Packing, packing and more packing

NiColle, Josie and Teresa, Caren, Marchelle, and Dawn at Mending Kids

Josie and Teresa enjoying at little sister time at Mending Kids.

Josie and her friends racing cars at the Raullis


What a whirlwind week. We had to be out of our house by Friday which meant everything must be packed and stored in the garage. Even though this was a difficult task it was and incredibly cleansing one. It was nice to rid myself of the material clutter that was slowly overtaking our lives. There were so many useless items that will be useful to others. Mending Kids got over run with bags on Friday. Speaking of Mending Kids, we have hired 2 incredible women to help run our organization. Our new executive director, Marchelle Sellers, comes to us from the Pasadena Ronald Mc Donald house that she herself established. Dawn Head is from Childrens Hospital Los Angeles orthopedic surgery clinic. Both have so much to offer MKI. We are all thrilled with the talent and enthusiasm that these two bring. Welcome aboard Marchelle and Dawn.

On Friday we had a welcome party for them and enjoyed lunch with staff, board members and the wonderful families that are currently staying at Robin's Nest (our own type of Ronald McDonald house). It really reminds me of the reason I am involved with MKI when you see the precious children that are here for medical treatment. One quick and amazing story of one of our current families is Lorana (mom) and her child Melanie from Guatemala. Lorana was our first house mom who ran Robin's Nest at the first location. After 3 or so years working for MKI she returned to Guatemala. She adopted an adorable baby girl, Melanie. About a year after her adoption as an infant, Lorana discovered that Melanie was deaf. Lorana quickly contact MKI and was brought here so Melanie could go through the process of receiving cochlear implants. If that wasn't paying it forward I don't know what is. They arrived here just after Christmas and 2 weeks ago after many procedures and surgeries Melanie got to hear for the first time. What a miracle.

We also got to go to our friends the Raulli's house before we left. It was great for Josie to see some of her friends and for me as well. I will post some cute pictures of the evening. These kids have been together since about 19 months of age. They are so sweet together and treat Josie so well.

Well we are off to on vacation to the Sacramento Delta and then to Tahoe before making our journey back to Michigan. Josie is continuing to thrive in her walking. I have to admit it is much easier to have Przemek and Sylvia work her out then me. I will be glad when they take over again. Just have to keep it up so they don't lose ground.

I will post more often. Just had to get through last week's packing and couldn't find time or energy to post. Hope you are all enjoying these hot August nights. Jenny and Josie

Tuesday, August 11th

Hi All- Sorry for being MIA the last few days. We had a fabulous reunion on Saturday and picnic in the park on Sunday all put together by Jenny Banz Sullivan...excellent job Banz! Since then I have been at meetings on Monday and packing my house today. We rented our house while we are in Michigan and have to be out by Saturday morning...yikes. My 2 very dear friends, Camilla and Dolly, helped me soooo much today. You can't believe the amount of sorting, reorganizing and packing that they did. I love you both. Thank you!! It is much more fun to do this with company. Steph and my mom took Josie and Luke so we could really concentrate and get it done. Enough boring packing stories. I will update soon. Love to all, Jenny and Josie

PS. Happy belated birthday to Susan Knight and Sean Barry.

We Are Home!!

We made it!! What a whirlwind of 6 weeks. It is shocking to see how far Josie has come when I really reflect back on our time at therapy. I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to return with her. I would have been devastated to get this far and then come to a halt. It will be a nice 3 week break but not without some more hard work from both Josie and I. They have put together a daily regime for Josie and I to do together while we are away so she doesn't lose any strength or her new walking.

We actually landed last night and I got home in time to go to my monthly cards group. It was so amazing to see my dear friends who I have missed so much. They are all such a source of encouragement for me. Thanks all you Dealing Divas!!

Tomorrow is my 20th year high school reunion which will be fun. Then on Sunday it is back to work on therapy. Will update soon. We miss you Michigan but so happy to see you California. Our love, Jenny and Josie

Separated for 7 years today!!!

