Birthday Season Wraps Up with Nathaniel's 15th

One of the fabulous aspects of being a super-sized family is that we never run out of reasons to celebrate. Last week we marked Nathaniel's 15th birthday. 

The weekend we celebrated, Nathaniel's brother-in-law, Eric, was visiting from Boston. He helped Faith make Nathaniel's cake.

This wasn't just any dessert, however. This was to be a traveling cake. Nathaniel asked to celebrate his birthday in our favorite nearby park.

This birthday celebration was enhanced by having dear friends, Jamie (pictured here), Marcos and their son, Samuel with us. They'd come from Illinois to celebrate high school graduation with the family the day before.

Once we settled in the park pavilion, Nathaniel opened his gifts, and we ate that traveling cake.

As much as Nathaniel enjoyed the gifts of love from his family members, what made this his "best birthday ever" was having the American couple he first met in his Russia there to help him mark his birthday.

The two of us first met this faith-filled duo who have huge hearts for orphans in Moscow. These links tell some of the story of the time we shared in that beautiful city getting to know Russian children that we would be able to add to our families through adoption if we felt so led. Jamie and Marcos have been Nathaniel's greatest cheerleaders as he's adjust to life in America and in a family. Their prayers have been worth gold to us!

(Marcos and Jamie are in the midst of adopting again, this time two sepcial-needs toddlers from China. To learn more about their adoption journey, click here. I know they would truly appreciate your prayers!)

Now nearly three years later, these four children share what I believe will be a lifelong bond. After all, they have something very unusual in common ~ having been fatherless children who spent years together in the same orphanage. It's no wonder Nathaniel dubbed this his favorite birthday. He was surrounded by the friends with whom he was rescued by the Lord from hopelessness. At age 15, his future couldn't look brighter!

Alexander's 13th

Early on in the celebration of his birthday, Alexander received a Lego set. He eagerly reached over to hug the giver.

One of the first bridges that Mark and Alexander shared--long before they could speak the same language--was building with Legos.

Alexander's next gift puzzled him...

...as he pulled a small skillet out of Christmas wrapping paper.

He was unsure what to make of the unusual gift...

...until Amy (10) piped up and happily said, "Oksana (8) and I want to give you a bed and breakfast."

Once the older folks in the family stopped guffawing behind our hands, we explained to Amy that the term she was looking for was "breakfast in bed."

Another of Alexander's gifts came in the form of a hand-drawn card from Cassandra. Even as Alexander was taking the card out of it's envelope, he was repeatedly complimenting Cassandra on her artwork. One of the many ways Alexander blesses us is through encouragement. He's always on the look-out for opportunities to build us up.

By the end of Alexander's gift opening ceremony, he'd migrated to the place where he seems happiest and most secure--right at John's side.

Orphanage Life

Van in which we traveled from the capital city in the region to our children's orphanage in October 2010

Daria just after our arrival at her orphanage begging her new parents to hurry so she can give us a tour

Some of our regular readers may have wondered what life was like for Daria, Alexander and Oksana during their years in the orphanage. We adopted the three of them through the Russian Orphan Lighthouse Project. The Lighthouse Project's Becky De Nooy is author of the group's blog. In January, Becky interviewed a recent adoptee from their orphanage about her life in the Children's Home.  Becky's post, titled Orphanage Life, offers insight to our children's former lives. The details which Becky shares closely match the many stories they have shared with us since becoming part of our family.

Our children were well cared for in a very good orphanage. However, it was still an orphanage, not a family. What a merciful God we have who places the lonely in families! (Psalm 68:6)

Perfectly Suited

After church on Easter, the family's four men, who only don suits for Resurrection Sunday and sibling's weddings, were hamming it up a bit for the camera.

A Brother's Impact

Mr. Beaver and I knew our family would miss John during his trip to Ethiopia. He adds so much to who we are as a unit.

