Mom + Dad + Five = The Goede Forever Family

Carmen and Michael Goede talked about how many kids they might like. Two, they thought, maybe three.

They got five. And officially adopted them all on Tuesday.

“They’re already our kids,” Mr. Geode said before the adoption hearing. “So this won’t change anything. It just makes it official.”

The Goedes became licensed foster parents in 2009. They fostered a few kids temporarily before taking in siblings Nevaeh, now 7, Aiden, 5, and Westen, 3.

HCJFS Caseworker Leah Houchins greets Levi, 1, Westen, 3, and Aiden, 5, before their adoption Tuesday.
HCJFS Caseworker Leah Houchins greets Levi, 1, Westen, 3, and Aiden, 5, before their adoption Tuesday.

Then when the kids’ biological mom had another child, Wyatt, now 2, the Goedes took him too. And again with Levi, now 1.

Caseworkers and guardians ad litem praised the Goedes as great foster – and now adoptive – parents. Mrs. Goede, they said, is very nurturing and a good cook all while keeping an immaculate house.

Magistrate Rogena Stargel asked the children questions about their home life, including whether the Goedes help with their homework. When she asked Nevaeh what she calls the Goedes, the little girl didn’t hesitate: “Mommy and Daddy.”

The Goedes’ willingness to take all five children pleased HCJFS because it allowed the agency to keep all the siblings together.

David Steffen, the adoption worker, said for the three littlest children, the Goedes “are all they know.”

The Goedes are looking forward to being able to travel more with the kids. Mrs. Goede is from the Dominican Republic and wants to take the kids to visit her family there. They’re teaching the children to speak Spanish.

by Jane Prendergast

Filed Under: Children's Services, News

Tagged: adoption, foster care