Reader comments
Payson couple enjoys raising 6 adopted kids

jj | 1:08 a.m. Nov. 30, 2008

WOW, great story. I wish more people in Utah would adopt.

CP | 3:04 a.m. Nov. 30, 2008

I really enjoyed this story very much. These parents sound like my husband and I. Our oldest kids have jobs and maintain their own cell phone expenses and car insurance also. The ones still at home have a list of chores, even those that work outside the home, to do. At times we will slurge to a trip to McDonalds and the dollar theater. I think it's pretty neat for them to have taken these kids in. Sounds like they all have a great family relationship.

katherine66 | 3:57 a.m. Nov. 30, 2008

I personally know this family and they are truly great people. They adopted to give children in need a better life and they have done just that...but the amazing thing is the children they have adopted are also amazing and have gone far in life. Good parents and good kids. One of those families that every child would be lucky to have. I know how proud they are of every one of these children. They should be.

Comments continue below

samhill | 6:13 a.m. Nov. 30, 2008

My congratulations and thanks to the Whatcotts.

What an astonishingly generous couple.

I am so grateful there are such people in the world. We need many more.

The Whatcotts | 6:17 a.m. Nov. 30, 2008

I thought 3 things when I read this article.

The 1st was: This article must be about Wes and his awesome efforts to build an orphanage in Haiti--a few years ago, I read several stories about him and the groups he took from Utah to do the construction, and the efforts he made on behalf of the LDS Branch President there, who with his wife tried to care for all these orphan babies.

The 2nd was: It is awesome that Wes and his wife have been able to do this at their age--to have so many new children, and keep it all together, emotionally and economically.

The 3rd was: Although these children's lives were undoubtedly saved by being adopted by Americans, what have they given up or been reduced to by living in the United States?? To be so concerned with watching the Tyra Banks show, to aspire to work for MTV or be a Ute drill team member seems like a big step down.

I hope these kids become something the Whatcotts can be really proud of--and not just more "american" kids, being enamored with the things of "the Great and Spacious Building."

Best of luck to them.

Wes and Haiti | 6:41 a.m. Nov. 30, 2008

If you really want to be amazed by Wes Whatcott, look up these archive stories in the Deseret News about his super work to build an orphanage in Haiti.

Go to the Archives and look for:

--Provoan raising funds to build Haiti orphanage.(02/04/2002)

--Utahns helping Haitians. (04/08/2002)

--Uthans build "village of hope" in Haiti. (08/21/2004)

WES, YOU ARE SUPER AMAZING!!!! (I personally know people you have inspired FOREVER with this Haiti project. Hope your current teenagers know what an AWESOME dad they have!!!)

I have 8 adopted | 7:49 a.m. Nov. 30, 2008

like them. BUT I need to know: How DID they get their kids to wake up, get dressed, get their rooms tidy AND get scripture study done without stress?? I do admire what this family has done.

Parents in Providence | 10:00 a.m. Nov. 30, 2008

We are thrilled to read about this family! We too are adopting children from Ethiopia!! We hope to have three new daughters and four new grandchildren from there (my husband's daughter is also adopting).

Our hats off to the Whatcotts in what they are accomplishing!!

To the person who titled themselves (above) "The Whatcotts" I say, that the Whatcott parents here have given these children opportunities that they would never have had in Ethiopia. These children will raise good families and be good parents simply because their adoptive parents have given so much to raise them well. Don't worry that they have lofty ideals about things you're not comfortable with. The world needs good people doing all sorts of things. They will make good choices. Hey, most kids have NO IDEA what they want to do at that age so it shows they have been given wings. That is such a great gift we can give our kids. Many of us fail at this and our kids just want to stay home and mooch off of their parents!

Way to go, Whatcotts!

Voice of Reason | 1:06 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

re: what have they been reduced to by living in the United States?
=

Are you an idiot? What part of "I'd be dead" and "malnutrition, stomach worms and tuberculosis" did you not understand?

Kudos to the family - patent what you are doing and sell it online. You'd make a fortune.

Very cool! | 2:44 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Wow! I admire the Whatcotts, and might I add what a beautiful family they have. Kudos also go to the first set of children who managed to get over their resentment and misgivings from having their older parents start a second family. My remarried parent started a second family and their kids are as old as my own; in case you were wondering, it has been a major adjustment. But I think the results are astounding in the case of the Whatcotts. What a selfless way to spend your "retirement" years!

K | 4:50 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

As an adoptive parent myself I love to see stories about happy functioning adoptive families in the news.

I wanted to make one minor the point about some of the follow up comments actually, not the article. The family in question has done many good works and humantarian efforts like supporting orphanages through time, talent and treasure. Those are philanthropic efforts we should all admire. We all have a duty to care for widows and orphans...

