In the news . . .

Thanks to all the families who have shared their adoption stories with us this month! Here's a few of our other favorite November stories so far from media around the state:

Brenda's story
KIMT, Mason City

Candlelight ceremony held for kids awaiting adoption
Webster City Daily Freeman Journal

Iowa children waiting for forever families
KTIV, Sioux City

Former Iowa's Child gets a new family
KWWL, Eastern Iowa

Children, adults celebrate as adoptions become final
Cedar Rapids Gazette

Families will expand on Adoption Day
Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil

Hector's story
WOWT, Council Bluffs-Omaha

National Adoption Day Means a Happy Day for Some Foster Kids
KCRG, Cedar Rapids

(We wish we could share more of these with you! Some are no longer available online.)

Michelle's Story

Congratulations to all the families adopting this weekend at Iowa Adoption Day events in Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Ottumwa, Sioux City, Waterloo and Webster City! For today's National Adoption Month series, here's a lovely reflection from a mother about what her daughters thought about Adoption Day.

Michelle's Story

Our adoption day was extremely special. I had always wanted to have a big family with lots of children. My daughter had wanted a sister as long as I can remember. We were so excited to be able to welcome two sweet little girls into our family. Jayden became the middle child with a sister 14 months older and a sister 14 months younger. We first met the girls by doing respite for them. After being at our house each weekend for a couple months they moved in with us. I told the lawyer that my daughter really wanted to be adopted before her birthday.  Luckily we were able to do it on her birthday making it a special day she will always remember. 

The girls loved adoption day. They all wore matching dresses and sandals. They wanted to have a similar connection in their new names so they all have Sky in their middle names.  All of their names also start with J which they love. I now have Jacquelyn (Jacquee) Skye, Jayden (JJ) Skyanne, and Jocelyn (Jocee) Skyla. The girls love their new names and the meanings behind them.  Jacquelyn means protector - I told her she was receiving that name because she did a great job protecting her baby sister through the hard times. Jocelyn means joyful and lighthearted. I chose that name because she is always so happy and such a goofball despite all the trauma she has experienced.    

I asked the girls what they would like to share about adoption day. Jacquelyn wanted to share some of the things she said on the stand. The three girls took the stand together and were able to talk at court. They really enjoyed this part. Jacquelyn said thank you to me for taking such good care of her and her sister.  hen she thanked Jayden there was not a dry eye in the room. She thanked her not just for sharing her toys and her house and being such a great sister, but for sharing her mom.  

Jayden wants to tell everyone how great it is to adopt siblings. She absolutely adores her new sisters and is so happy they will be ours forever. She has such a tender heart and misses children immensely when they return home. Jocelyn wants to share that she is so happy to be safe and to be in a family that loves her and that she can still see her biological siblings. Jocee’s favorite part of adoption day was getting to bang the hammer and make it official. We went to Build-a-Bear after the adoption was final and all of the girls adopted a bear.

I would encourage people to do foster care and adoption. It is so rewarding to make a difference in the life of a child. Even in the heartbreak you feel in the absence of a child when they leave, it is still worth it to know that you have given them love and a foundation to grow on. Whether caring for children through foster care or adoption, you will be blessed by the love you share. Children come with broken hearts and worries. Our love and attention is a healing balm to their injured souls. We are the providers of hope and love. You can never help another without also helping yourself. You will be blessed.  

 

- Michelle

Brenda's Story

Did you know you can be a single parent and also foster or adopt? You might be surprised that we hear that question often! Today's National Adoption Month story is a great reflection from a single mom who brought two children into her heart and home.

Brenda's Story

I had a desire to help kids. When I got to know a couple of Department of Human Services workers, I started by becoming a mentor for over a year. After that I decided to get my foster/adoption license so I could help some kids have a better chance of having someone care for and love them.
 
At first I provided respite care, which was a great way to get used to having kids in my home and learn about different types of kids. As a single mom, this was an adjustment in my life.

My son came to me as a foster son at the age of nine months. Then, on Adoption Saturday in November of 2006, I adopted my son Brett in Webster City. The celebration in the courthouse when many families were adoption at the same time was a great celebration. My son has been a great blessing to me, which include the hard and easy times.

In 2009, I put my license on hold for a short time while I moved from Fort Dodge to Clear Lake. When I was settled in my home I went back to doing foster care. A girl of 20 months was one of my placements. On Valentine's Day of 2011, I adopted my daughter Amber in Mason City with my family there for support.

