'FAITH IN GOD'

Tonight we were able 2 attend the 'FAITH IN GOD' program with our daughter, Aaliyah.  As you all know, she is now 8 yrs old & so this program has been designed 2 prepare young girls 4 young women.  Can you believe it?  My little 8 yr old is already preparing 4 young women.  If I didn't know what I know through the continuing principles that are taught in church every Sunday, I think I would have a break down right about. . . . .NOW!!  Lol.  It's scary 2 think of the world our children are growing up in right now & so I'm eternally grateful 2 be a member of the only true church on the face of this earth.  And more than that, I'm so grateful 4 a loving Heavenly Father that is so merciful on us that he has enabled temples 2 be built here on earth so that we are able 2 be sealed as families one 2 another 4 all time & eternity.

Tonight's program was so spiritual & just another of the many reminders in life of 'HOW GREAT THE WORTH OF SOULS' are.  All the 8 & 9 yr olds hosted the whole night along with the Primary President.  We had games & food & it was GREAT!!  Aaliyah's growing up at an increasingly alarming rate right now.  I've always said it before, but it's never really took hold of it's TRUE meaning until now.  She's in school 4 most of the day & now has extracurricular activities she's involved in 2 take up more of her day.  I'm excited watching her grow & experience new things in her life.  I just hope that we're doing all we can 2 REALLY prepare her 4 LIFE.  I'm so grateful 4 programs such as this 2 help us parents 2 stay focused on what really matters in life.  To get rid of all the distractions in life in order 2 do what we're supposed 2 be doing on our journey here.  I'm going 2 end on that note cause I can hear my son upstairs reaking havoc with who knows what.  Lol.  

Late Night. . .

So I'm totally having a late night.  I don't know why I keep procrastinating my workouts til it's late @ night & then I can't shut my eye balls 4 nothing.  Hahaha  It's already early early Wednesday morning & I'm only now finding the time 2 blog about our hike up Ensign's Peak.  LOL!!

We planned ahead 2 have our FHE on Sunday because Hoko & I were both really busy on Monday.  He had training all day & I was in school.  So we decided we'd make our way downtown & hike up Ensign's Peak.  Hoko & I went on a date 2 this historical site long long time ago.  Before we had even gotten married.  But we only hiked up 2 the visitor's view which isn't very high.  Hoko didn't know that Ensign's Peak was a lot higher & took much more effort & time 2 get up.  You can imagine his surprise when we started hiking past the visitor's view.  LOL!!  He was like, "Where are we going?"  I explained everything 2 him & then we were off on our little journey up the mountain.  

I must say that I was definitely a 'PROUD MOMMA' that day.  With how many kids we have, we always have them team up with one other sibling 2 make sure nobody gets lost.  I, of course, was left with baby Hoko since I was the only one he wanted 2 walk with.  LOL!!  He made it all the way up that mountain with only one simple request:  That he be able 2 carry my bag of CHESTER'S HOT FRIES in one hand while chowing down on them with the other.  It was definitely a sight 2 see.  Hahahaha. . . .so not only did he make it up 2 Ensign's Peak on his own 2 feet, he did it while carrying & eating his hot fries.  Hahahaha. . . . .These are definitely the moments in life that continually keep us in AWE of how wonderful & how blessed we are 2 be able 2 not only be parents, but also 2 still be able 2 add 2 our growing family.  :D  These are the priceless moments in life that no material thing can replace.  

We came home from that hike & I woke up the next morning with aches in my buttocks that haven't been there in years.  Hahahaha. . . .I definitely saw that as a GOOD sign.  LOL!!  I've worked really hard 2 try & stay consistent with my workouts so I was pretty surprised when I woke up with those aches & pains.  But I definitely welcomed them with open arms.  We were able 2 read about the historic event that happened up on Ensign's Peak.  How it was on this peak that Brigham Young declared this new found land 2 be Zion.  

As I was hiking up this mountain with my son, I kept thinking back 2 when the pioneers traveled 2 this great place.  All the hardships & all the losses they dealt with while crossing the plains.  And I was filled with gratitude 4 all that I have in my life.  Especially 4 the gospel & the plan of salvation.  Knowing that it's all up 2 us if we want 2 return 2 Him in the next life.  No excuses.  We have our free agency & it's 100% our decision on what we're going 2 do with it.  It was a GREAT day & it brought our family that much closer 2gether.  I'm so grateful 4 FHE.  It's the perfect place 2 spend quality time with each other, 2 teach your children 'correct principles,' & 2 be able 2 listen 2 them as well while they express their feelings in what's going on in their lives.  I love it.  I recommend it 2 EVERYONE.  It works & if you're consistent with it, as we're trying 2 be, it'll bless your family forever.  :D  

Another Special Day. . . .

