Mother's Day '09

Sunday was officially my 6th time/year being honored as a Mother. As I think back to the past Mother's Days I've had, I realize that each one has been so different! I'm not sure if they get better each year, but in my opinion 2009 takes the cake.
Although I appreciate the attention and acknowlegment from our men each year, I feel like Mother's Day is not all about receiving gifts and getting pampered- for me it's a time to give thanks for my role as a woman. On Mother's Day I'm reminded of how grateful I am to be blessed with beautiful healthy children. Of how indebted I am to my Heavenly Father for trusting me to raise such choice spirits. And how lucky I am to be blessed with someone who holds the priesthood, someone to help me face life's challenges. So before I go on about my Mother's Day Happening's, I just want Ti Tonga and my boys to know how much I love them and how honored I am to be a wife/mother to them!

MD recap:
So I guess my Mother's Day actually started on Saturday. On our way to Mote's soccer game, my Dad called to ask for my bank account number. My parents wanted to fly out to see the kids, but the flights were full, so my Dad wanted to deposit money in my account so that we could take the kids out to eat in behalf of Grandma and Grandpa. Turns out he not only put in "Happy Meal money", but he also included some extra so that I could buy something for myself for Mother's Day. At first I wasn't going to spend any of it, but I figured I could use something new to wear to church the next day =)
Sunday morning I woke up and found that EVERYONE's church clothes were laid out and ironed- if this was the only act of service for the entire day I would've been happy! Mote was the first one to wish me a Happy Mother's Day and presented me with a card and magnet he made in school. This is the first time I've ever gotten something hand made from my kids and I tell you, these things are better than gold! It made my heart melt! I made my way downstairs to meet the rest of my boys and Ti Tonga. The table was set with fresh flowers and I was able to sit down and enjoy a delicious breakfast. After, we all got dressed and almost made it to sacrament on time- almost ;) Later that night Mote and Toa joined us for dinner. The boys each gave me cards that Toa had helped them make earlier on in the week. We chatted and enjoyed salad, pork roast, mashed potatoes & gravy, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. I don't think I had to lift a finger.

Shout outs:
I can't end without giving a shout out to everyone who contributed such thoughtful acts and services to me this weekend. Thank you Ti Tonga for seriously taking on all my roles and allowing me to relax! Thank you Mote si'i, Nici, & Siope for just being YOU and for making it through church without causing too much trouble. Thank you Mote lahi for hooking it up in the kitchen for dinner- you are seriously America's Top Chef! ha! Thank you Toa for helping each of my kids make me such sweet cards and for babysitting them while me & Ti Tonga went to the temple! Thank you Teti (my Daddio!) for always thinking about me and my family! We appreciate the money, but most significantly we appreciate your love! And most importantly, thank you MOM! for giving me life, for putting up with me and being the BEST Mom and Grandma we could ask for!!! For being the most UNSELFISH woman I know! Thank you MOM! I LOVE YOU!

NZ-LV

Ti's first cousin from New Zealand, Timote Manusina, made his way to America for the first time this week. Line and Mazely picked him up in L.A. and decided to swing by Vegas on their way to Salt Lake. We had so much fun spending time with them even though it was a pretty short trip. When Line first told me that they would be stopping by I pictured an awkward night with some guy that we'd never met before. I didn't know if we would even have anything in common with Manusina to talk about. It was the complete opposite of what thought it would be.

We all met up at our house after church and drove up to the Hoover Dam. I googled the route just to see how long it would take to drive, and what was supposed to be a drive lasting under an hour, turned out to be 2 hours of bumper to bumper traffic. The kids loved the water and I just thought it was so cool to see the actual site where Transformers was filmed.

Seven adults and can you believe not one of us had a camera?! Thank goodness for camera phones.

The boys barbecued for us after and as the sun started to go down Ti Tonga and Mote took Manusina to the strip. Me, Maze, and Toa decided to take all the kids to the pool so they could run loose and get their energy out while us girls chatted. It was also Nela's (Mazely's son) birthday so we sang Happy Birthday to him at the pool which he loved. Later that night me, Ti, Manusina, and Maze stayed up forever just talking. Ti's Fangupo side shares this bond that I love seeing. They have this instant connection that I feel has been there from birth. I've seen it with all of his first cousins. I love how they are such a tight knit family and no matter how far apart they live from each other or no matter how long they go without seeing one another- once they all get together, nothing else matters but catching up and having a good time. I don't have a large family like my husband so I really enjoy being included in this atmosphere. It was such a good experience. I love having family over and I really hope my boys will grow up and share that same bond with their cousins.

A Year of Ruby Mei

My niece Ruby Mei turned one this year and celebrated this past Saturday with family and friends in Salt Lake. I am the lucky aunt of 3 nieces who all have such DIFFERENT personalities. I think my strong desire to have a girl stems from these 3 gems. My older nieces Lauren and Constance are old enough to help me keep an eye on my boys. They are lifesavers whenever I come out to Salt Lake and I am so grate for their willingness to help out. The youngest of our Moala family came to us in April of last year and we have been smitten ever since. I think I speak for all my siblings when I say that Ruby Mei has a way of mesmerizing us. You can't help but want to carry her 24/7 and buy her everything that a little girl should have. My boys share such a special bond with her- the only thing right now that I can compare to an older brother/younger sister relationship. She is the reason that I have recieved endless requests to provide a "baby sister" for my children. She brings such a sweet spirit to our Moala family and I am honored that she carries on my middle name. Happy birthday Ruby Mei Ku'ualoha Mataele. Ofa lahi atu.