Ervin Frye had been working with children for years, but he never thought he would become a foster parent, let alone adopt. Today, the adoptive father of three is waiting to adopt his fourth son and continues to foster.

Over the years, there was always someone telling Frye to become a foster parent. He heard it from the kids he worked with and his godmother, a foster parent herself. He heard it so many times, he finally contacted Youth Villages -- and found his calling.

Frye first started working with children as a volunteer while in the U.S. Navy. He later became a resident supervisor at a residential facility for youth and then a juvenile court detention officer. He had mainly worked with older, difficult teenagers, and he was used to dealing with them.

Michael was 13 when he was placed in Frye's home. He had just stayed for a few months when Youth Villages called the foster dad with an unexpected request. Michael needed a permanent home, and as his foster parent, Frye had the first right to adopt. His counselor wanted to know whether Frye would consider adoption.

"I thought, what -- adoption?" Frye remembers and laughs.

After collecting his thoughts, he told the counselor he had to talk to Michael first.

Michael said he was tired of moving and wanted to stay. So Frye made a deal with him. He would file for adoption if Michael agreed to mind the house rules and stay in school until he graduated. He agreed.

Michael's grades since have improved so much, he has been making the honor roll. He plays the trumpet in his school band and helps out around the house.

One day out of the blue, Michael told Frye that he had prayed that two brothers join their family. Michael no longer wanted to share his bedroom and figured with two brothers, they would need a separate room. Two days later, Frye got a call about two brothers in need of a home.

"I thought this was a joke," Frye says.

But it wasn't. A few months later, he got another call from Youth Villages. The two had become available for adoption.

Frye talked to Michael first, then to Johnathan, now 14, and Justice, now 12. He proposed the same deal to them he had proposed to Michael then, and he told them to think about it. But the brothers said they already knew they wanted to stay.

Christopher, 10, was a handful when he joined the Frye home. Before, he had never had to follow rules. But nearly a year later, Christopher is blending in with his new family, and Frye has begun filing for adoption. The last one, he says, at least for now.

Frye continues to foster and currently is a foster parent to Marqueze, 15.

"My goal is to teach them responsibility, help them reach their goals and learn to do something for themselves," Frye says. "As long as I am doing my part, I know I am going to be blessed."