♥A lesson learned ♥

Earlier this week the kids brought home a note from their school about their annual "Santa's Workshop" and a brochure of the items that they will be selling...also a tall envelope with lines printed on it to write names that the children want to buy gifts for. Last year I went with the kids to pick out something but the items were pretty expensive for their budget. So this year I told the kids to save their chore money and I would take them to the dollar store so they could pick out their gifts to give.

Well Tuesday evening I saw the 'Santa's Workshop' envelope on the floor FILLED with quarters, dimes, nickles, and pennies. I asked the kids who's it was? Both Lote and Pita denied that it was their envelope so I figured that one of the little ones must have dumped out their piggy banks no big deal, so I called Pita to come and find the piggy bank that was empty and dump the envelope back into it.

Pita took the envelope and went into his room...about 5 mins later Lote came from his room crying so hard. I asked what was going on? She said that the money was hers and she didn't want Pita to put it into the wrong piggy bank.

I was upset, so instead of stopping and thinking...I immediately started to yell at her..."What were you doing with ALL that money? Didn't I already tell you that I would take you to the dollar store to get your gifts for others this year?"

Lote just cried, then said sorry I just wanted to surprise you and dad and all the kids....and then she took the envelope and went in her room.

Right after that I was quickly brought to my place, when I realized that she was willing to use all of her earned money (without hesitation) to her school Santa shop to spend on something for each of us. What a selfless act to think of others... and I was mad about what? ...The stinky money?

When the most important thing was that her heart was in the right place...she didn't want to get something for herself...but for everyone else...and then as I was thinking trying to justify why I was mad saying "but she was disobedient because I told her not to take the money to her school!" ...but I remembered what she said, she just wanted to SURPRISE us...her disobedience was actually done with GOOD intentions and a LOVING HEART.

I went into her room (where she was crying) ...I gave her a big hug and apologized for being so inconsiderate...I told her that I was proud of her, because she was willing to give all she had earned this year to surprise everyone...and that I was soooo sorry for worrying more about the money then her act of LOVE and I told her that she taught me a HUGE lesson, and I was so thankful for her unselfishness. We talked about how what she did is what CHRISTMAS is really about.

She accepted my apology and we hugged a tight squeeze then everything was fine. Later that night she came and said, "Mom I have to tell you something."

Then she pulled out a little green box. Inside it was a little Christmas pin covered in shiny rubies and diamonds that read "JOY" ...and some little jingle bell earings....she said,..... "The money that was in the envelope was the money that was leftover from what I bought already today. Merry Christmas Mom, I love you. I want to give this to you now so you can wear it all month, because it's a Christmas pin and if I give it to you after Christmas...you can't wear it."

I was so touched, the pin was beautiful (I felt even MORE bad that I had yelled at her) ...I got my Christmas present early this year but I would have to say...it's the BEST Christmas present I've ever got...especially the LESSON that she taught me!

I told Lote that I didn't care that it is a Christmas pin....I'm going to wear it ALL YEAR LONG! :D Because it will remind me of her and her love for everyone.

When I knelt down for my personal prayer that evening...I was reminded that I am lucky to have children who have never once asked for "SOMETHING" for Christmas. We are not poor, nor are we rich, I don't think it has anything to do with money, but we have taught our kids to be so very thankful for what they have...every time Christmas rolls around Lini and I get each of them one toy...sometimes from the Dollar store (depending on our budget)and wrap them for the kids...buying expensive gifts X6 we just couldn't do, but they are so happy when they wake up and have a present! Unlike usual kids that ask for specific things I am thankful and humbled that my kids are happy and thankful for anything. What a wonderful blessing.

I am so thankful for my children, and husband...who are constantly teaching me to be more thankful, more loving, and to think of others instead of myself. I am so very blessed.

This week I felt the JOY of Christmas....I have been humbled and taught by my 8 year old. I am so thankful.

Merry Christmas.

(I'll try and get a picture of my Christmas Pin and earings I AM SO PROUD OF...soon)

♥Faith In God ♥

I have been the Faith In God Advisor for about 6 months and it has been so fun working with these young girls...or shall I say 'young' women! Our activities are always done with a lesson for them to learn, and I have seen their testimonies grow these past few months.

At the moment I currently have 14 girls in my F.I.G class and we hold activities every 2nd and 4th Thursday evenings. Here is a picture I took back in Aug. it's only a few of them all the others were at Family Reunions.

Last activity we talked about how CHRISTmas is about our savior Jesus Christ...and his birth...and how some people forget that is why we celebrate...some people spell it like this: X-mas (I told them how that is sooooo disrespectful because they are crossing his name out even though that is the main reason and meaning for the word) They didn't even know that. We talked about how it is HIS Birthday (not theirs) and that I wanted them to think of ways they could give him a present instead of expecting one for themselves...

Each girl thought of ways to SERVE others. We read scriptures of ways the Savior helped and served while he was here on earth...and talks of Leaders of the Church on how they have encouraged us to serve a little harder during the Christmas season. It was a big success, the girls all wrote in their journals their testimony of the TRUE meaning of Christmas, and what their goal is to serve someone 'EVERYDAY' this month!

