A pair of Texas parents are now the heads of a family of ten after adopting five biological siblings together his spring.
Andi and Thomas Bonura had had some trouble conceiving naturally, but managed to have three biological children on their own. They weren’t done building the love in their household, though, so in 2017, they became foster parents for the first time.
Their first foster child, a son, opened up the door for his four older siblings to join the family — and on May 6, the Bonuras officially adopted all five of them.
Big happy family! Andi and Thomas Bonura adopted five biological siblings from foster care on May 6
Woohoo! Neighbors set up a car parade to celebrate with them
Growing: Andi and Thomas Bonura had had some trouble conceiving naturally, but managed to have three biological children on their own
The Bonuras told Good Morning America that for years, they had undergone fertility treatments, with limited success.
Andi miscarried, and later became pregnant with twins who arrived early — and only one, Joey, now 11, survived. He made it out of the NICU and has cerebral palsy, while his twin Eli died.
‘When we lost Eli, we were told we couldn’t have any more children, and we were devastated,’ Andi told CBS News. ‘And we actually started looking at adoption then, but for some amazing reason, we had two more daughters that were a complete shock.
The couple welcomed daughters Sadie, 10, and Daphne, eight — but as they were both also born early, doctors cautioned the couple that it would be too risky to continue to try to have more biological children.
So they turned to foster care in 2017, and by November of that year, baby Bryson, now two, came to live with them.
Another route: When doctors warned them against trying to get pregnant again, they turned to foster care
They first took home baby Bryson, now two, straight from the hospital — and when they learned he had two other siblings in foster homes, they brought them home, too
Heart-wrenching: Eventually they learned of the two oldest siblings in foster care, who came to visit. They’d ask when they could come live with the family, too
He was soon followed by Gabrielle, four, and David, six, who had been living in different foster homes. Their oldest twin brothers, Thomas and Carter, both eight, started to visit as well.
‘They were sweet and would say, “Can we come live with you?” Andi said.
They couldn’t say no. When they got the call saying that the biological parents were terminating their rights, the couple jumped at the chance to adopted all five siblings permanently.
The arrangement became official over Zoom two months ago by DePelchin Children’s Center, and neighbors had a car parade to help the family celebrate.
‘These are their brothers and sisters and there’s no argument,’ Andi said. ‘The kids have been through a lot but they’re the sweetest. They’re amazing — and resilient.’
Complete! When the kids’ biological parents terminated their rights, the couple designed to adopt all five
‘These are their brothers and sisters and there’s no argument,’ Andi said. ‘The kids have been through a lot but they’re the sweetest. They’re amazing — and resilient’
Happy ending: Andi did admit that the adoption process is ‘challenging,’ but said that ‘bringing these kids into a happy, safe home and giving these kids another opportunity,’ is fulfilling
‘They’re fun to be around and they’re the greatest kids,’ she added. ‘Our family is complete.’
Andi did admit that the adoption process is an ’emotionally challenging experience,’ but said that ‘bringing these kids into a happy, safe home and giving these kids another opportunity,’ is fulfilling.
She is also grateful to other foster mothers she has met in support groups.
‘Honestly, I’m nothing special. If anything, it’s the other moms who encouraged me,’ she said.
For those not up to adopting, Andi suggests people help by supporting other families.
‘These kids are just the most beautiful, amazing kids and it’s not their fault. None of this is their fault,’ she said. ‘So, I just hope maybe more people will see the beauty in this and maybe find a way to get involved, even if it’s just support, or being a babysitter for a foster mom, or anything.’