Kalina's "8" - Let's Celebrate!

Kalina 'decked out' in her birthday brights today.  Just imagine getting a buttermilk hug from a TALL, happy girl in a purple & white polynesian-print adorable blouse, dark hair all a-curl; topped with a dar-lable flower (Caroline fashion).  Her eyes were all sparkles!  Her smile real & quick to burst out!  

Kalina, you are BEAUTIFUL!  

You have been waiting for this special day for a very long time!  An 8 year old birthday is especially wonderful because of your baptism.  Your lacy white dress is ready to go!  You know that it represents purity and peace!  You know that this special time is for you to fulfill a covenant with our Heavenly Father and become a member of His true church on the earth.  You are following the example of our Elder brother Jesus Christ.  To be baptized by immersion as He was is a very important and special choice you are making.  We are thankful that you understand so much about your baptism day and want to be like our Savior.  

Kalina, we love you!  We want you to always be happy!  We are very thankful that you are part of our family!  We love to watch you learn and grow and be such a great friend to everyone!  

We think you're great - especially when you're 8!

How Long's it Been? Litia's 10!

Can you believe that Litia is already 10?  March 5, 2009!  It's official!  That is called - NO FAIR!  Whoa!  Hold On!  S-L-O-W Down!  Wait~!  Time OUT!  W-H-A-T?

    It could only have been yesterday that I held the most beautiful, 'little' (by our family standards) bundle of joy in my arms as I gazed in awe out the DIXIE hospital window right through a pink popping blossom-bursting tree with the celestial white Temple as the background.  I was overcome by the miracle of such perfectness all buttoned up in miniature, when Sione and Fotu the sporting Dad and Son duet came sauntering in for Fotu to catch the first view of his sister and pass out red roses to their favorite girls! Now if that didn't bring tears?  I don't know what would!  All dressed up and handsome!  My Fotu became a little man that very moment I think!  I had never seen him look so BIG - or handsome!

     It has been said that we write to taste life twice.  I don't think I've even thought of this event of our guys with their roses for many years, until right now when I was reflecting on those first hours with our new Liti Lady-bug.

     She was and still is such a beauty.  I could gaze into her large dark eyes, framed in long dark lashes for hours on end.  Her dark curly hair was precious and easy to make perfect.  Oh, how fun it was to have a bow in her hair!  Litia hummed.  She always had a little song going on.  I couldn't get over her dainty details and petite profile.  I don't know what I was thinking, but I had been imagining that she would be a lot like Fotu.  How could that even be possible?  Each precious spirit comes from Heaven with their own personality.  I guess I just thought that my kids would be a lot alike.  (Now why I would think that is a bit crazy since my own siblings - all 10 of us - are no more exactly the same than the cow jumping over the moon.)  

     As a few months grew on Litia, I realized that she is a cookie cutter mold of her father.  One afternoon Sione and Litia were stretched out sleeping on a quilt on the carpet.  Their bodies were in the same pose.  One so large, and one so dainty.  Yet, feature for feature, they were SO SIMILAR, one masculine, one feminine!  Long backs, long legs, long fingers, full lips, large eyes, long lashes, and cute full noses.  It is in a moment like this that heaven touches earth and you KNOW that we are created in the image of a loving Heavenly Father and Mother.  We belong!  We have a place!  We KNOW who we are!  Creation is a miracle of blessings and joy!  

     Litia, as you have now completed your 10th year on this earth, I want you to know how much I love you!  You are beautiful inside and out.  You have been blessed with the gift of music that sings around inside you and has to find a way out.  You have been given very athletic abilities.  You have a keen mind and sharp whit.  You enjoy learning new things and trying out new experiences.  We are so glad that you are a member of our family!  WE LOVE YOU and are glad that you are part of our family here on earth!  

    Keep choosing great experiences and friends.  Keep doing well in school and with your violin. Do those things that are right and make you TRUELY HAPPY!  We are glad that you've been in our family during this decade.  Just think - in the next 10 years there will be many different experiences.  You will most likely be on your own and although still a part of our family, on your own.  Wow!  That is what makes me want to whisper - hold on!  However, we are on this ride of life together, so I will still say, "Hold On!" - but mean it this way:  Hold on to all that is good and right.  Hold on to good friends and wonderful traditions.  Hold on to the incredible memories we have made together.  Hold on to your testimony!  Hold on to your brother and sisters!  Hold on to your happiness, joy, peace and contentment!  Hold on to being the best you, you can ever be!  

Lots of love for many 10's to come!  Hold ON!

When She's Helping She's Happy!

     That is the theme of my sweet sister Ida!  She stopped by Thursday on Litia's birthday and gave her the cutest scripture tote in the world!  (Manufactured by Misha of course - and accessorized by Ida of course - 'Cute STAR button!')  Then, she invited the girls (birthday twins -Litia & Kalina - two years and four days apart) to BOLT the movie for the next evening.  

     So, Friday Ida showed up around 4:oo and even invited Fotu to come along.  While they were gone, Seneti and I worked on dishes and the laundry.  Seneti can play in the sink for hours - and that is NOT exaggerating!  She's now just tall enough to turn the faucet on by herself when on tiptoes atop the dining room chair.  She remains contentedly perched there as she scientifically rediscovers everything water can do!