After our lesson...we made CHRISTmas Tree Decorations! I had them cut out pictures of Christ and glue it on a small doilies to hang on their tree (to look like snowflakes)...or I told them they could hang them up in their room....to help them remember that Christmas is about Jesus Christ. They had fun! They passed off more of their Articles of Faith and for the treat I brought all of them cookies from "COOKIE TREE" !!

I am thankful for my 'many' callings ...and have felt so blessed being able to get to know each girl and I am thankful for the strength they are to my Testimony. They are good girls and I know they will grow up to be VIRTUOUS young women!

Here are some of the girls and their Christ Doilies...(some of them didn't want to be in a picture?)



She cut out a lily to remind her of the song called "CONSIDER THE LILIES" (I love that song, and thought that neat that she does too!)



Our next activity we are planning on making gift baskets and go caroling to the widows of our ward.

♥A powerful message...through the voice of a CHILD♥

♥The POWER that comes♥

I was sent a talk just recently through email from my aunt Darla. The talk was given by Eldern Vaughn J. Fetherstone about Temples. Throughout the last 9 years since we've been married we have diligently been attending the Temple weekly whether together as a couple or if we can't find a babysitter we go solo...(I admit there are a few times where things have come up that we didn't make it that week, and I can feel the difference.) I have been teaching our wards Temple Preparation Class for over a year now and have witnesses the lives of people change as they prepare themselves for worthiness to be able to go.

But more importantly because for me...my personal testimony of the Temple has become a part of me, I do feel it's power and protection over me and my family, I find that I am more thankful and less critical, I am more patient, financial decisions are easier to make, our daily struggles seem easier to overcome, our marriage is happy and healthy, and our children are more obedient and happy.

I would like to share some parts of the talk that touched me.
Given by Elder Featherstones ...

he said;

"The season of the world that is before us will be like no other in the history of mankind. Satan has and will unleash every kind of evil, every scheme, every blatant vile perversion ever known to man in any generation. Just as this is the dispensation of the fullness of times, so it is also the dispensation of the fullness of evil. There is NO safety in or of the world; wealth can not provide it, ensuring agencies cannot ensure it, membership in this church alone will not guarantee it."

"We must come to the Temple for light and safety. In the Temple we find quiet sacred havens where the storm cannot penetrate us. Unseen sentinels watch over us. The prophet Joseph pleaded with God during the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple; 'And we ask thee Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thine angels have charge over them.' In D&C 84:88 The Lord promised; 'For I will go before you face, I will be on your right hand, and on your left, and my spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you to bear you up.' "

"Before the Savior comes the world will darken. There will be a time that even the elect will loose hope if they do not come to the Temples. There will be a time that the world will be filled with calamities and evils that the only safety will be found within the walls of the Lords Temples. The faithful will long for their children and grandchildren to come to the Temple for it's safety and power. The Savior will come and honor his people. Those who are prepared and spared on that glorious and triumphant day will be Temple loving people. D&C 138 They will know him, and cry out in Hosanna. The Lords Temples will edify us, they will bless us with the faith to surmount every trial and every condition."

"The Lords Temples stand as an ensign to the nations, at night all light up the Temple is a symbol of light , a beacon to the ever so darkening world, a place for knowledge, power, and instruction that distills upon all who attend. May we always be inclined to arise to his holy purposes, and may God watch over and have mercy on all who faithfully perform the glorious work as Saviors on Mount Zion. Oh how beautiful are the feet, the robes, the countenances, and the souls of those who come to the holy temples of God."

I can't imagine my life, my marriage, my family without the Temple. I hope that today and more importantly when the Lord comes, that my family will be considered a "Temple Loving People"...I hope that those who know me and have come into my life can feel of my love for the Temple and that I may be a small influence on their desire to gain a better love and understanding of the beautiful Temple and it's endless and eternal blessings and spiritual and physical protection that can be found there. I know that my family is surrounded with a special power and protection because we go to the Temple, I know that the work is sacred, and can give us power...power to overcome, power to teach (ourselves, our children, others...), power to forgive, power to uplift, power to understand, and power to know God's will.

My absolute favorite quote...was given by President Boyd K. Packer (this is something I always print off and give to my class when they complete their Temple class, and I also have hanging in my home says, quote:)...

"No work is more of a protection to this Church and it's members, than Temple work and the genealogical research that supports it. No work is more spiritually refining, No work we do gives us more power, No work requires a higher standard of righteousness...Our labors in the Temple covers us with a shield and protection, both individually and as a people. So come to the Temple ...come claim your blessings. It is a sacred work."

-Boyd K. Packer

I love the Temple.

I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ and am thankful for this beautiful plan.

I am thankful for the Infinite Atonement.

My goal this upcoming year is to continue to go weekly, but this year I want to try and learn and better understand something new every time I go.

I testify it is the most sacred work on this earth.

And I pray that my children will gain a love for the Temple as I have.

♥What did u get into????♥

Found him in the kitchen hiding under the table....

It was EVERYWHERE...even between his toes!!!


I've got ANOTHER cookie-monster!!

♥A Thankful Heart.♥

I always look forward to the holidays when this time rolls around. Maybe it's because we are always surrounded by family and that's my favorite place to be. The years always seem to fly by faster and faster every year for me, and this year was no exception. I take a glance back at the past year and am reminded of how thankful and greatful I am for all things, I see the Lords hand in everything, and I am so very thankful. I am so blessed.

