The Arrington Clan ..Mommy.. Daddy.. Jacoby...Ramon and Sholann

Mathews knee op

2012-02-10T00:07:00.000-08:00

YES!!!! Mathew was back to the hospital today BUT nothing too bad... His "good leg" is not so good after all and he had surgery to scrape away scar tissue and his tendon was torn etc etc...

As usual though we joked while waiting for him to go to surgery and had a good laugh..

Brought him home later and he is high on Dilaudid (pain killer) and doing extremely well...

Enjoy the pictures !

2012-01-12T18:24:00.000-08:00

Please check out this link sent to me by David Haas
http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog

Exercise and Cancer

2012-01-11T11:19:00.000-08:00

This was sent to me by David Haas... Please read !
Surviving Cancer and the Benefits of Physical Activity

Aside from diet and substance avoidance, exercise is one of the leading contributors to good health. When most of us think exercise, we think of preventing obesity that leads to heart disease and physical discomfort; however, many of us neglect to associate more complex prevention issues such as cancer. Exercise has many holistic advantages that improve health both prior to and during physical illness. In regards to cancer recovery, development of an exercise regimen has been seen to improve both the physical and mental wellbeing of the patient. Most cancer therapies cause sleep disturbance, depression, pain, nausea, anxiety, and swelling that are all contributed to by the worst side affect of all, extreme fatigue. Typical treatments such as radiation therapy decrease immune function, which forces the body to use of other energy resources to power its depleted defense functions. This can result in less energy being available to power one's daily physical functions, leaving them exhausted throughout the course of treatment. Despite the fact that these adverse consequences are a cancer reality, many of them can be improved or avoided by beginning a physical exercise regimen early on in treatment. Even the simplest of activities can help to preserve strength, energy, cardiovascular endurance, and immunity that will lessen the negative effects of the treatment. Exercising can also assist in improving metabolism, regulating appetite, reducing pain, lessening nausea, and ridding the body of by-products resulting from required medications. Not only does exercise improve physical symptoms but it also reduces psychological complications that can have a debilitating impact on the immune system. Exercise boosts endorphins that relieve tension, increase socialization, and reduce depression associated with such trying circumstances. Physical activity is truly an ideal tool for all different types of cancer whether one is suffering through a breast cancer diagnosis or undergoing a mesothelioma treatment.

Even though physical activity is suggested by many oncologists, and has proven beneficial, one must contain their activity to a level suited for their current stamina. Jumping into a vigorous exercise regimen often only causes more damage. It is best to start slow and gradually push forward toward more demanding exercise as your health improves. Dance to the radio, take a walk, or take the stairs, no matter what you choose to do you’ll be sure to feel the benefits and are likely to remember a bit about why life is something you’ve have fought for.

Hi Maxine,
Thanks so much for your consideration and compassion! The article attached, which I recently completed, is about the benefits of fitness and eating healthy during and after a diagnosis of any kind of cancer. Each different cancer has its limitations, but if one can keep a healthy body, they can have a better chance to overcome this awful disease. I have linked to reputable sources and studies in this field and tailored the article to your blog. Please let me know if you are able to post the article so I can shout it out from my twitter and facebook following in order to give your site more traffic. Thanks so much for the help and all you do for these people,

2012 The Arrington Clan

2012-01-10T18:30:00.000-08:00

JACOBY

SHOLANN and SHYANN KENTON

JOBEN 10

THE ARRINGTON CLAN

My darling children..

Daddy with his Eternal family (minus me)

50 wow... I look old!!!! lol

still kicking strong though! Got 5 kids to raise..

Well, here I am again finally.. Thought I had better get clucking and say hello to all of my followers...

2011 was a great year with 5 children and 1 healthy husband..

Mathew now only has to go the Oncologist Dr Nabong YEARLY!!!!! Yay.. Who would have thought we'd be this healthy and strong.. It doesn't seem morthat long ago that the Cancer was found and that our lives would be turned upside down and totally back again!

Despite Mathews weakened kidneys (he was born with Reflux) giving him a setback with Urinary Tract infections, he has had an amazing year..

Sadly, since the chemo he still struggles with lack of energy, he still deals with Neuropathy and dizziness... It's weird also because sometimes his milk will taste FIZZY like it used to when he was going through the chemo.. He tries to work 1 day a week and then play racket ball twice a week to get him stamina back.. It washes him out though so he has to take time to relax and gain his energy back.. ( I think he just likes being retired)

2012 is going to be a GREAT year for our family, no matter what because I say so !!!!

I turned the big 50 in November and can still do cartwheels..... ha ha

I really believe you are aold as you feel.... and I feel blessed to have good health and 5 beautiful children to raise with my husband..

We celebrated our 17th Wedding anniversary on New Years Eve with a party in our cul-de-sac.. Inflatable slide, firepits roaring, food (plenty of it), hot chocolate, music, dancing and fireworks...

We have great friends and neighbors who joined in the fun..

Jacoby turned 14 in December and towers over me... I can still reach up and tug the back of his hair if he gets lippy though!!! He is a wonderful son, one I am extremely proud of and love with all of my heart.. He still is a MOMMYS boy!

Joben turns 10 this month.. He is my little Tender Heart, always ready to give cuddles and love to.. Since adopted him he has come along so very much in school and though he is small in stature is has a HUGE heart! That's my boy!

Kenton who is 8 and was Baptised in June last year has come along in school, especially with reading and writing.. He questions EVERYTHING and I think some day will turn me INSANE.. However his sweet freckled face and his gorgeous eyes keeps my heart in love with him..

Shyann, ummmm my little girl that just turned 7.. Even though she struggles at school and is having speech therapy, she has the sweetest disposition.. Always loving and kind and usually the peacemaker.. She is still SHY (her name fits her well) but is learning to trust people and is coming out of her shell more... She loves to dance and sing and pose in the mirrors !!! ha ha

Sholann.... what can I say!??? She is the youngest of the group and yet SHE determines what the kids will do today and tomorrow and is my bossy little girl.. Getting sneakier by the minute and knows how to tell lies!!! She rules the roost .. So she thinks!

She has taught me that BULLIES are WEAK... a shame my youngest is teaching me that.. BUT, she is the most humorous child you could ever wish to meet and keeps us laughing and rolling over with tears coming down our cheeks.. Very headstrong and doing excellent at school and is reading chapter books..

Lilly our amazing little girl (silky terrier) is the love of our lives.. My little shadow and bed partner! ha ha ha

We started this year with fireworks and hope to celebrate it at the end of year the same way..

As we have learned..... our lives can change at any time... so we all need to make the most of every day we are giving on this Earth... have fun, laugh, enjoy friends and family, create memories for our children and ourselves, reach out to others, do all that we can do to improve our lives physically, mentally, emotionally and Spritually..

I try to do ONE good deed a day for someone and teach my children to help others that might be less fortunate than we are and my biggest belief is that they learn by EXAMPLE! Let our weaknesses become our strengths, that our dark moments and trials become our stepping stones to something new and better...

My hope and Prayer is that 2012, no matter what it brings our way, we will at the end of the Year give Thanks that we were able to come through it all with a smiling face, a lifted heart and faith to move forward onto the New Year..

Please stop by and check out my blog.. I hope I can post on here all that will uplift and inspire you.. To make you smile.

Maxine

more pictures

2011-06-02T23:17:00.000-07:00

Shyann
Joben

Kenton

Sholann

SO....... these are my children

2011-06-02T23:14:00.001-07:00

Our 2011 family

2011-06-02T23:06:00.001-07:00

My family is complete as far as no one else will be added as no more fostering and no more adoptions... 4 little ones are quite enough to keep us busy.. Jacoby goes into 8th grade this year! Wow time flies..

MATHEW is CANCER FREE!!!

Catch up AGAIN !!!!!

2010-12-28T12:02:00.000-08:00

The time flies by way too fast...

Christmas has come and gone and here we are nearing a New Year 2011..

Jacoby turned 13 on Dec 6th and it's hard to believe I actually have a teenager... However, he is the best teen I know and a straight A student, a worthy member of our Church and there's nothing like seeing your son pass the Sacrament knowing that somehow we might have done a good job with raising him :)

His siblings adore him though Sholann (5) gives him such a hard time..

He's old enough to BABYSIT!!!!!!!!!!!! yay yay!

Though we have to threaten Sholann to behave or else!!!!!!!

Christmas was wonderful.. We had Mathews Mom come stay Christmas eve to sleepover so she could be here to see what SANTA brought for the children..

We all had alot of fun and laughter..

Played games, ate and ate some more !

Mathew is strong though still struggles with energy. or lack of it should I say..

The Cancer and Chemo wore him out BUT it is great to think he has been Cancer free for over a year now.. Feeling truly blessed that he still is here with us and that after 2 years of spending every day together since his diagnosis of Colon Cancer we are STILL happy and content to be husband and wife..

In fact I kinda have to admit that when he does finally go back to work, I will miss him so much!

2011 is going to be a great year because I'm determined we will make the

most of it.. All that comes our way we will deal with in a positive manner..

Life is too precious to not take each moment and live it to the fullest..

These last 2 years have taught me so much and I am grateful for the knowledge I have gained because of it..

My husband and children are my life. I love being a stay at home mom..

Giving up fostercare has been a difficult decision for me yet I knew it needed to happen in order for our latest 3 we adopted to be stable and not see children coming and going out of our home.. To stop them thinking, "When is it our turn to leave"?!

I miss Ramon and Daniel so badly still and hope some day they WILL be a part of our family again in body and not just in Spirit...

Thank you to my family and friends for enduring our lives and trials with us.. Without you I don't know how I could have handled things the way I did..

All I can say is

LIVE LIFE AS IF IT WAS YOUR LAST DAY HERE ON THIS EARTH...

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT AND STAY POSITIVE..

Thank you for reading my blog and 2011 I will for sure be adding more more often..

Time to catch up...

2010-11-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

Has it REALLY been that long since I posted on here.. Wow Valentines hey!???

Ok to update.. Mathew is GREAT..Been cancer free for 1 year now and looking fat and feeling happy.. LOL

Since February Mathew and I adopted our 3 foster children now known as

Joben Gabe

Kenton Max

Shyann Aleah Hope

adding to my other children of

Mathew jnr

Jacoby LeGrand Sherrard

Sholann Olivia Faith

We adopted them on June 30th 2010 and then took them to the Temple to be sealed to us for Time and all Eternity in the 10th July 2010 after having Joben Baptized earlier in the day...

