Called to the principals office.

When someone attacks a bears cubs, mama bear reacts!! That is exactly what got me into the principals office today. Hilarious thinking back on my mama bear moment, but I don't regret defending my child.
Yesterday after school, my kids were all running to my van. Well Serena is on honor patrol, which are a group of students who patrol the halls and get the kids across the street safely, so she stays after until most of the kids are picked up. There were about 15 or so kids left just hanging out. Anyways, as my kids were running to my van I heard a boy yell, "Serena's a b*&$#!" I turned to where this lil boy was yelling from and I thought did I hear that right. And he looks at me and says, "Serena is a B*&^%!"
Mama bear came out instantly. The gospel left my mind at that moment and I went off on this lil boy. I leaned out my window and said something along the lines of "What did you just say to my daughter. I know you're not talking about my daughter. Do you even know what that word means. Don't you ever, ever, ever disrespect my daughter in your life. If I ever hear that you call her that disgusting name I will hunt you down and beat you! Did you hear me. I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND BEAT YOU! This lil boy at first looked at me in shock and then because I was freaking out for a while starts to become brave again. All of his friends as well as some other kids were standing there with mouths wide open, not believing that this is happening. If you know me, you know that this is not my normal. But the fact that he used that word on my child and so loosely, set me off.
He looked at me as if he were all cool and said, "So what you can't find me." I started shaking because I was so angry, but I wouldn't let myself get out of my van. I knew that if I got our I would've slapped this boy into tomorrow and then be locked up...lol . I said, "boy trust me. Do you know what hood you're in. This is Glendale and I own this. I can find you just like that and I will beat you down if you dare say that to my daughter again. Remember that "B" word BEAT because that's what I'll do to you if you disrespect my daughter again! And I drove off. As I did I could hear all the kids laughing hysterically at this boy. I knew immediately that that scenario could have been handled better, but it was too late. I called Gina (Larsen) Blake at the school and told her what had happened. She said she'll take care of it and call me later.
Well that brings me to the principals office moment. Gina called me today and asked to come and talk with the principal about what happened. I wasn't worried or afraid. I knew that since this happened on school grounds they needed to make a report. So I went and talked with the principal. She was very understanding and just asked me questions as if I were a child, because hello that's exactly how I acted...lol, but she was very professional about it. We continued our talk about how we as mothers act on impulse when someone hurts our child. I told her that this is a "I can't believe I did that moment for me." Her main concern which I appreciated was Serena. She didn't want her to internalize what had happened as okay or be embarrassed. But she was not being judgemental at all about any of it. She also apologized that there was no one out there to protect my child from any of this even happening. Usually there is a teacher out there, but not yesterday. She apologized over and over for that and said that from now til the end of the school year, all outside staff will be on patrol, no excuses. She as well as the vice principal shared stories with me about their "I can't believe I did that moments." All in all this was a lesson well learned on all sides. I didn't have to go to the principals office, but I wanted to let her know that I wasn't going to hunt this lil boy down or hurt him in any way. It was a mama bear reaction. I think the boy would have rather that had happened because he got suspended for a day, no recess for the rest of the year and he cannot leave the school until all students have left the school grounds. I told the principal, I think what I did was enough, but she informed me that as she was talking to the students, a lot of girls told her what a jerk he had been to them and all the mean and degrading things he was saying to them as well. So I hope he learns his lesson. Hey maybe it was meant to be. Maybe I needed to bring this lil boy down a couple notches. I'd like to think I changed his life for the better...lol.
I have to go repent now...seriously!

Let the games begin!!

I've joined a biggest loser competition and I AM GOING TO WIN!!! Look at my before picture, so not cute. It was taken in Hawaii last year. Well we're going to Hawaii again this year on July 4th. I will be at least 20+ pounds lighter. I am ready and it's time to get my act together.

Well the competition was put together by Inga Tukuafu. It was $25 to join and the pot is at $950.00. Wow huh? Well my sister Anna, my mom and I have all joined. We just might become secret enemies for the next 2 months..ahhaha. But I'll give them back their $25 when I win, I mean why not reward them for their effort...ahahaha! I'm so excited to become slim. I'll save the becoming trim part for after the competition. All I'm thinking about is losing pounds and winning mula! Two days down, 60 more to go!! I got this yaayyyyeahhh.

B-day party/ Best of EFY

I wasn't able to write yesterday due to it being Serena's birthday party, and it sure was a party! She wanted a music party and that's what she had. At the same time as the party, I had the missionaries over for dinner. Hey why not kill two birds with one stone. So the missionaries were able to be fed and we along with our b-day guests were able to be spiritually fed. After the missionaries shared their message and were sent off with food for a week...lol, we started the music party. We played name that tune, had a lip syncing contest, played name that animal sound, and to top off the party had a talent show and then a dance. The girls had soooo much fun. I loved watching them sing, dance and just be the little girls they are. Serena invited 11 girls: Family consisted of Cia Sii, Ilaise, Jasmine, Ariana, Ebony and Nessa. Friends were: Sose (Mele), Amelia, Jared, Marleni, Kaylee who also brought Leticia. One thing I learned from this birthday party was that I should never mix friends with family. Some of Serena's friends were feeling left out and began to complain, which was soooo irritating. So lesson learned, never again, unless it's Sose...she was so sweet. All in all the party was simple and so fun!

Today I was able to attend the Best of EFY with my Young Woman up at the U of U institute building. It literally was 3 hours of pure spiritual joy! There were 3 speakers, Bro. Robley,who spoke about Mapping your way on the straight and narrow path, Sis Shupe, she spoke about Which way your tent is facing and Bro. Hilton who is the co-author of the book WHY. He spoke on Why? Principles behind the practices. Each one of these speakers were soooo good. The youth of today are so blessed to have such great leaders who care so much for them. My favorite saying taught was, "When you break the rules, the rules break you!" It's so simple yet so strong. I challenged my girls to bear their testimonies about what they learned and how it made them feel. I'm so grateful for my calling and love my Young Woman!

What are your thoughts about b-day parties?

Have you attended EFY?

What are some sayings that you love?

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?