I have been so blessed with a wonderful HUSBAND (the Best husband!) who is my very best friend, who is the hardest working man I have ever seen, who is willing to sacrifice anything for the welfare of others especially those in need, who never thinks of himself, who is honest, loyal, true to his word, slow to anger, and is always looking for ways to improve himself, he never judges people only tries to find the positive of every situation, he has immovable faith, I can talk his ear off and he just sits there no matter how long I talk (LOL!) but it means alot that he listens, he is appreciative, and is a wonderful father, he honors his priesthood and not only that he exercises it, as he guides, directs and blesses our family everyday, he is not shy, but soft spoken and that makes his words even more powerful, I am so thankful for him and his companionship especially that it is eternal because I wouldn't want it any other way, I am thankful that I was blessed to share his life, his secrets, his laughs, his cries, and his love.

I am also so very thankful for my children. I know there are so many out there who wish to even have one, I know the great blessing I have been given to be able to have 6. I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for my kids, for their obedience, faith, laughter, testimonies, and ever so forgiving hearts. I am thankful for Salote-she has been such a strength to me and has taught me so much about being a good Mom. She is the best big sister to her younger siblings and she works hard in everything she does, she is our brainy and excels above and beyond what she is expected, she has a very loving countenance and is also very forgiving, very talented, and is a friend to everyone, she makes me smile especially when she draws me pictures of me and her and on the top of us says "best friends"...I am thankful for all she does to help me everyday.

I am so thankful for my oldest son Pita, who is always striving to please me and Lini, who loves to make us proud and has such a big heart. He is very honest, and very obedient, he loves to joke, and I am thankful for the many laughs we have everyday, I am thankful for his little notes he leaves me that say, "Mom I love you." and for taking care of our family when Lini is away, I am thankful that he is always there to defend me when someone is being mean to me, I know he will grow up and be an honest hard working man who is strong in the church, and I am so thankful for his life and the blessing I have to be his Mom.

I am thankful for Amelia, who is smarter than she knows, who is always learning new things. I am thankful for her loving heart towards her siblings and for her talents, especially when she sings to me while I clean the kitchen to a song she makes up as she sings, I am thankful for our laughs and cries together, for her dramatic sense of humor, for her beautiful prayers, for her testimony, and for her willingness to help me and Lini whenever we call her name. I am thankful for her little voice when she says, "love you momma"

I am thankful for Misi, who sometimes I wish I had his energy, who is very loving and very forgiving. I am thankful for his strong testimony of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon, I am thankful for our many laughs everyday, for his love of my cookies, and for his dance moves! I am thankful for his little hands that always ask to help when I cook, I am thankful for his hugs, kisses, and his fota's.

I am thankful for Siope Toutai, who is my "momma's boy" who holds my shirt so tight with his little hands when he is scared, because he trusts me. I am thankful for his little laugh and handsome smile that when I see it I can't help but smile too. I am thankful for his big heart towards his siblings especially his big sister Lia, and his little brother Tani. I am thankful for his little hugs, and uma's, and for his sweet prayers. I am thankful that he loves to cuddle especially when I'm feeling sad, he will crawl up on my lap and sit and cuddle with me and everything seems to be just fine. I am thankful for his sweet sweet heart and even though he is super shy I am so thankful for his love and for the blessing he is to me.

I am thankful for Taniela, who always smiles when he see's me and makes me smile, who loves to play with his brothers and sisters and always is happy or hungry. =) I am thankful for his sweet spirit, for his hugs and kisses, for his cuddles, and for so much love that can come from someone so small. I am thankful for his little voice that calls me when he wakes up..."Maaaaammm"

I Love my family and I am so THANKFUL for them.

I am so very thankful for the Gospel and for my Savior Jesus Christ and his Atonement. I am thankful for the Scriptures, for Prophets, for Parents, for Siblings, for my In-laws, for Temples (and the blessing it is that Lini and I can go every week to partake of the blessings that it offers), I am thankful for my Calling, for Lini's Calling, for Lini's Employment(that he works so hard at so I can stay home and raise our family), for our Home, and the Warmth and Spirit that dwells inside, I am thankful for good Neighbors, for the Food on my table, for the Clothes on my back, for my Testimony(that has been strengthened so much this last few years), for my Trials, for my Talents, for this Country and the Sacrifices of all who died for my Freedom, I am thankful for those who have Passed on and the Legacy's they left, for Education, for my family's Health, for our Vehicles, for good Music, for good Friends, for lasting Memories, for modern day Technology, for Prayer, Forgiveness, my Life, and for so much Love that surrounds me.

My heart is full of gratitude and thankfulness for all the many many blessing I have and enjoy all of which I acknowledge are from my loving Heavenly Father.

What a beautiful season...to remember our blessings and what we have to be thankful for...everyday!

♥Turkey WHO?♥

Lote had 2 Assignments in school the week of THANKSGIVING...

Assignment 1 - cut out, color, glue together, and hand in to be sent off and displayed at HARMONS GORCERY STORE the week of Thanksgiving!

(So that week Lote and I went down the street to Harmons and her Turkey was the BRIGHTEST, most COLORFUL Turkey right smack dab in the center of the Turkey bulitin board!!


