02K0L0 STATUS

Packing...

2012-01-26T13:16:00.000-08:00

So we are moving....AGAIN!! So we moved from Cali, lived with my parents, moved outta there to a duplex, hated the landlords moved to an apartment building, and we totally hate living in a building with neighbors who aren't friendly and who are constantly moving in and out. Needless to say we are happy to be packing and moving else where, but are not excited about packing per say!! lol..We decided that we need to be closer to Glendale, since all of my family is there anyway it makes much more sense.
I have really pondered on why we moved out here to Taylorsville, moved into a tongan ward, had no calling there til 8 months later, and now we don't want to leave...it's hard because I was called into the Primary Presidency...and they so need my help in there. All the other auxillaries are ok and organized, but Primary is seriously lacking in that department. I hope to be able to get things organized there before we leave. I am hoping we can find a place close to Liberty Park area, because it's close to our kids schools. We are also down grading from a 3bdrm apt to a 2 bdrm...we are doing this because

Jay never sleeps in his room, he sleeps in the living room
We are gonna be saving on money for our debt
We are gonna be saving money to pay down our debt lol

So that is our plan. We aren't getting anything back from our tax return because Pulu owes money from his student loans so that will be going to that, which is a huge relief because we don't have to really worry about that debt..which was a huge chunk of our debt. I'm feeling stressed about the move, but excited for change, and saving money to potentially get us into our FUTURE HOME FOREVER!! I've never been so excited to live poor in my life! lol... (:

My sister

2012-01-22T21:38:00.000-08:00

I'd like to take this opportunity to write about my older sister Marcia. "Cia" is such a loving person naturally. She has always been there for me, and we have a really close relationship. Ever since I was young I remember always wanting to be around her, and her friends, and she never ever made me feel like I was too young, or not welcome to be around her although she was 3 yrs older, she let me tag along. Til this day I love being around her, hanging out with her and her friends still..lol. I just love her. My sister can be described as shy, beautiful, nice, and molly mormon...but she is NONE of those things! She's a stealer, she's loud, she is a complete PSYCHO! jk hahahaha she is just what I described..most of all she is as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside. I have always thought highly of Cia, and I admire her in so many ways. I love that she is so dependable, she is a great friend, she is thoughtful, and she always gives great insight. She is a fun mom, and loves to make her kids happy. She is always trying and learning and is so smart. Today my sister turned 33, and she doesn't look a day past 20! foreals I was always asked who is older? UMMM HELLO she is 3 yrs older than me!!! lmbo!! Anyway I just hope my sister knows how much she means to me, and my family. I wish I could give her the world, but the world isn't enuff for her, she deserves eternal happiness and joy. I Love You Sister, thank u God for sending you to be my older example of a great sister/friend.
Love ya & Happy Birthday,
Anna (:

This Burning Fire!!!

2012-01-16T19:20:00.000-08:00

Ok so me and my BFF's (Mace, Ane & Kathy) decided that we should plan to eat healthy and all get on the bandwagon and lose weight. Ane was the mastermind behind all of this, and she asked if we could email/text eachother our progress, goals for the week, what works & what doesn't! So we can stay focused and determined. I was skeptical at first, I thought yeah yeah this'll last a month maybe...and then we'll all be back to same ole same ole! I think I was feeling this way because I wasn't ready to change my eating habits, my exercise regimen...which is non existent and so I decided to listen to music tonight on youtube and while I was on there a familiar reggaeton song/ Zumba song came on...it's a song called "Danza Kuduro" by Don Omar. OMG I was all of a sudden pumped up and ready to go out and shake my tail feather! lol...I know that I needed to hear that song, and I'm glad I stumbled upon it because it lit a fire under my bosom...YAY back to Zumba I go...lets juss hope I can wake up at 5am now!! :)
Here's a video, I love the uli uli guys moves...he can dance, and I wanna do this routine, its tight!

Growing 4 MONTHS

2012-01-16T18:50:00.000-08:00

Bella, she is officially (since yesterday) 4 months! Here's some things she can do:

Roll over
Blabs/Talks/Screams
can hold her head up
Drinks 6oz of similac
Sleeps thru the night
Loves looking at lights, and playing with squishy toys
Sucks her binky when she's tired
Eats all her fingers
She turns when I talk, and can see me from a further distance
She cries for me (I secretly love it)

She's growing like a weed. I love her, I hold her for nothing, she loves when I give her kisses and she is ticklish under her chin. She laughs, but mostly she just smiles that dimply smile. She is a good baby, and I absolutely adore her!!

Back at it

2012-01-15T15:54:00.000-08:00

So I am back at it in Primary. I was given a calling to be the 2nd counselor in the Primary Presidency. I was elated, over joyed, excited and couldn't wait to get started!! So we had our first meeting at a place called CJ's for breakfast, just to get to know one another. It was great I work with Sister Vea (President) and Sister Moors (1st Counselor) these ladies are amazing, and I'm so thankful and grateful to be working with them. This Sunday was my turn to do sharing time, and I was soooo nervous the WHOLE week prepping, and getting things ready. My lesson was "I choose to follow Gods Plan" We basically went over the plan of Salvation, and I explained thru pictures of the plan of salvation mixed with music of how we came to earth and where we will be going afterwards. It went waaay better than I ever thought it would, and I'm soooo grateful the Lord was by my side helping me throughout the whole lesson. The best part of sharing time was seeing the children interact, and the feeling of HAPPINESS, and love I got within myself was amazing! I am sooo happy to be working with the Primary, and I'm glad I'm back at it again...it's gonna be a fun time kiddos!! :)

CROCKPOT LOVE~

2012-01-11T19:51:00.000-08:00

Ok so I don't know what got into me...but I stumbled across this blog HERE and I AM IN LOVE! lmbo, seriously if you know me at all, you know that I CAN'T STAND cooking, I'll do it, and I'll admit it always turns out yummy...I just don't enjoy it at all. UNTIL NOW! haha I am seriously loving cooking every night and can't wait to cook actually, it's so fun for me. I love that it's so EASY! I take out FROZEN meat, and follow her recipes, I pick up everything from the store for the week that I don't have, and we're set. I am so happy about it. We made spaghetti with meatballs, OMG it was BOMB.COM, and I honestly felt as if we were eating restaurant quality! I really can't believe how much better life is with a crock pot! I need to buy a larger one so that I can cook bigger meals, and use my smaller one for desserts. This wasn't even one of my new years resolutions, and BA BAM...I made a change, so proud! I'll post pics of my dish that I make tomorrow :)

Time

2012-01-11T19:40:00.000-08:00

24 hours in a day...why 24? Sometimes I think I wish there was more TIME in a day...WHY? Instead I think I should be focusing where my time is going. Of course I should be "SUPER MOM" of the year, a couponer, a crafter, a sewer, a chef, a soccer mom, a neat freak, exercise and eat right, and of course do all that and have a career or atleast be going to school right?!....When did "STAY AT HOME MOM", become "you don't do anything"? I have been like MOST people in this country focusing my energy on my resolutions for the NEW YEAR, some say, forget those resolutions, other have said...why does it take a new year for you to change?...and some say making goals are like setting yourself up for failure! I SAY SCREW YOU! jk lol...I have always thought that each year is great to start a new of something, maybe everything...but to me it's fresh, and new...so why not be fresh and new too! We get so caught up in the goal making that when it's time to start making the steps, that's where we fail. I think that when we make our minds up of what it is we want to achieve and do, IT WILL HAPPEN. I believe that whole heartedly. I think with my goals, it's about TIME MANAGEMENT. I think I spend too much time on the internet, I think I spend too much time doing laundry, I think I spend too much time at my moms or my sisters house when I'm there, I think I sleep too long, I think my time management is screwed. Baby steps is what its gonna take for me, but I hope if anyone reads this that they don't get discouraged with their goals, and to just do what you can, and KEEP ON KEEPIN ON! I would never say to my kids, don't do that you'll fail...so why is it so hard for me to say it to myself? We are like our childrens BIGGEST cheerleaders in life, can I be my own cheerleader in life for ME? lol...I always think about that, I'm always like why can't I just GO FOR IT, or do this, or learn that...then those evil demons in the back of my head say...JUST STAY WHERE YOU ARE, you're fine, don't try that, big deal, don't do that...stay home, blah blah blah blah blah. lol. I would really like to focus my time on

1- My Family (kids and hubbs)

2- ME (health, and personal goals)

3- DEBT FREE LIFESTYLE

These are 3 TIME CONSUMING things. So with that being said, if u don't see me around...if you wanna invite me to dinner, or a movie, or something involving money, don't bother...I'm living the poor mans life til we can BUY our home debt free, and living richfully sound. :) It may take us a year, 2 years...but we are doing it, we are taking the steps, it feels gratifying that Pulu is by my side on this...we are afraid, but the great news is we are heading down the right direction, and that feels great!

I leave you with this quote:

"Family...isn't it about....TIME"? -from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints :)

Mentality

2012-01-07T08:39:00.000-08:00

So after writing down our goals n what not...the fear and doubt start to creep into my head!!! Ughhh why do I let my mentality overpower my desires? I need to change my thought process and get my shtuff together. Now I know why people pay to see a therapist, I need to figure out the root of my hurt of not being able to push myself forward and make that first step to CHANGE!! I was listening to Dr. Oz one morning and he had a therapist on there for people who struggle losing weight...I understand I'm not 350 lbs, but understand I was 125 before I had kids...so of course every womans goal is to be as small as she was before. Anyway he was saying that we all ready KNOW what we have to do to lose weight, it's our thinking of inability that stops us. Lightbulb moment!!! I mean I know how to eat right, and exercise, but why am I choosing otherwise? He says once I sit down and analyze the moments where I choose a snicker over a granola bar, reel in what ur thinking at that time & write it down...once we are aware of our mentality of doing this or that...then we are more apt to change that, but it's finding the trigger first. So this is what I'll be working on for a while...Tryna get inside my head, and literally go at war with my mental thoughts :) wish me luck!!!

Goals

2011-12-29T16:59:00.000-08:00

2012 I feel like could be our year!!! Pulu and I have lots of plans and are confident that this is it!! We wanna own our very own HOME!!! It has always been a goal, but now we are actually doing something about it.. It's gonna be a rocky road, and we have to focus on our needs a lil more than our wants, we need to cut all the negativity out of our lives....I mean ALL the negativity (even family) because sometimes they can be a distraction, in our case a lot of distraction to makin our own decisions, and being positive thru our trials and weaknesses..I'm excited and nervous for the many challenges we will be faced with this year...but I have total FAITH that we will achieve greatness for the sake of our children :)
My next personal goal is to FOCUS on my family...not Pulu's family or my family...OUR FAMILY. I want to start our own traditions this coming year, I want to have sleepovers in my room n in their rooms, I want to talk to them, and get to know them on a deeper level. I want to teach them the scriptures, and read them stories at night, and have family prayer every night, I wanna cook with them, and just do all that I can with them...I want to develop their talents as well as Pulus and mine..
Lastly I want to LOSE 40 lbs this year!! I know I can do it with a lot of perseverance and drive. I need to read Bob Greenes book again and get that motivation back in me!!!
And that folks are my goals for 2012 wish me LUCK!!! :)

Christmas

2011-12-26T07:33:00.000-08:00

So this Christmas was a good one. I'm blessed to have the knowledge of what Christmas is really all about, and luckily we have instilled that in our children. It's not about getting gifts, it's about giving a gift of yourself which is service, a smile, a laugh, a listening ear, a carol or two. Christmas is about Christ and his birth, the remembrance of humility & gratefulness, as he was born in such a humble stable. This year I felt something I haven't felt and it was the feeling of what we had to give wasn't enough. It made n still makes me sad to know that people r getting caught up in the "gifts" rather than the "thought". I am truly grateful for all that I have, all that we are blessed with (healthy children, roof over our heads, working vehicle, job) so when we receive a gift on Christmas it means a lot to me, I don't even care what it is, I'm thankful of the thought..my hope for the years to come is for us ALL to remember the reason for the season~ & to not get caught up in the gifts, but to get caught up in serving others. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and hope for a great New Year to u all :) I know I'm ready for a New Year, my goal is focusing and reeling in on just my lil family. & of course LOSE WEIGHT like every year lmbo!!

What's in a Picture?

2011-12-17T12:26:00.000-08:00

So I was sitting waiting for an appt I had, and I decided while I'm waiting I should clean out my purse. So I start gathering all the receipts, old papers, trash, etc out...I pull out some pics that I remember my mom telling me to take cause I had forgotten them. They were pictures of Jay when he was a baby.

Jay @ 3 months

As I was staring down at this picture in particular, my eyes started to well up with tears. It was as if I had received an aha moment, and epiphany, or as my mother called it...a revelation! I wasn't crying because I missed him as a baby, or I thought wow how the time has flown by...I felt SELFISH, SELF CENTERED, I felt GUILT, HUMILITY, and SADNESS. I felt that since after having Isabella, which was a really hard pregnancy...I felt like ok you know what Dianna, you are done with having kids, your body can't handle this anymore, you need to focus on them and watch them grow, and raise them now. So I had it all made up in my head, and at that moment I felt sad because I never discussed how Pulu felt about my decision, I didn't consider my son Jay of how he felt of not ever having a brother, I just felt so sad for them &guilty thinking about all these decisions I had made considering only myself. Then the humility came to me, I looked at the picture and felt as if my son (on the other side of the veil) whispered to me, "Mom I choose you, don't give up, I'm waiting to come to you." It was such an overwhelming feeling. I called my mom and told her what happened and she said it was a revelation. That was amazing to hear. I am so humbled at the way the Lord communicates to us (his children) thru something so simple as a picture. I am grateful and I can't wait to meet you my #5! I won't be trying to get pregnant right away, but I know when the time is right, and when we as a couple sit down and pray about this, and the timing...our son will come to this earth.

THREE

2011-12-17T12:05:00.000-08:00

Me @ 3 months

I want... to be like my mommy! lol..haha

Bella is 3 months!! woot woot!! She is such a good baby for me and we love her laxed self. Here are some of the things she is doing now.

Wears size 2 Luvs diapers
Weighs 12lbs 5oz (prally 13lbs now)
She smiles a lot, at anyone
She loves her BUMBO
She sleeps through the night 9:40pm-6am!!
She talks, and loves to talk bubbles to herself
She eats her fingers
She can roll over
She can hold her head up
She laughed in her sleep, me and Pulu were like over the top JOYOUS lol
She drinks 4-5oz of similiac
She loves staring at lights
She likes to watch t.v.

Bella is learning and doing so much! It's fun to see her interact with others now, and then when she sees me after I've been gone for an hour or two it's like she is so elated to see me, it melts my heart! She is a mama's girl for sure! She loves her binky and she likes when I pat her bum and pull her into my chest to sleep. She's so cute with her lil dimply smile. We love her so much and it's only gonna get more fun from here on up! My nicknames for her are Bella Bellaz, My lil Punkin, and Chunka Lunka! I'm sure they'll change as time goes by...my kids know how I do! lmbo We love you Isabella~

Marriage 101

2011-12-14T21:18:00.000-08:00

BE PATIENT
BE KIND
BE SUPPORTIVE
BE STILL

these are things I NEED to work on in my marriage. Cause seriously sometimes I feel like PUNCHING Pulu in his freakin face, and then while he's down kicking him a few times in his rib cage! lmbo No but seriously, I think we all have days like I had today where I needed to step back, "be still" (aka bite my tongue) and TRY to be kind, and patient. Marriage is a beautiful thing, and I totally think this. But it definitely has its moments. I get emails from Oprah and there's always a quote that she sends out and go figure todays quote was. “Love—as grand and as great and as healing as it is—requires boundaries.” This quote is sooo true. Sometimes I feel like Pulu needs to know his boundaries with me. It gets a lil much for me to handle at times. He definitely knows how to push my limits that's for sure. I find it fascinating the way a man and a woman interact with one another. I find it amazing how patient women have to be, more so than a man. Women have to be patient with children, with future endeavors (career, education, hobbies etc) because of responsibilities at home, patience with their husbands who are working, or looking for work, going to school, or aspiring to be an artist, or in between...It's hard being patient. But I know I can be, if I work on it. I know that by working on those 4 things I stated earlier, then my marriage will run a lot smoother. After all I am thee 'El Capit'an of this ship!! :) Hopefully I can get my "SHIP" together!! hehehe

The face he makes to me when I'm so mad at him...oh lord please help me, help him! hahaha jk!

24 days...

2011-12-04T09:33:00.000-08:00

Sister Otukolo will be reporting to the MTC in 24 days n counting. I'm SUPER SUPER HAPPY for her, but I'm SUPER DUPER :'( sad at the same time. Nancy has always been my "GO TO" gal. If I needed help with shopping for food, and had too many kids...I would ask her to come with me and help. IF we ever wanted a date night she was the one I called first to babysit. If I wanted to treat myself to breakfast, she was the one I'd call to come with. She is (tears) my little sister, she is not my sis inlaw, she is my sister! I have been married to Pulu for coming up in Feb 12 years! So I have known Nancy since she was 9yrs old! I feel as though I watched her grow into the woman she is today. Being like her eldest sis I was always preaching to her, guiding her in the right direction, comforting her when she was down, treating her cause she is so deserving and humble, and crying for her now that she is about to go and serve the Lord. I AM SO.SO.PROUD. OF. HER!!! I cannot tell you how much I'm gonna miss her, but I know what she is doing is for the BETTER of her and the BETTER of our church, and for the BETTER of our PEOPLE standing in darkness awaiting to hear her testimony. She is doing what is right, and my children look up to her with so much dignity. They want to be just like her, I'm so grateful she's taken the road less traveled in her family. She chose to keep on the path of truth and righteousness, despite ALLL the temptations, the hardships, and trials she was faced with during the process, she has withstood them all, and is leaving. Thank you Nancy for being that beacon of light to me when I needed it, and for showing my children that it is possible to CTR and to repent and come unto Christ, you are a perfect example of that! I love you sister and I will be praying, we all will be praying dilligently for your safety, your comfort, and your return with honor in 18 months time.
Love,
Your Sis Anna~

Schedule

2011-11-30T08:49:00.000-08:00

So I've been in a real bind since having the baby. I feel as though my life took a turn, and I'm trying to get back in my lane, but it's hard. Having a new member of the family makes life a lil rocky. I was use to the way things were before, and now things just got a lil harder, or a lil more interesting. lol. Anywho I give mad props to all the moms who have had their kids back to back!! I'm so grateful to know that this is my last and that there is NO way NO how I could've done back to back. I need to breathe and I need sleep and most importantly I need to shower! lmbo Cause with Selini and Isabella it's hard to get the things I normally get done...done! I want my living room and kitchen ALWAYS clean, and ever since I've had Bella it's been hard to keep it clean. Then there's the never ending pile of laundry that I use to be able to finish ..now it's never ending. I use to go in and out of stores with ease, now I don't go unless Pulu's home to watch em while I go! It's just hard when you have a terrible 2, and then a needy baby who needs diaper changes, bottle feeding, burping, cuddle and fun time, and then my 2 year old wants the same! lol. So I decided 2 months is long enuff, I need to get on a schedule, we all need to. So I buckled down and made a schedule for the week, and broke it down to the day like for example:
Mon-Thurs
6:45am- Wake kids up for school
7:15am- Eat breakfast
7:25am - Take kids to school
8:00am- Workout
8:35am- Shower
9:20am- Feed girls, and play with em
This is just an example of what I did. It has helped me so much and although I haven't started it yet. I am going to tomorrow just to see how it goes. But seriously this has helped ease my confused mind. I can actually see it, and follow it because I need some order in my head. lol. I'm excited for my new schedule and hope to be able to follow it as long as I need. I'm also excited that I bought myself 2 dvd's to workout with. One is Pilates, and the other is from Jillian (biggest loser). I need to get back to exercising and eating healthier. I also decided that I need to buy me something each month. I felt like I was under appreciated from my kids and so I decided what would make me feel better besides candy??...A new pair of boots, or some leggings, or getting my eyebrows threaded. I just need to do something for ME. I bought me a pair of boots on Black Friday and I cannot tell you how good it makes me feel wearing em. LMBO I love it, and they were only 30 bucks! So yeah new schedule, new ME hopefully in 3 months I lose 30 lbs!! hehe

it's the holidays~

2011-11-25T17:30:00.000-08:00

Looooove this time of year. It's the most wonderful time of the year...seriously it is. I love the whole Thanksgiving with the family, then it starts off the Christmas season of giving and doing amazing things for the less fortunate. I know everyone says time and time again, "I WISH WE COULD BE LIKE THIS ALL YEAR LONG" It's so true, it would be great! But we all know why we alll can't...it's cause our bank accounts won't let us! haha I try to do my part in this world tho. This year at Old Navy they are doing the Angel Tree..We are going to take our kids down there to pick names :) It's a wonderful thing to do for someone who is less fortunate. I have been there and I appreciate those kinds of things! I'm so grateful for all that I have and I'm so excited for this season, and for a new year to come! It's exciting and full of changes and I'm a woman who embraces change, I love it! So happy holidays one and all. I hope we alll can try to pay it forward this season :)

iPAD2

2011-11-19T23:46:00.000-08:00

Ok, so everyone that knows me knows that I have wanted, been wanting an iPAD...I soo love ipads and I would always try and win one thru the radio, the news, fb, you name it, I was so down to try and WIN one! But to my GREAT LUCK (insert thumbs down, and tongue out) I NEVER WIN! So my cousin told me about this ZAGG IPAD2 AN HOUR GIVEAWAY!! WHAAAAA I am so about that. So here I am once again trying to win an ipad...and why wouldn't I want to, it's an IPAD that costs lots of money that I could potentially save and win one! hehe so if you would like a chance to win as well go HERE & see if we can be lucky together. It starts Friday at midnight and they will be giving one IPAD away each hour. That's 24 Ipad2's in a 24 hr period!! When you click on the link above you just need to enter your email address, and if you want 2 extra entries post it on facebook, and for one extra entry you can twitter about it. BUUT if you want 24 XTRA entries then you need to blog about it, like I am here :) So you would get an extra entry each hour for 24 hrs. So get on it Santa's!! Happy black Friday shopping, and I hope you don't win and I do!! JUSS KIDDING (kinda)

