The Mohney Family

James and Ali are parents of six kids, aged toddler to teen, thanks to the miracle of biology, adoption, and vasectomy reversal.  Together they own Smith Building Services of Oregon and raise their family together too.  After they adopted special needs and transracial children they were disowned by family members including their two sets of parents.  Through this family loss they've learned who their real friends and family are, relying on each other and forming a solid loving bond despite the challenges their mental health issues bring.  They are a different kind of family doing the best they can with what they've got.  Here's a little of their story: 

After Nathan was born, Ali's thyroid and hormone levels caused fertility issues and losses, but Brenden managed to join them four years later.  Deciding that following children could be adopted from a place with waiting children, James had a vasectomy to avoid the pain of further losses.

Four years after, one year old Leecy joined the family.  Suffering from the effects of drug and alcohol exposure, she proved to be a very big parenting challenge despite years of special needs training.  As she neared four years old the Mohney's decided they could handle just one more family member.  The hard decision was choosing vasectomy reversal and fertility treatments or legally free adoption again.  Knowing both could have long waits and neither would be a gaurenteed new addition, they opted to do both.  Sadly sufferring additional losses the Mohney's soon rejoiced when a caseworker in the southwest called to say a birthmother had chosen their family to adopt -if we were interested in two siblings.  "We talked, prayed, and thought about it a lot.  A little freaked out about having five kids we decided that 2 year old, Jamey and 5 year old, Sadie would be excellent matches for our family!" 

Later that same exact day they'd find out they weren't expecting two more kids they were expecting THREE more because Ali was pregnant again!  And you guessed it, it was another girl!  "We counted our blessings and came up with half a dozen named Nathan, Brenden, Sadie, Leecy, Jamey, and Oni."

Going from 3 kids to 6 was admittedly the hardest year of their lives.  In that year seven of the eight family members would be also be diagnosed sperately by different  doctors with types of depression, much of the family is now being treated with medications despite the controversy and young ages of their children.  Some find it repulsive others heroic but this family simply claims to be doing the best they can with what they've got and loving all the crazy fun life has brought them...oh! and life by sheer surprise is bringing another blessing February 2011!  

Nathan 10/96-

A typical teen with his video games and need to be independant.  He is a funny kid who can be antaganistic to his brother and sisters but is loving and protective too.  He is the self-appointed the guardian of his mentally retarded sister, Leecy.  He is James and Ali's biological son.  Nathan's hobbies are video games and basketball. 

Sadie 10/01-

As the oldest daughter, Sadie joined her forever family at just 5 years old through foster care adoption.  Her birthmom was able to choose the Mohney's to parent Sadie and they love her for it.  Sadie tries very hard to be the little-Mommy.   She's perfectly pleasent except to her big brothers who she likes to tease and fuss about.  Sadie wants to be a teacher, mom, and police officer when she's grown and it's fully believed that she will be!   

Jamey 9/05-

Sweet little Jamey Baby is often bossy and controlling.  Unfortunately for her being adorable makes it so she isn't taken seriously by her brothers, sisters, dogs or anyone or thing else she tries to boss around.  She's a future leader for sure, but at this time claims she wants to grow up to be a butterfly.  The Mohney's feel so blessed to have been chosen to adopt Jamey when she was just 2 years old.  Not without scars of her past she presents challenges after a year of great strides. 

James, 37 years old & Ali, 31 years old-

James owns and operates Smith Building Services in Portland, Oregon.  He says he never knew he'd like having so many kids and thought four was the largest number he ever thought he'd have, now he thinks if he wins the lottery he'd add two more!  Married 14 years James considers Ali his best friend and loves "making her laugh!"  His hobbies are computers, fishing and video games.

Ali volunteers for a national special needs adoption support group manages Smith Building Services office from home. She wants to work in a media setting "just helping people" she reports, "I've found through the years miracously that the more I help others the more I am helped.  It's a beautiful realization after seeing how monsterous humans can be to the weakest among us as a foster parent for a decade."  Her hobbies include writing and cooking.

Brenden 10/00-

Passionate and creative is the best description of Brenden.  He's got a peppery temper but a soft heart.  He's often found to be the defender of the underdog.  He's an old soul who is liked very much and considered an equal among adults.  He is the second biological son of James and Ali.  His skills are painting and sculptures.  His hobbies are rock collecting and long walks.  His favorite food is anything he can cook all by himself.

Leecy 10/04

Precious Leecy is a Dora the Explorer look a like!  She's hardest to parent because of her special needs caused by drug and alcohol exposure in utero.  Abandoned just hours old as a newborn, James and Ali recall Leecy's very first birthday as the anniversary of her adoption.  Leecy is sweet and funny despite her many extra challenges.

Her hobbies are following family members from room to room to announce what each person is doing.  Her skills include finding Mom in any room of the house and shadowing her.  Her favorite food is any fruit, but especially oranges.

Oni 9/08-

Perfectly spoiled baby of the bunch she expects to be given attention by each of her five brothers and sisters and gets it!   She's considered a miracle after she arrived biologically to the Mohney's after vasectomy reversal, losses and fertility aids.  For her young age she is very aware and quickly warms up to everyone she meets.  Her hobbies are watching a "show" while relaxing with a "bubba."  Her skills are hitting the brothers or sisters before they even see her coming.  Favorite food is nothing- this baby doesn't want to eat nothing!

"Lucky" due 2/06/2011

A complete surprise, "Lucky" will be joining the family thru the biological route in the coming new year.  Ultrasound pictures coming soon.  And did the doctor just say that there "might be two fetal poles" !!???!!!!!!