First time in YEARS that we have been together at church. Kudo's to my 2 oldest brothers for making it to church 2 weeks straight! haha I love you guys!
Monday, October 3, 2011
The Yellow Bus
I'm so proud of Dreysen! He is doing so well with his school. No complaints when I tell him to go to bed at 9 pm or even when I wake him up at 7:30 am. Hallelujah! I thought I was going to have a hard time with him since he usually does sleep late and wake up around 10-11 in the morning lol
Anyway, I picked him up from school today and he had this sad look on his face and said to me, "Mommy? Why can't I take the bus with my friends?" I felt bad for him because everyone in his class takes the bus BUT him and pretty sure all the adults look at me like I'm some overprotective mom who doesn't trust the bus system and doesn't want to let him "grow up". lol Is it just me or am I just worrying too much that something might happen to him? That he might get on the wrong bus? or get off on the wrong stop? Even though there is an adult with them and name tags on their backpacks saying which bus they're on. I just want to be on the safe side. Me personally, I don't want him to grow up. Eventually I'll have to get over this phase but for now, I'll stick to self transportation!
Monday, September 26, 2011
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.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
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!
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!!!
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Friday, July 1, 2011
Stand by
My experience flying standby was completely horrible. I was so frustrated, I cried talking to my husband over the phone telling him how angry and upset I was, and I just wanted to go home. My dad reassured me that we'll be ok, that the flights were wide open, so I agreed to take it.
Our flight was scheduled to depart at 2:50 pm and when I asked the lady at the desk how the flight looked for standby passengers, she said it was completely sold out. I was ok at the time because I knew if we didn't make it, we can just go back home and try the next flight. But lucky enough there were 2 seats open for us. Drey was sitting 2 rows in front of Zee and I so I had asked the lady sitting by me if its ok to switch and she was nice enough to do so.
We had to fly to Long Beach first then catch a flight to Salt Lake since Jet blue doesn't fly straight from Sea to SLC. Anyway, the flight was about 2 hours long and the boys did great. What I was thinking that was going to happen, like any other connecting flight to another state...I thought they would hold my bags til the next flight out to SL which wasn't until 8:00. Little did I know, since we were on standby, We had to go to baggage claim and get our luggage then go back out to the ticket stand to check in. This is where my frustration began. I had two big suitcases, One stroller, 2 kids and there I was all by myself...with no help. I called Lance and starting crying, wishing that he was there with me. I had to pull myself together so I stuffed everything I could on the stroller while pushing one luggage and poor Drey had to push the other suitcase.
It only gets worse from there. I go to check in and the lady tells me that I'm not even on the 8:00 pm flight to Salt Lake City. I broke down. I wish I would of just stayed home in Washington. I felt so bad for my kids because I started to put my frustration and anger towards them, esp Dreysen, being the oldest. Drey kept asking me all these questions about his surroundings and I kept yelling at him telling him to stand still and behave. I got so angry at myself. Drey and Zee didn't deserve that. So I held them for a good minute or two then apologized to them. We got back in line, went to different representative from the 1st one who told us we weren't checked in and the lady had told us that the flight we were scheduled for was at 7:50 the next morning. She was able to switch it for the one that was leaving that night. We had to check our bags in again, go through security AGAIN! and wait for another 4-5 hours. We didn't get on that flight so they rolled us over to the next morning. They said there were 19 seats open so we should be able to get on.
There was no way I was gonna spend the night there at the airport so I called my cousins who live down the street to come and get us. They were actually leaving on the same flight the next morning so we were going to just catch a ride with them. We stopped by Tams to get something to eat, got home, showered the boys then knocked out. Because we were on standby, the kids and I had to wake up at 4 am and leave at 4:30 to get to the airport.
When we got to check out, I asked how the flight looked and the rep stated that there were 16 seats open, 50 people on standby and I was at the bottom of the list, #48. We didn't have a chance getting on any flights to SL that day. I called up my parents, once again crying...I would of been ok, if it was just me, but I had the kids. Thats what made everything so hard. I knew the customer rep even felt bad for me, but there was nothing she could do. My mom kept telling me to just try the next flight, but that wasn't til 2:00 pm and that was the last flight for that day. I couldn't call my cousins who were close by because like I mentioned earlier, they were leaving for UT as well.
We checked our bags in anyway, and crossed our fingers that we'll get on that flight. My dad called an hour later and said he'll just pay the one way ticket for Drey and I. (zee was free) I was so relieved and I didn't have to stress about anything. Hallelujah! haha I was so happy.
