Moncton family celebrates anniversary of Haitian adoption

The Naugler family of Moncton will celebrate the five-year anniversary of the arrival of their two adopted children from Haiti on Saturday.

Dieulando was four years old and his sister Dakencia was nine when they arrived at the Greater Moncton International Airport with their new parents, Melissa and Gerry Naugler, just two weeks after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti destroyed the orphanage where they lived.

Dieulanda and Dakencia joined the Naugler's older biological children, Noah and Jerrica.

Gerry says the family of six has come together over the past five years.

"We've had many, many happy moments as a family, we've also had some trying moments as a family, like any family would go through." he said. "Words can't really describe the overall joy that they've brought to our family."

Melissa says while adding two children to their household has had its challenges, when she looks back she is amazed at how much has changed.

"They were used to raising themselves … and Dakencia was used to mothering Dieulando so learning to step back and let us parent so she could just be the kid would be one of the bigger challenges that we faced."

"When you have kids you never know what it's going to turn out like … so I have to say every stage has its good and its bad and I just keep moving forward and if I think it's bad we just go until we make it good," Melissa said.

Now 9, Dieulando says as far as he is concerned becoming part of his new family has been "not just good — perfect."

His sister Dakencia, who is now 14, says she too has found her place in her new family and in her new community.

"I find that I've grown a lot and I've caught up in my school and I've made friends." she said.

"I feel like I'm a normal teenager — I do all the things that they do."

Jerrica says for her the biggest adjustment was having to share her room with her new sister when she arrived from Haiti, but looking back on the past five years it isn't an experience she would trade.

"All those changes were really interesting but it doesn't feel like it's been five years and I just can't picture life without them now."