Arizona Couple Opened Their Home to 35 Children When They Could Not Have Kids of Their Own

This couple has the fullest house. After Richard and Paula Charlebois were told they could not have children of their own, they did the next best thing, adopt.

The couple opened their Arizona home to 35 children over the past two decades. They also share the home with their six dogs, a few cats, and the kids' grandpa and aunt.

Richard and Paula were having difficulties conceiving a child when they opened their doors to 8-year old Justen back in 1997.

"While we were up at night praying for a baby, he was up praying for a family," Paula told TODAY.

Justen suffered from mental health issues that are said to have improved since living with the Charlesbois. The family got a second child after Justen asked for a sibling. He was separated from his family at a young age, so Richard and Paula could not say no when he asked for a brother or sister.

Paula's mother shares the same big heart as her daughter and mother-in-law. When the couple was looking for another child to adopt, she called Paula and let her know her granddaughter was on TV. Jessica was featured on an ad for Aid to Adoption of Special Kids (AASK). Just a half-year later and she was their daughter.

Jessica then encouraged the couple to foster children after disclosing the difficult times she experienced in the foster system. "Jessica would say, 'How can you complain about a system you won't try to help make better?' We just didn't think we had it in our hearts."

As TODAY points out, "The Charlebois went on to provide a home for Carl, Bridget, Eleanor, Angel, Maritzah, Shyra, Luke and 30 other children, many of whom are victims of neglect and have suffered from severe behavioral issues, cognitive delays and fetal alcohol syndrome."

Paula told PEOPLE Magazine despite their loving gesture, many people condemned the couple.

"We've gotten criticism for adopting children of other races, for taking in our daughter who was in a wheelchair, for allowing our son to identify as transgender, for taking in special-needs kids ..." Paula said.

However she said a few skeptics were not going to change the way she felt about her diverse family.

"But I learned a long time ago that I don't care what other people say. I do what is best for my children, I'm blind to their differences. I love all of them so much."

Paula and Richard retired six years ago, but have since adopted two more children and according to TODAY, would be open to more.

"We say we're done," Paula told TODAY, "but I can't imagine turning down a child knowing I have an empty bed in my house."