Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Sunday, February 26, 2012
February 26, 2012
SAKIUSA NASUIKAU VAKALALA 21 inches, 9lbs 7oz, born on February 11, 2012
While he is named after his father and grandfather he we will be calling him Nasuikau-not Sakiusa or Jr! My Saki is too precious to me for me to call anyone else by that name, but I am glad to name this child after him! He tends to sleep 2-3 hours at a time, with 2-3 times a day of cluster feedings/and fussiness. I have been negligent in keeping in contact with people because I've been focusing on baby and Mere and Glenn, and enjoying time with my mom and now my dad who have been able to visit!
We had his baby blessing today-though we just we left right after sacrament meeting because he's only 2 weeks old and I like to have the kids be older before everyone swarms them :) but we wanted my dad to be able to participate in the name and blessing.
Here's some photos!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Ok.....
yes-I'm on a blogging hiatus...don't know if or when I will return. Just too much to during my quite hours when the kids are sleeping and napping. Make a comment and it will get sent to my email and I can give you my email if you'd like it :)
Sunday, July 3, 2011
July!
Sooo-this will be a compilation of many monthly thoughts and I will try to find my camera cord-which of course I can't find right now....soo sorry. Updates on the kids: Mere is having some bright moments of clarity ie where she is an excellent example to her brother and thoughtful and thankful and helpful and caring. Mixed in with this are her tantrums-which are improving. She seems to have terrible emotional spells every 4 months, I really need to keep track of how often, where she fights everything and will not listen, and then she will go back to her normal self. So now she is doing better. We are trying a bedtime rule of having 2 cupcake pictures on the wall and if she needs something she can come out of her room and give me the cupcake and ask for something-but when both cupcakes are gone she needs to stay in bed. And I put a clock in her room, so she can come out in the morning when it rings...of course that doesn't mean she never comes out earlier or in the middle of the night, but I can remind her to go back to bed until her alarm rings and I guess it's good conditioning for later years....I'm just not a morning person, so I do need my time to get collected and she likes to get up at 6:30 am. So my goal is to wake up at 6:00 in the morning now so I can mentally prepare for the day. Course I've had this goal for years, but I'm finally going to bed a little earlier, so it may happen. Now I've posted it and can update next month...how's that for motivation....
I was very proud and surprised this morning when Mere went up during fast and testimony meeting at church with her grandma and said both articles of faith clearly and without help (only what's the next one)! She's known them for some time, but to do them clearly in front of others without trying to be goofy is or shy is wonderful! She really is a lot like me I've seen, and I want to have a good relationship with her, but sometimes I struggle when she is all over being loud and wiggly and bouncy when I know she is capable of doing so much better. I guess she will be consistently better behavior over time as she ages-I know she's capable, but channeling her can be challenging. I appreciated this talk in general conference "A sweet and obedient child will enroll a father or mother only in Parenting 101. If you are blessed with a child who tests your patience to the nth degree, you will be enrolled in Parenting 505. Rather than wonder what you might have done wrong in the premortal life to be so deserving, you might consider the more challenging child a blessing and opportunity to become more godlike yourself. With which child will your patience, long-suffering, and other Christlike virtues most likely be tested, developed, and refined? Could it be possible that you need this child as much as this child needs you?" That last sentence hit me. Yes-Mere is refining me, when I respond correctly, to be what I need to become. I need her as much as she needs me.