What we didn't suspect was how quickly and powerfully one of us would be impacted. Yet on the very night when we returned from the Omaha Airport and gathered at the dinner table, a poignant sentiment was quietly shared with the large group. Alexander, the 12-year-old we adopted from Russia 15 months ago, murmured, "I think...for the first time...I feel...lonely." As we all turned to gaze at Alexander, he went on, "When we're in our bedroom, we joke... When we brush our teeth, we share the same sink...we joke and laugh." He trailed off. His winsome sharing of his heart was finished.

We discovered over a decade ago, when we added our first trio of adoptees, that our existing children (Anna, Lissie and John) were instrumental in the adjustment of their new siblings. Each time since, when we've added another trio of older children to the family through adoption, the old and the new have grown close surprisingly quickly. The existing kiddos have offered immediate friendship, as well as advice, counsel, and a sense of security and comfort through the initial stages of adjustment. Alexander's statement simply reflected the profound impact John has had on his newest brother.

With a crinkle returning to his eyes, Alexander quickly returned to the perky, quirky, joy so characteristic to him. But we all really miss John and pray for His safe and quick return.

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BTW, we've heard John and the group from our church arrived safely in Ethiopia. Their trip is apparently going well, but they would be grateful for prayers for endurance, stamina and strength. They're already tired, and they have much yet that they hope to accomplish.

More Snow Fun

Mrs. Beaver:

Although the snow storm was a few days ago already, I can't resist sharing a few more pictures from my impromptu shoot of Oksana (7), Alexander (12) and Amy (9).

That afternoon I hadn't planned on being able to get any photos of them playing out in the white stuff that's been so rare this winter. When they went outside, big, wet flakes were still falling, and I knew I couldn't risk getting the camera wet.

However, when I heard laughing and giggling from my bedroom, I peeked out the window to discover they were romping just below. I had the perfect perch to catch some of their silliness without putting the camera at risk. (I apologize for the graininess of these photos, but they were taken through heavily falling snow.)

And they were silly--what a variety of expressions and reactions I got to watch as the trio kindly posed for me!

I think here Alexander is reacting to Oksana throwing her very wet and cold glove around his neck. He's so good-natured, though, that he just grimaced a bit and carried on with his posing, smiling all the while!

Then, for some resaon Alexander decided it would be helpful if he leaned down. The only problem was that then both sisters followed suit.

About this time I realized the melting snow on the window frame was dripping on my lens. Needless to say, the shoot immediately ended, but not before three kids and their mom had shared some serious snowy silliness.

Recently, one of our friends commented that he enjoyed when I posted pictures of the siblings together. Isn't our God amazing that these three are just that--siblings? None of them is biologically related and yet they're family. Love is thicker than blood. God places the lonely in families. (Psalm 68:6) He is so good!

A Kid's Dream Come True!

Mrs. Beaver:

After a nearly winter-less winter, northeastern Iowa finally got snow today. Many thankful children in our home, watched eagerly in the early afternoon as the white precipitation flew sideways.

I took these photos during the time each afternoon when I read aloud to our youngest four children.

I wasn't surprised to see Oksana's happy countenance as she watched the snow fall. If EVER there was a child who loves sledding, it is Oksana!

While his sisters watched the weather, Alexander was more interested in his Legos.

Although Alexander hadn't shown much interest in watching the snow, he was more than eager to play in it. By late afternoon, the wind had calmed enough for those who've waited all winter for snow play to go out.

Homeschoolers don't usually take snow days. While traditionally-schooled children get time off for weather, we just keep pluggin' away. But tomorrow I'm calling a snow day around here. What fell today is the wet, sticky kind of snow that is a kid's dream--perfect for fort building, snow angels, snowball fights and the crafting of snow men.

I better get the hot chocolate ready!

The Impossible Anniversary

Mr. Beaver:

This week we celebrated the one year anniversary of our adoption of Daria, Alexander and Oksana. For our family, we celebrate adoption anniversaries based on the day we land in America with our kids. As we celebrate this one year anniversary during Thanksgiving week, we recognize how much we have for which we need to be grateful to God. We can't imagine life without Daria, Alexander and Oksana. And we give thanks to God for the many miracles He performed to make this 'impossible' adoption (by human reckoning) happen. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow!

