Graduating to Primary

Gosh I wish I didn't stop writing my boring monthly posts about the girls!  Lol.  There is so much about them that I don't want to forget!  Like how Talanoa tells on anyone who says naughty words and how she almost always tells the truth even when she did something bad.  If it's not the blunt truth it's a blunt lie.  LOL!  I will miss how they both wake up in the morning saying "Goooood mooooorning mommy!" or how Elina's favorite line as of late is "Be happy!" with the poutiest face.  I love that they know their whole name and who they are named after.  They even know that my name is Lavinia and daddy's name is Viliami.  What the?  Hahaha!  I will probably even miss the naughty things they do and how they whine and complain 90% of everyday and how frustrating it is!  Seriously, only a mom can say something that crazy!  Lol!  I know I've been on too long of a break from my blog but this is a memory I never want to forget!

For a little while now I've been explaining to the girls that Elina will be moving to primary (class...according to them) while Talanoa will be staying in nursery.  They've been attached at the hip since birth and this was a huge change for them so I was trying to prepare them.  I knew it was weighing especially heaving on Talanoa when one morning she woke up and the first thing she said to me was, "Mommy, is Elina going to the big girl class?  Can I go too?"  So sad!

Well, last week was Elina's little intro to primary and she loved it.  She ran out of nursery like she didn't even know who I was.  Lol!  Before Elina left nursery she promised Talanoa that she would be back to pick her up.  How precious is that?!  Anyway, after she left Talanoa was having a little meltdown so we decided to sneak into primary so that she could see Elina was fine.  Elina was at the front of the room getting introduced with a few others to the entire primary.  She was so quiet and reserved I almost didn't recognize her.  The cutest moment is when Elina saw Vili amongst the crowd (we teach the 10 & 11 year olds) and started waving with the hugest smile on her face.  I almost cried!  Lol.  Nope, not pregnant and definitely was not expecting to be that emotional.

Here is a video of when they were singing to Elina.  So glad Vili recorded this!

Surprise FHE

When I got home from work last night I was greeted with an FHE lesson prepared by my husband and kids.  It was the best gift ever!  Vili taught them about the phrase "I love you" and drew out pictures that said I love my family and I love Jesus.  When I got home the girls held up the pictures and taught me all about it.  This is definitely a moment worth remembering :)   

Will post pics later

What is considered blogworthy?

I stumbled across one of my teenage journals late last night during my insomnia and it was kind of amazing and embarrassing all in one.  First of all, did I really talk like that?  Lol!  Anyhow, reading through so many memories that I recorded and forgot about was indescribable.  Some things were not so noteworthy and very immature but there were other entries that made me want to cry from joy because I recorded them.  Point is I re-learned the importance of journaling hence this blog post after a long hiatus.  I decided last night while reading my journal that everything is blogworthy whether it is big or small.  I want to remember everything about my babies because they are growing up so quickly.  I want to soak in their childhood years long after these memories have faded.

Baptism for the Dead

I've been really emotional lately.  To the point where I'm wondering if I'm pregnant.  I know I'm not so I'm not sure what's going on.  I'm here at work reading our lesson for our primary class about baptism for the dead and I can't help but feel the Spirit so strongly.  Anything that is temple related always makes me emotional because I understand the sacred responsibility we have while we're on this Earth to help those who have passed on.

Back to the lesson.  In the lesson it tells us to remind the kids (we teach ages 10 and 11) that if they stay worthy they can perform these ordinances for those who have passed by being proxies for them once they are twelve.  A few kids in our class have already turned twelve this year so this hits home even more.  The part that got me all teary eyed was a story about patriarch who went to watch baptisms for the dead one night and saw the spirits who had passed on, awaiting their turn to be baptized.  It talks about how happy those spirits were that their turn had come to be baptized and they were right there watching it all happen.  I get emotional because I think of myself in their shoes and how grateful I would be to the 12 year old who stayed worthy and was able to help me.