BEAUTIFUL day and it was wonderful to have family and friends join us for this incredible event :)

Who would have thought 2 years ago that we would have been adding to our already beautiful family!

We are so blessed....

Jacoby is in 7th grade at the jnr high..

Joben in 2nd grade

Kenton in 1st grade

Shyann and Sholann in Kindergarten but separate classrooms...

I could not have picked a more beautiful family..

Daniel and Ramon are still a part of our family even though we don't get to see or hear from them..

SOME DAY!

I will try to upload more pictures as I find them as my computer went on the blink and now I can't find the 1000s of pictures I had.. :(

Catch up with you soon and be sure to visit the blog often..

Thank you

Maxine x

I'm back

2010-10-26T13:20:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to say that Mathew is doing great.. Fat and happy as we call it :) :)
Will be putting more pictures on of our family soon...

Happy belated Valentines day to all

2010-02-15T20:41:00.000-08:00

Our Valentines Tree

The kids love that we left up our Christmas tree and will decorate accordingly each month

Shyann and Sholann ready for their Valentines party at school

My 2 little cuties

Joben, Shyann, Kenton and Sholann ready for church on Sunday!

Our children had fun parties at school this past week for Valentines except for Jacoby our 12 yr old.. No LOVE in the 6th grade allowed at his school! (Phew.... I like that) Instead of taking goodies to school for others Jacoby decided he had to take some candy for himself so he wouldn't feel left out when other grades were eating! The thoughts of a 12 yr old!

Mathew and I went to a wonderful get together with some couples from our Ward on saturday and ate while we chatted then after, we went to our Adult ward dance (prom)..

What a BLAST.... We danced and danced and Mathew danced with women whose husbands were either not able to make it or didn't want to dance!!!! Then I danced with a guy whose wife was unable to dance to faster music due to being pregnant!! I informed Mathew that now we would be known as THE SWINGERS of the ward for stealing someone elses spouse to dance with! LOL.

Our ward family is FUN and eager to laugh.. We are so blessed that Mathew is still with us and feeling so much better than he was and seemingly getting stronger by the day!

Apart from dizzy spells and some headaches life is pretty good for him..

On Sunday we got our children dressed for church and headed off to a wonderful Valentines day at Sacrament listening to beautiful inspired talks.. Our Youth never cease to amaze me as they give their wonderfully prepared talks... Where else do we find children from a few years of age ready and eager to say Prayers and give Talks and speak in front of 100 plus people???

The Gospel is true!

Happy Valentines to all and hope you all find the time to give your spouse a hug full of love and remind them of how much you love them!

Time has flown by

2010-02-10T20:27:00.000-08:00

YES!!!!! We are WEIRD!!!!

Wow....... I cannot believe it has been 2 months since I posted something on here..
Let me wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR and hope you all had a wonderful Christ filled Christmas..
Mathew is still in remission which we are totally thrilled about.. It still amazes me how so differently it could have turned out!
We go to see his Oncologist Dr Nabong every 3 months and each time we are grateful to hear the good news that all is well..

Mathew put back on the weight he lost and MORE!!!!.. I try to convince him everytime he plunges a Big Mac into his mouth to STOP and eat healthier foods... The fruit and veg's just don't cut it for him!!!!!!

Thanks to all the delicious food that was brought to us during his battle with Cancer, I too had put on weight and happy to say I am finally at my 10 lbs mark with another 10 lbs to go....

Our children are wonderful and such a blessing to us..
Jacoby turned 12 in Dec..
Joben just turned 8 and cannot wait to be Baptised..
Kenton is 6 and doing great and is reading so much better..
Shyann turned 5 and is so happy to have a sister close to her age..
Sholann is 4 and doing so much better at school and has come out of her shell having her sibs to hang out with..

We had another addition of a silky terrier.. Lilly.. She is by my side morning noon and sometimes night when I sneak into Jacobys room and steal her to bring into my bed....!!!

Mathew went for a sleep study so I am living in hope that they will give him a C PAP Machine..
One of these days I swear he will stop breathing for good during his sleep.. Scares me to death...

Me.....? ummmm well I keep myself busy even though I am a stay at home Mom.. Plenty of chores to do and going into the childrens classes at school to help out.. I am a Webelos leader for our cub scouts and love every moment of it working with the boys!

I take a small gift to all the Sisters in our Ward on their b'days... We don't want anyone to think we don't care about them... What an awesome ward we have...

The Christmas tree is STILL UP and is now decorated with HEARTS for Valentines...
Roll on St. Patricks day!!!

Well, that's us caught up somewhat and I need to get back into posting on here...

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog.. Love to all Maxine :)

My son turns 12

2009-12-06T20:01:00.000-08:00

Jacoby and Lily
My sweet 12 yr old Jacoby

Our sweet BABY turned 12 today and received the Aaronic Priesthood..

We are proud of how good a kid he is and the way he tries to be helpful and kind to those around him...

Daddy set him apart with Bishop Chatwin, Brother Alexander, Brother Wilkinson, Brother McGonagill, Brother Wicke and Brother Rowland..

He then came over to give me a kiss and hug IN FRONT of his peers!!! I love this boy..

Jacoby was especially happy to get a DOG... She is a silky terrier and her name is Lily...

Thanks to the Masseys for letting her join the Arrington Clan...

Tonight we had several visitors including Uncle Bobo and Aunt Kathy, Gramma, Jimmie and Scott... Elisabeth and her boys( she brought the most delicious strawberry, custard filled homemade cake) Margo Roberts (who brought over delicious Rum rolls) and then Uncle Jeff and Aunt Donna who brought over homemade cookies and a plate of cookies WITHOUT NUTS especially for Jacoby..

Scott, his 22 yr old cousin stayed for several hours and played games with Jacoby which totally made his birthday THE BEST!!!!

I am grateful to have a son who is tender hearted and loving and kind.. He was well worth waiting for...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACOBY!!!

On the road to ADOPTION..

2009-12-03T13:55:00.000-08:00

KENTON
JOBEN

SHYANN

Our 3 children were severed from their parents today December 1st 2009 so we are only 3 months away from having them complete our family......

We love them dearly... Joben...... Kenton..... Shyann..... The count down begins........ :)

I love my family........

2009-11-30T17:57:00.000-08:00

The Crazy Arringtons
My darling kids...

Merry Christmas..

It was fun posing.. I am blessed to have a wonderful Husband and

5 beautiful children...

We had a friend from Church come over and take some pictures of us as a family.. We decided to dress up and wear Santa hats!!!!!!!!! Enjoy!

My little girl is now 5

2009-11-22T18:26:00.001-08:00

Happy birthday to our Sweet Shyann who had her 5th b'day today...

We are truly blessed to have her as a daughter...

The Christmas tree is UP!!!!

2009-11-20T15:17:00.000-08:00

Daddy and Jacoby with the girls after they put the tree up and decorated it..

Jacoby has placed the Angel on top for the past 12 years ......

That is HIS job!! Last year it about killed Mathew lifting him up on his shoulders..

Wonderful to see daddy pick his son up so easily AND with a smile on his face...

I have been BEGGING to have the tree put up early as last year we just did not get around to it until our friends, Kirk and The Pecks came to help!!!! Mathew was barely able to help with him being so sickly.... Now it is up and we all love it.... Time to celebrate early!!!!!!!

Due to Mathew not working, our Christmas will be more about what the real meaning is rather than what the kids will get from SANTA!!!!!

This is going to be an awesome Christmas just knowing we are all here together as a family and all is well..... This past year has been somewhat of a trial but one where the Heavens were opened and blessings poured down upon us..

Thank you again to all our wonderful ward family and friends and neighbors for the love you have shown to us throughout!

We look forward to serving others that are in need and know that as we serve our fellowmen we in turn are serving Our Heavenly father..

God Bless you all ...

Great News

2009-11-19T17:57:00.000-08:00

As of yesterday November 18th 2009 Mathew had his colonoscopy and only great things were reported back to us... NO sign of Cancer... and the resection was perfect!!!!!!!
He is healthy and happy.. What a difference a year makes.... We are thrilled at this news.. So much to be thankful for..

My little MODELS

2009-11-03T18:45:00.000-08:00

Miss Sholann and Miss Shyann

Daddy and the girls.......

2009-11-03T18:40:00.001-08:00

Daddy and his girls...Shyann and Sholann

Halloween..

2009-11-03T18:32:00.000-08:00

Our children got to go trick or treat TWICE.. Once at Church and out in our neighborhood....

We had a block party with tons of food.. fire pit.. friends and family and tons of trick or treaters.... Fun was had by all...

In God We Still Trust

2009-10-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

in the CLEAR!!!

2009-10-15T20:13:00.001-07:00

Mathew and I went to the Drs appt on Monday to get the results back from recent bloodtests and we have WONDERFUL news... He is still in Remission... so 6 months now cancer free..

YIPPEEEE !!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Thank you, Thank you to everyone for all the continued Prayers and well wishes...

Thank you Brianna... xx

2009-10-01T19:49:00.000-07:00

Our sweet Brianna sent us a beautiful letter today and poem saying how much she misses us..

Brianna.. we want you to know that even though you are not here living with us...

WE LOVE YOU !!! We always will... Call us anytime and we WILL have you come see us ok?????

I know you check on here so know Daddy and I love you tons...

Kisses to C and S and to you...

Lots of love from Mommy and Daddy Arrington xxxxx

Our farewell to the Datuins...

2009-09-26T22:47:00.000-07:00

Today we took all 8 children to a park in Avondale

It was a wonderful park and we had alot of FUN!!!!

The Datuins lived with us for 8 months and are doing great with their mom Stephanie

they have a new baby sister Chloe and today they all headed off to live with grandma (Renee)

in New Mexico..

We will miss them but they will always be a part of our lives forever..

Mom,Briana,Jacoby,Alex,Tyler,Joben,Kenton,Shyann and Sholann

The Matriarch
Master Alex

Alex, Briana and Daddy

Kenton, Joben and Shyann

Having fun..

Mom and Briana. so fun..
Jacoby and Alex on the teeter totter...

Bri with Kenton

What fun. Daddy, Tyler, Alex, Kenton, Mommy

We SO need a teeter totter.. it was a blast..

Tyler, Briana, Daddy and Jacoby

Pretty Sholann

Sweet Shyann

Briana and Sholann

Daddy and Joben having fun of the roller slide..

