Attorney Sue Lope applauds and adoptive mother Jacy Brosenitsch wipes a tear as the adoption process for daughter Jayden is completed Friday in front of Butler County Judge Kelley Streib. At right is the adoptive father, Paul.

Having already raised two daughters into their teens, Claudine and Dean Walters of Cranberry Township recognized they had more love to share.

“God brought us our little boy,” Claudine Walters said Friday, when her 9-year-old boy was one of 20 children to finalize adoption at Butler County's sixth Adoption Day celebration in the county courthouse.

Although children are adopted throughout the year, participants can reserve the final step in the process for this day.

Court officials and donors go out of their way to make the brief, official court procedure a celebratory and special day, offering children crayons, crafts, caricatures and snacks.

All of the adoptions were done by Judge Kelley Streib, who has said she started the Adoption Day celebration because there was nothing like this available when she adopted her two daughters in 1999 and 2004.

But it's not just the children who are moved by the event.

“It's like Christmas Day,” said Teresa Montiel-Rasp of Petrolia.

Over the past five years, Montiel-Rasp has fostered 17 children, most of whom moved on. But on this day, three of her foster children became forever members of her family: She and her husband, Kenny, adopted 7-year-old Connor. And Montiel-Rasp's brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Sveltana Montiel of Florida, adopted sisters Julie, 6, and Jaylinn, 4.

Montiel-Rasp said she originally began the adoption process with plans to adopt a different boy. But she learned through her time fostering that “God puts you right where you need to be.”

While she initially wanted an adoption, she said she would consider fostering other children in the future.

“It's amazing how many people can wrap their hearts around a child who needs love,” she said.

The Walters family says they, too, feel blessed.

Their son first came into their lives last year.

“No child should have to go through the first eight years he had to go through,” said Dean Walters.

Since then, the little boy has blossomed, wanting to play sport after sport and dreaming of becoming a professional hockey player when he grows up.

“We are so fortunate (as a community),” Dean said. “I look at the houses being built and the community around us. If you feel any of this going on in your heart — you want to help a child — go in to one of the agencies and inquire. There really are no excuses, and you can make a difference in that child's life. You can give that child hope and a future.”