What a huge blessing!!

I can't imagine even for a second not knowing that I have a Heavenly Father who knows and loves me and is aware of my fears and hopes and dreams...I have been trying for three years to get a promotion at my work as a cook. It would give me a $3.00 pay raise and also two more hours per day, which are precious to me, especially since I am a struggling single Mom. I have applied for this position at different schools three different times, and not gotten the job. Well yesterday I had an interview for this position once again and I was so nervous! I felt pretty good about the interview, but for me that wasn't any indication that I would get it because in the past those feelings had left me empty when I didn't get a call, but yesterday I got a call that not only brought me an undescribeable happiness, but also lifted the world off this Mom's shoulders...I GOT THE JOB!! I am so grateful for this HUGE blessing for the girls and I!!! It came at a time when I was feeling so afraid about bills piling up from being diagnosed with melanoma just three weeks ago and having surgery and then multiple tests to screen for cancer...I didn't know if I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am so humbled and thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who blesses me so much every single day.

Kiara and I celebrating by taking selfies with her new phone.

Love this girl so very much!!

 

Growing up

I guess I just have to face it, my beautiful girls are growing up, whether I want them to, or not. Kiara turned 8yrs old on March 12 and Lani turned 11yrs old on March 19th. Kiara has chosen to be baptized and her baptism date will be on April 12, 2014. I am so proud of both girls. They are amazingly talented and so smart. They are the best kids in the whole world and help me so much. I am so thankful to be their Mom. My life was so empty before they were born. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank my Heavenly Father for them. Lani and Kiara I love you both so much that my heart could burst with love for you both. Thank you so much for coming into my life and making me the happiest Mom in the world. Alofa Tele Atu <3 p="">

Saying goodbye to my beautiful Mom

The past four months have been extra hard for me because my dear Mom passed away on December 8, 2013. We were told that she was taken to the hospital for a check because she had declining blood pressure so they wanted to just make sure she was okay. The next time I talked to a nurse while on my way to St.George, I was told that she had gone into cardiac arrest in the ambulance on the way to the hospital and that they were having a hard time reestablishing a heart-beat. It's funny how life is, we think it is never going to change one minute and the next our entire world can come crashing down on us. I miss my Mom today like she just barely left. It doesn't seem like it happened in December, seems like just yesterday. I am just so thankful that I always tried to make her last days on earth better and as happy as they could possibly be. Here are some pictures of some of the times I have cherished with her. I will never stop missing her beautiful smile...and her kisses and hugs. The only thing that helps me keep going is knowing that she is now out of pain and with her parents and siblings on the other side of the veil.

Playing Catch Up

It's hard to believe it has been an entire year since I have posted......but here I go, attempting to record the main events of the past year, so bear with me. 

The past year has been an interesting one, with Mom now living at Red Cliffs Nursing home 

 We have tried to make special effort to visit her there often. Last Christmas, Lani and Kiara spent Christmas with Gene so I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Mom. We had fun together Out driving all around looking at Christmas lights and eating Chinese food. I am so thankful I was able to spend her first Christmas in the nursing home with her.

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Let The Holidays Begin!!

 This year Kiara and I decided to get all our Christmas lights and trees up at our house by Thanksgiving simply because we love to have our trees up and the music of Christmas playing softly...as we do our Thanksgiving baking and other cooking..it kind of gets us in the holiday spirit!

 

 

 Kiara is just like me and just LOVES the holiday season! It's so fun that she also shares my enthusiasm and excitement for this time of year..

 

 

 Our Living Room decorated, the fireplace lit and warming the house...so much funnn!! lol

 

 

 The other angle of our living room..all lit up and ready!!

 

Cherished time with my Dear Mom

These have been some good times and some of the hardest times of my entire life. My beautiful Mom fell early in the spring and broke her femur bone. She of course was rushed into emergency surgery to repair it, but just has never fully recovered. To my horror she was admitted into a Nursing Home shortly afterwards.

To most a nursing home isn't all that bad, but growing up I remember my Mom begging us kids to never put her into one. She had worked in them and knew the in's and out's of that world so she had no desire whatsoever to ever live in one. It has saddened me so much to have to leave her there. Anymore when I do make a trip down to St.George all I do is spend time with her, make a Costco run and head back up to Cedar City.

Regardless how sad it makes her feel to be living there, my Mom continues to smile and have a cheery disposition.  Mom, we love you dearly and cherish the time we have with you...we pray for you daily and are so thankful for all that you have done for all of us! Alofa tele mo oe <3 p="p">

A great night just last week Sunday...Mom had some visitors...I called them angels...Brother Su'a and Aunty Tuli showed up with pisupo and fa'alifu kalo and sang samoan songs for Mom. They were really listening to "the Spirit" just a few minutes before they got there she had called me crying and seemed so depressed! I was pleasantly surprised and greatful to see them when I got there.

My little buddy reading to me as we drive down to visit our Grandma. :)



Is It That Time of Year Already??

We had an awesome summer and now it's time for school to
start again. Each year I try to do a beginning of school year photo shoot with my girls to just kind of start their new school year out. We ran out one day to get some quick pictures of Lani and Kiara and this is some of what we wound up with.

Noelani age 9

 

Kiara age 6