New Flip Flops

Hola!

Here are some pictures of some kids who received flip flops from a one of my friends who made a donation to the hogar in lue of presents for her nieces and nephews. Lots of fun to go shopping for them and handing them out. They really appreciated them!

We will be in Mass. Jan.8 -Feb.6th. So very soon. We are very busy the next few weeks, as we are moving, studying for exams, and getting last minute items done before leaving for a month.

Hope you see you or talk to you soon!

Happy New Year!

God Bless you ALL!

Bonner

Merry Christmas 2008!

I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays. Attached are updated photos. Juan enjoyed opening presents. Our big present to each other was a..VISA!!!! yes, Juan received his VISA. So that means, we will be coming home for 3-4 weeks Jan-Feb. We do not have exact dates, so just keep looking at emails and the blogs for specifics.

We are also moving in the next few days, so needless to ay we are very busy. Carey will return to the states on the 4th, and hopefully we will be in Mass. a few weeks after. Thanks you for all your prayers!

Much Love to you ALL!!

Bon, Carey and Juan

Holidays???

Hello Friends and Family!

It is hard to believe next week is Thanksgiving. It is just another day here( i am sad) and very hot. I am grateful for many things this year..great family, ability to provide for Juan and an amazing husband. It will be hard to think about family sitting at the table together.. I will probably be sitting in front of the fan..hahha.

It is the end of the school year here. I am trying to get him focused on his exams. He did pass his driving exam so he will be a solo driver next week, he needs to take a physical exam first. Overall he is doing well.

I rescheduled a VISA appointment DEC. 24th 8AM... so maybe we will get our Christmas present!?!? Let´s hope the people are in a good mood too!
Well, that is the update. Carey is here from Dec.14th til the 3rd. We will also be looking for another place to live.
I hope you all are well even in this ROCKY economy.

Love BON AND Juan

Spring Update

Juan on his trip in Salta!

Hello Friends and Family!

Sorry for not updating sooner, but not too much has happened since I last updated and having internet issues at the house.

Yesterday we did go for our VISA interview and Juan was denied. There are many reasons why he was, and it does make sense to me. It just was initially very upsetting. I now know what they need and Carey and I are going to get make it happen. So again, you will know when we get a VISA for Juan.

Meanwhile, Juan is taking his driving lessons and hopefullywill be complete at the end of November. I am taking Spanish classes and starting to improve more each day. I know it will take many years, but it seems like I am having more conversations with people and they are understanding what I am trying to say.

I did have some cousins come and visit for a night up here in San Nicolas. They met Juan( first in the family). It was great to see family and have them see where I live and meet my new friends.

Juan is doing OK in school. I am meeting with his teachers next week to come up with a plan for his exam schedule. He does speak English with me when he needs too. The most he spoke was when we were in the embassy( hahahah).

Overall we are both doing well. I hope you all are doing well.

LOVE US

Spring Time

Well, we are both back from our trips. Juan had a great time going up to Salta which is the desert area north of here. I will post pictures later. I had a great time home visiting family and friends and my DOGS and Carey. It is Spring time here now and getting warmer by the day! We are starting to get rain storms which is very much needed. They say this is the dryest it has been in many many years! The children at the hogar are getting bigger and doing well.

I am back into routine with making sure Juan is where is suppose to be with his appoinments, school and futbol etc. I am starting to volunteer 2 hours a week with tutoring some kids at the hogar helping them with English, plus taking my Spanish classes.

We have an appointmwnt with the American Embassy on the 30th for a VISA for January..keep usa in your prayers!

LOVE
Bonner

I am HOME!

Sorry I have not written in a while. No real new news, except I am home( sorry no Juan this trip) for a few days til Oct. 5th.
All is going well in AR. Juan is also going on a school trip while I am home, so I will post more picture after I get back to AR. Hope to talk to you while I am in MA!
Love BON

PIctures

Look at our new wheels!

Celebrating after we got custody.

Lots of new NEWS!

Hello ALL!

Well, Carey just left today after being here for 2 weeks. I now have time to catch up with all the on goings of the past few weeks!

First, I am an AUNT. My sister Giulia gave birth to Barbara.

Finally, Carey and I have SOLE custody of Juan! We are all very happy about this. A big hurdle and pretty much the last hurdle(minus the visa). We are looking into how the custody helps us get him to come to the US..will keep you posted!