Being a single mom is a lot of work, but has many blessings. Brett and Amber have helped me as much as I am hopeful that I am helping them. I would recommend that if you have a caring heart to do what you can to help kids in need. They have many things to offer also.

- Brenda

Upcoming Events

A huge congratulations to the amazing families adopting at Adoption Saturday events this weekend in Davenport, Des Moines, Council Bluffs, Sioux City, Webster City, Ottumwa and Waterloo!

A place to call home for a week, a month, or a lifetime

 For today's National Adoption Month series, we have perspectives from two families to share on their foster care and adoption journey!

Brian and Lisa's Story
 
"Adoption is great. Two years ago my wife and I were introduced to a little angel. The past two years were rough with a lot of trials but foster care adoption is great. These kids are full of a lot of love, and they are looking for parent(s) that want to offer them a lot of love back. There are a lot of kids out there that are looking for a home. If you foster or adopt, you and the child will be blessed."

Randy and Rhonda's Story

"My husband and I tried to have children, but it was not meant to be. We were crushed at each fertility try but our faith carried us through and we knew somehow, some day, we would be parents.

We joined Hagerman Baptist Church in Waterloo and we met Pastor Dave Peters and his wife Robin. They adopted a sibling group of five out of foster care. Hearing their journey and knowing my husband was adopted opened our eyes to foster care.

We became foster parents in December of 2008. We knew we had a lot to offer a child, like a safe place for them to call home for a week, a month or a lifetime, warm food and whatever clothes they may need and of course the love of being a family.

It was one of the best decisions my husband and I have ever made. We were very blessed in adopting three of the four placements we had. We also have been able to keep in touch with our other placement. I feel our journey has opened our eyes that you can make a difference to a child no matter how long you have them. You
just have to open your home and your heart."

More National Adoption Month events coming up

Thanks to these families for all they do!

Check out the events coming up this Friday and Saturday!

Kristin's Story

Ever wondered what an Adoption Saturday event is like? For today's story in our National Adoption Month series, Kristin shares a beautiful inside look at this very special day for children and families and what it means to be a foster and adoptive parent.

Kristin's story

"November is National Adoption Month.  Seems that nearly every month, week and day has an issue or cause associated with it.  After a while, all of these days seem to blend together, but National Adoption Month means something special to our family and it could mean something special to your family, too.  Two years ago on National Adoption Day, we adopted our daughter through the foster care system. 

On that November morning, my husband and I gathered up our daughter, and our daughter-to-be and headed to the courthouse to officially become what we had been in our hearts for a long time – a family of four!  It was a joyous day for us and the nearly 50 family members and friends, from Phoenix to Des Moines, and from ages 1 to 91, who gathered in the courthouse.  We were ushered to the courtroom and our family and friends filed into the courtroom seats, while the four of us and the attorneys sat where the prosecutor and defendant usually sit.  

Both my husband and I got to take the stand, be sworn in and take an oath to love, support and care for our newest daughter.  It was a powerful moment.  We got to announce to the world our commitment with family and friends there showing love and support.  The courtroom was decorated with hundreds of beanie babies and our judge (who happened to be an Appellate Court Judge) was visually moved by the experience of being the part of our adoption – many of us were.   

People often ask me about being a foster parent.  Has it been challenging? Sure it has.  Has it been fun? Yes.  Frustrating? Sometimes.  Rewarding? You bet!  A learning opportunity?  Yep.  Disappointing? At times.  But that is life…right?  Full of ups, downs and in-betweens.  But the good has far outweighed the bad.  I have a much better understanding and perspective of the challenges and barriers faced by families of all sorts, more compassion and empathy for difficult circumstances and missed opportunities, more gratitude and appreciation for my family, and plenty of love in my heart to share.  

We've received many blessings from being a foster and adoptive family.  If you have an open heart and mind, I hope you will consider becoming a foster or adoptive family.  Children and families could use your support and you will have opportunities to learn and grow beyond what you have imagined.

-Kristin (Foster and adoptive parent with Tom, and Mom to Allie and Jenny)

Thanks to Kristin for sharing such a powerful reflection! For those of you in Cedar Rapids, you can hear more foster care and adoption stories tonight at the Cedar Rapids candlelight ceremony. Time and place here!