Yesterday we were able 2 celebrate a very special day in our family.  My niece, Natasha, was baptized by her father & then confirmed by my father.  This special little girl is like another one of my daughters.  She has been with us since she was a baby & you can usually find her @ our house EVERY weekend.  :D  We were so HAPPY 2 be a part of her special day.  After she was baptized @ her stake center, we headed over 2 their ward & hosted a birthday party 4 this wonderful little girl.  

I was put in charge of her birthday cake & I must say that it was a BIG HIT with all the guests.  By the end of the party there wasn't a slice left.  :D  We did a BIG full sheet 'ENCHANTED GISELLE' marble cake with a strawberry filling 4 her.  She loved it!!  And we enjoyed scarfing it down.  Hahahaha. . . . It was a busy day & by the time we got home, we were pooped!!  LOL!!  We took a nap 4 a couple of hours & when we got up, our home was FILLED with all the grandkids!!  So my husband & I decided 2 run away 2 the District & chow down on some Irish food @ this little restaurant called Macools.  The food was GREAT & we ended our little runaway date by watching Slumdog Millionaire!!  I definitely recommend this movie as a 'MUST SEE!'  The acting is great as well as the story line.  I must admit that BOLLYWOOD is definitely coming up!!  

We're heading 2 Ensign's Peak 4 our little family home evening that we're holding 2day because our schedule 4 tomorrow is a little too busy.  So til next time. . . .This is us & a peak into our FUN, BUSY, FULFILLING & NEVER ENDING LIVES. . . .Enjoy!

University of Utah Women's Gymnastics!!

So last night we had the opportunity 2 go watch the University of Utah Women's Gymnastics meet against Arizona State.  This wonderful event was held @ the Huntsman Center.   We've received one of those family passes before from the girls bringing them home from school & this was the 1st time we actually took advantage of the opportunity.  LOL!!  And I'm happy 2 say that I'm glad we did.  The kids had such a great time & we enjoyed watching them.  We thought it was a great opportunity 4 Polu Marie 2 see a live gymnastics meet.  I think we'll give her a little more growing up 2 do.  Aaliyah & Lote enjoyed it a lot more.  And I must admit, Sila did, too.  LOL!!  

It was also Sila's 1st day of ballet yesterday & unfortunately, it was unsuccessful!!  LOL!!  It was just wayyy 2 early 4 this little 3 yr old of ours.  And it was FREEZING!!  So I decided 2 move her 2 an afternoon class on Thu which is the same day as Aaliyah & Lote's classes.  She's a pretty amazing little 3 yr old, though.  I didn't see her once paying any attention 2 her instructor, but when my parents & her older sisters got home & asked her what she had learned in her class that morning, she got up on her tippy toes & twirled like a PRO.  Hahahaha. . . . . So I guess, all in all, it wasn't 2 unsuccessful.  At least we know she still learned what was taught in class that morning.  LOL!!  

As 4 our schedule 2day??  It's going 2 be another busy day.  My niece, Tasha, is getting baptized & then afterwards is having her birthday party @ the church.  We're so EXCITED 4 her.  She's such a great girl with such a WONDERFUL spirit.  

Now I'm off 2 pick out the kids clothes 4 the baptism/birthday 2day so I'll pick back up when I get a chance.  'Astala Vista Baby!!'  

Water Aerobics Anyone?? :D

So yesterday my friend, Kass, invited me 2 a water aerobics class over @ the Kearns Rec Center.  It was my 1st time ever experiencing one of these classes & I must say that I loved every minute of it!!  I've always known it 2 be a great workout, but have never actually been 2 a class be-4.  I'm so happy I went.  The class was 4 an hour & I think I've found my next new venture 2 add 2 my workouts.  :D  I was so exhausted when I got home that I was supposed 2 run with my husband 2 Sconecutters 2 keep him company in the car & when he came downstairs 2 see why I was taking so long, I was totally knocked out.  I could barely hear him calling my name.  It was almost as if I was dreaming??  You know, one of those.  LOL!!  But after the name calling subsided, I was totally out.  I had such a GREAT time & I am definitely going 2 keep up with this new venture in my life 4 as long as my schedule permits it.  So a BIG 'THANK YOU' 2 Kassie 4 getting me started.  I had a blast last night!!  :D