Assignment 2- Cut out, color, and disquise your turkey so he doesn't have to be killed and eaten for Thanksgiving!

First: Cut and Colored


Second: Turkey WHO?

♥Happy 2nd Birthday Siope Toutai!♥

I can remember Siope's birth like yesterday but in reality it was 2 years ago! Out of all of our 6 kids Siope was the only one who was sick when he was born...I wrote about his birth experience on his 1 year birthday post CLICK HERE

This year we didn't throw a big bash, just stayed home and had his birthday dinner and cakes...Nana's family, Grandma, Lote Lahi, and Moira stopped by...Siope's Birthday dinner choice (our families tradition) was Chicken Nuggest, Fries, and 2 Cakes and Ice Cream, I say 2 because I wanted to be creative and try and make one for him....
then Siope Lahi, Liana, and Ileina stopped by earlier in the day and spoiled Siope with toys
and clothes and a delicious Ice cream cake! Which made his day because he LOVES LOVES LOVES cake and ice cream!!!!

Everyone who knows Siope knows that his is super dee duper shy, and absolutely does NOT like attention! When it was time to sing Happy Birthday to him and Pita and Hema were bringing out the cakes...Siope noticed all the attention was on him and he started freaking out...and didn't really get to blow out his candles.







Happy Birthday to you Siope Toutai...you have become such a smart little boy, you are running around everywhere, you're a big helper, you are staring to talk more clearly, and I love seeing you take good care of your little brother Taniela (every morning you wake up and come and say, "Momma...Baby?" I know you love your brothers and sisters...I am thankful for your sweet spirit and... don't care that you are a "momma's boy!" ...it's a good thing! :D
I love you Siope Toutai.He was spoiled with visits and lots of calls saying Happy Birthday...I tried to have him take pictures with his visitors but he refused...I'm sure he will get over his shyness eventually, but as for now...we are taking it one day at a time!

♥Chinnie Chin Chin♥

On her way to school Salote was riding her scooter when she hit a bump and flipped over her scooter and landed face first on the sidewalk! Pita was a good brother he ran home and told me she got hurt then ran back to help her...

I hurried and slipped on some slippers and ran out to them...we brought her in and I laid her down on the couch and cleaned and patched her up...I could tell she hit it pretty hard because her chin was swelling already...She said she had a little headache, so I told her she could stay home from school if she wanted, but she refused saying, "No I can't because I don't want to miss LIBRARY day!!!!" LOL!

That's my tough girl!

Here is a picture RIGHT after it happened...



This is that afternoon when she came home...

♥School Pictures♥

This year money was tight so Lote and Pita didn't take professional school pictures...so the morning of school pictures I took them outside and had them kneel on the grass which was covered with leaves (pretty background!) and WahhhLaaaah!

Their 2009 School Pictures!

Salote
3rd Grade


Pita
1st Grade

♥Monica's Baby Shower♥

Monica is due with her first BABY GIRL next month, so Leslie and I threw her a little baby shower on November 14th. It was fun! We decided to do a FONDUE BAR...With a Chocolate fondue fountain (borrowed from Patrick's Mom) and all the goodies that go with it: strawberry marshmallows, pretzels, sponge cake, cookies, bananas, rice crispy treats, and strawberries!
On the other side of the table we did a SPINACH & ARTICHOKE FONDUE (Thanks to my best friend Tasha who let me borrow her fondue pot!) We served the cheese fondue with sliced pita bread, cubed whole wheat bread, Ritz topper crackers, tortilla chips, broccoli, and cubed up ham!
Alisi and Katea made some tarts and we used the famous pink beverage fountain w/ ice water of course!


Misi and Pola came and helped alot!
Misi and Lia girl being themselves! he he he!
The Diaper cake Leslie made for Monica!
The turn out was great! We have fun! Pola and I went to Leslie's house earlier that week and made some homemade hand scrub for the party favor!
She got lots of stuff for her little princess!

Here's some pictures (my camera was trippin' for some reason, but oh well)











Now we are just waiting until we can meet her!

Mom do u have one???

Son comes home from school...

Son: "Mom my friend said his mom has a six pack, do you have one?"

Me: looking down at my stomach... "YUP...Sure do!"

here is my SIX PACK...

The ♥ love of a FATHER ---

I had to share this because it touched me when I watched it...I cried. What an amazing story of a ♥LOVE♥ of a father to his son....not to mention the beautiful music that plays "I know that my redeemer lives" ...I hope this touches you as it has me?

Oi au'e---Uncle Misi !!!!

Can you say OUCH!!!

This is what it looks like 2 days after it happened....

My brother Misi (aka "Mitch" as I like to call him) stepped into a city water hole when he walked outside of Leslie's house to get something from the car during our Makai family home evening on Sunday. Apparently the lid was not screwed on so when Mitch stepped on it the lid flipped in and down went his leg into the hole and then the lid slammed down wedging his leg between the side of the metal hole and the lid...We never heard him scream for help...in fact we never heard him at all...he was gone for about 6 mins and when he opened the door he limped in not saying anything....(die hard)

Pola (his girlfriend) asked him if he was okay, then he lifted up his tupenu and she freaked, we all did...It looked horrible! The hole had scraped some of his skin off the skin was ripped off so fresh that it wasn't bleeding the skin underneath was white and his leg looked all dented...the bruise had already begun to swell and become purple...Patrick got a pack of ice...and Mitch put his foot up, but the whole time he was just calm and tough....I swear if it was me I would have been crying like a little baby or screaming at people not to touch it!

