Adopted from China at ages 13 and 11, Lucas and Christian Kolb are relearning how to speak, eat and behave in a different culture.
But after only three months living in the United States in a west Omaha home, the boys are slowly adapting to the American way.
No one knows how many older children and young teens await adoption, but officials at international agencies say the number is great.
Despite a large need for older children in China to be adopted, most people adopt babies or toddlers, believing that they will adjust more easily to a new culture and a new family.
Children older than 8, some with developmental or physical disabilities, typically grow up in orphanages or group homes and never are adopted.
Ed and Sandy Kolb, who have three biological daughters ages 23, 24 and 27 and six adopted sons ages 5, 7, 11, 13, 14 and 17, including Lucas and Christian, were aware of the challenges but wanted to give the boys an opportunity for a better life.