Yesterday was also Aaliyah's 1st day in the 'SUNSHINE GENERATION GROUP.'  It was 4 an hour long as well & she loved every minute of it.  We didn't know that DANCE was also a part of the program.  They will be practicing all month long 4 their performance that's scheduled in April.  She's so excited!!  And so are we.  We received the fees 4 her costume & boy was I surprised.  It's as follows:  Dress $52  Panty  $9.50  Scrunchie  $5.50     They are so lucky that she enjoys it so much, even though I am very tempted 2 let the instructor know that she's already got panties & I know I can find her a scruchie @ the dollar store & if I have 2 take up sewing as a new hobby 2 sew her a dress, I would gladly do so.  LOL!!  And all this I would do if I knew she wouldn't curl up in a corner & die of embarrassment so I'll just keep those thoughts on this post.  Hahahaha. . . . .

Unfortunately, Lote's ballet class was supposed 2 start yesterday as well, but it got cancelled.  Her ballet instructor called & said that her kids were terribly sick & she wasn't going 2 make it.  She was so bummed out.  :(  And so was I.  It was her 1st day.  But what can we do.  When our kids are sick, it takes PRIORITY over everything else.  

In a couple of hours we will be taking Sila 2 her 1st ballet class.  And I'm still trying 2 convince my husband how in NEED I am of a new camera!!  Screw repairing it.  I just want a new one.  Hahahaha. . . .I'm almost POSITIVE that this is going 2 have 2 be one of those things that I set a goal 4 & once I reach it, I can reward myself with a BRAND SPANKIN' NEW CAMERA!!  We'll see. . . . .As 4 us, our kids are keeping us MIGHTY busy & we wouldn't have it any other way.  Til next time mi amigos/amigas!!  

IT WAS A HECTIC DAY!!

So Polu Marie's 1st day of gymnastics was yesterday & it was definitely a SUCCESS!!  :D  She loved every single minute of her 1 hr session!!  It was such a JOY 2 watch her having so much fun.  Comments 4rom her teacher(s), there's 4 of them, were that she did so great 4 her 1st time.  I was working out during her class, but the Rec center's set up in a way where I can see her the whole time.  So it was quite a scene 2 watch her.  Out of all our kids, she's my most fearless one.  She gets told by her uncles all the time that she's the STRONGEST girl everr & you'd be amazed @ how serious she takes their encouragements.  LOL!!  So everytime they were done doing hand-stands & cartwheels & so forth, they have 2 go stand @ the end of the line.  This little 5 yr old would go stand where ever it was that she wanted 2.  Whether it was back 2 the front of the line or in the middle of the line.  She didn't quite grasp the concept of going to the end of the line.  The older girls were getting a little annoyed by her.  They kept telling her 2 go to the end of the line & she would tell them no, that she can stand where ever she wants.  And then the staring competition would start between them & her.  Hahahaha  It was hilarious, but I decided it was time 4 some parental intervention.  So I finally walked over & told her that she needed 2 go 2 the end of the line after each exercise they went through.  LOL!!  

There's only one other 5 yr old in the class w/Polu.  All the other kids are a lot older.  I'm glad that she's the one in this class.  If it were one of my other girls, they would've been intimidated right away.  I so wish my camera wasn't on 'BROKEN' status so that I could take pictures of her, but I'll be sure 2 take it in 2 Inkleys 2day 2 see if there's any hope of it getting repaired.  

After all was said & done w/Polu's gymnastics class, we were scheduled 2 head over 2 Aaliyah & Lote's parent teacher conferences.  Aaliyah's was 1st.  Her grades were EXCELLENT, but there's always room 4 improvement.  She made the HONOR ROLL 4 the 2nd time this year & we are so PROUD of her.  Her strengths definitely lie in READING & SPELLING.  She is @ a 'P' in her reading level.  They have an A-Z system that's used & by the end of the year she's supposed 2 be @ a 'N'  So we were EXTREMELY pleased with her hard work & effort that she's put into her schooling.  She's exceeded the 2nd grade reading level already.  Her areas that can use improvements are in FLUENCY & MATH.  Fluency is reading w/expression.  So when there's a question mark @ the end, then she needs to say it like a question instead of making it sound like there's just a period @ the end.  LOL!!  