He sent me these pictures yesterday via text...and this is his comment that he sent with it...."My leg today hahaha lookin' good!"

You can see how deep the scratches on his legs are...this pictures doesn't do justice but they were very deep!

I am glad that he is okay....he's right, I guess it could be worse? OUCH~!

"A Family is of God"

Our 2009 Primary Program was yesterday November 8th. The Theme this year was "My Eternal Family"... It was a wonderful program, as it always is!

The children invited the spirit through their testimony and beautiful music, and they taught us and testified to us; with that spirit.

I am thankful I was called as the pianist in primary two years ago, my experience with music in primary has strengthened my testimony as well as my talent that's for sure...yesterday as I was playing for the program the spirit touched me so strongly and tears started filling up my eyes I was a little nervous because I could barely see the notes on the page...but was thankful for that experience, because to me it witnessed just how much our Heavenly Father loves the little children and how his spirit was present because of them, I know all who were there felt it too.

My kids were asked to sing one of the solo's this year, the song they were given was called "The Family Is Of God" ...

I would like to share a small story: After we got to church all the primary was able to run through the program one last time then we headed into the chapel so they could be seated...Pita came and asked me if he could run to the bathroom beforehand...so he did. I went with the other kids into the chapel to help them get seated and Pita came a short time after...It wasn't till after the program when we were driving in the van as I was praising my kids for a job well done, that I learned something that touched me...

I was telling Pita that he sang so wonderful and his voice was so nice and smooth then he said,

"Mom I was scared before we did the program. So I asked you if I could go to the bathroom. When I went inside I said a prayer to help me sing good and not be scared. That's why I did good Mom."

Once again tears started filling my eyes, I thanked him for taking the time to ask Heavenly Father for help, then I asked him if he said Thank you to Heavenly Father for helping him when it was done? Pita told me "Oh, Not yet Mom"...then right there in the van as we were driving... he bowed his head and out loud said a simple prayer and thanked our Heavenly Father. Pita's small testimony of prayer was a strength to mine and I am so blessed to witness the faith of my own kids everyday.

Here is a small clip of them singing their song before we went to church yesterday afternoon...
(All the primary wore white to represent eternal families)


I would love to thank my children, they sang so beautiful, I was fed through the spirit when they sang this simple primary song and I was also reminded of my duties as a mother and member of our eternal family, and I love them so much, and pray everyday in gratitude for the blessings they are in my life!!

3rd grade Book Reports

This year Lote is in the 3rd grade and book reports are a huge part of her grade...cool thing is the book report projects have to be done WITH a parent!!! I love being creative...(not that I am, but I like to TRY!) hahah...

Here are two of her book report projects she has done so far this year...

1st book report:
type of book: Fictional
project: We did a Mobile-






Next book report:
type of book: informational (she got a book about ISLANDS)
project: we did a diarama box




we used construction paper, bbq sticks(for the trunks of the palm trees), molding clay, and glue.

I love the fact the Lote loves to read...most of the time I'll go to look for her and find her curled up in a book somewhere in the house...these projects have been fun because we always have fun being creative together!! Can't wait to see what next months type of book will be?

Growing Talent....

And this is the story....

Happy Halloween!

2009 Halloween--

Joke: Q:How does a Skeleton say HELLO?

A: BONE-jure!!!

Joke: Q:What does a Skeleton eat?

A: SPOOK-ghetti !!!

Primary Halloween Party...Thursday Oct. 29


















Friday No school...we made Halloween Cookies!









Trick-0-Treating Halloween Night"











Sooo much FUN ---Too much CANDY!

FHE: Painting Pumpkins !

I bought Eight 13+lb pumpkins last Saturday for only $4 bucks!!! I couldn't decide if I wanted to have the kids CARVE them or just PAINT them...well after a long thought I came to the conclusion that I feel safer with paint than with carving tools! LOL... but for sure we will carve when they are all a little bit older!!!


We had Fun, and we are happy that Ileina could do it with us !!!!

Lote's eyes !!! Pita concentrating ...he is a good little artist!

Misi ...loved painting his favorite color YELLOW !!
Dad working on his...
Lote working on hers...
Lia loved painting!
Ileina's Done! What a Happy Pumpkin !!
Misi's is sooooo colorful !!

Mine --
Dad's is done - His looks like a Halloween gangster! LOL ...
This one is Siope's he had more fun painting on himself, so I helped him do a face on his...LOL !
Lote's DONE !

Pita's Done !
Lia's done!
Misi's Done!

So I put all the pumpkins on the table so I could clean up our mess and the kids put my pumpkin facing Lini's and started laughing and giggling ...I asked them what's so funny and they said, "Your pumpkin in kissing Dad's !!!" hahahahah!

They R too funny!

Happy Halloween Everyone!!!

Crazy Hair Day

This week is Red Ribbon Week at school.

