The SAHM life...

No one has been more excited about me being a stay at home Mom than my son.

Every day he woke and I was still sleeping next to him, he'd ask,

"you stay home with me Mom? No work?"

When I'd tell him yes, he'd start to giggle.

That in itself has made the decision worth it.

The last three weeks have been busy, busy, busy.

We went to Utah to see my family right away because I was so homesick for them.

The time spent there only confirmed how much I want to live closer to my family.

My son had such a blast being with his cousins, but it's very obvious he's an only child.

I know he enjoyed having kids to play with daily.

My feelings about my parents getting old and needing as much help from

their children as possible was right on.

I was thankful to be there with them and see for myself what I

had suspected to be true.

My son has been out of diapers now for almost the entire 3 weeks.

We've had some mishaps, but mostly it's been going very well.

He's a very smart kid and I think once he understood that I wasn't 

going to put a diaper on him again, he knew his choices were limited.

He's gotten comfortable enough to tell others to take him to the

bathroom, if I'm not there.  

I know seeing all his cousins use the bathroom was a huge help too.

I'm so thankful he picked it up so fast.

Now that I can cross potty training off my list...

we'll move on to the many other things I've wanted to have accomplished for my family.

It's been wonderful so far and I'm enjoying every minute of it.

Change is a comin'...

I know change is inevitable.

You can't really LIVE life without changes taking place, 

if you did,it probably wouldn't be much of one.

I tell myself this everytime, because I hate change.

I just do.

With me; change = goodbyes

I suck at goodbyes...and when something changes,

it means something old is replaced to make room for something new.

Why change?

Especially when you THINK your life is in a good place all the way around.

 Why the sudden urgency to do something different?

But it never fails...I get this ants in my pants kinda feeling and I know...

Something needs to change.

And here we are...at it again.

Next week will be my last week of work.

The last time I didn't work, I was 14 and in middle school.

I don't know life without a 9 to 5 job.

But, I also didn't know how working after having my son would affect me.

Graciously, the Lord has blessed us in a way that I can stay home.

My husband is willing to work and do whatever it takes so that I can raise our children.

We hope to have more.

I hope this gives me more time to FOCUS on taking care of my health.

Spending time together as a family.

Home is where my heart is always, 

no matter where I'm at in my day.

Because my greatest treasures await there.

For me to make time, real quality time...

to love, teach, learn, vacuum, potty train, sew buttons, 

and kiss boo boo's, and facilitate time outs, appreciate, 

cook, pray, read, share meals, love some more and...

Just BE home.

So change and I have a truce, and understanding, if you will.

It's gonna be a part of my life.

Whether I like it or not.

And more often than not, the change is needed.

"Because she is a Mother" by Jeffrey R. Holland

This is one of my favorite talks of all time.  

I loved it when I first heard it at 18 years old,

 single,

no prospect of marriage,

 and no children,

yet knowing in my heart that the most important work 

I'll ever do in my life will be as a mother. 

I dedicate it to ALL who are Mother's in their hearts. 

To the mother's who have loved me so unconditionally 

throughout my life...

Grandma Petesi, Sesikuana Tafuna, all my aunties that raised me...

Thank you is not sufficient.

To know that you CHOSE to love and have me as part of your family 

is a miracle I realize every time I am with you and I can feel in my soul 

that THIS family is where I belong.

To my sisters, Olotomu, Penina, Lisia, Lata and Kanga,

you're ability to love and teach your children astounds me.

Thank you for being such amazing examples...

To the sweetest mother in law on the planet...

Elisa Fai'ana Faeamani

Malo ho si'i 'ofa 'ia au mo 'eku ki'i famili...

To every wonderful women in my life near and far...

I have learned motherhood from you.

Whether you have a child of your own or not.

You are simply the best.

Happy Mother's Day!

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!