Halloween 2009

What a fun night! First we started out at Uncle Noels. All the cousins got ready together putting on their ghouly gear & walking shoes, ready to hit the hood. Noah of course wore his Captain America costume already a million times but it didn't loose it's meaning. Bella was the cutest pirate on the block & LOVED getting to wear makeup even if it wasn't pretty. And Andrew...can you say GROOOOOOOOVY BABY?! The coolest hippie around. Our precious little Maggie Moo was a pretty little ladybug. She didn't quite understand why daddy & mommy looked so silly but she was a great sport anyway. I was dressed like a scarey doll & daddy...well...he was "THE MOST INTERESTING MAN IN THE WORLD" the Dos Equis guy. Can you say FAKE TAN?!

After some Trick or Treating at Uncle Noel's we headed to the Fisher's. Awaiting us was a bon fire, hay rides, an outdoor movie, more trick or treating & lots of yummy food. We were joined by Aunt Heidy, Tiana, Monique, Uncle William & Tia Marta (who happen to be visiting) & our course all our Fisher & Cope friends.

What a fun why to celebrate Halloween! With all wonderful family & friends!

1 more time for amazing Maggs

Today Maggie had surgery...again...Thankfully just outpatient. We got to the hospital & I felt so bad because she started screaming & wouldn't stop. It was like she knew what was about to happen. Finally we got into the play area of pre-op & she calmed down. She loves any toy that makes noise. Shortly after Maggs had her 2 best fans there to support her, Grandma Mimi & Grandma Mary. LUCKY GIRL!

Dr. Mancuso went back in to cut the tongue again. He said that this time he was more aggressive & really cut deep to ensure that we don't have to do it again. After he was done Dr. Argueso went in to do a scope of the kidneys & remove the stints placed after her ureter reimplementation. Between both surgeries they were done w/ in about 35 minutes. Pretty quick & easy.

Maggie woke up in not so good a mood & after a little throwing up fell fast asleep in mommy's arms. I'm amazed at how much this precious child can handle. I know if I were her I'd not like mama & daddy all that much :) A little more throwing up after picking up Noah from Papa & Mimi's but after that she did great. Mr. Noah always makes her feel all better! Uncle Noel, Heather & Wyatt came over to visit & of course Maggs loved the attention. Bella & Noah didn't mind hanging out w/ Wyatt either.

Andrew went to a Wii Bowling Tournament for the 6th graders at church. HE WON 1st Place & got lots of free stuff for Amazing Jakes. Talented dude!

I'm so blessed

I'm so blessed to be able to stay home w/ my kids. Money is tight yes, but I think it's worth it. This morning I got to go out in the cool of the day & have a breakfast picnic w/ all 4 of my kids. Thank you Stephen for working so hard to make this possible for Andrew, Isabella, Noah & Maggie. I love you!

My article

Today an article was featured in the Gilbert Section of the Arizona Republic talking about Funky Bums, Maggie & my upcoming boutique w/ Kim Fisher. The reporter said I had a trendy store...I WISH! Pretty cool!

Andrew catches his first bass!!!!

Grandpa Rick has always be a great fisherman. He did it professionally for years & has had the joy of buying a boat & getting back on the water. Well, he's taken Andrew at least a dozen times & for some reason when the fish know Andrew is near they scatter. It must be in his blood, he's gonna be a pro just like Grandpa! Well in all those times he's never had any luck until today. He caught this lovely bass as well as another one. Too much Mercury in the water to eat it but he had a blast catching him. What a great grandpa you have Andrew!

Korbin is my princess

Today Noah got to spend the ENTIRE day w/ his best buddy Korbin. He was so excited last night when I told him that Korbin was picking him up in the morning. He said "Mom...Korbin's my best friend. He's my princess!" "Noah, boys are not princesses, just girls." "No mom, he's my boy princess!" How cute is that?! Karen & Korbin came to pick him up this morning at 9:30. During that time Daddy & I were able to run some errands & went out to a nice lunch w/ Maggie Moo. She sat up in a highchair & didn't even get tired. What a big girl!



Andrew & Isabella had early release today so they got to spend a little time w/ Dad before he was off to work at the restraunt. When Karen dropped him off he wore the fun day on his face. Korbin ended up staying so that David & Karen could go to dinner & a movie. The boys were so exhausted by 6pm that they started fighting & crying every 2 seconds. Andrew & Bella decided to distract the boys by playing "Underwear Man...(woman)"..it worked!

