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Couple adopts baby sister, adding joy to growing family

Christmas will always be extra special for Chad and Danielle Marr.

It's been exactly four years on Christmas Eve 2016, that a miracle came true for Chad and Danielle when the adoption of three little brothers ages 2, 3 and 10 months was finalized and the area couple became their parents and gave them the safe and loving home they needed so badly.

That was the first Christmas The Express shared a photo of the happy family.

Soon after, the couple found out the brothers' mother was pregnant and had delivered a baby girl.

And so they asked for another miracle -- that they would be able to adopt the little boys' sister and raise her alongside her brothers.

Again, through the grace of God and the wisdom of those in charge of placing the baby girl in a healthy, happy home, the Marrs were able to adopt the little sister of the three young brothers.

"It's wonderful. We were able to keep them all together," Danielle said, offering hope for other children whose parents have not loved and cared for them as they should and also for couples wanting to share their love with a youngster… maybe even several youngsters.

"There are people out there like us," Danielle said, overjoyed at where her family has come in the last four years and anxious to share this year's Christmas family photo.

Their desire to adopt came after they married and wanted a baby of their own. Danielle already had children from a previous marriage and because she was a cancer survivor she was unable to have more.

So the search began, leading them to Adelphoi Adoption Agency in Williamsport, where they were approved as foster parents and provided respite care while impatiently waiting for placement of ther own.

And then it happened.

"We got the call. We asked for one baby. But there were three that needed our help. And they were brothers. Without hesitation we said yes," Danielle said, remembering that day.

Because these three little boys had various medical conditions due to being malnourished and physically abused by their parents, they were released into the couple's care one by one as their medical treatments continued.

The boys are now doing much better, but there are some scars that will never heal, Danielle said.

"We pray a lot. We've had a lot of support and now they're our sons and daughter. We love them so much," she said.

Danielle and Chad are always anxious to share their story with others whose lives may be going down a similar path.

"We have created one big happy family… and you can do it too,'' she said, urging others to reach out and touch the lives of children and give them forever homes.

Danielle said she hopes their story will perhaps offer love and hope back into the community following the recent tragic death of 9-year-old Anson Stover.

"Our story may be just enough to remind people there is hope and they can make a difference," she said.

Danielle said she is now a full-time foster mom and she loves every minute of it. Chad continues to work at WalMart, recently hitting a 20-year milestone.

"It gives you a wonderful feeling to know that you have helped these kids. There's nothing like it," she said as she shared recent photos of the family taken this Christmas.

Oh Christmastime is always a special time when children are involved.

But for this family, Christmas will always be even more special.

Afterall, that's when three little boys became their sons. Later their little sister became their daughter.

What more could Chad and Danielle ask for at Christmastime than the joy of sharing their love and watching their children grow each and every year.

They consider themselves truly blessed.