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Jim Becker
11-22-2008, 9:46 PM
Today, 22 November 2008, marks the three year anniversary of our court date in Tyumen, Russian Federation where we officially and legally became Nastia’s and Alesya’s parents. There are certain things that still stick in my mind from that day, ranging from the purple and green velvet dresses (A & N respectively) through Nastia testifying in court and the subsequent running around to deal with paperwork so we could head to Moscow to process out at the US Embassy.

In previous years, our Family Day celebrations were still filled with certain tensions and behaviors that were less than desirable. Today was very different and, well...something you could almost call “normal”. After our usual Saturday equestrian activities (lessons for Alesya, Nastia and me), we had a quick lunch and headed home. Because Nastia had a fall today during her lesson, she spent a short time soaking in the whirlpool tub to relax her muscles. Still, she was pleasant, more or less. Alesya kept busy riding her bike and so forth and Alison prepared our small pond for the winter season. This evening, we all went out to dinner at a local restaurant that is a favorite of our for special occasions (and for lunch for me about once a week). The meal was pleasant. There was no bad behavior or complaining about the food. I felt zero tension. It was uncanny. We all just enjoyed the meal (what we could finish of it since we had such a late lunch...) and had a nice time. In the last year, these girls have come a long way, especially Nastia.

No family day would be complete without a nice desert and, well...something else to commemorate the occasion...and this one was no exception. After we arrived home from the restaurant, Alison cut some slices of a nice chocolate cake for everyone and then she handed the girls each a small, silver box. In each box was a sterling silver necklace with an oval pendant that contains a “family tree”. The inscription inside the box read something like, “A family accepts you and loves you just how your are.” Exactly.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/a-j-adopt/A-familyday-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/a-j-adopt/N-familyday-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/a-j-adopt/A-familyday-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/a-j-adopt/N-familyday-1.jpg

Steve Schlumpf
11-22-2008, 10:06 PM
Congrats on your 3 year anniversary Jim! Time sure flies! Have to tell you - you sure have some pretty daughters! Hold them close - they are growing up really fast! I am happy for you!

Stephen Beckham
11-22-2008, 10:06 PM
I'm no specialist or professional at it, but from the smirks on their face and yours on your Avatar.... I'd say they are definately Beckers!

Congrats and Blessings to you and your wife for cutting through the RED tape...

Don Bullock
11-22-2008, 10:15 PM
Congratulations Jim. It sounds like your family is coming together. May your dreams continue to be fulfilled. For your family this is certainly a time for thanks giving.

Dewey Torres
11-22-2008, 10:20 PM
Hats off to you and your family Jim... so close to Thanksgiving as well!

Ken Fitzgerald
11-22-2008, 10:30 PM
Congrats Jim! Three years seems to have gone fast!

Great looking girls....

Sean Troy
11-22-2008, 11:22 PM
It's always wonderful to hear such good things. thanks for sharing.

Glenn Clabo
11-23-2008, 7:23 AM
WOW...3 years???!!! How cool is that. What a wonderful story...

Art Mulder
11-23-2008, 7:28 AM
blessings and congratulations, Jim. I look at my own family and am amazed at the passage of time also.

John Keeton
11-23-2008, 7:28 AM
Heartwarming! Great time of year to celebrate the union and formation of your family! Congratulations.

Brent Smith
11-23-2008, 7:33 AM
Congrats on 3 years Jim, and 2 beautiful daughters.

Peter Stahl
11-23-2008, 7:57 AM
Happy Anniversary! Great looking family there Jim!

Ted Calver
11-23-2008, 8:48 AM
Three will become thirty in the blink of an eye...enjoy the journey!!!

Jim O'Dell
11-23-2008, 10:08 AM
I'm with the others...3 years already? Wow!

I can't imagine the struggles these 2 girls have gone through in their short lives. And to change even the countries they live in and everything they had known. It's a wonder they can function at all. I'm not sure I could.
But most of all, it just goes to show all of us what love can do!! Thanks for sharing them with us, the trials and tribulations as well as the accomplishments. You and Alison done good!! Jim.

Ted Shrader
11-23-2008, 11:06 AM
Jim and family -

Wow! Congratulations on another milestone! It just seems like yesterday when we all celebrated you bringing the girls home.

Best wishes for many more.

