Group adoption speeds kids to forever families

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

Eleven children and their families celebrated an early Christmas on Dec. 22 at the Larimer County Justice Center.

Surrounded by well-wishers, seven families finalized their adoptions that day, with social workers and administrators from the county's Human Services Department cheering them on. All the children were adopted through the county's foster care system.

The group adoption was something the county has never done before, according to Judge Terence Gilmore, who issued each family their adoption certificates. "We thought this would be a great way to celebrate the Christmas season, with all these children getting adopted into wonderful families," he said.

Adoption finalization hearings are usually held individually, but since there were so many pending adoptions through Human Services, the group event was organized to speed up the process. The children ranged in age from 15 months to 12 years, with some families welcoming more than one child into the fold.

Many families had waited years for their adoption day.

Evette and Bob Parham of Bellvue finalized their adoption of 5-year-old Chloe, who had been with the family for almost four years as a foster child. Evette Parham has three biological children by a previous marriage, all in their 20s, but she and her husband wanted to raise a child together. They discussed whether to have a biological child or adopt, and Bob Parham pushed for the latter. "There are lots of other children in the world," he pointed out.

Evette Parham was expecting another big day in December - the birth of her first grandchild.

Tom and Deb Pyles of Loveland also had to wait a long time. They adopted 3-year-old Brenda after having her in their home for two years. They have one biological child, 9-year-old Tally, but wanted more children.

Jan and Bob Elshof of Fort Collins officially added two more children to their family on Dec. 22. Five-year-old Reagan and 15-month-old Maggie joined seven other Elshof children, six of them also adopted.

"This is it," said Jan Elshof emphatically. "We're pretty content right now. Nine kids is a lot." They have one biological child, age 21. Four of their children were adopted through the foster care system and four internationally.

Each child adopted on Dec. 22 was issued a special Santa hat embroidered with his or her name. The judge also gave each one a newly minted 2006 Colorado quarter as a souvenir of the occasion.

"This is a very significant day in your lives," announced Gil-more, who has performed about 700 adoptions. That fact was pretty apparent to all in the courtroom, where smiles were as bright as the many cameras flashing.

Chloe Parham gave her reason to be happy: "I get to go to a party." The county held a celebration in the Justice Center after all the legal work was done. Santa couldn't attend, since he and his reindeer were snowed in by the big blizzard, but no one seemed to mind.

People interested in adoption through Larimer County Human Services may call the adoption recruiter, Bill Stout, at 498-6908.