Zoo Trip on Sarah's 20th Birthday

Today we had a great reason to celebrate coupled with the most unbelievably beautifully weather. Sarah turned 20 today, and we had the opportunity to visit the renowned Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha on one of the coolest days in July in years.

We allowed the birthday girl to pick the first exhibit we'd see and she choose the cat house. The first tiger we saw wanted to play peek-a-boo.

The second tiger was quite photogenic, lying regally upon the straw. The sign said she has given birth to two litters of cubs, a remarkable feat considering her left front leg is missing at the shoulder.

Next we moved on to the lion's home.

What majesty!

Zhenya's all-time favorite animal is the snow leopard.

I don't know whether these two are twins, but I couldn't help but think of our twins, Alison and John.

After we left the Cat House, we went to a nearby statuary area that's perfect for a photo opp. Our group seemed so small today since only eight of our children made the trip to the zoo. John is currently in Boston on business. Kirsten is in northwest Nebraska doing an internship on a ranch. Anna and Alison are both living with their husbands in faraway cities.

On our next stop, our attention was then arrested by some playful orangutans. The monkey had a burlap bag clinched in one foot. We watched as she shimmied up a tree just outside the window where we stood watching, swung upside down from one drain pipe to another at the roof line and slid down another tree. All the while she was switching his grasp on the burlap bag from foot to hand and back again.

As we stood watching, she found a wide spot in the sun where some massive tree branches came together, plopped herself down, and pulled the burlap bag over her head. She was ready for a warm and "private" morning nap!

We rested for a bit on our climb up to the desert habitat. One of the things that makes the Henry Doorley Zoo so beautiful also makes it a tiring experience ~ the many steep hills in the zoo's layout.

After seeing "Kingdoms of the Night", an exhibit of nocturnal animals and the desert habitat, we had lunch and then went on to visit the zoo's wonderful tropical jungle exhibit.

We were fascinated to watch a variety of monkeys, as well as otters, tapirs, hippos, macaws, snakes, bats and numerous species of birds.

We also realized as we made our way through the crowded exhibit that we were tired and ready to make the two-hour journey back home.

Before leaving I took one more photo of our beloved daughter who entered her twenties today. 

Throughout our wanderings in the zoo today, we paid special attention to the sign near each animal to learn about its native habitat. The reason we were so interested is that many of the animals we saw today make their homes in Africa. In less that four months, Sarah will be moving to Zambia to teach preschool and kindergarten at an orphanage for a few months. (I'll share more about Sarah's plans in a post within the next week.)

After seeing so many exotic animals today whose natural habitats include Zambia, we all wonder what amazing tales Sarah will have to share with us regarding her African adventure! We're so delighted and thankful to see the little orphan girl we added to our family just after she turned seven grow up with such a big heart for serving the least of these! God abounds in lovingkindness!

Moores of Boston

Today was a travel day for us. We were on our way to visit the family of Lissie's fiance in Boston. 

It was a wonderfully relaxed day blessed by the Lord with countless travel mercies. John was especially mellow. Although he's only 21, he's been working in a career position since finishing his business degree May 2012. He was quite ready for a respite from the demands of ice cream marketing.

On our layover Daria was sharing some movie out-takes with her dad and siblings.

After landing at Boston's Logan airport, we walked together through the busy international concourse... that is until Lissie spotted Eric on the other side of the security barrier. She took off and practically flew into his waiting arms.

 

Once they were together again, she only had eyes for him.

Did I mention that Lissie only had eyes for Eric?

She hung on his every word!

We thanked God when we counted suitcases and found we had all eleven of them.

Next it was time to pick up our rented 15-passenger van. Both the Moores family and ours waited in the car park for the van rental company to pick us up and take us to their lot. Even as we waited the fellowship began.

We traveled about thirty minutes to the van lot, and I don't think Lissie took her eyes off Eric the entire time. 

Alexander was sitting next to the love-struck couple, but he was oblivious to their romance. His attention was held by a book. After switching languages at age 11, Alexander has just now acquired enough vocabulary in written English to love reading. Seeing him hovering over a book like this brought me such joy, and again I thanked the Lord.

When we arrived at the Moores' home, it was almost dinner time. Bless Tara's heart! In order to feed the 23 of us, she had three crock pots going!

Throughout the late afternoon, a great deal of energy was expended outdoors. Our Mark (left-17) and their Kevin (right--15) finally came in for water and a rest.

At dinner, I sat next to the youngest Moores and learned that Caleb really loves his mom's macaroni and cheese!

The evening ended with what else but...

..BLUE BUNNY.ICE CREAM!

Great fun was had by all today as the two families strengthened their bond through food and fun.

A Happy Fourth

Mrs. Beaver:

To celebrate our country's Independence Day, we traveled south to Lawrence, Kansas, to have some fun with the kid's Grandma (Mr. Beaver's mom).

We stopped at a popular Tex-Mex restaurant on the college town's main street and order food to go. We then walked 1/2 a block south to the oldest park in town. The park dated back to 1847 and was the site of a Civil War battle. Now the green expanse seems nothing but peaceful.

We enjoyed dinner together and some play on the equipment.

The playground equipment was so much fun--even I got in on the act!

After a stop at a grocery store for some Yoplait Frozen Yogurt (one of Wells' new yummy products), we found another park overlooking a large reservoir as our venue for dessert.

The park was laced with trails. At one point, Amy and her parents went for a long walk, while others played Frisbee or simply strolled and chatted.

The exquisite evening was over before we knew it. All-in-all, the holiday was spendiferous! T.O.G.T.H.E.R continues to be my favorite word! We thank God for making us a family!

Thank You , Lord, for this Fourth of July fellowship!

Visit to Grandma's

Today we traveled six hours south to see Mr. Beaver's mom. Three weeks ago she moved from our home to an apartment of her own in a memory-care assisted living facility near another of her sons and his family.

Grandma first showed us the courtyard just outside her window.

This facility allows dogs, allowing Grandma to have Sandy with her.

From there we went to see Grandma's apartment which was lovingly decorated by her daughter in-law, Kathy, with dozens of keepsakes and mementos. These turned the unit into a home.

Jane then showed us the common rooms, and Sandy got some attention from residents watching a Saturday-afternoon movie.

We met some of Grandma's new friends.

Then we went out to the sun porch for game of Yahtzee.

There were so many playing that there was time between turns for wandering around in the large room and out into the adjoining courtyard.

Sandy got a great deal of attention as the afternoon wore on.

And Grandma got plenty of hugs.

Despite fierce competition, Tatiana and Oksana, who played as a team, won.

It was time for good-byes.

Parting was hard, but we left rejoicing that, by God's grace, Grandma is doing really, really well. He is so good! Hallelujah!