Not sure why but for some reason knowing that the spirits who have passed are present in the temple while we perform their ordinances for them makes things so much more real for me.  So much more personal.  I remember in a stake conference earlier this year the Provo temple president spoke and said something similar about all the ordinances performed in the temple whether it was baptisms, sealings, endowments, etc.  He also said that the veil in the temple is so thin and that the temple is the bridge that connects the living and the dead.

Baby Hungry....Kind Of

Almost always when I think that maybe I could have a 3rd child, reality slaps me in the face! How can I even think of having another one when I can barely handle the two I have now? No seriously! I'm the crazy mom who people judge in the grocery store because my kids are screaming at check out. We all know "that" crazy mom. I am that mom. Sad! It's exhausting! 

Third child of mine, blame your older siblings for your late debut. Lol! Who knows when you'll ever get here but I always wonder what it would be like. On good days I tell myself maybe next year and then on horrible days I say to wait at least 5 years. Lol!

But seriously, I love seeing little newborn babies at church. Maybe I should babysit one so I can get a real dose of what it would feel like to be a mom of 3. Lol! 

Take Me Home

I'm sitting here in sacrament meeting and  all I can think about is what I forgot to do this morning aka shave my legs and wax my stache! It wouldn't be so bad if I I hadn't waited a month to do either. Lol!! It really is thaaaat bad guys! I noticed both on the way here to church and jokingly told Vili to take me back home. I should have persisted because now I can't focus on anything else. Lol! 

Update: I waxed the stache today. Next up, shaving these legs. Lol! 

Take Me Home

I'm sitting here in sacrament meeting and and all I can think about is what I forgot to do this morning aka shave my legs and wax my stache! It wouldn't be so bad if I I hadn't waited a month to do either. Lol!! It really is thaaaat bad guys! I noticed both on the way here to church an jokingly told Vili to take me back home. I should have persisted because now I can't focus on anything else. Lol! 

Baby Steps

I hope I don't jinx myself from posting this but we might almost be a binky free household! It has not been easy and it's not over yet but we are so close! 

Talanoa is down to only using her binky at bedtime which is a huge improvement. Anyone who knows Talanoa knows that once she makes up her mind about something she's sticking with it so its been real tough because she's so attached. So are we to be honest. Lol! 

She did the most awesome thing yesterday and I'm so proud of her. I handed her her binky while I was getting her dressed for the day and she threw it down and said, "No binky! Only for nite-nite".  I could've cried I was so excited! Lol. I wish someone would've been recording because my jaw was down to my knees with surprise! That's the line we usually tell her before she has a full on meltdown.  Sometimes she would even snatch it out of our hands and run away and dive straight into fetal position so we couldn't yank it out of her mouth. It's been real fun I tell ya! Lol

Hopefully the next time I post it will be about how they are gone for good! 

My Sweet Elina

Elina, my three year old daughter, bore her testimony today in sacrament meeting all on her own doing and unbeknownst to us until we heard her sweet voice over the microphone. Can I just say that there is nothing sweeter than hearing and seeing  my children embrace the gospel despite my many shortcomings as a Mom?  It makes me think that maybe I am doing something right. 

Elina walked over to Grandma and Papa's bench like she usually does near the end of sacrament meeting where we assumed she was sitting quietly. Next thing I know she is up at the pulpit with her Aunty Talanoa because she asked to go up there. While at the pulpit she mumbled a few inaudible sentences and got too shy to continue but her willingness to even get up there amazes me! I'm too afraid to get up there! Lol. Maybe this can be motivation for me in the future ;) After sacrament I told her she did such a great job up there and she said, "Oh, you're welcome Mommy! I bear my testimony!" I didn't even know she knew the word testimony.  I'm sure she doesn't know what it means but she's making connections and that's all that matters to me. 

Anyhow, I am so grateful for this child of mine who I know is the oldest for a reason. Elina, I love you so much and you are such a sweet reminder of how much our Father in Heaven loves us!  May you continue to strengthen your testimony and willingness to share it with others as the years go on. 