Kenton

Daddy twirling Briana.. ewwwwww I wanted to puke!

Daddy twirling Alex.

Beautiful girls..

Tyler and Alex goofing around..

Joben and Kenton

My 3 beautiful girls...

The End !

What a sweet family we are blessed with...

2009-09-24T23:27:00.001-07:00

Shyann and Sholann

My 2 beautiful daughters

Shyann

Sholann

My THREE handsome sons

Kenton, Jacoby and Joben

Kenton

Joben
Jacoby

I LOVE my FAMILY !

Enjoying the "cooler" evening

2009-09-24T23:00:00.000-07:00

Mathew.....looking so good....
Joben and Kenton
Sholann

Shyann

Sholann

Shyann

2 little monkeys sitting in a tree...

Shyann

Sholann

Chilling !!

Daddy and his girls..

Shyann

Mommy and Joben

Sholann and Kenton

Sholann

Kenton

Joben

Kenton

Our darling children

2009-09-24T22:50:00.001-07:00

Joben
Kenton

Shyann

Kenton
Joben

Kids running to the park... YAY!!!
Walking hand in hand

Checking out the dog POOP! ewww

My sweet kids

On our walk in the nice weather

Yesterday I said to Mathew, "Let's take the kids for a walk" as the weather was soooooooooo nice..

They were excited and got their shoes on quickly and off we went... We ended up at the park and they played for about 1 1/2 hrs enjoying the beautiful weather.. It was so fun watching them all play so happily and giggling with one another.. Just reminds me even more that these 3 children were meant to join our family. We just feel so blessed to have been chosen to adopt these 3 little miracles.. Now we have 5 beautiful children to raise and teach them all that our Heavenly Father would have us teach..

Enjoy the pictures........

British are here!!!

2009-09-22T19:04:00.001-07:00

Stuart and Sheryl
Shirley and Malcolm

The McReynolds

All of us out to eat..

About 30 years ago I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints..

There was ONE person that never gave up on me throughout the years and that was my Bishop,

Malcolm McReynolds... Today he and his beautiful wife Shirley came to visit us..

Their son Stuart and his wife Sheryl moved out to Scottsdale a month ago for Stus job.. We wish they had moved closer but hope to get to see them every now and again...

It was wonderful to catch up on news and remember the good old times...

Here are a few pictures of our dear friends....

A camping we will go !!!!!!!!

2009-09-22T18:34:00.001-07:00

Aunt Kathy and Shyann
Rugged Mathew

Pretty Denise my niece

Bro-in-law Gary

Dirty girl Miss Sunshine and her daddy nephew John
Tony and Denise
Dilly, Sho, Shy and Ken

My two handsome nephews Mikey and Scott

Sis-in-law Debbie..

My sis-in-law Kathy with her beautiful daughter Maranda..

nephew Tony taking a nap!!!

Grubby, dirty, filthy kids..Dylan Sho Shy Ben Ken and Cash

Awww my darling nephew helping clean up !!!

GO CASH GOOOOO

Raining and we get to play FARKLE with Mom, Jacoby, Deb, Sydney and Mikey

Last year we missed our family camp out as Mathew was in the hospital getting rid of the sickly Cancer.... Our family actually CAMPED OUT at Banner Gateway!!!! SO this year we decided to have another family camp out up past Payson off of Young Rd and it was fantastic.

I think this is the 7th year we have done family camp outs with extended family members and this time we had 47 show up!!!! The adults and kids had a BLAST.. even when the rain came falling down and lightning flashed and thunder rolled.... It is SO MUCH FUN to be with the family and chat and play games and watch the cousins all interact with each other..

Roll on next year! Can't wait...........

Where did the year go!??

2009-09-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

My handsome hubby..

I LOVE YOU
I cannot believe that it has been a whole year since Mathew was diagnosed with Colon Cancer and tomorrow HIS BIRTHDAY will be the anniversary of his op to remove the nasty thing!
What a way to spend your birthday yet it was the greatest gift ever.......
This past year has been full of many different emotions and ups and downs BUT I want to say that above all it has been a major blessing in our lives as we have travelled this road to recovery.
Mathew was soooooo sick looking back and it could have gone either way.. BUT he is here, healthy and happy to be alive...
We are moving forward with our lives with 3 extra children to raise.. 5 wonderful blessings in our lives to love and nurture... Jacoby, Joben, Kenton, Shyann and Sholann...

Thank you again for all the love and support given to us over the past 12 months..
Our ward family has been there the whole way with us and continues to do so.. Our family and friends both near and far have given us support and offered many Prayers on our behalf..
It still amazes me just how sick Mathew was and yet today he is strong and healthy and happy.
Heavenly Father stayed with us the whole way as did our Savior Jesus Christ... We were never alone and even though there were a few dark moments there was always light at the end of the spectrum...
Thanks to the Prayers, love, cards, kind words, well wishes, hugs, meals (LOTS of them) family, friends, neighbors, Church and Priesthood blessings that I believe was what brought us through this as easy as it did...

May God bless each and every one of you ..
This time of year is for us all to celebrate.. The life of Mathew Arrington...

Remembering 911

2009-09-11T18:17:00.000-07:00

SISTERS

Shyann

Sholann
Shy and Sho

Sholann

Shyann

BEAUTIFUL GIRLS

POSING!

They loved their hair

All 5 of our children

Have a beautiful day.

Today I cannot believe how fast the time has flown by since 911 and how the cruel and weak killed and injured 1000s of innocent fellow Americans and many more people of other origin.

I guess most of us remember that day with heartache and sorrow and a feeling of disbelief... but I also remember how as neighbors and friends we all came together as one.

As the years have passed and each 9/11 has come and gone I've tried to remind myself of how blessed we are as a family to be here with each other... For many their lives were tragically changed forever..

This past year has been a trial as Mathew struggled with Colon Cancer and we've watched friends die of Cancer over the years but today I am thankful for everything.. the trials and heartaches and grief we have endured yet tonight I sit and listen to my precious family laughing and playing, eating their favorite Friday treat or Pizza!!!! Taking a bath outside in the inflatable little pool full of bubbles.. Meeting them at the bus stop with popsicles and seeing the faces light up with smiles as they remember this is Friday and it's treat day.. The simple things in life bring so much comfort and excitement all rolled into one...

For those that continue to serve in the Military defending our Countries.. (YES England too)! I Thank you all.....Because next Friday will come and I will get to see the smiles on the childrens faces as they get off the school bus and hand them their treats!!! Yes simple but wonderful and the memories we are creating will stay with us always...

My little family continues to grow from one to two to five... who knows? there may be another one yet to come!

Mathew is in remission, our family is growing, we have decent health, a beautiful home and know someday Mathew will be able to go back to work and life will go on as normal...

Thank you to everyone that helps my family and myself as we continue the journey forward..

The love and support has been endless and for that I am so grateful for...

May Our Heavenly Father bless each and every one of you...

Maxine x

Life is to be loved...

2009-09-04T19:41:00.000-07:00

Today I realise that each day we are given on this earth should be a day full of fun experiences, learning moments and opportunities for us to grow Spiritually..
Today as my sister in law was going through a colonoscopy she stopped breathing.. They rushed her to the hospital and enabled her to breathe until she could breathe on her own..
This is when I realise just how in a moment our lives can be changed forever.. Luckily she is doing well and will be ok but it sure makes you think about making the most of every second we have and living life to the fullest...

This week as another colon cancer patient passed on I realise the miracle of life for Mathew..
God is not ready for him yet so we have the blessing of spending time with him..
For the families of both Susan Turley and Kim Miller we extend our Prayers to you all..

To those of us that have another day here let's fill it to the brim of happiness and love and fun and gratitude..
Thank you friends for the love and support you continue to give to us Crazy Arringtons....

Little swimmers

2009-09-03T15:35:00.000-07:00

Realization....

2009-09-02T17:53:00.000-07:00

This past week another cancer patient died... Kim had been suffering for almost a year with colon cancer....
It makes me realise just how blessed Mathew is to have come through this ordeal with colon cancer as well as he did...
2 young ladies have past through the veil leaving their husbands and families behind..
I cannot even begin to say how thankful I am for all the loving support we had during this past year.. You guys are all amazing and without you we would not have done as well as we have..

Today is a reminder of what could have happened........... but now we are able to enjoy our 2 children along with the 3 others that have just come into our lives and that will stay with us forever..
What an amazing year, full of blessings...
Thank you all and I ask that you keep Kims family in your Prayers over the next few days..

Fun in the sun

2009-08-26T22:50:00.000-07:00

Splish splash!
Having fun

My girls

little posers..

The girls played SO WELL today... I think they are going to be very close... YAY!!

Our 3 sweet new additions...

2009-08-25T13:11:00.000-07:00

Our 3 sweet babies
full of mischief!!!!

Yesterday, Mathew went and picked up 3 little Angels as the Stork was busy elsewhere!!!

Ben, Ken and Shy have come to live with us and we will hopefully get to adopt them in another 6 months!!!!!

I cannot tell you how blessed we feel... These children were so meant to come into our family.. Shy looks like Sholann and Ben favors Jacoby and Ken is just sweet sweet sweet... oh has blue/green eyes like ME!! Everyone else in my family including Daddy have brown eyes...

WE got them bathed and dressed into clothes that looked like typical Arrington clothing..

Our dream is finally coming true.. that we get to add to our family forever....

Jacoby is the best big brother ever and the boys won't leave him alone.. Sho and Shy play constantly and love sharing their room..

The boys were SO excited with their new bedroom as it is full of monkeys and vines and a DIEGO comforter each which by the way is their FAVORITE!!! Yes they were so meant to come to our family..

They played until it got dark and knelt down for family prayer before going to bed. Not a sound out of any of the 4 younger ones when tucked up in bed with kisses and cuddles. They slept peacefully all night until I woke them up this morning for school... WOW!!!!

Ben and Ken are in school and today I went to have lunch with them... They were thrilled to see me.. Jacoby leant forward and gave me a kiss in front of all the people in the Cafeteria... I LOVE my big boy...

Shy will start pre-school on Thursday so all my children will be at school so Mathew and I will get 3 hours all to ourselves.......... YIPPEE!!!!!! lunch dates, movies, CHORES!!!!!

Thank you to all who prayed on our behalf to bring these children into our lives.

We are a happy family..........

Got to meet our 3 extra special children...

2009-08-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

Our forever children..
Mathew and I were able to travel to Buckeye to meet the children..

