Independence Day 09

Yes I am barely getting caught up and it's practically August. So this year Ti Tonga was supposed to fly out for the holiday but the flights weren't looking so great and I didn't want to splurge on last minute confirmed seats. I decided to check rental rates and was surprised at how low they were. So I reserved a car, threw some clothes in a suitcase, and headed out to Salt Lake with the boys.

We got in late Thursday night so after we checked in to our hotel we called it a night and knocked out. Friday morning I met up with some of my Moleni girls and we went and watched "My Sister's Keeper". I bawled like a baby! I LOVED it and recommend it to everyone!! After the movie me and Crystal went over to Southridge Park where Ti Tonga and the kids were watching rugby. Neo and her little family were there and Kalo and Ulysses were too. So while the guys watched the game, the ladies chatted. After rugby Kalo's unborn baby decided he was in the mood for Chinese food... so Chinese Gourmet it was! ;)

Saturday was the 4th of July so we took the kids to Walmart and bought a case of fireworks. My parents got back from California that afternoon and decided they all wanted to meet up for dinner. They took us all out to eat at another Chinese Buffet and we met back at their house after for cake and ice cream in celebration of Mote's birthday. We lit a couple of sparklers for the kids, then headed to Murray Park to watch their firework show. Everyone was so tired by the end of the show, but we still had the case of fireworks left so we headed to my Mom & Dad's and lit all the fireworks in their driveway <----- sorry dad! He probably wasn't too happy when he woke up and saw his driveway was black from all our fireworks.
Sunday we checked out of our hotel and went to my Mom's house to say goodbye before leaving. I'm not sure what happened but we got so involved in playing Rock Band that Ti Tonga said we should just stay another night lol. So we got 2 huge jumpers and headed to the park. Sila said that when the Vegas family is in town visiting- Sabbaths are breakable lol.
We spent the afternoon laughing, grilling, jumping, and listening to some good music with the Falatea's (and by good music I mean Michael Jackson and Ryan Leslie).

We left for real Monday morning and Siope stayed behind to keep Ti Tonga company. It was such a fun last minute trip- I loved it!

Six

Mote finally turned six last month. He has been anxiously waiting to celebrate with his classmates who all have had birthdays throughout the year. He was so excited to finally have his turn to bring treats to school. The day before his birthday we went to the bakery and he picked out an Incredible Hulk cupcake cake. This year we were on a tight budget, but I feel like when you're limited with resources you seem to force the creativity to flow and things turn out better than planned. At least that's how I felt Mote's special day did.

I asked Mote what one thing he wanted to do for his birthday and he said he wanted a pinata. So after we picked out the cupcakes we stopped by Party City and picked out a small pinata- just the perfect size for the boys and their cousins. While Mote was at school me and the 2 little ones went to pick out a birthday outfit for him along with some much needed new shoes. But what little kid really cares for clothes on his birthday? I knew we didn't have a lot to spend, but I wanted Mote to have some kind of gift(s) to open up that he would actually like. So I took Nic and Siope to the Dollar Store and let them each pick out a couple toys for Mote. We ended up with a Hulk water gun, a Wolverine frisbee, a dart gun, and a water slingshot for the pool. The rest of the day was spent trying to keep the two little ones from spilling the beans and ruining our birthday surprises.... hard work, hard work I tell ya!

The morning of Mote's birthday we all sang Happy Birthday to him as soon as he woke up which made him smile. When it was time for him to get ready for school I let him open his "clothes" gifts. He was completely surprised and so eager to have something new to wear to school. The day before he was telling me how his shoes were "killing him." So the new shoes with room for his feet were such a sweet gift for him.

Me and the boys met him toward the end of the school day with his cupcakes. He got to help pass out treats and all his classmates sang Happy Birthday to him. (of course I forgot my camera in the car)


When we got home from school we invited Toa and the kids over and had pizza, pasta, and salad by the pool.



After prying the kids out of the pool we came back to the house and sang Happy Birthday to Mote and had cake and icecream. I let him open his gifts and he absolutely LOVED the little toys his brothers picked out.

We ended the day with the pinata- a grande finale. The birthday boy was of course the one to crack it open and there was more than enough candy to fill each of the kids goodie bags. Even though Ti Tonga wasn't here to celebrate with us, I'm glad Mote got to enjoy his special day. He had a total blast on his sixth birthday. He completely deserved it.

