Charles and Clara Upson are surronded by their six children, from left to right, Trust, 9, Matthew, 6, Roy, 6, Nicholas, 5, Joseph, 6, and Misty,9 in the living room of thier Bardstown, Ky. home. The couple never considered adoption when they became foster parents six years ago. They currently adopted four of the children and are working to gain permanent custody of the other two.

21_SEP_03 Trust Upson, 9, and his father Charles go one-on-one at Dean Watts park in Bardstown, Ky. Six years ago, the Upsons became foster parents and have since adopted four of their foster children. They are working to gain permanent custody of two other children who are also in their care. (photo by Rodrick Reidsma) (ck)

"Here Katie," Nicholas Upson, 5, calls to one of the four family cats. The Upsons also care for chickens, a dog, and a Chicateague pony named Tomcat at their home on the outskirts of Bardstown, Ky.

Charles Upson, right, explains to his adopted son Roy the cincequences for continuing to refuse to put on his shoes. The Upson's often find themselves dealing with unexpected disobedience from their six children, each of which suffer from Attention Deficit hyperactivity Disorder. The children came to the Upson home as foster children after being severely abused and neglected by their parents, which makes dealing with the naughtyness all the more difficult. "How do you punish a child who had nothing?" Charles asks. Taking things away just makes them feel like they're right back where they came from.

Nicholas, the youngest of the Upson's children plays on the kitchen floor long after his siblings have gone to bed. All of the six children have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Nicholas is the only one that is not currently taking medication to control his behavior. "I honestly hate having to medicate them," Charles said. They plan to medicate Nicholas only if absolutely neccessary.

Groggy with sleep, Roy Upson reaches up from the couch to be included nightly prayers before going to bed. The Upson's have found that keeping a consistent pattern to their daily schedule aids in combatting the affects of their six children's Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. "We try to do it every night," Charles Upson said. (photo by Rodrick Reidsma)