The Munoz family celebrated the adoption of their two daughters at the Monmouth County Courthouse last month. The uncommon sounds of laughter and youthful screams filled the Monmouth County Courthouse’s jury assembly room on the afternoon of Thursday, Nov. 17, as families prepared for the next step in their lives.
In celebration of National Adoption Month, the state Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) collaborated with the Superior Court of New Jersey, Monmouth Vicinage in Freehold, to finalize 21 adoptions, as part of the courthouse’s sixth annual Adoption Day.
“Here in the courthouse, most of the judges … and the attorneys deal with crimes and civil litigation, and people in disputes,” family division children in-court Judge John R. Tassini said. “But this is a wonderful day for us, to watch you adoptive parents and children face this step forward.”
The importance of permanent family ties was highlighted during Adoption Day proceedings at Monmouth County Courthouse. For children to become successful, happy adults, they must come from good homes, Tassini said. He said the adoptions will help children build bright futures.
“Not many of us accomplish a whole lot without a good foundation, and you are going to provide the foundation for which these children would not otherwise have,” Tassini said. “It’s good for you, it’s good for the children and it’s good for everybody.”
This is especially true for 8- year-old Ben, who was adopted by his mother’s husband, Doug Siegel. Siegel said since Ben was born in Thailand, the adoption process would make him an American citizen, which would open many doors.
“From where he used to live and the opportunities there, he now has endless possibilities here,” said Siegel, 58, of Long Branch. “It’s night and day. Today’s the luckiest day of his life.”
But Siegel considered himself fortunate, too. The bond between him and his child will only grow stronger throughout the years, Siegel said.
“Every day, it’s an adventure. He’s a good kid,” Siegel said. “We really enjoy each other. I just want to spend as many years as I can with him.”
The love of a newfound family member brings great responsibility, Beverly Davis, the event’s featured speaker, said. Davis, the adoptive mother of eight children, knows the challenges of raising children well.
Parents must remember to teach their young both emotional and moral lessons, Davis said.
“These little children, who are helpless at this stage, are people that need to learn how to love, to learn to be compassionate, to learn how to be productive and to learn how to love God,” Davis said. “We don’t want to live in a world where somebody feels like they have to take something from us to be secure.”
Parenthood will have its highs and lows, Tassini said. Teaching children the necessary lessons they need to mature will pay off, regardless of rough patches along the way, he said.
“As my wife would say, as the mother of two, [children] really did bring sunshine into our house, and a few thunderstorms,” Tassini said. “You’ll get through it and they’ll become adults, and they’ll appreciate it one day.”
For Sonja Chappel, the completion of the adoption process did little to change her family dynamic, but instead ushered in a new era.
“Not that this had to prove it, but I think this will just be the mark to another chapter in our lives,” Chappel, 39, said. “I’m excited, and I’m just glad it’s to this point.”
Like many parents in attendance, Chappel was a foster parent to her son Mark, 12, before settling the adoption. She said the boy added a welcome element to her family over the past three and a half years.
“Just seeing how he has grown from the time I’ve had him until now — it’s been a great process,” Chappel, a Union Township resident, said. “Spiritually, he’s been such a great benefit to our family.”
Adoptive parents will continue to witness the beauties of raising children, Monmouth Vicinage Assignment Judge Lawrence M. Lawson said.
“As the adoptive families know, every day is filled with surprises as you come to see the world through a child’s eyes,” Lawson said. “It is an experience that gives new meaning to life — one that really makes you stop and smell the roses.”