Book Worm..

I consider it a blessing to live in a time where technology has made alot of things very convenient.  Although some will say it makes us lazy.  I love that I can have an app added to my iPad and I can read read read all the books I want.  Which is exactly what I have been doing alot of lately.  Thanks to the "Kindle App".  I can read from my devices that I already own and not have to buy a Kindle with money I don't have.  Ha.  I can read when I want, where I want and not have to worry that I forgot my big ol' book at home.  I can download books FREE from Amazon.com. or at a very lil cost.  Its amazing and I love love love it.  Of course not more than the hubs and kids.  But I have been told I do give my lil app too much of my time..Ha!  I didn't realize that there are soooo many trilogies out there in the book world.  I think I've read about 40+ books in the last year.  That is a record for me.  Some of my favorites are Telesa: The Covenant Keeper, Soul Savers series, A Zombie-ish  Apocalypse series (LOL) and tons tons more..  Let me know if there is a book you loved reading....  Thank you Kindle App.. or maybe I should dedicate this post to Mr Steve Jobs...RIP!!!. 

Happy New Year!!

Many people look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits.  ~Author Unknown

LOL.  And so true in my case.  But hopefully 2012 I can say that I made those goals and at the end

of the year, I can check them all off. 

Happy New Year. May all your wishes, goals, resolutions be accomplished.

And may you have the presence of the Lord to see it through.

My goals for the year: (not in detailed)

Spiritually in tuned

Family Relations

Getting Healthy :(

Debt Free

 

Snowflakes

We tried something different this year.  Instead of Gingerbread Houses we made paper snowflakes.  Oh so much cheaper to make LOL  But still fun and exciting to see what our creations become.  We had all different kinds.  Cheated and went o YouTube to make a 3D snowflake.  That one was the most fun to make.  Definitely love the holidays and all there is to do..

Dance Dance Sing Sing

Jeremiah took a dance class for the first semester this year.  When he told me about it, dancing helps athletes with balance and cordination.  Ok.. ;)  He really has enjoyed this class.  One of his favorites actually. 
He had a dance competition with numbers, judges, partners and everything.  I was kinda worried at first but I really enjoyed myself.  He participated in the samba, waltz, chacha and one other one.. I can't remember now..haha. 
It definitely was different.  Glad he was able to experience that sort of fun competition.  He didn't place and was really bummed about it.  We made sure he knew how proud and impressed we were of him.  He really did well.  He definitely has mommy's dancing skills haha..

 Daisy-girl had her school winter concert as well this week.  Each year the concerts get more entertaining.  Hehe.  The 4th graders sang several Christmas songs and then combined with the 5th graders.  We enjoyed the music and its always nice to see the kids be sooo proud to sing for their parents.  Fun times for sure!!!

Youth Night..

Did i tell ya we're in a new ward?  Yep.. We've moved and decided we'd go to my parents ward now.  Its a smaller ward with more older families.  Definitely been a minute since we've been in a small ward.  But we really like. 
Our first activity in the ward was a youth night with the parents.  We were introduced to the youth families and told of the exciting things the youth will be involved in.  I am happy that Miah was able to get right in there and make new friends and feels really at home there.  He really enjoys going to the ward with his first cousins and close relatives.
To end the night, the leaders did a dance as well as the YM. There was Miah, front row joe.  Dancing like no other.  I really am surprised how much he really loves to dance.  LOL.  It really is cute to watch.  Haha.

Family Reunion

I love my V Family and it was such a great time to hang out with them all.  July 20 - July 24th we held our bi-annual Vaaulu family reunion.  I loved that we camped out and were together 24/7.  It really strengthen the bond we have with each other.  We took it back to old school days with no running water and flushing toilet.  Boy was it an experience for those pampered big babies..haha.  The fun we had together made up for lack of services.  It definitely was a Fun filled week of fun, games, dancing, swimming. eating and camping that ended with a spiritual sunday program @ Granger 11th Ward and Family Fireside.  I love my family and family reunions never get old in our family.  I was a senior in high school when my mom’s fam decided to have reunions.  Almost 18 years later (wow..i’m old), its still going strong.   I love my family.  I love that my children will grow up knowing everyone and building that relationship with their family.  Can’t wait to do it again in 2013.

Stake Cultural Day

Our RP North Stake has a cultural day this month.  We have a very diverse stake.  There was song and dances from Mexico, drums and singing from Africa, dancing from the island of Tonga and many others.  Our youth has been practicing regularly to represent our home island of Samoa.  You would think they were performing for the prophet LOL.  All the hard word by the leaders and the kids paid off.  It was definitely one of the best entertainment I've seen.  Made me proud of my culture.  Jeremiah enjoyed participating and he really cault on pretty quick.  He definitely has the dancing genes in our family.

