Thanksgiving 2013

For Thanksgiving this year, we were so happy to have my sister here to spend it with us.  Mele flew up and spent almost 2 weeks with us, which seemed like a lot of time at first, but it flew by way too quickly!  I was glad she was there with us, because at the time Fehi was going back and forth from Salt Lake to Pocatello, so I was getting quite lonely.  While she was there we just pulled the futon mattress into the living room, grabbed the TV from downstairs and made our bedroom in the living room in front of the TV.  Every morning, day, and night if we weren't out and about we were just chilling and watching movies, eating junk.

A few days before thanksgiving I was looking online for some activities to do with the kids, and luckily I had found that Discovery Kids (at Gateway Mall) had a canned food drive even that you could get in free with 2 canned foods, or non-perishable foods.  We spent about $10 on canned foods at walmart, and then went over to Discovery Kids and got in free.  It's normally like $8 (I think) for normal admission, which I would NEVER pay for, so I was happy that we caught this deal.   The kids had lots of fun, but as you could imagine it was full of kids!

Thanksgiving day we spent with both sides of our family.  We had lunch with my mom's sister, my Aunt Paea (in Saratoga Springs).  There we got to eat basically a traditional thanksgiving meal.  It was so delish, I'm pretty sure I fell into a food-coma not too long after the first serving. :)

Later that evening we headed over to my dad's brother, my Uncle Feleti and his family's house in Orem, where we got our Tongan food! After eating we played games (heads up, dots, etc.) and it was so much fun.

Unfortunately Fehi wasn't home in time to spend thanksgiving with us, but he did get home later that night.  The next day we met up again with our Manu cousins for our little niece Ana's birthday.  They had a birthday party for her at Classic Skating in Orem, and it was super fun.  The kids got to go on the bouncers and also skate, or in Moe's case- ride the scooter.  They even got a few tokens to play games at the end.  It was lots of fun, for both the kids and adults (as we skated as well), but I was excited to have Fehi home and enjoying fun-time with the kids. 

A few days before Mele left back home to Hawaii, she was in for a surprise when it snowed! We let the kids go out and play, and she went out with her slippers and big korean blanket just for quick picture.  We had lots of fun having her visit us, and I know the kids and I were sad to see her go. We can never get enough of our family. :)

Giving Thanks: Day 15 & 16

Day 15:  Day 15 (Tuesday) was a bad day for me, so I'm ESPECIALLY grateful AGAIN (yes 3x times this month!) for my Husband. Remember how I was talking about those headaches, and how they make me sick? Well, yesterday was really REALLY bad.  It felt as if there were like 4 spots in my head that were throbbing, and on top of that, it was making me really sick.  I tried to eat something (fries on our way to school) but that only made it worse.  We have an evening class on Tuesday and Thursdays, and I just laid there.  Our teacher knew I wasn't feeling well at all, so she let me put my head down.  As soon as we were done with school Fehi dropped me off at home so I could try to get some rest while he went and picked up some Tylenol for me and also pick up the kids.   It took him about an hour to do all of that, and when he finally got home I was so relieved and happy to finally take some tylenol.  30 minutes later, I was up and feeling SOOOOO much more better.  I actually was able to eat some toast with butter and jam and then stay up and play with the kids.  Once again, I appreciate my husband so much.  I'm blessed to have him as my eternal companion.  He has definitely helped life my burdens (big and small) and I appreciate it sooo much.

Day 16:  Today I'm grateful to live in Utah.  Believe or not, I am grateful to be starting and raising my family here.  As much as I wish we were in Hawaii with my family, I'm happy to be able to have the ability to raise our children on our own.  I know there are experiences that we would not be able to have if we were home with my family.  Then again, I know there are experiences that we won't be able to have while living in Utah.  Fehi and I know that there's no place like Kahuku.  He wishes that we could move there also, and every time we go home we want to just pack our things and move.  But as soon as come back to Utah, where we have our own house, our own car, jobs that we like, and much cheaper prices, we get a reality check that as far as our little family, Utah is where we need to be.  However, I hope to one day find ourself back home (you know, when the economy is better, and I know we will get stable jobs that will one day afford us a home in Hawaii). Either that, or hopefully my WHOLE family decides they want to move to Utah. For real, that's the real reason. I MISS my family! :)

GIVING THANKS: Day 12 - 14

Okay, so obviously I SUPERLY suck at updating this everyday. But hey, mother of two, full-time student, part-time employee... that excuses me right? LoL.

Day 12: I'm grateful, again, for my HUSBAND. Yes I'm cheating and writing his name down again, because seriously, he deserves the whole month.  It's the little things that make me so appreciative of him. Today at work I was starving, came home ate a sandwich, and I started to get a headache.  Well for me, headaches make me sick, especially after I eat, so then I wanted to vomit.  Instead of going down that road I thought I would take a nap, in hopes that it would make me feel better.  What I thought was 20 minutes, was actually a 2 hour nap.  My loving husband let his wife sleep for 2 hours, while he stayed up with the kids, even though he had worked his grave shift and had already been up with them while I was at work in the morning (isn't he awesome).  Well even after the nap I had, I still wasn't feeling better, and ended up throwing up, which helped my headache just a little, but I was still feeling sick.  I was going to go to walmart to get some things to help me, but he insisted he would go and so he went to walmart, grabbed some sprite and pineapple soda (yumm) and a bottle of tylenol for me.  He even cleaned while I was cooking, and then he ate dinner, and at 4:30pm he finally went to sleep.  I appreciate the little things he does for me, because those little things through out the day, add up to be a lot.  He's always helping around the house, he always helps with the kids, watching and feeding, but most importantly playing with them.  He rarely gets upset or angry about anything, which helps keep the spirit so strong in our home.  He always inspires me to do better, and he's always, always, ALWAYS, thinking of others before himself.  That's why I LOVE and appreciate him sooo much. :)

