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.