Love Knows No Limits

I seen this clip on yahoo and thought it was cute enough to pass along and share. Not sure how much of the story is true and how much is exaggerated, but the moral is a good one nonetheless.

Saturday, Saturday, Saturday

I'm so exhausted- not really a major reason to be, just tired for free I guess. Today was Mote's last game of the season. I've gotta be honest- I'm a little excited for the break! 3 kids in soccer was a bit chaotic at times. So we've got until March to enjoy a little peace and quiet. Aaah, I remember why I'm so tired. I worked a closing shift last night, got home at around 10pm, dropped off Ti Tonga at work, woke up early, got the kids dressed, picked up Ti, and amazingly made it to Mote's game on time. After the game and a little "Hoo-rah, the season's over" celebration meal I attempted to shop for our "family portrait" attire. I knew I was in for some good ole stress. It seems like every time I shop with something specific in mind I can never find it. I had this fabulous picture in mind about what everyone would be wearing, had the whole color scheme down- and ask me if I found anything remotely similar to what I envisioned??? Not even close. I got to the point where I didn't even care what I was grabbing off the racks. I think I counted 5 near-breakdowns by the end of the night. Sila- I hope you can work some magic! Maybe all of our shots will be black and white. haha

Upside Down

Why does it seem like just when everything's starting to settle into place, someone throws a curve ball at you? I feel like we've adjusted quite well and we've gotten our schedule down with school, work, activities, church callings. And it all kinda seems weird now cause Ti started a new shift last night- wait I guess it's considered today. He used to work at 4:30 am so he'd be up at 3 and out of the house by 4. Today's our first day on this new schedule and Richard, whom he normally carpools with, is still working the 4am shift. So while Ti's at work we have no car at home. I have no clue what time to expect him home. And who knows how much longer he'll have this shift because this project will be done soon.
Soccer is now coming to an end for the kids. Tomorrow is Nici and Siope's last day with their teams and Mote will play his final game Saturday morning. Which means we get a break from practice and games, but I'm sure we'll manage to fill those spots with another sport/activity.
So we have a week to adjust the best we can, then the schedules get thrown out the window for Thanksgiving - no school, no work, and a ton of family in town. When all the mayhem is done- back to trying to readjust. And with the end of the year all my nursery kids will be advancing to Sunbeam which means I smell a new calling coming on. Upside down I tell ya.

Presidents

I was telling Neo about how we were at the dentist the other day and while me and the 2 older boys were with the dentist, Ti Tonga and Siope were in the waiting room. As Ti Tonga's trying to pass time by reading a magazine, Siope's climbing on each of the chairs jabbering away. All the sudden he rants off something about John Mccain ( which is normal to us) and the secretary started busting out laughing... "Did he just say what I think he said?"
Neo thought it was hillarious, so I recorded Siope talking a little about the President/Candidates. It's just funny to hear him say the names in his little voice.

I promise I don't force politics on my kids. They've just happened to be around while we were watching all the campaigning. If I can sit through hours of Disney Channel, then a little CNN here and there can't hurt =)

Found a Pumpkin

Mote came home from school one day and sang this song for us. They had only spent 1 day on it so he struggled with the words a little, but I thought it was the cutest thing! A couple weeks had passed since his first attempt at the song when I seen a paper pumpkin in his backpack that he had made. He was so proud to show it to me and as soon as I seen it, I was reminded of his little pumpkin song. I asked him to sing it for me again and I was thrilled that he had completely mastered it... well the first verse at least. To my surprise there were 3 more verses. So I drove home grinning as he sang his little heart out. I had him sing it for Ti Tonga, for his brothers, and about a million more times so that I could record him.
Here is Timote singing "Found a Pumpkin"

"Mom can you take a picture of my pumpkin? Here I'll hold it up for you."
"Not me mom, just my pumpkin. Don't take a picture of me. Just get my pumpkin"

"Tulou"

I was at Vons today and as I got closer to the store I approached the shopping carts at the same time as a palangi lady. She looked at me asked me if I was Filipino. I get this all the time. If it's not Filipino, then it's Hawaiian- and we have plenty of both out here in Vegas. I told her I was Polynesian and she says, "Oh, you're from the South Pacific? Which Island?"
"I'm Tongan."
"Oh! Wow! You're from Tonga! I've been there before, it's beautiful."
"Thank you."
"Have you been there before?"
"No actually. My parents originate from there, but I haven't had the chance to go there personally. I was born in Hawaii and was raised in the States."

We head into the store when she turns to me and says, "Your King just passed away not too long ago right?"

I was shocked that this woman had even heard of Tonga... and I'm blown away that she's actually been there.... now she even knows about our King and his death?! Wow!

"Yes he did pass away."
"Well thank you for talking with me and sharing a little bit of yourself with me. It brought back memories of my trip. Thank you."
"Oh, you're very welcome. It was nice meeting you."

I start to push my cart off when she comes up to me again with her cart and says, "When you cross paths with someone, instead of saying ""Excuse me"" don't you say ""Tulou?""

"Yes! You do! You're absolutely right!"

She flashed a smiled at my look of amazement and we both went our seperate ways to finish our grocery shopping. This was such a cool little experience today! It made me smile!!!

Ballots Cast

So I can't believe that today was the end of all the campaigning. It seems like it's been a long road this election season- maybe because I've been involved and following along from the beginning this time. I had the opportunity to vote for the first time as a Nevada resident today. It was a completely different experience than the last time I voted in Utah. There was so much more hype and buzz around the election this year. Of course this year was different because of the candidates running. From the very start it was evident that history was going to be made. We as a nation had three candidates running for President that didn't fit the mold... we could've had the first woman President, the first Mormon President, or the first African American as our leader. I read on someone's blog early on in the primary's that we should just kill three birds with one stone and elect Gladys Knight as the head of our nation lol.
It wasn't easy for me to make it to the polls today. I went to the DMV where they told me I couldn't get a NV ID without my Hawaiian birth certificate. I was so distressed that I wanted to cry. After a call to our voting office- I was advised that I could still vote as long as I could provide a bill with my name and NV address on it! So I spent about an hour at home researching and filling out my sample ballot (we had like 15 different judges to vote for in Las Vegas!)
Even though our Republican party didn't win, it still was a very empowering experience. I'm ready to stand behind our new President and wish him nothing but the best. I have a feeling there are hard times ahead of us. I hope that we are all able to bear those storms ahead and resurface as a stonger nation.