Attitude

2011-11-13T09:16:00.000-08:00

...of GRATITUDE!
Pulu, my mother and I were blessed to be able to attend my lil sis inlaw Nancy's endowment session. We didn't get to actually be a part of the session cause we were 5 mins late...but we did initiatories, and then met up in the celestial room. When me and my mom got there, Pulu was waiting quietly, reading scriptures. He didn't say much, just sat there. My mom and I were having small talk, and then we decided to stand up and wait for Nancy to come thru. As soon as she came thru the veil I gave her a huge hug...I was so happy to be there and for her to see >>ME<< first lmbo!! I tease her about that all the time, that the first person she'll see in heaven with open arms..will be muah :) Anywho the rest of Pulu's close family came and we sat down chatting, and Pulu leaned over to me and said, "Ann I saw my grampa Kolo." (the one that just passed away) I looked at him and said where? He said, "I was praying for our family to be comforted during this time of his passing, and to please comfort me, I opened my eyes and he was there :'( I saw him walking down shaking peoples hands, and he never looked soo happy, he turned to me and said I'm ok Pulu, I love you..then he was gone" I was teary eyed and I said that's soo good Pulu! Wow amazing. I have never had visions of the dead, but I know lots of people who have! I was so happy that Pulu witnessed that, because it's been hard for him to deal with his Grampa's passing. For him to see his Grampa, and to know he's ok and loves him was all he needed. The funeral will be this Thurs and Fri.
My attitude prior to going to the temple was not a good one, I was mad at Pulu for forgetting his temple reccommend at home, then we had to rush back and get it, then come to find out while he was in the apt getting it, mine wasn't in my purse I had to run out and get mine in my other purse. Then when we got to the temple we were literally 3 mins late to the session, I was so mad at them for not letting us go, like it's their fault. My mom was like it's ok, lets do initiatories, I really had to calm down my anger...HELLO we were in the temple you'd think I would have. After doing initiatories I felt great. I was reminded of why I was there and what I need to be doing.
It's our attitudes that get the best of us! I thought about this and I thought about Bella's baby blessing. My attitude was so bad. Pulu's grampa Asaeli blessed our baby, and I didn't know that he was blessing her til Pulu took Bella up to be blessed and he was the one administering it. I WAS PISSED OFF! Not that it was his grampa blessing her, but that Pulu didn't tell me. I was mad cause I don't understand or speak tongan fluently so I had no idea what her very first blessing entailed...it made me so sad, and I was so hurt! When we got home all I did was cry and cry and cry and yell at Pulu at how inconsiderate he was blah blah blah. He said to me Anna I'm sorry, you're right I should've told you. I don't know what else to say but I'm sorry. He thought that no matter what language it was in, that I would feel the spirit..I didn't tho because I was so mad. After that day and getting over my hurt, we heard that his other Grampa Kolo passed away. I kept thinking what if is was Grampa Asaeli and how honored we would've felt that he blessed our baby Bella. I thought this while in the celestial room how grateful I was to have his Grampa bless her. He is a very honorable man, a patriarch, and one of the most humblest men I know. I know my attitude gets the best of me, and I need to work on that. I forgave Pulu, and I felt bad for giving him such a bad time, because I know he honestly thought I would appreciate it. I hope my attitude of gratitude can be strengthened thru these experiences.
I'm grateful for priesthood holders, and for the blessing that my daughter received. Although I didn't feel the spirit cause of my attitude..I know it was strong, because others including my dad bore their testimonies of Asaeli's blessing that he gave my Bella. I wish that I would've been able to understand, and I know that if my attitude was different I would've FELT it. :'( Which makes me sad because I missed out on that spirit testifying to me even in a different language that her blessing was as beautiful as she was. I'm grateful to the Lord for showing me that it doesn't have to be just about understanding, it's about FEELING, and TRUSTING, and KNOWING that everything I hope for her in a blessing, she received it, and I needed to TRUST that. I have learned that if I have an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE I will have the spirit with me always~ Lesson Learned :)

Beautiful Bella~

2011-11-11T15:48:00.000-08:00

How she's changed in only 2 months! When she was born

to 6 weeks

7 weeks, my all time fave pic :)

to now @ 2 months

My Beauitful Belisima Bella...has totally grown! She is so much fun, and she is such a good baby!! She LOOOVES to sleep like the above pic on her tummy or the boppy and she will seriously sleep for like 4 hrs str8 on that! hehe Here are some things that she is doing now at her stage :)

SMILING ( I love to make her smile, cause her cute lil dimples pop in)
Cries really loud when hungry (her cry use to be so soft, not anymore)
She can roll over (she started doing that at 1 month)
She can hold her head up for a good 10 seconds str8..she's really strong
She drinks 4oz of Similac every 3-4hrs
She sleeps at 1am-5am then wakes up between 8-10am! I know, sooo good right :)
She loves her swing, and her boppy
She doesn't like to be burped
She scratches her cheeks, cause they're so in the way when she's trying to eat lmbo
She follows my voice, and coo's when anyone (mostly me) talks to her
She wears size 1-2 diapers, but we need to buy her 2, cause she has thunder thighs!
She sleeps in her bassinet still
She loves her binky, kinda borderline addicted
She LOVES when we kiss her on her lips, I know she wants to laugh when we do it.
Her eyes are still bluish, green, brown...I wonder if they'll stay that way.
She wears size 3months, but can still fit some of her newborn onesies.
She weighs 11lbs almost 12lbs last time we checked..I need to make her an appt for her 2 mo shots:(

She is such a JOY to have in our family. I foreal look at her sometimes for a good 5 mins and just admire how beautiful and a blessing she is. She was blessed last Sunday, and I'm so glad she was because it always worries me when babies aren't blessed right away, it comforts me to know that they received a blessing, because this Earth that we live on, you need to be blessed once you get here!! lol..So I'm so grateful for that, pics will be coming soon. Anyway Isabella I love you, we all love you. You are so cute, and loveable, and you make my life easy especially with having such an attention hog older sister Selini! She is so good with you, and loves you soo much. She gives you kisses all day, and everytime you cry, she yells out as loud as she can (no matter where we're at) O-K- Bella!!!, then she'll run over to you and try and give you your binky or pat your tummy, it's really cute! Anywho all that in only 2 months!! My Belisima Bella, you are amazing, and we LOVE YOU!! I look forward to watching you grow :)

Sad News

2011-11-09T15:58:00.000-08:00

Monday Nov 7th Pulu lost his grandpa Taniela Otukolo aka Grampa Kolo. Kolo was on his way back from Tonga. He died in Fiji. He wasn't suppose to come back to Salt Lake til next week, but for some reason he wanted to come early. I know it's because he knew it was his time to go. :( When I received the news I was at my moms house waiting for Pulu to get off work. He called me around 5ish, and he sounded really somber. He asked me what I was doing, I said nothing just hanging out with my mom talking. He then said really quietly my grampa Kolo passed away. I could feel the hurt and pain in Pulu's voice. I felt so bad that I couldn't hug him thru the phone. He didn't cry, but I know it hasn't really hit Pulu. Pulu is the eldest, and a very stoic father figure type while growing up...so this didn't surprise me. Pulu has never lost someone close to him before, and so I know he doesn't know how to act, I think he's still in shock til this day. I don't think it'll hit him til he sees his grampa's body. Kolo's body is to arrive in Salt Lake tomorrow. Funeral arrangements have not been set, he and his wife Leafa have like 15 children, so they need to make sure everyone will be able to come down, and then he has brothers and sisters as well that want to come down to say their goodbye's. My heart melted when I picked Pulu up from work. Still somber looking, not really saying much. Just kept saying I just can't believe it. I feel bad for my Grama Leafa, this is so surreal to me, I still can't believe my grampa is gone. It's hard to see him like this. It's hard for me to hear him feel so sad, yet no tears...he won't let his wall down. I hope he will let it all out, I'm sure he will at the funeral.

Leafa, Pulu, & Kolo on Kolo's 80th B'day

Fathers Day 2011

@ Belinda's Graduation, he was so proud

There's that SMILE :)

Kolo was a great well educated man. I remember when Pulu and I got married and he stood up on the stage and handed me an envelope with $1,000 dollars in it. From that day on I loved him lol..jk! He had such a big heart, although Pulu and I didn't get married in the temple, to give that much...I knew he loved his grandson! Everytime we would see Kolo he would be smiling, I swear this man had a smile to light up a room. He was a very very very HARD WORKER! He always was doing something, he was small in stature but boy did he act like he was 6'2 and 260lbs! He preached and preached about school and education. His last words to us was on his birthday. He told all of us to stay in school, or if we weren't in school to push our children to go to school, and to stay in school. He was big on school. He was my dad's math teacher in Tonga, so very smart man. He was so kind to me and my children. Never felt anything but love from him to my family. I loved him, still do and am grateful for the qualities he instilled in his son Salesi which in turn instilled into my husband. Thank you for your example of determination, hard work, and most of all your unconditional love! You will be missed, you are missed, and we will love you forever~ Thank you Lord for Eternal Families. Til we meet again Ofa Atu Grandpa~

BFF's

2011-11-09T15:32:00.000-08:00

She walked in the door SURPRISED!!!!

Put ur B'day Tiara on, she said, "How do I look?" lol

????? You're OLD! lmbo hahaha

Thanks Kathy for her drink cause she's KINKY!!! lmbo

Blow them candles out, make a wish you were younger while you're at it! lmbo

Ok so Ane was crackin jokes, that's what she gets, and that's why her eyes are closed!! lmbo

Mazzie came down for her 30th B'day! I was so excited and couldn't wait to celebrate! We have been friends since the 10th grade, and I'm so blessed to be celebrating another year of life with her as one of my besties! Me, Kat and Ane decided we would throw her a Surprise birthday party at Kathy's house, and it was freakin FUN! We made it a potluck, and invited my sister Cia, and Isa...cause they're like our older sisters, we had soooo much fun talking stories, playing games, eating, and even shed some tears! I love Mazzie she has always been the life of the party! She has the biggest heart, and will give you the shirt off her back if you say you like it. She is so much fun to be around, and I miss her dearly dearly dearly! We had a blast with her while she was here, and although me, Kathy and Ane live here in Salt Lake we rarely get together so it was so nice. Although we all have our own families, lives and other friends..there's nothing like this crew right here! PWINCESS CREW til the end! I love all of these ladies, and I'm so grateful to have them in my life!!! Mwahhh hope you had a fun b'day Bestie!! :) pshh shooot I know u did!! hahaha

Cafe Rio

2011-11-04T12:25:00.000-07:00

Ok so I loove looove looove Cafe Rio until yesterday. So me n Pulu decided to go have lunch together before I had to take him to work. We decided on Cafe Rio since we were downtown anyway. We go there and I of course get a salad, cause I love their salad. While I was eating the salad, I always look at my food while eating it, but I looked a lil closer to the leaf I was about to put in my mouth and I see a lil bug like a knat, I was like eww Pulu look! He was like tell them, so I patiently wait til there's like no one really at the counter and I tell her, she tells her manager and she apologizes and tells me she will personally make me a new one. So I'm like ok, she sends me another one a few mins later apologizing again and I look at the salad and I can tell she washed the greens...well I'm a lil paranoid now cause hello who wouldn't be. So I'm like really analyzing my salad....LO AND BEHOLD, ANOTHER BUG!! I know, I know foreals I was like holy shizzz!!! So now I'm pissed, I don't even wanna talk to her, so Pulu gets up and says there's ANOTHER bug in my wifes salad. She comes up to look, as if I put it in there! She goes I'm so sorry do u want a burrito or enchilada?? I'm like NO, I wanted the salad!! Just give me my money back, I don't even wanna eat now! She was like sorry, I was like sorry that you didn't make sure that there wasn't any more bugs in the 2nd salad you served me?! I mean all in all I just want you guys to be more aware of what you serve and it's rude cause I was looking forward to eating, and now I lost my appetite, and you wasted our lunch hour! Hoi she credited my meal, but not our WHOLE meal! Pulu was pissed he was like you THINK you would credit our whole bill, annoying! But yeah so NO MORE CAFE RIO for me, time to start making it myself. And there's my story...hope you guys check the next time you get a salad from there!

Football Season

2011-11-04T12:11:00.000-07:00

It's Over....

Jay bottom 2nd to the left Gooo #3!!!

Kesi, Nana, Nancy & our #3!

Daddy n Jay (sidebuster Selini lol)

Mama's Boy! :) Great Job Jay!!

Jay with his sisters, hello turn around Sel Bell!! :)

This was Jays first year playing lil league and for the most part his WHOLE ENTIRE teams as well. Which sucked cause that meant there was no A or B team they were all A which sucked even more because they should've all been B, cause it's their first year, but their team wasn't big enough for A and B so therefore Jay's team wasn't that great this year. BUUUT Jay was AWESOME! He played tight end and I must say he played well. He has a lot of learning to do, but he is an all around great player. I am so proud of you Jay for sticking it out even on a losing team, but always having that drive to be better and play better. You never gave up, and that's what I love about you!! Gooo Leopards til the end!! Love you #3!!! Woo Hoo!
P.S.
With your dad coaching next year, I'm sure your team will WIN WIN WIN!! :)

Halloween 2011

2011-11-04T11:58:00.000-07:00

Ariana w/ her Principal. he was HILARIOUS as a hill billy talkin smack to everyone!! :)

Witches @ Zeezo's 1st B'day Halloween Bash! So fun!!

Siupeli as Robi from Yo Gabba Gabba w/his parents trick or treating at my parents house :)

Some of the Motuliki Grandkids w/ Si'i Afu :) We about to go Trick or Treatin!!

Stopped at Drina 'N Kim's house cause they give out the best CANDY in the neighborhood!! :)

Mr Ricks (Ariana's Teacher) & Nana..his costume was freakin awesome!

I call her my lil PUNKIN, so it only made sense!! Thanks Aunty Cia for my costume :)

Caramel apples for your school party? Foreals must be nice Ariana!! I wanted one soo bad lmbo!!

BFF's Dora and Elmo!! :)

Imani Brown coolest costume. doesn't it remind you of Karate Kid, so love it! :)

I didn't drink it, she look like she had too much to drank actually! lol..jk @ Zeezo's Party

Nana 'N Jas the thief

Halloween this year was AWESOME like always. We always have a great time. I wish I would've dressed up, buuut I was too exhausted too many parties, not enuff hands (Pulu's help) cause he was working. But we had a great time celebrating this holiday. We had yummy soups, nachos, and cornbread after trick or treating! It was Yummmay :) Happy Halloween, and happy eating candy all day!! NFR :/

You never Know

2011-10-26T21:52:00.000-07:00

My moms sisters came into town last weekend to visit my mom after they heard the news she had cancer AGAIN! Well they haven't seen one another for maybe a lil over 2 years, and before that it was prally 10! Needless to say my mom is not too close to her sisters, and pretty non existent to her brothers. Her father died when she was 9 and her mom died when I was 16. After her mom died it was as though our visits to Sacramento were far and wide. So when my aunt Darlene (the one with the scarf/youngest sis) emailed me and said to tell my mom her and Geraldine/Geri (all black eldest sis) were coming my mom was instantly nervous, and really stressed. I did not know why she was acting like this, but I didn't care, I wanted her to have a close relationship with her sisters like how I do with mine. So they came in Friday afternoon, and they stayed in my parents house til Mon morning. That weekend was AMAZING! I am so mad I didn't take pics of that weekend, it flew by so fast cause it was so fun! But anyway my moms family like I said is very dis connected. My mom and her siblings had a very bad childhood. Her father was an alcoholic, her mother kinda went coo coo after he passed. My mom thinks she was bi-polar, but was never diagnosed, and so when she got a ticket out of Sacramento and a college scholarship to LDS Business College she took it. She never looked back and never wanted to move back to Cali because she closed that chapter in her life. She took us out to Sac every now and then to visit Grama Faun, and her sisters...but it was very short, and she never took all of us, except when Grama Faun passed. My mom always thought that her siblings looked down on her, because she remained LDS, (they all have left the church) and because she married a polynesian who wanted tons of kids...they didn't understand what my mom was doing, esp with their upbringing and childhood. So that's her reasoning for not taking us around them much. But everytime we were down there I felt nothing but love from them. So this time around them coming out to us, was not normal for my mom. I felt bad for her because she was nervous, and didn't know what to do with them because this is MORMON TOWN afterall, and she didn't wanna shove that down their throat, cause she didn't wanna offend them. But how could she when her life evolved around her faith was her thought process. So she told me and my siblings to figure out what to do with em. So Friday night we took em to Gardner Village to hunt for the Witches, and they loved how cute it was, and they loved looking at all the Witches too. Then Saturday my mom had a bake sale for Pennies by the Inch, and she made 86 bucks!! My aunts went to the mexican store and bought all the stuff to make Tamales! MMMM YUMMM, I watched my aunts cook, we talked, laughed, got to know one another. Making tamales is an ALLL day process. My aunt Geri started at 10 and we ate at 9pm!! & then she was pissed off cause the masa wasn't fresh so she felt like it was a waste and that they were nasty....they were a lil rubbery but we all ate em! My aunt Darlene made spanish rice and beans and it was oooo so delicioso!! She made earlier some guacamole and that was the BOMBEST I've ever had! My moms sisters can throw down, juss like my mama!! :) I was so happy to eat all the goodies. Sunday my mom asked if they wanted to come to church with her, and they kindly declined, so my brother Lame, and sis Lina and their boyfriend and girlfriend took em up to the canyons to see all the beautiful colors, and then to brunch. They came back and we had a potluck, and we all ate, and hung out talking stories and just having a good ole time. Then my dad gathered everyone together and we had a lil family meeting to say goodbye to them because their flight was that next morning at 8:40am..so all the grandkids spoke and thanked them for coming, and then it was adults and we went around in a circle. When it was my turn...I could not speak, tears were falling down my cheeks uncontrollably. I was so overwhelmed with emotion, and I couldn't stop myself. After I composed myself I thanked them for coming down and just expressed the love I felt the whole time they were here with us. I expressed the love I could see from my mother that they would drop everything to come and be with their sister thru this trial! It was all downhill from there, Cia cried, Lina cried, everyone was crying while expressing their love. When it came to my aunts turn Darlene said she loved how close knit our family was, and how loving and open armed we were. Then Geri spoke and she stood up and was shaking...let me tell u a lil about my aunt Geri she has only one son, she left the church at the age of 19 and she is very sarcastic & very very funny. But she is also negative, and she is solid as a rock, she doesn't really get along with people and she is a hard shell to crack!! So anyway she stood up and she started bawling...it was so sad, she then said she is not one to speak publicly at all, and that she has never felt the way she is feeling. She thanked our family for the hospitality, she expressed her love to us, and thanked us for taking care of her sister and told my mom she is so blessed and SOO LUCKY! All the while she was crying like crazy! The spirit was felt so strongly in the room, it was as if the Lord was standing beside her rubbing her back so we could understand the words coming out of her mouth. :'( It was beautiful to feel that strong testimony that I know my aunt still has. My mom and dad spoke to close and I know my aunts felt the love. And although they aren't LDS, and they are older and have their own lives...I know our family made an impression in their hearts, we vowed to keep in touch, and we all want to including my mother. My mom told them it was her that was keeping the distance and she told them she had never thought about CANCER the whole weekend they were there, and she knows she needs them in her life. IT was sweet, and I believe YOU NEVER KNOW, they may come back to the church. I hope they do, I feel that Geri will, I think she is scared but now that the door is open...we're gonna be knocking!!! :) Hoping my mom can make her family eternal with the help of her eternal family!! My fave quote for sisters that I seen on a plaque given to my mother years and years ago when I was maybe 11 from her sister Geri that had a pic of 2 lil girls holding hands from behind walking in a meadow that said underneath "Sisters by chance, friends by choice" My mom has her best friends back in her life, and I'm so grateful to see her happy, and I'm grateful to have my aunties back in our lives :) You would never know that from a trial can come triumph :)

Haunted House

2011-10-20T19:02:00.000-07:00

I decided today that we haven't really gotten into the spirit of Halloween...which is really unlike me, because Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! I love the spooky, the decore, the gore, THE CANDY lol..I love it all! So I was looking thru blogs, and I came across this website ...and they had a cute lil easy peasy Halloween craft. So I headed to Dollar Tree and bought watercolors, and some paint brushes, then headed over to Walmart and got some cardstock paper. Came home and cut the 4 lil cuts that you need to make your Haunted House to be a pop up and wah lah....

Just starting out

The quietest our home has been for a while! lol..