Hot Shotz Fastpitch Softball

Are you ready to compete? Our 10U, 2001 and 2002, will be holding tryouts for the 2011-2012 season, on July 20th and 21st Wed, Thurs, from 5-8pm. @ the Redwood Recreation Center. 3060 S Lester St (3100 S Redwood Rd), West Valley City UT 84119 . If you love to work hard, have a great attitude, and want to be part of a great organization, we want you! We are excited to extend this invite to all 01-02 birth year. And hope that you will be just as excited, and ready to work hard and compete. Bring your A game!!!

If you have any questions. Please contact:

Averil Estrada: # 805 205-4552
Lonnie Strasburg: # 435 228-8979
Helaman Suesue: # 801 259-4603

Northwest Triathalon

No I didnt participate :) But how cool would it be to achieve that in life!!!  Jeremiah's Scout Troop were able to volunteer for the first annual triathalon here in Rose Park.  Miah was up early to get ready and arrive at the rec by 7am.  So happy that Foi was able to be an adult leader for this project and be there with him.  Boys were paired up and assigned a route to man.  Miah and Landon had the last leg of the running part.  There job was to point straight ahead and let the runners know to keep running straight.. Haha.  Easy job!  He though it was the coolest thing ever.  He was impressed by all the participants, old and young.  He enjoyed cheering and giving props to them all as they ran through their route.  It even made it more exciting for the boys as their scoutmaster was a participant in the race. After their duties were done, they were able to watch as their scoutmaster swam the last legs of the race.  They loved cheering him on and had a good time doing so.  They definitely were proud of Kory.  I am proud of these young men.  For taking the time to come out on a Saturday morning to help their community and do their duties as a scout.  They made up a big percentage of the volunteers that day.  I'm grateful that my boys have been blessed with good scout leaders.  Myles you definitely missed out.. Next time!!!

I just wanna cry...

I am sitting here at work thinking about my lil princess.  And OMG, I just wanna cry...  Today my babygirl is celebrating her 9th bday.  Where has the time gone.  Is it selfish that I sooo wish time would stop and that she could grow no longer?  I want my babygirl to stay little forever.  It saddens me that next year we'll be going into the double digit age..boo.  I love this little girl too death.  She sure does brighten up our lives.  Happy Birthday sweetie.  We are blessed to have u in our family..  Her bday was spent with the family just chilling and playing games..

 

My mom also celebrated her 59th bday over the weekend.  She is definitely loved by all.  Here we are at good ol' GC with the fam for brunch to start off her bday weekend.  My mom is one loving, caring, funny, outgoing mom.  She is definitely the life of the party.  So we celebrated all weekend long with her.  We love you mom!!  Happy Birthday!!             

This is what we’ve been up to since I last posted…

Our family has been spending a lot of time at our local rec center.  Either working out on the treadmill and elliptical (sp?).  Doing weights.  Lite weights of course.  Walking the indoor track.  Working our way to running the track. J And doing my all time favorite Zumba.  And of course my kids have been doing a lot of basketball and swimming.   We are still learning to eat healthy and control our portions.  It has been a struggle but keep at it because we know it will benefit ourselves and our family. 
My husband and I were talking and thinking that being healthy really does make us feel young again.  We are still young  LOL.  But physically it feels great.  Trust I definitely have a long ways to go.  But I love that we are seriously taking care of our bodies and helping our children do the same too.  It is an awesome feeling.

Jr Jazz 2010-2011 ended several weeks ago too.  Miah and Myles along with their cousin Webber weren’t able to play with their same team from last year.  But it ended up being a good thing.  They all were able to grow as team leaders and had the best Jr Jazz season by far J.  It really helped boost their confidence.  They helped their team end the season with a 11-1 record.  Only losing against their team from last year.  Awesome season and fun to watch.  Daisy girl played 3^rd/4^th grade girls this year.  Moving up from the wrist band stage.  LOL.  She learned early on that she had to work harder than everyone on the team being that she was the smallest of them all.  It was definitely fun to watch her learn and grow.  She did very well and was able to be one of the teams point guards.  Her team went undefeated during regular season play.  Went on to represent Rose Park in the county Jr Jazz tournament.  Beating South Jordan in Championship.  Awesome season!

This school year is quickly coming to a close.  We have had our fun with Math/Algebra this year.  Honesty Its no fun.  And I definitely thought I was good at math.  I’m glad that they are able to keep up with all other subjects.  I felt like they had all their projects and reports all in this last quarter.  What a headache.  Definitely give it up to those parents who have to joggle all that with more than 3 kids.  You all are amazing.  Spring break is in a week.  Kids are very much excited for that and can’t wait

Foi has moved on from Coca Cola after almost 9 years of service there.  I guess when you really aren’t happy with your job, your just have to move on.  He’s been at home this last month and will FINALLY J be going back to the workforce with good ol’ Delta Airlines.  My kids and I are VERY VERY excited for him.  LOL.  We definitely will be taking advantage of his benefits.  So he better make it through training. :) It has been fun learning the airport city codes with him. Hehe! He also joined Sinai’s BL comp.  So thats another reason our family has been living at the rec center.  We’re proud of his progression.  I just pray he keeps it up and not die out once the comp is over.  Trust, I know him.  This is the first REAL time the family has been working out along with him so we’re hoping to make it last forever. 