Day 13: I'm grateful for blessings that come about when you pay tithing! Let me tell you! Between Fehi's job and mines, we don't make a lot, but we make enough.  We aren't able to save as much as we like, between rent and bills, but we are able to make ends meet.  Last week friday Fehi got paid, I had figured that we could possibly have a little extra out of his check, but we still were budgeting pretty tightly.  Come to find out with all our bills we would have to use his WHOLE check (sucks!).  But we figured, it would be ok cause I knew I was getting paid today (Monday), however, I thought my check would be maybe only $200 or so, cause I only work 16 hours a week.  Well to my surprise I got pay way more than I thought, including a $100 bonus, which means we have extra cash for those just in case moments, and to carry us into thanksgiving as well as until next pay day.  I know with out a doubt it's because the Lord is helping us through our faith in paying tithing.  Seriously, I've seen what happens when you don't and do pay tithing, and let's just say I NEVER want to be on the side of not paying tithing.

Day 14:  Today I'm grateful for friends.  Not just any friends, but real true friends.  The kind of friends that you can still call up, even if it's been weeks or months, and you just pick off right where you left off.  The type of friends, that you can count on, no matter what.  I've made new friends, lost some old ones, but there's always been a group of girls that have always been there.  I'm grateful for my "wolfpack" girls.  They know who they are, and I'm grateful to know that after 25 years, most of us are still great friends! LOVE you girls!!!

Giving Thanks: Day 10 & 11

I apologize, cause I'm realizing that I have sucked in writing everyday. So here's my "giving thanks" for yesterday and today :)

Day 10: I'm grateful for all my trials and tribulations.

Yes you heard me, ALLL my trials and tribulations! They have made me cry, angry, upset (big difference from angry lol) and frustrated.  However they've also humbled me, made me very appreciative, and have made me a stronger, better person.  We all experience different trials and tribulations, but I believe it's the way you react to them, that makes you either grow from them or not. I've had my fair share of trials from disagreements, to divorce (not me.. my parents lol) and also a miscarriage, but I can look back on each trial, big and small, and I can say that they've only made me become the person I am today. :)(

Day 11: I'm grateful for Heavenly Father and all his blessings he continues to provide my family.

Everyday I see more and more what he's done for me, from little things to big things, and I can't help but feel loved and so amazed at how much he loves me.  He's forgiven me time and time again, and he's listened to me complain, beg, cry, and plead all in the same prayer (lol).  :) I'm just overjoyed and grateful for all the blessings he's given me! :)

Giving Thanks: Day 7, 8, and 9 :)

So I'm gonna cheat a little bit, cause this post deserves to have 3 days worth (even more) of giving thanks!  :)


Today I'm giving thanks, and am so grateful for my Mother: Kesaia Ongoongotau Mafile'o.  All my life she has always worked full-time to support our family, and she was always that mother that made sure to take her children to church.  That's especially one thing I'm grateful for, because even though our father didn't  take us to church every Sunday, my mom, without fail, got up every morning and made sure we all went to church.  She sacrificed so much, and even continued with her schooling while we were in high school.  She completed with her certificate in Medical Assisting, and has continued to work with the same company since then. She continually provides love and support for me and my family, especially my husband.  She actually never met Fehi until she came up for our wedding, but she has loved him and has treated him like a son since day one.  Sometimes they'll gang up on me and it's me against my mom and my husband lol.  This woman is my superhero, she's endured so much in her life to better our lives.  She's my hero, and I'm grateful for the wonderful relationship I and my family have with her.  LOVE you mom!

My mom and my son Moe when he was 2 months old

My mom and step-dad with my children, their grandchildren

Giving Thanks: Day 2 (and 1.. lol)

Today is the 2nd of November, and I decided that every day I would write something on the blog that I'm grateful for.  I know everyone does this, or a lot of people do, but I've actually never taken the time to do this.  So here we go! (btw, I'm catching up from yesterday also, so this will be day 1 & 2) :)

DAY 1:  I'm grateful for my eternal companion--- Fatafehi Fakana'ana'a Latu

We've known each other for 5 years (this month), but have been together for 4 years, and married for 3.  He's been my constant supporter, and comforter.  He knows me in and out, and brings out the best in me. He's truly someone that has and always inspires me to do better.  He has such a sweet spirit, and huge heart.  He loves continually, and gives often.  He is my eternity, and I love him soo much! :)

Day 2: I'm grateful for my two very energetic, beautiful children!-- 

Moeakiola Fisilau Latu & 

Kesaia 'Atukaima'u Paea He'imoana Lokomaika'inani Latu

Moe is 2 years old and Kesaia is 1 years old.  They keep me VERY VERY VERY busy! But I would not have it any other way.  They bring so much laughter and joy to our home, and bring special spirit that only children can bring.  I love you Moe and Kesaia, and I hope that one day when you read this you will know that your Mom & Dad loves you soooo much! :)