Selini looooved painting..she calls it color! hehe :)

Aren't they soo cool, it's super duper easy too!

Close up of Ariana's Haunted Pop up House!

What's so cool, is you can give these to friends, cousins, neighbors, whoever..My kids are gonna give em to their grandparents. IT's a fun activity, and cost me only 5 bucks :) Not too shabby for 4 hrs of quiet time haha. Next on the list: Caramel apples, and Pumpkin Carving!! Happy Halloween!!!

Bridesmaids Ready to Party

2011-10-18T22:08:00.000-07:00

I cannot get over this movie Bridesmaids. It is hilariously funny...yes it is rated R, and usually I don't care to watch R Rated movies...but this movie is soooo my kinda humor! This was by far the funniest movie of all time! This scene is one of the funniest scenes in the whole movie. She reminded me of Drina lmbo!! Anywho if you haven't watched Bridesmaids, you're totally missing out!! GIRL FLICK for sure! I made Pulu watch it a couple weeks ago, and he was crackin up! hahaha ENJOY a good movie ya'll :)

Weekend

2011-10-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

So this past weekend has by far been the busiest weekend for me this year I feel like. Anywho it was my moms b'day weekend. It was our Family Pictures Weekend, and it was the one weekend where all of my sibling were in the same state all at once! It was so nice, but hard to try and shuffle my time. So Friday was a hectic day just because I was trying to get all our clothes ready, then we weren't even sure if Latu (HOKO) Motulalo was gonna be able to come from the Bay to take our family pics. There were complications, but we got everything settled and she came Fri night. Sat morning came and needless to say I hardly slept cause I was trying to get all our outfits ready and make sure we had everything ready to go in the morning. We met up with Tu at 10:45am up at Memory Grove Park. There were tons of families there taking pics haha. But it was fun, and it was HOT! Latu did a great job on being super patient with our bratty kids. She also took my sis inlaws families pics too (Leafa and Lene) So it's gonna be exciting to see the pics, and how they turned out. She is a great photographer so I'm sure they'll be great! (as long as she uses the melter on me hehe) Then from there we rushed to Jays game in Rosepark, we were so late, and they lost...but Jay was happy he made it to the last half of his game. Right when that was done, we rushed Pulu to Delta...then we went to my parents house and I had to leave em there go home shower and get ready for my moms YA YA Sisterhood B'day bash @ Thanksgiving Point. We had to dress up fancy and wear hats like from back in the day (flapper style) So that was a lotta fun (I'll post pics later). She loved it. If you have never been to one of these workshops, it's free...they have food, and tons of merchandise...which was pricey but cute stuff. The DJ was freakin TIGHT, and he was dancing like a maniac which we loved cause we started dancing like him too! hahah then we took tons of pics in the photobooth, we had a blast with that! haha it was a great night & we topped it off at Chili's. Then I came back to my parents house picked up the kids, went to Delta picked up Pulu...came home and I was thinking...Pulu's tired. I'm BEAT...OMG I have to wake up with baby...I hit my pillow and I was GONE! Pulu said he could tell I was soo exhausted he took care of baby and let me sleep in! So grateful for that :) Sunday we went to my cousins ward Pila and Voni to hear them speak in sacrament. Such great talks. Something that stuck out to me that Voni said was that while on her mission a sister would always say in her prayers to bless us that we can recognize Satan. I loved that, because in this World we live in, it's hard to sometimes (especially for the young ones) to recognize Satan. Anyway great talks, and afterwards was an eating for my moms b'day. Pulu had to work, but we all gathered together and had a great feast, then we all took pics as brothers and sisters with our parents. It was so nice to be able to be together again! We had a great weekend, tiring, and fast, but well worth it!

Motuliki Brothers & Sisters w/ Mom n Dad

Called 2 Serve...

2011-10-13T07:24:00.000-07:00

My lil sister in law Nancy received her mission call yesterday in the mail. She called me and told me to come over around 8ish so that she could open it up with all the family there. So Pulu got off work at 8pm..and I went to go pick him up. We got there and a few mins later her grandpa Kolo opened up her letter, took it out and she stood up and was quivering while reading her letter from the Prophet Thomas S. Monson. It was so heart melting to see my little sis open up her mission call, she was so nervous/excited/overwhelmed/humbled, and I could tell all this just by hearing her read, Dear Sister Otukolo you have been called to serve in the NY, NY North Mission and to report to the MTC Dec 28th! Her eyes were filled with tears, my eyes were filled with tears, everyones eyes were filled with tears! Then screams of joy across the room. Not only was all her family n extended family there, she had tons of friends, and people from her ward...it was amazing to see all the love and support. I don't think she thought so many people were gonna be there, it just goes to show how humble this girl is. I am so proud of her, and grateful for the wonderful example she is setting for my children. We all will miss her sooo much, but we know the Lord has a greater plan for her to fulfill for the people in NY! It's funny cause she knew she was going to NY, I remember asking her where did she think she was going to go, and she said "I dunno, I would like to go to NY." hahah be careful what you ask for! So the CONCRETE JUNGLE it is...good thing you're a monkey and you'll fit right in Nance! hahaha jk, see it's these kinda comments that I make to you that I'll miss most! I love you SISTER OTUKOLO! Return with Honor, I know ya will :)

I hope u reach out to every light you see :) No biggie lol..

Visit

2011-10-10T00:03:00.000-07:00

My mom, me and my baby Bella went to visit Eta in Portland this past weekend. It was nice to get away and to visit my sis and her family. They just moved into a house, and it's really cute. I'm so happy they have a place of their own. I miss her and her kids especially. I so wish they could live closer, but they love it out there so I have to deal with it. Bella was o.k. but I won't take her ever again, cause babies are a lotta work to travel with! lol..I got to go to Marshalls <> but guess what I didn't even get to eat at Jack in The Box...WTH?! I know such a mistake on my part. Anywho it was fun, didn't take pics...DANG IT! I always forget...sheesh next time! Next trip...Maui, Hemet...oh the choices :) I miss Maui, I think it's calling me and Pulu's name!!

lots to talk about~

2011-10-04T19:18:00.000-07:00

Foreal if u don't wanna read me blabbing, just go to the next blog cause I'm gonna be blabbing lmbo! I'm gonna start off with my baby Bella. She is sooo beautiful, I just love her so much. I find myself holding her for hours on my chest for no good reason. I just love feeling her breathing on me, and cuddling with here. She's such a chill baby, and I love her! Pulu has been a HUUUGE help to me with her, he will always get up at 5am and feed her, and tells me to sleep. He'll take the kids to school in the morning, and come home and feed Selini and watch tv with her til I'm ready to wake up. He's been great. He goes back to Delta on the 10th and I'm sooo gonna cry cause his shift is 3-12. So the kids won't even see him much cause they get off around 3:15..so sad, but atleast he has Wed n Thur off so that'll be good for the kids to spend time with him. All our kids are daddys boy or girls..but I told Pulu this one (Bella) Is a mama's girl haha, crossing my fingers lmbo. Anywho we have been tremendously blessed these past few months since Pulu's been laid off from Dannon. I was so worried we'd be super poor, wouldn't be able to pay bills etc etc..but we have been sooo good. Pulu was offered full time permanent position at Delta, which was so crazy because he had put in his form to upgrade from Ready Reserve to Perm Full Time a long time ago, and lots of guys had got the upgrade so we were thinking he didn't get it. But one day he got a call and was asked if he wanted to upgrade. He said yes, but they said he would have to get clearance from Workmens Comp for his arm, so Pulu got that and they told him he had to bid on a shift, well when he went in they said that all they had left was De-Icer (de icing the airplanes) HELLO BLESSING, cause Pulu's arm is not ready to be throwing bags, with being a de-icer u wait for planes to come in and you hold a hose and de ice the planes that need it. Such an easy thing for Pulu to do. We also get the benefits, which are super duper great bennies! Especially cause we don't have any since the layoff. Then we got a check in the mail from Delta's workmens comp from last year when Pulu had surgery on his MCL & ACL for over $2,000 because his leg wasn't 100% so they had to pay out of Short Term Disability for however many weeks he was out, and that was our payout. We had no inkling that was coming our way...we were SHOCKED.

It really couldn't have come at a better time because we were thinking ok Pulu has to go back to work so we wouldn't get that extra income from Workmens Comp (Dannon & Delta)...and his arm isn't fully healed, and to top it off he can't pick up hours quite yet cause of his arm not being totally good to throw bags repeatedly. So we took that money and paid our rent for 3 months! :'( SOOO happy we don't have to worry about rent til January, and then our lease is up in Feb! Blessings blessings for sure! I'm so grateful for the law of tithing because I know it's because we always pay our tithing no matter what! The lord has not left us without, and I'm grateful for that. When I gave birth to Selini we had NO insurance I was freaking out. Some guy came into our room and helped us with medicaid, and informed us of everything he could do for us. I mean such a nice guy. He contacted me so many times after I gave birth...and I'm so happy to say I FINALLY got on medicaid after practically giving my life on paper lmbo...me and my 2 youngest are covered. I only have it for 2 months, but Selini and Isabella are covered for atleast a year no matter if our circumstances change..isn't that awesome! I love FREE insurance, what a blessing...we don't have to pay for our delivery, or check ups, immunizations, dentist appts, etc...so happy! Another blessing was Pulu got into a car accident and at the time we were sooo upset, but they deemed his car as a total loss and they cut him a check for 2700 whick is 500 dollars more than what we paid for that car, so we are on the hunt for another ride for Pulu. Then lastly as you have seen in some of my older posts, this last post pregnancy has been hard...like really hard to recover. I was in tons of pain, even the meds weren't helping. So anyway my friend Angel Moleni had fb posted a status that her work was looking for a hair model and so of course I jumped on that, but she said her team had to pick, so lo and behold a couple days ago she text me and said they chose ME!!! YAY..I was so beyond happy cause it was totally FREE, and I would get a full makeover, but my makeover was in their hands, I was totally fine with it...and they pampered me. I felt like a milllion bucks today. It was such a relaxing day. They did my haircut, color, makeup (loved), scalp and hand massage, and they gave me a breakfast bagel and drink...man I was luuuhvin it! When I got home Pulu was all smiles, he was shocked, he loved it soo much which made me so happy. My mom loved it, my inlaws love it. I'm so happy with it and I really hope they win the makeover...cause my before was not the business lmbo!!

Another thing I wanted to talk about was Conference! Ok so my fave talk was given by Elaine S. Dalton. She gave a talk on Fathers. She said the best thing a father can do for his daughter is to love their Mother. She said when you show love to your wife or the mother of your daughter, your daughter will find a worthy priesthood holder! I loved listening to that talk, it reminded me of my dad always taking me and my sisters to do baptisms for the dead when we were young @ 5am and then taking us to breakfast afterwards every Saturday. Me and Pulu were talking about him taking Ariana on daddy daughter dates, and I mean I was just crying during that talk, it was so touching to me, and I know it was for Pulu too. Pulu has come a long way, I just am so appreciative of all the changes he has made. I love that guy :) Conference was amazing as always. Another thing that happened very recently is my mom found out that she was diagnosed with cancer again :( I know super sad, and when I called her and she told me, I broke down..like seriously I was so angry and wondering WHY? and begging my Heavenly Father to please spare her life, I couldn't imagine life without her. So my mom got a blessing on Sunday right after conference from the Patriarch of our stake Bro Schwemmer who had cancer 3 times and beat it. Well in his blessing it said my mom would be fine, and that her time isn't up yet. He also stated in her blessing that she needed to continue in her calling of being Primary President. :) My mom held an FHE that night and re assured us that this wasn't going to kill her, and that she is going to beat it, and that this is just a bump in the road, and that she will beat this! We all have faith that she will be great, and beat it too. She starts radiation on the 10th, and will last 5 days a week for 28 days and then we'll see if that takes the cancer away. My mom also went vegan. She said that her type of cancer was caused by eating a lot of protein, and so she has been vegan for couple months now and she's doing great! I'm so proud of all the changes and challenges she's gone thru..it strengthens my testimony! Lastly I went to a beautiful funeral yesterday for a baby named Cindy Ki Hevani Fangupo (Monica and Ova's baby "B" twin) When Pulu and I heard Monica had her baby at 26 weeks, we were so happy that the baby was ok, but at the same time we were sad that her twin didn't make it and when we visited them in the hospital and seen lil Cindy, it was amazing to see that she was fully formed, and that she had 10 fingers and toes, and her one eye was open, she was just soo tiny! Monica told me that the hospital was going to dispose her body, and I told her that I knew some people that buried their unborn, then a few days later I got a text from her saying they were going to have a service for her...I was soo happy. So nice to lay her to rest, and also so that when her living twin Katea gets older she can go visit her. She is truly their guardian angel, how sweet is that. Monica and Ova are a huge blessing in my life, they are such a great example to me of what a loving relationship, and supportive family should be like. I am so grateful to the blogging world for letting me find her and meet her and become close friends. She will be a friend of mine for a lifetime, and I'm forever grateful for good friends. All in all I'm blessed, and I thank the Lord for all my blessings big and small! Have you thought about all you have been blessed with? It's overwhelming, and makes me that much closer to the Lord. He knows my heart, my desires, my weaknesses and strengths. SO SO GRATEFUL!

Disturbing

2011-09-29T15:01:00.000-07:00

2 nights ago Ariana and I decided to go to Walmart. Just the 2 of us. She asked me why I wanted her to come with me, and I said I dunno, just wanted you to come. She and I have not been as close as we once were before Selini came into the picture, and I have noticed that she is somewhat distant, I noticed how she acted sometimes with being so introverted. She isn't that waaay helpful big sister to Selini, and I noticed I was being mean to her a lot of the times because I felt as tho she should just know how to be a responsible big sister, I felt that maybe I expected waaay too much from her. I feel really bad about this still, and that was another reason why I just wanted to spend some one on one time with her. Ariana was my only princess for 8years! So she and I were soo tight and I spoiled her and loved her and just adored her...So when Selini was born, I think she just kinda went on the back burner ya know. :'( It makes me sad just thinking about me not thinking about her. Anyway back to my story of me and Ariana going to Walmart. We had a great time getting things we needed and just talking and when we got in the car to go home, she said to me," Ya know mom my friend at school cuts herself." I was SHOCKED! I said to Ariana OMG Ariana you need to tell your teacher, that's so dangerous and if she cuts herself in the wrong spot she could bleed to death. Ariana said, " She said she cuts herself cause her parents fight all the time." I wanted to cry! I felt so bad for this little girl. Ariana said, " I told her my parents argue too, but that doesn't mean you have to hurt yourself." I was dying inside...thinking to myself do we fight all the time?...OMG if Ariana ever did that, I would die, and also thinking I'm so glad I can talk to her and that I felt the spirit prompting me to spend time with her. Needless to say a tremendous amount of guilt filled my soul! I told Ariana to be positive and to help her, and to let her know that she loves her and her parents love her too, and if they knew they would be devistated! Ariana said, " Mom I knew you would understand." MELTED my heart! I'm so grateful that she knows that she can always come to me and talk to me! I'm so grateful to my Heavenly Father for pushing me to pay attention to her, and what she is going thru. Definitely a disturbing moment for me as a mother. The reality of it all, and knowing I can't be there to protect my kids all the time, but the teachings from home are stronger than anything! This has truly humbled me, and I'm so proud of my lil Nana Bugg for telling her teacher. I hope and pray the lil girl gets the help she needs, and her parents will be more mindful of arguing in front of their kids, I know I am..

Forget me Not..

2011-09-26T10:23:00.000-07:00

1) Be PATIENT with yourself
2) Know the Difference between a GOOD SACRIFICE & NOT A GOOD SACRIFICE
3) To be HAPPY NOW
4) The "WHY" of the Gospel
5) That the Lord LOVES YOU!

I wasn't able to go to Womens General Conference on Saturday, so last night I decided to go on to lds.org and watch it. I was blown away with Pres Uchtdorfs talk on Forget me Not Flowers. He said they were his favorite and made a metaphor for each of the 5 petals on the flower. (above mentioned) Like the small lil blue forget me not flowers, it's easy to go unnoticed and he said we as women treat ourselves like that. We need to be patient and compassionate for all that we are doing, and striving to do as a person. We need to give ourselves credit for that. We are constantly comparing ourselves to others and thinking their lives are perfect when in reality no ones is! Number 2 he said we need to basically live simply. We tend to out do ourselves and are thinking of ignoring our kids cause you have to make 50 homemade cards for your lesson on Sunday...something like that. We should really look at our lives and see what is worth it, what is important. We need to be aware of what is good, and what is not so good. Number 3 we need to be happy in the NOW. He said that we often think when is my golden ticket going to come (as in Charlie n the Choc Factory movie) we have a thinking of if I can get the chocolate bar with the GOLDEN ticket, my life will be grand and change for the better. Instead of just simply being happy of getting a chocolate bar. We need to strive to always be our best selves, but to also live in the moment while doing that. (I loved that part of his talk) I could totally relate to that too, because I'm always thinking of the future, and never really basking in the moment of the HERE n NOW! Number 4 we need to know they WHY of the gospel as in we know how and what we are teaching for example but what is really important is WHY we are teaching the gospel, why we are going to church, why we are fulfilling our callings etc. And last but not least number 5 KNOW THAT THE LORD LOVES YOU/ME! Often times we may go thru struggles where we feel alone, or we do things that go unnoticed but Pres Uchtdorf said the Lord knows, he always notices, and he loves you. He said we are loved by the KING, the most loving person in the WORLD, we should be grateful that someone of that magnitude loves, and notices us everyday!
This talk meant so much to me, it was something I really needed to hear. I'm so grateful for Pres Uchtdorf and the analogy he came up with on a simple flower. We are simple women, and we needed that reminder to live a simple life, and our life will be simple. I know what it is I need to work on, and I am grateful for the beautiful reminder. I hope you ladies get a chance to listen to his talk. Have a wonderfully simple day & pat yourself on the back! :)

Feeling Better

2011-09-24T19:37:00.000-07:00

I did laundry today, vaccumed the floors, gave baby a sponge bath, picked up around the kitchen. That's how I know I'm doing better...cause I wasn't able to do any of what I mentioned for a whole week, and it was driving me NUTSO! haha I think cause the engorgement has gone waaay down, my stomach doesn't hurt anymore. I was a wuss..my tummy was contracting and trying to get back to normal, constipation was a huge part of it, and so yeah since my abs are soo not in shape, it takes longer to heal after each child. I have decided this is our last. I talked to Pulu about it, and he was like it's you that's having em, so go ahead and do what you feel is right. With having to go thru such a bad pregnancy and then having a hard time delivering and post delivery...I just have to listen to my body and call it quits! We feel really good about it. So now it's the fun part...raising them and not worrying about having em. I can't wait to go on future family trips, and getting to focus on their schooling, and on US too. We have been parents for over 11 years now and we were married quite young, so I think focusing on us will be nice too. We can spend a lot more time together as a family. I'm excited for the future and I'm glad I'm healing, and feeling better.

Takes time to Heal

2011-09-22T14:37:00.000-07:00

It's been a week since giving birth, and I'll tell ya this time around is a looooot harder than it has been in the past. I bled more after giving birth, my back aches more since I got the epidural, my breasts are still engorged since I decided to stop nursing, and I had to get a few stitches (TMI?) lmbo So all in all I AM IN PAIN!!! Like really bad to the point that I am so sad, and cry, and feel sorry for myself. My stomach is contracting what seems like every second of the day, and it hurts. I thought I was gonna lose it yesterday because Selini is sooo needy, she wants this and that, and she wants to help, and wants me to play with her, or look at her, or come see something. I mean she has always been that way, so why should she expect anything different from me right...ohhhh but it's been hard. Pulu is trying the best he can to do what I ask of him. The kids are too, my mom and sister Cia have been my rock and have come over and cleaned, and cooked, and taken Selini to gimmie a break. They are amazing! My friends have made us dinner and have given gifts and I'm just so extremely grateful to have such a great support system! The baby is healthy and she is beautiful! I call her my beautiful Bella (in an italian voice) haha. She is sooo cute, and I not only am with her day and night, but I even dream of her in my sleep. I am so inlove with her and I often stare at her in amazement that she was actually growing in me and that we made her. She looks like me too, which is weird cause all my other kids look like Pulu, or somewhat like him, or they're a mix...but Bella looks like my side of the family. It's weird to look at someone who looks like you. Anywho she is getting bigger and bigger and I can't wait til she is around 3 months, that's my fave age for babies, cause they're so cute, and you can get a real sense of their personality, who they look like, they just are so cute at that age.
I called my midwife today because I am concerned with my healing. I have a sharp pain in my lower abdomen area, and I feel it moreso when I get up to walk, or when I'm turning my body to the left, I can feel an ache. So it concerns me because I've never felt that way. A couple days ago I was feeling great, and decided we should go shopping and get a few things for baby and just go shopping...well by the time we hit Sams Club, I got real light headed, and had to sit in the handicap carts...I TOTALLY OUTDID myself that day and that's when the pain started coming. SO now I'm just chillin at home alll day, I don't do ANYTHING. I am putting all my trust in my family to take care of me, and the house :/ It's scary but so far so good. House is clean, the bedrooms are ok, and the bathrooms will be cleaned today thanks to my big helper Ariana!! :) My midwife told me if the pain was so severe then I had to go to the ER, or come in tomorrow to have them check me out. So I'll be going to my midwife tomorrow. Hopefully I'm just a wuss and the pain is normal!! haha Have any of you mothers experienced what I'm going thru?

