Today marks a special day for all mothers.

Sunday, May 13, 2001

Today marks a special day for all mothers.

It’s the day they are thanked for their dedication and hard work they put into raising a family – even if the family doesn’t fit the traditional role.

Since 1992, Sally McFarland has been a mother to a countless number of children. She and her husband Phil have opened their homes to children in need of foster care.

"Even when I was young," said Mrs. McFarland, "I always wanted to be a mother I got my wish."

She said the desire to open her home to foster children, even though she had three children of her own, stems from a mission she said that comes from God.

She said she felt being a foster mother was "God’s calling my ministry;" and she answered her call from God with open arms and an open home.

Sally McFarland said she and her husband’s desire to open their home to foster children, even though they had three children of her own, stems from a mission she feels came from God.

Mrs. McFarland said she felt being a foster mother was "God’s calling my ministry;" and she answered her call from God with open arms and an open home.

The days are sometimes hectic, but she and her husband have managed to work out a system. At times, she laughingly explained, there have been 11 children in the home.

"On Sunday, it’s kind of like an assembly line," she said in a telephone interview between Little League games and other chores. "We have a system. Some days, everyone wears whites and other days everyone wears dark colored clothes so I can do the laundry."

When school is in session, she says the schedule even gets tighter. She is a substitute teacher in Boyd County, Ky., earning her college degree while caring for eight children. She said her husband helps out during the school rush.

"He’s Mr. Mom He can do it all."

The family’s schedule can be hectic, and with children ranging from 10 months to 16 years old in the home, the hours in the day may not be long enough. But Mrs.. McFarland said she has never regretted being a foster mother.

"I’ve never wanted to quit," she said.

Mrs. McFarland said, "The true reward is seeing the kids improve Our family keeps growing."