Just the mention of the name "Galya" (as she's known to her friends) brings a smile to the face of anyone who knows this spirited 13 year old. She may weigh 70 pounds on a good day, and is much smaller than all her friends, but this little dynamo makes her presence felt immediately with her energy, confidence and sense of humour. Although she likes to display total self-assurance, we are discovering that she is much more sensitive than she lets on. Earlier today she cried for an hour after sister Anastasia cold-cocked her and admonished her for something we were not aware of. Following a talk about being gentle with each other, she quickly forgot about it all and showed no resentment toward her older sister. Obviously, she is blossoming into a beautiful young lady. When she first visited us in Virginia a year-and-a-half ago, she looked like she was seven years old!
She calls her little brother "Cee-Pic" - a Russian version of "CP."
Galya adores her beautiful mom. It is so sweet to hear her call Dana Mommy!
This is a very positive sign. She
loves and displays instinctive tenderness toward animals...
And that's a good thing because we are big animal lovers! She has two kitties waiting at home, and is already negotiating for a dog.
She and Christian are eight years apart, but share similar interests. When I took her to the grocery store last Summer she hopped into the baby seat of the cart!
Both of our girls love fruits and vegetables with watermelon topping Galya's list.
It's hilarious to see her go to the fridge, grab a cucumber, and eat it just like an apple!
I love this shot of our younger daughter looking out over the Black Sea. It reminds me of the very first morning she spent at our home in December 2005. I got up early and found her sitting quietyly by herself, watching the sun rise. I knew then that this girl has
soul. She is full of life and honestly, a bit of a wild stallion! I reckon we'll take our lumps trying to break her in but I'm betting the the payoff will be great for this impassioned little Ukrainian girl.
Just the mention of the name "Galya" (as she's known to her friends) brings a smile to the face of anyone who knows this spirited 13 year old. She may weigh 70 pounds on a good day, and is much smaller than all her friends, but this little dynamo makes her presence felt immediately with her energy, confidence and sense of humour. Although she likes to display total self-assurance, we are discovering that she is much more sensitive than she lets on. Earlier today she cried for an hour after sister Anastasia cold-cocked her and admonished her for something we were not aware of. Following a talk about being gentle with each other, she quickly forgot about it all and showed no resentment toward her older sister. Obviously, she is blossoming into a beautiful young lady. When she first visited us in Virginia a year-and-a-half ago, she looked like she was seven years old!
She calls her little brother "Cee-Pic" - a Russian version of "CP."
Galya adores her beautiful mom. It is so sweet to hear her call Dana Mommy!
This is a very positive sign. She loves and displays instinctive tenderness toward animals...
And that's a good thing because we are big animal lovers! She has two kitties waiting at home, and is already negotiating for a dog.
She and Christian are eight years apart, but share similar interests. When I took her to the grocery store last Summer she hopped into the baby seat of the cart!
Both of our girls love fruits and vegetables with watermelon topping Galya's list.
It's hilarious to see her go to the fridge, grab a cucumber, and eat it just like an apple!
I love this shot of our younger daughter looking out over the Black Sea. It reminds me of the very first morning she spent at our home in December 2005. I got up early and found her sitting quietyly by herself, watching the sun rise. I knew then that this girl has soul. She is full of life and honestly, a bit of a wild stallion! I reckon we'll take our lumps trying to break her in but I'm betting the the payoff will be great for this impassioned little Ukrainian girl.
4 comments:
Thank you for your comments and for offering help! Raisa lives with her legal guardian, so we can communicate with her quite often.
If you ever need a quick help with Russian translation in the first weeks at home, I'm just a phone call away. E-mail me at adoptinodessa@yahoo.com and I'll send you my phone number. I'll be honored to help!
As always, I enjoyed reading about your beautiful kids.
Great focus post on your daughter Galya. It was very insightful and heart warming. Look forward to reading one about Anastasia soon. Your posts brighten the day here, so keep them up.
Happy Birthday Jimbo,
The big 46 and look you have two teenagers. Well you have caught up to me. Your son Christian and Gaylana are the same age distance as Jake and Jared. She is such a pretty girl and being spirited is a good thing, just look at me!!! a little joke there!! I have always been a little more work but with her soul and compassion for others she will do great.
Love you brother,
Jamie
What a beautiful girl and what a beautiful tribute you've paid her! It looks like you all are really starting to become a family. Great pictures.
Happy Birthday, Jim! No doubt it will be a memorable one.
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