Mother's Day Brings Special Meaning For Local Family

"It was the right thing to do."

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By Corey Allen-Young
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Story Created: May 12, 2012 at 10:24 AM AKDT

Story Updated: May 12, 2012 at 10:29 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - This weekend is all about mom, and the women who go above and beyond to take motherhood to a different level. 

Not only does Mechele Adams have 13 children who call her mom, but 12 of them are kids she's adopted and now calls her own.

It’s just another day in the Adams house, where it's almost like keeping up with a football team of children. But that’s all part of Mechele's job: The youngest of her 13 children is 3, the oldest 24. For some, the big crowd can be intimidating.

“They are amazed, some I think a little put off,” Mechele said. “Not everybody believes in large families I guess, but it works for us.”

Twelve of her children were adopted from the State of Alaska, and after fostering them for years, Mechele said she didn't see any other choice.

“It was the right thing to do, it didn't make sense to do anything other than adopt them,” she said.

Her family began to grow when she brought in older children and kept siblings together, but Mechele says it's all about showing them love.

“A lot of people think you have to have a lot of money: We don't have a lot of money,” Mechele said. “They think that you have to have a lot of time: Well, we're living day to day so we have the time.”

It's the simple things her kids appreciate. ”She buys us stuff, she cooks for us,” said Mechele’s son Brady. There are a lot of mouths to feed, but given the chance, Mechele said she'd do it all over again.

“There's always a need,” said Mechele, adding she hopes others follow her example. “Be that forever family for the children of Alaska, they need you, they want you.”

As her kids secretly try to write out their Mother's Day cards, Mechele says it's just another day to take care of them. It's the 24th Mother's Day for a woman who says she's just doing what she loves.
 

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EA, Kenai said on Saturday, May 12 at 5:58 PM

It would have been very interesting to see/hear the father's perspective on this amazing family. Thank you for a truly inspirational story. Someone who is considering becoming a foster family, EA in Kenai

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