Ten More Children Get Forever Homes; 'Adoption Day' in Northumberland County
By: Shannon Murphy
Updated: November 14, 2012
Elizabeth and Andrew Straub can officially call little two year old Brody their son. This is the Straub's second adoption. After trying for years to start a family, they decided to look into other options. "We were just frustrated and at a dead end and my wife came home and asked about foster parenting and that's when we started doing everything," explains Andrew.
Three years ago they adopted Makyza. But that was just the beginning of their family. Two years ago they took in Brody, when he was just seven months old and Wednesday their adoption was finalized. "I wouldn't change it for anything," adds Andrew.
Brody
is just one of 10 children who can now celebrate a forever family. Each year
Judge William Harvey Wiest says its days like these that make all those hours on the bench worthwhile, "I see my own family forming and relive a lot of pleasant moments."
Judge Wiest is dad to 7 kids; 4 biological and 3 are adopted but he says in his eyes there is no difference, "You truly don't feel any differently about adoptive children than natural children and if they want to have more children or can't have children of your own, it's a wonderful process."
The Straub's are relieved to head home knowing their family grew by one today, no matter the circumstances.
Elizabeth Straub says, "I think it's funny. My daughter thinks babies come from the courthouse."
There are still 149 children in foster care in


