An assortment of thoughts

Camille (who married my brother Robert) was induced last night, and as far as I've heard all is well, two little girls!!!

Hmm, this says something about my family-I'm sure everyone will interpret these differently, but I had to laugh...




We are going to Saki's cousin's wedding tonight and will be back after the weekend. I'm sorry to people I haven't had a chance to email-thanks mom for the ice block!!!

I am now almost 4 months pregnant and doing well so far. . . Mere had her 1 yr apt and weighs just over 20lbs and is 28 inches, so no forward facing carseat for awhile...

Saki and I watched the movie "Fireproof" last night-it was CLEAN!!! It was actually a pretty moving christian movie done about marriage, quite refreshing to see topics addressed in a sensitive manner and to see media that promotes positive values! Kudos to the directors who stood for something in a world that constantly pushes immorality! I would suggest putting it on your to see list if you're a movie watcher. Saki and I were both touched.

Our Christmas and New Years

Gorgeous Christmas dress from my mom! (I love green and two tone taffeta's)



Thank you Robert and Camille!!!

Thank you Thomas and Samuel!


Apron for my future cook:)

I'd been eyeing this at the store so I was excited when my mom got it!!!

My brother Robert gets creative wrapping his gifts-a mess kit for Saki :)

Mere and the cat enjoyed the crinkly wrapping paper.

After one chocolate she tried to eat any she saw, wrappers and all!






Here's some belated photos of our Christmas celebration. We are so excited for the New Year as this last year has been a difficult one in many ways. I just want to say how proud I am of Saki for sticking to a difficult work situation and working so hard for Mere and myself. He is excelling in his online classes and is so willing to help out around the house and with Mere despite the many other things he needs or wants to do.

We are both extremely thankful to belong to the Lord's church in these latter-days. We both have testimonies that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church on the face of the earth. We have friends of many faiths and are happy that there are many good religious people around the world and hope they all one day are able to participate in the blessings the restored church has to offer! We are thankful for the opportunity to pay tithing, and we know that we have been blessed financially so many times this year, when we were at our wits end the Lord has made ends meet and I am sure this is in part due to our faithful payment of tithes and offerings and a diligent effort to keep the Sabbath day holy. We are so grateful for the abundance of blessings we have received this past year in conjunction with our trials and look for another year where we can make a fuller effort to serve our Heavenly Father with all our "might, mind, and strength!" We encourage all who read this blog to teach their children to love the Lord and follow His commandments, for there is nothing of greater value to your children in the present or future!

Brooke's Wedding

Well Brooke, I hope I don't upstage your nice photos but I know Michelle, Steph, and Lori will be thrilled to see these. . . Here's the the beautiful chapel the reception was held at-a gorgeous area, I wish we lived there...

centerpeices

backdrop

I love how they did the soup and sides in the center of the room-this photo does not do it justice!

lights strung above. . .

A little candy shop where guests can make their little take away bags--cool idea!

Brooke looked gorgeous-you can tell her favorite color can't you :)

Brennan really seems like a good pick! Friendly, kind and I'm so excited for them!

Saki and I went up the day before and went to the temple-I watched Mere while he went and he watched her while I went and who showed up but Brooke and Brennan taking their photos there, the day before the wedding--so we got to trail around and watch! Brooke I am so grateful that you and Brennan could start your family sealed for time and all eternity! I hope you continue to attend the temple together often (it helps you work there:)...lots of love and keep us all updated!

New Year's Eve we went to bed pretty early, and New Year's Day we had breakfast out and went grocery shopping as a family-I've love when Saki has time off!

Computer fiasco and first birthday

Yes, we now have 2 computers and are online again!!!

Didn't know what to think of the cupcake or us singing, but she inhaled the ice cream!









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In Fiji the first and twenty first birthdays are the most celebrated. The first because the child has lived through infancy and grow so much and the 21'st because that's when you're considered an adult. You are given a large key to symbolize being able to make your own decisions.

Traditionally at the first birthday the aunt cuts the child's hair for the first time. Unfortunately we were unable to be with either of our families at Christmas time so Mere had a very low key birthday, but we did a photo shoot of her in the fijian jamba (pronounced chamba, a long top with a skirt underneath) and had cake and ice cream. As you can see we had a hard time getting her to stand or hold still. . .

So, desperate for our newly fixed computer we drove about 3 hours thursday evening to meet Saki's friend who so kindly fixed my laptop AND gave us another computer. On the way home Saki asked if I had kept the power cord, I said no-we gave it to him with the computer-we decided at least we could hook up the other computer and Saki could complete his homework due that night. We got home and realized that the mouse and keyboard did not plug in! It was the wrong kind of plug for the computer tower we had!!! All we could do is laugh. So Friday night we went halfway and met up with these our friends again and they brought the correct cords and now we have two computers!!! Such a blessing, as mine is really getting dated. . .

Still down

Hello everyone, sorry we still don't have a computer so we can't put up photos or write often, as Mere only sits nicely so long at the library-but we're thinking of all of you and missing seeing updates on your blogs too. Happy New Year!!! We should be online again sometime next week-thanks for your patience!