I felt like I had been hit by a tornado!!!!!!!!!! ha ha ha.. talk about HYPER!!!

Sadly though we had to leave them and they were upset and Kenneth even cried saying he wanted to go home with us...

We called them today and they asked if we could go see them tomorrow so we are taking off again to visit them in their foster home again tomorrow afternoon....

We hope that they can actually come HOME this weekend....

I will keep you all posted...

Jacoby and Sholann are very excited that these children get to stay with us forever and not have to leave....... YAY!!!!!!!!!!

oops............... Has it been THAT LONG!!??

2009-08-13T23:04:00.000-07:00

I don't know where I've been or what I have been doing to not keep this blog updated.. SORRY!!!!
Anyway........... Mathew is still doing GREAT!!! Lacks some energy and still gets tired easily BUT looking healthy and able to lift some weights...... YAY!!
ADOPTION....YES............ we were selected to adopt a sib group of 3..
girl age 4.. 2 boys aged 6 and 7
We will hopefully get them moved in very soon..
We feel soooooooooo blessed to have been chosen to take these children into our home and lives.
We have waited it seems forever to get some children to adopt and finally when I was "so done"
with the emotional roller coaster of Fostercare. here they come..
Over the past 7 years we have loved on over 40 children that have become a part of our family and now it is time to BE DONE... to raise our 2 children along with these 3 who will join us soon..

I have been NESTING !!! Re-painting bedrooms and cleaning and rearranging and now we are ready to move our children in.
Tomorrow we go to read more about them and see pictures and discuss a transition period..
We just hope it won't be too long before we have them move in and get them settled and our 2 accepting them as their sister and brothers...

Watch this space!

Ryans final day..

2009-07-24T23:49:00.000-07:00

My Blue Eyed Boy RYAN!
Ryan with buddies, Scotty and Daniel

Outside playing.

Sweet and cheerful Ryan

Great friend Melissa

Beautiful flowers from The Pipitones
Plant from Connie and Russ

Aunt Edith with Ryan

Gramma Ann with Ryan

The Pipitones
(sweet family)

Denise and Tony

Aunt Connie

Sherri

Gramma feeding her face

Smiley Aunt Edith

Mr Thane

Pam and Karen... Pretty Women!

Great Neighbors The Turcotts

Mr Kirk the Master Chef

Our sweet blue eyed boy left us today to go live with new foster parents and his brother..

Bitter sweet really... He needed to be with his brother but we didn't want to lose him..

We had some friends and family over for a BBQ and to say goodbyes....

I will sure miss my little boy...

Cream or not...???

2009-07-23T20:56:00.001-07:00

After licking it off....
Ha ha ha ha.. Jacoby LOVED when Daddy squirted him with whipping cream!

Sholann THOUGHT it was funny until Daddy squirted her face.. Miss Attitude!

Brianna with a runny nose! YUK!

Delicious cup cakes from sweet Sis Whatcott...

Daddy decided that the kids wanted cream on their FACE and NOT on their dessert!

Pool fun

2009-07-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

The pyramid of life!!!!
giggling their heads off...

Jacoby and Ryan.

Sholann and daddy.. something tickled her...

Jacoby

Ryan dancing on the water.. lol

WOW.. look at Sholann fly through the air..

We were very thankful to use the McGonagills pool today.

Cancer Free still

2009-07-20T12:27:00.000-07:00

Mathew and I went to see Dr Nabong, his Oncologist today and were told the bloodwork came back great indicating NO CANCER!!!

In 3 months he will have more bloodwork done, a colonoscopy and a Catscan and if all comes back clear they will take his port out...........

We are thrilled to hear this news as we know it could have turned out very differently...

Thank you to everyone for the continued Prayers.. Please keep them coming...

Thank you

Maxine and Mathew

Fun times with family..

2009-07-14T23:55:00.001-07:00

The girls..
David and his FLIP!

The 10 ton whale........

Handsome Austin..

Cousin Dave and hubby Mathew

Daddy/ Nephew dance! lol

They fought over the Brides garter!!!

Boys will be boys!

Cousin Dave surprising us all, especially his Mom, Aunt Peggy..

The Trash Man... Jacoby helping clean up at the reception.

Another wedding... Malisa and Alex...

2009-07-14T23:45:00.000-07:00

The Bridesmaids..
Alex, Malisa and my Mother-in-law..

The CA cousins.. Joe and Lori

silly Kathy, Alex, Malisa and Jim..

Mr and Mrs Nishijima

What a fun week it has been with weddings to go to.

Congratulations Malisa and Alex.. It was a beautiful wedding

Our family from CA came to stay with us so our hotel was FULL.... 10 extra bodies but a whole lot of laughter and fun... Our cousin David surprised us by "popping" down from Utah..

Happy 4th July..

2009-07-06T15:40:00.000-07:00

Our sweet nephew John and his beautiful bride Adriana with their wonderful family came to our ward breakfast with us... YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Arrington Clan..
Our 5 children
(1 was visiting his brother)

Christopher who just turned 4

Savannah aged 2

Sholann aged 4

3 little angels.. (sometimes)

I may be British and I know you Americans celebrate your Independence from us

BUT REALLY........ We let you guys GO!!!..

Outta here with ya......lol lol

Happy 4th July to all my family and friends in the USA!

We went to church for a wonderful ward breakfast..

Our Nephews and Nieces went with us also.... as they spent the weekend with us..

We all dressed in the red, white and blus colors..

(Note.. I do not put a U in color!)

Nephews wedding..

2009-07-06T15:32:00.000-07:00

Grandma Ann with Sholann
The newly weds..

Amalie and Jimmie..

Mr and Mrs Jimmie Arrington

Our Nephew Jimmie married his sweetheart Amalie on the 3rd July.. It was a beautiful wedding in the Mesa Temple where we witnessed their Eternal marriage ceremony..

Congratulations to you both...

Christophers b'day

2009-07-06T15:26:00.002-07:00

He LOVES Oreo cookies....

Our foster son turned 4 yea!!!!!!!!!!

We decided to celebrate by swimming and having cake and icecream.....

California

2009-06-30T22:04:00.000-07:00

The beautiful sunset on our way home to AZ

Sharon, Joon and sweet Jada

The clan plus the clan!

My family.. Mathew, Jacoby, Sholann and of course an extra one.. Jada

My Big boy Jacoby

Making sure Sholann stayed in the water!

Jacoby introducing Sho to the Ocean..

Then running out leaving her screaming..

Mathew and I took Jacoby and Sholann to San Diego to Sea World..... The foster children went to Respite.................. We were not dragging 3 little ones around! Sholann was a pain as she didn't like this and didn't like that.. Could not go on the rides so one of us had to stay off. She HATED the ocean totally!!! What were we thinking...???

OH we were thinking that since this past year had been somewhat rough, we would go as out own little family to create memories for our children, Heaven forbid Mathews cancer came back!

The weather was awesome though I must admit the humidity is NOT for me.. Give me this dry heat anyday... Sea world was great and the rides especially Journey to Atlantis was a blast!!!!!

Apart from the one time Jacoby and I got stuck on it for 1/2 hr when it broke down!!! lol lol

We loved Shamu and the otter and sea lion shows etc etc.. One night we sat in the soak zone and YES we got soaked to the bone!!! FUN!! The things we do for our kids..

Sholann cried! Jacoby loved it...... Our kids are very different...

We took the kids to the beach on the last day and Jacoby introduced his sister to the Ocean..

Ummmmmmmmmm... she hated it... Complained that the water had salt in it.. hee hee hee

Jacoby being the brat of a brother decided that after taking Sho into the ocean ..... running out and leaving her there was a cause for laughter.. It was kind of funny.. Mean but funny..

We met with our friends, Sharon and Joon and their beautiful daughter Jada before we came home.. It was a perfect end to our vacation..

The journey to and from CA was great.. no mishaps and no being held up at the border.. Needless to say I did NOT speak for fear they keep me.... I did have my greencard with me though!!!!

All in all, a wonderful trip that I think we ALL so needed and deserved....

Thanks to our Respite families for taking care of our 4 children who sadly got left behind!!!

Roll on next summer.. Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!

and life goes on.......

2009-06-17T19:20:00.000-07:00

RYAN's 9th birthday
The Turcott boys
Uncle Rusty, Aunt Connie cousin Alisha and our gang..

My 9 yr old blue eyed boy!!

Sholann had FOUR shots today at her 4 yr check up and

did NOT cry.. She got 2 stars for her chart!!

The pool kids...

My handsome healthy looking hubby Mathew..

Things could have been so very different this year but thanks to chemo and meds he is in remission.... Way to go Babe!!

Daddy pretended to TRIP into the pool to get a laugh out of the kids.. NOT!!

They should stood there in disbelief... hee hee hee

This past week as much the same as last.. Nothing grandeur happening but RYAN did have a wonderful vacation with his brother and foster parents who were sweet enough to take him..

We celebrated his 9th b'day on Sunday with his cousin and Aunt and Uncle.. The Turcotts came over also... We have thoroughly enjoyed having Ryan in our lives these past 6 months as he is such a positive child and upbeat.. Always willing to do anything for you.. My blue eyed boy!!!

Jacoby hit his 60 star mark which allowed him to choose a restaurant of his choice to go to with just Mommy and Daddy!!!! His choice was The Golden Corral...... apart from the many obese children and adults there the food was scrummy and he devoured several goodies.. A little at a time because I cannot stand to see piled high plates of food!!!

It was so nice to have one on one with our Son .. We even paid for Sholann to go to daycare for the day so we could just be with him alone..

The other 2 kids Ryan and Brianna are closing in on getting their choice of restaurant to go to.. and share one on one with Mommy and Daddy..

The star CHORE chart has really helped as there has been hardly any whining at all about doing their chores.. GREAT!!!!

We took the children to Brimhall last Saturday to swim and it was wonderful as there were hardly any people there.. So glad we went and we all had a very fun time... Sholann and Christopher are learning to swim.. YEA!!! Savannah just hangs out in the zero entrance part kicking at the water and pretending to be a shark!!!

I am loving the summer break as it gives us opportunities to have some fun and spend time together..

We wish you all a very fun and safe summer...

weekly update

2009-06-09T21:25:00.000-07:00

My clan
I am REALLY slacking here!!! Sorry... Mind you, no news is good news..!

School is out and there is swimming, summer school, daycare, sleepovers and tomorrow

RYAN goes to DISNEYLAND.. his brother Max's foster parents asked if they could take him with them.. How could I say no?? He's all packed and ready to go..

