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!

A reason for all things...

10 years ago in March, I miscarried.  My child's due date was going to be August 7, 2001...no matter how hard I try, I revisit this experience each year.  Like the anniversary of a death in the family.  I know wonderful people who've given birth to a child that is stillborn or lose a child and I think, my pain is nothing compared to theirs.  I can't even fathom the heartbreak of having a child and then losing them.  It's a different kind of heartache, but it is pain nonetheless.  Many people may not agree and think how can I even compare the two, but for me, this miscarriage was the loss of an "actual" child.  It was our family's first pregnancy.  My hubby was ecstatic.  I felt like I hit a milestone of being and becoming a woman and could not wait to be a mother.  We talked about hearing footsteps around the house that weren't ours and noises and laughter that can only be made and filled in a home by a child.  We spent nights planning and dreaming of the kind of future we wanted to give our child and the changes to our every day life.  And then it was gone.  

Last night I found this journal entry...I'm sharing it only in parts...so it may not make sense, but I still feel compelled to share it...

I can't get the stupid bathroom floor out of my head, covered in red...the pain in my body that felt like someone had cut me in half with a knife at the waist and was twisting and pulling at my insides...the most excruciating pain I've ever felt in my entire life; emotionally and physically...looking at what would have been our child if I had been able to accomplish what as a woman I should be able to do.  My body has betrayed me...I loathe myself and I'm sure when Siona finds out, he will too...I can rinse away the blood, but not the memory and self disgust...I need to escape...There's gotta be a reason this has happened to us.  Please...let there be a reason.

Since this entry, I've had Famani si'i and another miscarriage April of last year. Granted the one in April I was only a couple wks along didn't know I was pregnant until I went to the hospital for the cramping and excessive blood loss, but as I said there's still pain.  I'm waiting for the aching to eventually disappear when I revisit these experiences in my head.  Every now and again as I go about my day, I can't help but think I could be walking around with three kids instead of one...

And then I catch myself...
 
I have ONE.  I lost two, but I have one.  One special, beautiful, healthy child of God is in our family and home and he is OURS.  This doesn't make me more blessed or more fortunate than others who are STILL struggling to have a child of their own, but it is a blessing.  The feeling I have at the end of it all is gratitude, plentiful and overflowing.  And this is the lesson I've learned.  Be grateful for all that you have received; the good, the bad and ugly.  It may be less than others have, and in some cases it's more.  But it's yours... extended by a most loving Heavenly Father to you for a reason.  The gift is there if you choose to see it...and I promise, as you endure it, your cup will run over.           

Thank you for reminding me...

I watched as she smashed each of the framed certificates given to her by the most important people in her life. 

There was the one from her best friend thanking her for being a great listener and helping her through a particularly difficult
time.  It was then that they both knew they'd be friends for life. 

Crash, went the ones from her students awarding her for excellence in teaching.  
They said she had a way of making even the most mundane of topics fascinating. 

There were some that when they slammed to the ground were accompanied by wails of torment. 

Her husband applauded her for her efforts as a wife and mother and her dedication to making their house a home. 

The ones from her children simply stated they could not be the people they were today without her.  

Crack,  went the frame from her siblings that said they couldn't have asked for a better sister. 

It was in these moments...I had to turn away. 

As the room stood littered in debris of glass and torn paper,  her attention shifted to the other wall.

It was covered ceiling to floor in all of her failures.  
Each in seemingly unbreakable steel frames.  
A reminder of all the things she couldn't complete.  
All the unfinished goals recorded in meticulous penmanship.  
Some of which she couldn't even recall making, but nevertheless, 
undone and unaccomplished.

What happened next can only be described as God's grace. 

As she stood mesmerized by her failures a line began to form at the door.   
It wrapped around the hall and down the stairs
and stretched out her front door.  
Leading the way were her husband and children, parents and siblings.  
One by one carrying a new certificate in odd sizes and various colored frames.  
Quietly they nailed each certificate to the wall
stating the original reason it was presented to her and made their way out. 

Her husband stood watch, exchanging hugs and thank you's with those who came. 

Her Father was the last to go.  
He ran his fingers along her wall of accomplishments with tears in His eyes. 

He paused for a moment at the frame He had put up and sighed. 

Before exiting the doors, He suddenly turned and made eye contact with me.  
I felt embarrassed that He had seen me.  
But His reaction was not one of anger.  
He merely nodded in recognition and gave me a smile that ensured me
everything would be okay.  
And I knew that she would be fine. 

My heart felt light again.  
I wanted to witness as she saw the miracle of what her loved ones had done for her, but I knew there was no need.  


As I turned to walk away, I came face to face with her wall of failures.  
Failed to finish school, failed to lose twenty pounds, failed twice to complete a pregnancy, failed to go to church today, failed to say family prayer, failed to save money this paycheck, failed as a parent, failed as a wife.  
I was overwhelmed. 

No wonder she couldn't peel her eyes away from this wall.  
I looked around for her with a sudden urgency to pull her away from all the grief and failure.  
But she was no where to be found.  

I turned to the other wall.  
Her wall of accomplishments.  
It was filled only a fraction of the way in comparison to the other side.  

I drew closer, compelled to know her name.  
I would seek her out and tell her what I saw... 
remind her of the goodness and love she had so abundantly in her life. 

 I was surprised to find that each certificate except for one, was presented to a title rather than a name.  
I searched endlessly until my eyes rested on the one that had it. 
The title on this one is what was listed on all the others as the person the certificate was presented to.   
I began to read it anxious to know her name. 

I realized as I read, that this was the frame her Father attached. 

It stated...

"This genuine certificate declares that YOU are A Child of God."  
"May it help you to always remember who you are. "

Presented to_____? 

The name was mine. 

Distracted...

Oh bloggity blog world...

I'd like to say that I've been so busy enjoying and living my life that I've had absolutely no time to write/type on here, but it's not true...

I've been avoiding you, on purpose...

I love blogging...er rather I love READING other people's blogs.  

I think I spend more time reading people's blogs more than anything.  

I'm one of those people that has to start from the very beginning, just like a book or a movie.  

I hate coming in halfway through it and then missing the inside jokes/comments that refer to the beginning...it's one of my many quirks.  

Anyhoot...I am LOVING the food and craft blogs.  

I could never actually start one of my own...but I am a great at following directions.

  And it still amazes me when a recipe/craft turns out exactly as it should by following simple directions...and I mean I follow them to a T.  

This whole cook for 16-19 minutes thing doesn't work for...I cook for 16 mins if it isn't cooked, I check again at minute 19.  

I have issues, I know.  

In reading all these blogs, I can tell they are created from people who really LOVE what they are doing and I am soooo LOVING that fact and enjoy reading ALL of them.  

I'm now wondering if there is a limit to the amount of blogs you can follow?  Hmmmm?  

Don't get me wrong, I've come across some blogs that are TMI if you ask me...

and some that are just...well...you wanna stand up and applaud because they've stopped writing...LOL...just being honest folks.  

Check out the blogs I follow and see for yourself.  

If you know of any good blogs to read, let me know.  

On another note...

I am thinking of renaming my blog...but don't know what yet...

as much as I love my Faeamani3, this blog has been more of me than the 3 of us.  

Let's face it, my hubby will probably never post on here and my 3 year old...well...he may just be better at this than me at age 5...ya never can tell with children these days, they are too smart for their own good sometimes.  :)  

Ah well...never mind that now...

I'm off to find another blog to follow

And read about their story from the very beginning

(this is how I'm sticking it to the man who doesn't allow books at our desk because he doesn't "pay us to read," he says...yeah you do pal...yeah you do : P )  

Have a great day friends.