Karen

Some may consider Karen's life unconventional - she's a 31-year-old single mom, raising three children while going to school full-time.  What people don't know is Karen is realizing her dreams.  More than anything she has always wanted to be a mother and a lawyer.

Karen's three adopted children - Nathaniel, 12; Adrianna, 6; and Preston, 3 - are thriving through the support and stability their mom provides.  Karen began considering adoption when she learned she couldn't have children.  Because she grew up with adopted cousins, she knew she still had options.  "I knew once you adopt, they are a part of your family forever," she said.  "Family is family.   Whether they're yours by biology or by choice, it doesn't change the way you love them."

Her decision to adopt was simplified when her oldest son was abandoned with her when he was 9 months old.  "A woman from church knew that I was interested in adopting and left him with me.  I thought I was babysitting, but I ended up becoming his mother."  After AAAA helped Karen adopt Nathaniel, she knew she could parent other children.  She adopted Adrianna when she was 2 years old and Preston when he was 1.

When Karen enrolled at Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, Minn., to earn her bachelor's degree in criminal justice her family stood behind her."  The children spend time with their grandparents and aunties when I am at school.  We are a team."  Karen is modeling the values of education and perseverance - and her children are learning by example.  In their own way, they each understand that with courage and patience you can live your dream.