More on Valera's Personality

Just thought I would share a few things/stories with you, in regards to what we are learning about Valera.

1. He likes rap music.

2. He would like to have dread lock/braids in his hair (like one of the Shaktar soccer players).

3. His teachers say he doesn't like to do work.

Are you scared for us yet?  

4. He has the most contagious laugh.

5. He is picking up on English phrases. Just today he said "oh my goodness", "back to me" (after putting down a reverse card in UNO), and best of all....he said "I love you" to Delaney during our Skype session. It's the first time I have heard him say those words. That made Delaney's day. Mine too.

6. He has a hard time making decisions, or verbalizing what he wants. For example, if you ask him if he wants pizza or a hamburger he shrugs his shoulders (even when Anya asks him in Russian). Anya and Den are really trying to help him with this. He probably hasn't had many decisions to make in his life.

7. He definitely keeps an eye out for the amount of food in the apartment. He told Anya that he was getting worried that we were running out. He likes these chicken links...they look like hot dogs. We only had one left and he didn't want to eat it....because then we wouldn't have anymore. I assured him we could buy more at the store. He was so happy. Then just today we were at the mall looking for a goalie shirt for him. He was being indecisive again about which shirt he liked and truthfully, we couldn't find his size. So we moved on to the food court where we ate while Valera ice skated again. Anya told me then that during the goalie shirt looking, Valera said to her, "I don't want them to spend money on a shirt, and not have enough money for food". Poor baby.

8. He is so thoughtful. We were playing UNO with my dad. My dad laid a card down, said "UNO", then it was my turn, then Valera's. I could see out of the corner of my eye that Valera had a "draw four". But he put down a different card so my dad could win. Valera doesn't have that kind of mercy on me, but I am assuming that since my dad was new to the game, he was being gentle.

9. He is kind. The director of his orphanage, and the social worker both said they are glad Valera is getting adopted...that he is a "sweet boy".

10. He loves Sprite. But he pronounces it "Sprime". He says, "me love Sprime". Anya corrects him. I think it's cute.

I am so thankful for your prayers. I can feel them. Although we are both improving, please continue to pray for my eye, my dad's cough, for both of our energy levels to stay up, for the logistics to continue to work out according to God's will. Please pray for Delaney who isn't feeling well, for Mary Kate who says "homework stinks", and for Ted who is trying to keep a lot of balls in the air.