Juan turned 18. We had a few parties for him and bought him a cell phone and a beer( they can drink here) I felt it was time for me know know where he was and I did not need to rely on on his friends phones. He is a very responsible kid and we are blessed to have him in our life!

We bought a moped. We needed to get around town a little easier. We signed Juan up for drivers ed.

Carey did spend sometime with the other children at the hogar and the staff. The kids love seeing him! Carey is doing better with his Spanish. I am impressed with his progress. With the help of Carey, we decorated the house a little more which makes it feels more homey! I just hope I don't kill the plant in the first month!!!

Overall we are doing well. I did sign up for Spanish lessons. I am finding I am understanding Spanish a little more. Many people have said to us, Juan seems a lot happier and relaxed these days. Love goes a LONG way! Well, enjoy the pictures! I hope you all enjoyed your summer. It is now Spring here! Thank you for all your prayers!

Love,
Bonner y Juan

Making progress...

Dinner with his friends...
Celebrating with his favorite food!

Well, after many tutoring sessions, hard work from Juan, he passed 2 important exams!!! Carey and I are very happy and so is Juan.
Carey will be here on Sunday..yippee! Next week there will be more exciting news..so keep checking back!!!!

Love
US

Cousin Reunion in Buenos Aires!

Cousin Meiko came to AR with her field hockey team. We were able to arrange a day for me to come down to the city and spend the day with her! What fun! It was very nice to see a family member..and she even brought me a PEOPLE and STAR magazine and I LOVE NY keychain! hahahaha!

Carey will be here next Sunday, which we are both very excited about! Juan goes back to school this week after being off for 2 weeks...so back to getting into a routine.

Hope everyone is enjoying the last few weeks of summer, if some of you aren't already in school!!!

LOVE,
Bonner

PASSPORT!!!!!!

We officially have Juan's passport!!!!! Phew, that hurdle is OVER! Let's hope in the next few months he is walking off the plane in the USA!

Rafting

Mendoza Photos

6 bottles of wines gets heavy after walking blocks!

I found out that Juan and I are about equal in playing pool! He is still the champion...

The afternoon ride....

Juan made a new friend!

Yummy...asado con vino!

Mendoza

First plane ride....
A natural flyer....
Driving up to the mountains for horseback riding

We are back from our trip to Mendoza! We had a great time. Yes, I tried some great wines with with my meals! Juan enjoyed the trip. He did great on the plane( a small one). The center of the city is very very clean. I found out there are no dogs allowed in the city. The area remineded me of Utah, AZ, Colo. There are many beautiful parks.

Our first full day we went horseback riding. After riding in the morning and then having lunch, we went back on the horse...a total of 4 hours of riding...OUCH! Yet, it was beautiful and Juan enjoyed learning to gallop on a horse! The views were beautiful. Overall a great day!

The second full day we woke up...VERY VERY SORE.... but we headed back up to the mountain to go rafting. We got into our wetsuits and had our training and headed on the river. Unfortunately, I could not use the camera. I will see if i can get photos from the DVD. It was cold, but Juan truly enjoyed it! He was placed in the front of the raft and needless to say got SOAKED :) Once again a great trip.

The last day we walked around looking for wines to buy. Juan ended up walking about 10 blocks with a box of 6 bottles :). A little heavy!

It was a quick trip but it was a nice one. I believe Juan enjoyed it... as he said each night

MUY BEUNO, Muy BIEN DIA( very good day).

Love

US

hola

Pictures

Kids from the hogar marching in the Parade
Us enjoying the day together!

Juan on a school trip
We love icecream...
Waiting to march in the parade.

Hello Everyone!

I am sorry I have not attached pictures recently, I was not taking any, but here they are now. Here are a few from a trip to Rosario with Juan. We went to visit the Argentian Flag Monument and went shopping. We had a great day together.

Also I have been trying to take a few kids from the hogar out for icecream on Sundays. This allows me to get to know them a little better and give them a special treat. Ezquiel is a teenager who speaks English, so he translates for me. The rule is they have to ask me questions and I ask them questions. We have a good time.

The Boy Scout program received an anynomous donation which paid for about 15 kids to participate in the scout program for a year. This provides them with a uniform, patches, and booklets. The pictures are from the parade which they proudly marched in on July 9th, Indpendance Day.

The weather has been beautiful and today is suppose to get to 80 degrees..crazy..but i think by the end of the week it will be down to 50....then winter will hit I am sure.

We ARE NOT coming home in July. We still do not have a passort and the visa take 2 weeks..so not this time, but we will get a VISA soon for a trip in the future. We are doing well.