Note: In the photo, Alexander is carrying "his baby"--a giant snow ball he built on a hike the entire family took together.

Our Adoption: Dad--On His Own

Mrs. Beaver:

A year ago I had the easy job. I was in Chicago with Lissie, Natasha and Joe who had each qualified locally to compete in the National Bible Bee Finals.

Opening ceremony -- Lissie receiving her medal for qualifying

Banquet on final evening -- Meggie, Bonnie Leigh, Natasha and Lissie (l-r)

Because of the need for me to be at the Bible Bee, Mr. Beaver was a world away, alone in Moscow, Russia. He was single-handily beginning to parent the three children who were finally ours at the end of a court-mandated 10-day wait, following the judge's "Yes," to our petition in late October to adopt Daria (15), Alexander (11) and Oksana (5).

Here's the link to Mr. Beaver's story of God's overwhelming goodness during the adventure of a lifetime: First Day with the Kids

Gifts from God... Again

Mrs. Beaver:

Daria and Alexander saw the eye doctor today for the first time since we adopted them last November. Each time we've adopted trios of kids from Russia, this is the last of the health care checkups that we do. It's just so much easier once the kids are conversational in English. Having gained a good handle on their new language prevents fear since the procedures can be explained to them. In addition, they can tell the eye doctor how well they're seeing the letters or pictures he uses.

Even though this is the third time we've adopted children from Russia, the speed with which our adoptees pick up their new language still floors me. Today I was amazed by how readily our 12-year-old and 16-year-old could name letters during the exam in an alphabet they've only known for 10 months. I just can't imagine being able to do the same thing with Cyrillic letters with less than a year's exposure. What a good God we have that He built children to be able to adjust to new environments and new mental challenges with stunning speed!

Daria and Alexander finished the eye doctor visit with seriously dilated pupils, a new understanding of how the eye works, and the great news that neither of them need glasses or contacts. Thank You, Lord!

Brothers...and Friends

Mrs. Beaver:

When we initially made plans to adopt again, we requested two sisters. With seven sisters already, Joe, who's nineteen, was sure happy when there ended up being a boy in the mix, instead! And it's turned out even better that Joe would have dared to hope. Even though the two of them are eight years apart in age, they've formed a fast friendship in just eight months. They share the same sense of humor which keeps the rest of us laughing. God is so very good to blend families with such care!

The Birthday of a Recently Rescued Orphan

Mrs. Beaver:

He's waited a long time...

...since we adopted Alexander in November, our family has celebrated 10 birthdays.

 Finally last Sunday it was his turn. Finally, it was his day to turn 12.

His expressions as he opened his gifts from his grandparents were priceless. His present from his Grandma and Aunt Jean came first.

We love the look on his face in this photo: "Whoa...is this really what I think it is???"

Just as the awe was setting in...

...our sports enthusiast, who is still so new to American sports, felt compelled to make sure the leather thing he'd been given was actually a baseball glove.

On the heels of that question came a much more poignant one from this child who was orphaned as a toddler...

 

...as he cautiously queried in his broken English, "This mine?"

Once reassured, his delight was knew no bounds.

Next Alexander opened the gift from my parents.

   

 His glee at receiving a Lego set of his very own was unmistakeable.

The evening finished with the cake decorating. Mr. Beaver made use of Alexander's nickname, "Mr. Cheeseburger."

God was so good to allow Mr. Beaver and me the rich joy of watching yet another former orphan experience his first real birthday celebration. Unlike some children who have come to take birthday blessings for granted, these former orphans are filled with awe and gratitude, not only for the gifts themselves, but also for the very thought that they might be the subject of such love and attention. In turn, our hearts are filled with gratitude to the Father of the Fatherless for his rescuing, saving love.