KFOX reported on Wednesday that Chief Warrant Officer 3 Alberto Bontilao made a surprise trip home as he and his wife prepare to expand their family of five to a party of nine.

On Friday, they finalized a two-year adoption process.

Years of paperwork, home visits, hours of stress and anticipation all boiled down to one moment in court.

"It was a very special moment. I hadn't felt that way before, to know they're officially our children," said Mylynne Bontilao.

Alberto and Mylynne Bontilao finalized the adoption of four children ages 5 through 16. They are Alberto's nieces and nephew. Their mother died in a car crash in the Philippines in 2007. Their father died a year later. That's when the Bontilao's said they started the adoption process.

"Like something heavy lifted off my shoulders, finally," said Mylynne.

Alberto Bontilao said he and part of his family immigrated to the United States 20 years ago and lost touch with his sister. They found each other a few years ago and that's when he found out she had four children. But he didn't know he would lose her again just four months after they reconnected.

"God gave them to us because these children are not just us. They're more than God's children," said Alberto Bontilao.

All seven children, who have been living together for a year now, said they already felt like a family.

Christopher 31:24 "It's cool, because I have someone to talk to," said 10-year-old Christopher Bontilao.

The Bontiloas said even though it was a long stressing process, adoption is very rewarding. If they wouldn't have done it, the kids would have been in an orphanage in the Philippines.

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