Always So Inspiring. . . . .

This Mormon Message couldn't have come @ a more perfect & much needed time in my life. I have been experiencing some difficulties & personal struggles in my life that I know I'm not alone in. And it has been such a COMFORT watching this video, in particular, because it has been the answer to my endless prayers. I have felt @ times, very heavily burdened w/different events that have occurred recently & am ETERNALLY grateful 2 the Savior & his atoning sacrifice. At my LONELIEST & LOWEST point in my life, I have found myself on my knees pleading 4 guidance & asking 4 clarity in knowing what my next move is going 2 be. I pray that the decisions I make in my life are the right ones & that I'll be able 2 successfully overcome the constant trials/tribulations that seem 2 be thrown my way.

It's 2 Months Since Our Fatso Came Into Our Lives. . . .

Happy 2 months baby Savou!! :D Our #6 & I still can't believe how much he's grown. He's brought such an OVERWHELMING amount of JOY into our home/lives that we are so GRATEFUL 4 his very presence. :D

Some of the things that he does very well now:

-Holds his head up
-Rolls over when we lay him on his tummy
-Talks non-stop 2 every member of our family :D
-Only cries when he's tired or hungry
-Looks @ the pictures hanging on our walls or the tv as if he understands what they are
-Falls asleep in my arms in less than 10 seconds of my holding him

It's AMAZING 2 me every time we are blessed w/another addition 2 our growing family 2 see the differences & uniqueness that they are blessed with 4rom birth. :D Being able 2 be a mother is definitely the HIGHLIGHT of my life here on earth.

Savou is named after my grandfather whom I spent a very small part of my childhood with. But I remember every minute of it. He came 2 the states in 2001 for a visit & 2 this day I miss him so much. He was a GREAT example 2 me of hard work & love because of the fact that he LOVED all of us so much. :D I wish he were still here, but it's times like this that I'm grateful 2 know of the GREAT PLAN OF HAPPINESS because it's definitely REASSURING 2 know that I will see him again. :D I like 2 think of these types of people in my life as a MOTIVATION 2 help keep me on track 4 blessings that have been promised 2 me by my Father in Heaven if I do what I know I should be doing.

I am honored 2 have the privilege of naming our son after this GREAT man. I look 4ward to being able 2 tell my son about my grandpa in hopes of instilling in him the WONDERFUL memories I had the opportunity of having. I hope, as well, that my son carries my grandfather's name w/a sense of legacy for he was known for being a very very very LOVING man as well as a very very very HARD WORKER. We love you so much Savou. :D And are very EXCITED 2 watch you grow up. :D

General Conference Weekend

This past weekend we had the privilege 2 listen 2 leaders of the church provide instructions & guidance 4 us 2 be able 2 use in our lives. :D I love this time of year because it always comes @ a much needed time & I'm so grateful 4 being a member of the church & 4 knowing the things that I know.

We woke up bright & early Saturday morning & headed 2 Gemini's football game once we found out that they would be replaying the morning session @ noon. :D As soon as his game was over we headed back home & caught the last part of conference & watched the replay @ noon. It was a pretty long day since we weren't able 2 participate in the 2 hr break. Lol. Nonetheless, I was grateful 4 all the talks that were given.

After that Hoko got ready 2 head 2 Priesthood meeting w/my dad, brother & Solo. :D I hopped on the elyptical 4 a quick workout before Soloi & the kids got 2 our house. It felt GREAT since I was in so much pain 4rom body aches courtesy of Tony Horton. :D Definitely worth it though. :D I made dinner 4 everyone in the house & had it ready 4 the men once they returned. They were all so INSPIRED 4rom PRIESTHOOD meeting. They were talking about the different talks that were given. They're favorite ones & so forth. It was so GREAT 2 see that kind of relationship being shared between these men. Being able 2 know & feel that kind of security 4rom those that hold the priesthood. :D

