Adoption Fundraiser on October 14th

On October 14th from 5-8 pm we will be having a special fundraiser for our adoption. Chick-Fil-A in Brentwood (330 Franklin Rd.-in the shopping center with Kroger, McAllisters, Borders, etc.) is generously allowing us to do a spirit night on October 14th from 5-8 to help raise money for the adoption. From 5-8 on Thursday, October 14th you can go eat at
Chick-Fil-A (Brentwood only-eat in AND drive-through) and 15% of the sales go towards our Adoption Fundraiser "He's My Brother". I will have cards to hand out there or you can just tell them when you pay that you are supporting the "He's My Brother" Fundraiser and they'll mark it on your receipt. The folks at Chick-Fil-A will know what you are talking about. We will also have little buckets set out for anyone who wants to make a cash donation. So many people have asked "How can I help or What Can I do?" This is really the best way to help. Chick-Fil-A has been so generous to allow us to do this. Feel free to send this to anyone who LOVES Chick-Fil-A and who you think would enjoy coming (I'm attaching the flyer). I hope to see some of you there!
Mindy Shaver

P.S.-Here's the reason we're calling it the "He's My Brother" Fundraiser One night at dinner while talking about the adoption, Will (my 5 year
old) said:
Even if Ethiopia(EE-FEE-O-PEE-A-Will's version) is far away Even if we don't know what he looks like

Even if we don't know how old he is

Even if we don't know his name

He's my brother

None of that other stuff matters

I know in my heart

He's my brother

Have more beautiful words ever been spoken? Isn't it really that simple?

Our Adoption Story

Just thought we'd share with you our adoption story. It all began about 7 years ago when we went on an African safari to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary. We traveled to East Africa and went to Tanzania and the Serengeti area. We had a wonderful experience and fell in love with the people and the country.

This is me(Mindy), Abed(our cook), Simon(our guide/driver), and Marc.

We visited a Masai village and they sang and danced for us.

When we returned home, we discussed starting a family and having children. We decided that if for some reason we could not have children we would adopt. We both thought about it and had it in our hearts that adoption was something we wanted to do at some point in our lives. Our trip to Africa had changed us. We saw so much need and poverty, yet the people were so happy.
We quickly got pregnant with our first child only a few months after our trip to Africa. We had two boys in two and a half years and were so happy. We knew that our family was not complete however and we went back and forth deciding whether to adopt or have another child. We kept being led to adopt, but the timing never seemed right. We were so busy with our two young boys and felt overwhelmed at bringing another child into our family. After some prayer and time, we finally made the decision to adopt in August 2009.

Since we had visited Tanzania and loved it, we thought it would try to adopt from there. After a little bit of time and research, Marc soon found out that there was no organized agencies there and it would be pretty much impossible to adopt from Tanzania. We knew a friend from church who had adopted from Ethiopia and said it was a fairly smooth process and loved the agency. We sought out the agency All God's Children and decided to use them. So began our adoption process!! We are now on the waiting list for a little boy age 2-4 from Ethiopia. We can't wait to make our family of four-FIVE!!

There are really not enough words to describe how we're feeling about our adoption. Elated, scared, excited, nervous, passionate, overwhelmed...Adoption is a very emotional journey that comes with its ups and downs. Children, in their very simple way, often say things with more grace, beauty, and love then adults can even imagine. At dinner one night our 5 year old said this prayer which left us all in tears. Here it goes:

Dear God,

Even if Ethiopia(EE-FEE-O-PEE-A) is far away and

Even if we don't know what he looks like and

Even if we don't know how old he is and

Even if we don't know his name

He's my brother

None of that other stuff matters

I know in my heart

He's my brother
Amen

Have more beautiful words ever been spoken? Isn't it really that simple?

The Bonner's are Home!!!!!

August 27th, 2010
Scott and Vanessa arrived in Nashville with Gemechu today! We (and a LOT of other friends) met them at the airport. He is precious!! Bennett and Will already love him and can't wait until they get their new brother from Ethiopia. What a great day!

Bennett and Will with the Bonner girls!

Waiting with our signs!

There were lots of friends there!

Here they come with Gemechu!!!

A very emotional Homecoming



Will with Vanessa and Gemechu-He was so excited about meeting Gemechu, he asked to go home with them so he could play with him!

While Marc and Bennet went to go help get the Bonner's luggage, Will got to play with Gemechu for a little bit.

Scott and Gemechu doing some bonding. What a beautiful sight!

First day of school at Glendale

The boys started school on August 12th. They both had a half day. Everyone was all smiles! Mama had some tears at the Tears and Tissues event that was held in the library right after drop off. Thankfully, my dear neighbor, Becky Hornsby was there to help dry some of my tears. She is the new libriarian at Glendale this year. The boys have known her since they were born and love her. They think it's neat that she'll be their libriarian.

Daddy and boys first day of school

Mama and boys first day of school

Glendale Sneak a Peek and Kindergarten Popcicle Party

On August 11th Glendale Elementary hosted their annual Sneak-a-Peek and Kindergarten Popcicle Party. Both of the boys will be attending school there this year. Will is in kindergarten and Bennett is in 1st grade. Glendale is a Spanish Immersion School which means they will learn how to speak Spanish and Spanish is taught in most subjects. Even homework comes home in Spanish! The boys are sooo exited to learn a second language!

Will and Mrs. Amezquita-the kids call her Mrs. A

Will in front of his classroom-What a BIG Kindergarten boy!

Bennett and Mrs. Davenport-She is so nice and sweet!

Bennett at his desk-He can't wait to start school!

Will and Sloan-Loving the popcicles! Will and Sloan were in Encore class together last year and now they're both at Glendale! Yeah!

What a fun day! We met so many nice parents and kids. Hurry for Glendale!

Arkansas Trip

On August 1st the boys and I set off for a 10 day trip to Arkansas! First stop-Papaw and Mimi's house in Camden, AR. We drove all day Sunday. We left Nashville around 9:30am and arrived there around 6:00 pm.

Audrey, Bennett, Anna, and Will
Hanging out with Papaw and Mimi at the church park.

While there, we did lots of fun things like swim and drive the tractor!

BIG Watermelon!!!

Fun in the sun at Anna and Audrey's pool!

Audrey pulled all of us around the pool! What a STRONG girl!

Having fun with cousins is the BEST! We love to play, talk and do things together!

Audrey driving Bennett and Anna on the tractor! What fun!

Papaw and boys on the tractor!!!

Audrey and Will are all smiles!

Welcome to our Blog

Hello there! This is our first entry....