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POSTED: Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

'Everybody is grinning:' Families celebrate adoptions at Whatcom County courthouse

BELLINGHAM - About 20 Whatcom County families got a little bigger Friday, Nov. 20, as the county celebrated National Adoption Day.

This is the second year the County Courthouse has hosted the event, at which families and friends gathered to make final the adoption of about 25 children into 20 homes.

"Everybody is grinning and happy, and eyes are twinkling," said Mary Long, who was there to support members of her church who were adopting children.

Randy and Judy Small of Lynden came to adopt 3-month-old Ryan. They also have an adopted daughter, Abby, 2.

"It's fun to see all the other kids," Randy Small said. "When we had Abby, it was just ourselves."

The Smalls chose to adopt after they found out they would be unable to have their own biological children. Though it was a hard realization, it was also a blessing, they said.

"It opened the door to be able to adopt," Randy Small said. "It's wonderful. We wouldn't trade it."

Superior Court Judge Charles Snyder helped preside over the proceedings, which were followed by a reception filled with food, balloon toys, and coloring books for the kids.

"It's fabulous to have all these people come together and celebrate and build a community around adoptive families," said Melissa Nelson, an assistant state attorney general.

Nelson and her husband adopted a child last year, so she especially enjoyed helping at the event.

"I'm just tingly; it's thrilling, it really is," Nelson said. "For the families that are here today, they are going to have this shared memory."

Paul and Diana Woods came from Everett to finalize their adoption of Lily Rose, an 18-month-old girl from Ethiopia. Lily is the little sister of their adopted son, Aaron, who was swashing balloon light sabers with some of the other children.

"I know for my little sister and brother, it's probably the best day of their life," said Laura Woods, 7, whom the family adopted from Korea. "I'm happy Lily's going to have our name. I love it."

In addition to their three adopted children, the Woods also has four biological children. Shortly after adopting Aaron from Ethiopia, they found out his mother was pregnant again. When they returned and met Lily for the first time, it was immediate love.

"It's a very exciting time when you first lay eyes on them, just an unbelievably overwhelming feeling," Diana Woods said of seeing her adopted children. "It's like they're yours, like it always was."

Now that the Woods' paperwork is final, it always will be.