The Morin children in the family’s 2010 holiday photo. In front, from left: Sky (dog), Rebecca Morin, Monique Morin, Jamie, foster son, Michael Morin. Back row, from left: Jason Morin, Kenny Morin, and George, foster son. (Courtesy photos)

Walk into the home of Mark and Mary Anne Morin and the first thing that strikes you are the family photos and the children's artwork displayed on the walls, bookcases, and mantel. It is obvious that it is a place where children are freely encouraged to express themselves.

When you stop and take a closer look, you see that the photos are not homogenous. There are pictures of Caucasian children and African American children: babies, toddlers, and teens. These photos tell the story of the Morins' life as foster parents.

Mary Anne, one of 8 children, had a nurturing personality even at a young age. She knew that she wanted a large family. At 22, she mentored a young girl through the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Organization. It was that chance connection that sparked her desire to become a foster parent.

Many of the children she met there would describe horrific experiences in foster care. And when her "little sister" told the tale of a beating she'd received from her foster family, Mary Anne knew she had to do something. She told her "little sister" that someday, after she had her own children, that she would become a foster parent.

Today, Mary Anne is the mother of 5 biological children: Rebecca, 15, Kenny, 13, Michael, 12, Jason, 9, Monique, 7, and her foster son George, 14. She and her husband Mark have been married for almost 25 years and have lived in Harvard for 10.

Foster babies, Jamie (left) and Halo. (Courtesy photo)

The Morins have been fostering children since 2005 and have had nine children in their care during that time. They receive emails, phone calls, and Christmas cards from seven of the children and their adopteive families. Unfortunately, they don't know anything about the two children that returned to live with their biological families.

Most of the children that come into the Morins' lives have been infants and have stayed for about a year. Mary Anne can still remember the most intimate details of the time she spent with each child. She remembers every characteristic as if they were her own children.

She proudly brings out a photo and has a Cheshire cat-sized smile when talking about the time her family shared with each foster child.

When asked if she ever thought of adopting one of the children, she replies, "I haven't adopted any of my foster children as of yet. But, there hasn't been a child that has come into my home that I haven't thought of adopting. When my foster babies have become legally ready to be adopted, there's always a long line of people waiting to adopt them. Mark and I have been lucky enough to have been blessed with five beautiful children. We think the best thing to do is give someone else the same opportunity. And, if we did adopt, we wouldn't be able to help any of the other kids that need a home."

Mary Anne is referring to the Massachusetts State Law that prohibits more that six children under the age of 18 from living in a home with foster children.

Mary Anne and Mark have set parameters with the state on what children they can handle. In the past, they only fostered children under the age of their youngest child. Recently, they broke from this tradition when they took in George.

George is the 14-year-old brother of a young boy that had lived with the Morins. They got to know him when he would come to visit his brother.

George, who had been living in different settings, asked the Morins if he could live with them. Now, he is an active member of their household and is attending school nearby. George comfortably refers to Mary Anne as "Mom" and views the other Morin children as siblings.

"It's a good place to be," he said. "It's nice they accept me and took me into their family. I like to hang out with them. We do stuff as a family and watch TV. I feel secure with them."

Mary Anne says that George and other foster children have all been welcomed by the Morin children.

"My children are very vocal. They give me feedback every day, all day. Most of the feedback is very positive," she said. "They get just as attached as Mark and I do. When it's time for one of them to leave, we all sit together and cry."

Rebecca, a Bromfield sophomore, agrees with her mother.

"We don't mind having foster children. It's just another kid around," she said. "We are glad we can help. I like to help out with babysitting and cooking. It's cool when the families stay in touch. I am Facebook friends with one of our first kids and we actually got to go visit him in Florida. It was great to see him with his new family."

When asked if she would recommend foster parenting to others, Mary Anne emphatically replies, "Yes! I don't think a lot of people in Harvard know what these kids had to go through just to get to us. We have a good life out here. These kids don't even have food to eat or parents, and most of them are abused."

The Morins know all too well about the abuse and neglect that kids suffer prior to foster care.

"We have had many drug addicted babies and a one-month-old baby girl with two broken arms and a broken collar bone," Mary Anne said.

The Morins want people to know that if fostering is something you have considered, you can make it work. They are also striving to increase awareness about the critical shortage of foster families.

"Do it! Do it! Do it!," Mary Anne said. "You can make a difference. Every child needs unconditional love. To be able to give that to another person is very rewarding. It's wonderful to see these great children slowly learn to trust again. Some of these kids can't protect themselves and need help."

The Morins are happy to discuss foster parenting with anyone who is interested. Reach them at mmorin143@msn.com. You can also visit the State of Massachusetts foster care website, www.adoptuskids.org.