And well as for me, I'm in all of the above.  Hahaha.  Doing my best to help my family.  I did win Foi's BL comp.  But that is because i was one of the 2 ladies out of 8 that came to weigh out.  LOL.  Small lil accomplishment for me.  Like I said before, I still have a long way to go.  Also, I was recently released from my calling as 2nd counselor in the young women.  Its been a almost 6 years that I have served in the YW program in various calling.  I loved it.  Learned from it.  But so relieved to be gone of it.  It feels nice to wake up Sunday mornings and just focus on my family.  Our YW has been blessed with great leaders and I know they are in good hands.  I am truely blessed to have my faith, my family, my job, my health, my blessings, my life.  Can't complain at all...Life is good. 

Jr jazz 3rd/4th grade ..

League champs and also county champs .. Good job ladies .. Bubblegum Kamora Huntyr Journey Deedee Daisy Naia with coaches Kirk and Lei

Changes

New Year -- New You.  Yeah, thats what I told myself this New Year...hehehe.  So as of last week I started to really make some changes in my life.  Foi joined Sinai's BL comp.  He wanted me to join, but I wasn't comfortable with having others know my weight...hehehe  Lame excuse huh.  But I did join a smaller group of people who are doing Foi's BL comp.  Only my husband knows the weights, so I was more comfortable with that. 

So with us both being in competitions, it'll be a lil bit easy to get on the healthy wagon being I have a partner.  We have been trying to eat healthy and hitting the gym daily.  I hope I don't burn myself out.  My kids go to the gym with us.  They also have been eating right along with us.  Well for dinner at least.  So I'm hoping to have them learn now to eat right and stay healthy so they aren't in our shoes when they are older.

So here goes nothing...hehehe  Cheers to a better healthy life!!!

Music..

My husband gets upset at me sometimes because of the music I listen too.  But I can't help it if I grew up in the hood and like my hip hop, r&b, soul poppin hits.  I love the beats.  I don't necessarily like it for the lyrics or anything.  Which is what he doesn't like about it.  But I think I've rubbed off on my kids.  Especially my daughter.  She sings right along with practically every song on the radio.  She loves my type of music.  Maybe just a little bit too much.

Anyhoo, with her love of music..  Of course she wanted an Itouch / Ipod thingy for Christmas.  Well I just don't like spending that much money on those things..haha  And I don't like the idea of having headphones on where they can't hear me or anyone talking to them.  So we got her the next best thing.  Well the next best thing to us...hehehe  A boombox (do they even call it that nowadays) for her room.  She loved it.  We loved that she loved it.  And her Aunty M also got her one.  So she has 2.  She's still debating on whether to give one to her bro.. Yes, its been weeks now and she is still thinking about it...hehehe

Once her homework and chores are done and she has a lil bit of free time, her boombox is on and she is just singing and dancing in her room.  If she has to clean up her room, that mug is on full blast.  And of course her room never gets clean..haha.  And all the time, its the same ol music.  Hip Hop, R&B, some of the disney peeps music.

So I was actually surprised today when she woke up and started to straighten up her room that she had church music on.  Turned it to the Sounds of the Sabbath.  And that is what she is listening too.  I just smiled.  I'm glad that she remembers the Lords day and knows what music is appropriate for His day.  So my husband shouldn't be sooo upset with me.  My good taste of music has rubbed off on her in a good way too...hehehehe

Happy 2011!!!

It is 2011..and already I'm slacking on blogging.  Like some of you, I won't be making any New Years Resolutions.  I never seem to get anything from the list done.  So I'm just gonna go with the flow.  I have goals in my head.  But so that I don't disappoint myself, I won't write them out...hehehe

We rang in the New Year at our ward dance.  Which I do have to say was one of the best one ever at our ward.  We always have a band for the ward in the gym.  The youth would have a DJ in the social hall.  Of course with the youth, its never dull.  And we always chringe and moan when its time to go back in with the ward...haha.  But surprisingly, everyone enjoyed themselves and our fob band.  The countdown is always done early.  The last several years 5 minutes early.  This year 2 minutes early.  So we're getting better.  Hahahaha.  I do love our ward and appreciate all those who make our family feel at home..  Thank you RP15th...

New Years isn't the same without the family.  So early that day we had breakfast with my whole extended family at our spot...Good ol GC..  Love the feeling of family, food and laughter.  And what better way to start the new year off, then to play some good ol' vball and bball to work off all the good yummies from the morning..  Couldn't leave my in-laws out, so we ended the night with game night with family and friends.  Love my families!!!  So grateful and blessed to have them all apart of our lives!!

Hope everyone is having a good 2011.  Make it the best..  Happy New Year!!!!