06:00 PM PDT on Sunday, May 14, 2006

By ERIC WILKINSON / KING 5 News

OAK HARBOR, Wash. - From life's little tangles, to words of encouragement, Mary Geist is a mother who does it all and then some for not one or two kids, or three or four, or even eight or nine, for that matter, but for 11 children.

All but one are fully adopted and all have special needs.  Some were actually deemed "unadoptable" by social workers.

“They're just all love. All love,” said Mary.

Mary says after her own two sons left the nest, her home grew too quiet. So in 1995 the single mother started adopting.

“It's kinda like eating popcorn. One child shows you so much love,” she said. “You just can't not do that again.”

An only child herself, Mary starts her days at 5 a.m. every day, making breakfast and preparing lessons for homeschool.

KING

Mary Geist was named "Mother of the Year."

She says the hardest part of it all doesn't come from the kids, but from outsiders who take offense to her adoption of children of other races:

“Those things are difficult because this group of children does not see color,” she said.

Her selfless efforts recently recognized by Deaconess Children's Services with an award for mother of the year.

Each year, Deaconess serves about 2,000 kids like these, who are longing for the love of a family.

On Sunday, Mary's children said thank you with a Mother's Day gift of gratitude for all the little things that go into being a mom.

Mary says the job is its own reward.

“It's all worth it. There's nothing that could be better,” she said.

Deaconess Children's Services is also holding a father of the year contest.