ADOPTED CHILDREN ENRICH LOCAL PAIR

It doesn't matter to Bev and Bernie Dirnberger that three of their children were born in a different country to a family that speaks another language.

"It doesn't matter how they come," Mrs. Dirnberger said. "What does matter is that they're all our children. We don't love one more than another; we love them all because they're all wonderful in their own way."

Four years ago the Dirnbergers adopted Jyothi, Logan and Balraj, siblings who were born in Banglore, India. After a short period of adjustment, the Dirnbergers feel like a close-knit unit all over again.

"We had three boys before we decided to adopt," she said. "It's been a lot of fun going over some of the same things we went through when we raised the first three. At first we all had to find where we fit in, but now that we've done that the experience continues to be rewarding."

The Dirnbergers said they would recommend adoption to any couple thinking about making such a move. "It's enriched our lives quite a bit," Dirnberger said.

Balraj, 10, can be found shooting hoops or joining the rest of the family in a game of cards. "Balraj usually beats me at cards," said Dirnberger. "He picked up games like Uno, Rummy and Rook pretty quickly."

Jyothi, 14, plays the flute and learned a few songs on the family's piano. "I learned a little bit about the piano, but I play the flute more," she said.

Logan, 12, likes to ride his Schwinn 10-speed bicycle to and from school and to friends' houses in Jackson. He is also learning the nuances of soccer.

"He's continuing a family tradition," said Mrs. Dirnberger. "Bernie rides his bicycle to work at Southeast Hospital when the weather is nice."

Quinn, Simon and Nathan Dirnberger are busy with college careers. But the entire family gets together during the summer and holidays. "We like to go camping a lot during the summer, when everyone is out of school," Bernie said.

When Jyothi isn't playing cards or the flute, she can be found writing letters to friends in Jackson or as far away as Washington or Ohio. "I just found out the other day that there's a girl from India who lives in Perryville," Jyothi said. "I wrote her a letter and hope to get together with her pretty soon."

Although Jyothi didn't learn English until she came to the United States four years ago, she speaks the language fluently. "All of the kids have learned a lot in a short period of time," said Dirnberger.

Today, area families like the Dirnbergers will gather at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 804 Cape Rock Drive, at 3 p.m., to celebrate National Adoption Awareness Month. There will be fun activities, crafts and friendly competition.

"Adoption is a positive way to have a stable and loving family," Mrs. Dirnberger said. "I tell anyone who asks me that I'm glad we did it. We wanted to adopt children so much we went the international route so we wouldn't have to wait so long."