11 yrs today!

Eleven years ago today I had my first child Serena Angelaite Lealao. Her first name comes from Solomon's only sister, her middle name comes from my best friend Angela and my oldest niece who passed away at birth Atelaite. Their names were combined to make Angelaite. She was not supposed to have a middle name, because I don't have one, so I thought she should be like me. Well one night when I was about 8 months pregnant, I had a dream. And in that dream a birth certificate was floating in the air, but the room was dark and all I could see was the birth certificate. It eventually froze in place and all I could read was Serena Angelaite Lealao. The middle name was in bold. This dream reoccurred a couple of times through the night. I got up and grabbed a piece of paper and wrote the name down. I didn't understand at the time what I was writing, til I read it to myself and realized that it was a mix of my best friend and my niece. So there you have it, the story of Serena's name. I love all the woman that she is named after. They are strong, independent and they are all the oldest children of their families. Just like my Serena. I don't know my niece, but I feel that if she were here today, that is exactly what she'd be like. Hey, maybe her and Serena were best cousins in Heaven. Imagine that reunion!

Okay enough memories and tears. I want to name 11 wonderful traits about my daughter on her 11th wonderful birthday:

1. She's absolutely gorgeous.
2. She is my mini me. (can get annoying at times..lol)
3. She is a total nerd, from her schooling to her dancing! (it's totally hilarious)
4. She was sent here to humble me.
5. She is a mini mom to her siblings as well as her cousins. (ask them...lol)
6. She is very responsible.
7. She is such a girly girl, but isn't afraid to play sports. (she may not be the best, but she tries)
8. She is learning to become independent. (this scares me, because she's leaving my side)
9. She is very modest. (I'll take credit for that one..haha)
10. She is a very good student at school and at church.
11. She loves me unconditionally!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SERENA!! Mommy loves you.

Do you have any memorable dreams?
What do you love about Serena?
Where did your childrens names come from?

My Son.

Yesterday was a pretty busy day. But I wanna focus this post on my only son Junior. Right now he is in an AAU basketball tournament and he is playing flag football. I was dreading him turning 8 years old because I knew my husband would put him into football. He is my only son and I didn't want him in a contact sport. I don't want him to get hurt. I'm such a paranoid mom...hahaha. Well sad to say Junior is naturally talented in football. I've tried everything to get him to LOVE basketball, but he doesn't. He is talented in basketball also, but football is his sport.
Well yesterday he played his first game in flag football. He's never played it and he was so nervous because he didn't really know what to do. But his memory of tackle football came back to him by the second half and he ran the ball all the way down to the 5 yard line and he also made an interception for a touchdown!! Woowhoo that's my boy. I always say that Junior is silent but deadly. And he is. He lets his talent and skill speak for him, but he doesn't ever like to speak of it. I love this boy and I pray that he eventually grows to hate football...LOL j/k I love you Boo!!

Luisa Iongi

Today me, Anna, Lyni and Mele drove out to our good friend Isa's house to celebrate her birthday by having lunch with her. We all live here in SLC and she lives out in the boonies, Tooele. I've known Isa for over 10 years. She is the only close friend I have who I didn't grow up with. That is a huge accomplishment for me because I do not trust easily, but when I met Isa after high school, I just knew we'd remain good friends. Isa is a woman of many talents. She is a great cook, house keeper, mother, friend, sister, wife and she's very creative, has held many high callings in our Church and is loved by all. She is one of those people who impact lives in a very positive way. Everyone wants to be around her and she knows everyone, seriously, Isa knows everyone..hahaha! While we were at her house having lunch, Mele was telling us about a time that she and Isa met up at rugby to have a lil picnic and talk. Well they couldn't even hold a conversation because either people kept coming up to Isa or she was wanting to say hi to them. Needless to say she is Miss Popular! It's funny because he husband is so not a social butterfly. He literally locks himself in the room when we come over or he leaves..ahahaha Like today he left to play golf when we got there..sad! Well who can blame him? He's in a house full of crazy woman with crazy kids...lol! Anyways, it was a great lunch date and I missed all the girls so much. We don't get together as often as I'd like, but when we do it's like we've never been apart. I'm so grateful to have Isa in my life as well as the rest of my very good friends. Love you Isa and Happy Birthday.

Journaling.

