Bethany couple adopts six siblings; family will help Governor Fallin light state Christmas tree

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A Bethany family with six adopted children will help Governor Mary Fallin light the state Christmas tree at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 3, 2013 on the grounds of the State Capitol.

Amy and Brandon Paulson were DHS foster parents when their caseworker asked them if they would be open to adopting children. After trying for ten years to have a baby, the couple decided to think about the possibility of expanding their family all at once.

“The worker said she had six siblings needing adoption,” said Amy. She and her husband were a little overwhelmed.

“I was like, ‘whoa – that’s a lot of kids!’” she said.

The four girls arrived in 2011 and the two boys arrived on Christmas Day, 2012. The children range in age from 7 to 15. The adoption of all six was just finalized last week.

"One time when the older girl was visiting her sisters, she slipped and called me, ‘mom,’” said Amy. “That’s when I knew that this was going to happen. We were just ready to have a family of our own. We fell in love with these kids and now they’re ours.”

Governor Mary Fallin said she was touched by the Paulson's story.

"Amy and Brandon Paulson are an inspiration," said Fallin. "Their compassion and kindness has completely changed the lives of their six children and now they have the family they have always dreamed of. My thanks go out to them for becoming Oklahoma adoptive parents. I strongly encourage anyone who is interested in fostering or adopting children to follow in their footsteps and contact DHS."

Currently, there are nearly 300 children in DHS custody who are eligible for adoption. Amy echoes the Governor's sentiments and hopes more families will consider adoption, even though she knows it’s not an easy decision.

“It can be a daily struggle,” she said. “We’re helping our kids overcome what they’ve been through. The rewards are great, wonderful. But it needs to be set in stone in your heart because there’s no turning back once a child is involved.”

The Paulson family is proud to help the Governor light the Christmas tree and says the whole family is excited. “What an honor,” said Amy.

“I’m just thankful for DHS,” she continued. “Without DHS, I would never have met my kids.”

To learn more about how to become an adoptive or foster family, call 1-800-376-9729 or visit okbridgefamilies.com.

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