Forget me not

I really enjoyed the Relief Society Conference this past Saturday. I didn't think I was going to watch it because I got home around 5 pm and my in laws already left to the chapel to watch the broadcast but luckily, we had the byu channel so I sat comfortably on the couch with my blanket, notepad and pen, to take notes.

Each talk was inspiring and so uplifting! My favorite, as always, was Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk on the "Five Forget me Not's." I didn't even know there was a flower with that kind of name lol but his talk could not have come at a more appropriate time for me, personally. Our family has been experiencing some difficult trials over the past month, and I have definitely struggled with discourage. 

"...I was never forgotten, and I know something else...neither are you. You are not forgotten. Where ever you are, whatever the circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, he loves you with an infinite love."

As human beings, I think we've all felt "forgotten" at certain points in our lives. In a world where it is easy to feel like just a number, I am so thankful that our Heavenly Father knows us and does not forget us! I literally cried when he mentioned that quote. It was like having my own personal face to face conversation with him and he was speaking directly to me. He always has such a way of making you feel important and loved.

Hold on to the simple joys and don't wast time looking for the "golden ticket" for you have it in your hand now, all it takes is that realization. I LOVED that! Focus on the WHY not the how/what! Loved that as well! I can't say enough wonderful things about this conference! I am a new Woman :) Excited for this weekend to be more spiritually fed.

I hate you Tacoma!

Ok, not really but seriously, why do all the jobs have to be in every other city but Tacoma? Maybe I'm just not looking in the right place or what but it's getting frustrating. There have been some retail jobs but I dont really feel like doing that again. More so looking towards doing clerical work in an office or something.
Sometimes I just feel like giving up. It gets tiring filling out applications online, waking up every morning just to check the job boards, hoping that someone will call you back.

Situations like this gives me headaches! I hate thinking of the past of the should of, could of, would of...because it's over and done with. Mainly about my schooling.

Mood: Trying to find Motivation!

Elder Alo

The youngest of our family! I'm so proud of my little brother. I got to spend so much time with him while we were in Utah, it was great! It's crazy looking back when we were younger. It was always him and I fighting, arguing etc; We both would do anything just to get the other in trouble. Of course him being the youngest, I got the blame for everything! lol I miss him a lot! I just read an email from him (his 1st email in the MTC) and it made me all teary eyed! He said the 3rd day there he got really homesick, which is surprising! He was so anxious to get out and he told everyone he's not gonna be homesick. He's always been so independent so I didn't really expect that from him. I think it's because he said his companion is giving him a hard time. He says they're total opposites from each other but I know that our Heavenly Father gave him that companion for a reason. It's because anyone who knows Rex, knows that he is very impatient! Only because he is a perfectionist! Every thing has to be on time, organized and done at a matter of time. He's always been like that.

My brother has already blessed our family in many ways! He's brought our family closer together than ever before. Now when I'm talking about my family, I mean my mom's side. Her brothers/sisters, their kids and so forth! Our Tafili side. I can't even remember the last time we all had a get together as a family because there has been so much tension between everyone. Everyone put everything aside because of the love we had for Rex! We spent a lot of time together as a family just laughing, reminiscing on old times, talking about our grandpa...

Rex's Sunday program was...Breathtaking! I'm so serious when I say that because the spirit was so strong. He did an awesome job on his farewell talk. Very well prepared and the musical numbers were uplifting! His mission prep teacher audio recorded the whole program so we were very grateful for that. When I got back home from Utah, I had my itunes player on shuffle, cleaning and  listening to some beyonce, adele & brian mcknight then Rex's program played. Once again my emotional self got teary eyed listening to his talk:( Not only that but my little cousins, Jb & kayleens musical number singing "As a Lamb to the Slaughter." One of my favorite songs! Just listen to the words. It tells the story of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum who sacraficed so much to restore this wonderful gospel.

"As a Lamb to the Slaughter

I willingly go

and I for my Father

His strength feels my soul

I live for my Savior

And I'll die for him too."

Beautiful isn't it! Makes me cry everytime.

I miss you Rex and I know that our Heavenly Father is watching over you! 

Return with Honor. I know you will!

My advice to you: Download the original version by Jimmy Westbrook and Dan Truman! You'll love it!
http://youtu.be/VmU-WRt_5t4

Our little Preschooler!

I'm still in awe that I have a child who is in school already! My how time goes by so fast! Since we've been in Utah pretty much all summer, I couldn't wait to come back to WA and get everything settled for preschool. Drey talked about it all summer and now its finally here!

We took him school shopping which was very exciting being that Dreysen is our first child to go to school but I think he was more excited to pick out his backpack! haha! It was even on sale for $9 when the original price was $27! Can't beat that! Afterwards, we took the kids for lunch and headed back home. 

Before we were getting ready for bed, I asked Lance if he could give Drey a blessing for school. I know its just preschool but looking back at my childhood, my Dad always gave us blessing the night before our first day of school, so I wanted to do the same with my kids. Since Lance got his priesthood, he has only giving a blessing once, and that was for me when I got ill. So he kind of sat on the bed for a while, probably thinking things through his head...what he's gonna say, how he's gonna say it...just so he does everything right since it has been a while. When he laid his hands on Dreys head, I couldn't hold back my tears. I was crying like a baby! At that moment I realized how blessed and thankful I am to have a priesthood holder in our family! I peeked my eye's open and saw how reverent and still both Dreysen and Zee were. Both folding their arms...closing their eyes...It was amazing! Usually during prayer they are often playing with their fingers, making noices etc; but this time was different. I wish they could be like that during sacrament! haha but anyway, This is something I would like to do every year with all our kids.

The next morning I woke Drey up around 7:15 am and he didn't complain one bit! I thought I'd have a hard time waking him up that early since he usually sleeps til 10 am lol but he did awesome. Before we left he kept telling me, "mommy! Don't wake up Zee because school is for big boys, not babies!" haha I told him that the spotlight is all on him today. I told him that because we usually always take Zee with us everywhere we go and Drey stays behind with the grandparents so it was funny when he mentioned that. 

His first day was great! Knowing Drey he is the curious type, very energetic and can't keep still! He kept wanting to go to different areas of the room, asking whats this, whats that. You know what typical young boys would do. 

He ended up not staying for the whole day since some of his paperwork weren't finished from his doctor. They needed an Epi pen for him just in case he gets an allergic reaction to peanuts (hopefully that won't be the case!) so we left to the doctors to fix that and he got to go back the next day!

 I'm truly grateful to our HF for blessing me with 2 amazing little boys who keep me busy everyday! And most of all, grateful that they are healthy and strong! I am excited for whats to come for Dreysen. He is going to learn so much more and yet this is only the beginning! Proud momma here!!!