P.S. As soon as Talanoa saw her sister at the pulpit she went up and stood right next to her. Maybe they're ready for some testimony based FHE's! 

Grandma Status at 26!

I just started working on the flex schedule at the doTerra call center. Why another oncall job you ask? Flexibility. I like the option of staying home when I want and I don't like leaving my kids with babysitters for long periods of time. I like my job there so far but would like to eventually get a real job. Lol!

Anyhow, this job makes me feel ancient. Five years of marriage, a Bachelor's degree, and two children seem to really date a person here in College Town, USA. I guess I never really noticed because I'm never around college students these days other than my family members. When I hear people flirting or see people trying to be extra cute it makes me feel really old! I just have to say that I'm glad I am married and out of that scene.  

My Perfectly Imperfect Life

My life is far from perfect.  Here's a glimpse of life in our shoes as of late:

My kids, yes plural, sleep in our bed still. Crib? What's that? Their playpen? Storage since they were born. They don't have any schedules and sometimes sleep at midnight if we let them. I am horrible at disciplining them so they act out in public and I want to die of embarrassment sometimes.  They repeat bad words and phrases kids ears should not hear. 

We are poor. We are on every government program you can think of but are slowly getting kicked off all of them because we are a hair over the income limit which is good and bad for us.  My husband works full time and I work on-call. You'd think that we would make enough to support ourselves but we don't. If we get kicked off of Medicaid my children will not have any health insurance because we can't afford what is offered through my husband's job. 

What else? I'm sure I could go on and on but you get it. My life isn't perfect. No one's life is. We all face different trials in life whether they be marital, educational, spiritual, physical, etc. As imperfect as my life is, I wouldn't trade it for the world, my basket of problems included. 

We taught a lesson in my CTR 10/11 class yesterday that talked about enduring adversity and I learned something. The Lord promises us that all adversity and trials are for our betterment and if we endure them WELL, we will be blessed. I'm working on the "enduring it well" part because I'm a worrier/complainer. Gotta have more faith! 

Sarcasm: A Form of Evil Speaking

I read an ensign article that really touched me. It's entitled "No Corrupt Communication".  It really hit home because I come from an overly-sarcastic family. We speak sarcasm. Fluently. Constantly. We know it all too well.  If I am to be 100% honest I used to think it was funny until I'm seeing its real effects. So much of this article rings true and it saddens me to hear how huge of a negative impact sarcasm has had on myself and those around me.  

Why are we so sarcastic anyway? Well, I think my family uses it to mask our emotions so we don't have to deal with them. We have a lot of emotional pain we swept under the rug having to do with my parents divorce, my stepdad, my dad leaving us, etc.  It all adds up little by little to an overwhelming amount.  It's extremely painful to deal with and confront so I think we've used sarcasm as a tool to cover it all up. That's my opinion anyway. Doesn't help that Tongans are really sarcastic in general. Probably because they don't like to show emotions either. (Huge generalization but it's my blog, my opinion.)

I will be the first to admit that I am GUILTY regarding all things sarcasm.  I have used sarcasm to avoid my emotions and hurt others, sometimes unintentionally because of how often I use it, without noticing most times.  It's funny if you're on the "dishing it out" end of it but hurtful and mean when you're at the other end. I know because I've been on both ends. 

I don't like how it feels and I don't want to continue this in my own family. I want to teach my kids to speak up when they're hurt, jealous, or embarrassed and talk openly about their feelings, good and bad. I want a home that is free of judgement and criticism.  This article is a great reminder that I can be better.  I know it won't happen overnight but I will do my best!  Especially for my kids!  

I do this way too often....

I get so behind on my blog that I just want to give up or skip a big chunk of our lives.  Lol!  Summer has been so fun that blogging about it seems like a chore!  I have 3 months worth of summer things to blog about and I'm dreading it.  Things I can't leave out like my brother graduating high school, my other brother going on a mission, family camp, ward camp, potty training Talanoa, etc!  Whyyyyy do I let myself get so behind?!