The funny thing was I asked him if he wanted to go to Disneyland with Max and his new foster parents...... His reply was "yeah ok"... Um if someone asked me if I wanted to go I'd be running around shouting with glee.. lol lol.. He told me he was scared he might get lost there.. It feels weird having him leave without us.. afterall he IS MY SON!!! foster or not I will worry about him until he comes home safe!

Have a fandazziduzzi time Ryan...

Gratitude..

2009-06-03T20:52:00.000-07:00

How often do we think about WHAT WE HAVE?...
Today, I was thinking about this past year and all it brought into our lives.. Did it build me up or knock me down? I would not change this past year apart from losing people close to me yet remembering how GRATEFUL I am to still have Mathew here with us..
We play pool and go shopping together. We take time out to just be US sometimes by watching a movie while the kids are in bed.. Silly things that just bring us closer together..
We have wonderful family and friends.. We have the Gospel and callings... OH actually Mathew needs a calling now he is well.. HELLO BISHOPRIC!!!! lol lol
Our neighborhood is fantastic along with our school that the children love attending..
Food on our plates and beds to sleep in.. We are trying to teach our children that when they say their Prayers to make them full of gratitude rather than asking for this and asking for that..
These are troubled times but we can feel safe no matter what so long as we are prepared and doing all that we should be doing.. There should be no fear..

Enough said...... Mathew is on a "one on one" with Jacoby getting free root beer floats from Sonic.
THANK YOU Sonic.. see......... another thing to be grateful for... lol

Great meeting with my Scouts!!

2009-06-01T20:37:00.000-07:00

We had a day camp with the Webelos (10 yr olds) and we had a blast.. This is perhaps one of the most fun callings to have..

We made our Profile scrapbooks, soap, string art, firelighters and clay models...

7 boys and alot of fun.. Rebecca who is my co-aide is amazing and "so with it".. Makes teaching these cub scouts a joyous job!

Sorry !!!!!!!!!!

2009-05-28T22:25:00.000-07:00

Daddy, Savannah, Christopher
Trying to get Savannah to NOT scream each time we took her into the pool!

My clan minus two!

Yet another week has passed by and I've just not found time to update..

Weird, how when Mathew was so sick I found time hourly to update but now he's well I just find myself so busy! Really I have just forgotten to update so there is no excuse.

Thankfully our lives are wonderful at the Arrington homestead...

The children are out on summer break ! YAHOOOOOO... loving it.. It is so nice to be more relaxed and less routine going on. We've partied, had BBQs, swam, played games..

(Monopoly seems to be the highlight of our kids and Mathews day)

We've played endless games of pool.... had friends over and been to friends houses.. Summer is going to be alot of fun.

Kids are earning their STARS for doing chores...... when they get to 60 stars they get to choose a restaurant to go to with daddy and I.... Thought it would be nice to have some one on one with each child.

Sleepovers are starting so we will need to buy endless supplies of goodies and popcorn..

Ryan starts summer school on Monday for a month and all 3 older kids are being enrolled in a summer recreation program for each afternoon.. NOT that they will be going every day.. But at least they will get to do some fun stuff... PLUS it will give Mathew and I a few hours of peace..

even though Sholann will be tagging along and you never know she might get a play date every once in a while also...

Apart from this... life is going well and we look forward to some sort of vacation in the next month or so.. Camping, CA, hopefully get to a resort like the Westin....

I wish everyone a happy and safe summer...

Where did this past week go?

2009-05-20T21:05:00.000-07:00

Time seems to be flying by..
I have been hobbling around still and trying to go here, there and everywhere to keep up with the children..... and trying to win at POOL!!! By the way I slaughtered Mathew a few days ago.. Best I have ever played.. Before we played I told him" PREPARE TO DIE " never dreamed I would literally kill him at the game! lol lol

Mathews energy is coming back slowly but surely which I am grateful for.. He helps SO much with the children and I feel like I am finally getting a much deserved break!
The children all finish school tomorrow which I am TOTALLY excited about.. It's going to be a blast doing fun things and creating memories with them..
Life is good and I'm grateful for everything in my life..

Will update again soon..

OUCH!!!!!

2009-05-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

Can't really tell it's swollen or bruised much BUT I thought you might like to see the stubs I was born with!!!!!!
SO... this blog has gone from covering Mathew during his bout of cancer to all my aches and pains!!

Last night our 3 yr old was doing somersaults at 9pm still in his bedroom.. I went upstairs to see what on earth all the "thudding" was........ It was him..

I brought him downstairs so I could keep an eye on him and in the process coming downstairs he decided to throw a dicky fit and slammed his feet on the step catching my little toe!!!!!!!!!!

I heard the CRACK before I felt the throbbing!!!!!!!

As I took the next stair I almost fell down and buckled with the pain....

Needless to say my little boy fell promptly to sleep while I laid awake alot with the throbbing of each heart beat in my toe!!!!!

Today it is swollen and bruising. I can hardly put any pressure on it and the pain is just TOO MUCH!!!!

Who decides to make these stinking HUGE tablets???

2009-05-12T22:30:00.000-07:00

Ok. I have H Pylori and I have to take all these meds for it... I can't swallow them... don't even tell me to crush them.. put them in apple sauce... eat with bread or crackers... put them at the back of my throat!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just cannot swallow tablets...
The Dr gave me a second lot of tablets PYLERA as he thought they might be easier to swallow.... They are 1 inch long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! stinking huge......... AND I have to take THREE..... FOUR times a day!
What the heck are they thinking when they make these tablets? So.. ..I try and I gag... If I'm lucky enough to get it down my gullet it decides to come straight back up into the sink......!!
Not a happy camper right now.....AYE AYE AYE !!!!!!!!!!!
I've always dreaded getting sick and having to take meds that are NOT in liquid form...
Anyone know a Hypnotist!???????? lol lol

Happy Mothers Day

2009-05-10T14:01:00.000-07:00

Sholann, Christopher and Savannah
Jacoby, Brianna and Ryan

My group of 6 kids...

Mathew and I gave talks today at our Church during Sacrament meeting... He wanted me to take time as he didn't think he could talk for too long.. So I left him 6 minutes!!!! lol lol

The children were excited to dress up and go to Church.. Thanks to the Pecks and Waltons for taking care of our brood while we entertained you all!!!!!!!!

The 3 meetings were great and I am so happy that we all got to go and participate in the meetings...

Our baby girl is FOUR!!!!

2009-05-08T11:57:00.000-07:00

4 TODAY ! May 08 2009

AGE 5mths..

Jacoby, Daddy and Sholann

Sholann, Mommy and Jacoby

Being COOL!
Peek a boo...

Sholann loves to dress up

Posing.... SWEET!

Smile please!

Sholann turned 4 today and was so excited to take a pink heart cake to school to share with her classroom buddies.

The excitement grew as the kids especially big brother Jacoby egged her on about being FOUR!!!!! Such a BIG girl now..

We have had Sholann since she was 5 months old and she came to us as a foster child thanks to our friend Summer....

We adopted her in November 2006 on the same day our dear friends The Carneys adopted some children.. It was a great day for all...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHOLANNIE !!!!!!!!!!!!! xxxx

All Done !!!!!!!!!

2009-05-07T21:55:00.000-07:00

The colonoscopy went much better than I expected... With Mathew's going the way his did.. The pain and code blue call scared me somewhat. Mine went well.. Dr Kaiser was awesome and the staff at Gilbert Surgi center were excellent...

They found 3 polyps (not cancerous) and I have H Pylori !!!! Some meds should take care of that... They took pictures of my insides... Colon, stomach and esophagus..... Yes they went UP and DOWN !!!!!!!!

I'm so relieved there was no Cancer. We have dealt with enough this year...

GHASTLY..........

2009-05-06T22:54:00.000-07:00

Ok peeps.......... this was one of the worst days ever......... this foul, disgusting salt water tasting solution was just too much to bear. Having had a couple of pukes and 100 poops I am going to try to go to bed to get some much needed rest!

For anyone out there that is getting a COLONOSCOPY in the near future............

RUN LIKE THE CLAPPERS..................however we ALL need to do this sometime in our life and with them finding Mathew colon cancer by doing one I think it really is the

BEST THING TO DO!

We will update tomorrow on the outcome of mine.. Fingers crossed all will be well...

The SOLUTION !!!!!!!

2009-05-06T10:16:00.000-07:00

Today I have to start drinking the yukky solution to "clean me out" in preparation for the Colonoscopy tomorrow........... YUKKY!!!!!! Needless to say I will be home all day but you'd best NOT come visit!!! lol
OOPS!!!!!!!! gotta goooooooooooooo!

Everything Comes Down to Poo

2009-05-06T10:13:00.001-07:00

Weekend catch up..

2009-05-04T20:19:00.000-07:00

Ryan the helper..
Jacoby building his own firepit

Weirdo George

Daniel munching..

Jacoby and buddy Scott

Mathew was up to taking Jacoby and Ryan on the campout with our ward this Friday until Saturday and they had a blast.. ME. I got to stay home and look after the 4 other kids. Brianna got an invite to a b'day party on Saturday so she had some excitement too this past weekend..

I have decided that I do NOT like to be left home alone... The fact that I LOVE to camp didn't help matters either.

Saturday night we took the children to our neighborhood Movie at the park night... The weather was beautiful and it was so nice to hang out with the people in our neighborhood.. The movie was ok too.. National Treasure... free popcorn, soda and water.. How about that?????????

Sunday I stayed home with Jacoby who had thrown up several times the night before and continues to have fevers... (had them for over 2 weeks now on and off) We are just a bunch of sickos here...

Brianna, our foster daughter got up in Sacrament to bear her Testimony which I was thrilled to hear about but very sad I wasn't there to listen to her... There's always another time...

Ryan had a visit with his Grandmother and Aunt that he hadn't seen in many years but sadly came home confused so we needed to give him extra cuddles and let him know he is safe.

Apart from that it was a great weekend and we managed to have some "one on ones" with our kids...

Need help?????????

2009-05-01T22:08:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about Domestic violence over the past few weeks and decided to put in my own two penneth worth... As most of you know, We are foster parents and have had over 40 children come into our home over the past 6 1/2 years!

Some have come with many emotional issues due to actions of their care givers..

Some with head lice and dirty bodies .. Some withdrawing from drugs and alcohol...Some with broken bones........ and ALL come with BROKEN SPIRITS!