Today our Young Woman president, Lashell Johnson taught us a lesson on keeping a journal. There was a quote from Kimball, I think, that said something along the lines of 'if you're not keeping a journal, repent and start today!' Wow huh? That instantly woke me up. I intended my blog to be my journal, but have slacked a lot. So now my goal is to write on my blog daily. Even if it's just talking about my day, I'll do that. I learned and have known that a journal is a history of my life and that I need to keep one for my future generation.

So today is my niece Cia Si'i's 13th birthday. She is officially a teenager. I can't believe how time has flown by. I remember the day she was born. We were all in Reno, Nv. for her special day. When they brought her in the room she didn't have a name yet. My sister Eta said that she wanted to name her after all her sisters. This was hard for her husband Peli's side of the family because Eta's oldest daughter Atelaite Kavapalu passed away soon after she was born. Peli's family wanted Cia to be named Atelaite. How ridiculous is that, to have two daughters with the same name, as if the first one was never born. Eta stood her ground and said no, my oldest child came to this earth and received her body. She was called back home because she had fulfilled her mission. My baby's name is Marcia AnnaLina Kavapalu. I am honored that she is named after me as well as my other sisters. She is absolutely beautiful, like me..lol! She is like me in some ways. She is shy, but bossy. Brave when she needs to be. Gains confidence when she is around her family. Loves to be Polynesian. Doesn't know her beauty. And has very beautiful hair. I love this girl so much. She is the oldest living grandchild and unfortunately has to deal with ALL of her aunties and uncles strict ways. We all feel that we raised her or were raised with her because Eta had her when she was only 18. She is a blessing in all our lives. I pray that she carries my name well or else..j/k and that she grows up to be a strong Latter Day Saint woman. I love you sis!! Happy 13th Birthday.

What are your thoughts on journaling?

Do you have a name sake?

What do you love about Sis?

TRIALS...

Why do we go through trials? Can't life just be free from problems? NO

This past week has been really tough for me. My toilet leaked downstairs to my other bathroom, my furnace stopped working and the alternator in our van went out. We were told that our toilet isn't covered by our insurance and neither are pipes. So what are we paying for??? Insurance is such a rip off. So Solomon had to DIY our furnace and toilet this week, so that we great. But last night our toilet started leaking again. OMG what a nightmare!! On the bright side of things, the Lord answered my prayers and blessed us with someone who fixed our van for free! My cousin called me to remind me of something and we just started talking. I told her about all the drama with our house and van. He husband had changed an alternator in a van like ours before and offered to come and help Solomon change ours. He basically did it alone. Solomon was there to pass him the tools, lol! So 2 problems down and 1 to go. One major problem! I just keep saying to myself, "this too shall pass." This is when I miss renting...lol.

What do you think about trials?

How is your insurance?

What gets you through your hard times?

Gabby in nursery.

My baby Gabby is finally 18 months. I say finally because with my husband being a high councilman, me as the YW councelor and my kids all in primary, no one is able to watch my Gabby. So now that she is 18 months, she is allowed to go to nursery. I prepped her all morning and even taught her to nod yes when I said, "mommy's going byebye." But I should know, all the learning goes out the window once you're in the situation...hahaha Gabby did good when I took her into nursery. Primary music was playing, all the toys were out, the teachers were very welcoming and Gabby went straight to they toys and started playing. I walked out with no problem. But as soon as another child, which was the bishops son, walked in and started screaming his head off, all that changed. Gabby started screaming her head off, nose running, dramatically tossing her head back, and calling my name, they brought her to me. She instantly covered her eyes like a drama queen and acted like it was the teachers fault. She is so Serena...hahaha I took her back because I didn't want her to think that nursery was a bad place. I sat in there with her and as soon as she was comfortable with the other kids, I got up to walk out. I don't know what it is, but kids have a "mommy radar" on them. She knew as soon as I turned the knob that I was at the door. She started her screaming again. So I had her walk to me so that we could both leave. I had to go to my class. She walked towards me with her mean mug face, took my hand and turned towards all the other kids, pointed her finger at them and yelled something baby talkish to them. The teachers all laughed as did I. Lets just say it was a memorable experience, and we'll try again next week.

How were your children's first day of nursery?

Discipline.

I learned something so simple yet very impacting. My husband and I have never agreed on how to discipline our children. I was relating this to a friend who is a very visual learner/teacher.

Discipline

(comes from the word)

Disciple

(which means)

Follower

(and who is the greatest example to follow, Christ)

Lead by example

Mirror that!

I hope that that makes sense. It is a very profound way to look at, not only with discipline, but with life itself.

Something to think about!