Glenn is saying new words and getting more independent. He is not quite as cuddly as before, but still enjoys sitting in laps. He and Mere both love animals. He can be quite rough at times while he used to be quiet now talks quiet loudly and he and Mere can get rowdy. Unfortunately they're only a couple pounds different, so he can pin her down. She tends to bounce around and on people and he tends to flatten people. He still loves cars and they both like to dance and spin (someone else spinning them around). Glenn has his good and bad days potty training, but only wears his diapers when going out in the car or at nap time and bedtime-frankly I figure staying dry overnight doesn't matter to me like daytime, and he sometimes is dry in the morning, but without a washer in the home a wet bed is not something I want. At nightime and naptime and in the morning Glenn asks for Mere. So they get along well except for when they both want the same toy. I am so glad they are close like Robert and I were :)
Random thoughts: Saki and I have both been working on our fitness levels this year-off and on, but diligently (which to me means when you have a lapse-no matter how long, gather your strength and try again). As my body ages and knowing others aging too, I really realize that it is so important to follow what the church teaches-taking care of your body, eating healthy foods, eating in moderation, exercising. When we do not take care of ourselves we are not able to serve as we could if we were healthy (I know many conditions are inherited or beyond our control, but even those can be improved with proper treatment of our bodies_. Being a mother with 2 young children exercise (besides the very physical day to day duties) can be a challenge and does require extra commitment, scheduling and effort! But I'm coming to see that not making that effort will bring bigger problems in the future so I might as well start now and keep it up because it is worth the effort. As someone said "one day you just run out of excuses and then you just have to change" Which applies to any area of life, but really I think it delights Satan when we choose to overindulge and damage are health through neglect and misuse and eating unhealthily. He doesn't have a body and loves it when ours are not up to par. And as a side note, loves it when we overindulge on meats which leads to what I consider inhumane treatment of animals as a society-besides poor health.
Saki gets the newspaper from his boss, and sometimes there's some great articles. I know a lot of you have read about BPA and something I didn't know is it is often present in canned foods and drinks (epoxy linings). So if you feel concerned about and would like to avoid BPA cut back on canned foods, microwaving plastics, and avoid recycling #'s 3 & 7. It is interesting to me how amazing the human body is in dealing with germs and foreign chemicals etc of all kinds, but some people are more sensitive than others, and I figure it doesn't hurt to cut back on some things within reason.
On a spiritual note, I have really felt appreciative of being able to serve in the Fijian branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! It is wonderful to be able to see members grow and help each other and you see what effect the good or bad of one small person can do. I love all the branch members and while a tiny branch can be hard Saki and I are learning a lot. I am so grateful to be a member of a church that encompasses all truth. I love having a knowledge that those who died without the gospel and baptism will have a chance to be taught and accept, if they desire it. I am so grateful for a knowledge that all things will work together for our good and that all things have a purpose and an explanation and that life is so tailored to each of us as individuals who God knows and loves. I love the fact that I can have guidance from the church in developing myself, my marriage, my family and serving others. Guidance is clear and practical in a world that is losing it's sense of identity. So many people I know are confused. They know what they want, but they don't know how to get there. The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's restored church, it is filled with imperfect people, but not led by them. It is led by Christ's direction, and in it such peace and joy and freedom from inner turmoil is to be found. I wish all people could share in the joy and knowledge the gospel brings! To any with questions about life and it's' purposes or anything of that sort, feel free to talk to me or your "Mormon" friends or visit www.mormon.org! Who doesn't want to share with their friends the things that bring them the most joy in their lives?
My brother Samuel will be returning from his mission in less than 2 weeks! I am so happy for the service he has rendered to others over the past 2 years as well as my other 2 brothers and my husband and his brother Jay for what they have done to share the "good news"!
I was very proud and surprised this morning when Mere went up during fast and testimony meeting at church with her grandma and said both articles of faith clearly and without help (only what's the next one)! She's known them for some time, but to do them clearly in front of others without trying to be goofy is or shy is wonderful! She really is a lot like me I've seen, and I want to have a good relationship with her, but sometimes I struggle when she is all over being loud and wiggly and bouncy when I know she is capable of doing so much better. I guess she will be consistently better behavior over time as she ages-I know she's capable, but channeling her can be challenging. I appreciated this talk in general conference "A sweet and obedient child will enroll a father or mother only in Parenting 101. If you are blessed with a child who tests your patience to the nth degree, you will be enrolled in Parenting 505. Rather than wonder what you might have done wrong in the premortal life to be so deserving, you might consider the more challenging child a blessing and opportunity to become more godlike yourself. With which child will your patience, long-suffering, and other Christlike virtues most likely be tested, developed, and refined? Could it be possible that you need this child as much as this child needs you?" That last sentence hit me. Yes-Mere is refining me, when I respond correctly, to be what I need to become. I need her as much as she needs me.