Monday: Wear lots of Red
Tuesday: Crazy Hat Day
Wednesday: Crazy Sock Day
Thursday: Crazy Hair Day
Friday: Crazy Sweats Day

Hair - -





When sii and I came out of the bathroom...Pita's eye's got all big and said "WOW, she looks like an ALIEN?"

Happy Red Ribbon Week...Live Drug Free!

-- My New Personal Goal --

Lately I've asked myself the question "What is important to me?" , and more and more I have come to the conclusion while reading a dear friends blog. (who is dying from terminal Cancer) , this is what he said:

"This life is about... "RELATIONSHIPS" . Relationships with your spouse, your children, your parents, your grandchildren, your friends, your neighbors, and your GOD.

Every day matters in how you build each one. Be a builder!"

It reminded me of the song we sing in Primary called "My Eternal Family"

His words touched me, and made me re-evaluate and bring into perspective where my life is on this specific principle and where I stand with my 'relationships' ...I asked myself, "when was the last time I took the time to call a long lost friend or distant loved one?".... "How often am I available to lend a helping hand?" ... "Do I take the time to visit, support, or share in special occasions of those relationships?"....all in all, "Am I doing my part to uphold the importance of those divine relationships and what they really mean to me?" ..."What is taking up my time that prevents me from doing these things?" ..."What do I need to change in my life, to better create and sustain those relationships?"

So I set another personal goal of mine to work on BUILDING my RELATIONSHIPS with family, friends, neighbors, and with my Heavenly Father.

Here is a talk I found by Elder Worthlin that confirmed my decision you can read it here:

New Era, May, 1988 -- CLICK HERE --

Service of FAITH

As the stake president Dad felt the impression to help with the relief for the tsunami victims in Samoa. Many families from his stake lost loved ones, parents, brothers, sisters, children, and spouses in that tragic event. He challenged all his members of his stake to donate anything that they could of these following supplies:

-Flour
-Sugar
-Oil
-Rice
-Non-perishables (canned goods)
-Laundry Soap
-Hygiene items
-Clothes
-Shoes
-Blankets
-Bedding

(and anything else that the families could use during this time)

Containers were made for each ward's name on it, and yesterday Oct. 19, 2009 the members gathered at the Stake Center to assemble their wards container to send.

Hundreds of people faithfully donated goods for this service and the containers were soon packed to the top (some of the containers could barely close).

Dad contacted two of the Stake Presidents in Samoa and told him that his stake would be sending nine containers to them (7ft L, 4 1/2ft W, 4ft Deep)...when Dad was speaking to the stake presidents in Samoa he learned that both of their stake houses and members homes were wiped out in the Tsunami and that the majority of the members were camping up in the hills, that Sunday the Stake Presidents spoke to the members as they assembled outside in a field for their meetings...the Stake Presidents told them of Dad's stake's Service Project and dad said the Stake President reported that the members cried so hard with Gratitude.

Because this was a service project the church did NOT fund any of this. To send one box was over $500 and they had 9 boxes. Dad said he fasted and prayed many times for a way they could pay to send the boxes, some of the members had donated some money, but he still needed $4100...Dad didn't want to ask the members to donate money because he knew that many of the members were struggling financially especially in this economy. Dad called me and shared a story with me that touched my heart and strengthened my testimony, something I hope I'll never forget.

Dad's story:
Fasting and Praying Dad went to the Temple, after finishing his session while sitting in the Celestial Room he began to pray and pour out his heart to the Lord, he said he was crying telling the Lord that the members have faithfully donated so much, but he doesn't know how they were to pay for the containers to go to Samoa, he asked the Lord to please provide a way. After he was done counseling with the Lord, he felt a tap on his shoulder...it was a palangi man, the man looked at Dad and said, "President Makai, what can I help you with?" Dad said he was immediately humbled...he didn't want to tell this man what was going on, but he said the spirit told him to so he did...Dad said to the man. "I have 9 containers ready to send to the members in Samoa but I need $4100 to send them." The man patted Dad on the shoulder and told him..."President Makai, meet me in the parking lot after you get dressed." Dad met this man and his wife in the parking lot...the wife handed Dad a check for $4100. Dad said he couldn't stop crying. (yes we all know Dad is a crybaby so I can only imagine how overcome he was with gratitude) Dad now refers to this man as "my very best friend" he learned that this man owns a very productive company in Provo and was more than willing to help with such a wonderful cause. (Dad tells everyone that they are his best friend, but funny thing is....he really means it...who said you can't have a million BEST FRIENDS?

A member from Dad's stake made this slide show of them packing and loading the boxes into the shipping cart...when I watched it, I cried...now I understand why Dad was so emotional this week....what an amazing testimony of FAITH, and SERVICE. I will ever be thankful for those who set the example for me of faithful service and sacrifice...and I know the members in Samoa will too.

Here is the link to the VIDEO --CLICK HERE--

True to a covenant

The other day I went to the store. I was standing in the aisle getting some diapers, at the other end of the aisle were two younger girls I would say maybe 16-17. I got the diapers and started to proceed down to the next aisle when one of the girls blurted out tons of vulgar and inappropriate words (luckily I didn't have my children with me) but I was immediately offended, for the mere fact that a few of those words were taking the Lords name in vain. At first I ignored it, thinking that it's none of my business how they talk? I remember my first initial thought was "I'm not going to say anything, I'm not their Mother?" ....immediately after that thought the words of a talk given by Elder L. Tom Perry that I watched a while back on BYU devotional something I'll never forget...he said, "develop the courage to stand up and defend that which you believe to be right. We must be willing to support, defend, and live in harmony with his divine law."

