Update...

I have received a ton of emails asking if we are ok because I have not updated my blog... So here is the much awaited update:

Since the Host kids left I have been busy repairing our home, cleaning the car, and trying to regain my sanity. LOL! Who knew that 3 kids could rock my world like those 3 did!?!?! I have received emails from them. They are doing good, but they are begging us to bring them back to the US. As much as I love these kids, I know that I can not bring them back right now. I am just praying that the right family comes forward to host them this summer. Speaking of summer hosting, the new list of kids that are available for summer hosting is available on the NHFC website. Just fill out the short form and you will be directed to the photo listing. http://www.newhorizonsforchildren.org/horizons/prephoto.html

Jonathan's eyes are healing very well. The Dr did a GREAT job! They are as close to straight as I could ever hope for! Now if we could just get his nose to stop bleeding and crusting over - YUCK! On another note, he had his apt at the Spastisity Clinic at Scottish Rite Children's Hospital last week. The Neurosurgeon determined that he is ready to have the Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy! This is the spinal surgery that we have been waiting for! SDR involves cutting of some of the sensory nerve fibers that come from spinal cord to control the muscles that are tight and prevent him from walking and controlling his muscles. If you want to read more about the procedure go to this website: http://www.stlouischildrens.org/content/medservices/AboutSelectiveDorsalRhizotomy.htm
Jon-Jon's procedure is scheduled for April 8th at Scottish Rite. He will be in the hospital for approximately 1 week. He will have to be flat on his back for the first week, while the spinal column heals. Once we are back home he will start intensive physical Therapy, but we will still have to be very careful with his back. Those o you that know Jon-Jon, know how rough he plays so that makes me a little nervous! Maybe I will just wrap him in bubble wrap!!! :)
He has already come so far since we met him in Uralsk 2 years ago, but this surgery will allow him to walk and run like a typical 4 year old boy!!! And maybe he will even be able to play soccer... which is one of his dreams.

Alexis and Jackson have spent the past couple of weeks getting caught up on school because they missed out on some school while the host kids were with us. We went to the King Tut exhibit in ATL. They are both very interested in history, but unfortunately Jonathan does not share their interest - he yelled "how do we get out of this place?" "this is creepy!" over and over as we walked through the exhibit! :)

I did not blog about this at the time it happened, but while the host kids were still with us, I received a call saying that my Dad would likely pass away within 24-48 hours. Well, he is still hanging in there, but he is very sick. He has been on Hospice since before we traveled to adopt Jonathan. I swear that he will probably outlive all of us! He has been running a fever and barley eating anything for over a month now. His lungs sound awful, but he is still fighting! Bless his heart... I know he has to be in pain, but he can not speak. It breaks my heart to see him like this.

The other "issue" that we have been dealing with (and I have not blogged about) is the fact that Josh has now take 2 major pay cuts. The first one happened before the host kids came and the second one happened last week. He is now having to take a second job. I would love to get a job... mostly so I could out of the house and away from the kids occasionally, but it just so happened that the second job fell into Josh's lap - so he took it. If I can find something, I will go back to work as well... it would have to be nights/weekends.

Jack and Alexis have the flu or something like the flu right now, so we are not doing school today (Friday)... I am just playing nursemaid to both of them! Oh, and I broke my toe yesterday! I was carrying clothes into the bedroom and somehow I stumped my pinky toe on the door. When I looked down to see the damage - my little tiny pinky toe was turned outward! I had to pull in back into place and then shove it into my boot. Of course there is no time to sit and rest it - I had an entire day of running around to do! SO... last night when I finally took my boots off my toe was HUGE! I'm nit sure that I could even put a shoe on today. I think I am going to look really funny wearing flip-flops out in this cold weather! LOL!

So that's whats going on around here. No big deal.

***I love the Kaz Mama's out there in blog land - thanks for all of your calls/emails/sending get well cards to Jonathan during his recovery! You girls are the best! Give all of your Kazakh Cuties a bug hug from Aunt Holly!