Glenn is saying new words and getting more independent. He is not quite as cuddly as before, but still enjoys sitting in laps. He and Mere both love animals. He can be quite rough at times while he used to be quiet now talks quiet loudly and he and Mere can get rowdy. Unfortunately they're only a couple pounds different, so he can pin her down. She tends to bounce around and on people and he tends to flatten people. He still loves cars and they both like to dance and spin (someone else spinning them around). Glenn has his good and bad days potty training, but only wears his diapers when going out in the car or at nap time and bedtime-frankly I figure staying dry overnight doesn't matter to me like daytime, and he sometimes is dry in the morning, but without a washer in the home a wet bed is not something I want. At nightime and naptime and in the morning Glenn asks for Mere. So they get along well except for when they both want the same toy. I am so glad they are close like Robert and I were :)
Random thoughts: Saki and I have both been working on our fitness levels this year-off and on, but diligently (which to me means when you have a lapse-no matter how long, gather your strength and try again). As my body ages and knowing others aging too, I really realize that it is so important to follow what the church teaches-taking care of your body, eating healthy foods, eating in moderation, exercising. When we do not take care of ourselves we are not able to serve as we could if we were healthy (I know many conditions are inherited or beyond our control, but even those can be improved with proper treatment of our bodies_. Being a mother with 2 young children exercise (besides the very physical day to day duties) can be a challenge and does require extra commitment, scheduling and effort! But I'm coming to see that not making that effort will bring bigger problems in the future so I might as well start now and keep it up because it is worth the effort. As someone said "one day you just run out of excuses and then you just have to change" Which applies to any area of life, but really I think it delights Satan when we choose to overindulge and damage are health through neglect and misuse and eating unhealthily. He doesn't have a body and loves it when ours are not up to par. And as a side note, loves it when we overindulge on meats which leads to what I consider inhumane treatment of animals as a society-besides poor health.
Saki gets the newspaper from his boss, and sometimes there's some great articles. I know a lot of you have read about BPA and something I didn't know is it is often present in canned foods and drinks (epoxy linings). So if you feel concerned about and would like to avoid BPA cut back on canned foods, microwaving plastics, and avoid recycling #'s 3 & 7. It is interesting to me how amazing the human body is in dealing with germs and foreign chemicals etc of all kinds, but some people are more sensitive than others, and I figure it doesn't hurt to cut back on some things within reason.
On a spiritual note, I have really felt appreciative of being able to serve in the Fijian branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! It is wonderful to be able to see members grow and help each other and you see what effect the good or bad of one small person can do. I love all the branch members and while a tiny branch can be hard Saki and I are learning a lot. I am so grateful to be a member of a church that encompasses all truth. I love having a knowledge that those who died without the gospel and baptism will have a chance to be taught and accept, if they desire it. I am so grateful for a knowledge that all things will work together for our good and that all things have a purpose and an explanation and that life is so tailored to each of us as individuals who God knows and loves. I love the fact that I can have guidance from the church in developing myself, my marriage, my family and serving others. Guidance is clear and practical in a world that is losing it's sense of identity. So many people I know are confused. They know what they want, but they don't know how to get there. The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's restored church, it is filled with imperfect people, but not led by them. It is led by Christ's direction, and in it such peace and joy and freedom from inner turmoil is to be found. I wish all people could share in the joy and knowledge the gospel brings! To any with questions about life and it's' purposes or anything of that sort, feel free to talk to me or your "Mormon" friends or visit www.mormon.org! Who doesn't want to share with their friends the things that bring them the most joy in their lives?
