PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County’s participation in National Adoption Day was decidedly low-key, with just one couple participating in the ceremony Wednesday.

It turned out the timing of the adoption was coincidental and the family was from out of town.

Eden Schauble, 3, was adopted by Chris and Allison Schauble of Mount Vernon, who chose to formalize the adoption in Jefferson County because they feel the North Olympic Peninsula is more adoption-friendly.

They said in court they did not plan to formalize the adoption on the national day of recognition, that it was coincidental that the ceremony was scheduled Wednesday.

Another family planned to participate but canceled at the last minute, according to court Administrator Michelle Moore.

“Adoption in Jefferson County is nice and happy compared to King County, where it can be a stressful experience,” said Chris Little of Port Townsend, who calls herself “a professional hand-holder for people who want to adopt.”

Little was on hand to shepherd the Schaubles through the process.

“Most people don’t know what to expect, and coming into court makes them nervous,” Little said.

“There is a lot of paperwork, and I can help them through that.”

The Schaubles have two children of their own, Zack, 7, and Mason, 1.

From Ethiopia

They brought Eden to the United States from Ethiopia, where she was born, which required them to adopt her through Ethiopian courts.

Eden joined the Schaubles when she was 1 year old.

Chris Schauble, a claims adjuster, said he and his wife “are the only parents Eden has ever known” and doesn’t want to talk about her life previous to her adoption.

He wasn’t sure how much Eden understood about Wednesday’s ceremony, saying, “We will explain it to her later.”

Eden didn’t appear too impressed by the proceedings as she chattered about the surroundings, but she reached out her hand when court Commissioner Noah Harrison asked to inspect the adoption documents.

According to the Superior Court Clerk’s Office, 72 adoptions took place in 2010, and 58 have taken place so far this year.

Little, who has adopted nine children herself, said Jefferson County is a hospitable adoption environment “because people are likely to adopt older kids or those from other races than their own.”

“If someone you know, one of your neighbors, has adopted a child, then you become more open to the idea,” she said.

Each child receives a plush toy and gets his or her picture taken with the judge, which is printed out on the spot on a printer acquired for that purpose.

“The adoptive parents are pretty excited during the ceremony, and most of them forget to bring a camera,” said Moore, who takes the pictures.

Little said any parents who are considering adoption should be “patient and flexible and have a strong support system.”

For information about adoption procedures and providers in Washington state, visit www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/adopt/index.asp.

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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.