What we don't understand is that it doesn't take a broken arm or seizures caused from a drug related incident to affect our children..

Even in-utero our babies can sense the emotions of the outside world... being delivered "healthy" but having "Reactive Attachment Disorder" because it doesn't take being abandoned at birth but before the onset of labor!

Our children sense not being wanted... the vibes from mom go to baby.

Worse still is when we WANT children..when we are EXCITED about our new arrival..

We are a FAMILY........ yet there are other ways of making our children feel "UNSAFE"..

Domestic violence is rife... Sexual abuse and child molestation is happening to even tiny babies!!! Pornography is rampant..

When is enough enough???

When do we leave a relationship that is violent?

Who do we turn to?

Where do we go?

There are so many women being battered every day (men also) but dare not leave their partner because they have been broken down so badly and blamed constantly and belittled, threatened, that they feel they cannot or dare not leave for fear of the repercussion from the abuser..

What we need to remember is the CHILD.. The innocent little person who witnesses the terror on mommys face, hears the screams coming from another room... Tries to save mommy from daddys fist! Watches in terror as mommy gets thrown to the floor while begging for YOU to ******STOP******

How dare we as Parents bring these children into this world and then submit them to such violence?? SHAMEFUL!

The sad thing is, is that it doesn't just happen in HIS home or HER home!!!!! It happens in OUR homes.. .. day in and day out..

Men who treat their wives in this manner (especially LDS men) need help and fast.

Pornography is a problem with even the best of Saints!

Men seeking other women OUTSIDE of their marriage (women also) need to STOP now and get help TODAY!

As mothers my plea is that if you are in such a marriage and you think your children are "too young" to understand what is going on... THINK AGAIN! You are destroying these children..

We have to do what is in the best interest of our children.... we cannot submit them to such violence as this will scar them for life in many ways..

There are people you can turn to, places you can go and for those of us that are LDS you go to your BISHOP and you ask for help... You don't leave until you get the help you need..

Do not defend your adult son or daughter if they are in the wrong..... Don't tell them what they want to hear because you are afraid they won't "like you or talk to you" anymore..

The abuser will blame others for everything, they will lie to your face and deny all that they are doing, they will make excuse after excuse about their actions, they will make empty promises,

They WILL HURT you again....... GET OUT while you can... Too many abusive relationships end up in DEATH!

Please, if you are either the abuser or the abused GET HELP... If you don't do it for yourselves do it for the CHILDREN..

Domestic violence is not only PHYSICAL and Sexual violence but also Psychological.

This means intense repetitive degradation, creating ISOLATION and controlling the actions or behaviors of the spouse... through INTIMIDATION or MANIPULATION to the detriment of the individual...

When life gets tough!

2009-05-01T18:43:00.000-07:00

I was pondering today about the trials in life that we ALL get to go through during our time here on Earth............. Some of us "get through them" without too much hostility and anger and woe is me type thinking.. Some of us crack easily and "give up full of despair" thinking "we can just NOT go on" We blame others, we turn our own guilt around and put it on someone elses shoulders.. We lie, cheat and make others think our problems are because of someone else......

What a sad, lonely life we would have if we chose the latter.. We need to put on the Armor of God and walk, head up high yet kneel on bended knee, Praying for strength to get through the trials and tribulations.. Be staunch in our callings and put Satan aside, instead of becoming weaker in our Testimonies grab the trial, learn to love them and move forward growing stronger daily and dealing with all that is dealt to us. I am tired of people who continue to Blame others for ones actions, to make out that their life is better than ours, that they don't understand line again! here comes the WOE IS ME again...

Men... honor your wives and Wives ..respect your husbands.. IF they are doing what they should be doing .........."ALL that Heavenly Father would have us do".. Then this is a time to draw closer to one another, closer than ever before.. To help strengthen each other, Build each other up and not knock each other down.. Accept our own faults and repent of our own wrongdoings.. Quit passing the book without reading and learning from what is on the pages....... Go the extra mile "To do unto others as you would have them do unto you."..
Our children are the ones that suffer along with us.. the air full of emotional stress, the speaking in loud voices that scare our children, the belittling of each other, the disrespect towards one another.. How do we expect our children to grow up healthy and strong, both in mind and Spirit if we their tutors don't follow counsel of those that try to teach us all about the great gifts from God that are offered..

Put our selfish feelings aside and love one another, show our children the affection and love that grows abundantly in our homes.. Make our homes a safe haven for those we supposedly love and cherish..

Sundays are NOT about going to Church in our pretty Sunday dresses and fine twine suits.. faces adorned with smiles from ear to ear..... just to return home and start the maliciousness and back biting all over again.....

We ALL go through trials and it is often those closest to us that we continue to hurt..
Time to STOP and take a long lingering look at Who we are... What we are.? ...

Today is the time to START afresh and move forward, REPENT when we need to and STOP being fake..
These are the last days and we need to encircle each other and not leave anyone outside!
We are all given the gift of being a Shepherd.... There is something in ALL of us that we can offer to others and TODAY is the time to START!

Wow........... I feel better now that I have put down my thoughts.. I think they call it THERAPY!!!!!
I Pray we can all try to have faith and move forward with love in our hearts for those we live with... Tone our voices down and raise our Spirits up...
Thank you............

Sweet treat!

2009-04-28T19:32:00.000-07:00

Becky.......
Oh YUMMMMMMY !

My Visiting Teacher brought me over a Strawberry yogurt parfait( think that's what it was called) Delicious and yum yum yum.. Thank you Becky..

Thank you to my other Visiting Teacher for having me called into SCOUTS! You little stinker you.. Actually thanks Melanie as I think I'm going to love it....

First day as Den Leader...

2009-04-28T19:27:00.000-07:00

I went to the first meeting tonight with the Webelos......... The boys were great and and I know we are going to have alot of fun times................... Thank you to Brothers Rettew and Williams for all the help with your mechanical minds tonight...

A Tribute to Susan Turley

2009-04-27T21:45:00.001-07:00

Lemonademakers.blogspot.com
For those of you that may have followed the "story" of Susan Turley, there is a new posting on their website created by her brother. BEAUTIFUL......... Just wanted to let you know.....

Our Sunday guests!

2009-04-27T13:34:00.000-07:00

The BIRTHDAY BOY !
Making a wish!

Here comes the cake.....

Sweet friends Marjorie and David..

Today after church we had our friends David and Marjorie come over to have a meal with us and spend time together.. (It's his 67th b'day tomorrow... MONDAY)It was WONDERFUL.. David is going through chemo also for colon cancer..Next week , after taking a break from chemo he will start up again to reduce the size of the lymph nodes.. Our Prayers go out to him and his wife.. This has been an ongoing struggle for many years. He needs to be cut a break like Mathew!!!!!!! Please keep David and Marjorie in your Prayers.... We met them at the Ironwood cancer treatment center this last year. They are from England so it is fantastic to have gotten to know them. They will always be a part of our family and our lives. It's fun having BRITs around!...

Our Home teachers (from church, they come every month to visit our family) came this afternoon and gave a wonderful lesson.. Kirk visits DAILY!!!!!!!!!!!

Then later while sitting outside watching Mathew fly his plane we had a visit from the Dayleys... On their bikes as usual... Couldn't let them go without a treat... They too are our adopted family... We just love everyone!

The company was great today along with the meal.. Kids behaved apart from Savannah pulling off our entire stock of roses!!!!!!!! That kid!

Life is good and can only get better. Sundays are a day to reflect on Christ and how important He is in our lives.. May we all endure to the end...

High Cholesterol.....

2009-04-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

It's back..... darn it... My dad died aged 56 of a massive heart attack due to clogged arteries... NOT something I want to do.... Now I REALLY have to watch my diet....
Cholesterol 250 HIGH
Triglycerides 172 HIGH
HDL 41
LDL 175 HIGH

I will be taking Lipitor as that is what my insurance will pay for!

FANTASTIC NEWS.... CANCER FREE....

2009-04-24T13:18:00.000-07:00

Just to let everyone know that Mathews Oncologist told us today that looking at the Catscan and the bloodwork results indicate NO CANCER!!!!!!!!! Mathew no longer needs anymore Chemo.. He will get checked up on every 3 months.. YIPPEEEEEEEEEEE.. This has been a somewhat long road but full of many many blessings.. We can not thank you all enough for the wonderful people you are.. Our family and friends.. THANK YOU for your support, love, Prayers, encouragement, GOODIES!!!!!!!!!!!!...lol

We are SO happy to be back in this awesome ward with our FAMILY... In our neighborhood with our wonderful neighbors... Talk about blessings!!!!! I would NOT change any of the last 8 months because it has helped us to grow Spiritually.. (Oh and PHYSICALLY)..Our trials are sent to strengthen us and build us up to become stronger and mighty warriors... to endure all that has gone and all that is to come.. We want to be faithful servants to our Heavenly Father who loves us and wanted us to come through this with a firmer belief of the Gospel.. How do people endure so much without the knowledge of the Gospel?

I hope Mathew and I can be of service to others, to remember all the help we got and that we can pay it forward........

Thank you all again from the bottom of our hearts for everything ...

Maxine x

Well done Jacoby 5th Grade!

2009-04-24T13:11:00.000-07:00

Mrs Lira... Jacobys 4th grade Teacher who he loved (and still loves)
Jacoby with Scott Walton..Both made Academics night!
Daniel Peck made it too but he dashed off somewhere!!

On the BIG SCREEN!

Jacoby with his Pin....we'll keep it and the pamphlet for his baby box!

My BIG BOY !!!!!!!!

I went to Jacobys Academic night last night.... What a great kid and I am soooooooooooo thankful he is MY son.... He has had straight A's the last 3 quarters so he was one of the 40 who made it out of the entire 5th grade classes...... YIPPEEEEEE.... Can you tell we are proud of him....?

Afterwards we took the boys to WENDYs for a treat!

Daniel turns SEVEN today

2009-04-21T13:07:00.000-07:00

He was our Monkey boy!
Sweet Dan aged 3

Getting ready for Vacation

Ready for church!

Sholanns ADOPTION DAY !
Daniel came to us as a foster child when he was only 3 months old.. Sunburnt from head to toe and still withdrawing from Alcohol..

Bathed him, lotioned him and put new clothes on him and VOILA!!!! A perfect baby boy...