     When Seneti is helping with the laundry, SHE is the sole operator of the hot air tumbler.  She wants to be the one to open the door, add all clothing garments, put in the fabric softener sheets, and close the door!  She wants to turn the knob and set the start button!  It is one of the most darling rituals this side of Slate Canyon!  Although it takes at least 5 times as long to accomplish as normal, I just remind myself that this is an act of love on her part and know that someday I will want her willing desire to serve and the time we've spent to be back!  I just savor every second!  My payback tonight was, "I Wuv You, Mom!" stated on her own (without any prompting) for the very first time in recorded Earth-life history!  It was topped with a koala hug so tight that pinches were part of the deal.  Oh, my sweet Seni Girl!  

     Before you knew it, Smiling Gorgeous Ida and the kids came barging back through the door!  They had enjoyed the movie and the time spent together.  What great sisters I have!  They make everyone feel so important!  Thank you for being a happy helper and giving my kids a much deserved retreat!  I LOVE YOU!  

Dead Dog Tired

Getting up to get some work done right after the rooster has gone to bed, makes for a LONG day!  There is nothing in the world like falling into a deep slumber in the cool of the winter and having the bedding warm your tired bones!  When falling asleep to beautiful music, the waves of slumber match time to the rhythm and I'm out before the first song is over.  I am thankful for the peace a great rest provides!   Good night!  Sleep tight!  Don't let the bedbugs bite!  

SIONE has . . .

A unique kind of enduring patience

Daddy written in his heart and actions

Fatherly pride

Seneti wrapped around his little finger (what he lets her get away with!!)

Biceps as big as trees!

Island Man pride

Love for the Islands

Love for God

Desire to serve

Love for Family

a hard working spirit

Love for HIS GIRLS

a "Be Better, through Action, not Words" attitude

High Expectations

A love for the Promised Land of America

Athletic Abilities

Scout Leader Memories

Friendliness for others

Strong opinions

A keen mathematical & logical mind

Served a mission

understanding of scriptures

a competitive edge

Laughter that comes from his toenails

A mustache

A grin that sends sparkles to his eyes

A melodious rich tenor voice 

Fast moving fingers on the ukulele

WIDE HUGE feet

Stature! - 

Loyalty

Determination

Courage

LOVE

Friendship that endures

 

SENETI Has . . .

Seneti has . . .

fight (she was born with it)

koala hang-on hugs (watch out - she can really dig in)

shadow stalking abilities (she links up with her dad's all the time!)

slender long fingers and dainty tendencies 

a passion for speech (we work hard to understand her linguistic attempts)

two year old wonder bursting forth from her slender self

"I yuv daddy" popping out for the first time today

TIME

desire to go along whenever anyone goes anywhere

blondish straightish hair (an ab-norm for our family)

bangs (darling . . . BUT too grown up)

twinkles in her eyes

a deep chortling laugh for such a petite frame

joy of jumping (on the trampoline)

hours of playing (especially when it's in the little kitchen in the shade of our evergreen and close by the garden where she can get plenty of mud)

enjoyment of nature and the outdoor world (a cooped up winter is hard on her)

determination to be a big kid (she wants to be just like her sisters)

FUN

**tiny dainty circles that find their way out of her inner creativity whenever she finds a writing tool of any variety - and those tiny dainties end up all over ANY surface - OHHHH!  Mural beautiful for sure!  (Thank goodness we have found the Magic Eraser.)

**HUH? set into a long deep roller coaster response when she chooses not to listen, but then on second thought decides that what you just said may be something she'd like to hear again - just in case she was wrong!

**The look - and cheerfulness - after a long nap

** A bit of an Eyore personality most of the time

**Big Chocolate M& M eyes

Long - WIDE feet

The idea that shoes and socks were never meant to be ON - Barefoot all the way!

A desire to say EVERY prayer aloud that is to be spoken in the family

Dishwashing ability - or is it love of water and mess?

Command of nursery

Joy of singing and actions

Out Loud Commentaries (During the quiet of Sacrament Meeting)  "Hi, Daddy!"

A faucet for a nose!

OUR ATTENTION! 

Litia just told me, "Mom, I'm so glad Seneti came to our family!  She always makes us laugh!"  I agree 200%!  What LIFE she has brought to our life!

Seneti, We love you!

The Morning Breaks

There is nothing in the world quite like watching snow entrenched Mount Timpanogos licked only on the tippy-top with first lights golden rays!  When wispy clouds gather in the empty spaces and brighten to baby-soft pink, I know Heavenly Father has just granted an "I'm thinking of you and glad you're around" kind of morning hug that warms my soul and brightens my whole day!  We are so blessed to be driving to school (a job we are so thankful to have during these times) and watch the spire of the Provo Temple aglow from that same energy.  The strategic location of the temple in the early path of morning's glory, while the rest of the valley is sitting in shadows cast from the stately Wasatch Range, is a blessing to those of us who look there daily for peace and comfort and to renew a quick reminder that there is beauty all around, that God is watching over us, that someone cares and wants us to have a wonderful day!  We are soooo blessed!