But seriously, I have a problem.  I have to blog chronologically and it is so annoying!  I want to blog about things going on right now but can't because it won't be in order.  Then I start forgetting to write about the little sweet things my kids do and say on a daily basis because I'm so focused on catching up with the bigger things from months ago.  I know, I probably sound crazy right now.  Lol

Lots to be Grateful For

Vili and I started our new calling as teachers of the Valiant 10 & 11 class. Today was our 2nd Sunday and I love it! We have a great class of about 10-12 kids (80% boys) and they actually participate! Grateful for them and for my husband who actually sits down to prepare lessons with me during the week.  Also grateful that my daughters have miraculously gone to nursery with no whining or complaints. Mini miracle! 

I got to go to relief society for the first time in over a year today. It felt so good to be in there. KD Fonohema bore her testimony and made us all cry. She talked about how she feels inadequate raising her boys in the gospel while their dad is inactive. It really touched me. Made me realize how strong she is and how blessed her family will be for her diligence. 

It also made me more grateful for my loving husband who is not perfect and who I take for granted a lot. He is an amazing dad and a great priesthood holder which I tend to forget. I don't give him enough credit for all he does. Hun if you're reading this, I love you and I'll be better :) 

Vampire Diaries

I hate starting a new tv series because I know I'll get addicted and it starts the domino effect. The bad kind. Mommy stays up late watching one too many episodes, wakes up early very tired and cranky, is a bad mom all day, and repeat until I finish all the episodes. 

Why do I do this to myself and my poor kids? Lol!

I love/hate you vampire diaries! Hurry and finish so I can get back to being a good, well-rested-non-cranky Mom! Thank goodness there's only 3 seasons on Netflix! 

Don't ask me why I have no self control when it comes to tv shows. I'm just nosey and need to know what happens. Even with horrible shows like Gossip Girl! Grey's is on a whole nother level! It still is one of my favorites. I blame Elisha and Josie! Lol

Hunger Games Comes to Life

Veronica wanted to try something new for her birthday so we went to this archery place in Orem.  It was so much fun!  Archery is definitely not my strong suit but it was nice to do something different for a change.  Vili made friends with the owners and they didn't charge us.  Score!  That always happens with Vili....cool guy!  Lol  We will definitely be going back there.

Came home for cake and ice cream and almost burned my apartment down.  Lol!  Who knew flames could get that big if you bunch all the candles together on the cake?  Now we know!  Lol.  Made for some good memories though.  Cry from laughing kind of memories and those are the best ones.

Hope you had a great birthday, Ronz!  Love you!

Big Talanoa's BBQ

Happy Birthday Talanoa!  We love you!

Took little Talanoa with me shopping before the BBQ.  Can you tell she was having the time of her life?  Lol!

She is so thoughtful.  I bought her bubbles and she picked two.  One for her and one for her sister.  As soon as we got home she said, "Pepe, I buy something for you!"  They melt my heart!

Sidebusters.  Lol.

Pasifika Festival

Big Girl

Elina can ride a tricycle!  Look how cute she is on our neighbor's bike!  Lol!  This will probably be her next birthday present if I can force myself to wait that long.

Rocco's

Our new summer spot.  It's cheap.  It's around the corner.  It's yummy.

What's good?

Tacos, scones, wing & fries, fried oreos.  Gonna stop blogging and head over there right now.  LOL!
Oh, can't forget the sidewalk chalk and art.  Kids love them some chalk!

Four Little Monkeys

Went to Elisha and Ikani's so the kids could swim and they had a blast.  We let them run wild with no swimsuits because we're ghetto like that, Lynnea ended up in her birthday suit (lol), and Elisha made ham sandwiches with no ham.  Lol!  So much fun!  Definitely have to do this again soon.

Temple Goal

I used to think President Makai was crazy when he first asked our stake to go to the temple twice a week instead of just once. Crazy because people are busy, kids need tending, houses need cleaning, dinner needs to be cooked, and a million other things that could get done in that time frame.  I also thought the people who listened to him were self righteous and only going to show off.  Who thinks that way?!?

