Saturday

It is now 10:00 PM in Sofia, Bulgaria. Our third day with Victoria was rewarding and challenging at the same time. She is getting more used to us, and her Mommy and Daddy are learning so much more about her. She is determined to climb stairs, walk longer distances, and go up the slide at the park, but when she gets tired she asks her Daddy (me) to pick her up and carry her. We are getting better at communicating mostly with gestures, a few Bulgarian words, and some English words as well. We encourage her and gesture just as much if not more than we talk. Simple words and gestures works for us and for her. She insists on doing so much by herself such as brushing her teeth, tying her shoes, and cleaning up the table. What a great helper.

Our day started early when Victoria woke up about 6:30 AM. Later that morning, we all went to the grocery store. I carried Victoria on the way there, but we purchased too much for me to carry her and the groceries home. So her mom carried her and I toted about thirty pounds of stuff. Incidentally, I decided to be a little less ambitious next time and make more than one trip to the mall. Great workout, though!! Then we went to our favorite pizza place that has only Bulgarian menus, and I placed an order without the menu. The shepherd's salad was great, but the pepperoni pizza was stronger than a Chipotle burrito. After some gross dissection (i.e. removing the jalapenos and pepperoni) we were in great shape!! I broke my vegetarian diet even after learning the hard way on our previous trip. Time for cheese pizza! Once again, we promised to refrain from Bulgarian-cooked meat. Later this afternoon, I took Victoria to the park. After a short time on the swing and climbing up the slide, we went home to the greatest supper. Steph had made pork chops, brown rice, and shepherd's salad with spinach. Those pork chops were out-of-this world delicious.We then watched Franklin the turtle in Bulgarian and gave Victoria a bath. After getting over some initial apprehension, she really enjoyed her bath and even helped Mommy wash her hair.

I mentioned above that Victoria was getting used to us. She struggled with eating a few soggy Cheerios (they looked like Cheerios) this morning, and finally got them down. Daddy also needed to explain the importance of listening and obeying to her this afternoon. Victoria's biggest struggle is going to bed and sleeping. A lot is going through her little head right now. She has left everything familiar and is required to sleep in a strange place with people she hardly knows. She told our translator today that she loves sleeping with Mommy and Daddy, but Mommy, Daddy, and Victoria don't sleep when Victoria is in bed with Mommy and Daddy (found that out the first night). Since then, we have been teaching her to sleep in her own bed in our room. She is quite the vocal student!!

Although she struggles, we couldn't hope for a better daughter.What a sweet little girl! She loves to roughhouse (my department) and gives us lots of hugs and kisses. She is also very patient while we pray with her. Although it is difficult for her at times, she has been willing to obey her Mommy and Daddy. We are becoming more and more attached to her and pray for her every day that we will believe on Jesus.