We'll Miss You Grandma Hansen!

This week we lost our Beloved Grandma Hansen. Gene's mom was so sick and about 2 weeks ago, she asked her family to start praying and fasting for her release. So on Wednesday March 4, 2009, late at night, she finally was able to have those prayers answered and was able to go to the other side to be met by her husband of 60 years, mother, father, and brothers. While we will miss her greatly, we know that she is happy being there and out of pain.

Grandma Hansen was such a strong woman. Because of a long-time illness which her husband had, for the most part, she was the only provider and parent to 9 children. Rose would have to be at work at a bakery at 3:00am where she would work long, hard hours, making only 40cents per hour. After which she would head home to her 1 bedroom home equipt with out-house to wash clothes by hand and cook for her 9 beautiful children. She was challenged at every turn, yet she never complained. She decided to make something out of her life no matter how hard it seemed. She personally told me how she really never made enough money to get through, yet she was determined to save her money. Having lived through the Great Depression, she was the most frugal woman I have ever known. Her belief was, "If you want something, save up for it, don't buy it on credit." Though it was hard for her to do this, she always managed to save money, and soon was able to build a home that she paid cash for. Everything she bought was paid for in cash and she prided herself in that.

Another thing Rose was passionate about was her gardening. We will miss going to her house in the spring and summer, to see all the beautiful different types of flowers and plants. It was something that kept our grandma young and alive. She also grew the best ever sugar pod peas, broccoli, tomatoes, zuchinni and yellow squash and chard that I have ever tasted! We loved to go to her house and have her show us around her garden, while picking and eating all the delicious veggies.

There was never a year in all the years that Gene and I have been married (23, to be exact) that Grandma didn't give us a beautiful quilt, handmade by her, for Christmas. We have so many beautiful quilts, made with love by Grandma that we will forever cherish!

Nearing the end of her life we were able to go to be with her often. At these times, she would ask Lani and Kiara to sing songs for her. She would sit there just "Beaming" as they sang for her and she would call them "Little Angels". I will never forget the beautiful smile that she had on her face and the peace I could feel coming from her. As a result, Lani and Kiara were asked to sing "Teach Me To Walk" at her funeral yesterday. They got up and sang for her for the last time, doing a beautiful job. I know she heard them and was smiling once again that beautiful smile.

I'm so thankful to have known Rose and for all the wonderful things she did for me in the last 23 years. She was always very kind and loving and she taught me so much! Just wanted her to know that I love her and will miss her very much!

Valentines Day fun!!

So this Valentines Day we started celebrating early. Our Grandma Hansen is currently nearing the end of her life and we have been able to go down and spend some time with her. My kids have realized, I think, how important it is to say "I Love You" because they see her having what is probably her last one here with us. So, we decided to really enjoy our time together and not dwell on sad, but happy things.

Lani wanted to bring some cookies to her teachers at school on Friday, so on Thursday we started, by making huge, soft sugar cookies. The girls got to decorate and eat some cookies. So much fun!

So, last night I decided to treat them to one of their favorite meals, burgers, fries and a vanilla shake. I know most kids would think nothing of that, but since we rarely eat out, that is a real treat for our girls! They were so excited!!! haha!

Then, we came home and they got part 2 of their Valentines gift, Hannah Montana jammies! They were so excited until I said, "Okay, bath-time!" They didn't want to bath, but they didn't know what was coming next...I filled the master-bathroom jet tub with warm bubbly water, lit candles around the tub and brought them in to enjoy a bubble bath together. They were jumping up and down...Lani even said, "This is the best day of my life!" haha! It was hilarious!!

This morning they woke up to find more valentine treats on the couch in the living room. Chocolates, peeps, gum, etc.

An hour after eating some candy, they got a special breakfast of Cream Cheese filled heart-shaped french toast with Strawberries, syrup and powdered sugar...yum yummmmm!!!

We had a great Valentines Day and hope all the rest of our family and friends did, too!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYONE!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!!

Okay, so I know it isn't quite Valentine's Day yet, but it seems like we've been getting ready for it at our house for a while now. Of course, having Lani in school this year makes it even more fun! She had to have a special Valentine's box so that her class-mates could deliver all their valentines to her. This is what we came up with, and I think it turned out pretty good! Anyone that knows Lani, knows that she is just a special little "Princess", and I think this box says that all over it! We sure had a great time decorating it!

Lani proudly shows her finished box.

Our girls are so excited about Valentine's Day this year, and it will be very busy for us on that actual day. Unfortunately, a good friend of ours and our former Bishop from StGeorge passed away two days ago and the funeral is scheduled for Valentine's Day. So, we will be making our cookies and taking our "Friend Treats" around today and tomorrow.


So we want to wish all of you a wonderful Valentine's Day!!! We love you!!!