Someone who needs to repent!

I didn't understand until I started going frequently a few months ago. I've gone more in the past few months than I have in the past 5 years since I've been married just to give you some perspective. I try to go once a week even though it doesn't always happen.  

Some things I've learned about frequent (key word) temple attendance: 

-Being obedient to President Makai and his promptings about our stake brings blessings to the stake, my ward, and especially to my little family. Also, the person who I am going through for. 

-My kids love seeing us go to the temple. They frequently ask if they can join us and go in with us.  

-It takes a lot of work to get to the temple each week.  Satan works hard to distract us from getting there each and every time. He does not give up.  I try to remember this when feeling discouraged about scheduling and it motivates me to try harder and not to give up.  

-There is no better place we can be than in the temple. I used to use the excuse that my job as a mom required me to be home with my kids constantly and that that was more important than attending temple night.  I've come to realize that it's far more important for them to see me making sacrifices to attend the temple.  They need to know that it is important to me.  I bless them more when I'm in there and it gives me a chance to write names on the prayer roll, theirs included. 

-It changes me.  I remember the temple president saying this at stake conference and I'll never forget it because its true. The temple changes people.  I am a better person each time I leave the temple.  My perspective on things stays in the eternal perspective for longer periods of time the more frequently I go. 

-Satan works harder on me the more I go but I know it's because I'm doing something right. 

-Problems do not disappear because we attend the temple. We will just be blessed with the knowledge and patience we need to overcome those trials by going to the temple. I talk about this a lot with my mother in law. 

-No bad thing can ever come from going to the temple.  It can only bring blessings. 

Swings & Slides

Can't wait to own a home one day so the kids can play for hours on end in the backyard.  For now, we'll live at the park.  You're welcome in advance, children!  Lol.

Mother's Day 2013

I LOVE being a Mom.  It is priceless.  It is the hardest yet most rewarding job in the world.  My kids teach me so much everyday and I love that I'm given the sacred responsibility to raise and nurture them.  Yes, it gets stressful and overwhelming at times but none of that outweighs what they give me in return.

They teach me to be more like our Savior.  I love waking up to their smiling faces accompanied with tight hugs and kisses each day.  They make me laugh with their little mannerisms and unique personalities.  Hearing their laughter fills me with complete joy.  Seeing them be kind to others melts my heart.  Most of all, I love that they love me unconditionally.

Being a Mom truly is the best job in the world and I love it!

Finally got to claim my birthday massage from Cheka.  Barely made it there!  Lol.

Amara, you've got a lifetime client out of me.  

Best. Massage. Ever.

My little brothers bought me flowers!  How sweet are they?!

Came home to the kids abusing the babysitter!  Lol!

Some gifts for our favorite Mom's :)

Woke up to the best breakfast!

My cute nursery on Mother's Day while playing outside.

Went to Tucanos with Mama So'oto the next day.

5 Year Anniversary

We made it to our five year mark and we're both still alive and happy.  Haha!  We decided to make this anniversary a tad bit more special than the others.  Five years is kind of a huge deal, especially in a world  where too commonly divorce is the answer.  Not in this marriage.  Sorry Hun, you're stuck with me for eternity ;)

We have grown so much in these past five years together.  We've learned to be more kind, more selfless, more forgiving, more loving, more supportive, more everything.  Yeah, we want to kill each other sometimes because we are not perfect but we are trying.  Trying to build a marriage that will stand the test of time and trying to create a marriage that one day our kids can model and look forward to.  I love this man even though he can drive me up the wall at times.  That's what true love is all about people!  Hahaha!

Vili's first pedicure!  Some ask how did I get him to agree?  Answer is patience.  

It's been five years!  Haha

Came home and these two monkeys wanted to try on my necklace.

So we usually just go to dinner for our anniversary but we decided to exchange gifts this year as well.  Can you check out what my husband gave me?  It's a huge carving of the Family Proclamation!  He saw me drooling over it some time last year and remembered.  So sweet!