Lyon County has many families who have taken children in that are not biologically theirs but called them their own. Children all over the world are brought to a new place to love and be loved and to have a place to call home. Three couples share their stories and experiences during National Adoption Month about their adoptive children.
In Iowa
Amber and Ross Kooiker of George had tried for a while to get pregnant. They decided it was time for an alternative and adopt. From the time they went to their first information meeting in 2007 to bringing their adopted son Isaac home was nine months. The couple made a detailed profile about themselves. The adoption agency asked the birth mother what traits she would like to see in a family for the baby. The agency picked out three profiles similar to the mother’s preference for her to look at. The agency called the Kooikers the day after Isaac was born asking if it was all right to show their profile to the woman. Isaac’s mother saw the Kooikers and knew it would be a perfect fit. That same day the social worker called to tell them the mother picked them.“We went to the hospital that night and spent time with him,” Amber said. The mother had 72 hours to sign the papers, and three days later they brought him home. When the Kooikers received the call, they were in shock and didn’t come to full terms with everything until they brought Isaac home. “When you bring an adopted baby home, the bonding is different,” Amber said. “It took a couple weeks before I felt he was really mine.”When Isaac was six days old, Amber found out she was pregnant.
“It’s a great thing,” Amber said. “They’re the best of friends. It couldn’t have happened a better way. The first year was probably the hardest because they were on two different schedules.”Isaac is now four years old. He stays busy with farming, playing with anything with wheels, music, family time, and Wee School. Isaac is outgoing and active while his brother Caleb is shy and laid back, complementing each other.
“We don’t focus on the fact that he’s adopted,” Amber stated. “That’s always going to be a part of him but it’s not who he is. Isaac is a definite blessing to us, and he’s a perfect fit for our family.”