The Shawnee couple wanted an opportunity to share their family values and experiences, and feel the joy of shaping young lives. After 13 years of unsuccessfully trying to have children of their own, they decided to consider adoption. It was a decision that changed their lives.

They thought they’d start by becoming foster parents, which involved several months of training and becoming licensed by the state of Missouri. Their first placement was a newborn baby, less than 10 days old, and her 1½ year-old brother. Both children were in state custody, having been removed from their birth parents’ home. The tiny girl was born with cocaine in her system, a result of drug use by her mother during pregnancy.

The more time Roger and Diana spent with the children, the closer they became. The youngsters’ smiles were enchanting. Watching Ellie take her first step and marveling at Kyden’s growing vocabulary filled their foster parents’ hearts with joy. They couldn’t help but to fall in love with the red-haired, precocious pair. So, when they learned that the children were available for adoption, Roger and Diana jumped at the chance. Diana says, “They were the answer to our prayers. It was like it was supposed to happen.”

They thought they would be a family of four but a year later a social worker called the Hieberts, saying their children’s birth parents had given birth to another baby girl who, like her older sister, was born with cocaine in her system. She, too, was in protective state custody and would the Hieberts accept another placement into their home? They said yes, feeling it was important for the siblings to grow up together.

A year-and-a-half later came yet another call about another newborn sibling, conceived and born to the same birth parents, again placed in protective state custody because of drug use during pregnancy. This time the decision was a little harder for the Hieberts. Going from no children to four kids, all under the age of four in just three years? Could they handle the stress, the financial responsibility and the logistics to make it work? After some heart-to-heart discussions and soul searching they agreed, feeling it was best for the children. The Hieberts adopted them all.

Like many families with two working parents and no relatives in town, the Hieberts enrolled their children in child care, choosing Berkley Child and Family Development Center at UMKC. There, teachers noticed that their oldest, Kyden, was having some behavioral issues. His speech was delayed, he had trouble focusing and teachers questioned his readiness for kindergarten. They suggested Roger and Diana seek help from a CFC Agency, The Family Conservancy.

Counselors from the program came out to observe Kyden’s behavior. They spent one-on-one time working with Kyden, helping him handle new challenges and establish a routine. Counselors met with his parents and teachers, developing strategies to help Kyden succeed and ease his transition to kindergarten.

Diana says being a parent of four young ones isn’t always easy, but they just take things day by day and know they’re giving the kids a better life. “It’s comforting to know that help is available if we need it through The Family Conservancy and other CFC Agencies.”

Overall, things are going great. The children love being together and the family is doing well. Diana says, “We’re being very open and honest, telling the kids that they were adopted and letting them know that we love them very much.” Roger and Diana say their hopes and dreams for the future are the same as most parents. “We want our children to grow up to be happy and successful, respectful of others and doing something they love to do.” Diana is convinced that growing up together as a family will help them reach their goal.