The Swords family has experienced a remarkable growth spurt in just one year, going from a family of three to a family of seven. Cory, Mary Ellen, and their biological son Connor were joined by Autumn, Ricky, Danny, and Calista through adoption.

The journey to expanding their family through adoption was not an easy one for the Swords. They had struggled with fertility issues for years before considering adoption. Cory explains, "We always felt a strong attraction to adoption. We both can remember different times when we had seen adoption drives or flyers and even talked about whether that was something God was calling us to do."

After their son Connor was born, it became clear that they wouldn't have any more biological children. So, they began investigating the adoption process in 2007, but put it on hold when Mary Ellen unexpectedly became pregnant. However, when Connor was older and still praying for siblings, the Swords decided it was time to pursue adoption again.

They initially planned to adopt a child under five years old, but when Connor expressed his desire for siblings, they decided to be open to adopting a sibling set. Soon after, they learned about a foster mother who had three children whose parents had just terminated their parental rights.

The Swordses met the three siblings and felt a strong connection. Despite facing challenges and uncertainty throughout the licensing and paperwork process, they were determined to make these children part of their family. Cory recalls, "We were certain that God wanted them to be ours."

As the adoption process neared its finalization, a caseworker called the Swordses and asked if they would be willing to accept an infant. Feeling overwhelmed, they decided to pray about it. Cory visited the chapel at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, while Mary Ellen prayed at Christ the King Church. Both felt a deep sense of assurance and decided to welcome the infant into their family.

With the addition of the infant, the Swords family grew from three to seven members in just one year. Cory shares that the experience has been a blessing, saying, "The fourth child just really balanced things out. Her personality balances them out. There’s never a kid that’s left out."

The Swordses have found support and guidance from their Catholic school and parish communities. Cory expresses his gratitude, stating, "It has been a tremendous blessing all in all." While they acknowledge the challenges of raising five children, they rely on prayer and their faith in God to navigate this new chapter in their lives.

Cory and Mary Ellen admit that they are still learning as they go, but they embrace the adventure and opportunities that come with raising a large family. Cory concludes, "We’re building the plane as it’s hurtling through the air, so to speak. But at the same time, it gives us a lot of opportunities to rely on God and experience his grace – especially through the love of our children and our love for our children."

The Swords family's story is a testament to the power of faith, love, and the blessings that come from opening one's heart to adoption.