My Girls and their latest "thing"!

Kiara's "Valentines" project. Not bad for a 2 year old!

So, just lately Kiara and Lani have been way into creating stuff. They say to me, "Mom, can I do a project?" Then they proceed to take out every kind of paper we have, all the crayons, scissors, glue and everything else they can think of and make our house look like a tornado has hit! I have to admit that they come up with some pretty creative creations! I haven't thought about blogging about any of them until tonight when Kiara decided that she wanted to do another project. I sat here watching my 2 year old and thinking about how fun she is to watch. I hate to admitt that before I know it she will be grown up and I will only have the memories of these precious times with her! So even though this won't impress any of you very much, I did this post for me! I sure love being a Mom and having these special moments with my beautiful girls!

So proud of her beautiful finished product!

Missing Pictures Now Revealed!!!

Haha! So, here are the pictures to go along with the last post that I did. I finally got my computer to co-operate and let me upload them!!! yay!

Here's Audrey trying to enjoy her millionth cup of ice, yum yum! Poor thing was so hungry!

Here's Charles intently watching his football game, occasionally glancing over at Audrey to make sure she's okay!

Beautiful Audrey just trying to be patient. She was so cute, you could tell that she was so tired, yet she kept on worrying about me and trying to keep me entertained. I love her, she's such a great sister!

Of course our Mama was there, so excited to see little Aryahna...

And we can't forget Uncle Jon who had to stop by to entertain us! In this photo, he's pretending to be the doctor, only he is scared to death,

"Aaaaaahhhh! is the baby out yet?"

I even got a shot of myself with Audrey, just to prove I was really there!

Audrey and Charles-Do ya think she's getting a little tired of this? (about hour 12)

About 7 hours later........

She's finally here!!!!!! Little Aryahna Mary Ellen Sanders. 8lbs, 2oz and 21 inches.

Yep, she's beautiful!!!

The proud papa admires his little princess...

Aaaw, mother and daughter...

The first official family photo! Look at that smile on Aryahna's little face!! Amazing!!

Of course, I had to have my turn holding her. It was a long, long night, but this little angel is worth every second!!!!

And of course, Grandma and Papa

"The spoiling begins!" haha!

They're just doing their job, right?

Here's the little girl that kept us all waiting...

Isn't she gorgeous?!!!!

This just feels wrong!

For those of you who have been following my blog, I have to appologize for not updating in what seems like forever!! It isn't for lack of things to put on here, that's for sure! It feels so wrong to not have posted in such a long time! Almost a month, I'm having withdrawls!!! haha!

I actually have had problems with my camera and getting pics that I have on my computer! Ugh! It is so maddening!

I guess I'll just have to fill you in on what has all happened lately.

Lani's Special Week

The week Lani went back to school after the Holiday break, she was "Kid of the Week". That means she was kind of honored for that entire week. She got to sit at the front of the class and be the teacher's special helper, she got to pick what happened at different times during that week and on Friday all the kids told her what they liked about her and she got to show a slide show of herself from birth up until now, telling about each one as they were shown.

The whole class had to guess details about Lani, her favorite color, favorite food, favorite movie, song, etc. At the end, Lani gave treats out to the whole class. What a fun day that was! Kiara and I went to school so that we could be there with her on her special day. What a wonderful way for a teacher to make her students feel loved and important!

A week later, Lani came home with a bound book full of well-wishes from her class-mates and they had all drawn pictures of Lani. It really made her feel loved! Thank you Mrs. Topham for all the extra time you take for my child, you truly are the best teacher ever!

Aryahna is here!!

This week has been quite eventful for my family. My little sister, Audrey was due to have her baby. On Sunday, I got a call informing me that she had gone to the hospital. I rushed down to StGeorge because she had requested I be there. I guess after being with her on the last two, she couldn't picture it without me and to tell the truth, I couldn't picture not being there!

The whole family was there, so it was kind of a party! You know us Polynesians, it's just not the same without food! The nurses could even smell it from their station! haha!

I got there at 5:00pm and the baby didn't get here until 9:46am on Monday! It was a long, sleepless, drawn out night and scarey too! Audrey wound up having some problems with her heart rate and right at the end, the baby was almost lost! It was very draining both physically and emotionally! I'm so glad everything turned out alright!

The baby was 8lbs, 2 oz and 21" long. She is a beautiful little curly haired baby named Aryahna Mary Ellen Sanders. She is so beautiful! I am so happy for Audrey and Charles! They finally have the little girl they've been anxiously waiting for!

I talked to Audrey the other day and she is doing well and really enjoying motherhood! She is going to be the best Mom!

Lani and Kiara can hardly wait for Aryahna to be old enough to come and play with them!

I took so many pictures at the hospital and someday, when I get this mess straightened out, I'll post them.

That's my update for now!