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Tuesday, April 26, 2011
I Missed It!
Got a text today when I was at work. "Baby just rolled over!!" Hopefully she'll do it again when I get home. This is one reason I gaye working. I'm not at home when the girls do something amazing! I have to hear about it. I guess its alright though. Kasala needs time with his girls.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
When my brothers and I were little we woke up one morning, came out to the family room and found a stranger sitting in the room. My dad simply said "This is my cousin Sinua. She's going to stay with us and help your Mom." That was it. We stared at here and then just sat down and watched cartoons.
Sinua didn't speak much English when she got here. She did things a little different too and my mom spent time helping her out and teaching her that she needed to use hot water and soap to wash dishes. She showed her to to use the washer and dryer, how to fold and put the clothes away, how to use the vacuum and how to use the dishwasher. Sinua was there when we got up in the morning, home from school and when we went to bed at night.
Sinua was great. She would always do something that was just off. One day I was watchinig My Little Pony and laying the floor. Sinua was vacuuming up the family room and I guess she didn't see my hair cause the next thing I knew my hair was being swept up. It was so tangled around the vacuum bush and it took forever to get it untangled!
Our back yard use to have super tall grass throughout most of the yard. We had a umu pit out there too that when we weren't using it for cooking we would use it to burn trash and things. I still remember it like yesterday....Sinua we outside and started a fire in the umu and was burning stuff. Then she came inside to take a shower. The next thing I knew the fire department was in front of our house!!The wind had blown the flames and the grass had caught on fire! The whole back yard was in flames!! Sinua came out of the shower, the fire department put the fire out and we just kind of stood there. I don't remember the grass ever growing very tall after that.
When Sinua was going to get married Mom made her dress. It was blue satin and it was hanging in the family room closet. I remember being upset that I couldn't go to her wedding and when I came home from school I ran straight to the closet only to find her dress not there anymore. I sat in that closet crying because I knew that she wasn't going to come back and live with us.
Whenever she came over to visit should would always say the same thing. "Sis.... you gained weight. Can I have the clothes that don't fit you anymore? Can I have those shoes? I lilke those" And, unless it was something that I just loved, I would let her have what ever it was. I loved that she called me Sis or Sissy. It made me feel like I had a real older sister.
Even after she got married she was still taking care of us kids. We would always go and stay with her on the weekends or holidays. In the summer we would stay for a week and spend time with her and her husband. She was like a second Mom to us kids. As we got older we always knew when Sinua had been at the house. It was usually clean and something was always missing....mostly our school or dance pictures. She would come and take our Homecoming or prom pictures and hand them in her house. She was so proud of my brothers and I. The boys all served missions, 4 of us graduated from school, everyone is married now.... and she was proud.
Yesterday Jared, Jeff and I were able to go and say good bye to Sinua. She passed away unexpectedly April 13th while in the hospital. I had been so busy the rest of that week and this past week with my girls and work that I hadn't really sat down and thought about what had happened. But driving up to the chapel yesterday I thought about her and everything she had done for us. Walking into the chapel and seeing her picture instantly brought tears to my eyes. As I sat looking at her body and listening to the loving words people had to say I cried. As people started to file out of the viewing I stood on the side with her daughters as people said their last good byes and they closed the casket.
It was a very emotional day for my brothers, parents and I. With it being Easter and me knowing that Sinua's death is not forever it comforted me somewhat. I know that she is no longer in any pain from her dialysis.I know that she's with her family and children who have passed away before her. I know that she's still watching over us. But it's still hard. I loved her very much and I look forward to the day when I'll be able to see her again.
Sinua didn't speak much English when she got here. She did things a little different too and my mom spent time helping her out and teaching her that she needed to use hot water and soap to wash dishes. She showed her to to use the washer and dryer, how to fold and put the clothes away, how to use the vacuum and how to use the dishwasher. Sinua was there when we got up in the morning, home from school and when we went to bed at night.
Sinua was great. She would always do something that was just off. One day I was watchinig My Little Pony and laying the floor. Sinua was vacuuming up the family room and I guess she didn't see my hair cause the next thing I knew my hair was being swept up. It was so tangled around the vacuum bush and it took forever to get it untangled!
Our back yard use to have super tall grass throughout most of the yard. We had a umu pit out there too that when we weren't using it for cooking we would use it to burn trash and things. I still remember it like yesterday....Sinua we outside and started a fire in the umu and was burning stuff. Then she came inside to take a shower. The next thing I knew the fire department was in front of our house!!The wind had blown the flames and the grass had caught on fire! The whole back yard was in flames!! Sinua came out of the shower, the fire department put the fire out and we just kind of stood there. I don't remember the grass ever growing very tall after that.
When Sinua was going to get married Mom made her dress. It was blue satin and it was hanging in the family room closet. I remember being upset that I couldn't go to her wedding and when I came home from school I ran straight to the closet only to find her dress not there anymore. I sat in that closet crying because I knew that she wasn't going to come back and live with us.
Whenever she came over to visit should would always say the same thing. "Sis.... you gained weight. Can I have the clothes that don't fit you anymore? Can I have those shoes? I lilke those" And, unless it was something that I just loved, I would let her have what ever it was. I loved that she called me Sis or Sissy. It made me feel like I had a real older sister.