She's here!!

2011-09-18T15:52:00.000-07:00

Isabella Otukolo

Born Sept 15th @ 7:54pm

Weighing in at 8lbs 10oz

Full head of dark brown curly hair

Length: 21 in long

We got to the IMC Hospital about 11am, they checked me in and I was in my room at 11:25. They hooked me up, started the petossin and now the waiting game began. Started feeling contractions here and there, and then my midwife broke my water I was dialated to a 4 all on my own before she broke my water. As soon as the water broke maybe around 30 mins later I started to feel my contractions, and then they were hittin pretty hard at like 1 min apart. So my nurse lowered the petossin and still my contractions were coming quick. I asked the nurse to check me again, and I told her if I'm not an 8-9 then I want the epidural, I was a 7...I said gimmie the epidural lol...I couldn't take the pain any longer! So I tried people I tried! lol...After getting the epidural it was maybe 6pm...and then an hour and a half later another midwife came in and YAY it was Ida Ripley (she delivered Ariana and Jay) I really love her and was so happy to know she would be delivering my baby! So she checked me and said ok you're ready to start pushing. I pushed as hard as I could, and she said I was making progress. Then my lil sister walked in (Lina) and I pushed I think 5 more times and her head came out, she was screaming her lungs out, as soon as she came out, and Pulu cut her umbilical cord I started crying, she was so beautiful, I had never cried after one of my babies come out, cause I'm so stunned and tired and happy. But when Isabella came out I was so overcome with emotion, I think cause I was in so much pain before, and having her come out was just soooo relieving and plus I feel that she is our last! They did skin to skin and she immediately fell asleep on my chest, it was a moment I'll treasure forever. My mom, Lina and Pulu were all in the room with me. I'm so grateful to have them be my support system, and also to my sis Cia who took my other kids while I was giving birth. She brought them up to my room after and they had NO idea I was giving birth. Jay's face was priceless. He was like, "Mom you had the baby?" haha Ariana admitted to me that she had read a text on Pulu's phn and she knew lol...Selini was not feeling it at first, she was just confused and wanted to go home. But she is doing very well thus far.

I am so grateful for this lil piece of heaven. She is so cute, and she has the chubbiest cheeks and dimples on both of em, she loves her mommy so much, and sleeps at night, she has jaundice, and has to lay in her bilibed, but she is getting better. Mommy is not soo good. This is the hardest recovery for me. I'm trying to breast feed, and my breasts are so sore, I won't lie, I hate it..but I'm gonna see how long I can last lmbo! I hate looking at myself after birth the tummy area is so not cute, and yeah it just isn't fun when you are trying to recover with 3 other kids it's difficult, but I know this too shall pass. I'm grateful for all that we have and I am so inlove with you Isabella, my beautiful Bella :)

Tomorrow, Tomorrow I love ya, Tomorrow...

2011-09-14T21:40:00.000-07:00

You're only a day away....lmbo Anyway if you aren't a fan of the movie "Annie" you prally totally didn't get that. Tomorrow is the big day, the day I will get to finally meet our newest lil princess Isabella, who is named after moi, (my middle name) lets hope she looks somewhat like her namesake, doubt it tho...I swear everyone thinks our kids look just like Pulu! *BOOOO* jk Still beautiful. Anywho I can't sleep, I have my bag packed, the baby's bag is ready to go, I'm so pumped, I don't even know what to do with myself. Gees this is exciting. I'm nervous because I haven't had a baby natural since Ariana which was 11 yrs ago, so this will be a fun experience to try again and do this au natural!! Wish me luck, can't wait to meet you beautiful Bella :)

Sept 14th Possibly :)

2011-09-13T16:58:00.000-07:00

How I feel everyday n night now! Ughhhh

My hubby called my midwife and asked for me to be induced? Why?...Maybe cause my WHOLE entire family is so fed up with my sleepless nights, my outrageous outbursts, and my need for the house to be clean all the time! I don't blame them...lol...I'm ready to get her out, but at the same time I feel a tremendous amount of stress cause of our insurance ending just 10 days after Pulu was laid off. So now we are waiting for State Medical Assistance, which is SOOOOOOO hard to get on, seriously you have to be like jobless, carless, and damn near homeless to qualify! I can't believe how much paper work I have to turn in, my assets cannot be over $5,000 to qualify for the Pregnancy Program, which sucks cause they say my car (although paid off) that it is worth $7,200! So I have to go get it appraised to see if they can bring it down to $5,000 so that I can get my pregnancy/delivery covered, or else I'll have to pay a portion of that?! I'm so drained with trying to get everything turned in, and hoping that I can get on it before....TOMORROW cause that's when they might induce me, but they said even if I do give birth they can cover for the past 3 months, so that gives me an itsy bitsy tiny bit of relief! So tomorrow is not only the day my baby might be born, but also the day I have to turn in allllllll the paperwork!! Wish me luck, can't wait til this is all over!! Ahhhh BREATHE DIANNA BREATHE hooo heee hooo heee!! ;)

Terrible 2's!!

2011-09-12T08:55:00.000-07:00

Yes it has HIT! Selini is such a TERRIBLE TERRIBLE 2 yr old! She has hissy fits, she has temper tantrums at least 9 times a day. She screams, kicks, yells, cries, and arches her back, falls on the floor...I mean it is BAAD! Yesterday my mom tried to restrain her from her temper tantrum flare, and she literally would NOT let up! My mom was like WOW, she's a stubborn one. Yeah I KNOW MOM!! hahaha I have been dealing with that for the last 2 weeks now. It SUUUCKS! What's worse is that I'm 9 months prego about to pop anytime and I really don't have the patience or stamina to deal with her like that. I feel so overwhelmed and I feel like beating her foreal! lol...I mean it sounds harsh, but seriously a screaming child for NO reason is hard to deal with. I'm gonna go watch on demand now for SUPER NANNY to get me some tips!! lmbo nfr

Full Moon..

2011-09-09T17:25:00.000-07:00

I had an appt with my midwife today and she was very optimistic about me having my baby this weekend or after the storms. Then she said typically babies come in waves. She said she has been a midwife long enough to know that whenever there are storms followed by a full moon, that's when they get the most babies! Isn't that interesting? I thought so. She said that my baby feels like it's a big one possibly an 8-9lber, she is slightly posterior (baby is facing sideways, she should be facing up against the wall of my tummy), so I have to do some Cat Cow Yoga exercises ten times a night so she can turn and be ready for birth. She said that usually every month they typically deliver around 40 babies, but this month they have all ready 62!! OMG can u believe that, she said yeah somethings in the air or the water cause that is alot. She said while she was with me, she had 3 women down in labor and delivery awaiting to give birth, and 2 of them broke their water at the EXACT same time...isn't that odd? haha All the hype she was talking about got me really really excited, and scared at the same time. BECAUSE...I was just taking it easy, I thought I won't deliver til my due date on the 18th cause I never EVER have gone early...so therefore I thought I could procrastinate. I didn't have my car seat, or bassinett...so what did we do after my appt, yup went and got my carseat. I don't know about the bassinett yet, I'm still undecided on which one I want, so we'll literally have to wait til prally when the baby comes for me to make up my mind and then have Pulu go get it. I'm grateful he came with me tho, and DIDN'T complain...SHOCKER! haha Anywho now I'm thinking I'll have this baby any day, but you never can be sure! I feel like she is heavy, but not as long as Selini was. I'm thinking she'll come sooner than I think tho. Oh gees now I just jinxed myself huh! hahah oh well I find comfort in knowing no matter what I'll have her by next week Sunday, and that gives me so much JOY!! Can't wait to hold her love her and see her beautiful face!!! :)
P.S. The full moon comes on Monday...and she said after the storms, always comes a RAINBOW!! Hopefully so!!!

IKALE TAHI

2011-09-08T20:53:00.000-07:00

So at 2am it will mark a day in history for Ikale Tahi Tonga Rugby Team. They will be participating in the Rugby World Cup, what an honor!! Tongans nationwide have supported them in making it, and the New Zealand airport there were over 10,000 fans there, and they had to shut the airport down. They said the screams were so loud when Tonga's Ikale Tahi Rugby Team arrived that they couldn't hear the airplanes touchdown!! Isn't that amazing the support that Tonga has! I love our culture and the way we all come together and unite! From Tonga to The Bay everyone has been coming together showing their TONGA pride. We decided to head up to the State Capital today and represent Utah. There was a good amount that came out, but honestly being that Utah has soooooooo many tongans, I really was expecting more. So if you weren't there, U SUCK! lmbo it was amazing to see. I sat and watched across the street, cause I'm a fat prego, who can't stand to be in the sun for too long, so I watched and was soo soo happy to witness the support for our Tongan People! Tons of passer bys were asking me what is going on? Where is Tonga, etc etc...it was nice to kinda educate people about Tonga and rugby and what not. Anywho here are some pics that people have posted from Utah to the Bay, Paris to New Zealand! Enjoy, and watch Channel 2 News tonight to see some crazy tongans with their signs and flags waving in the background!! :) & tune in to Ch 113 on Comcast and watch Tonga's Ikale Tahi play against the #1 ranked ALL BLACKS...should be a great game...GOOO TONGA!!! WOOT WOOT :)

BAY AREA

Outside of New Zealand Airport (AMAZING)

Tonga High got Spirit!!

New zealand Tongan Ninjas! I think this will be Jay's halloween costume this year :)

Str8 UP TONGA!!! lmbo

The support is undeniably the BEST!! Love my tongan people!! Can't wait to watch the World Rugby Tourney tonight against the All Blacks!! MATE MA'A TONGA!!!

Sister Otukolo

2011-09-06T10:01:00.000-07:00

So proud of you Sister Otukolo :)

Pulu's lil sister Nancy has decided to go on her mission. She has been thinking of going for a while now, and as soon as she made that decision to go, I could see the small changes and steps she has been making in order to follow her heart and serve. It's been quite rewarding to see her grow into such a beautiful young woman. It's also gratifying to see sister missionaries out in the field. It is required for men to serve their missions, but it is a choice for women, so when I see the sister missionaries, it always warms my heart to know they had a choice and their choice was to serve! Something I so wish I could have done, and know I will be able to to with my hubby when the time comes (when we're old) haha. Anyway Nancy has completed her papers and is awaiting her calling...very PATIENTLY ;) I might add. She is expected to receive her calling this week, and the anticipation is really killing her. She still needs help with going on her mission, being that her mother is a single mom, she really could use all the help. So Linita's (my mother inlaw) brother Siaki from Tonga sent down a truck load of manioke (yellow & white) so that it could help his sister in being able to have Nancy go out and serve. So please spread the word, and buy a bag of manioke! It is $60 a bag or whatever you would like to donate!! Lets help our sister spread the gospel to all the WORLD :) Update coming soon of where she has been called!!

Do U?

2011-09-04T10:02:00.000-07:00

Just was reading LDS.ORG and I have been so worried about this subject. Do u wear your garments day in and day out? Or do u make excuses to wear immodest clothing because it's "CUTE". Me and some of my sisters were out last night eating at the Cheesecake Factory and one of my cousins wife (who is from the Bay area) said, " You know Utah has changed a ton since the last time I was out here in '06." Me and my sister said what do u mean? She said, "There are a lot of non members, or maybe just a lot of inactives, the way people dress here now is crazy immodest." I have to totally agree with her, I see it sooo much more now than ever. I see a lot of my own family n friends tampering with their garments to fit to their style of dress, or I see some who just don't wear them at all. It's saddening to me and I hope we can be reminded of the sacredness these garments are placed on our bodies for, and that we REMEMBER the significance, and peace it brings to our souls.
Bit of what I was reading off of to read more click here
President Joseph F. Smith had strong feelings about the proper wearing of the garment. Said he: “The Lord has given unto us garments of the holy priesthood, and you know what that means. And yet there are those of us who mutilate them, in order that we may follow the foolish, vain and (permit me to say) indecent practices of the world. In order that such persons may imitate the fashions, they will not hesitate to mutilate that which should be held by them the most sacred of all things in the world, next to their own virtue, next to their own purity of life. They should hold these things that God has given unto them sacred, unchanged and unaltered from the very pattern in which God gave them. Let us have the moral courage to stand against the opinions of fashion, and especially where fashion compels us to break a covenant and so commit a grievous sin.”

“Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?” (Alma 5:21, 27).

It is my prayer that our garments will be cleansed through the blood of Christ and that we will reaffirm in our minds and hearts the declaration “Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness, … and put on her beautiful garments” (D&C 82:14).

Happy Sabbath

2011-09-04T09:25:00.000-07:00

Lamar Mateaki Motuliki our cute lil nephew

Our niece beautiful Baby Vea MaryJane Tenifa

Today my brothers cute son Lamar is getting blessed today out in St. George...oh how I wish I could fly and be there for his blessing! :/ Pulu's sister Lene is also having her baby girls blessing today @ Liberty Ward. Grateful we are able to attend. I have to make cakes so I have been dragging my feet to get up and make em...it sucks when you're prego at 38 weeks...u really don't feel the need to bake, cook, or even go anywhere! Buuuut I will do it, cause I love my inlaws :) Anywho blessings are a beautiful time for me, and sooo IMPORTANT. It's the time where you can hear for the first time from the Lord what his blessing is for them in their future here on earth. It's a humbling experience for the Fathers/Uncles/Grandfathers who will be giving the blessing, and all the priesthood holders who surround that beautiful gift from God, so precious and new and lay their hands on their tiny lil heads and BLESS their future! It's one of the most beautiful days for me, I love love love hearing and going to baby blessings. I hope today we are filled with the spirit by hearing these sweet lil babies receive their first blessing from our Heavenly Father, it's gonna be an uplifting Sunday for sure :)

Waiting Game

2011-09-02T13:23:00.000-07:00

So I have about 2 weeks left, and I cannot tell you how much I wake up thinking and hoping this is it!!...Water BREAK now! lol...It's becoming extremely hard to sleep at night. I can feel my hips spreading, prepping for delivery! I got up 5 times last night just to go pee! Urghhh it's annoying. But everytime I try to go back to sleep, my hips start to hurt bad! Oh the last stretch of pregnancy sucks. But I'm so glad to know she'll be here before the end of this month, and that gives me comfort! I'm really excited to meet her and to hold her hand, and to breastfeed her, and put on cute lil clothes, I'm really excited for Selini to meet her. Everyone says Selini is gonna be jealous, or mean to her, or have a hard time, while that might all be true...I think she'll be a WONDERFUL, helpful, mean well type of sister too. Selini is very sweet, and protective of her dolls/babies/daddy! So I think she'll be the same way with Baby Isabella.
I've been thinking of middle names to give her, but haven't been able to come up with one. If you know any cute baby girl names, let me know. Other things we are waiting on is a bassinett, a carseat stroller, and a breast pump! I know, I know soooo last minute. But I am gonna get allllll that next week for sure. Things have just been crazy with the kids going back to school, and buying them this n that, and all that fun stuff, I've been soo dragging my feet, when it comes to getting babies stuff! haha but no worries, I always go late, so I still have time to get her what she needs before she gets here!
My car is another headache of mine. SO I've been obviously in my nesting stage, and my ride is DIRTY!! Kids are sooo messy, and cleaning is hard on a prego fatty! So I asked Pulu if we could get my ride detailed and he said YES! Sooo we have tons of things to keep us busy next week! I can't wait til all these things can be done, and ready for our newest addition! Life is about to CHANGE :)

Adjusting

2011-08-30T16:34:00.000-07:00

So everyone knows as soon as school starts, so does the chaos! I feel like when the kids go back to school it's not only an adjusment for them, but also for us as parents. We have to wake up early too, so no more late nights..we have to make sure we are close to home by 2:30pm, we have to bring kids home, and make em do chores, and homework. A lot of adjusting for the parents!
Ariana loves her new teacher Mr Ricks. She has never had a male teacher, so it's exciting for her. He is a really funny guy. I was reading his syllabus and was cracking up. I'm glad she has such a fun teacher, cause this is her last year!
Jay really adores his teacher. He said to me, "She looks like she's not nice mom, but she is." haha Jay was sick the past couple days. I think he had a head cold. He didn't go to f'ball practice yesterday, that's how I knew he was foreal! Jay eats, breathes f'ball so for him to stay home and sleep, I felt so bad for him! He is doing well with his 3/4 split class. Jay loves routine. So adjusting came really easy for Jay, cause he loves structure.
Selini is doing ok, she acts like nothings changed, except the fact that she is BU-U-UGIN me like crazy to be her BFF, she wants me to look at her, entertain her, she asks every morning if we can go buy some candy for her and her cousin Gabbz! OMG this girl just thinks she is the ISH like seriously! It's my fault cause I totally give in to her. She always makes this pouty face to Pulu, her lips come out, and they're quivering, her eyes get all welled up with water...we fall for it EVERYTIME! She still isn't potty trained. I think I'll do it after the baby's born. Because I know if I do it now, she will revert to acting like a baby once her baby sister gets here. And that will be double stress...so maybe after 3 months of baby being here on earth, I'll train Selini.
Pulu is trying his best to do what he can. He went to the doc today and they said he can start Physical therapy next week. He is making progress with his shoulder. I know it's not as bad as when he has knee surgery. He can still drive, and cook and do other things. So I'm grateful for that. Buuut I'm afraid if the baby comes early he won't be able to hold her, and really won't be able to help out much. But it's ok, we will ADJUST :)
I am just getting irritated day in and day out, because I hate this ending stage of pregnancy...HATE! Seriously it's so uncomfortable, I feel like my baby is just chillin on my Vagina and I feel like I can't breathe, or clean as good, or cook, or do much cause this baby take up way too much room, and my belly is always in the way! I am bumpin into things, I'm clumsy, I have bruises all over cause I lose balance! lmbo adjusting to this big ole belly is not easy...but I KNOW, I KNOW, she's well worth it! :) It just isn't fun. Other than that we are surviving. Pulu will be outta work for who knows when. We are doing well tho, we have food, bills are paid, money is still coming in...stress level is not too bad. It's when he gets all better is when I'll be a stress whore! Until then, I'm grateful, I'm happy and we are adjusting just fine.
P.S.
[The Help] is such a great movie!! I leave this quote with u all
"You is Smart,
You is kind,
You is Important"

1st day back

2011-08-25T06:59:00.000-07:00

On their way out the door, look at those smiles :)

My kids started back at school yesterday, and I was really excited about it, as they were too. Ariana woke up around 6am, just so she could flat iron her hair, I guess she didn't wanna miss one strand lmbo. Jay woke up and got himself ready, he even fixed his own hair. I had to do that for him last year, so he surely has grown up :) We got to their school right on time, and we had to park like a mile away. When I got to their classrooms I was sweatin bullets! lmbo...Ariana's teacher is Mr. Ricks, he is a young, tall, handsome fella, who happens to love Bob Marley. He had Bob posters up, with Bob music playing in the background while kids were coming in. I like him all ready lol...there is a back2school night tonight, can't wait to meet their teachers & get to know em a lil better. Ariana was happy when she got to class cause her 1st cousin Jasmine was in there, and a lot of her friends from last year. So it was nice and a smooth transition. Jay's teacher is Mrs. Brown (I think lol) She teaches 3/4split which is really great for Jay because he's always been above his grade level. She was very welcoming, and he got lots of "Hey what's that on your head?"

Can u tell he's a "Y" fan? lol

Jay is so down for the Y he wanted everyone in his class to know he is a BYU fan, because most of his school are all u of u fans..so it was funny to hear the remarks, and stuff when they seen the Y on his head. I love that Jay is so open to wear whatever, do his hair however, and rock it like no ones business! lol..He takes after his dad all the way :)

Mom, look who I'm sitting by...2 girls, foreal? lol..

When we got to Jay's class and he found his name, this is the face I got when he sat down...hahaha but he was fine with it, he said it was pretty much boy, girl, boy, girl. Which is good, it'll keep him outta trouble and talking too much! After the kids came home I asked em all about their first day of school, and they both said it was great, awesome, they really like their teachers, etc etc etc. I'm so grateful to Pulu's fathers blessing..because I know without it this prally wouldn't have been a special day for them. I know the rest of the school year will be great for these two :) Happy Back 2 School Days Kids!!

Car Troubles..

2011-08-23T17:23:00.000-07:00

So Pulu got into a car accident this past Sunday. He was driving down 1700 So and a jeep decides he wants to turn into the park parking lot and totally cuts into Pulu causing Pulu to slam right into him! Yeah the jeep obviously wasn't paying attention and was probably focusing on the soccer game going on at the park. Needless to say he jumped out and asked Pulu if he was ok, Pulu was in rage, and was like WTH are you doing?? The man in the jeep gave Pulu all his info and Pulu left irritated because his car is all jacked up and the guys jeep had not even a slight scratch on it! >:( grrr I know! So anyways we haven't heard anything from the insurance company, and frankly it's irritating cause we are down to 1 car again! I mean his Honda still runs, but he just doesn't want to drive it around until someone comes out and takes a look at it, and fixes the damages. So my ride has always been great, no problems besides oil changes and what not...but yesterday we were driving home from East lil League Practice and about 3 blocks from home we make a left and we hear a hissing/grinding sound coming from our ride. I was like Pulu something is dragging underneath the car, it sounded like metal was dragging...but he checked and said there's nothing...I think it's your brakes!! OH GEEEz really?? Man I was so bummed out because we NEED this ride, and to not have Pulu's car...this was bad. So we are searching for someone to change our brakes (hopefully it's the brakes and not the roaters), I don't want to have to go to Pep Boys, or Midas, etc..because it's like 100 bucks for them to just change your brakes, not including the brake pads! So if any of you know of a mechanic who does side jobs, please hit me up so I can save me a few bucks! I hate car troubles...it's the PITS!

