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Community Corner

St. Michael Family's Cup Runneth Over

The Sommer family of St. Michael is attempting to add to its family through adoption, with a coffee sale on tap to help defray expenses.

Two dogs race to the door after a press of the doorbell, and moments later Stephanie Sommers points outside at her daughters, Vivian, 6 and Alaina, 4, playing outside.

“I think they’re doing each other’s hair,” she says, “with the icky rainwater that’s been sitting in the pool.”

It won’t be too long before the girls have a few more siblings to practice their hair styling techniques on.

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Cory and Stephanie Sommers of St. Michael adopted both daughters from Guatemala. “We brought Vivian home in 2005 and Alaina in 2007,” Cory said. “Shortly after we were home we decided we needed a little bit more testosterone around here.”

"Even the dogs are girls,” Stephanie added.

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The United States closed adoptions from Guatemala  shortly after the Sommers returned with Alaina. Originally, the family started working with a pilot program for Mexican adoptions, but after nearly a year they decided to move their adoption file and plans to Colombia.

“The Mexico program was a pilot and very slow moving. We would still be waiting at least a year,” Stephanie explained.

The couple researched several other South American countries before deciding on Colombia and began working with Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota. The agency has been working with Colombia for the last 20 years. “We knew they were very familiar [with Colombia],” Cory explains.

Once they decided, they decided big time.

“We’ve basically said we will take a sibling group with up to three children, ages six and under, with at least one boy,” Stephanie says smiling.

With over 10,000 waiting children in Colombia, chances are there will be just the right sibling group awaiting this family.

So now the Sommers and their daughters play the waiting game. Anticipating that phone call that will tell them they’ve got a referral.

“I’m sure it’s like the anticipation of giving birth,” Stephanie starts, but Cory quickly says, “Except, pregnancy doesn’t last two years.”

“We’re ready to bring the rest of our family home and make our family complete,” Stephanie says.

When that referral comes in, their paperwork and passports are ready and Cory, Stephanie, Vivian and Alaina will be headed to Colombia for six to eight weeks. “Each country has their own process and Colombia’s process is that,” Cory explains. The couple has also decided they want their girls to be a big part of that process.

How do they feel about having more siblings?

“It depends on the day,” both parents said with a knowing nod. “Some days there is a lot of talk about it – and having a brother, and other days there isn’t.”

“It will be a big change,” Steph said as the music trickles down from upstairs while the girls run, jump and practice gymnastics.

With the adoption costs mostly under belt thanks to a great outline from the agency, it’s the unknown costs the family is seeking help with.

“We don’t know about hotel costs and food costs and even getting Colombian passports for the children,” Stephanie said. Airfare alone for the family of four to get to Colombia will be at least $2,000.

After some research, the Sommers have joined the Just Love Coffee program which sells coffee as a fundraiser with proceeds going to the family to help with their adoption costs. “It’s fair-trade coffee and also helps the locals because it gives them jobs,” Cory explains of the efforts.

For each bag of coffee purchased, the Sommers receive $5.

“It’s hard to ask people for money,” Stephanie explains.

The family didn’t do any fundraisers for their adoptions with the girls and wishes they didn’t have to this time but with so many unknowns and costs that will be incurred during their time in Colombia, every little bit will help.

If you would like to purchase coffee with proceeds benefitting the Sommers, visit their website

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