A family adopting isn't a philanthropic effort. It's building family. It's a good thing but not something to be done to "save" a child. Would you want to grow to up being a charity case? When you adopt the child is your child just as parenthood happend through pregnancy. The child need not be "grateful" just as the children that come into a family through birth need not be "grateful".

Skippy | 6:20 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

More power to your great family!

Vanessa | 7:18 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Not only are they an amazing, well behaved bunch of kids, they are the best babysitters on the block!

Keeley | 7:25 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

The Whatcott family is so amazing!! I've grown up with them and it was like I had a second home! They really are such wonderful and loving people and I wish them the best of luck throughout the years! I love you all!!

What a great story | 8:20 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

My hat is off to this wonderful couple. As a father of six children I know just how much work it is. Thank you Deseret News for an uplifting article.

RE: 3 Things | 8:42 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Who are you? What do you do for a living? What are your kids concerned about becoming? Do you think being a member of the Crimson Line is an unworthy pursuit? Your comments are astonishingly uneducated and selfish. Best of luck to you on becoming a contributor to society.

As a father of four children my wife and I feel like we have room in our hearts and home for more children. Thank you for the story and to the Whatcott's on being great examples.

Awsome | 9:41 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Kudo's to the Whatcott's! The world needs more hero's. Thanks for inspiring me. We have adopted three but the Whatcott's are the example of how to raise children and to enjoy them and to have love in the home. I have never met your family but you have a fan ---- From Alpine with love.

Great Article | 11:17 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

This is the best article I've read in a while. Thanks Whatcotts for the inspiration, courage, endurance, etc. You embody all the great qualities of time and are great examples for us all. Makes me think how I can be a better father to my three kids and focus less on the things of the world.

Interloper | 1:38 a.m. Dec. 1, 2008

I think the Whatcotts have been very generous in extending their lives to these 'gift' children.

However, I wish to correct the impression of Ethiopia many people have. Ethiopia has one of the world's oldest cultures and one of its first written languages. In fact, anthropologists believe humans originated in the part of Africa that is now Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea.

Ethiopia was first decimated by Italian colonialism. Later, there were decades of fighting among groups seeking leadership of the country after the hereditary leader was deposed. Then, it became one of the nation's most effected by the AIDS epidemic. The scourge has produced thousands of orphans.

Ethiopian orphanages are considered among the world's best run and known for producing healthy, well-adjusted children.

Carol Rampton | 9:38 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

I am Wes Whatcott's sister. My husband and I have been privileged to watch these six children mature from the time they first brought them to the U.S. We are very PROUD of Wes & Sandy. They have provided these children with so much love and support over the years. They have set a wonderful example for them to follow. Wes has also been instrumental in making adoption arrangements for many other children from other countries including Ethiopia, Haiti, China, Russia, etc.
Wes has also been instrumental in building an orphanage for orphans in Haiti--along with some financial support from others. He and Sandy have hearts of gold. They are such wonderful parents and have provided adoopted children with a kind and loving home.
I am very proud of Wes & Sandy for being so dedicated in helping to arrange the adoptions of so many children. It has truly been a "Labor of Love."

Wes & Sandy | 11:06 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Hi everyone. We are very moved by the story Dennis Romboy prepared and the responses from readers. We cannot express the gratitude we feel towards everyone who had anything to do with our adoption, and especially to our Heavenly Father who guided us through this magnificent experience. It is a bit unnerving to have our personal lives open to public view. We did not participate in this story in order to obtain praise. Our motivation was we hoped others will see the joy and blessings that have come to us from adopting these great kids and they will be moved to try something similar. We were privileged to know others who had done similar adoptions and we thought, "If they can do this (and they are almost as old as we are), perhaps we can do this also." We can truly say that if any of you are willing to put your faith in the Lord and can find a place in your hearts and homes for orphan children, it will produce blessings in your life that you can scarcely imagine. Sincerely, Weston & Sandra Whatcott

Lynette Whatcott Fox | 10:50 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

It's so exciting to get this look into your family!! Denise sent me the link this morning! The "first" family is also great! I still think of Jody, with her beautiful red hair, as I know you do. I have Christmas card pictures of these beautiful kids on my fridge and have contact with a couple of them through Facebook, and I am so touched to be able to get to know them better. I'm so proud of all you have done throughout your life and appreciate the help you always gave me. Sorry not to keep in touch better - I have always been so far away. Makes me want to do more to help! Grandma, Grandpa and Dad are also thrilled about what you are doing, I'm sure! You're wonderful for sharing! It's inspiring to all of us.

U.R.Gamble | 8:21 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008

I was also excited to read this follow-up article from Dennis Romboy. As his mother I miss seeing his articles in the paper as he is now an editor. Keep writing Dennis.

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