Adoption of the Month 
Adoption of the Month - February
We have a large blended family 11 children for now. We came to live in the Spokane area 9 years ago where I was born and raised and live on 25 acres in rural Spokane County.
Dean and I have both been blessed with a heart for children. My husband has been in education for 28+ years, as a principal, a special education teacher and a behavioral teacher. I have my education in elementary education and counseling. However, now I stay home and home-school our children.
Currently, we have 5 children and 2 foster sons living at home. We have been a foster family for 5 years and have been blessed beyond understanding. Our two youngest children came to us through the foster care system.
I have always had a desire to become a foster parent. However, my husband was a bit reluctant, so I spent several years in prayer around the subject. I knew that if I was meant to be a foster mommy, the Lord was going to have to move in my husband's heart. God did just that. One day in Church my husband was moved by the testimony of one of the foster parents that attended our church. He turned to me and asked if I was still interested in becoming a foster family. I quickly replied yes, and we haven't looked back from that moment.
We expressed an interest in fostering sibling groups. It wasn't until our 3rd placement that we were asked to take in a 3 year old little girl and her 20 day old brother, as they were currently not placed together. We picked them up the same day we received the phone call.
It was only 3 months later that we were asked to consider the possibility of adopting the two children. Although my husband and I had not become a foster family to adopt, we had no doubt that these two little people living in our home were meant to be our forever children. We didn't even have to think about it. In harmony we said, "Yes!"
The road to adoption through the foster care system is a long and emotional one. However, both my husband and I would do it all over again. We couldn't imagine our life without our 2 adopted children. Because our children were not legally free, we had to keep reminding ourselves that until the judge signed the adoption decree and the ink had dried, anything could happen. We had to put every bit of our faith and trust in God's plan for us and our children.
When the time came to hire a lawyer there was no other option for us; Mark Iverson came recommended by everyone we knew. Mark and his staff were available at every turn. I called the office long before we even started our adoption home-study to ask some very general questions. I wasn't sure he would even want to talk to me so early in the situation. However, he took time to answer ever one of my questions and even had someone make a follow up phone call.
Once we were ready to move forward, we didn't want to waste any time at all. Mark was able to get us on the docket in what seemed like record time. 2 weeks after the children were legally free, we were in court signing the adoption decree.
As far as payment, his fees are beyond reasonable and his policy of accepting a post dated check is unheard of. What a blessing it was to have such a valuable resource available to us.
Adopting our two youngest children has been a blessing far beyond imagination. Our adopted daughter continues to keep us motivated to grow in our knowledge of healing hurt children and parental skills. She helps keep us humble and focused on the simple blessings of having a place to call home and a family to call ours.
Our adopted son is an answer to one of my prayers. I had always wanted to have a son. Both my husband and I agree that God's timing was perfect when He brought these two children into our lives. They are both an answer to prayer and have strengthened our family bond with our adult children, our dependent children and our extended family.
It has been through our example and recommendation that my brother and his wife are now in the process of doing an adoption home-study to adopt a son through the foster care system and plan to ask Mark and his office to help make the process seamless.
We count our blessings every day at bed time as we tuck each one of our children into bed, listening to them offering up petitions and thanksgiving. We often say that we are blessed beyond understanding and adopting our two youngest children is one of those blessings.
Adoption of the Month - December
The Gibson Family
We have been married 7 years. I am a nurse, and Marty has worked for U-haul for 29 years. Family is very important to us and we enjoy camping, 4 wheeling and swimming. We enjoy going to church and I sing in the church choir.
For 10 years I worked as a nurse in many homes with medically fragile children. We were encouraged to become licensed foster parents and for the past 4 years have enjoyed bringing these children into our home and providing them with love, safety and security and a forever family.
We had to learn to be patient in working with the state throughout the adoption process. Mark and his staff have worked with the foster adopt program for a number of years and their knowledge and years of experience were helpful. They were supportive, patient, empathetic and provided ongoing information that was helpful throughout the adoption journey.
We have consulted with Mark regarding 4 different children in 4 years. He is courteous, compassionate and has the ability to identify with the happiness that adopting our children has brought to our family. Anyone that works with Mark knows that he appreciates adoptive families and they will benefit from his efficiency, knowledge and workability.
The adoption of two medically fragile infants/toddlers has enriched us immeasurably. There reaction to your voice, your touch and smell. Their smiles are a tremendous treasure and reward. They bless you more than you could ever know. What a blessing each one is. Our 3rd child is healthy and full of challenges and unending energy. She can melt you with her love and innocence. Adoption is a win-win opportunity, journey and achievement.