Lote's grades were EXCELLENT as well.  She also made the HONOR ROLL 4 her 1st time this year.  :D  Her strengths are in READING & PROBLEM SOLVING.  Both her teacher & us, her parents, were very pleased with Lote 4 all her hard work.  We were a little surprised @ how well Lote's grasping onto learning how 2 PROBLEM SOLVE.  She is the only in her class 2 be @ 100% in this subject.  It's GREAT!!  Her room 4 improvements are in HANDWRITING & SUBTRACTION.  We took Aaliyah & Lote out to one of our family faves last night:  APPLEBEES.  :D  We were able 2 go over all their accomplishments thus far & set some goals with them in order 4 them 2 continue 2 improve themselves.  They will start 2night by adding 10 min 2 each of their areas of improvements on top of their 20 min of reading a night.  It's a bit of a hefty goal 4 them since they're also starting their separate extracurricular activities 2night, but I'm confident that if we work 2gether as a family, that it will get done successfully.  And all this on top of their individual chores here @ home.  LOL!!  So I'm very PROUD of them & we'll keep working 2wards reaching 4 the STARS cause the SKY'S the LIMIT!!  And that's what we want them shooting 4!!  :D

So all in all, it was a HECTIC DAY yesterday.  But 2day will be even more HECTIC since we're still unpacking, but it's always worth it 2 be as PRODUCTIVE as can be.  I'll do my best 2 keep you all updated as well as get my camera fixed cause it's killing me that I can't capture them on camera.  LOL!!  It'll either be fixed 2day or it'll be a BRAND NEW ONE.  That's the ultimatum I've given my husband.  And he better be taking me seriously!!  Hahahahaha  I guess we'll soon find out.

Updates Updates. . . .

So I've totally fallen off the bandwagon with my blog. . . .it's so bad.  Sorry!!  :(  We've moved, once again.  LOL!!  Our internet just got transferred to the new house today & being without it over the weekend was quite hard.  I thought of all the things including my BLOG that I was missing out on, even though I haven't been on in so long.  So here I am. . . .  We're all moved in & we love our new house.  I guess the fact that we're FINALLY able to put the trampoline up 4 the kids is a BIG PLUS!! :D  And since the weather's warming up, we've been outdoors a lot more.  

We finally got our butts over to our South Jordan Rec Center & signed up 4 a couple's fitness pkg.  It's great.  We drop our 2 oldest @ school in the morning & head straight to the Rec center 4 a GREAT workout!!  I've never been one 2 WANT 2 workout with my husband.  LOL!!  I take his encouragement 2 a whole different level & instead of being happy & motivated by it, I get totally annoyed & upset.  Don't ask why cause I don't even have the answer 4 that.  Hahahaha. . . . .but I've finally gotten myself 2 a place where I view our workouts 2-gether as a little friendly competition.  We were both running side by side on the elypticals & I started 2 fall behind him without even noticing/caring for that matter.  He looked over @ me & said, "You're falling behind, honey.  Come on.  You can keep up!!"  Kinda corny, but this handsome stud of mine, after 8 going on 9 yrs of marriage still calls me HONEY!!  Hahahahaha. . . . .and I love it every time I hear it.  LOL!!  Matter of fact he just said it again so I can help him mount our headboard on the wall.  Hahahaha

On our way out of the Rec center this morning, we stopped @ the front desk & got the girls all signed up 4 different extracurricular activities.  Aaliyah will be starting in the Sunshine Generation program which 'teaches children performance techniques and skills for success by stressing five areas of development: singing, dancing, showmanship, performance skills, and self-confidence. Salote will be starting ballet lessons along with Sila.  They'll be in different classes from each other, thank goodness, cause they are placed by age group.  And Polu Marie will finally be starting gymnastics lessons.  We're totally excited 4 all of them to start on their new & extra ventures in their young lives.  It's about time.  LOL.

I will be starting real estate school 2-morrow to become a licensed agent & I know most of you might be thinking: Is she crazy?  With the economy the way it is?  And foreclosures @ an all time high?  Well, I probably am a little crazy.  LOL!!  But I also know opportunity when it comes along.  With home prices @ an all time low, it's one of the BEST times to buy a home 4 people who are in a position 2 do so.  So I truly do understand that 4 a lot of people, buying a home is out of the question.  But there's a huge market out there 4 those that are in a position 2 buy a home as well.  With that said, I'm happy 2 say that with the support of my husband, my parents, & some of my closest friends, I'm very EXCITED 2 be starting this new chapter in my life.  :D

With all that said & done, we have some very EXCITING goals that we're working on & like most everyone else. . . . .we'll just keep working towards them.  Even if some of them have to change a little on the way.  My main thing right now is to work on actually following thru with them.  LOL!!  That's always the HARDEST part 4 me.  Yet it's what separates the SUCCESSFUL from the UNSUCCESSFUL.  So I'm going 2 try my best 2 stay focused & stay on track.  This is all I have time 4 right now, but I'll do my best to keep our blog updated more frequently.  :D