Twenty-Five

As I was getting out of bed this morning I saw something different on top of the entertainment center. I got up to get a closer look and noticed a card with my name on it next to a beautiful sign.

The words in the card were beautiful. If card picking were a talent, then Ti would be one gifted husband ;) It's weird cause everytime there's a birthday to go to he HATES pulling over to a store so that I can pick out a card. Yet on every special occasion of ours I can be sure to expect a heartfelt card signed by a Mr. Tevita Tonga. I've pictured sometimes what it must look like- a big, bald, dark skinned guy wearing basketball shorts and a white tee, going through each floral printed card until he finds the perfect one lol. I'll have to catch him in the act one of these days :D
I was really impressed with the gift he got me this time. It wasn't the most expensive present, but it was something that he had to have been paying attention to in order to know that I would love it. I really think this is one of the best gifts that I have ever received. We went out and ate at the other usual spot tonight- Olive Garden. Aah, Life is grand. Especially when you have a wonderful husband and kids to share it with. Are birthdays still supposed to be this sweet? I guess being a quarter of a century old isn't that bad after all =)

First Day of School

Wow, I have a lot to catch up on! Today was Mote's first day of Kindergarten- finally! I don't think I've ever seen this kid more excited. When we got to the school I asked him if he wanted to go play on the playground... "No, I just need to go to my classroom." So we waited until the whistle was blown and off he went to stand in line with his other classmates.

The parents were allowed to follow into the classroom and observe for a little bit. So I watched Mote find a desk and was grateful that he showed no signs of anxiety.

We listened as his teacher read a story all bout the first day of school, then we received goodbye waves from the kids cuing us to head on out.

Some kids cried when their parents were leaving. Thank goodness that wasn't the case with Mote- he was waving his little heart out.
"Goodbye Mom! See ya!"

A successful first day of school. Hallelujah.

Happy Birthday Siope!

Siope turned 3 on Saturday. We didn't have anything special planned for him because Ti Tonga is still convinced that we will be heading up to Salt Lake this weekend where we can celebrate with family. So we went out and ate at the usual spot- Chili's. When we got home I made Siope a cake and right before I lit the candles he asked,

"Mom is that an Elmo cake?!"
"Uhhhh... yeah it's an Elmo cake."
"OH WOW! I GOT AN ELMO CAKE!"

Thank goodness the kids are still young enough not to notice when Mommy falls short. He was more than happy to have us sing Happy Birthday to him. We absolutely love you Siope!

Siope and his "Elmo" cake

Make a wish!

Good Read

Okay so who hasn't already read Twilight right? Last week at our Dessert of the Month activity I was discussing the books with a friend from my ward and she asked me if I had ever read any books by Anita Stansfield. Nope. Never heard of her.
She's an LDS author who writes romance novels... sounds kinda familiar... do these novels by chance include vampires? lol On our drive home Katie convinces me to give the books a try, offering to loan me her copies she has. Sure. why not?
So she brings 3 books to church and I put them away in my bag not taking another glance at them until later that evening. After actually looking at the cover I thought, wow BO_RING! lol and I put them on top of the fridge... not knowing when I would actually feel motivated to start reading them.
This morning I woke up when Ti was getting ready for work- 3am UGH! I tried so hard to go back to sleep but couldn't. I picked up the remote ready to turn on the T.V. when all of the sudden I remembered the books downstairs. I guess one chapter wouldn't hurt. I'd probably be bored enough to fall asleep after a couple paragraphs. As I opened the book I read the first two words that described the setting- "Orem, UT"... omg this seriously is going to be so lame!
I started to read and didn't look up from the pages until I noticed that my room was getting brighter. The sun was coming up. I couldn't believe it- but quickly got back to my story. I ended up finishing the book in one sitting... LOVED IT! It was my first LDS novel, and what I thought would be dull and corny actually turned out to be exciting and refreshing. Besides the amazing love story there were also uplifting LDS morals throughout. There are a total of 3 books in this particular series and I am on the 2nd. I would recommend this book to any daughter of God!

Kiki's book montage

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Open House

Mote: "Mom what did you say I was?"

Me: "A Wrangler."

Mote: "Oooooh, I'm a Wrangler!"...

"Mom, what's a Wrangler?"