SO enjoy the pictures!!!!

Love,

Bonner and Juan

Happy 4th!

I hope everyone has/had a great 4th. It was a normal Friday here. I think they have their celebration on the 9th...not sure exactly what but there is NO school. Juan always makes sures I know when there is NO school..haha!

We are still waiting for the passport. I did go swimming this week which felt great. The gyms here make the YMCA's in USA look like 5 star hotels. It is not too bad, and hey ..I get to swim and relieve a little stress.

Each day I am learning about Juan, his school schedule, his likes, dislikes and his routine. Each day I think we get more comfortable with each other. My Spanish is getting a little better. The only thing I use a translator for is when there is important information which MUST be relayed clearly. The staff have been great at the hogar, very helpful with getting information from Juan's school, getting signatures and giving me some guidance. I am still adjusting and think I will be for quite sometime. I am not as overwhelmed as I was. Everyday tasks are getting a little easier and a little less frustrating. Juan seems to be understanding me more each day. he says my Spanish is getting better and praises me when I do a good job :) I also let him know when he is doing well.

Well, I am going to try and take a small siesta b/c I am going out with a friend tonight for a CERVESA! plus Juan is taking his 2 hour friday afternoon siesta!

Love BONNER

Great News!

Carey and I are excited that this past week, the Judge who oversees Juans care, gave Carey and I, joint custody of Juan with the orphange. The judges decision will be reveiwed in 60 days, but gives Juan the ability to live permanently with me here in Argentina effective immediately. It was an amzing experience to go to Buenos Aires, meet the Judge, and present our case. The Judge was very inspired by the efforts and commitment we are making, for Juan, and basically said that after 60 days, if Juan didn't have a problem with living with me, then she sould grant us sole custody. This does not get us out of Argentina any sooner, but it is an important step in being able to make a difference in his life. I am well. Juan is going to school, eating good meals, (well, as good as I can prepare), working out at a gym, taking swimming lessons, and getting caught up on his education with a tutor he likes. I am happy he is doing things he hasn't had the opportunity to do, and also, happy to have him tired at the end of each day. He is a great kid who takes care of me, just as much as I try to take care of him. Whenever I have to put my foot down on some issue, his response is always, Si, no problem. Daily, Carey and I and Juan talk using the internet and each day, Carey notices a bit more of a smile on Juans face. Juan is beginning to see things are slowly progressing in his favor. We should receive his passport sometime in the next week or two, and then it will be another trip to Buenos Aires to try for a visa. We are all hoping for a positve response there, as that would allow Juan to come to the States for his winter vacation in late July/early August.Carey writes, "Bon, I am so proud of your accomplishments this week. I know you are working daily on things that seem to drag on unnecessarily, but your being there, is making things go much faster, than if we were tyring to do it from the States. It is because of your self-lessness, that Juan smiles. I love you". I love you all and thank you for your prayers. This adventure feels right in my heart. I am always asking myself, "Am I doing this right". It has been an amazing week.

Love,
Bon,Juan and Carey

Sunday Lunch

Burgers are READY!!!
Juan and his amigos
We like UNO and Skip BO!


We had a very nice day cooking, playing cards and watching some movies! I am not use to feeding 10 TEENAGE boys.... I forgot, they eat alot! Everyone left full and and happy!

HELLO....

Well, it's Friday night and just chilling at home. Things are going well. I did have a rough week emotionally. I have realized that this is a big undertaking and a very rewarding one! It is challenging to do this solo and having Carey be in MA. It is a huge adjustment. I do have support which helps. There are a few people who do understand where I am coming from which helps. Culture shock takes times and goes through phases.. I think I am in one.... It seems like each day I understand a little more SPanish. I am going to look into getting a teacher next week. Overall I am doing well.. I just have my moments. I am also trying to make new friends.

I have been teaching English which has been fun. One student is going to PA for a year of high school in Aug. I showed him HOW COLD it gets in the winter, he couldn't believe it. He wants to know more about the culture. So that has been fun to prep him for what to expect. This helps a little with play $$.

Juan is doing well. We are signing him up for swimming lessons and he lifts weights at a gym. I am trying to set a general schedule for Juan so we both know what the week will look like. I will hopefully start swimming as soon as I find a bathingsuit! We are also figuring out where he is at with his schoolwork, getting him tutors and learning how his school works and what is expected. School is a little different here.

