take care of these children, we shouldn’t have adopted them in the first place.” 

Their house is filled with quotes and mantras which keep them together and encourge an orderly environment.

According to 2015 statistics, there are more than 400,000 children in foster care. These children are forced to enter a foster home through no fault of their own, because most of them have been abused, neglected or abandoned by their biological families.

The lucky children end up with foster parents like the Hollands. These kids are full of energy and their playful nature keeps the house alive.

Fighting over lost toys is part of the game. Getting grounded over such arguments is fairly common and is a part of the process that keeps them together.

Marvin and Wendy are true to their family values. Their walls are decorated with photos of the warm bonds they share with their large family.

Everything that the Hollands do, they do together. Whether they are making butter in the kitchen or working on the farm, Marvin and Wendy engage all nine of their children in activities that promote togetherness.

Their huge pantry is a representation of the vastness of their family.

As an outsider, it would be difficult to tell whether these kids are adopted or not. Even though the Hollands’ house is run by rules, there is no boundry to the extent of their love.

Adopting ten children is a huge undertaking, but the Hollands cherish their responsibility as parents to these children.

Although these kids come from different places, they are an embodiment of the values that Marvin and Wendy have taught them: Love, family and responsibility come first.