I thought to myself, I have to stand up and DEFEND my savior's name! So I did! And I was a little shocked at the result when I confronted the girls that were still at the time speaking like that. I politely asked them to please not speak those words because that is the name of my savior and it offends me when his name is used in that way. Immediately one of the girls turns around and starts apologizing that she offended me while the other just stood there covering her mouth with sort of an embarrassing look. Then the other girl said sorry and that she would be more considerate in using his name.

It felt good to STAND UP, and DEFEND my beliefs and my Savior...and I hope that my self conscious thoughts will never get in the way of my covenants I have made to stand up and defend this church no matter if it will cost my life...that day I realized what my duty is to "Sacrifice ALL: time, talents, etc. even my own life to defend and sustain the kingdom of God"

I do love my Savior Jesus Christ and I WILL defend his name. I pray that I can teach my children to do the same.

Jus another night ~

Lini and the kids were playing as they usually do...wrestling, chasing, playing airplane and laughing together, so I thought I'd make some memories for them! To me, these pictures are priceless. (Amelia was sleeping)

What would happen if every Dad asked himself, "When was the last time I laughed and had fun with my kids?" ~~I think the world would be a better place.

General Conference Weekend ♥

Last weekend was General Conference. It was so uplifting, the Prophets and leaders of the church said just what I needed to hear and I gained a greater witness that these are Men and Women called of God.

I am thankful for living prophets on this earth today and have a greater love towards the Book of Mormon, I do believe it is a sacred book that brings forth only but TRUTH.

Saturday we watched Conference at home. I woke up Saturday morning to the house full of the most delicious smell...Lini had went to the gym early and when he came home he made a wonderful breakfast for all of us! After some hot french toast we all went down stairs to watch conference.

I was excited to hear there will be 5 new temples built, because I teach the Temple Preparation Class in my ward, I have gained a greater love and knowledge for the Temple and it's saving ordinances. How blessed our world has become because of those Temples that dot the earth!

(Lia and Misi after the Sunday afternoon session LOL!)

Later that night Lini and Pita went to the Priesthood session as they always do and afterwards they went and ate out at Red Robin. When they came home I asked Pita what he learned from the Priesthood session and he told me that Pres. Monson talked about ANGER and how you have to learn to control it. He told me a story that the Prophet talked about, It was neat to hear him tell what he learned from the prophets...even though he is only 6 he listened and he understood.(I love the tradition that Lini has started with our sons as soon as they turn 5...I'm sure it will be a memory they will never forget)

Sunday after we watched the first session I hurried and drove to Saratoga Springs because Leslie called and found out she might have a blood clot from the birth and had to be taken to the E.R. (It was scary) so I went there to get the girls so they could sleep over for the weekend since there was no school on Monday. On our way home we stopped and picked up Makai and Filimone too. (It was a cousin bash so to say!)

We got home about a half hour before the second session was to start so I made some treat bags for all 11 kids (so they would sit quietly),
it worked...they all sat quietly during the last session and were so good! They can all kind of read now, and when it was the congregational hymn it was funny to watch them follow along singing as they read the words on the screen.

Since the last conference I've been trying to help my kids recognize the Prophets and Apostles and it was neat to see them yell out who it was when they saw them stand up to talk!
Misi said his favorite prophet is President Uchtdorf and when President Uchtdorf was speaking Siope was being noisy...then all of a sudden you hear Misi shhushh Siope and say (with his finger up to his mouth)... "chhhope shhhhh be quiet listen to my bes' frien'!" (I'm sure that would make President Utchdorf smile if he heard that!) :D

I've since sat down and written out my personal goals to better myself and I am thankful for the feeling I get of renewal each time I hear the leaders council, and feel such an urgency that there is NO time to waste, we have to heed, and so as for me and my house...as always, "WE WILL SERVE THE LORD."

Here are some pictures of the kiddoz this past weekend. I feel we just don't get together enough...it was nice to have them, especially on such a special weekend! Thanks Leslie and Monica...I hope your kids know that my house is their house too! ♥

(Sunday night after dinner they watched Living Scripture Movies and fell asleep. On Monday I had the kids go outside and find all different kinds of leaves then we made pictures from the leaves, it was fun to see their creativity! Also Makai lost his other front tooth, and they had fun playing outside Monday afternoon!)

From KSL News~

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

♥ Asher Petuliki Gleaves ♥

Look at this cute baby boy! Yes! my long anticipated nephew is finally here!

Leslie and Patrick had their first baby boy on Monday morning @ 4:14am! This healthy little guy weighted 8lbs and 13oz, and he was 21" long!

Leslie and baby are doing good...we are so happy to have him here, and can't wait to watch him grow and see his little personality develop!



He is such a cutie! Here is his big sister Jalen holding him the day he got home, she is so excited she has a brother now!

♥love you baby Petuliki, welcome to the family!

Natural Desasters & Deaths by the 1,000's~

Have you watched the NEWS this past week??

