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!

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!