Even after she got married she was still taking care of us kids. We would always go and stay with her on the weekends or holidays. In the summer we would stay for a week and spend time with her and her husband. She was like a second Mom to us kids. As we got older we always knew when Sinua had been at the house. It was usually clean and something was always missing....mostly our school or dance pictures. She would come and take our Homecoming or prom pictures and hand them in her house. She was so proud of my brothers and I. The boys all served missions, 4 of us graduated from school, everyone is married now.... and she was proud.
Yesterday Jared, Jeff and I were able to go and say good bye to Sinua. She passed away unexpectedly April 13th while in the hospital. I had been so busy the rest of that week and this past week with my girls and work that I hadn't really sat down and thought about what had happened. But driving up to the chapel yesterday I thought about her and everything she had done for us. Walking into the chapel and seeing her picture instantly brought tears to my eyes. As I sat looking at her body and listening to the loving words people had to say I cried. As people started to file out of the viewing I stood on the side with her daughters as people said their last good byes and they closed the casket.It was a very emotional day for my brothers, parents and I. With it being Easter and me knowing that Sinua's death is not forever it comforted me somewhat. I know that she is no longer in any pain from her dialysis.I know that she's with her family and children who have passed away before her. I know that she's still watching over us. But it's still hard. I loved her very much and I look forward to the day when I'll be able to see her again.
Monday, April 11, 2011
A Hearts Desire
This last week was Spring Break which meant no work for the whole week. I spent the week with my girls trying to do special things with them as well as doing things around the house in hopes that I can focus on becoming a better wife and mother. I am so lucky to be blessed with two wonderful spirits in my life. Terina was a blessing in disguise and not something that I was expecting or wanting at the time BUT because of the choices I made I was blessed with her. She has made me a better person all around and for her I am truly grateful.
When I look at the joy my girls have brought into my life I feel so blessed. I know that there are couples out there who are struggling to have a family of their own. My heart aches for those whom I know who have a strong desire to be a mother. Yes they may have nieces and nephews but the love you feel for your own child is so different than the love you have for your nieces and nephews. I know without a doubt that these women would make wonderful mothers. They are loving and caring and have such a strong testimony of the gospel. I know that the Lord has a plan for these women and I know if they remain faithful that their every hearts desire will come true.
A friend of mine who I have not talked to in YEARS except through facebook and blogger has been wanting children for a long time. She young, beautiful, so so smart and very talented in many different areas. Sometimes when I think about her I can't picture her without a troop of children! I've been keeping up with her blog and she and her husband are trying to start their family through adoption. I wish them nothing but the best as they start out on this journey. I pray that they are able to have the righteous desires of their hearts granted to them and I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that when they are blessed with a child of their own that they will be the most amazing parents ever. Good Luck Jared and Ashley! (Not my brother Jared and his wife Ashlee......but my old friend Ashely and her husband Jared....funny huh?!)
If you get a chance check out their adoption profile https://itsaboutlove.org/ial/profiles/24732088/ourMessage.jsf or their blog http://jaradandashley.blogspot.com/
When I look at the joy my girls have brought into my life I feel so blessed. I know that there are couples out there who are struggling to have a family of their own. My heart aches for those whom I know who have a strong desire to be a mother. Yes they may have nieces and nephews but the love you feel for your own child is so different than the love you have for your nieces and nephews. I know without a doubt that these women would make wonderful mothers. They are loving and caring and have such a strong testimony of the gospel. I know that the Lord has a plan for these women and I know if they remain faithful that their every hearts desire will come true.
If you get a chance check out their adoption profile https://itsaboutlove.org/ial/profiles/24732088/ourMessage.jsf or their blog http://jaradandashley.blogspot.com/
Saturday, April 2, 2011
What to do...what to do?
The past few days or maybe weeks have been really hard! Has it been like that for anyone else?
Kids these days have no respect...no class...no brains! I'm back substituting and it seems like the kids are getting worse and worse. I know it comes in waves and I'm sure in 3 to 5 years the kids are going to be great but right now...there's NO WAY that the 8th graders I've been teaching are going to be the future leaders of this country...or of anything for that matter.
Terina is developing this little attitude...and it seems to be growing bigger. Maybe she's watering it too much. Anyways we went to get a birthday present for her friend and because I didn't buy HER anything (I didn't get the kid anything at this store either) she decided that she was old enough to take care of herself and started walking out of the Toys R Us parking lot towards the very busy road. I would have left her there but I guess people look at that as child abuse these days. So when she got in the car I told her when we got home to pack her stuff and move out....but she could only take what SHE bought. So take your clothes off and grab your Strawberry Shortcake tree house and GET TO STEPPIN!! Of course she broke down crying but I kept it up for a while...about 45 minutes. (We were waiting for Mom to finish something at the nursing home so I had some time to kill before going home.)I think she got the picture. If you don't want to listen then move out.
