Five!

Mrs. Beaver:

For the past couple of days we've been caring for the children of our dear friends, the Nordstroms. Their mom, Heather, had to have emergency surgery on Tuesday afternoon. (We thank God that we can pass along the news that, although she'll have a multi-week recovery, the danger has passed and she's doing well.)

Today I took both our families to a nearby park to relish what will probably be the last of the 80 degree weather this year in our northern plains location. At one point, I saw 14-year-old "T-Bird" scoop up his little sister "Peaches." Our long-time readers will remember that Peaches is a precious former orphan who was adopted from Ethiopia by the Nordstroms about six months ago.

As I saw brother and sister looking so photogenic, I raced over to take pictures. I began asking Peaches about her birthday tomorrow. Her response was precious:

In no uncertain terms, she told me...

...with much exuberance... 

...that in one day...

 ...she would no longer be four...

...she would be FIVE!!!

Not only did I get to enjoy the antics of a precious little girl, I got to watch a big brother caring for his little sister in a way that would make any parent proud. T-Bird was protective and aware of Peaches' needs. He was gentle and kind. He was interested in what interested her. As I stood watching the two of them interact, I felt as though I was being allowed the privilege of getting a peek at T-Bird maturing into a man. At the rate he's going, he will do so bringing glory to God as he is being changed into the image of Christ.

Happy Birthday, Peaches! We love you!

North Shore Travel: Split Rock Lighthouse

Mrs. Beaver:

During the second week in September our family vacationed in one of our favorite places in the world--the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. The trip was too significant to our still-adjusting adoptive family to let the photos lie dormant in our computer. The week was like family glue and being able to look back at posts here on our blog will keep us thanking God for His goodness to us. So, even though I'm a bit late, here's the first in a series:

One of our favorite pastimes in this favorite place is hiking. On our first full day there we drove to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Before embarking on our hike, we hopped from rock to rock across a low spot at the edge of the bay to get to the small island below. This island, which is about the size of a football field, is only open to human visitors about four months a year, while it is preserved as an animal sanctuary (primarily birds) the other eight months.

When we got to the rocky shore on the other side, Amy found a divot just her size.

From the far end of the island we had a beautiful view of the century-old lighthouse, just across the small bay. Split Rock Lighthouse is no longer in use but remains a popular tourist attraction.

After circle the island on a trail that was only one person wide and sometimes precariously close to the edge of the cliff (okay, okay...the worried mother in me is showing), we headed off on a steep climb up Day Hill.

We went through a lovely birch stand.

Tatiana found a favorite trunk amidst the many options.

I huffed and puffed up the steep grade and struggled to keep up with my children and husband. When I came around one of the curves, I found two of the girls resting on a log.

At the apex of Day Hill is a large stab of rock that has only a slight downward tilt. Mr. Beaver found this a great place to get horizontal and enjoy the warm sunshine.

Daria (16) and Oksana (7) spent a bit of sister time in the same reclined position. They still communicate with each other primarily in Russian.

Daria didn't rest for long before she began exploring the strange landmark that tops Day Hill. A sign nearby says that the history of the fireplace is unknown. It's thought that about 100 years ago a young man built the large structure before proposing to a woman, who then reportedly jilted him. Her rejection kept him from building the rest of the house.

No matter what the story of the fireplace, Daria was intrigued and investigated it from all angles.

We'd been to the North Shore one other time since adopting our newest threesome. However, that was in January--not the best time for relaxed exploration of the great outdoors. This September trip was pure joy to Daria.

From the top of Day Hill, we had yet another fine view of the lighthouse. This time the building was much farther away, but my telephoto lens brought it close. At this point in our outing, we were above the landmark in elevation.

After the kind of rest only a vacation can allow, we began the hike back to the van.

Fall colors are everywhere now, but at the time these leaves were the first to hint of the coming season change.

At the end of the hike, Daria asked for the family camera and insisted on a group picture of the hike's straggelers.

 

Ten Years Ago Today...

Mr. and Mrs. Beaver:

For days we've struggled with writing a post that could capture the essence of adding Jaynie, Cassandra and Mark to our family a decade ago today. After all, as we've mentioned on this blog before, anniversary's are a really BIG deal to adoptive families.

But, try as we might, we can't begin to capture how important this event was (and is) in our lives. No words seem equal to the task of capturing the highs and the lows, the laughter and the tears, and the stretching and the growth that have all been a part of our experience together.

Upon reflection, we are most struck by God's never-failing faithfulness. The last ten years have been both the hardest and the best since our family's beginning, and God in all His loving power and wisdom has seen us through every moment. He has never left us. He has never failed to sustain us.

We are also amazed how God has used the least of these to change us. He's opened our eyes to our own desperate need for Him. And He has opened our hearts to the suffering experienced by children all over the world. We must confess (to our shame) that we had been oblivious to their need. He's opened our eyes to His heart for these silent sufferers. And He's given us a deep wonder for His adoption of us through the sacrifice of his beloved Son, Jesus.

Here are some photos from their last few days at their orphanage:

In the apartment in which we stayed on the orphanage when we went to court

Cassandra and her new daddy as he fills out the last of the adoption paperwork

Cassandra was so naughty this day.
The orphanage workers wanted her to wear a sweater,
but she refused, giggling all the time.

Headed to Moscow, set to start our life as a family

Leaving orphanage life ten years ago

Mrs. Beaver:

A beautiful autumn day called for a dinner picnic for the kids and I (while Mr. Beaver is flying home from San Francisco).

The little girls brought their strollers and dolls...

...and the boys brought the football.

We had to take the two dogs, of course. In fact, we could have called the event a birthday party for Poochita who will be twelve tomorrow. I'm not sure she was feeling the party spirt at this point though. The pups were tied up several yards from the food as we ate.

A sure sign of fall in the upper midwest--migrating Canadian Geese

Our picnic consisted of $5 pizzas that were being sold at a stand outside the local HyVee grocery story, Honey Crisp apples and store-bought chocolate chip cookies--easy fare for mom when Dad has been away from home for a couple of days.

Alexander is still a bit unsure of himself with an American football, but who can blame the Russian-born 12-year-old? When we adopted him it was already early winter here. Where he comes from balls are round!

Cassandra stepped through the cattails to take a look at the lake.

Lissie is a "dog person" through and through. Here the two of them sat cuddling as they relished the sun's last rays.

Our little Oksana is such a good "mommy" to her baby, even though she never experienced this kind of care when she was an infant.

As the mother of nine daughters, I felt the impulse to stop Mark and Alexander as they wrestled for the football. I spend my days trying to civilize young people. However, the boys' sisters reassured me this is routine behavior for guys.

While the boys played tug-a-war, the girls strolled on, chatting away.

The photo below is NOT a posed picture. The girls got way ahead of me on a walk after dinner. When I caught up, I found them perched atop the hill taking in the beauty of the lake at sunset. they told me the only thing that kept the moment from being perfect was the absence of Anna and Jaynie.

Before long, Oksana and Amy were rolling down the steep slope giggling all the way. Natasha is in the background pushing one of her younger sisters' "babies."

We're so thankful to the Lord to be a family! A night like tonight reminds us how blessed we are!