My brother Samuel will be returning from his mission in less than 2 weeks! I am so happy for the service he has rendered to others over the past 2 years as well as my other 2 brothers and my husband and his brother Jay for what they have done to share the "good news"!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Bula!
Mere likes to make an animal condo out of Glenn's parking garage... Here they are in the tunnel, and below some of Saki's family visited from Fiji in March? and I don't remember if I ever posted the photo! They were in town for a wedding reception in Seattle :) and were very kind-fun to meet more family!
So-It's the 1st Sunday of June! Mere and Glenn have been under the weather, but seem to be improving, so Saki stayed home with them while I went to church. I enjoyed teaching (never thought I would enjoy teaching!) sunday school and relief society! I spoke on charity. I love that charity embraces all aspects of the gospel. When we are filled with charity we have a desire to love and serve those around us and do the Lord's will and less focused on ourselves. I think charity is sometimes hardest to feel for those we feel we know best, because we are quick to judge. Our Prophet Thomas S. Monson quoted Mother Teresa saying that when we judge we have no time to love (paraphrase). I showed a clip of his talk.
"Charity, the Savior’s pure love, is the “highest, noblest, strongest kind of love,” which we “pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart” to possess. Elder Dallin H. Oaks teaches us that charity “is not an act but a condition or state of being [one becomes].” Our day-to-day offerings of charity are “written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; … in [the] fleshy tables of [our] heart[s].” Little by little our charitable acts change our natures, define our characters, and ultimately make us women with the courage and commitment to say to the Lord, “Here am I; send me.” CHARITY: ONE FAMILY, ONE HOME AT A TIME ANNE C. PINGREE
Here's some videos of when Jay's family (Saki's brother) came to visit....and one of Glenn-I need a fitting one of Mere. Once you pull out the camera they act different....
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Photos
Mother's Day Flower Lei's, WA trip (Matt Hoffman's wedding), spontaneous photo op. And, because there is only so much time in life I have decided to make our blog a monthly blog. It will now have a post on the FIRST of each month ONLY so you will know when to check it :)
Glenn didn't want to sit on the couch he wanted to look at the camera, so I tried taking picts with him in my lap.
Mere is at the age where she likes to pose. ..
Saki's Birthday Cake!!!!
Random photos from Robert and Camille-where did you get that gorgeous dress Camille?
Sunday, May 8, 2011
About my Readers
I want to hear from you:
1. What is your favorite thing about your spouse? (if unmarried your immediate family or boyfriend/girlfriend)
2. What setting is the most relaxing for you?
3. Your favorite pie.
4. One of your favorite songs and why.
5. What do you wish you had more time for?
And yes-I had an amazing time at Matt's wedding last week!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but I'm to tired to post photos and write today...
1. What is your favorite thing about your spouse? (if unmarried your immediate family or boyfriend/girlfriend)
2. What setting is the most relaxing for you?
3. Your favorite pie.
4. One of your favorite songs and why.
5. What do you wish you had more time for?
And yes-I had an amazing time at Matt's wedding last week!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but I'm to tired to post photos and write today...
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Happy Easter!
Well...Saki and the kids are sick, so our Easter wasn't what I had hoped, but I really enjoyed 3 quiet hours or church today :) Most of all these last two weeks before Easter I was grateful for some time I was able to take to study Passover and Easter and the fulfillment of many of the promises the Savior made to his people! I enjoyed a Seder plate with Saki on Passover and we discussed some of the things I had learned about Christ. I am always amazed and the precision and foresight in all our Father undertakes to do. It is beautiful to see how covenants and promises were made in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament and beyond, and it always brings tears to me when I see how many times we have been taught and told things and yet like some of the Jews during Christ's time we are still blinded by our own pride and weaknesses and are unable to see the Lord's hand and doings in our lives and others. I know that Christ did come to earth and atone for our sins. I know He was resurrected that all might be resurrected. I am grateful that God fulfills the covenants with his people and continues to speak with all people today through prophets and apostles! What I love most about the gospel is that it encompasses ALL people. It is not a select few who can be saved it is ALL who ever have lived, now live, and ever will live. ALL of God's children at some point in time (or multiple :) can CHOOSE if they want to return to live with Heavenly Father, be like Him and enjoy all the wonderful blessings of exaltation! God loves EVERY child of his. The only question is how much do we love Him?