We watched conference all day yesterday as well & felt very sad once it came 2 a close. It left me looking 4ward so much 4 April 2 hurry up & come so we can receive that spiritual nourishment again. :D Hoko & I were able 2 discuss some of the talks & were INSPIRED as 2 what needs 2 be done in each of our individual futures as well as 4 our family as a WHOLE. I'm so so EXCITED 2 get started on these goals & am very grateful 4 these divine inspirations as well as modern revelations that we're able 2 take advantage of 2 get ahead in life. :D I am very happy 2 announce that Hoko will be going back 2 school. :D Woo hoo!! That was INSPIRED by Pres. Uchtdorf's talk in Priesthood meeting. This is a HUGE stepping stone in the RIGHT direction & one that will be difficult, but well worth it. We realize the blessings that come 4rom a more ENLIGHTENED mind & I've never pushed the subject on Hoko cause he's always been discouraged when even thinking about the possibility. So I'm so PROUD & GRATEFUL 2 him 4 knowing what he should do & stepping out on faith 2 get it done. He'll probably be enrolling Spring semester @ SLCC. :D

We have set some very important goals 4 our family 2 achieve & are looking 4ward 2 working our way 2wards it. We are DETERMINED 2 do as Elder Bednar counseled & 2 be consistent in what we do. Things such as FHE, individual/family prayer, individual/family scripture study, expressing love 2 one another in the sanctity of our own homes, going 2 the temple often & so forth. . . . .As our children continue 2 grow, they remind me on a daily basis of the love our Father in Heaven has 4 each & everyone of us. They keep Hoko & I striving 2 be better & striving 2 be obedient 2 the teachings of Christ. I have a testimony of this gospel. I have a testimony that the Father & the Son appeared 2 the boy, Joseph, in the sacred grove & that the gospel was, again, restored 2 the earth. I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. "The Book of Mormon is the work of God, for no wicked man could write such a book as this, & no good man would write it, unless it were true & he were commanded of God to do so." I have a testimony of living prophets in our day & know w/out a doubt that Pres Thomas S. Monson is called of God. He holds all the keys & we are blessed because of it. I have a testimony that this is the one & only true church on the face of this earth. God the Father & Jesus Christ live. Families can be forever if we live up to every covenant we've made in the temple. I believe all these things 2 be true. This is my testimony that I'd like 2 leave w/you all in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Countdown Is On. . . . .

Last week, my sister, cousin & I purchased our tickets 4 the 11:59 p.m. showing of New Moon on Thur, Nov 19th. We have been waiting 4ever 4 the tickets 2 come out. I have never bought a ticket so much in advance as this. Lol. This is how EXCITED we are & we can't wait 2 see it on the big screen.

Out of all the books in the Twilight Series, I must say that New Moon is my least favorite. I was upset 4rom the very beginning of it when Edward up & left Bella. How could a LOVE so real & so powerful, yet so pure be left broken as it was. I understood where Edward was coming 4rom, but Bella had no say in it. He just up & left. I, literally, cringed while reading it & I almost felt like I was experiencing those feelings of depression that Bella was feeling. :( I know, I know. . . . it's just a book. But when you're as divulged in it as I know all you TWILIGHT fans are. . . . .you can't help, but feel all the EMOTIONS that the characters of the book go through. It seriously is INTOXICATING!! Lol. Anyways, Bella & Jacob totally got on my nerves throughout this book & I wished so much that Bella was REAL so I can knock some sense into her. LITERALLY!! Hahahaha. . . . .Can you tell where my LOYALTY lies?? Definitely TEAM EDWARD!! :D

We are so so EXCITED 2 watch New Moon. We'll be in the Jacob Themed theater since the Edward one was sold out. :( But we'll still be rooting 4 our 'DEAR BELOVED' :D Hopefully, Soloi & Leina will be joining us. :D Can't wait!! I know there are a TON of people/fans that are impatiently awaiting Nov 19th. It's gonna be a BLAST!! See you all there!! :D

An update: Emily, Soloi, Leina & Nita just got their tickets yesterday & will be joining us on premier night!! Woo hoo!! So EXCITED!! :D It's gonna be a blast!! :D

What Matters Most. . . . .

