Many moms are fulfilled with one or two children while others strive for five or six.

However, there are some very special women who take on the task of adopting children into an already-large family.

Meet Linda Sterling.

“It wasn’t something Howard and I planned,” explained Sterling. “We had four children and then met little Ashley. Her mom had custody, but she lived with her grandmother next door. Ashley spent so much time at our house, that when the state took custody they called to ask if we would foster her.”

The couple said yes and eventually adopted Ashley.

“To celebrate, we all agreed to name her Dinah,” said Sterling. “It all had to do with having a new start; a new life, a new name.”

But it didn’t end there.

“Shortly after we adopted Dinah, we were eating dinner,” smiled Sterling, “and there sat our children: Hannah, twins Seth and Luke, Sarah and Dinah; leaving one empty chair. We thought ‘What’s one more?’ and adopted Rebekah.”

Fast forward eight years.

The Sterling family has grown to 11 children; four by birth, seven by adoption, and they now live in a large home in Auburn. Their names are Hannah, 17; Dinah, 14; twins Seth and Luke, 14; Levi, 13; Noah, 12; Isaac, 11; Sarah, 10; Rebekah, 9; Lydia, 8; and Emily, 5.

According to 40-year-old Sterling, one thing just led to another.

“After Rebekah, we heard of sibling groups, who are harder to place. That’s when Levi, Noah and Lydia came into our lives. Then came little Isaac.”

Over a year ago, the family heard that Rebekah’s little sister needed a home.

“We met them for lunch and fell in love,” Sterling laughed. “We tell people we got her from McDonalds.”

What could possibly move these exceptional parents to such an extraordinary venture?

“When we adopted Dinah, it opened our eyes to foster care and how we can give these children a normal, stable and committed family that they may never get the chance to have. There was an ache in my heart when I heard about kids turning 18 and having no place to ever call home.

“I don’t feel we are just adding children,” she added. “We are compelled to make a difference in these children’s lives, some of whom have lived in six foster homes.”

Sterling feels they have made a difference to each child who has a new name and new life.

“One of the girls was believed to have been left in a play pen for 20 months. She never laughed, never cried; now she is a very smart little girl. One child came straight from a mental hospital and those doctors wouldn’t recognize him today.

“Fairview and Auburn Middle have been extremely supportive and teacher conferences just validate that our sacrifices have paid off. I know we could own a camp on the lake, or a fancy SUV, but this is much more rewarding.”

The house is filled with love and laughter.

“We expect a lot,” said Sterling. “When kids first come [into our home], it is quite an adjustment. At first we have lower expectations, but as they learn the rules, the expectations gradually go higher. There is never competition or jealousy. The older ones help out a lot and most of them pack their own lunch. There is a lot of laughter, even on a bad day.”

The family finds enjoyment together in many pastimes and hobbies.

“Most of the kids are involved with school activities, but generally we go camping or hiking at Angel Falls; things that make for fun, but don’t cost a lot. We have a pool and have a blast just playing together.”

At the end of the day, the Sterlings are proud of their undertaking.

“It’s just a good feeling when all the lights go out. The house is quiet and we can reflect. It makes me think of a quote from Mother Theresa: ‘Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.’”

Sterling said, “It’s a good feeling knowing we helped in some small way.”

Will there be more?

“Well, we have Josu Asun, an exchange student from Spain so the table is pretty full,” Sterling laughed. “But when he heads back home there will be another empty chair!”