Wednesday, December 31, 2008

The verdict is in....

....And all is well!

The boys said yes. The court said yes. So pending a 10 day waiting period (+ 2 days since it is on a weekend) for any family objections, the boys are ours.

So who are they?

Well, R (formerly known as Ruslan Igorovich Burlachenko) is now Thomas Ruslan Combs, born 01/27/99.

V (formerly known Valentin Igorovich Podolyak) is now Robert Valentin Combs, born 11/04/2001.

We chose their American names after Tom Combs (my dad) and Robert Steel (Nancy's dad). We definitely wanted to keep their Ukrainian names, but felt they should have an American name so they won't seem out of place. As far as I am concerned (for now at least), we will use Ruslan and Valik (the diminutive form of Valentin)

From BehindtheName.com
RUSLAN

Gender: Masculine

Usage: Russian

Other Scripts: Руслан (Russian)

Pronounced: roo-SLAHN [key]

Meaning unknown. This name was used by Aleksandr Pushkin in his poem 'Ruslan and Ludmila' (1820).


VALENTIN

Gender: Masculine

Usage: Scandinavian, German, French, Czech, Russian, Bulgarian, Slovene, Romanian

Other Scripts: Валентин (Russian, Bulgarian)

Pronounced: VAH-len-teen (German), vah-lyen-TEEN (Russian), vah-leen-TEEN (Russian) [key]

Cognate of Valentinus (see VALENTINE (1)).


All that said, here is the first official picture (with lots more to follow). That's Valik on the left and Ruslan on the right.

7 comments:

Mike Lynch said...

Congratulations!!!! The boys are so cute and a great addition to your family!! I love the names (old and new).

I was just about to chastise you for another cliffhanger when the 2nd post popped up. Thanks for not making us wait too long this time!

We are looking forward to meeting Ruslan and Valik - if they get homesick for cold and snow, you can always bring them to New Hampshire for a visit.

Love,
Stacy and Mike

Anonymous said...

Quoting Tony the tiger, "GEERRAAAIT" And I can see now why you were instantly taken with them. A glance is all it takes.

Holey smoke! Now, for Heaven's sake, get a message to Father Frost. A radio, the kind that plays the songs for Ruslan, and for Valik, ummm I guess an American football is out of Father Frost's range. But something suitable for his energy level. I know. a basketball!

Don't take any chances with protocol. Get them here as fast as you can.

Anonymous said...

Nancy, Open up your cookbooks and study the gravy and sauce entries. These guys are at the growth years.
Maybe Father Frost will remember you one of these years.

NCMeekins said...

Wonderful. I hope your new family is having a blessed New Year!

Chris Meekins

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! So happy for you all. Can't wait to meet the boys in person.

Rene

Anonymous said...

Wow! What great news...I love your family photo with the boys. What a complete blessing and gift from God to put these boys into your Christian home. How can we pray specifically for Thomas and Robert. Do they understand English? I am so, so thrilled for all 6 of you!

Love, Nancy

Erin said...

So happy for you all! Can't wait to meet the adorable new members of your family! It was warm here yesterday - in the 60's! Nancy looks beautiful in every picture! You all look so happy. Bless you all and peace to you! Happy New Year! Love, Julie