Daddy came home and kissed him all over and he stole our hearts.. We raised this little boy from then until just over a year ago when he was 5 1/2 years old.

He was our ADHD kid with rages but we never stopped loving him as our own.. The Salt River Tribe took him away from us and left us broken hearted and to this day we NEVER give up hope that we will get to see him again even if it is many years down the road..

I loved him as my own and the family love him still and we miss him terribly..

We Pray for him that he can find comfort in his memories of us that he will learn some day that we ALWAYS loved him and ALWAYS will..

Today I pray that anyone who reads this will remember Dan Dan in their Prayers that today if nothing else he will feel our love for him..

WE MISS YOU DANIEL x

Mathew's CAT SCAN...

2009-04-21T12:59:00.000-07:00

Trying to be serious!
Daddy and Son... chilling

Today, Mathew went for his Catscan to see if there is any new cancer.... We are praying that all is well and that the bloodwork and results from today come back clear so that he can be finished with Chemo.... On Friday, we go to see the Oncologist, Dr Nabong who will hopefully have some wonderful news for us.. I will update then.. Thank you for the continued Prayers on his behalf...

Time to let the bunnies go wild!!!

2009-04-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

Daily rations of salad and goats milk!
Sweet baby... soooooooo cute..

This is Baby.. he will give kisses
Baby and his brother..

This morning, Mathew and I decided it was time to let the rabbits we rescued....GO !!! It was so sad as one of them gives kisses and is pretty tame.... Oh well... let's hope they make it and I will leave food out and water JUST IN CASE they stay on our front!

Time will tell.. This bunny rescue is CLOSED!!

Great family reunion...

2009-04-20T13:15:00.000-07:00

Remembering to take a picture of the 2 of us!
Great cousins... Kenny and Carolyn with Mathew

Despite still being sick, we met up with family for a wonderful reunion this weekend....

Can't beat family..... It was great food, great fun and great family...

The kids had a blast as we had inflatables set up including a rock climbing wall...

On Sunday we met up again for an ice cream social at Ketas.. then Darla, Ben and the girls came back to our house to eat and visit for HOURS!!!!! It was such fun..

I soooooooo look forward to feeling healthy again and able to enjoy life.. This has been a very slow process of getting back to full health but it's coming I HOPE!

Thank you RS...

2009-04-16T20:25:00.000-07:00

YUMMY
I was delighted tonight when Lisa Ford took the time to come visit the "sick" and bringing with her 3 plates of goodies.. I actually ate for the first time in days.. A croissant roll with delicious filling and some chocolate covered strawberries!!!!!!!!!!!!! I tell you..... This ward is awesome!

Mama Bear sick

2009-04-16T19:48:00.000-07:00

Poor me....
Life sucks ! well BAD health does I mean !

Gosh, What a dreadful week of sickness... ON Sunday I was NOT feeling good and all night Sunday I was awake with the worst cough and aching body EVER!!!

It totally knocked me for six and today I am trying to get up and about again to start getting a LIFE!!!!!!! Just the terrible flu and a cough that I believe will stay with me throughout Eternity!

Don't ask about my kids or hubby this week.. I have no idea what has gone on nor do I care! They are still alive which proves daddy did a great job... lol lol

I feel like the last 8 months of caring for Mathew finally caught up with me as I relaxed because HE was feeling better... Now it is MY turn.....

Thank you to everyone that checked up on me.. Madero ward comes through yet again.. This is the most awesome ward and I think we should change it from "Madero" ward to "Zion 1st" ward!

The love and support is endless and I can only hope when I am back up on my feet, that I can reach out to my fellow members and be there for them.. YOU !

Our Easter flowers...

2009-04-12T22:09:00.000-07:00

Beautiful vase of our home grown roses
They smell as beautiful as they look.

Mathew picked these roses from our front and back yards!! They smell divine..

Dressed for Easter..

2009-04-12T22:04:00.000-07:00

Sholann ready to go to Church
Sweet Sho Sho....
Our darling children Jacoby and Sholann

Jacoby---Daddy---Sholann

Sholann---Mommy---Jacoby

We decided to take a picture before we headed out to church!

Easter egg hunt

2009-04-12T21:52:00.000-07:00

All tuckered out....Uncle Jeff..
Savannah with her full basket

Christopher with is full basket

He was finding a ton of them... Slow down kiddo..

Jacoby telling Savannah she was doing a good job..

Found it Mommy..
Brianna helping Savannah!

Go kids Goooooooo

Jacoby being such a great Big Brother..

Running in!

The Easter bunny came bringing gifts today rather than tons of candy!

The older 3 decided that the little ones needed to do an egg hunt so we got a ton of plastic eggs from last year and put ONE piece of candy in each one. The 3 older ones then hid them all in the formal living room.. Later we brought the 3 younger ones in to do their Easter egg hunt and what fun it was.........Even Uncle Jeff got into it!!!!!!!!!!! lol

Wonderful Easter Day...

2009-04-12T21:40:00.000-07:00

Our sweet girls
The Clan

Finishing our delicious Ham and Potato meal..

Mathew and Donna getting started..

Today, we were all able to make it to church despite me not feeling to well when I woke up..

Thanks to the Roberts for saving a seat for us......... AGAIN!

Sacrament was so uplifting thanks to the wonderful talks given by the Whatcotts and the most beautiful Angelic choir that sang as if Angels... Amazing.........

Sadly though during Sacrament I started to feel worse and worse and felt like I couldn't breathe too well and my throat was so sore and my head pounded..

Thanks to Melissa AGAIN !!! Mathew took me home to get meds and try to relax a little before I was able to cook a ham and potato dinner for our dear friends Jeff and Donna.

The cough started and got deeper and deeper into my chest until by tonight I am feeling like

BLAH !

We did however have a great visit with friends and now I retire to my bed so I can hope to get a good nights sleep...

Happy Easter to all and may we always reflect on the life of our SAVIOR and bring Him into our lives and to those around us..

Joe and Melissa's wedding day!

2009-04-12T00:22:00.000-07:00

Happily married
putting the ring on her finger!!!!!

Daddy and his daughter

The groom to be!!!!!!!!!!

Two great guys.. Joe and his Uncle Mathew

Saturday, Mathew and I went to our nephews wedding in Queen Creek.

Mathews family(brothers and Sister) forgot their camera so luckily we took ours. I tried to snap a few pictures.. It was a wonderful but different wedding and it was nice to get a couple of hours of freedom from our clan!!!!!!!

I am slacking.............

2009-04-11T21:35:00.000-07:00

GOLFLAND

A wonderful day of fun to remember..
Ready for Golf..

A group picture after the Bumper Boat ride..

The 3 boys after the egg hunt!

Meeting Mr Bunny

Wow....... where did this past week go????? Flew by..

Just lots of kids over to play and tummies to feed...

Mathew is doing great and seems to have a little more energy each day.. Still NOT able to work yet but there is hope finally.. I'm just happy that he is able to get up each day and have some fun....This Thurs thru Fri, we were able to have the Nunes boys come stay with us and take them to GOLFLAND with us and 4 of our 6 children thanks to AASK getting us a FREE day pass...

We hung out with friends.. Jean and her family for the whole day and the kids had a total BLAST..

They were able to get a FREE Easter egg hunt, arcade games to play. laser tag, bumper boats, minature golf and the slides at Golf Land... We spent 8 hours there and it was FUN........

Today, Saturday we went to a nephews wedding in Queen Creek and met up with a ton of family members, ate good food and came home. We actually went on our own with each other and Melissa Peck babysat... YEA!!!!!!!! 2 1/2 hrs freetime! THANKYOU friend...

I took 107 pictures at the wedding and decided I want to be a photographer.. I have always loved taking pictures but MATHEW has never bought me a decent camera... I used to love to develop my own films years ago...!!!!

Anyway.... it was a great day and tomorrow we are having friends over to celebrate Easter Sunday with us. AFTER CHURCH of course!

Enjoy the pictures..

He's looking good !!!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-06T22:55:00.000-07:00

Feeling GOOD !!!!!!!!!

Mathew has had quite a lot more energy of late due to not having the chemo.. He managed to do 7 rounds but after getting so sick, Dr Nabong gave him more time off...

On April 9th he goes for a Renal ultrasound..

On April 17th, he goes to get a ton of bloodwork done.

On April 21st he goes for a Cat scan.

Then on April 24th we go to see Dr Nabong to get the results of all the tests to see if the cancer is still hanging around or if it has gone on vacation!!!!!

We will know on the 24th if Mathew needs to continue with the chemo or if he can stop it and just get checked every 3 months to keep an eye on what is or hopefully IS NOT going on...

He has come a long way since last being diagnosed Sept 08.. We can but continue to Pray for a full recovery and a LONG life ahead ..

Thank you to everyone for the Prayers, comforting words, phone calls and e-mails etc etc..To our Ward Family who have lifted us up and carried us through this trial.. Our neighbors who constantly "pop over" to check up on us.. Our friends and family members for the words of support and love.

To our Heavenly Father who knew we would grow from this trial and not weaken..

We stand stronger today as a couple than ever before. How could we not be grateful for the challenges we've endured? We are sooooooooooo thankful for this opportunity that we as a family have been able to pull closer to one another and to see the gratitude our children have been able to show to others for the love and support given to us all..

Our testimonies are stronger.. Our family unit is stronger...

Thank you ALL

FHE for the 4 of us...

2009-04-06T22:46:00.000-07:00

CRASH !!!!!
Aaaaaaaaaagggghhhhh... Flying through the air!

Superman Jacoby..

Belly flop Ryan..

Hi Mom.....

Brianna sadly had very past due homework to do and an early bedtime!! The 3 youngsters were in bed.. so the other 2 and us got to play on the obstacle course tonight before friends came over.. It was alot of fun despite me falling over like a drunk several times and crashing my teeth into the plastic that was only 1 inch from the ground! OUCH.. I decided that I am too old for stuff like this.. These ol' bones and joints don't work like they used to!

I missed a few days!!!!!!!

2009-04-06T22:26:00.001-07:00

Cousins Kenny and Carolyn
Sweet friend Melissa (she will kill me for this)

Eryn with Savannah, Sholann and Christopher

Nunes boys and Master Arrington!Goofy kids..

Those Walton kids, Pecky boy and my brood!

With being sick over the past few days I had not gotten around to blogging! Tut Tut..

However on Saturday and Sunday we had family over for BURNT BBQ!!!! Mathew also made homemade banana icecream..... yum yum Thanks Babe!!!!