I love this clip 4rom our dear beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. :D It's the most recent message posted on our LDS website. Certainly takes me back 2 what's really important in life & of course 2 'WHAT MATTERS MOST'

Smiley Face :D

Our baby Savou turned one month old this past weekend on Saturday. :D It seems that every night when we close our eyes 2 go 2 sleep. . . . .we wake up 2 our handsome baby boy & we swear he grew bigger!! Lol. Whether it's his height or whether he's growing sideways. Hahaha. . . .this morning when I woke up & was playing w/him, he gave me the BIGGEST SMILEY FACES EVERRR!! And I had 2 blog about it & post his pics. :D

Only a parent can understand the kinds of JOY these precious little spirits bring into our lives. But especially us, mothers. We have a different kind of LOVE 4 our children that is unwavering. It reminds me of the LOVE that our Heavenly Father has 4 each & every one of us. The kind of LOVE where we know that no matter what we do in life or what our weaknesses are. . . .we KNOW of a surety that we can always turn 2 our mothers. And that's EXACTLY how it is w/our Father in Heaven. :D

This past Sunday while I was sitting in Relief Society listening 2 the lesson that was being shared by our Relief Society president. . . . .it gave me a lot 2 think about & ponder w/in myself. I've always looked @ the Relief Society as a security blanket in my life. The women in this organization have ALL always been very motherly & I have always felt that my name was safe w/them. I have always tried 2 emulate this way of life in my own & I'm not one 2 sit & claim that I'm perfect. . . . .in no way am I this. But I have always practiced LOYALTY in my own life & have always strived 2 ensure that the people in my life know that their name(s) are safe w/me. Meaning that I would never intentionally say anything hurtful about you. If so, I've always tried 2 mend my wrongs. I love the Relief Society organization 4 continually teaching me about my different roles in this life. I love being a WOMAN & cherish all the blessings that come w/it. 1st & foremost the blessing of being a MOTHER & having that special bond w/our Heavenly Father in bringing 2 pass the procreation process & being the HELPING HAND w/in our families. :D Lucy Mack Smith said, "We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another & gain instruction, that we may all sit down in heaven together." Another scripture that was shared in the lesson that is one of my faves says, "If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be retrained from being your associates." I have a strong testimony of how important a role we, women, play in making sure we do our best in the strengthening of our families & the sustaining of our priesthood holders in our homes. :D I love being able 2 continually strive 2wards perfection & eternity & in so doing. . . . .going thru those stumbling blocks in life & being able 2 get back up & keep fighting that fight that's been going on since before we came down here 2 earth. :D

My children have a way of constantly reminding me that I do have a responsibility. A responsibility as their mother 2 teach & nurture them in the right way. If that were the only thing I did here on earth. . . .I would think that it would be satisfactory. And I would hope so. Lol. Anyways, totally got side tracked, but it's something that's been on my mind & I'm glad 2 be sharing it. :D

Such A Busy Weekend. . . . .

This past weekend we celebrated the birthday of Hoko's grandma, Sita Lomu. We have been having dance practice every night 4 the past 3 weeks. Hoko & I jumped on the bandwagon a week late due 2 our schedule. But we were able 2 jump on regardless. With all the hard work & lack of sleep added 2 our already busy lives. . . . .it was all well worth it 2 see everything come 2gether yesterday. It was so BEAUTIFUL 2 see our girls dance w/the rest of the great grand-daughters in their hula number, which I must add that me & my husband both missed. We ended up watching it on Ampee's camera so a BIG SHOUT OUT 2 her 4 recording the girls' dance. :D

We were also able 2 perform our ma'ulu'ulu. It was great!! :D On Friday night was the formal night dance which we dressed up 4 & we had a BLAST!! It's been a great weekend & we were overflowing w/feelings of plain LOVE 4rom being surrounded by FAMILY. :D Once again, we're GRATEFUL 4 being able 2 have been BLESSED w/such GREAT people in our lives. Here are some pics that we took on Friday night, but unfortunately I didn't get any on Saturday cause it was soooo busy 4rom the moment we got there until the moment we left. :( But I'm sure I can jack some 4rom other family members that were there & able 2 capture the moment. Lol. Enjoy. :D