Today me and Mote went to an open house at his new elementary. He starts school on Monday- I can't believe it! He'll be in the p.m. class with Ms. Ruthridge. We had the chance to meet with Mote's new teacher and to tour the classroom as well as the rest of the school. To my surprise Mote actually liked the classroom more than the playground. The elementary is fairly new, but after spending some time there and learning more about their education program, I'm extremely excited for Mote to attend Wright Elementary this school year. I'm a little nervous about the whole year round schedule, but I'm sure it'll be fine.

The newest Wrangler at Wright Elementary!Hey, I've read this book!

Part of the Kindergarten playground. Every
play area is shaded by huge canopies.

Dessert of the Month

Our Relief Society has decided to organize several workshops/groups in an effort to allow the women within our ward to become more familiar with each other. This month I decided to attend the "Dessert of the Month" group which was being hosted by Sarah Wixom. Call me biased, but I think I might be meeting with this group every month- they seem to know how to have a good time ;) Tonight we made homemade ice cream mmmmm! I think the closest thing to homemade ice cream that I've had are those Vanilla cones our parents would get us at Winder Dairy. I love you Winder Dairy, but oooooh your vanilla does not compare to Mrs. Wixom's servings! I am so glad I went. I was a little hesitant at first to get out of my shell, but I pushed myself and couldn't be happier with how the evening went. I carpooled with two other women in the ward, both of whom serve in the primary. The turnout was great- which was not a surprise being that Sarah was hosting. Everyone was super polite and wonderful company. It was a nice break to get out of the house- even if it was only for 2 hours. Next month they are planning on making homemade donuts and cider. Yum! Count me in!

Mataele Visit

Neo and her kids flew in to visit. Kauasi had to work so Princess came down with Neo to help with Mafileo and Ruby Mei. When Neo called to give me her flight details I knew something was up because she checked a bag (and we usually try to avoid checking luggage by all possible means!) So she arrived Monday night and in her checked piece of luggage was toys for each of my boys. I don't know why she still does this. I stopped buying gifts for our nieces and nephews as soon as I started popping out kids of my own! But Neo still manages to spoil the kids with whatever she and Kauasi have. Mote got a new pair of Nike sandals. Nici got super hero blocks (she must've heard about the kids fighting over Mote's legos). And Siope got a playdough set.
It was so good to see my niece and nephew. Mafileo is finally starting to get comfortable around us and Ruby Mei is growing like there's no tomorrow! She is so sweet. The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins. Thank goodness for those flight benefits!

Hip Hip Hooray!

I finally got my battery charger for my camera back! Mele and Taliauli came down over the weekend and brought my load of things that I had forgotten at my Mom's house... so shout out to the Ika's! Thank you! As soon as my battery was charged I plugged my camera in to my laptop and lookie what I found...

Looks like we have a couple of little camera thieves around here. Apparently I wasn't the last one to use my camera before the battery died. There were like 30+ images that the kids had taken of themselves and objects in their room. Should I be glad that they're photogenic or that they may be budding photographers???
Here's to taking more pictures from an actual camera- no longer prisoner to a camera phone! Hip Hip HOORAY!

SHOTS FROM THE DAY:

Siope

Ti's night to cook

Evening entertainment

I'm Thirsty

"Mom, I'm thirsty for Hamburger Helper."
-Nici

"Lucky" Hat

Anything that Siope can balance on his head is considered a hat to him... napkins, books, stuffed animals- you name it. This morning he was the last one at the table finishing up his Lucky Charms when all of the sudden I hear him calling for my attention... "Mom! Mom! Look it!" I glance over to see what could possibly be so important. "Look Mom, look at my hat!" I'm not sure how it got there, but a tiny little marshmallow was chillin on the edge of his head. I would've never known it was there if he didn't shout for joy about his new little creation.
I'm guessing he flicked a whole spoonful of cereal up in the air cause he had milk dripping off of his cheeks... what better way to compliment the lovely new hat =)

Making Headlines

Me and Ti browse the Salt Lake reports more so than Vegas stories. I came across a couple of news articles on someone by the name of Fatu Moala =) My youngest brother will be entering his senior year at Kearns High School (woot woot!) And I'm hoping that their football team will have a successful season.