The Pecks also popped over to visit with us...

Our kids plus a few extra neighbor kids had a blast on the slide yet again!!!!!!!!!!! Then we traded the slide for an obstacle course (inflatable).. courtesy of nephew Eddie again! Thanks

No more additions to our ever growing family... petwise!

The ones we have are doing great... Miss Pug is finally eating... Bunnies are growing fast and one jumped out of the bath tub and was checking out the loft for a couple of hours! ..The surviving TEN FISH are enjoying each others company and have decided to behave so they don't get transported to the loo and FLUSH........ AWAY WE GO !!!!!!!!!

Tonight, our friends Jeff and Donna came over to visit us and Mathew decided that telling jokes and cracking us all up was the highlight of the day.. Needless to say I have heard all of the jokes 472 times already!!!!!

Mathew and I later took a stroll to the mail box to pick up the JUNK MAIL and enjoyed the stars as we walked hand in hand back home. AWWWWWWWWW

The children are all safely tucked up in their beds, hopefully dreaming sweet dreams.

Tomorrow is a new day ... I hope it is a good one for all...

Aye aye aye...........

2009-04-02T15:34:00.000-07:00

The new TRIFLE BOWL comes in handy!

Note the NOTE from the Wicke's (Thomas)
Another bowl with 12 fish was delivered by early this morning..Left on our front porch!

Diapered up !

Hole for the tail

Trying to find the hole for the tail

Laying down like a baby

Time to put a diaper on..

20 fish.......................... all in total there was another bowl of 12 fish left on our front porch this morning!!! Thanks to Brother Thomas Wicke..... YOU my man are going to be "paid back"..

You are messing with Brits!!!!!!!! lol lol..

Then the stinking pug we rescued is now IN HEAT and bleeding YUK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mathew put a diaper on her so we could let her in the house.. If I've had a hysterectomy then SHE can....................

Enjoy the pictures..

Having fun!!!!!!!!!!! again!

2009-04-01T22:28:00.000-07:00

Aleck and Kennedy
Whooooooosh !

Mathew, Ryan, Aleck and Kennedy

The Wick Kids!!!

Go Debbie gooooooooooo

It was fun to have friends "pop over" and have fun on the slide.. Here are a few pictures.. Thank you to the Rettews for letting the kids come and play!

UPDATE !!!! actually EIGHT fish now !!!!

2009-04-01T20:18:00.000-07:00

They just keep on coming.. April fools day does finish at MIDNIGHT yes?????

The Wicks turned up with another fish, some Good and Plentys and 4 children that they decided to take home with them!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Something fishy is going on at the Arringtons...

2009-04-01T19:12:00.000-07:00

WELL......... It all started with Kirk Wilkinson when he brought over a fish in a baggy and a box of "Good and plenty" this afternoon... Giving us this sob story of how he could not look after this little guy anymore and he didn't want to flush him down the toilet!!! Please could we look after him as he knows how nice we are. tut tut.. I knew I was being sucked in..

Then we got another delivery from the Miners and Richins combined.. same old sob story..

Then when we were letting them out of the door there was another fish with Good and Plenty just inside our screen door!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then another door bell rang and hey presto yet another delivery and a sob story with the Good and Plenty box...it was the Waltons, Scott and mommy !

All having wonderful sob stories.. How could I NOT take these poor little fish? Afterall I was getting boxes of Good and Plenty!!!!

Then knock knock... here comes Eric Nielson with his sweet little sob story and took the fish and PLOP, straight into the bowl he/she went!

Then along comes little miss sweet Carey..... now there is NO WAY you can hurt a little girls feeling by rejecting this poor little fish!!!!!!!!! She said I could change the name if I wanted to!!!!!

THEN LAST BUT LEAST .... I HOPE.... comes along the BIG GUY himself! Thomas Wicke.

WHO by the way I am sure are the CULPRITS for this April Fools joke!!!!!!!!!!

This is just in addition to the TWO bunnies we rescued about 2 or 3 weeks ago from the desert... (Dropped off by the WICKES) as we couldn't let them be snake food... (my kids brought them home to mommy) Mathew went and picked up a Pug that was abandoned and the person couldn't keep her. The vet checked for a microchip and hey presto she has one...

BUT............... the phone numbers are disconnected and the house was empty and in foreclosure.

Now we get to FOSTER her for 30 days and if she is not claimed she will be ours OR we will be finding her a new home!!!!!!!!

7:33pm and signing off... Happy April Fools day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aprils fool !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-01T14:08:00.000-07:00

WHAT ??????????????

Mathew and I changed ALL the clocks last night putting them forward by 2 hours.. The kids normally wake up about 7am... This would make the time 9am!!!!

Jacoby came into our room and questioned us about the time.. Pretending not to be worried at all.. He knew it was not light enough to be 8am....... (6am really) he woke early!

Ummmmmmmmmmmm so I teased a bit then told Jacoby to go downstairs and tell Brianna "hurry up they were late for school" Kept Ryan with me as he was sooooooooo excited and would have let the cat out of the bag..

I had the boys go brush their teeth, shoes on and ready to leave any minute and by then Brianna was flipping her lid and getting very uptight and shouting!!!!!!!!!! She does NOT handle stress well I guess.....

Anyway I shouted her upstairs and when she walked into my room we all shouted April Fools!!!!!!!!!!!! Kinda funny as her face dropped then a smile came on her face and admitted we "got her"..

I couldn't let it end now so I figured I would have to "get them" somehow!

At 9am (really 7am) I told the kids that it was time to go for the bus... They said no way... it was only 7am not 8am because we had put the clocks forward TWO hours....

I asked them why had I made them clean their teeth and get shoes on earlier...

I told them we had put the clocks forward ONE hour early really and that we were joking we had put it forward TWO hours...

You should have seen them...

Asking all the time if I was joking... I told them if they didn't go now and started to sound desperate for them to get the bus, they would miss it... I convince them as they quickly grabbed their back packs and headed for the door.. I grabbed my CAMERA and followed them out and as I got out they were standing in the middle of the road looking up the road to see ALL the kids that would be there by now... Not one child was there yet...

OOPs................. I shouted to them "APRIL FOOLs.. and took the picture as they turned to look at me...

They were like a swarm of bees came running towards me with their stingers ready to fire at me.. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO funny......

Enjoy the picture and hope you had a great April Fool's day..................

the fun slide....................

2009-03-30T21:45:00.000-07:00

Daddy snatched the mattress they were on so they slid down without it! tee hee hee

Mathew chilling!

What a bunch!!!!!!!

Our sweet neighbors The Turcotts and Trevors dad...

We had a great weekend and had the fun slide delivered (thanks Eddie for loaning it to us) ...

Our kids plus neighbor kids have had a blast on it... Mathew and I even enjoyed it... Here are some pictures of the fun we had..

Straight A student.......

2009-03-27T22:57:00.000-07:00

Show off..... takes after his dad..
Straight A student... takes after his mom !!!!!

Darn it..................... Jacoby came home with straight A's again........ We originally said he would get $50 if he got straight A's and for most of the time he would get a B in there but not lately!!!!!!!! He was thrilled to bits and of course we are very PROUD of our boy...

Who does this TAIL belong to???

2009-03-27T22:54:00.000-07:00

We had a friend over and as she turned to go home I noticed her tail.... Looked too cute to NOT blog it!!!!

Guess who it belongs to.... CLUE= someone in our ward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A DATE !!!!!!!!!

2009-03-27T22:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Melissa, Mathew and I were able to go on a DATE tonight and we chose to go to the movies to see A Haunting in CT.... We ate candy, chocolate and GRAPES for our treats...lol
Not a great movie but so nice to be "kid free: for a couple of hours.. The second we walked in the door at home ALL 3 kids wanted to tell me this and tell me that.. I need to go see another movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol lol

Chemo update for Mathew

2009-03-25T21:57:00.000-07:00

HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today, we went to see Dr Nabong to talk about where we need to go from here.

We talked about how sick Mathew has been getting doing chemo lately and the times he has had to spend in the hospital after a session of chemo.. The problems with his kidneys and how scared Mathew got when this last time they mentioned he might have to go on dialysis because of the lack of kidney function..

The be all and end all is that Dr Nabong is having Mathew go in 3 weeks for a Catscan and bloodwork. Depending on the outcome of the results from both will determine if we need to go on with the chemo or not. Dr Nabong said that because Mathew gets so sick when he has the chemo it isn't a good idea to continue... I asked him what he would do.. He said, "I would STOP"

If Mathew truly is cancer free right now the chemo is doing more damage than good.

He had the 7 sessions and had a very bad time with it and continued none the less....

A month down the road will be our answer to our many Prayers...

We will update when we get the results back from doing all the tests and then we will move forward from that.

Thank you to all that have helped us get through this trial this far! We could not have been as positive as we've been without your love, support and Prayers. THANK YOU..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GASPAR

2009-03-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

My 3 little boys Ramon,Daniel and Gaspar
oh my heavens.. I SO remember taking these pictures when he came for a visit!!

Our little foster child of years ago turns 6 today..... We had him when he was just over 1 and now our friends have adopted him and he is doing GREAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are sooooo glad to still have him in our lives!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GASPAR

Sunday thru Tuesday

2009-03-24T12:41:00.000-07:00

Sleepy boys.....
Jacoby and Jada

Dr Strong (Sharon), Mathew and sweet Jada

Giggling Jada.. tooooooooooooo cute..

We had a wonderful Sunday, managing to get to church and enjoy the great talks by the Roberts family!!!

The Wilkinsons came over for cake (thanks you guys for taking time to visit)..

Later that night we got together around our firepit with the Turcotts and the Jensens and roasted marshmallows and had s'mores.... Thanks for coming over and sharing the fun with us..

Monday night we had Jacobys Pediatrician come over Dr Sharon Strong and her beautiful baby girl Jada.. (visiting from CA)

It was sooooooooooooooooo good to catch up and share memories of the "good old times"

Jada had alot of fun with our children and it was sad to see them leave but look forward to when they come again...

Tuesday, Mathew took Christopher to A Tooth Dr for Kids where he needed to "go under" for a ton of dental work.. It got delayed for more than 1 hour so by the time they came home they were both tired out!!!! The photos tell all....

This beautiful weather just makes me feel grateful for all that we have and for the country we live in (although it is chaotic at present) the birds singing, bunnies hopping and jumping in the grass... What a grand life we have!!!!!!!!!!!!!