Mrs. Reed H. Richards and her six adopted children, Kerry Lynn, front left, Larry, Fawn, Barry and Reeda, from left, Back row is Mrs. Richards and her first son, Lee. Theyre Raising a Riot by Jack Goodman A home is what you make it. The Heed H. Richards residence at 3387 Highland Dr. could have been a spotless, shiny, silent house a house and nothing more especially with Lieut. Col. Richards in Japan since March, 1952, Certainly Mrs, Richards would have had more time for herself, time to read a book or two, time for club activities, for those hollow, often meaningless social affairs with which childless women must, too often busy themselves. Instead, the visitor to the rambling house the Richards rightly call home is overwhelmed by a very real warmth these days. Theres that well remembered odor of a family style cooking. The furniture looks comfortable and is even though a chair leg may be dented, or a scatter rug awry. There are toys here and there and children everyhere. Six of them, of varying sizes and sexes. Varied racial strains too. But Lee and Kerry Lynne, twins Barry and Larry, tow haired Reeda and sloe eyed Fawn have one thing in common. Two things, rather. All are happily smiling kids who dote on ma and pa. And all are adopted, Sometimes newspapermen hesitate to identify youngsters as adopted. Mrs, Richards sensibly turns aside such fears for the interviewer. You see Reed and I have explained things to them fully, this dark haired, warmhearted mother says with a quiet smile. Weve told them we couldnt have children of our own. and that the fact weve adopted them shows how much we truly wanted them, True, the Richards family members havent yet explained the legalistic facts of life to Fawn. Shes a bit too young, at 14 months. Shes a 100 per cent American too, an Oklahoma born Indian tyke, who currently has a firm hold on the hearts of junior and senior members of the rollicking Richards clan. This business of acquiring a family by proxy goes back to 1943, Mrs. Richards carefully explains. We couldnt have children but wanted them badly, she points out with a twinkle. Reed comes from a large family, which meant he wanted youngsters, and Im from a small family which had the same result. After hunting for a child we could adopt we finally found Lee, and took action fast. He was three weeks old and very sweet, Mrs. Richards recalls. The initial adopted youngster having proved up to expectations and Lieut. Col. Richards being temporarily home from the wars the couple gave thought to finding their boy a baby sister. Its not too easy to persuade agencies that children need other children to insure a more normal life, says Mrs, Richards. After all, recognized adoption agencies have more calls for youngsters from childless couples than they can fill. But the Richards persuaded the powers that be to release another bouncing bundle to their care, tiny Reeda, then six weeks old. Having made a good beginning, the rest was easy according to Mrs. Richards. When a pair of year old twin boys of Ukranian descent caught the family fancy, the demand for bottles, diapers, toys and other necessaries doubled suddenly. Boys now outnumbered girls three to one in the Richards household. Evening things somewhat, Kerry Lynne was accepted into the family fold. Now she has developed into a pert Miss whose carefully braided hair and light, north European complexion contrasts sharply with the dark olive skin of Fawn., the family baby. The kids gave Fawn a bow and arrow as her first birthday present, her mother chuckles. Mrs. Richards cheerfully admits her family poses problems aplenty, but no more so than those of other equally large broods. Like children in any family they are all different and all alike, Mrs. Richards says philosophically. Each one is a rule unto himself. One healthy thing about a parents attitude to an adopted child is you dont try to make the youngster over into your own image, she adds, without suggesting that other parents strive to follow the Richards family example. Not much of a story here I guess, says Mrs. Richards, while kids cluster about her to wave goodby, We just love children. Which goes double. The kids obviously love their parents. Who wouldnt? Sunday, February 22, 1953