Our three special angels

Another family reflection in our November series! 

Our three special angels

"Our 3 special angels. We have been blessed with the chance to raise three special young men. We've adopted from 16 to 8 years old. We've learned not only can we love and teach them, but they love and teach us even more. Thank you for giving us the chance to raise these amazing young men."

You know a family is special when they say thank you for an opportunity to open their home and heart to Iowa kids. We really can't thank Iowa's resource families enough for all they do!

Don't forget! More National Adoption Month events happening this week! 

Lynnsay's Story

Happy Friday! 

Here's another great story from an Iowa adoptive family, proving that empty nesters often make great foster and adoptive parents, and you can make a difference at any age.

^{Lynnsay's Story}

 

"My wife and I adopted Lynnsay March 22, 2012 (that happened to be her 2^nd birthday also which was a double blessing!). Lynnsay had been living with us since she was three months old. We, my wife and I, along with our four older daughters (age 41 down to 30) instantly fell in love with Lynnsay. She has been a blessing to all of us. She is the sweetest little girl in the world (along with our granddaughters).

Even though my wife and I are 61 years of age we would highly recommend adoption to all, no matter what your ages. Lynnsay has made my wife and I younger!!"

^{Events this weekend}

^{Congratulations to the families and children finalizing adoptions at Cedar Rapids Adoption Friday today! There are also some other great events happening today and over the weekend - take a peek!}

   

John and Sherry's Story

Here's the next story in our series of adoptive parent submission for National Adoption Month! Today's story is a sweet reflection on just how surprisingly enriching foster and adoptive parenting can be.

John and Sherry's Story
"We can’t say exactly why we became foster/adoptive parents. It almost sounds funny and cliché to say it now, but it’s hard to explain how much it has enriched our lives.

A few years ago we weaved our way through the maze of hallways of a Des Moines hospital to pick up a three-day old child. He was our first placement. Two days later neighbors and other foster families, many of whom we were meeting for the first time, had given us everything we needed to care for him. They are relationships we cherish today. As it turned out, our son never left our home and we adopted him within days of his first birthday.

A great photo from IFAPA's (Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association) annual "Stride for Foster Care Walk"

Next was an eight-month-old with blond hair and blue eyes. She stayed less than a year, and while it was sad to see her go, we were happy for her and her birth mother. Back down to one child – and the house seemed empty.

A few months later we picked up another girl during a blizzard. This one had dark hair and hazel eyes. We would celebrate her first birthday five days later. She was scared and tired, but gave us a smile when we wrapped her in our arms. We adopted her as well. We felt like the luckiest people in the world.

Life is full of surprises. The phone rang. Could we take the little blonde again? Yes. She is now part of our family as well. Never did we expect to have three children, who are now ages 4, 3, and 3. Yes, we are busy, but blessed many times over. We are watching the petals of the flowers unfold – and we are glad we chose to foster and adopt. We hope others consider it also."

- John and Sherry

Codi's Story

Over the last few weeks, we've asked Iowa families who have adopted from foster care to send us some of their stories and reflections on what foster care adoption means to them.

We're excited to share those with you this November for National Adoption Month! Here's a terrific one to kick off our series, written by an Iowa eighth-grader who was adopted from foster care last month.

Codi's Story

"Hi, I'm Codi. I've actually had plenty of families. The day I was born, I was sent to my first foster home. About a month passed in my life before I was sent to live with one of my favorite aunts ever until I was around 4 years old and then my dad came and got me. Fast-forward through a lot more placements, now I'm in 8th grade, and I've been adopted by an amazing family whom I've come to love: Kary and Tom, Mom and Dad. Kary's always making me laugh when she talks about my relationships that really she knows nothing about; Tom's quiet and likes to read. He's very calm and usually makes jokes that I laugh at because they're so dumb :). Then there are my brothers: Avery (8), Seth (14), and Will (16). I'd say I get along with Seth the most. Through many experiences, I've become who I am today and honestly I wouldn't change a thing. I couldn't ask for anything more ..."

Codi may have an amazing adoptive family, but we're pretty sure he's an amazing kid, too. Thanks for sharing Codi!

Check out more National Adoption Month celebration events happening this week!

November is National Adoption Month!

Today we kick off November's National Adoption Month, a month-long celebration of creating permanency and positive outcomes in the lives of children.

We're incredibly thankful for the many families and individuals in Iowa who have made a difference in the lives of Iowa kids through foster care and adoption. 

These are the families who take midnight phone calls for emergency placements.

These are the parents who adopt sibling groups of three, four or even five children so they can stay together.

These are the grandparents and aunts and uncles who step forward to provide kinship care when a child they love needs a home.

These are the families who adopt teens, so they can have a home forever, especially during the critical transition to young adulthood.

These are the countless caseworkers and professionals who work together to make sure every child has the stability of a safe and loving home and the guidance of a caring adult.

On behalf of Iowa KidsNet, we are lucky to know people like you. Thank you for all you do for Iowa's kids.

P.S. Stay tuned to our blog for family stories that we'll be sharing all month long! You can also check out upcoming events for November here.