BTW: the 3 shots up top look cooler than the rest because A: they were taken by Sila and B: they were shot in my Mom's yard and she has grass! =)

Chicken Soup For My Soul

I am the type of person that likes to do everything on my own. I guess I pride myself in being independent which makes it almost impossible for me to ask for help- especially when I really need it. My way of living has changed somewhat in the last couple months. With Ti Tonga working in Salt Lake, I've had to adjust to doing things here at home the way a single mother would. By now I feel like it's practically the norm. It's not something that I'm proud of or that I seek pity for- it's just what I have to do to survive.
Well, this passed Saturday I realized that I do not posses super natural powers and that it is okay to ask for help. When I was younger I used to get really bad migraines that would make me horribly sick. Saturday I was sitting here watching TV when my vision started to get blurry. This is normally a sign that a migraine is coming for me, but it has been YEARS since I've had a really bad one so I didn't think anything of it. It didn't take long for the pain to hit... and it hit BAD! I was in so much pain that I couldn't move. All I could do was lay there and cry. The person who I wanted most to be there to comfort me was over 600 miles away. I felt so bad for Nici and Mote. They tried to get me a drink of water and Nic sat by me and rubbed my head, but the pain just kept getting worse. Mote was able to get on the phone and call Ti Tonga and when Ti found out what was happening he asked me if I wanted him to call Brian (our home teacher) to come over and give me a blessing. My stubbornness kicked in and I told him No. I would be fine. After hours of pain and vomiting I couldn't take it anymore. I called Ti Tonga and told him I needed a blessing now. Soon after I heard knocking at the door and in come both my home teachers in white shirts and ties. They gave me a blessing then told the boys to put their shoes on so they could take them while I got some rest. Almost instantly the pain subsided just enough for me to drift away into sleep and I was able rest comfortably knowing that the boys were being well taken care of. Later on I heard more knocking to find Allison Baker (my other home teacher's wife) on my doorstep. She brought me all the essentials that an aching body yearned for: chicken noodle soup, french bread, strawberries, and ginger ale. I ate my dinner in peace and the boys showed up afterward- right in time for bed. When Cheryl dropped them off she said she would be back in the morning to pick them up for church and that Allison had already found a sub for my primary class. So Sunday the boys left for church and spent another day at the Johnson's house. I was able to rest the entire day and was joined by the boys again after dinner.
Today I am feeling great and cannot express how much I appreciate all that my ward members have done for me. I'm not going to lie- it has been a tough adjustment being away from Ti Tonga, but how comforting it is to know that if I need a priesthood blessing, or help with the kids- that I can just pick up the phone and call up the street for help. I am so grateful for the love that is abundant in my ward and in the people throughout this gospel. My ward is constantly inspiring me to serve wholeheartedly. How lucky is my family to be a part of this loving community. I was always sure of it before, but I'm telling you now- it IS a fact... that Durango Heights ward is absolutely the BEST =)

Photo(s) of the Month {July}

The morning of Tuesday July 7 I was sitting in the living room when Mote comes out of the bedroom begging me to turn the T.V. to channel 39. He did this several times before I finally did and realized that he wanted to watch the memorial services for Michael Jackson on the "big t.v." I'm so glad he kept bugging me! I tuned in as soon as the services were starting and both Mote and Nic joined me for the entire program. When I got word that Michael Jackson passed away- my boys were almost as sad as I was. They spent a summer week at my parents house in Utah and it was then that they were introduced to the King of Pop- thank you Falatea kids! They camped out over the best of MJ's videos and when they made their way home they ranted and raved about how Michael Jackson was a zombie (Thriller), that had magic powers (Remember the Time). Every time my boys would talk about him, adults would turn in surprise and say "They know who Michael Jackson is?!" So we watched the memorial together and later when we were going to the store I told the kids to put their shoes on and get in the car. While they were in the garage I overheard Mote say to Nic, "Nic do you know that Michael Jackson doesn't wear slippers?" I laughed a little then heard Nic say "Oh, I don't want to wear my slippers. I want to wear these." He walks in the house and when I glance over at him I see him doing this...

After he sees me looking and laughing at him he asks, "Mom can I wear my church shoes?"
Sure why not?! We walked up and down the mall with my son sporting his "Michael Jackson shoes." Got a couple funny looks, but I couldn't help but give in to the request =)

Checking In

I haven't blogged in forever because I lost the USB cable for my camera, but I finally found it- yay! I have a lot of catching up to do, but just wanted to check in real quick. Me and the boys just got back from our 2009 Fangupo reunion which took place in San Francisco this year. I feel like I'm still on cloud 9 from this weekend... it was that good!! This was the BEST year by far!!! I'm tempted to dive in and blog about it already, but I'll need to catch up with my family happenings from June & early July first. So I will soon be on a blogging roll- watch out now =)