"Expectations are very high inside Kearns High's football program,
and the fact that the Cougars are planning on accomplishing some
big things this fall speaks volumes about the job coach Bill Cosper
has done since taking over the program two years ago."
-D. Rasmussen

photo courtesy of Desert News

Between the Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune they've described Fatu as being a "stellar weapon at wide receiver" and a "Division 1 kid".
He's got so much talent in that skinny little body of his. I remember how busy his schedule was growing up. I hated taking him to practice because it was an all day task. He would wake me up early to take him to an ODP (Olympic Development Program) soccer tournament and I'd sleep in the car until his game was done. We'd come home to get something to eat and it wasn't long before we'd be off again. This time I'd drop him off at soccer practice with a different team. He was only 11 or 12 and he was practicing with 16 yr olds. I remember going to pick him up and seeing this scrawny little Tongan boy surrounded by a bunch of palangi High school kids. I watched nervously, afraid that they might pick on him but none of them did. I think they all respected him and his ability to keep up with them. And that wasn't the end of his day. After that 2nd activity he would be off to football. At the time I didn't think much of it. But now that I look back, I'm amazed at how much Fatu was able to handle at such a young age. His schedule has been pretty hectic since he first showed interest in sports. I hope all his years of practice, training, and hard work will pay off. I would love to see him go far- heaven knows he's certainly capable of doing so. I've seen him excel in Soccer, Basketball, and football. I sometimes wonder if he even realizes how much talent he holds? If so, then he sure doesn't show it. Cockiness is not his thing. Which is probably why everyone loves to cheer him on. I know without a doubt in my mind that this kid is capable of big things. I just hope he's given the opportunity to achieve them. Good luck Fatu, in all that you do!

Ruby Mei

Today I felt crazy enough to attempt a scrapbook layout on my laptop. I've been begging Neo to send me pictures of Ruby Mei because I'm getting a little sick of doing boy pages. Neo sucks and hasn't sent me any yet, so I took this off her myspace. This is one of Ruby Mei's hospital shots. She's the cutest!
Credits: Lark Album by Paislee Press, Brush set by Sharon Bobis

Hi, my name is...

(Timote)

Kindergarten is just around the corner! Mote is super excited. We've been trying to teach him to write his name- curse these long Tongan names! lol But this is his progress so far. Hopefully we can take a picture of his penmanship later on in the school year and see some improvement. Ti Tonga was messing around and drew Mote's name for him and Mote thought it was the coolest thing. So I took a picture...
Mote starts school on the 25th and I still have no idea what track he'll be on. I was told that we would receive a letter in the mail with details about his assigned track and his new teacher. I've been checking the mailbox every day and still nothing. At first I started getting nervous. Now I'm annoyed. It would be nice to know in advance if he'll be in the a.m. or p.m. class so that we can make plans to adjust our schedules around his. Hopefully we'll find out soon. This boy is so ready for school!

Visitors

Brother Davies (1st counselor of our Durango Heights Ward) and Brother Reynolds stopped by our house tonight to visit with us. I thought that they were just coming by to chat and to see how Ti Tonga was doing since his trip to the hospital. They did that, but Brother Davies also told us that he had a different Ward calling for Ti Tonga. He extended his appreciation for our service in the nursery but said that the Bishopric felt Ti would be a great help with the 11yr old scouts. This will definitely be a new experience for Ti Tonga. He of course accepted and I was excited for his new calling but a little worried about my place in the nursery. I've come to like my position in the nursery and even more- I've become very attached and I LOVE my kids. I was worried that I was either getting released, or that I would be in my classroom without anyone else's help. Brother Davies assured me that another Sister had already been called to take Ti Tonga's place by me. I'm a little nervous to be working with someone else, but I'm sure it'll all work out fine. I don't know yet who my new partner will be. I guess I'll find out Sunday!
Brother Davies was Siope's old nursery teacher before the ward split. So it was a very special experience when he called our little family in to discuss our original callings to be held in the nursery. Tonight was no different. I'm amazed at how compelling his spirit is. It was a sweet experience to feel the spirit so strong within our home. I don't think we've ever felt it so strong in this particular house, so I'm positive it will be a night I will never forget. I felt like I was speaking to a Patriarch. He started to speak to me and Ti Tonga individually. Telling us things that he could feel about our spirits and things that he felt prompted to say to each of us. I can't believe how precise his words were. I don't know if he knew how badly I needed to hear his confirmations. I'm sure he had a feeling that his visit would be beneficial, but I don't know if he understood how much of an impact he would make on my testimony. He was working as an instrument in the Lord's hands to answer my very own prayers. My testimony of prayer and perseverance has been strengthened so much tonight. I hope that I can always heed the promptings of the spirit as Brother Davies has tonight. I might be able to help answer someone else's pleas to the Lord, as he has with mine. I have no doubt in my mind that I am in the right place- right here in Las Vegas NV. Right here in the Durango Heights ward. Right here each Sunday watching over so many sweet spirits. Right here in my home with my 3 wonderful boys and amazing husband. I am so blessed. I have a testimony that my Heavenly Father knows who I am. He knows ME and he loves me. I Have a testimony that our church is not only run by a Prophet who is called of God, but also by Bishops and Counselors who are called by revelation from God as well. I have a testimony that by faith all things are possible. I love my family and this gospel with all my heart. I am hopeful for what the Lord has in store for me. I'm eager to live the gospel more fully.

