Jenn and Ryan Nordlund:
- Interview questions: 15 questions
- Can you tell me a little about your family today? (Number of kids, ages of kids, etc)
- 10 kids. 7 in the house right now. Home schooling. Same time doing home schooling started foster care. God gave them 8 kids right in a row.
- 2 came as infants than stayed
- What led you to pursue adoption from foster care?
- Jesus and their faith. Only because of that. Everything he has given them wanted to serve him. Most people their age are done parenting many are empty nesters. But don’t want to do that also don’t know what they do.
- Were hoping to adopt. Went into foster care with the purpose of adopting.
- How would you describe your adoption journey?
- Lots of ups and downs. Once they made it to TPR coming, AASK was wonderful to work with. Get a child as a baby then bio families do well so they go back so prepare for that but then they don’t go back. So the back and forth with bio families of foster care. Knew that going in but hard watching bio kids going through that too.
- Fostered 9 all together and then 2 adopted. Knew ones were short terms and some respite. Had these girls longer
- Seeing the darkest side of humans. Bio parents made bad decisions and knowing it is more important than wanting their child. You and your family get exposed to that.
- Good relationships with both bio moms today
- What were some challenges you experienced, and how did you navigate them?
- Navigated it by being together, open communication, church community
- Went to foster parent meetings to get information
- Both girls were drug and alc exposed in utero so learning research about that
- Adding non bio siblings into the house. Never did their bio kids said they should not do it.
- A lot of people in out and house. Social workers. It was an invasion so communicating with kids
- “brokenness” of the entrie foster system. Appears to most foster parents that is favors the bio family more than the welfare of the child. One hard thing to navigate. Very frustrating.
- What are some ways you’ve seen your child grow since joining your family?
- Seen them as an infant then grow into 4 year olds.
- First baby did not cry at all. Sat in carseat for hours before them. When started to attach more she started to cry and scream more. Knew she was getting comfortable and safe.
- Loud kids are safe kids.
- Still do OT with both. Got a lot of help right away. Both were screened right away. Only a few milestones they didn’t reach so they got them started early.
- Therapy comes into their home.
- Works with impulse control and their emotions. Whenever they were getting developed in the womb and when bio mom did drugs or alc it disrupted their brain development
- Both growing a lot in that area with services they are using.
- What support or resources were most helpful to you?
- above
- What does “success” mean to you in your adoption story?
- To serve brings so much joy. It is the little things and little moments that make it all worth it.
- God makes it successful
- Often thing where would they be if they didn’t get put into foster care and into their home.
- How has adoption positively impacted your family?
- Realizing life isn’t about them as individuals it is about serving and giving
- Learned patience with the system, timeframe, court dates, TPR, adoption, everything getting delayed.
- It is amazing to love that is not born from you and to watch their family love them. What a gift. Hard gift. So so worth it.
- What are some accomplishments or milestones you’re especially proud of?
- Watching their kids take them in as their siblings. Sometimes they say they forget they are adopted at times.
- They have been folded in
- Realizing that is what god did for them first. Adopted us into his family first. Fully his and fully loved by him and now get to be a shadow of that and live it out.
- What advice would you give to families considering adoption?
- Do it go for it. Everyone will say they are no ready but if everyone waited until they were ready for something it will never happen. You never know when you are ready. More and more people need to do it
- Hardest thing ever do but most worth it thing
- Jump in and do it.
- Don’t do it if don’t have a support system. Make sure that is storng
- What would you like readers to understand about adoption?
- Adoption is worth it. It is a gift to be able to adopt. Anything is worth doing is hard. Haven’t found pain free easy in the bible nothing is meant to be truly easy.
- It will happen if you put one foot in front of the other and take the next step. Trust god will provide
- Supports in Bismarck and mandan is amazin
- Post adopt is amazing. Call them for reference for therapy or if you need anything. A lot of support. Have to be willing to say you need help
- Don’t be scared ot ask for help. You are not alone.
- Is there anything specific you would like included or not included in your story on the website?
- We are loved by god. There is no way they would have the strength capacity to give without his help. God helps love overflow in them and gives it to others.
- Will have eternity in paraside with god
A Journey of Faith, Love, and Adoption
For Jenn and Ryan Nordlund, adoption was never just a decision, it was a calling rooted deeply in their faith. As parents of ten children, with seven currently living at home, their journey into foster care and adoption began with a desire to serve and follow where they felt God was leading them.
While many families at their stage of life are becoming empty nesters, Jenn and Ryan felt called to grow their family in a different way. They entered foster care with the hope of adopting, knowing it would come with both challenges and rewards.
Their journey has been anything but simple. Over time, they have fostered nine children, eventually adopting two girls who first came into their home as infants. Along the way, they experienced the emotional ups and downs that often come with foster care, including the uncertainty of reunification with biological families. Even with these challenges, they remained committed, building respectful relationships with their children’s birth mothers and navigating the complexities of the system together as a family.
Like many adoptive families, Jenn and Ryan faced unique challenges. Both of their adopted daughters were exposed to drugs and alcohol in utero, requiring early intervention and ongoing therapy. With the help of occupational therapy and in-home services, they have seen incredible growth in their daughters’ development, especially in emotional regulation and attachment. One of the most meaningful milestones came when their once-quiet infant began to cry and express emotions. For Jenn and Ryan, this was a powerful sign that their child finally felt safe and secure.
Through it all, their family has grown not just in size, but in love and understanding. Their biological children have embraced their adopted siblings fully, often forgetting they were ever anything but family. Jenn and Ryan describe adoption as both a “hard gift” and one that is “so worth it,” teaching them patience, selflessness, and the true meaning of unconditional love.
For the Nordlunds, success in adoption is not measured by ease or perfection. It is found in the small, everyday moments, the laughter, the growth, and the opportunity to serve. They often reflect on where their children might be today if they had not opened their home, and that perspective continues to affirm their journey.
Their advice to others considering adoption is simple and heartfelt: don’t wait until you feel ready. “If everyone waited until they were ready, it would never happen,” they share. While acknowledging that adoption is one of the hardest things they’ve done, they are quick to add that it is also one of the most meaningful.
They also emphasize the importance of support, from church communities to local resources, and encourage families to ask for help when needed. Adoption is not meant to be done alone, and there is strength in leaning on others.
At the center of their story is a deep belief that love grows through giving. Their journey reflects a powerful truth: family is not defined by biology, but by commitment, compassion, and the willingness to open your heart and home.