Regards,
Ted

Joe Mioux
11-23-2008, 11:40 AM
Great story Jim. it's hard to believe its been three years since you and Alison were in Russia.

joe

Jim Becker
11-23-2008, 3:43 PM
Yea, three years is hard to believe...now I just have to survive the tween/teen years with the younger at age 9 and the older at age 13. LOL

Ken Fitzgerald
11-23-2008, 4:19 PM
Dad (Jim), if you are like the rest of us......You ain't seen nothing yet!

Mitchell Andrus
11-23-2008, 4:30 PM
Congratulations to you and your special family.

curtis rosche
11-23-2008, 4:40 PM
glad to hear that every thing is fun and fine. looks like it will be for a long time. hope you have a happy thanksgiving.



question. how long did the adoption proccess take?

Ron Jones near Indy
11-23-2008, 4:52 PM
Congratulations to all of the Beckers! I'm with the others--it doesn't seem like 3 years. May the coming years be even better!

Sonny Edmonds
11-23-2008, 5:18 PM
Fine daughters you have there!
Many happy returns for your Family Day!:)

Al Navas
11-23-2008, 5:38 PM
Jim,

Congratulations to the entire Becker family!!! The girls have grown so much, and things can only get better with each passing day. Hold them tight, because they are pretty special.

Thanks for sharing such a moving story.


Al
Grandpa to six beautiful girls!

Bruce Page
11-23-2008, 6:02 PM
Congratulations to the Beckers!

I doesn’t seem like it has been that long. Every family has its “moments” and I imagine adoption from a different culture can magnify them even more.
Congrats on the effort everyone has made to make the family complete.

Jason Roehl
11-23-2008, 9:34 PM
Congrats, Jim to you and your family! May you have many happy years ahead of you together.

David Drickhamer
11-23-2008, 9:45 PM
Congrats on your three year anniversary Jim. You've got a beautiful family.
Dave

whit richardson
11-23-2008, 9:46 PM
Great looking kids and what a blessing family is (most of the time). You need to start practicing now for those first boys who call. Have your 9mm disassembled on the coffee table and a blindfold on then hand the boy a stop watch and ask him to time you. Either that or just be cleaning your AK-47 while watching UFC on Spike. ;-)

Brent Ring
11-23-2008, 11:19 PM
Lots of congrats Jim. That was a geat thing you did and I hope you and Alison recieve many blessings more in turn. Certainly when children come to your life it is a wonderful set of experiences. All the best to your family!

Ray Schafer
11-24-2008, 12:18 AM
Congratulations on three years!

Ray

Garth Keel
11-24-2008, 10:38 AM
I have one boy and two girls (grown) and while the boy is fine it's the two girls who call each week. You have a lot of good things to look forward too. :)

jeremy levine
11-24-2008, 11:03 AM
Your girls look so happy, what else does a father need ? Congrats

Jim Becker
11-24-2008, 2:10 PM
Your girls look so happy, what else does a father need ?

How about a visit from the Prize Patrol or finding a winning PowerBall ticket in my hand? LOL But I take your point...and happiness is indeed, important.

jeremy levine
11-25-2008, 8:55 AM
Prize Patrol ?? Lotto , tell me about it my son is wearing the last tool I could afford ( the tiny tape measure )

IMG_5110.JPG (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=101932&stc=1&d=1227621192)

Jim Becker
11-25-2008, 9:44 AM
Now there's some major cuteness, Jeremy!!

Mike Wilkins
11-26-2008, 9:28 AM
Congrats on a beautiful family, and very fitting for this time of year. You really have a lot to be thankful for. Cherish these moments; they will be all grown up and in college before you know it.

John Schreiber
11-26-2008, 11:12 AM
Congratulations on the three year anniversary. As far as raising daughters through the tween/teen years, I feel for you. My insight is that there will be bad years, but if you maintain some semblance of communication, they will end and there will be good years. Then there may be bad years again, but they can be followed by good years. Pick your battles.

Jim Becker
11-26-2008, 11:23 AM
John, the numbers of tween/teens around here seem to be multiplying these days...suddenly play-dates and sleep-overs have become the name of the game...so I guess we get even more "practice" with this! LOL

Leigh Costello
11-27-2008, 12:46 AM
Jim,
Happy 3rd Thanksgiving! Now, to find the turkey with lots of wishbones so the rest of your girls' dreams come true!

Barry Stratton
11-27-2008, 8:42 AM
That is simply PRICELESS Jim! Congrats.