(you can click on the underlined to see video clips of these disasters)

SOOOOO many natural disasters going on in the world... this is a just but a few of them:

"Indonesian earth quake death toll now at 1,100+...click here too"

"Tonga & Samoa Tsunami Death toll now at 160+"

"Philippines flash flood killed almost 300+ people last week and now a 'super typhoon' has hit them and has now claimed over 1,500 lives"

"Mud river flooding Sicilian a city in Rome death toll over 20 now"

My thoughts and prayers to all those and their families who stand in need of ♥comfort.

As for me, I feel the urgency as a mother to prepare my family NOW for things that 'will' come...I feel if we wait, it will be TOO LATE. I keep thinking of how a mother must feels that has lost her child in these devastating events or vice versa...it makes me just want to sit and hold my children and husband close and be thankful they are still here with me.

I know the only way the Lord will protect my family is if we live worthy and do our part...then we shall not fear. The prophets have foretold these events since the beginning of time...and the voice of warning has sounded far to many times, I'm sure we will hear the prophets warn, and warn again this weekend in conference...to prepare ourselves and our families, both spiritually and physically for those things that will soon come to past.

I pray that I will do all that I need to be worthy of the Lords protection.

Tips of the Trade....I'd like to share!!!

A friend of mine gave me this information...I found these tips to be very informational so I thought I'd share.... plus I need to put this list somewhere so I can remember it for later use! hahahahah. :p

Hope something from this list can help you? Oh and if you have any tips you've learned...please share them, the more we know, the better...right?? :D

(Tips I've learned I'd like to share)

~Cut brownies right out of the oven and still hot, with a plastic knife...it cuts them smooth and the brownies don't break apart!

~Find and set out all your children's church shoes on Saturday night...then you won't be late for church! :p

~Breastmilk is the cure when your baby has pink eye, or clogged tear ducts! I promise it works! Just put a drop or two of breastmilk in the infected eye (just drop it in the inner part near the tear duct) and about an hour to a day later (depending on how bad it is) their eye will be better!!

~When you warm up spaghetti in the microwave put a little slice of butter on top of the spaghetti, when it's done warming up stir up the spaghetti and the noodles will be nice and slippery (easier to slurp, and it tastes delish)

(The credit for these following tips goes to: Sussi Hess)

~Peel a banana from the bottom and you won't have to
pick the little 'stringy things' off of it. That's how the primates do it.

~Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store.
If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

~Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil.
It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!

~Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating.
Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

~Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef.
It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.

~To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of
spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.

~For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints
in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.

~Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste
of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic.

~Leftover snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simply
chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core and slice a few apples. Place them
in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples. Bake at 350
for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream. Yummm!

~Reheat Pizza
Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low
and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on
the cooking channel and it really works.

~Easy Deviled Eggs
Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

~Expanding Frosting
When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer
for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes
with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

~Reheating refrigerated bread
To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in
a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food
moist and help it reheat faster.

~Newspaper weeds away
Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers,
put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and for-
get about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not
get through wet newspapers.

~Broken Glass
Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.

~No More Mosquitoes
Place a dryer sheet in your pocket.
It will keep the mosquitoes away.

~Squirrel Away!
To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper.
The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

~Flexible vacuum
To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel
roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

~Reducing Static Cling
Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt
or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing pantie hose.
Place pin in seam of slacks and ... ta da! ... static is gone.

~Measuring Cups
Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water.
Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such
as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

~Foggy Windshield?
Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of
your car When the window s fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

~Reopening envelope
If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside,
just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals
easily.

~Conditioner
Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and
leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you
bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

~Goodbye Fruit Flies
To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar
and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the
cup and gone forever!

~Get Rid of Ants
Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't
digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works
and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

~INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS The heating unit went out on my dryer! The gentleman that fixes things around the
house for us told us that he wanted to show us something and he went over to the
dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load clothes.) He told us that he wanted to show us something; he took the filter over to the sink and ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material ... I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like. Well ... the hot water just sat on top of the mesh! It didn't go through it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit.

You can't SEE the film, but it's there. It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free .... that nice fragrance too. You know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box ... well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is also what causes dryer units to potentially burn your house down with it! He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months.
He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long! How about that!?!
Learn something new everyday! I certainly didn't know dryer sheets would do that.
So, I thought I'd share!

~Note: I went to my dryer and tested my screen by running water on it. The water ran
through a little bit but mostly collected all the water in the mesh screen. I washed it with warm soapy water and a nylon brush and I had it done in 30 seconds. Then when I rinsed it ... the water ran right thru the screen! There wasn't any puddling at all! That repairman knew what he was talking about!

~ Meaningful Prayer ~

This is my question ... "How meaningful are my Prayers?"



~~Elder Bednar's Council of Meaningful Prayer~~

After I watched this , It made me contemplate on how; and if I am teaching my children about this sacred principle and the tangible evidence and power that it is real...I asked myself questions like:

~How sincere are my prayers?

~Do I truly pray for "others?"

~Have I taught my children to pray in humility and reverence?

~Are we speaking Heavenly Father's name with respect and sacredness?

~Do we go to him in gratitude alone, not asking for anything?

All these questions and answers are something I personally have challenged myself to work on, so that our family can more effectively and reverently but most importantly meaningfully pray to our loving Heavenly Father who is; I'm sure; waiting for us to do so.