In Session

2011-08-21T22:03:00.000-07:00

SCHOOOOOOL!! Yay my kids start back 2 school on Wed. I am super duper excited becauuuuse...1.) the house will be cleaner. 2.) We will have a set schedule to follow again. 3.) I will love them more when they come home! lmbo it seems like this has been the longest summer for us because I'm prego and we can't really fly anywhere, and when we do, mama's not happy so no one is happy. I have been super moody with this pregnancy, and plus it's freakin HOT! So yeah I'm sure my kids are more excited about going back to school than I am. They are all ready too. I'm not sure about the waking up bright n early part, but they are ready for the friends, the socializing, the fun memorable school times, and also for the UNKNOWN of it all. Every year I make sure Pulu gives them a fathers blessing, and so for FHE tomorrow I am going to remind Pulu to do just that. It's a very beautiful and comforting thing to me to have our kids receive a blessing from their father to prepare them for the school year. I think it brings them comfort as well. We are all ready to go. I have their school clothes, shoes, socks, undies, paper, binders, backpacks, etc etc etc... Usually my inlaws would get all that stuff I mentioned every year, but now they have kids of their own, so this was the first year I did it all, and boy o boy it is some WORK! But I had a good time seeing them happy to get new things and to pick out outfits, that part was fun. The running around from store to store, swiping my debit card, ummm not so much fun there! But hey it's only once a year and they need it. I'm sad too that they will be going to school because Selini will be a loner, of course the baby will be here soon to keep her pre occupied, but she will miss them a lot! Plus I won't be able to do a lot of things around the house with a 2 yr old and a baby...so not having them to fetch me things will be hard too. But tis life, I'll make it work. I will miss sleeping in, and I will miss just being lazy with em. Ariana is going into 6th grade ))YIKES I KNOW((she is growing sooo quick! Jay will be going into 3rd grade (MY FAVE YEAR) I hope he loves it. He is going to be in a 3/4 split class, and Ariana will have a Mr instead of a Mrs this year and she's excited about that. I am so glad my kids love school, and look forward to it, cuz I know when me and my bros and sis were younger we didn't look fwd to going back, we loved our summer vacays. I'm hoping this year is a great one, esp for Ariana as it is her last year in Elementary :'( Atleast she gets to spend it with her 1st cousin Jasmine who will be going to Emerson this year for the first time. Can't wait to hear and see them all make memories this school year 2011-2012!! WooT wooT!

Is it time?

2011-08-16T22:28:00.000-07:00

This is me 36 weeks! I am so uncomfortable, I have to pee constantly, my vagina hurts like a mother effer! I feel so FAAAAAAT, (maybe cuz I am lol) I have reached my crazy stage. I surprisingly haven't got to the "NESTING" stage. I'm more in the psycho stage. Telling my kids and hubby to do this and do that, and it's never up to my expectations. So when I do it, I'm hot n bothered, and feel so limited cause my big belly is in the way! lol.. I am really excited tho. I'm not READY READY..but I can feel me getting there. I know I will be like an energizer bunny by the end of this week! I know my body and myself and I can feel the BURST of gooo gooo gooo about to come outta me. I hope n pray this baby comes at 38 weeks! I know WISHFUL thinking, I'm just so uncomfortable...but how come all my kids came a week late, and I asked to be induced with Selini so she came on her due date, and she was 8lbs 12oz...umm can I ask to be induced 2 wks, or atleast 1 week early as you can see I have BIG BABIES....let's make it easier on me please :) hehe. Great now I'll be 1 week over due just cause I asked to go 2 weeks early lmbo. On a good note, atleast Pulu will be able to hold baby and help me out when she comes. (Hopefully)
Pulu's been doing very well, he hardly ever complains or asks me to do anything. He still does soo much around the house, he even cleans, and cooks! All with his right arm. Now he's driving...I'm so grateful he's not in tons of pain. He goes back to Dannon on Thurs for a whole 3 days til his layoff. We know we will be ok. His workmens comp worker is really good, and has all ready verified that he will be receiving workmens comp til he is fully recovered. So I'm so grateful for that. Now we just have to get ready for this baby, and then master our plan for Pulu after he heals on what he's gonna do about work, either go to school, and pick up lots of hours at Delta, or get another job while I go to school. We will have to be very prayerful about our future. Until then atleast we know we can provide for our family, and esp the newbie on the way.

Forgive Them

2011-08-14T07:20:00.000-07:00

Have u heard that quote "Forgive them for they know not what they do" -Luke 23:34. We had a lesson on this a couple weeks back, and it's stuck in my head. "Forgiveness is freeing up and putting to better use the energy once consumed by holding grudges, harboring resentments, and nursing unhealed wounds. It is rediscovering the strengths we always had and relocating our limitless capacity to understand and accept other people and ourselves."

--James E Faust

Since I can remember I have ALWAYS been so stubborn when it comes to forgiveness. If someone wronged me, I would cut that person off from my life period. When I got married I learned that I could NOT cut Pulu out of my life lol..and became a lil more forgiving, then when I became a mother I became very forgiving...but when it came to outside my immediate family I was still the same. In our lesson we had a few weeks ago our teacher said IT IS REQUIRED of us TO FORGIVE! He said the Lord commanded all people to FORGIVE. He asked what does "Forgive them for they know not what they do" mean? I sat silently thinking, and I think it means ignorance. I think a lot of time including myself when you do something hurtful or say something spitefully at the time you aren't thinking of the repercussions. I had a problem about a month ago with close family, and til this day have NOT talked to them. I realize that this is hurting me more than the offenders. It's so true how my Sunday School teacher was saying if we do not forgive our offenders, we carry that burden with us until we forgive! I have carried for a whole month and it's so hurtful, and it's hard to face the offenders and feel that anger stir up within my heart over and over. I want to rid this feeling and move on. Of course I feel like "THEY" should apologize to me, but really I need to accept the way other people are, and rid myself from the awful burden I'm carrying around, and FORGIVE n FORGET. Here's a beautiful quote to sum up my feelings.
"Each of us is under a divinely spoken obligation to reach out with pardon and mercy and to forgive one another. There is a great need for this Christlike attribute in our families, in our marriages, in our wards and stakes, in our communities, and in our nations. We will receive the joy of forgiveness in our own lives when we are willing to extend that joy freely to others. Lip service is not enough. We need to purge our hearts and minds of feelings and thoughts of bitterness and let the light and the love of Christ enter in. As a result, the Spirit of the Lord will fill our souls with the joy accompanying divine peace of conscience."

--Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I hope that I can feel the divine peace of conscience, and I hope and pray that I can be more forgiving to others who have done me wrong in the past. If I have hurt or offended any of you readers, I hope you will forgive me, for I know not what I've done...I hope everyone has a happy sabbath much love :)

O2Kolo StatUS

2011-08-12T17:25:00.000-07:00

Going under the knife for the 3rd time in his life and not even 30 yet!

So like I said in previous posts I couldn't wait til after Aug 6th cause then I felt like I could breathe! Well I've been actually doing the opposite! Haha I've been super busy because HELLO DING DONG I didn't realize I would be doing everything since Pulu had surgery on Wed!! It's only been 2 days and I all ready am feeling so tired, and wore out from having to do EVERYTHING! U really don't realize how much someone else does for you til they can't, or aren't able to. I'm so grateful to you Pulu, foreal! :/ #goinalilinsane NEWAY--> Here's the status with us. Ariana n Jay will be starting school in 12 days! I am due in 5 weeks, Jay has football practice M,Tues, & Thurs. Pulu got laid off of Dannon, so I have to file for unemployment not this Monday but the following Monday because he will officially be laid of next week Saturday Aug 20th. (Don't u wish u were me) hoi...we are also dealing with the fact that he can't work at his other job Delta til he is fully healed. We are hoping Workmens Comp will still continue to pay for him being off of Delta. We know that they will continue to pay him thru Dannon...but there's just a lot of things we need to get done finance wise so that I can FINALLLLLLY focus on baby Isabella! I feel like I don't have the time, energy, or money to get her the things she will NEED when she arrives. I'm grateful to couponing and to some of our cousins who have been so generous with giving us wipes, and stuff for baby. I need to stock up on diapers, and burp cloths, etc etc etc!! Time to hit up the yard sales again!! :) I'm grateful for all that we do have. I know these trials will only make us stronger. It sucks to have to go thru them, but I know that together we can overcome anything. I know that there are others who have it a lot worse than I do, and I look up to them, and count my blessings! Thank u family n friends for always being there for our humble lil family!

Shout out to Kassie Feinga for introducing me to my new fave place "The Cheesecake Factory" Shout out to Paea Fonohema for the wipes, clothes, cleaning products, and toothpaste ur the BOMB! Shout out to Monica Fangupo for your prime example of unwavering faith and service to others, no matter how many trials you are faced with, you are ALWAYS willing to help someone in need..you amaze me! Shout out to Ane Tupea for always hookin it up with goodies, homemade somethings, offering to babysit, I love you BF! & last but not least SHOUT out to our families. Pulu's sisters for always taking my kids school shopping every year since they started school (this is the 1st yr I've ever shopped for them) My fam for always supporting me and talking to me on the phn, helping me make decisions and being my bf's! Love you all and that's the 02k0l0 StatUS as of now :)

How can we not look at this, and NOT be grateful for all that we have! lol...

Jays Baptism

2011-08-09T09:25:00.000-07:00

Aug 6th, 2011 my son Pulu Jay Otukolo got baptized in the Taylorsville Stake Center on a beautiful Saturday afternoon by his father.
So while leading up to this date, I felt the urge to get Jay spiritually prepared for this moment. I wanted him to WANT to get baptized and feel the spirit testify of the decision to get baptized. So I started up Family Scripture reading a month prior...we started reading here and there scriptures on baptism, then we started reading straight in D&C, my kids really love Doctrine & Covenants, I think it's easier for them to understand. Anyway Jay had and always does have tons of questions and instead of being irritated like always I was happy to answer them because I really wanted him to understand why it's such a blessing to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Doing that along with family prayers really really bonded our family together and when the day came that Jay was to be baptized I took a minute to look at him and I thought WOW, he's all grown up! (I know he's not) but I felt like he was because he is responsible now to make his own decisions and will be accountable. I contemplated on me and Pulu and how we did as parents to lead him to this point. I couldn't be more proud of Pulu, he has ALWAYS been such a great example to Jay, he takes him everywhere, teaches him everything he knows, enjoys Jays fifty billion questions and answers them, he is a wonderful dad to Jay, and I am so grateful that they are best friends. Me on the other hand, not so patient with him...lmbo but I know that Jays tender heart, and fifty thousand questions comes from me his mother! I am a curious person, just not outspoken about it, I am fascinated with the gospel, as Jay is. I see a lot of me and Pulu instilled in Jay and it warms my heart to know we made him, we led him down the right path. :)
So the day of and this was the program:
Conducting: 2nd counselor of bishopric Paul Brown
Chorister: Voni Louis
Pianist: Tisha Wolfgramm
Opening Prayer: Leafa Faletau
Opening Song: "I'm trying to be like Jesus"
Talk on Baptism: Nancy Otukolo
Musical #: Kakala Netane (When I am Baptized)
Baptismal Ordinance: Performed by Pulu Otukolo
(witnesses: Keila Otukolo & Ifa Motuliki)
Talk on Holy Ghost: Connie Motuliki
Confirmation: Performed by Salesi Ika
Testimony: Jay Otukolo
Remarks: Dianna Otukolo
Welcome & Closing Remarks: Paul Brown (bishopric)
Closing Song: "I am a child of God"
Closing Prayer: Linita Otukolo

I could not be more happy with this program. Jay wanted Nancy to talk because he looks up to her for wanting to serve a mission, and so we felt like yeah she would be perfect, this will give her an opportunity to teach and get some practice in. I had asked her and my mom to give object lesson talks, so it would draw Jays attention. Nancy had a picture of Jay inside a plastic covering, she had cheese wiz and 2 napkins that said Baptism and Sacrament on them. She told Jay when he sins, or says mean things to people, or doesn't choose the right, his picture can look like this, and she sprayed cheese wiz over his face, then she said when u are baptized (holding up napkin) your sins are washed away and she wiped it clean. Then she said but sometimes after baptism we forget, and we start making mistakes, and sinning, she sprayed his face again, she grabbed the sacrament napkin and told him we renew our covenants every Sunday and we are clean again. It was a great lesson, and I'm so grateful Jay understood and I felt the spirit. Then my mom spoke after Jay was baptized about the Holy Ghost. I LOVED her talk, my mom is a great teacher, and she had tons of things in a BYU backpack that she was pulling out and relating it to the Holy Ghost. She pulled out a flashlight, and told him it's to remind him of the path he needs to be on, she had a compass in there so he knows the H.G. will always lead him in the right direction, she had a blanket for comfort, she had pack of snickers and she said when your friends snicker at you for making right choices, this is a reminder to CTR! She had a pic of Jesus Christ surrounded by children and said most importantly the Holy Ghost will always lead you to Christ. She made me cry, and Jay was a lil emotional too. He got up and bore his testimony, he was really shy but he recited his 4th article of Faith, with me by his side holding his hand lol. Then I gave my thoughts and thanked everyone for coming, thanked my son for his decision in wanting to be baptized, I cried cause I'm a cry baby prego! I was so overcome with joy that day, it was just a spiritual day. Salesi Ika who is a very very dear uncle to Pulu and I is from Hemet, CA. They were down here for Pulu's family reunion, and thank goodness because they were able to come to Jay's baptism so Pulu asked him to confirm Jay. This man is so spiritual and I love him so much! His blessing to Jay was beautiful and made my heart palpitate when he said Jay would serve around the world teaching the gospel...I still tear up thinking about it. I am so grateful for all the family, & friends who came out and supported. It was an amazing day, and afterwards we handed out sack lunches! Best thing ever, super cheap, and best of all NO CLEAN UP! It was perfect too, cause of the reunion going on and what not, people needed to go. A very blessed day, with blessed people :) I'm so sad I didn't get not ONE pic of Jay, not one with us, NOTHING...but I'm sure others took pics, hopefully I can get one. All I have are our memories, hence the reason I wrote it all down.~

Anxious

2011-08-04T23:00:00.000-07:00

Pulu's Mataele/Ika reunion starts tomorrow, Jay will be getting baptized this Saturday, my 35 week apt will be the following Wednesday, and also we'll be finding out later that night if Pulu will be getting laid off or not from Dannon! So yeah lots to be anxious about. I'm anxious for tomorrow to see all of Pulu's fam from Cali that we are so close with. I'm anxious to see my son enter the waters of baptism, and for his dad to baptize and confirm him a member of our church! I'm excited to hear my baby's heartbeat, it always makes me happy..I'm anxious/nervous of the unknown of Pulu having a job or not by the end of this month! I really can't wait til after the 10th, because I feeel like that's when I'll KNOW EVERYTHING, I'll be done with planning things like b'days, baptism partys, reunions etc etc... After Aug 10th, I will be able to act on what I know, and focus on what needs to be done, and most importantly PLAN OF ACTION for the arrival of this baby girl. I feel like I've been neglecting getting things in order for her arrival. She's kinda been on the back burner. With Jay, Nana, and Selini's b'days all in July, Jay starting lil league football, reunions, planning Jay's baptism, and keeping up with our household..things got a lil out of hand with me! So I promise you Baby Isabella, mommy will make time for your arrival, I love you more than you know :) I'm so ANXIOUS most of all to meet your cute lil face!!! :)

This is the week

2011-08-01T10:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Jay had his interview with our bishop for his baptism. He told me when he came outta his office that the Bishop gave him a little card with his articles of faith on the back. I asked Jay what did the bishop ask him. He said he asked him what his fave article of faith was, and he said he recited without looking the 4th article of faith which is "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are, First Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Second Repentance, third BAPTISM by IMMERSION for the remission of sins, Fourth laying on of hands, for the gift of the holy ghost." How appropriate of Jay to recite that AOF...I was so proud of him. He said the bishop told him he was ready to get baptized. I'm so grateful that Jay has chosen to become a member of this church. I hope this Saturday when he is about to get baptized he remembers it, and he realizes how important the gift of the holy ghost is. We had a lesson on Sunday on the "Gift of the Holy Ghost" I was so impressed on the lesson, I couldn't help but think of my cute lil son about to receive this wonderful gift. I am anxious and looking forward to Saturday!

OH MY GOODNESS!

2011-07-29T14:28:00.000-07:00

So my daughter Selini sings this song everyday, it's sooo cute!! She walks around saying "OH MY GOODNESS..AYE" it's hilarious! I love the song too :)

Nana's Party

2011-07-29T14:24:00.000-07:00

We started out picking all her friends n cousins up at 8:30pm went from there and went to get snacks for the Drive In's. I totally forgot to take pics there. We watched Harry Potter. LOOOOVED IT! The girls were really into it. It was a PERFECT night. Seemed like we were the only ones there on a Wed night, and the weather was wonderful, nice and breezy! Next morning around 10am I took the girls to the pool...they loved it!

Sia Lutui was the only one I caught jumpin in haha

Much better! haha Sia, Jas, B'day Girl Nana, and Kesaia (missin Melaia)

Chillin

Princess Crown suited for a Princess :) Thanks Auntie Nancy

Waiting on the cake n icecream at Grama Connie's

Make a wish sweet girl :) Love you Nana Happy Birthday!!!

This was Ariana's MOST favoritest b'day party. It was soo simple and easy for me to do too. I'm so glad she takes so much joy out of the small and simple things! She thanked me like 50 times for her party and for being the best funnest mom ever! lol...I kinda felt like a kid hangin out with them, it was nice to see her making memories with her closest friends and cousins. I love seeing her happy and I'm so happy she had a wonderful birthday!!

My Nana Bugg :)

2011-07-25T12:58:00.000-07:00

Ariana Princess Otukolo :)

Ariana is 11 years old today. It's always a fun birthday, because every year it seems like her b'day falls on the 24th of July parade. So she always gets to hang out all night with her cousins, and friends and camp out, eat junk food, play cards, walk around, play volleyball...and laugh! This year was no different. She had a blast, she actually NEVER slept until now...but she really felt the love when it hit midnight downtown. She was sung to by Pulu's family, and then came down a few steps and my family sang to her too! It was a fun night, I'm glad she enjoyed it! We are celebrating her b'day on Wed, cause she really wanted to take her friends to the Drive-In's and then sleep over here at our house, and then in the morning go swimming and have cake n icecream. She can't wait! We made her invitations at her grama Connie's house and she loved the way they turned out. I think they're super cute too. She invited 4 friends: Jasmine, Melaia, Sia, and Kesaia. I'm sure they'll have tons of fun.

I want you to know Ariana that I love you very much! I know that I am so hard on you, and that I can be downright mean sometimes. It's only because you have always been an exceptional child, I think I expect it all the time. I know I need to relax and accept that you are an 11yr old growing into a woman. It's hard for me Ariana to see you growing and changing, but I want you to know I am soo soo proud of you. I love that you are so kind hearted, and compassionate, and willing to be and try to be better in all aspects of life. I notice your desire to learn and grow in the gospel. And I just can't believe how BEAUTIFUL you are! We made you, and I just sit back and look at you and wonder...Where did my baby go? You're almost as tall as me, you're wearing a bra, you flat iron your hair, and you're starting to want privacy. I cherish the moments when you were just a baby and I had you all to myself for 3 years! You're such a joy in our family, and without you I'd be so devastated and lost. You are a great example of unconditional love to your siblings, and to me and Daddy as well. I hope you always remain humble, and full of compassion, and continue to have that driving desire 2 learn more about the gospel. Happy 11th B'day my Beautiful Princess Ariana :)

I love you always Nanaz Luv Mommy!

Herriman Man Made Beach

2011-07-21T23:14:00.000-07:00

My sister Cia had text everyone and asked if we wanted to take the kids up to Herrimans Beach. Ok so maybe it's like a "pond" as Pulu likes to call it, but it's a perfect size, and the kids love it up there. It's prally about a 30 min drive from Salt Lake, but well worth it.
Me and Cia got there with all kids in tow including my brothers boys, and we set up everything. We had lunch made, and we had some beach toys, kids had sunscreen, we had lawn chairs...it was a nice hot day and the kids played and swam for 6 1/2 hrs!!! FUN TIMES!
Me and Cia were chillin and I mentioned to her, why the heck are all the palangi's standing in the water? She said cause they're watching their kids. I was like well they can sit down, gees they're making me tired watching them stand there for hours! lmbo So we decided to get in the water and BAAAMMM...brrrr it was freakin freezing! And what happened we stood with the rest of the palangi's ahahaha guess I learned my lesson on judging! haha! Next time we go we will be even more prepared tho. We need to get swim shoes, cause the sand hurts the bottom of my feet, we need to bring shovels, and sand toys, cause the kids loved jacking other peoples stuff and using it to make their sand castles..juss a tad embarrassing! And lastly we need to bring a radio or IPOD dock so we can jam out. Anyway here are some pics my sis took while we were there. I hope we can make it a monthly outing as a family, I love hanging out all day with mi familia...missed my hubbs a whole lot tho, the joys of working :) Anywho keep it cool ya'll!!