"No words in Christendom mean more to me than those spoken by the angel to the weeping Mary Magdalene and the other Mary as they approached the tomb to care for the body of their Lord: “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen” (Luke 24:5–6).
With this pronouncement, those who have lived and died, those who now live and one day will die, and those yet to be born and yet to die had just been rescued.
As the result of Christ’s victory over the grave, we shall all be resurrected. This is the redemption of the soul. Paul wrote:
“There are … celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
“There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
“So also is the resurrection of the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:40–42).
It is the celestial glory that we seek. It is in the presence of God that we desire to dwell. It is a forever family in which we want membership.
Of Him who delivered each of us from endless death, I testify He is a teacher of truth—but He is more than a teacher. He is the exemplar of the perfect life—but He is more than an exemplar. He is the great physician—but He is more than a physician. He is the literal Savior of the world, the Son of God, the Prince of Peace, the Holy One of Israel, even the risen Lord, who declared, “I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:4).
“Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: ‘I know that my Redeemer lives!’”
Of this I testify." President Thomas S. Monson
"No words in Christendom mean more to me than those spoken by the angel to the weeping Mary Magdalene and the other Mary as they approached the tomb to care for the body of their Lord: “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen” (Luke 24:5–6).
With this pronouncement, those who have lived and died, those who now live and one day will die, and those yet to be born and yet to die had just been rescued.
As the result of Christ’s victory over the grave, we shall all be resurrected. This is the redemption of the soul. Paul wrote:
“There are … celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
“There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
“So also is the resurrection of the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:40–42).
It is the celestial glory that we seek. It is in the presence of God that we desire to dwell. It is a forever family in which we want membership.
Of Him who delivered each of us from endless death, I testify He is a teacher of truth—but He is more than a teacher. He is the exemplar of the perfect life—but He is more than an exemplar. He is the great physician—but He is more than a physician. He is the literal Savior of the world, the Son of God, the Prince of Peace, the Holy One of Israel, even the risen Lord, who declared, “I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:4).
“Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: ‘I know that my Redeemer lives!’”
Of this I testify." President Thomas S. Monson
Monday, April 18, 2011
Family Visit
Uncle Jay, Aunt Cara and family came for a visit this past week. We enjoyed the time we were able to spend with them and wish that Saki didn't have to work so we could've spent more time...
Noah is now 10 years old! We had an early birthday party for him and he was excited to get Legos! Noah is a kind boy who is is constantly concerned about those around them. He loves baseball, basketball, and playing legos.
Josh is a imaginative, easy going boy who likes to make people laugh. He likes to talk to himself while he plays, which Saki used to do too :)
Emma is really growing, she is tall with beautiful curls. She has made a lot of progress despite her health problems and enjoyed playing with her cousins and talks a fair amount. She is almost a year older than Mere.
Rachel was a little shy at first, but likes to talk and play. She is just a little older than Glenn.
Unfortunately I didn't take many photos...
Noah is now 10 years old! We had an early birthday party for him and he was excited to get Legos! Noah is a kind boy who is is constantly concerned about those around them. He loves baseball, basketball, and playing legos.
Josh is a imaginative, easy going boy who likes to make people laugh. He likes to talk to himself while he plays, which Saki used to do too :)
Emma is really growing, she is tall with beautiful curls. She has made a lot of progress despite her health problems and enjoyed playing with her cousins and talks a fair amount. She is almost a year older than Mere.
Rachel was a little shy at first, but likes to talk and play. She is just a little older than Glenn.
Unfortunately I didn't take many photos...
Noah and Aunty Asena
At the park...
At the park...
Paper Easter basket (Mere helped weave it)
"Goldfish"
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