Developing Prayers

We just got done saying our bedtime prayers and I thought I'd blog real quick about the experience before heading off to read. We've developed a "standard prayer" that the kids say each night just to get them in the habit of saying their prayers in the correct order. I'm not sure how long I expected them to say this memorized version before they would feel comfortable speaking from their own personal hearts, but tonight they did just that. Mote took his turn first (like always) and started off with the usual lines, but quickly started to add his own "requests" for blessings. It was kind of cute because he ran in all the blessings like he was afraid he was going to run out of time "bless me to go to school and eat lunch and Siope to go to his own class and not Mommy's and Nic to be nice and not mean". I tried not to giggle. I was amused at his choice of words, yet overjoyed at his display of independence and growth. Nic stuck with the standard version (I think he was anxious to go to bed.) And Siope tried to add in his own thoughts. I could hear him mumbling and caught "bless Teti to go to work", followed by more mumbling then Nic decided to interfere and said "Hurry up and say Amen!" So Siope ended there =) Yeah Nic was definitely ready for bed.

Goodnight,

Kiki

B.D. Countdownitis

So while my sisters are partying it up at the Breaking Dawn release party in Salt Lake, I'm creating a wordle. It's times like these that I wish I was in SLC- one of the highest (if not highest) fanbase of Twilighters. Neo's been calling me and sending me pictures from the shin dig at Barnes and Noble. I tried logging on to the Borders website the other day to see if they would be having a midnight party here in Vegas, but had no luck locating one. So here I sit waiting patiently for tomorrow afternoon when I'll be able to purchase my copy of Breaking Dawn. I'm so jealous of all you UT peeps- I hope you know how amazingly lucky you all are! Here's some pics from Neo's camera phone. Lucky jerk

My little sis posing by a crazed fans car (psht, she wishes the car were hers!)

Just Married! Read it & weep Jacob! Oh YEAH!!!

Footage of how many were in attendance! Twilighter's UNITE!

Hey It's Bella & Edward... and Neo (someone was having fun taking pictures & I aint talking bout Bella or Edward)
Did I mention that I'm jealous!?!?!

Ti Tonga's Birthday

Today Ti Tonga celebrated his 25th birthday. I knew we wouldn't get to see him before he left to work in the morning so me and the kids stayed up late last night making him a birthday card. Since none of them know how to sign their names yet, I traced each of their hands and wrote a message from each of them on their hand prints.
Mote and Nic did basic thoughts, but Siope wanted me to write "Take it easy man" as his message. He's such a character! I thought Ti Tonga would get a kick out of that since he spent such valuable time teaching Siope that phrase and the correct accent and tone to say it in. We put the card right by his work boots so that he wouldn't miss it on his way out in the morning.
Ti Tonga's favorite cake is chocolate with chocolate pudding and whipped cream (I'm not very fond of it, but he loves it) so me and the kids baked up a special serving just for him. I wanted to add some type of special decor to the house and I remembered that I had a bag of latex balloons leftover from a previous party. I blew up as many as I could and put them around the room.
We put the candles on the cake, hid behind the kitchen island, and did a couple practice rounds of our surprise shouts. When Ti Tonga got home the birthday candles were lit and the boys excitedly screamed "SURPRISE" followed by a verse of "Happy Birthday". He loved it. We had him open his gift that Mote picked out personally... a 12 pack of Dr. Pepper lol. We ate chicken casserole for dinner which turned out really yummy if I don't say so myself =) When I asked him last month what he wanted for his birthday this year he said he just wanted to keep it simple. So everything was home made today- from the birthday card, to the cake, to dinner. Happy 25th Birthday Hun! We love you!