Serena rockin my shades :)

Sel Bell never got out, she loves the water!

They played so well together. We don't know who's sand toy those are..oh well lol

The lil mermaids sister Ursula! lmbo hahaha

Planking..they were like what's that? haha as they eat the sand!

Busy making a huge pool for the lil ones

I wish they slept, they were just lounging for a MINUTE!

Aren't they so cute! Thanks to whoevers toys it was that made it possible to make Selini and Gabbys pool! lmbo

The Differences Test

2011-07-21T22:57:00.000-07:00

Between fake and real? I've come across a lot of these type of people and I've made up a lil test, so you know where you stand. lmbo

Do u have a friend/bf that u hang out with every other week?
Do u find yourself in a lot of drama, or drama seems to follow you?
Is your husbands friends wives, your friends?
Do u always say I don't need friends, I have my family?
Do u find it hard to keep your mouth shut about other peoples problems?

If u have said YES in your mind to any of these questions, you are a fake beezy! lmbo thank you and have a great night :) If you have answered NO, way to keep it real sistah!!

Still In LOVE...

2011-07-18T12:45:00.000-07:00

He will always make me smile :)

Ok so it's been a hard past couple, well 6 months for the 2 of us. Our faith and marriage had been truly tested, and I feel like we've been together for sooo long (coming up on 12yrs), it was that much more difficult when we weren't getting along. We almost felt as tho we were growing apart. Not a lot of people realize how tuff it is getting married at such a young age! Me and Pulu were married at 17, and it was to say the least VERY HARD! There were times when we didn't know if we married for the right reasons, there were times where we felt we missed out on a lot of life opportunities, there were times when we were soo happy, very in love, and couldn't imagine life apart. But I think when you are that young, you don't really know what you want. So these past 6 months had been a strenuous test of our love, our faith in our marriage, and ultimately a question of "Are you Happy?" and "Are we in love?" There was NO doubt I loved Pulu as a father, a person, a loyal husband...but was I in love? If u know me, you know I NEVER talk about our marriage, but I feel like it's important to be honest in my feelings, and if it helps anyone else then I would like to be honest and share our experience.
6 months ago, I started feeling & noticing I was very closed. I was always so open with Pulu about how I felt right then and there...but something had changed. I started becoming very private, introverted, and to myself. He didn't seem to notice, but then I started analyzing his EVERY action. Breaking it down piece by piece..what was he doing, what was he NOT doing, why was he doing this, and NOT doing that..where did he go, and for how long?...Why did he have a life, and I was stuck carrying all the burden of cooking, cleaning, working, tending to the kids, shopping, etc..Pulu still didn't seem like he noticed how introverted I had become. These thoughts of mine turned into something I call "RESENTMENT FEELINGS" I started to resent working, being a full time "single" parent, I started hating that he had friends, and that he had hobbies, and that he was so busy in his calling...where was I in his life? Still Pulu had no idea of how I felt. Yet the animosity and resentment started growing more and more in my heart. It got to a point where I thought, "It's ok Anna you can live in unhappiness for the sake of your kids." These thoughts were killing me. I wanted badly for Pulu to be the man I always thought he could potentially be. Was I living in a dream world? lol..I kinda think I was. My imaginary man didn't exist, only in the movies (Notebook Noah haha) Anyways I held onto that dream and I STILL kept that hidden in my closed heart. FINALLY the day came where I had had ENOUGH, something triggered an argument between Pulu and I and I was INFURIATED, all of a sudden my true feelings surfaced. It was sooo HURTFUL to Pulu, and he was totally devastated to say the least. He felt like a failure as a husband for not knowing his wife was unhappy, he felt like he was gonna lose me, he felt betrayed and angry. I didn't blame him for feeling all that he felt, but still I RESENTED him for all the feelings I felt that "he" made me feel. I felt it was Pulu's fault. I felt that he was the cause of my feelings, and I felt that he should look at how he had treated me throughout the years and know he is the only one to blame. I sent Pulu this email it put things perfectly into perspective by Ezra Taft Benson:
"In latter-day revelation the Lord speaks again of this obligation. He said, 'Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else' (D&C 42:22). To my knowledge there is only one other thing in all scripture that we are commanded to love with all our hearts, and that is God Himself. Think what that means! . . .

"What does it mean to love someone with all your heart? It means to love with all your emotional feelings and with all your devotion. Surely when you love your wife with all your heart, you cannot demean her, criticize her, find fault with her, or abuse her by words, sullen behavior, or actions.
"What does it mean to 'cleave unto her'? It means to stay close to her, to be loyal and faithful to her, to communicate with her, and to express your love for her. "Love means being sensitive to her feelings and needs. She wants to be noticed and treasured. She wants to be told that you view her as lovely and attractive and important to you. Love means putting her welfare and self-esteem as a high priority in your life."
This is exactly how I feel....

After this email, it seemed as though Pulu agreed, and could see. Usually it takes something like a spiritual quote, or talk at church for Pulu to realize where I'm coming from. The hardest thing for Pulu and I was COMMUNICATION! We didn't really talk about our feelings towards one another, or when we were hurt, or angry, because I felt as tho Pulu always thought we were arguing. And I hated feeling like my feelings weren't being recognized and that's when I started becoming introverted, I believe. So anyway to make this long story short. WE FINALLY around 1am one night were lounging on the couch watching t.v., kids were sleeping, and I felt this strong urge to tell Pulu how I felt and to FIX our never ending communication problem we've had throughout our whole marriage. I am so glad I listened to the spirit and I knew the Lord could tell that this was the end of the road for me. He knew my desire and my heart, and he heard my plea. That talk started out so rocky between Pulu & I, and him blaming me for this and that, and me doing the same, and then somehow I was able to turn it around and it was almost like it wasn't me talking at times. I really felt the Lord was helping me to say the right things, to talk to Pulu in a way that wasn't demeaning or coming from a place of anger and resentment. We ended up talking and figuring things out about one another we forgot. We fell IN LOVE again that night just from talking about how we fell in love. We laughed, I cried, we looked at one another, and we knew EXACTLY why we got married. I married Pulu because he loves me, and always has! He has never stopped, and although I have questioned my love for him, his love NEVER NOT ONCE WAVERED from ME. We did this to ourselves, we started comparing, and blaming, and not realizing how much we enjoy one another, and how much we have in common, and how much we truly love our children, and most of all the LORD for bringing us together, and for blessing us with a family that he entrusted us to raise as companions and to do a good job! We didn't sleep, we stayed up til 5:42am, slept for a few hours and got up when the kids got up. It was AMAZING. I am so happy and grateful to my Heavenly Father for helping us rekindle that old flame. I'm grateful to my husband for being open minded and for always loving me. I'm grateful to all my friends and family who have supported me during this trial in my life...and there were really only a select few I told. I know that if we do our part in saving our marriage, that the Lord will do the rest. He has showed me countless times that he is always there for me, if I will but ask of him! Marriage is hard, but it's soo worth it. I hope if anyone is going thru an unbearable time in their lives that they will trust in the Lord, do their part in trying to make things work, and then patiently waiting for the Lord to do the rest. He works wonders and I feel it now. I'm so inlove with my husband, and I'm so happy we are communicating as lovers do :)

For time & All Eternity

JAY TURNED 8!

2011-07-16T09:58:00.000-07:00

You know my son is a die hard Y fan! Thanks Grandma Linda :)

So we did Jays 8th B'day at the Homewood Suites, because we did this also for Ariana's 8th B'day at a Marriott tho. We do this on their 8th cause it's a special time. It's when they also get baptized and so we feel like they deserve a PARTAY! :) So we basically did the same thing that we did for Ariana, but ALL BOYS...and Pulu was in charge of this party. So around 5pm some of the boys came, and around 7pm we all went to the conference room where Pulu set up a huge white screen along with Jay's gift (SURPRISE an X-BOX KINECT) that he has been dying to get for a loong time. He was soo happy! Then we had pizza and that cute cake (cupcakes) shown above with his fave icecream Cookies n Cream. We invited all the family to come for this part just to eat, sing to him and watch him blow out his candle. It was really nice.

Vita, KJ, and Jay

After the kids ate, and played the X-BOX for a while, they all ran up to the 3rd floor balcony and jumped into the pool. This pool was PERFECT for kids. It only went to about 4or5ft..and so the kids could touch the floor. Then there was a smaller hot tub, it was pretty large tho and the smaller kids chilled in there. They had a blast and it made me smile knowing that my lil "boo-bee" was having the time of his life! I hardly seen Jay because he was so excited to do one thing after the next, he was ecstatic to have all his cousins, and friends there, and he sooo felt SPECIAL. He got his X-Box, he got money for his games he's gonna buy today, and BEST of all Pulu's cousin Keiti Pouha called Pulu and told him to come pick up her donation for Jay to play lil league football and she handed Jay $200.00!!! WOOOO HOOOO Is what Jay told me, he only needed $250 to work for by the end of this month, and so he was totally on cloud NINE! But he still has to work for it, he is actually gonna be busy today washing some of our families cars to earn the rest. (ON HIS B'DAY TOO) gotta teach em while they're young how to HUSTLE for what you want lmbo! :) I'm so happy for him.

When he was 2 in Maui

These are some of the pics of my cute lil son. Throughout the years he has always loved the water, he loves loves lovesss the beach! Happiest moments of his have been by the water :) I can't believe how much you've grown boo-bee :)

Everyone always commented on his cute curls

He has my smile :) & his daddys beautiful eyelashes!

mmhmm! he is so cool!

Happy Birthday Jay, I love you so much, some of these pics just show how much personality you have! You are so funny, and ask tons and tons and tonssss of questions that annoy me all day long. But if I were to think about you not asking me anything, our lives would be so boring!! Thank u for being my mini me, great helper, always keeping your room clean, and taking out the trash. You may complain a lot, but you are getting better and I can see you :'( tears growing up right before my eyes into a young man. It makes me sad, because I babied you for 6 yrs til Sel Bell came. I am so proud of what you have accomplished thus far, and my hope and prayer would be you continue to love hard, go to church, say your cute prayers you always say, and strive to be like daddy and follow in his footsteps! I love you my big boy...maybe I'll start calling you Jay now, instead of Boo-Bee ;) naahhh! haha

Take it Easy

2011-07-13T23:26:00.000-07:00

I went to my Dr's appt today and my midwife said I was measuring at 33 weeks! I was like WHAAA?!! I was so happy, she said I needed to rest because I told her I was under a lotta stress, hence my pimply face! I had a hard day today...first off Pulu's hours were cut short, like 24hrs short!! And that was a big stresser for me because we pay all of our utilites with this check, he also gets paid at Delta this week too, so we always have money left over, and we were planning on using that for Jay's 8th B'day Party. Soooo things were just upside down for me today. I felt like such a poor ace! I was so upset with Pulu cause of course when I can't control something I have to blame Pulu! (poor guy) He was like when I go into work I'll get it taken care of, but controlling me..I was like NO DO IT NOW!! When I'm stressed, I'm a freakin hot mess! I can't stand being around anyone, I don't wanna smile, or go anywhere, I am just totally depressed, pissed off and mad all day. But I knew I had to turn my frown upside down and be grateful for what we do have. I knew I was being a lil overly dramatic. I think it's just because I HATE HATE HATE having to turn in bills late, I don't like the stress of worrying about them, I am use to doing things a certain way and on a schedule. I don't prepare for mishaps, or things happen type deals! I am very good at my system, and when it got messed up, I felt totally lost! So I came home with the kids, we sat down and ate chips, and cookies all night long and watched "I can't believe I survived" lmbo great show to watch when u feel down in the dumps! haha
Another stresser is Pulu getting laid off at Dannon. So he hasn't gotten word that he is laid off, but his supervisor said that 14 were getting laid off and Pulu is #7. So I am planning for that. He said he'll know for sure next Tues, and I am preparing for that. I am looking for jobs for him, and applying. The only thing I am stressing on, is our insurance. We are due Sept 18th!! So if he gets laid off (as they said most likely the end of Aug) then what happens with my delivery and that stresses me out not knowing if we'll have insurance or not when this baby comes!
The last stresser is Jays baptism Aug 6th...with us having to be behind with our bills, and Jay's baptism happening the first week of Aug (rent week) I am hoping and praying we can still pull of the plans we had for his baptism. Also getting them ready for school, making sure we have everything for baby's arrival, so on and so forth! I know I need to TAKE IT EASY, and just focus on the things I can deal with, and hope n pray our finances will fall back in order. I hate MONEY...and all the stress it brings to my life. I'm grateful Pulu still has a job, I'm grateful he still works for Delta, & that we still have food on the table, 2 great running vehicles, our health and strength, a roof over our heads, and most importantly our FAITH!! I have faith that we will have better days, and that we can overcome these stresses!

FOCUS

2011-07-10T06:14:00.000-07:00

"As true disciples, our primary concern must be others' welfare, not personal vindication. Questions and criticisms give us an opportunity to reach out to others and demonstrate that they matter to our Heavenly Father and to us. Our aim should be to help them understand the truth, not defend our egos or score points in a theological debate. Our heartfelt testimonies are the most powerful answer we can give our accusers. And such testimonies can only be borne in love and meekness." -Robert D. Hales

I needed to hear this, and focus on what's imp. I will leave my last blog I wrote so that I can remind myself I am human, I make mistakes, and I quickly learn from em too. Where would I be without this great gospel! Happy Sabbath y'all :)

GET REAL!

2011-07-09T18:56:00.000-07:00

So like in my previous posts you will see that I posted a song that I love, called "Who Says" by Selena Gomez. Yeah this post is basically relating to I'M NOT PERFECT! I have so many faults, crazy thoughts towards others, feelings that have been hurt, and basically I'm HUMAN! I titled this blog "Get Real" because that's how I feel...if I were to really "GET REAL" with what I really wanted to write and say to a certain few, WOW this blog would NOT be a pretty one! Isn't it hard? I mean I feel like I go thru struggles and I come away stronger, and with a stronger testimony...but our (my) thoughts can be soooo DEADLY! I mean this past weekend I was SURELY tested. I think I still am, because I swear when someone hurts you, and not just any someone...someone "CLOSE" to you hurts you, it's hard to be happy go lucky, and it's hard to face that person(s). So I would just like to vent and say to the people that HURT me, and talked about me behind my back, and spread lies about me & mine....GET REAL, don't try and bring me down, becuz misery loves company...and I'm not the kinda company you wanna keep when you talk about me behind my back! Some say let it go, and be the bigger person, move on..blah blah blah. I don't work like that anymore. I USE TO BE LIKE THAT. But I'm sick of it. I think that if more people were to get REAL, then there'd be a lot of PROBLEMS solved. So there u have it,my lil KEEPIN IT REAL, I'm human moment. I'm not perfect, but I am striving to be. I hope everyone out there can get to the root of their hurt, and face it, and then leave it at the doorstep. I will eventually have to face my hurt, but for now I will vent about it. Because I am still upset, and hopfully by the time I see these ladies, I will be a lil more calm. That's all...

The Question Why?

2011-07-09T00:48:00.000-07:00

My mom asked me on FB why did I think I was able to meet an apostle in such a casual setting as Walmart? Why was I fortunate to meet him, see him, follow him, and leave at the same time as him?...(by the way he didn't buy any pants). So was I destined to meet him? Was I meant to meet him, was he sent there to greet me? I really pondered on that. And I don't mean to sound boastful, but I do believe he was put there for me! Now why? I think as a reminder to me of humility. Such a man as himself in Walmart looking for a pair of church pants, seemed so unreal! I think seeing him brought me back to ME, to who I really am, who I've been searching for. It brought me back to my childhood of wanting to meet an apostle, like a kid in a candy store. It was like all the hurt and pain I had experienced, he knew, and he was a messenger to grab hold my hand, as if to tell me all will be ok, with faith, humility, and church! I know the Lord is mindful of me, and I truly have a testimony of Christ..he knows me, and he's never left my side! I think that moment brought that realization I had in 2006 of Christ knowing me personally, my weaknesses, my thoughts, my yearnings, and desires to life the day I met Pres Eyering! I'm sure Pres Eyering has no inkling of what this moment has meant to me, and how it has helped me to gain a true understanding of what needs to be done in my life, but one day I will meet him again, and thank him for greeting me, and holding my hand when I needed it most~

Star Struck

2011-07-07T09:11:00.000-07:00

So yesterday we were running around getting things ready for Selini's b'day party. I told Pulu we needed to get a lil swimming pool for her at Walmart, so we decided we'd meet up at the Glendale Walmart. So we're walking around and Pulu and Jay go one way and me, Ariana, and Selini go another way...all of a sudden I see this tall, lengthy man with a security guard walking towards me, I stare up and had whiplash because I knew it was HENRY B. EYERING! I turned to Nana and said that's Henry B. Eyering...another man passed by me and smiled cause he knew too. People were staring at him, but leaving him be. NOT ME! lmbo I was freakin out calling Pulu's phn so he could hurry up and bring Jay so we could take a pic with him. It has always been Jays dream to meet one of the apostles, and quite frankly mine too! So as soon as they came, we headed towards them. I had to make sure it was REALLY him..Pulu was like that's not him, I knew without a doubt it was him. So I said President Eyering, he responded YES w/ a smile :) I said would you take a picture with my kids, my son has always wanted to meet an apostle..while I was talking he came up to me and grabbed hold of my hand and said "What is your name?" (tears wanted to flow, I felt he knew how I was longing to meet him all my life) I said Dianna, or sister Otukolo. He said "It is a pleasure to meet you." He then asked what Jays name was and said "let's take a picture!" I was about to take it, when his security said here let me take it, you're gonna wanna be in this picture! I said ok, then Ariana was standing there and I said Nana come, and Pres Eyering said "Yeah Nana come on!" So we took our pic, I thanked him, and he said thank u to us and have a great day! His security went on pulling different pairs of pants off the racks, saying, "How is this Pres Eyering?" I couldn't believe he was looking for church pants at Walmart! lol..I love it!

I was and am just so humbled to have been able to meet a living apostle, and more so my children! I was overcome with the spirit of meeting him, the rest of my day was just a blur, cause I couldn't believe I met him in real life! I felt like he was an answer to my prayers! I hope my kids will always remember that moment, I wish Selini & Pulu could've been in the picture, but Selini was about to cry, and Pulu was hiding cause he's so shy! lmbo...I've never been star struck, it's an amazing adrenaline rush feeling! Yesterday was great, and who woulda thunk @ the Glendale Walmart?!! hahaha

Who Says- Selena Gomez (Lyrics)

2011-07-05T15:42:00.000-07:00

I think this song is sooo awesome!! I love it, and jam out to it everyday!! :)

Bula Fest

2011-07-05T12:39:00.000-07:00

Sione and Keiti Pouha had put on a BulaFest this 4th of July at Liberty Park.They had this awesome stage, with awesome artists, and topped off the night with fireworks...they even fit in a "flash mob" OMG fun fun fun! I went there around 7pm, cause I'm prego and I sweat like a man...so I wanted to wait til it was a lil cooler, we got there at the perfect time cause Morgan Heritage was on, and he was tight! Then the wailers performed and they were sooo on point! This 4th of July was a good one, I use to always love the 24th waaay more than the 4th...but this concert kinda made me think they could be tied, if the Pouha's make this an annual celebration. I hear UB40 is up next year?!! WOOT WOOT, I'll make sure I am not pregnant and front and center! Love my poly peoples and the way they give back, such a fantastic show!! I'm sure if no one had heard of Bula Beverage, they know now! Way to promote Sione :)

from day

til night

FUN FUN FUN

2011-07-02T20:01:00.000-07:00

I knew wait NO, I know every year in July for the rest of our lives it's gonna be the busiest month ever! We have 3 kids born in this month, it's the hottest month so more BBQ's/B'days etc, it has 2 holidays the 4th and the 24th. So it is a given that we are BRIZOKE this time of year. But we have tons of fun this month too! Here are some of the things that have happened thus far

Dream Big Football Camp
Serena's Yard Sale for Camp
Mazzie's boys visiting us and spending the night
Taking the neices and nephs swimming in our community pool
Mele's B'day Party
Selini's b'day tomorrow
LJ's Baby Blessing tomorrow
Katie's mission farewell tomorrow/Eating
Jasmine's b'day on the 4th of July and Party for Independence Day
Selini's b'day party on Wed.

And the list goes on and on...I am overwhelmed, tired, and kinda glad cause this month will fly by and I'll be one more month closer to my due date! Wahooo!! I am going off subject, but I wanted to ask a question to all my fellow bloggers, even the ones who read my blog and NEVER comment. I wanna hear from you too :)

What are some fun things you do on your date nights? Me and Pulu have been struggling with finding time, or something fun and not the ordinary movie and dinner date night. We would love to go and do something, but then we're like oh I'm pregnant can't do that, or it always ends up being like dinner...blah we're so bored with the uzsh...so hit me up and let me know if you have any fun date night ideas :) Then I can add to my FUN FUN FUN list!! :) Love you all & have a fun 4th of July weekend!!!

Loving this song for the 4th of July!! :)

OUCH!!