Manamea is a pretty good baby. She's about to roll over and I'm sure she'll do it sometime this week. She's getting so big so fast(and so white too. We should have stayed in Hawaii so she could darken up a little before moving here. I'm also starting to think that Terina's "tan" was just dirt I could never scrub off cause she's starting to get a little pasty too.)
Today started General Conference. I got up, fed baby, put her back to bed and then got myself ready to watch it at home. I'm trying something a little different this time...I think it's call LISTENING. I feel like there are so many things going "wrong" right now that maybe I should change somethings or pay attention to find some answers. So I took the advice of some email I got, wrote down what was ailing me, took some notes and listened to the words and the spirit to find some answers. I like it....I like it a lot.
I'm jealous of those Mom's who get to stay at home with their kids. I love my girls. They are growing so fast and I really feel like I'm missing out on some things. It's been bugging me too!! But you know what...... I like working. I like being a teacher..even on bad days when kids are drawing pictures of me and writing nasty things about me in their stupid calculators that they don't know how to use. I LOVE the fact that Kasala is getting time at home with the kids. I'm glad he is seeing what I did when I was in school and he was working full time with a little baby. (Except he doesn't have to do homework or student teaching with a newborn) I'm glad that he now UNDERSTANDS why (when he was in school and I was working) the house may not get cleaned or dinner may just be corn dogs some nights. Sometimes you just don't get around to doing it. And that's just fine with me.
We need to stop being a "T.V rich family" (if we had our own place I'm pretty sure we wouldn't have cable...we'd be too broke for it) and start working on being "Family Rich"
Can I get a bag of Chocolate Coconut Macadamia nuts please? Someone....anyone... and some Maori bread please?
I'm coaching track at FP...well...just discus...but same difference. What happened with the athletes that use to be there? You know...the ones who come to practice and actually STAY at practice and do something? Where have they all gone?
Kasala said that our blog didn't have enough pictures on it....that explains the randomness of all the pictures. I actually like this picture of him. He looks just like his Dad don't you think? I was a little mad that day he graduated though. He really didn't want to stick around and take pictures with any of his friends. He wanted to graduate, get his leis from us and then go right home. I swear we were the first ones out in the parking lot after graduation....and the first ones to Todais too....but the last ones to my OB appointment. I probably should have gave birth that day....but I was too busy grinding on all the good food in town :)
Kids these days have no respect...no class...no brains! I'm back substituting and it seems like the kids are getting worse and worse. I know it comes in waves and I'm sure in 3 to 5 years the kids are going to be great but right now...there's NO WAY that the 8th graders I've been teaching are going to be the future leaders of this country...or of anything for that matter.
Terina is developing this little attitude...and it seems to be growing bigger. Maybe she's watering it too much. Anyways we went to get a birthday present for her friend and because I didn't buy HER anything (I didn't get the kid anything at this store either) she decided that she was old enough to take care of herself and started walking out of the Toys R Us parking lot towards the very busy road. I would have left her there but I guess people look at that as child abuse these days. So when she got in the car I told her when we got home to pack her stuff and move out....but she could only take what SHE bought. So take your clothes off and grab your Strawberry Shortcake tree house and GET TO STEPPIN!! Of course she broke down crying but I kept it up for a while...about 45 minutes. (We were waiting for Mom to finish something at the nursing home so I had some time to kill before going home.)I think she got the picture. If you don't want to listen then move out.
Manamea is a pretty good baby. She's about to roll over and I'm sure she'll do it sometime this week. She's getting so big so fast(and so white too. We should have stayed in Hawaii so she could darken up a little before moving here. I'm also starting to think that Terina's "tan" was just dirt I could never scrub off cause she's starting to get a little pasty too.)
Today started General Conference. I got up, fed baby, put her back to bed and then got myself ready to watch it at home. I'm trying something a little different this time...I think it's call LISTENING. I feel like there are so many things going "wrong" right now that maybe I should change somethings or pay attention to find some answers. So I took the advice of some email I got, wrote down what was ailing me, took some notes and listened to the words and the spirit to find some answers. I like it....I like it a lot.
I'm jealous of those Mom's who get to stay at home with their kids. I love my girls. They are growing so fast and I really feel like I'm missing out on some things. It's been bugging me too!! But you know what...... I like working. I like being a teacher..even on bad days when kids are drawing pictures of me and writing nasty things about me in their stupid calculators that they don't know how to use. I LOVE the fact that Kasala is getting time at home with the kids. I'm glad he is seeing what I did when I was in school and he was working full time with a little baby. (Except he doesn't have to do homework or student teaching with a newborn) I'm glad that he now UNDERSTANDS why (when he was in school and I was working) the house may not get cleaned or dinner may just be corn dogs some nights. Sometimes you just don't get around to doing it. And that's just fine with me.
We need to stop being a "T.V rich family" (if we had our own place I'm pretty sure we wouldn't have cable...we'd be too broke for it) and start working on being "Family Rich"
Can I get a bag of Chocolate Coconut Macadamia nuts please? Someone....anyone... and some Maori bread please?
I'm coaching track at FP...well...just discus...but same difference. What happened with the athletes that use to be there? You know...the ones who come to practice and actually STAY at practice and do something? Where have they all gone?
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