A Life Worth Celebrating: 12 yrs of Lauren

Our family after we got the news that Ren's surgery was successful

Tuesday March 22nd we celebrated Lauren's 12th birthday. Just a couple days before we were told that she had a 10-20% chance of surviving an operation on her lungs. She is absolutely amazing and we are so blessed to have her in our lives.

Sila and Neo decorated Ren's room for her special day. It turned out so cute!

^She got a new room... with windows!

^The hospital made this banner

^Little Misi picked out these balloons

All of Rennie's grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins were there. We had a room set aside for us and we had pizza and cake for everyone to enjoy while we each rotated on visiting with her.

^gift from Uncle Doug & Auntie Trina.
She looked so cute wearing them in her hospital bed

Sila's kids got special permission to visit with Ren. They sang to her and Sila said that Constance even busted out some dance moves :)

^Sten was here

Although the hospital was probably the last place Ren would've liked to spend her birthday I know she is aware of the battle she is facing. I don't know if she knows the extent, but she knew that she was undergoing surgery and that she had to fight to make it. I have never seen someone with so much strength as hers. Spending time at Primary Children's has totally changed my outlook on life. I'm so grateful for my family and the bond that we share. I am grateful beyond words for Lauren's life and feel like the luckiest person to be able call myself HER aunt.

Happy Birthday Grandpa

Mote: "Happy birthday Grandpa!!"

Grandpa: "Thank you Mote!"

Mote: "How old are you Grandpa?"

Grandpa: *laughs* "I'm an old man."

Mote: "But how old are you Grandpa?"

Grandpa: "61"

Mote: "60 months?! ... I knew it!!"

On My Knees

Right after I got off the phone with Sila I dropped to my knees and plead to my Father in Heaven in prayer. As I waited in the airport I prayed. Throughout my flight I prayed. I'm not sure if I have ever prayed so much before. I got on my knees before I went to sleep on my Mom's couch last night and woke up the next day and got back in that same position. Prayers at the hospital. Last night me and Sten said a prayer before bed and she asked if she could say it. This morning I prayed with my Mom & Dad before my mom left to work. And a couple hours later I bowed my head as my Dad gave Vince a blessing. Text messages have been continually coming through my phone asking how everything's going and how they can help. You can help by saying a prayer for our sweet Rennie. Whether it be on your knees or a little prayer in your heart for her. I looked up after our prayer with my mom and Dad and seen this picture
On the floor next to me was Constance. Above her on the smaller couch was where Ruby Mei was asleep. My parent's bedroom was just 5 steps away. And across the dining room table in the TV room was where Fatu, Misi, Vince and little Misi were all sleeping. Everyone was spread out on floors or couches. There were pillows and blankets of all kind that had been brought out. This home is filled with love. It is overflowing. I am so grateful for our family and for having my parents and siblings to lean on when my faith and hope start to waver. I have a testimony of prayer and of the plan of salvation. Everything now is in the Lord's hands. Pray for our sweet Lauren. From our family to yours- ofa atu. Thank you.

No Work, No School, All Play

The kids had the day off from school in lieu of President's day and Monday just happens to be my day off so we had the entire day to spend together. As soon as I woke up they asked if they could go outside and play. Before we knew it there were tons of neighborhood kids out on our street riding their bikes and scooters. Nic decided to whip out the rollerblades that have been sitting in the garage collecting dust. And he did pretty well! John, Tina, and Cici came out with their dog and when they seen all the kids playing they brought out a pogo stick for the boys to play with. We stayed out there for hours!

Ti came out and played catch with the boys.

[Look Mom, no feet!]

The other boys in the pictures are our Filipino neighbors. Our boys carpool with them in the morning and we pick them up each day after school. Someone in our ward was like, "I seen you picking up your boys and their cousins." When I told them they were our neighbors they got so embarrassed. Then when Tina seen them out playing today, she too asked if they were the boys cousins lol. I get asked ALL THE TIME if I'm Filipino, so I guess the boys better start getting used to it too.

Weekend Visitors

Fun with our family that stopped by over the weekend. Moala's, Fonua's, and Williams'... good times!

Valentines Day 2011

I've noticed that the way we spend holidays has changed as we've become parents and as our children grow. Valentines no longer seems to be about romance and fluff, but more about true appreciation for love. This weekend was very busy with family in town, so Ti was assigned to help the kids pick out Valentine treats. They came back from school on Monday with cards they made for each of us.

I love when they make us stuff!

We didn't really have anything romantic planned, but thought it would be nice to get out of the house since I had the day off. I really wanted to watch a show on the strip, but we kept it super simple instead. Misi offered to babysit the boys (which they were really excited about). So after school the kids did their homework and we dropped them off at Misi's house. Me and Ti went and had dinner at Sammy's Woodfired Pizza, then headed over to South Point to catch a movie. We had no clue what we wanted to watch. I told him that I read on Facebook and Twitter about a movie called "Just Go With It." So we got tickets for that show with no idea what it was about. I was excited however as we walked toward the theater and found out it was the new Adam Sandler movie. Wow... it was so funny!!! We both loved it!!! And I can honestly say that we probably had more fun at the movies than we would've had at an expensive show on the strip. After the film we picked up the boys and came home. When they found out we went to the theater they were so bummed. As soon as I told them we went on a date, they stopped complaining about not being invited. I was so tired by the time we got home that I almost overlooked a package that was left on our doorstep. I brought it in to find a dozen cupcakes from the Tua family. How sweet! Perfect way to end the night.