2011-07-01T08:55:00.000-07:00

Last night was by far the worst pain I have felt in a looong time! I was sitting down, and all of a sudden this sharp shooting pain starts from my buttocks and down the back of my thigh! I was thinking OUUUUCH, so I got up and thought maybe if I move It'll go away....NOPE, it was throbbing and just cutting me like a knife. I collapsed onto my bed, because I could not literally WALK! I called my midwife and she said what I all ready knew from talking to her b4 that it was my sciatic nerve! So since my baby hasn't turned head down yet, she is hitting my sciatic nerve, and depending on her position it can happen throughout the day at different times, until she decides to move head down! Ughhh I can't stand it, it hurts soo bad, it doesn't go away, she said I could put a warm compress heating pad on the back of my thigh, (don't have one) or I could go take a warm bath (was too scared to get up n walk, the pain was unbearable) take a tylenol, but it won't really take the pain away. So then I started getting leg cramps cause I have low iron...so I got up after laying there in bed uncomfortable feeling sorry for myself and I go get 2 iron pills, get the kids to say family prayer, and have em pray for my health and to sleep well tonight, and then I sat and waited...surprisingly I fell asleep with my body pillow (that I never use, it actually helped) and I woke up around 7am, feeling hardly any pain, than the normal ligament pain. I was so happy when I woke up too cause Pulu walked in and kissed my forehead and said how are you feeling? I told him better, and he said I got u some Kneaders French Toast (my absolute fave) that melted my heart. Because Pulu hasn't totally been there for me during this pregnancy, he's always working, and when he's not working, he's WORKING...jk he's playing rugby, or SLEEPING. So that meant a whole lot to me, I could tell he was concerned because usually I'm as tuff as nails when it comes to being pregnant. I don't complain or cry, I didn't even think labor on my first child au naturale was that big of a deal, I thought it was kinda easy. So with me calling him, and texting and crying I think opened his eyes to see that this was something I couldn't deal with. I'm just glad he was there for me when I needed him most. Anywho if any of you have sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy...I AM SO SORRY and I totally feel for you. 2 more months is all I keep telling myself!!

Buying the Necessities

2011-06-27T23:31:00.000-07:00

So I made a list of things needed for the arrival of our baby numero quatro! Selini is gonna be 2 July 3rd and you would think since I'm having another girl, that I should have tons of baby stuff, but my lil sis inlaw also had a baby girl about 3 months after Selini was born, and I gave her everything. So I need to go buy some more stuff. I decided to do some yard saling first, and I found tons and tons and tons of clothes, bibs, feeding covers, and even bottles (without nipples) but what I really need is:

A stroller (double for Selini and baby)
A bassinet
Breast Pump
Diapers and Wipes
Burp cloths, onesies, onesies and more onesies...can never get enuff :)

So what I did was I went online to Burlington and I found thee perfect stroller, this is what it looks like:

Isn't it so cute! :)

I know it's blurry but you get the pic

Isn't that cool, face opposite directions, or face eachother, I love the options!

I love this stroller, because it comes with a carseat, then it converts into a regular double stroller, if you want to just take one, you can load groceries into the back..there's just soo many options, I love it! So this retails at $199.00 at Burlington Coat Factory, I looked online on KSL and it was selling for 100 bucks! OMG I can't wait to get this off my wish list! :) Next item...BASSINET, here's the one I want..

How nifty and convenient is this?! I love it.

So this retails for about $125.99 at Target, found it online ksl.com for as low as 70 bucks! So onto the breast pump. I was totally confused on where to get a breast pump, what was the best, for a reasonable price...so I looked online at consumerreport.com and typed in best breast pump and it said

Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump. So this is sold online at amazon.com or diapers.com only. It retails for from $160.00-$279.00!!! Yes, well I typed it into ksl.com and I found one for $100 bucks BRAND NEW, still in plastic covering package! Here's what it looks like:

This will be the first time since Ariana that I will be breastfeeding! I hope it goes well, and that I can last. If you have any tips let me know :)

The rest of the stuff I know I can find by garage saleing and elsewhere. I'm just glad that I found what I want, and I know where to get it at a fraction of the retail price!! Wish me luck in my wish list!! It's so fun to shop for baby stuuf especially at a bargain!! :)

Blame it on the...

2011-06-26T07:55:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy?! haha I've been a freakin WITCH lately to my kids, and hubby. I've been so irritable, short tempered, and aggrivated over the smallest of things. I can't stand it, and I'm sure they can't stand it more! Buuut I mean I realize it, and I still do it...it's like I can't turn off my WITCH switch! So sad...please pray for me, and I'll pray for myself some more to have patience, and gain some kindness, and love towards the ones I love the most! I about killed Jay yesterday, I was calling him all sorts of names, and he was just looking at me, and then turned to me and said, "Mom why are you ALWAYS so mean?" I looked at him and said cause you don't listen! He said I always do, but you never like it! :( Did I budge with an apology or thank him...NO just ignored him and continued being mad. Hoiiii kids I hope you forgive me, and I hope this will be my last pregnancy of being a WIOTCH (ya know what I'm sayin tho) lol....

Ahhh RELIEF

2011-06-22T22:33:00.000-07:00

My beautiful SURVIVOR mother :)

That smile on my mothers face says it all. She got a call today that she was suppose to receive yesterday about her results from the pathologist and oncologist to see if she would have to further chemo, or be CANCER FREE. She said the dr's nurse called her and said so the doc said that the numbers were good, he just wanted to be sure, and blah blah blah and then she said so you should be good from what he told you before. My mom said puzzled, "I haven't talked to him, what is good?" She said ohhhh you are CANCER FREE! Those words were sooo comforting to my mom, she was ecstatic and over joyed! My dad sent out a beautiful text saying "Great blessing for your mother. cancer free reported to us from her doctors a minute ago. thanks for all your prayers. Love dad." I cried and thought ahhhh relief! I cried because thru this whole ordeal I prayed to be strong for my mom, and I prayed to not cry because I felt if she cried I could be her backbone thru all this. So I was so happy and excited and wanted to celebrate! :) I think everyone was soo busy that we didn't really get to do that. Although I'm still in the mood and spirit to CELEBRATE! It's soo great and I know my mom is sooo relieved...I'm sure more than anyone! I thank GOD for letting my mom live another day, and for opening our eyes to this horrible disease. I hope we can find a CURE for cancer, because soooo many people don't get to have good news given to them as my mom did. Feeling GRRREAT! :)

Thinkin bout it...

2011-06-20T11:32:00.000-07:00

To breastfeed or to NOT? If you know me, then you know what I've been thru with the whole breastfeeding problem I have. I breastfed my eldest Ariana almost 11 years ago, and never tried with the other 2, because I got mastitis with Ariana, and a hole the size of a small candy bar on the right side of my breast, I didn't grow new skin there for 4 months, and couldn't care for Ariana because any touch to the breast would cause serious aches and pain for me. So Pulu had to work full time, and wake up with her at night, feed her, bathe her, do everything for her. He also had to take care of me by changing my bandages, filling the "hole" with medicine, and cleaning it out EVERYDAY for 4 months! It was very hard on the both of us, and yes even 11 years later we remember like it was yesterday how it was! lol...Buut I've been really contemplating breastfeeding with this child. I feel like I can do it, I know all the signs and symptoms of a breast infection, and I feel like I can do it. I am nervous though, because Selini will only be 2 years old when I have this baby, and I'm afraid she will be so jealous, and I won't be able to tend to her as much because I will be tied up breastfeeding. So what to do what to do. There are pro's and cons. I loved bottle feeding because Pulu got to do it, and so do my younger kids. It makes them bond with baby too which is super duper cute. Bottle feeding is quite convenient too when you're shopping, or at the movies, or at church etc. I don't ever have to get up and leave and hide myself in the bathroom or with a blanket and breastfeed for 20 mins or so. Buuut the cons is IT IS EXPENSIVE! If you don't qualify for WIC, then paying for that baby milk will cost you and arm and a leg...which I don't know if we want to dip into our funds that much for milk! hmmmm What do u think?

Teti Day

2011-06-19T08:05:00.000-07:00

Father/Daughter Dance maybe when I was 12

This pic makes me teary eyed looking at it, because til this day my dad loves to dance with me. Whenever we are at a dance and a slow song comes on I cringe, because I know my dad will ask me to dance. He loves dancing and he taught me how to slow dance. Looking at this pic makes me think of that song "Dance with my Father" It makes me realize how something so simple can make a huge impact on my life. I know if I didn't have my dad here with me today I would miss, and not cringe when a slow song would come on. So thank you dad for choosing me as your dance partner, and for teaching me among sooo many other dancing lessons how to slow dance :)
My dad is a hilariously funny man. He is also very very humble and full of knowledge of the gospel. He is a very outdoorsy type of person, and loves to talk. In ways I find we are a lot alike! haha He is very dependable and always always supports whatever it is small or large, my dad will be there, even if he's late, he is always there. For me personally I will never forget the wise counsel my father gave me when I was going through a really hard time in my life. I didn't tell my father or mother anything I was going through, and I was visiting their home one day. Well we all decided to have a FHE and during that FHE my dad turned to me with tears in his eyes and said "Dianna, I know you are going through a hard time, I can feel something is wrong with you, and I want you to know that if you continue to go to church, and be a good example, I PROMISE you things will get better." The power in those words of comfort given by my father, I will never forget. I felt that he knew my heart, and he recognized my pain, when I thought I was covering it so well. That day I knew my father knew me on a deeper level than the surface. I cherish that memory of my father always. Thank you teti for always being there for me, and knowing me, and raising me to be spiritual, and always reminding me that "Wickedness was never Happiness" Happy Teti's Day! :)
Now on to my peipi teti lol...

Pulu on graduation day from MSJC

Pulu has inspired our family to go for your dreams and to never give up. He moved us out to Cali with no where to stay, with no job, and hardly any money. We accomplished more there than anywhere we've ever been. He is divinely inspired :)

Jay & Pulu BFF's @ a BYU vs San Diego State Game in Diego

One of Pulu's best qualities is being a great father! Pulu always takes time out to make the kids happy. Jay adores Pulu and considers him his best friend and dad. Pulu balances that out really well too. I love the bond that they have, it's sooo cute.

Pulu & I gettin down @ my lil bro Kel's wedding

For those of you who don't really know Pulu, this is the REAL Pulu. He is a freakin psycho like me when we're at home. He loves to be silly, dance like a maniac, make ugly faces, and have fun. He is a lotta fun to hang out with when he lets his guard down. lol

One of my most fave pics. Priceless

The day we were sealed was and still is my all time favorite memory and day ever! I have never been so inlove with Pulu like I was this day. His humility and love and compassion was overflowing this day.

She is soooo attached to her daddy at bedtime!

Selini is full on "Daddy's Girl" She loves Pulu, cries for Pulu, loves to take naps with him, and even when he's knocked out from working a graveyard shift she will go to the room and just lay by him periodically throughout the day. She loves to be near him, she loves to play with him, and cuddle with him. Pulu is such a sucker for her too :)

Pulu & Nana on her 10th b'day

Ok so as u can see these two are str8 twins, and not just in looks, in everything! Ariana is so Pulu. She eats like him, she thinks like him, she is serious like him, she is quick tempered like him...I mean twins! But you would think they wouldn't be close, but they are! Pulu is very protective of Ariana, and he comforts, praises and loves to see her grow and flourish. He is her number one fan, and she is his. Another daddys girl.

I just want to thank Pulu for being the best daddy to our children. No matter what they always know they can count on you, and they always know that you will try your best to make them happy. I am so glad I seen the potential in you at a young age to grow up and be like my dad lol jk hahahaha!! I hope you know that we appreciate you and love you and are grateful to you for providing for us day in and day out. I know it's not easy, but you make us feel worth it! Happy Peipi Teti's Day boo :)

Surgery

2011-06-14T22:43:00.000-07:00

My mom had her surgery today at 6am and she was out at around 12noon. She had her surgery at The Huntsman Cancer Institute. The docs said my moms surgery went really well. They did a liposcopic surgery so she has 3 incisions and they took her uterus out vaginally which was a blessing, because if it was too big they would've had to cut her open to remove it. So all in all they said it went great. When they looked inside the uterus they said all the cancer was in the middle of her uterus and when they put cameras down the sides to see if it had spread they said there was NOTHING. So we are extremely grateful for such great doctors and nurses at the Huntsman Institute. They have treated my mom so kindly and with great compassion. It's a great place to recover, even I felt totally relaxed! I was up there from 1pm-9:30pm and I was so grateful to have spent so much time taking care of my mother. It was very humbling for me because my mom is a fighter and very very independent. Having her lean on me and ask me to wipe her face, or put lotion on her, or feed her, help her up, give her a drink etc...gave me great pleasure and I know it was hard for my mom to have to be so helpless. But I hope it gave her an idea of how much we as her children will do for her in time of need. She has always told us that if and when she gets too old to go to the bathroom by herself or if she gets amnesia or can't take care of herself to put her in an old folks home! I hope this changed her mind. I loved being there for her, and helping her and it also made me realize how much I would love to be a nurse one day. I'm so grateful my mom is ok, we will get the results next week. Now it's on to the road of recovery. Thank you to everyone who had my mom in their thoughts and prayers. I love you! :)

What to do?

2011-06-13T21:12:00.000-07:00

When u feel like your at your wits end..and you feel down in the dumps, and all you wanna do is cry? What do u do?

Sunday Quote

2011-06-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

"President Kimball also taught the profound principle that procrastination leads to the loss of exaltation. He said: 'One of the most serious human defects in all ages is procrastination, an unwillingness to accept personal responsibilities now. . . . Many have allowed themselves to be diverted and have become . . . addicts to mental and spiritual indolence and to the pursuit of worldly pleasure'

I am going to be putting my Sunday Quotes on my other blog by faith & humility so if you would like to see my Sunday Quote, it'll be there from now on :)
I love this quote because it reminds me that I need to focus on the big picture. I have been changing and trying to implement much needed things into our 'home life'. I have been cooking, cleaning, organizing, budgeting, and thinking in a more positive sense with my children. These are the things that matter in this earthly life as a MOTHER to me. I am not the BEST at all these things, and I was seriously "diverted" and now I see the light and I have accepted my faults, my weaknesses, and most of all my PROCRASTINATION to do the things that I know I should be doing for my family. It's been tough, day in and day out. I've noticed satan trying to get at me whether it be thru others and what they say/criticize about my efforts, or whether it be my kids not really enjoying their dinner, or whether it be events that I want to go to, but didn't plan on it so therefore I should just stay home. I notice these lil triggers, but I will NOT let Satan win, I have a plan and I'm trying with everything to not fall into the "WORLDY ways". I hope you all have a beautiful sabbath, and lets all try and live life with humility :)

Baby Names...

2011-06-11T10:08:00.000-07:00

What do u think of these names I love so far?

Khloe
Annie
Ellie
Cali
Isabella

These are the names I think are cute...let me know which one you think is the cutest, or if there's one you love that is not on my list that I should consider!! :)

It's that time again...

2011-06-09T18:04:00.000-07:00

Food Nanny

What time u say? GARAGE SALE TIME!! Yayuhhh can't wait! I hope to find so many treasures this summer. Especially since we are trying to budget and save for a home this year! So let me tell you what we found out a couple days ago. We were planning out our budget and looking over our finances. We started looking at the past 2 months and we figured how much money we had coming in (NET) so then we broke down our monthly bills to survive. After we did that we were stumped. We were like hmmmm we have that much money left...where in the heck is it all going?? Lo & Behold an hour later we tallied up where our money was going. Groceries, Gas, Holidays/Birthdays/Misc. & last but not least FAST FOOD/JUNK FOOD (7-11) u wanna know how much me and Pulu were spending the past 2 months on this category?... $347.00 average! Seriously was the first thought that came to my head. 2nd thought was WOW, ur a fat cow, 3rd was O-M-G we would so be outta debt all ready if we put that 350 where it mattered! So yeah we are working on planning weekly meals. I'm doing this thru "The Food Nanny" (BYU CHANNEL) http://www.byutv.org/foodnanny/she is awesome and if you go to her website she has easy easy meals and a 2 week calendar to use, and then all the food you need to have for those 2 weeks, so your shopping list is complete, which also cuts on going to the store everyday (saving on gas)! By doing this it helps us to NOT eat out and to save more money. We are also gonna start back up on COUPONING!!Pulu is going to make and take his own lunch/snacks depending if he eats a good dinner at home, so that he doesn't feel the need to go to a fast food joint. We also plan on potty training Selini asap so we can save on diapers. She is ready to be potty trained, we are just lazy to get our butts into gear. (I mean some of you seen the damage she can do with no diaper on if ur my fb friend u saw the pic lol) So anywho small and simple steps to helping our lil growing family fulfill our dream of owning our own home!! Time will tell, and faith tons and tons of faith!!! Pray for us :)

I wish our numbers looked like these lol..

Another one?

2011-06-09T06:05:00.000-07:00

Yes yes another baby is born into our family!! My lil sis inlaw Lene and her hubby Lolo had their first baby girl June 7th @ 4:04pm. She came 5wks early and weighed in at 5lbs and 17in long. She is doing well from what we have heard, and can't wait to meet her! Because of the visitations at the hospital (no kids under 14) we haven't been able to meet Vea MaryJane Tenifa but hopefully soon when she gets to come home :) We are so happy for Lene & Lolo and are glad that baby and mom are recovering well. Pics to come soon!!

BYU!

2011-06-06T16:18:00.000-07:00

lol my brother and sis Klarah had their lil baby Brigham today at 1:15am! Can u believe that, he was almost born on my birthday!! :) Too bad he wasn't cause I would've loved and favored him more than the rest of my neices and neffs...jk! Anywho he is the cutest lil thing ever! Klarah was due at the end of the month so when her water broke June 5th around 12:30...we were all shocked! I am so happy though because she was in lots of pain having kidney stones and so I'm glad she went early. Baby LJ (Lame Jr) Brigham Motuliki was 7lbs 6oz 21 in long with a full head of hair. He looks like TJ but white! lol..He is so precious and I'm so happy he made his debut today. Our family is blessed and growing!

Klarah looking great with Baby

Proud Daddy

Aren't they cute. 3 lil stooges :)

All ready sportin the Y, you go Brigham!!

Isn't he just adorable :)

29!!!

2011-06-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

29 are you outta yo mind!!! I am another year older and wiser too, Happy birthday to ME! :) Here's my Sabbath Day Quote :
"If you are a mother, you participate with God in His work of creation—not only by providing physical bodies for your children but also by teaching and nurturing them. If you are not a mother now, the creative talents you develop will prepare you for that day, in this life or the next.

"You may think you don't have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us (see D&C 46:11–12). The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.
"What you create doesn't have to be perfect. . . . Don't let the voices of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside.
"If you still feel incapable of creating, start small. Try to see how many smiles you can create, write a letter of appreciation, learn a new skill, identify a space and beautify it."

So grateful to be a mother, and to learn and grow in my talents I have discovered, and haven't yet. I am filled with love and gratitude to my mother for giving me life, and my father as well. Happy Birthday or as some say Happy LIFEDAY! :)

Sister Time

2011-06-01T16:26:00.000-07:00

I truly wish I cared for taking pics of our fun fun times out with my sisters!!! When we are together, there really is no silence! Just laughs after laughs! My sister Eta came down from Portland with her husband so he could lay a new driveway down for my dad. So that gave us a lot of sister time. So we started off with going to the movies. I told everyone we should watch "Bridesmaids" (ok don't judge me cause it's rated R, I didn't know til we watched the first 30 secs) Buuut that was by far one of the funniest movies of allll time for women! hahaha it was so humorous and our kinda humor too! I loved it! And so did Drina, Corina, Eta, Lina, & my mom!! lol..Yes we felt sorry for Lina cause she was sitting next to my mom. haha! Then the next day we all met up at Corina's house for dinner and we just ate her bomb curry, steaks, and strawberries n dip...we had a blast laughing, teasing and joking like always. Even Cia came and hung out til 2am after she got off work around midnight. It was so fun. Today Eta leaves back to Portland, and it always sucks, cause we love having her here. But she will be back in July with the kids, so that'll be fun cause she bought them a Seven Peaks pass so we can all hang out there all summer long with the kiddos. I love sister time!! Some of the most memorable, best times of my life are with my sisters by my side!! :)

Thanks for the Memories once again sissys!!

SAY I..IIIIIIIII

2011-05-31T08:37:00.000-07:00

WHO HATES THE MONTH OF JUNE SAY I!!...IIIIIIIIIIIIII!!! LMBO SO ON SUNDAY IT'S MY 29TH B'DAY AND WHY WOULD I SAY I HATE MY BIRTHDAY MONTH?? CAUSE IT IS SUCH A BUSY POOR MONTH FOR US!! I THINK FOR EVERYONE IN AMERICA IT IS! ESPECIALLY THE BEGINNING OF JUNE BECAUSE IT'S THE END OF THE YEAR FOR SCHOOL, AND GRADUATIONS, VACATIONS, SUMMER WEATHER WHICH MEANS BBQ'S, BABY BLESSINGS CAUSE IT'S THE FIRST SUNDAY, BABY SHOWERS, WEDDINGS,BIRTHDAYS, EVENT AFTER EVENT ALL HAPPENS IN JUNE!! YESTERDAY I SAT DOWN AND BROKE DOWN ALL OUR BILLS, AND WHATYAKNOW THE BILLS ALL FALL ON THE FIRST 2 WEEKS OF JUNE!! HAHAHA JUST OUR LUCK!