Happy Birthday Aunt Heidy & Aunt Lilly!

After I picked Isabella up from Ballet & Jazz we went to Papa & Mimi's to celebrate Aunt Heidy & Aunt Lilly's Birthday. The whole family was there ready to party. Even Georgie & Rene were able to make it!






Dad & Andrew didn't make it cause it was Andrew's first soccer practice. Dad said Andrew did awesome! Can't wait to see him at practice on Thursday night.

Kidney Surgery

I'm writing this & Maggie is in surgery right this moment. I'm trying not be too anxious & rely on the Philipians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

So we woke up really early this morning to get ready for Maggie's big day. Of course Maggie was in great spirits as always. We arrived at here to Phoenix Children's Hospital at 5:30am. Once we got checked in Maggie got in her gown & she was out playing in the waiting room. Grandpa Rick, Grandma Mary & Aunt Chrissy were here to pray w/ us before Maggie went in. Unfortunately Dr. Mancuso, Maggie's ENT didn't show so no tongue surgery. I hate that we gotta postpone that but what can I do? So here are a few pics of Maggs before surgery. Will post more as she gets out.

A very scarey day!

Uncle Noel had been complaining of some pressure in his head & thought he had a sinus infection. After a couple of weeks on pain meds & anti-biotics, he wasn't getting better. Heather took him to the Emergency Room at St. Joe's last night & they admitted him ASAP in the ICU. Being as how Uncle Noel had a brain tumor 17 years ago the doctors were very scared about what all this would mean. We were told that this surgery would be more dangerous & threatening than the last one so many years ago. Well being as how he had only a 20% chance of survival last time obviously the odds were worse now. Of course the family came together & through fear & hope we turned the only place to turn...God! After almost 24 hours of preparing for another open surgery one doctor came in w/ a shred of HOPE! We were told they might be able to go in w/ a scope & remove the mass that way. Praying & continuing to believe for a miracle. We won't know anything until Tuesday...Of course that's when Maggs goes in for her surgery!

Noah begins preschool...again...

Noah was so excited to start back up at Debbie's house. It was all he could talk about for 2 days. I love it when I have Blackmail on my kids! Today he learned that "E" is for Elmo & he got 2 Elmo books to help him remember. After preschool w/ Debbie is was lunch w/ Aunt Heidy & Rene at Native New Yorker for $.35 wings. YUMMY!

What a trooper!

This girl is crazy! I know if my belly just sliced open I'd be a total grouch but not this girl. She was sitting up & playing by afternoon. We even went for a walk in a wagon down to the cafeteria so mom could grab some dinner! She took clear fluids first & then we started her on her milk. She slept throught he night w/ no issues. Just amazing! By 8pm Maggie was ready to go & she was handing me her discharge paperwork. What a doll!

2nd Grade & Surgery

So I had a big decision to make & know that I did the right thing. Mom just couldn't dedicate 100% of my attention to Isabella's education & that's what she deserves. So, after a long discussion & some shopping (that makes me feel better too) Isabella agreed to start school. We enrolled her in Andrew's school, American Leadership Academy. Isabella looked so beautiful in her uniform & was actaully in great spirits to meet her new teacher, Mrs. Ward & new classmates. Daddy & I were so happy to get to take her to school on her first day. The moment we walked Isabella in her new class she already had one little girl approach her & ask if she wanted to be friends. This year seems very promising!






After we dropped Isabella off we were on our way to the hospital for Maggie's "G Tube" surgery. We arrived at 10am for noon surgery. They were so great at getting us back & ready quickly. Of course Grandma Mary was there to hold Maggie's hand & love on her before. It was so great because the Anestegiologist allowed all 3 of us back to pray for Maggie & the doctors while they were putting her to sleep. As we stepped out into the waiting room Grandma looked at daddy & I and with her eyes wet w/ tears she told us a really precious story. She said that the last time she saw her mother before she died that she had one tear that rolled down her right cheek. Well as Grandma was walking out of the operating room Maggie too had one tear coming down the same check. She said that her mother was there telling her that Maggie would be just fine. That just made me & daddy so happy & gave us such peace!

Maggie's surgery only lasted about an hour & the doctors came out & said that she did great! They said that Maggs has such a long torso & that they were able to put the "button" in the perfect place. Now time to recover & get some rest. We should be
released either today or tomorrow.