Loved this...she ROCKS!

My joy...

My hubby tells the story best.
He does it with a sweetness and love in his eyes 

that only our son can bring out in him.
It's no secret Famani si'i has been the joy of our lives

since the moment we knew he was coming.

Yesterday was no exception.

After having a particularly difficult day at work, we ran some errands and came home.
Usually my haven, this day only carried with it unnecessary drama.
In need of a nap, I made a b-line for the bed.  
Couldn't be bothered to pull up the covers, just needed to escape to dreamland.
So I did.

When I woke up, two blankets belonging to my son were on me.
One covering the lower half of my body and one pulled up

around my shoulders and tucked under my back.

I'm confused, Hubby explains;
Our son was watching his Yo Gabba Gabba show.  
Saw me sleeping with no covers.
He knew it was cold, so without being told 

went to his bed, grabbed his blankets and put them on me.
Then he climbed up on my bed, pulled one blanket over my shoulders 

and tucked it behind my back...and gave me kiss.  
He looked at me, said I love you Mom, and gave me another kiss...

and went back to his show.

Can I just say that I love him?
If that isn't joy, then I don't know what is.  

Family...

Last weekend our family got together to celebrate my nephew turning one.

Mafile'o Finau Tafuna Jr. is special for so many reasons.

He's named after my Dad.

He's the son of our one and only brother.

He's just the most adorable little boy ever.

His birthday party was AWESOME.

His Mom's side came from out of state,

and our family and friends came from near and far.

We celebrated, we smiled, we cried and we had a blast!

Kanga chose a Willy Wonka theme...

so we went Candy Crazy.

I had so much fun making decorations

and was surprised to discover a new talent.

Everything was colorful and FUN!

The kids all got the red carpet treatment.

The parents enjoyed themselves too.

There were a couple of things that made this day extra special for me.

Seeing my brother and his wife 

so full of joy and pride for their beautiful son. 

And seeing my parents truly enjoy themselves at their grandchild's birthday.

They weren't stressed out...

they didn't have to worry about anything...

they just got to sit back and celebrate.

There were so many times I turned to find them just soaking in the moment...

And I will never forget the smile on their faces.

We love you Baby Mafile'o!

You are an absolute joy to our family.

Uplifted...

Can I just say that General Conference is one of my favorite times of the year.  It has become like a Holiday in our family, but this one we celebrate twice a year.  How awesome is that!  I can't even put into words how much I enjoyed this past weekend.  Listening and learning from men and women who speak with the Spirit of God is truly a remarkable blessing.  I feel so invigorated and ready to take on the world.  Our family has been uplifted in so many ways.  Our love for each other has grown in the past two days.  Our appreciation of one another and the roles we have in our family have been more defined and we've made a commitment to support each other in becoming the person our Father in Heaven wants us to be.  

I've always enjoyed listening to the leaders words, but this time around was different for me.  I don't know what it was.  It felt more like Heavenly Father really wanted me to know that he loves me...just as I am, imperfections and shortcomings and bad days and especially in the moments I forget Him.  He's is absolutely aware of me and my truest desires; our little family and the goals we talk about and the hopes for each other that we don't discuss, but plan and pray for in our hearts. I also feel for the first time in a long time like He is proud of me.  Not because I'm exactly who He's intended me to be, but I'm trying to stay on the right path.  I'm working towards it and I know one million percent that He and my Savior are behind me...I hope everyone felt that way.  

I'm seriously giddy, this must be what it feels like to be delighted in the Gospel.  And I am so ready to conquer anything, starting with myself and my little family.  

This year just keeps getting more and more amazing!