Relief

2011-05-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

So as I said in a post earlier. My mom was diagnosed with Uterine Cancer, and we as a family were totally devastated! So on Thursday my mom and I decided to go to the temple, so that we could feel a lil closer to our Heavenly Father and his plan for my mom. We did initiatories which I think a lot of women forget to do. Initiatories is my moms favorite thing to do inside the temple because it reminds us women of the blessings we are inherited. I love going as well to hear all of the beautiful blessings...it's a great reminder and I absolutely feel my saviors love for me. As soon as we walked out of the temple I knew in my heart my mom was going to be perfectly fine. The next day was her appt with her Surgeon from Huntsman Center Dr. Dodson, and so he examined my mom, and then brought me, my sis and my moms best friend back in the room and thoroughly explained what caused the cancer, drew a picture of how he was going to do the liposcopic surgery, answered all of our million questions, it was really nice to talk to someone so educated and matter of factly. We were all relieved and to top it off my moms blood pressure was normal!! It's usually high, my mom was ecstatic, as were we. There have just been so many blessings pouring in, and I can't tell u how relieving it is to know that our savior is watching over us, and is aware of the heartaches, struggles, and trials we are facing, and is there to hold our hands, put our faith and trust in him, and to learn from these hardships. It has definitley taught me the power of FAITH, PRAYER, and BLESSINGS! I love you mom and I can't wait til June 14th when u go into surgery & come out a CANCER SURVIVOR!!! :)

Losing a Loved One.

2011-05-22T09:22:00.000-07:00

@ the McDonald Fundraiser event for Lauren

This has hit home to me when my mom was diagnosed with Uterine Cancer. Thoughts of death and the need to spend every moment with her became apparent to all of us in my family. We are comforted in knowing if there is any cancer to get it's Uterine because usually if you take out the uterus than you are cancer free. So we are hopeful in that..but the thought of that scary ugly word CANCER is kind of overwhelming. So when we heard about the death of Priscilla and Abe Falatea's daughter Lauren or Reni as they call her, I was so saddened by it. I felt such heartache for her parents, siblings, and close family members. I was comforted in knowing that she isn't in any pain anymore, but the thought of losing one of my own children set into my head, and the thought of losing my own mother did too. I think us as mothers can feel and imagine the extent of pain another mother is going thru when thinking of our own children. It's an unbearable, not wanting to face, gut wrenching, heart crumbling feeling to THINK about it...but to have to LIVE it....ohhhhh I can't but imagine the pain. As I was reading some of the blogs about her death, I came across this one here this blog is Verlynn Nonu's blog and she was really good friends with Sila & Abe's family and she has a poem on there that is absolutely beautiful. It made me cry and I wanted to share it with you all. I am so grateful to have the plan of salvation, and the comfort in knowing that families are eternal. I hope the Falatea Family finds comfort in that poem on Verlynn's blog, because it is so on point with why Lauren was here for a short time. May God bless their family during this hard time, and bring peace into their home. Much love to you Lauren, you were a beautiful example of enduring to the end. God be with you til we meet again :)

Quote of the Day

2011-05-22T09:03:00.000-07:00

"Each one of us will travel a different road during this life. Each progresses at a different rate. Temptations that trouble your brother may not challenge you at all. Strengths that you possess may seem impossible to another.
"Never look down on those who are less perfect than you. Don't be upset because someone can't sew as well as you, can't throw as well as you, can't row or hoe as well as you.
"We are all children of our Heavenly Father. And we are here with the same purpose: to learn to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (see Mark 12:30-31)."

I love this quote it reminds me to not be so hard on myself because I'm not like EVERYONE else. I have my strengths and weaknesses and often focus more on my weaknesses than my strengths. I'm grateful for the leaders of our church to help us and remind us why we are here, and our purpose :)

Still in SHOCK

2011-05-20T12:08:00.000-07:00

A couple days ago I went with my mom to her dr's appt. She had to get a biopsy, and so I went with. She came out maybe 15 mins later and said she was in a lotta pain. She then told me she was bleeding uncontrollably. I was nervous for her, but she said the doc said it was normal, so we went about driving home. She told me her dr said if her fibroids were in her uterus she may have to get a hysterectomy, and take her uterus out because usually they are cancerous. We both were confident everything would be ok. She then told me yesterday while visiting her that she did tons of research on fibroids and stuff and she was sure she didn't have cancer and that she wasn't gonna go thru with the surgery if her doc said she would have to. So I was confident that she was fine, I mean she's always been in wonderful health. So then today I got a text from my mom saying the doc called her with her results and she said they found cancer in her uterus! :'( I could NOT believe it, so I called my mom immediately to hear it from her. She was crying and trying to tell me what her doc had said. I know my mom is nervous and she did receive a blessing, but I could NOT hold back my tears after hanging up with her. I called Eta and she had to call me back because she couldn't breathe...she was crying hysterically. I know it's really hard for her because she lives outta state and feels totally helpless. I sat here crying for a good half hour alone, and praying that my moms surgery next week would be ok, and that she would come out cancer free. There has never been a problem with cancer in our family, so this is a total shock, and we really don't know what to think, or what to do. All we can do is pray. Please pray for my mom!

Ist Ika Reunion

2011-05-19T06:30:00.000-07:00

Otukolo Family with Asaeli & Selu Ika

First Night Campout in back of Kesi's house. So much fun!

Singing Camp Songs :)

LoL Ariana and her hot cheetos!

Game/Talent Day was tons of FUN! I will upload Selu/Red Teams Talent, so hilarious! :)

This was the first year Pulu's mom, uncles and aunts decided it's time to do the first Annual Asaeli & Selu Ika Family Reunion! I'm so glad they did because it turned out so nice, and so much fun. The family is growing so we had more than enuff people to do whatever. The adults were in charge of the food, and the kids/grandkids were in charge of games, and activities...it worked out GREAT! We had so much fun and can't wait to do it all again next year!!

Random thoughts...

2011-05-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

Call me crazy or inside my head, or too much time on my hands...but my head is always thinking, learning, reminiscing, collecting, and sometimes hurting cause too much is goin on in there! But I've been wondering if anyone else out there is like me?

I am NEVER pleased, I am hard to please, and I expect sooo much, because I feel like I give my all soo much. So is it normal for me to feel the same way for my husband? I know men don't think the same way as women do...but really is it me? I was talking to one of Pulu's cousins and she was telling me about a book she had read about a feminist author who thought that we as a whole world have made men into who they think they are. Uncaring, not charming by nature, very laxed, etc etc etc...Do men really act the way they do because us as women and mothers have treated them a certain way, let them get away with certain things because we have that worldly thought of "ughh let boys be boys" kinda attitude? Hmmm I really wonder, and I kinda think it's totally true. I do see quite a difference in the way boys are vs girls. But then again I wonder did I fall into that...does Jay get a slap on the wrist and Ariana get a slap in the mind.

I know my marriage is NOT perfect, and sometimes I want to just throw in the towel when Pulu acts certain ways. I look at other marriages and think "WOW they're marriage is really something special" and then I talk to them and find out things I never thought was going on. I feel like we as married couples do that comparison too much. I think we all have problems and we all go thru trials...but my problem stems down to the way we were raised. I am not bashing Pulu's mom at all. But the way Pulu was raised is he was SPOILED and FAVORED. And I was raised as a free spirit, didn't have lots of attention. So colliding that together was to me CRAZY! Pulu and I have always felt the love at the end of the day, or fight, and yes even when we are on the verge of divorcing one another, our love brings us back together. But I can't help but think the whole reason behind it is how we raise our boys into men. I wonder if Pulu wasn't favored for being the eldest, or spoiled because he was good in sports, or had tons and tons maybe too much attention would we have the problems we have. For instance: not listening fully (cause he is use to talking) not cleaning up after himself (because men are naturally pigs right?) or forgetting things (because men aren't suppose to remember everything, that's our role) or being too tired to do anything (because men work sooo much harder than women) Call me crazy or too into my head, but does anyone else feel me on this?

Quote of the Day

2011-05-15T07:26:00.001-07:00

"For those who are discouraged by their circumstances and are therefore tempted to feel they cannot serve the Lord this day, I make you two promises. Hard as things seem today, they will be better in the next day if you choose to serve the Lord this day with your whole heart. Your circumstances may not be improved in all the ways which you desire. But you will have been given new strength to carry your burdens and new confidence that when your burdens become too heavy, the Lord, whom you have served, will carry what you cannot. He knows how. He prepared long ago. He suffered your infirmities and your sorrows when He was in the flesh so that He would know how to succor you."
--Henry B. Eyring

Gyptian

2011-05-14T07:43:00.000-07:00

Me n Pulu looove live reggae music. Especially artists like Gyptian who holds such strong memories for us as a couple. When I first heard his music, I loved it immediately. Pulu played me a song called "Beautiful Lady" and I was hooked on Gyptian since then and that was back in 06-07. So when we heard Roots Rawka aka Vita Hoko was bringing him down to Salt Lake, we were both ecstatic!! So the first night he was suppose to be here, his flts got cancelled twice due to weather, and so he had to perform solo the next night...and he sure did NOT disappoint! I was sad tho cause Pulu wasn't able to come the next night cause he had to work...but now that Gyptian has come to Utah for the first time, I'm sure it won't be his last!! Woot Woot we got VIP treatment cause of Vita, and it was all in all a memorable night :)

I'm so ready

2011-05-11T07:02:00.000-07:00

I want to have a calling. I can't wait to go to church on Sunday because I miss having a calling. I love to serve, and lately I've just been feeling blah when it comes to church. I have never gone this long without a calling. And I really miss it. I think because in my last ward I had such a demanding calling, that I thought I don't care if I have a calling right away at our new ward...and although it took a while to get into a ward we felt comfortable in, I just didn't anticipate this long. Anyway I hope I can get things back in order and back to my spiritual growth, I realized I need it more than I thought.

My Future...

2011-05-10T08:11:00.000-07:00

I have always known since Highschool what I wanted to become when I got older, and that was a nurse. Actually a Labor & Delivery Nurse or Maternity Nurse. I've felt more of a pull than ever to go ahead and pursue my dream that I've been putting on hold for so long now since having kids and all. I feel like I've never been this strong mentally, and that I can do this. So I have decided to start off slowly...because I know that I will be having to care for a newborn come Sept. So I want to take classes that will help me prepare to go to Nursing School. A lot of people hate trade schools, and that's fine. But I was talking to my midwife and she said to be perfectly honest with you, they don't care where you graduated from because there is such a high demand for nurses everywhere! So with that said, I am a hop & a skip away from pursuing my dream :)

My Mothers Day

2011-05-09T10:13:00.000-07:00

Jay's card on the left, Ariana's on the right.

Ariana's card reads:

Your as pretty as a flower. Your as bright as the sun. I never imagined a mom that's so much fun. So whenever I'm sad, and whenever your blue. Just remember there is no other mom just like you!

I love the part where it says "Thank you for all the clothes and hot cheetos. lol His whole card cracks me up!

Grandma Connie's on the left & Grandma Linda's on the right. What the kids made for their grandmothers!

Isn't this just the cutest! I found it on littleldsideas.blogspot.com :) I changed the wording from Mom to Grandma!

Didn't they come out so cuuute! I love em, and their grandma's loved the thought of the kids making them something from their lil hearts. I wish I would've taken pics of them with their grandmas...but we had a busy day.

This Mothers Day was a fun one. It was pretty relaxed, low key and easy. Saturday I went out with my sisters and my mom to get ourselves pampered. My mom and Cia got their eyebrows threaded

It was my moms first time getting her eyebrows threaded, and she thought it hurt a lot! lol..but she loved the outcome. The shape turned out really really nice, and I'm glad she experienced threading. If you haven't done it, you should, it's way better than waxing, and plucking!

Then we went and got our pedicures, and this was the highlight of my DAY!! So while Cia and my mom were getting threaded, me and Klarah "CHEESE"

headed down to get our spa pedi's.

Don't u love the color, so springy :)

I got the BEST foot massage ever. I mean this guy was going to town on my feet, and let me tell ya, it was JUST WHAT I NEEDED! I'm glad my sis Klarah & Cia were there with me, it was lots of fun. My mom got her fingernails done, and then we went shopping for dresses for Sunday. I didn't find one, so I got 2 maternity shirts, a pair of maternity pants, and some shades :) It was a fun night.

Sunday I went to my moms ward to spend the day with her, we had a lil dessert afterwards and played a mother daughter game, which me and my kids won woot woot, and then we spent time with grandma Linda, and then headed home to see my hubby just waking up after working 16 1/2hrs str8! We missed him the whole day, but I spent the day with wonderful mothers and my wonderful children. It was a wonderful Mothers Day this year, hope yours was too :)

I AM...

2011-05-07T22:32:00.000-07:00

My beautiful always stylin Mommy

My mothers daughter.
"Mother Dear I love u so, your happy smiling face, it's such a joy to look at. It makes home a lovely place" :) One of my favorite mothers day songs. I want to start off by telling my mother Connie Iris "Toots" Velasquez Motuliki how much I love and admire her beauty from within that radiates out! My mother is an amazingly talented woman and I am so blessed to be her daughter!
Ways we are alike:
I am passionate in what I believe to be true, I learned it from her
I have a high tolerance for pain, I got it from her
I am honest and outspoken, just like her
I am reserved when u first meet me, like my mom
I don't like to be busy, I'm more of a free spirit, so is she
I am sure of who I am & want to become, she has always been
I stand up for what is right, she does too
I love to bake, she is the best!
I enjoy music, she blasts her radio like a miko haha
I love learning, she is the best teacher
I am always smiling, my mom hardly stops!
I am beautiful, BECAUSE OF HER! :)
All of my life I have leaned on my mother thru the hard times, good times, go with the flow times, and memorable moment times (child birth, wedding, baptisms, sealings, bdays etc) There has NEVER been a time in my life where my mother was not there for me when it counted most! Thank u mom for loving and guiding me to be a good person in life so that I was able to become a wonderful wife to my husband, and a patient, loving mother to my children. You alway have lead by teaching us how to live life, and to cherish the MOMENTS that mean the most! I love you more and more with each passing day, and literally CANNOT imagine life without you in it~ I hope this Mothers Day you will feel the love we have for you in more than just gifts, but in general. I hope you know how much you mean to me and how much I still NEED you in my life. Thank you for teaching and leading me in truth & righteousness! Love you to no end~
Your Fave,
anna ;)

Mothers I love!

2011-05-06T09:14:00.000-07:00

I want to write about the mothers I hold dear to my heart, they are my sisters & sister in laws :) These women are exceptional mothers and I admire them so much! I'll start with my eldest sister

Sulieta, me, and Cia

SULIETA: She is thee most loving mother I have ever known. She is always showing her 3 children that she will do anything for them. She is absolutely hilarious and loves to make her kids laugh. They respect her completely and she has a way with them that is so special. She cries when she is not near them, and they cry for her. The bond she has with her children is so tight and I totally admire it. Eta is the Eldest in our family and it shows. She is the one I turn to when I feel I cannot turn to my own mother. I call on her to feel that comfort when I'm feeling lost and down. She is a comforter, a nurturer, and gives you her all NO MATTER WHAT. She is the biggest supporter of family and will drive, fly, swim to get wherever to support that family member. She is a lot like me, or should I say I am a lot like her. She is a great example of a fun loving mother and I learned it from her! I love you Eta, and I hope you have a WONDERFUL Mothers Day! You deserve it!
MARCIA: She is the organized, serious, boring...lol..jk busy MOTHER! Cia is always on the go. I have watched her teach and guide her children to sports, and different activities. She reminds me of my mom when we were younger cause my mom was always putting us in dance class, sports, cooking classes, etc. Cia is really active in her kids lives. Her kids totally depend on her for everything. As we did when we were younger. She is constantly looking for deals, taking her kids with her on every adventure she comes across. She is a strong woman in every aspect. I admire her drive for life, and her undying love for her children and children to come. She has always wanted to be a mother and she enjoys it to the fullest. She has taught me to be more active in community things, and to find great deals, and to do it all for our kids future! I love you sister and hope you have a fun filled, relaxing day on Mothers Day!

Nancy, Seni,me, Nana, Sia,Mother in law Linita,Lene, & Fah (missing Sina)

These are all my sis inlaws above. Cenn,Lene, and Fah are all mothers, but each of them have been mothers to my children at some point in time and I am forever grateful for my beautiful sister inlaws. I love them like my own sisters!
Fah: When Fah was single she was so impatient, and could not be around kids for too long. As soon as she became a mother she COMPLETELY changed! She is so about family, she loves to dress up her lil princess Ilaisaane, and she is so calm, and will go above and beyond for kids. I admire her patience and I see her faith and humility she learned from her mother.

Here's Sina (Keila's wife)

SINA-OMG Sina is the bombest mom ever. All the kids wanna go to Sina's house cause she pampers, spoils, and lets the boys be boys! She is a trooper and has 5 boys. She is so loving and affectionate to them. She is a patient mom, and she does it like a single mother, because her hubby is always away working. She does a lot on her own. She cooks really really good, cleans, and serves, serves, serves others while doing all of it. She is an amazing woman, and I love her willingness to do whatever it takes to make her boys happy. I love u Sina! And I don't think you get the credit you deserve sometimes. Thank u for treating my kids like your own, and for always doing for others, you're so sweet and generous with whatever you have :)
CENNI- She became a mother just a year ago. This girl was so spoiled and very pampered. As soon as her lil Jubilee came into her life. I see her working full time and spending every lil penny she has on her son. She has become like most mothers SELFLESS. She is an overprotective, and very affectionate mother. It is so gratifying to see her grow as a mother, it's beautiful.
LENE- She is pregnant and is glowing. She was so worried about gaining weight, but I see she has embraced her motherhood in just eating and falling into her cravings lol. She has always been so good with saving and earning her own money and budgeting. It's so cute to see her being super frugal now tho so she can be able to fully provide for her lil baby girl coming. :)

My sis inlaw Klarah (Toa's wife)

Talavou (Kel's wife)

Betty (Ifa's Girlfriend)

Jenn (Ifa's Baby Mama)

These 4 women above me are my sis inlaws and I love each of them for loving my nieces and nephews and being the best moms for them and for raising them in truth and righteousness.
JENN: I love u more than words can say. Jenn was catholic when we first met her, and even after her and my bro broke up she decided on her own to be baptized. That day was such a memorable day. She is so loving and trying her best as a single mother to provide for her kids, and doing an amazing job. She is very responsible and fun to be around. Her kids love her and even though she isn't married to my brother we love her for raising her children in the gospel & for still allowing us to be a part of her life as well :)
BETTY: She has been with Ifa for 5 years or so now and from the get go has treated his children as her own. I am grateful he is with someone who accepts and loves his children. She is so patient, fun loving and exciting with kids, and some day will be a wonderful mother to her very own. But is doing an exceptional job with my nieces and nephews, it's amazing to see the deep love she has for them even tho they're not biologically hers. Thank u Betty!
KLARAH: She is thee most generous mother/person ever. She is willing to give EVERYTHING she has to see her boys smile. She loves everyone unconditionally no matter their flaws. She is a fun mom. She loves to be outside playing with her boys, and taking them to fun places. She loves spoiling and giving lots of hugs and love to her boys. She is such an affectionate mother and it's so sweet to see. Because her boys are learning from her how to treat a woman, she is a great example of that. :)
TALA: She is Martha Stewart in the making. Tala is so crafty, and loves to dress, and play doll with her lil princess Jaida. She is patient and loves to nurture and spoil her daughter. She is expecting another one in June and it's a boy. She told me she didn't know if she would or could love the next one as much as Jaida. I told her it was perfectly normal. It shows how much love she has for Jaida that she couldn't imagine loving anyone more. She is very passionate about whatever she is doing, and loves to serve. She is such a cute mama :)

I want to thank u Mothers for helping me to become the mother I am today. I enjoy watching, learning, and growing from you all. You are all beautiful and I hope we all can pat ourselves on the back for doing all the work :) These are just some of the things that make you all special moms to me, but you all know you do soo soo soo much more! Thank u and I sincerely hope you all have a Happy Mothers Day!
Much Love,
~Anna

It's a ......

2011-05-04T07:31:00.000-07:00

So we are suppose to find out what we're having today at 9:45am! buuuuut NOOOO they called me and said they had to cancel because they were really under staffed?!! WTH I mean u couldn't call me like 2 weeks ago so I could plan for another appt at another clinic, but you had to call me not even 24hrs in advance! She says is that ok? Well ummm NO, but I guess there's nothing I can do about it. Sheesh people can be so inconsiderate, I mean I am dying to know what this baby is, and she's asking me if I'm ok to wait longer??...GEEEZ! So I called my midwife and they tell me that they cancelled all of their patients and they need to figure out what's going on. They say they'll call me back, but I mean it was near the end of the day and they didn't call me back. I have a dr's appt today at 10:45am so we'll see what she says to me. Meanwhile I am gonna call LDS Hospital and see if I can come in and get checked over there. Pulu gave away his shift at Delta just so he could be there with me to find out, and NOW plans are out the window and we have to wait AGAIN! I have never went this long of not finding out what we're having. Usually I'm 16 weeks, and with Selini I was 3 1/2 months! So now that I'm 5 months along 20 weeks! I still don't know what we're having...the waiting game sucks! lol....Pray for me!