So as you can see it takes a lot of time and energy. I am also planning a game day with a English School here in town which should be fun! If it goes well there is some very good possibility of future programs I can run and develope...just up my alley :). I do try to spend some time in the hogar with the children. Sometimes I take a few out fro icecream which is a nice treat for me and them, as I get to know them a little better.

Well, gotta go.
Love
BON

Talking with Carey

Gotta LOVE technology......

The new headset helps decrease the echo in the house and we get a clearer connection when talking with Carey.

Enjoying the T.V.

Yes, the house is cold and I am being cheap and not turning the heat on it the evenings! Wonder where I get that from???

So this is Juan's first time to lay down on a couch, relax and watch T.V with 200 channles! He is very happy. I also think this will help him broaden his view on possibilities he has in his life. Right now I think he is thoroughly enjoying it! I am enjoying hearing news in the states( unfortunately not much good news). Plus of few shows I like. The house is pretty much complete :) Just a few things to decorate, but that will come in time.

Love US

More in-depth thoughts....

Trying to hook up the DVD... we think we need another cable!?!
Happy to help with the dishes....like the haircut?


Last night Juan had a friend over for dinner, who enjoys cooking. So we bought some meat and had a great meat sauce over rice. It was delicious. Juan and I did dish/clean-up duty. We had some great laughs. I am so happy when we are laughing together, we are having fun. Juan is a easy kid and very caring. Each day I am learning more about him, his likes and dislikes. We support each other with our language differences. When I am in a store trying to say something he will jump in, or tells me in his best english what they are saying. During dinner I try to speak mostly English.
I have not had too much time to reflex on what being down is really like. I have been pretty preoccupied. There are days which are lonely and challenging. Yet, I feel like it is where I am suppose to be. I am getting more comfortable as days go on. I am am trying to get into the "slow" mentally. Things here work a lot slower. A lot of waiting. Different from the states. Stores are closed from 12:30-5 also...so I try to get my TO DO LIST done in the morning.

Carey and I are doing the best we can with the internet and phone. I miss him and the dogs a lot. He his working a lot which I am grateful for as we can afford a plane trip or 2 before Feb.
Juan and I do miss him and I know he misses us. I am also very grateful we have this oppurtunity in life to help Juan. Juan and I are getting into a routine and an understanding of each other. I know know how much time he needs to function after a nap, that when he gets home from school he needs to just chill out for a while. Little things like that. We have learned he has good tastes in clothes which is not bad! He is a handsome young man.
I also makes it easy that this is his hometown and I can trust him going places. So far he has been great with letting me know where he is going, when he will be back, etc. I do pray that some of you will be able to meet him. He is shy, but over time he opens up.

This week the director of the hogar (Omar) is going in for surgery. Please pray for a speedy recovery.

Thanks for all your prayers as I feel I am being watched over!
Love BON

Just a hello....

Hello All!
Not too much to report. Since passport process is complete, my weeks are freed up. I do have my first 2 English students this week which I am excited and nervous about. I hope they go well. We are hoping to get our TV hooked up with week , which will be great for both of us. I am sure once the TV is up and running Juan's friends will want to hang out watching soccer games on the HD TV!!!!
I know most of you are sweltering in the heatwave..bummer it came so fast. It mid 60's here and sunny. Hopefully it breaks soon for you all.
Overall Juan and I are doing well. We are looking into some programs for him. He wants to take swimming lessons and also I want him to continue soccer and join a club. He usually take about a 2 hour nap everyday..not sure why he is so tired except he is a growing.
We are getting in a routine which is nice.
Well, that is all for now.
LOVE
Bon and Juan

Passport....DONE!!!

I left on Wed.night and headed to the city to get another piece of paperwork for the passport. I stayed with my host family whom i stayed with during TEFL course. we had a very nice time catching up.

Juan and Nadia left san Nicolas on the 3:30 Am bus. on Fri.day morning, we met at 7am at the passport building. The line was already around one side of the block..ugh. After an hour waiting and watching the line get ALOT longer...the doors opened at 8am. Once we got inside we got our number (#49) and the process took about an hour...PHEW...that is DONE. Now just waiting for the next 40 days for it to arrive( pray sooner).

I then took Juan to get his favorite soccer shirt and then we all headed to McDonalds( it is a treat for him). then jumped back onto the bus for another 3 hour ride. It did not take long for all of us to fall asleep.

That is the exciting news for the week..... keep checking bog for more adventures from Argentina.