That was the first time using buddy passes for the kids and I and sure is the LAST time I'm ever doing that. I know my dad didn't mean for any of that to happen since he was the one who decided to get buddy passes...The kids were so happy to see their grandparents and the rest of the family. We spent the whole day swimming, sleeping, eating and ended the night with my moms side of the family having dance practice for the wedding on Saturday.
We are so happy to be back here in UTAH and are enjoying every second of it.
I thank my Heavenly Father for his guidance and protection for bring us to UTAH safely. It may not have been a smooth trip but we made it here, safe...thats all that matters:) and also to my wonderful husband who calmed me down over the phone with his words of encouragement. I love you and miss you.
Our flight was scheduled to depart at 2:50 pm and when I asked the lady at the desk how the flight looked for standby passengers, she said it was completely sold out. I was ok at the time because I knew if we didn't make it, we can just go back home and try the next flight. But lucky enough there were 2 seats open for us. Drey was sitting 2 rows in front of Zee and I so I had asked the lady sitting by me if its ok to switch and she was nice enough to do so.
We had to fly to Long Beach first then catch a flight to Salt Lake since Jet blue doesn't fly straight from Sea to SLC. Anyway, the flight was about 2 hours long and the boys did great. What I was thinking that was going to happen, like any other connecting flight to another state...I thought they would hold my bags til the next flight out to SL which wasn't until 8:00. Little did I know, since we were on standby, We had to go to baggage claim and get our luggage then go back out to the ticket stand to check in. This is where my frustration began. I had two big suitcases, One stroller, 2 kids and there I was all by myself...with no help. I called Lance and starting crying, wishing that he was there with me. I had to pull myself together so I stuffed everything I could on the stroller while pushing one luggage and poor Drey had to push the other suitcase.
It only gets worse from there. I go to check in and the lady tells me that I'm not even on the 8:00 pm flight to Salt Lake City. I broke down. I wish I would of just stayed home in Washington. I felt so bad for my kids because I started to put my frustration and anger towards them, esp Dreysen, being the oldest. Drey kept asking me all these questions about his surroundings and I kept yelling at him telling him to stand still and behave. I got so angry at myself. Drey and Zee didn't deserve that. So I held them for a good minute or two then apologized to them. We got back in line, went to different representative from the 1st one who told us we weren't checked in and the lady had told us that the flight we were scheduled for was at 7:50 the next morning. She was able to switch it for the one that was leaving that night. We had to check our bags in again, go through security AGAIN! and wait for another 4-5 hours. We didn't get on that flight so they rolled us over to the next morning. They said there were 19 seats open so we should be able to get on.
There was no way I was gonna spend the night there at the airport so I called my cousins who live down the street to come and get us. They were actually leaving on the same flight the next morning so we were going to just catch a ride with them. We stopped by Tams to get something to eat, got home, showered the boys then knocked out. Because we were on standby, the kids and I had to wake up at 4 am and leave at 4:30 to get to the airport.
When we got to check out, I asked how the flight looked and the rep stated that there were 16 seats open, 50 people on standby and I was at the bottom of the list, #48. We didn't have a chance getting on any flights to SL that day. I called up my parents, once again crying...I would of been ok, if it was just me, but I had the kids. Thats what made everything so hard. I knew the customer rep even felt bad for me, but there was nothing she could do. My mom kept telling me to just try the next flight, but that wasn't til 2:00 pm and that was the last flight for that day. I couldn't call my cousins who were close by because like I mentioned earlier, they were leaving for UT as well.
We checked our bags in anyway, and crossed our fingers that we'll get on that flight. My dad called an hour later and said he'll just pay the one way ticket for Drey and I. (zee was free) I was so relieved and I didn't have to stress about anything. Hallelujah! haha I was so happy.
That was the first time using buddy passes for the kids and I and sure is the LAST time I'm ever doing that. I know my dad didn't mean for any of that to happen since he was the one who decided to get buddy passes...The kids were so happy to see their grandparents and the rest of the family. We spent the whole day swimming, sleeping, eating and ended the night with my moms side of the family having dance practice for the wedding on Saturday.
We are so happy to be back here in UTAH and are enjoying every second of it.
I thank my Heavenly Father for his guidance and protection for bring us to UTAH safely. It may not have been a smooth trip but we made it here, safe...thats all that matters:) and also to my wonderful husband who calmed me down over the phone with his words of encouragement. I love you and miss you.
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