Teresa Left, Josie peeking her eyes to see the camera

It is with great pleasure that we celebrate the girls 7 years of separation. When wheeled into the operating room 7 years ago this morning we didn't know what the outcome would be. The only words to describe it is We Won!! We won the opportunity to have 2 angels remain here on earth with us. It has been a journey that has included so many people from day one. Our dream one day is to meet and hug the nurses that took such great care of the girls during their first 9 months of life in Guatemala City. They taught them to love and to bond. We can't thank enough the courageous medical team at UCLA Medical Center lead by Dr. Jorge Lazareff and Dr. Henry Kawamoto for saying yes and then pouring there all into helping and loving these girls. Thank you to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles lead by Dr. Mark Urata in their continued care. We have had a lot of surprises that they have dealt with so kindly and beautifully. To our communities and churches that have embraced us and welcomed the girls with open arms. To our friends who we turn to for continued support and to give us the normalcy of life in our social settings. To our therapists and teachers who continue to strengthen them everyday. To our families who we absolutely could not survive day to day without. To Mending Kids International that really rolled the dice on a case way out of anyones league and took it on like champions. To Robyn and Grandma Cris for more then anyone can ever imagine. There aren't enough words to say to extend our gratitude. And to Wenceslao and Lety for being the bravest humans I know to selflessly allow the girls to be where they can safely live out their lives near the best medical personal we can assemble. You are our heroes.

Tonight we squeeze these girls a little tighter and rejoice in the past 7 years of this miracle. They have taught us so much about strength, love, courage and pure joy. Maria Teresa (Teresa) and Maria de Jesus (Josie) we love you and honor you tonight and always.

Love, The Hulls and The Cajas

PS. Therapy went extremely well today. Will update on that later.

Tuesday, August 4th

Hi Everyone,

We finally had a hot day here in Michigan yet not humid. We have lucked out with the weather. As far as therapy went today it wasn't award winning. She did a good job on everything but the canes. I think there maybe is fear coming into play. She fells vulnerable and worried about hitting her head. She is actually a lot more stable then she gives herself credit for. Remember towards the beginning I was saying that the she was progressing so quickly that my mind hadn't caught up to her new ability? I think that is what is going on with her right now. Since it was harder for her today it was a good time for Sylvia to begin to teach me how to do the canes. I need to learn all that I can the next few days because I have my work cut out for me during the 3 weeks we are home. We can't let up for a moment and we really can't start doing it incorrectly. This is the year to commit to this and as difficult as it is and will be I owe it to her. This is her life and she deserves the most it can be. Thank you all again for your support. It is all of you that really help us get through each day.

Love, Jenny and Josie

Monday of Week 6...yes week 6!!

We begin the last week of this session. It has gone so quickly..Josie may not agree. Posted the video from today taken after her 3 hour workout. She wanted to walk a couple steps to show me that she could walk without the parallel bars near her. Another good accomplishment. She said she was nervous at first because she really couldn't fall but then she "got brave" and used to it. Little champion. Happy summer nights to all, Jenny and Josie

Saturday at the Buick Open

Hi all- We had another beautiful Michigan weather day. What luck we have had so far with the weather. The PGA tour is here this week so we went out to the Buick Open to see some of our friends. Unfortunately with traffic we completely missed Jason Gore and Jonathan Byrd's rounds. We did get to spend some time on the range with Jason and his wife, Meghan. Luckily for us Jason will play in the group just in front of Jonathan tomorrow so we will walk with them tomorrow. We also got to see Tiger for a couple of moments. He gave Josie his ball and she was elated. She thinks it is really funny that all those guys call her uncle Bhully as a nickname. Fun to show her just a tiny glimpse of our family's past adventures.

After we got home we took a nice swim, dug in the sand at the lake and came home for dinner. What a nice day.

Many have commented that the video from a couple of days ago is private. I have unlocked it so you can see it. It is amazing to see her walk. Check it out.

Happy Birthday to my sweet friend, Mary Perkins. Hope you guys are having a blast in Sun Valley.

Best to all, Jenny and Josie