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The Frank Family and Their Vietnam Adoption

BY WHITNEY ROSS

Reporter Marion.Gannett.com, Chronicle Tribune

A 16-month adoption process ends with a bigger tribe - two new daughters - and a stronger family bond

Since she was 5 years old, Trinity Frank, 13, the only female sibling in the Frank family, has been praying for a sister.

When the news came that her parents, Pete and Sunnie, would be adopting a little girl, Trinity thought her prayers had been answered - not once, but twice. The family was excited to learn they could adopt two girls instead of the one they planned for.

Since arriving in the United States in August, Mikayla, who just had her third birthday, and Mikenzie, 10 months, have been under an outpouring of love from their new four siblings, parents, extended family and friends.

About two weeks after Sunnie and Pete arrived home from a long journey to get the girls in Vietnam, their Marion home was adorned with pink.

"It's a girl" and "Welcome home" signs hung over the fireplace. New toys sat in the corner.

Though the girls continue to adjust to their new surroundings, the family is slowly adjusting to a normal state.

"They're fun. They keep you busy, (but) it's fun to have them," Trinity said.
Long time coming

When they first met the girls in their home country of Vietnam in July, Mikenzie was all smiles in her baby innocence and quickly took to her new parents.

Then-2½-year-old Mikayla was more reserved, though.

"Her response was what we were expecting," the Franks wrote in their online diary. "She was rather afraid of us and started crying."

After a few more visits to Mikayla's orphanage, though, she started coming around to where she would smile and giggle with Pete. It took her a little longer to warm up to Sunnie, however, but once she did, their bond cemented quickly.

Sunnie said the first time Mikayla reached out for her was the moment that made all of the waiting and frustration worthwhile. Pete had the same sentiment.

"It's nothing like being able to look her in the face and say, 'I love you,' and to hear her say, 'I love you, Mommy, I love you, Daddy,'" he said. "It just melts our hearts."

The couple said they know not everyone will agree with their decision to adopt because they already have a large family and because of racial differences from the girls, but the Franks said so far things have been positive.

"(People give us looks) anyway because we have a big family," Sunnie said.

"We've only picked up a little negative. It's been almost all positive," Pete said.

Right now, the girls don't understand what adoption means, but as they get older, Sunnie and Pete said they plan on being honest about how they joined the family.

"(We will) let them know the Lord led us to do that. They should not feel inferior or looked down upon," Pete said.

The parents said they plan to keep Mikayla and Mikenzie connected to their culture.

"We'll probably do that through showing them the pictures of our trip," Pete said.

Sunnie said their adoption Web site has become popular, and people from across the world have been e-mailing them. Some of those contacts have said their adoption has been an inspiration.

The Franks also have met several families who have adopted, or are planning to adopt, from Vietnam. The adults would like to start a gathering each summer for the children.

"We have a burden for Vietnam. It's encouraging to see so many other people adopt from over there," Pete said.
Getting into a routine

After being away for six weeks while the adoptions were under way, the Franks had to catch up with the four children who stayed behind - Taylor, 15, Trinity, 13, Trey, 11, and Tyce 7 - while making sure the new girls were settled in and comfortable.

"It definitely takes more effort to distribute your time among six," Pete said.

Sunnie agreed.

"It's a little more challenging to keep things in order," she said.

The adjustment seemed to come naturally, however, when the whole family sat down together for the first time to a dinner of lasagna that had been made for them by a family friend.

Later that week in August, Sunnie, a stay-at-home mom who homeschools the kids, was back in her normal routine.

Tyce read an assignment out loud while Mikayla quietly drew in a coloring book.

It wasn't long before Mikayla, tired of coloring, wanted attention from Mom, who tuned into her without taking her ears away from Tyce.

"I didn't get six kids overnight," Sunnie said. "They have to learn to be patient with me. ... I can only do four things at one time."

The family took a short break to help Tyce with his music lesson. Trinity played some patriotic tunes on the piano while Sunnie, Tyce and Trey sang along.

Soon, Mikenzie woke from her nap, wanting to join the fun and have a snack.

"I ate some of her food before. Not that good," Tyce said, holding his youngest sister.

Because she didn't have a school schedule, Mikayla was acting as mommy's little helper, helping clean Mikenzie after she ate.

"It's always a challenge for me to find chores for the little ones to do," Sunnie said.

In the next few months, Sunnie said the family settled into a routine.

"(The girls) just kind of fit and they kind of help," she said.

Pete, who is a minister at the family's church, Liberty Baptist in Sweetser, said he's had a more difficult time adjusting his schedule with the girls.

"In Vietnam, we were with the girls 24/7," he said. "I come home and I get two or three hours a day with them. It's made us more purposeful in time with our kids."
American, family traditions

"Happy birthday, Mikayla," said a visitor walking into the Frank home in early October.

It was the first time ever that Mikayla, who was turning 3, had a celebration with family and friends for her birthday.

Still a little reserved at times, Mikayla broke out of her shell to socialize with family members and friends her age.

"Isn't she adorable? I can't help it. I'm an aunt," said Paula Davis, Pete's sister, while helping Mikayla eat.

Like everyone in the home for the occasion, Davis was excited to be around her nieces.

"We've been praying for them for so long," she said. "When they walked through that airport door, you could only cry tears of joy when you saw these two new members of our family."

After eating her dinner, Mikayla enjoyed what all American kids her age like about their birthdays - getting a piece of birthday cake - or cupcake, in her case.

She looked on in amazement as the lit cupcake was placed in front of her, with the crowd in her home singing Happy Birthdayin the background.

After quickly eating her cupcake, Mikayla ran off to play with her friends. She spoke some phrases in English.

"There's no better family I know. Some people might (question) that they already have four but, in this house, more kids really fit in," said Julie Kimmerling, a friend of the family. "I look to Sunnie as being my mother mentor."

Mikayla and Mikenzie quickly got to celebrate American traditions with their family.

Their first Thanksgiving was spent with Sunnie's parents, but the biggest Frank family tradition was soon after - picking Christmas trees.

"We've got to prolong this like we always do," Pete said as he and Sunnie recorded the kids at the farm.

Despite the heavy December winds and snow, the family carried on joyfully, with Sunnie inspecting almost every tree.

"It doesn't matter anyway. Mom gets the final say," Taylor said.

After selecting a tree to stand in their living room, the family chose a special tree just for the kids that will go upstairs.

"We call this one our Charlie Brown tree," Sunnie said.

Every now and then, Pete stopped to pick up a glove or fix a boot of Mikayla's. Sunnie said she's learning to get used to wearing socks and gloves because they've never experienced winter weather before.

After the trees were trimmed and ready to go, the family headed back home for cookies and hot chocolate. Big sis Trinity gave Mikayla extra marshmallows.

"I want to teach them to ice skate," Trinity said.

Reprinted with permission of author and the Chronicle Tribune. Copyright reserved.

You can read more about their adoption and visit the Frank family website at www.blessingsfromvietnam.com

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Families with Children from Viet Nam www.fcvn.org