30 Days of Gratitude

"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms." - Psalms 95:2

 

 

I didn't participate in the daily posts of the 30 days of gratitude that some of my family and friends posted on social networks only because I know that I wouldn't keep up with all of the posts. So instead, I found it a great opportunity to blog a little since it's been a while. There are certainly more than 30 things which I am indebted to the Lord and am grateful for, but for sake of time and effort, I'll try to keep it simple and add some visual entertainment.

 

1. I am grateful for a merciful and loving Heavenly Father who continues to bless me each day with life and an opportunity to better myself.

 

2. I am grateful for Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. I mess up daily, but because of Him, I can be forgiven and try again.

 

3. I am grateful for Holy Temples which allow me to grow and learn about God's eternal plan, to serve those who can't help themselves and most importantly, where I can escape the outside world to feel His presence and receive direction for my own personal life.

4. I am grateful for eternal families. There's no greater feeling than to know that when I lose a loved one in this life, the Lord has made a way for me to be reunited with them in the after life for ALL TIME & ETERNITY. Death is not the end, but the doorway to the next step! :)

 

5. I am grateful for a humble and wise father. I have never been a daddy's girl (and I'm ok with that), but there are so many times when I condemn myself for not fully appreciating the priesthood holder in my home. He is giving, loving and most importantly a God-fearing man who has been such a blessing in my life.

 

6. I am grateful for my crazy mother who has trained me to be just like her! haha. There is no denying that and I am learning to embrace that concept daily. She is loud and hohaa, but she is one of the most giving persons I know who always gives 110% of her talents and time. I hope I will live up to those traits as I grow older!

 

7. I am grateful for my sister; Every girl should have a sister! I am grateful for a sister who is my total opposite. Together, we are a complete package. We've always been close and I have no doubt that our kids will be just as close (one day).

 

8. I'm grateful for my niece who in just a matter of 2 months has softened my heart and consumed my thoughts. She is a perfect little being who is by all means spoiled (especially by her papa), but I wouldn't trade her for the world.

 

9. I am grateful for my brothers. They are huge, annoying (most of the time), hilarious and awesome all in one. They are wonderful people outside and in and I am fortunate that they've put up with me all these years.

 

10. I am grateful for my maternal grandmother. She is my only living grandparent and she has taught me more than I could ever share. I pray that she'll live to see all of her great-grandchildren born and witness them grow too.

 

11. I am grateful for extended family members who have been such a joy to grow up with and to make so many memories with over the years. I will always cherish those memories.

 

12. I am grateful for amazing friends. I don't know how I was blessed with such wonderful people in my life, but I try to show them how much they mean to me and how much I appreciate their influences in my life. They will never fully understand the positive impact they've made on me.

 

13. I am grateful for television because that is my hobby...I watch entirely too many tv shows.

 

14. I am grateful for technology because my phone helps me communicate with family all across the globe via phone, text, e-mails and social networks. Lack of Communication is the root of all problems!!

 

15. I am grateful for motor vehicles that get me from point A to point B. I couldn't imagine trekking across the plains like pioneers of old. More power to them!

 

16. I am grateful for modern medicine. I don't get sick very often and I hate poppin' pills, but I am grateful that when and if I am ill, I can easily run to the pharmacy or doctor's to get checked and obtain the necessary meds to help me recover quickly.

 

17. I am grateful for food. I don't like a variety of food, but the ones I do love I can never get enough of. I am spoiled here in America with easy access to food!

 

18. I am grateful for music. I am not a great singer, but I have great ears for listening. If there were any talent I could ask for, it'd definitely be singing.

 

19. I am grateful for sports. I'm not the most coordinated person, but I have a passion for playing and watching volleyball and basketball. I always enjoy supporting my brothers/cousins/nephews who play football. Sports are definitely a great way to stay in shape, socialize and work in a team-environment.

 

20. I am grateful for airplanes. I love to travel and am not a fan of road trips. Therefore, I am grateful for planes that can get me to my destinations with ease...gotta give thanks to the pilots who fly those planes :)

 

21. I am grateful for high heels. Those babies aren't always the most comfortable, but they add a few inches and there are plenty of beautiful ones out there that are just too cute to pass up. :)

22. I am grateful for eyeliner and mascara. Those are two items that really help a girl not look so amohe (like you just woke up). haha. I don't like to use too much makeup but I do appreciate eye makeup.

23. I am grateful to live in America, but especially in the great state of Texas. We are some prideful people, but we have good reason to be proud of our state. yeehaw!

24. I am grateful I grew up with both sets of grandparents. The fact that they didn't know how to speak English was such a blessing because I was able to learn Tongan and so much about our culture and customs. The Tongan culture can be a bit overwhelming, but when done correctly, it is such a beautiful thing to witness!

25. I am grateful for educational institutions and opportunities. I am actually a big believer in that a diploma doesn't define a man, but I am also a big believer in the 'Knowledge is Power' concept. So whichever university you choose (home, school or world), learn as much as you can there. You'll be a better person because of it.

26. I am grateful for brave men who attempt to capture my heart. I've met a lot of great guys and
although things haven't always worked out the way I wanted them to, I have learned a lot about myself and what I'm looking for in an eternal companion. If you're out there...I'm waiting! haha

27. I am grateful for massages and spa's. I may be a little rough around the edges but I am a total girly-girl when it comes to getting pampered. I will gladly take a massage/spa day at anytime.

28.I am grateful for the beauty of the Earth. Although I'm not the biggest nature freak, I still appreciate all of Heavenly Father's beautiful creations.

29. I am grateful for challenges and roadblocks because each obstacle is a learning opportunity which pushes me to my limits. I am a determined individual and I don't like when people underestimate or doubt my abilities. I only use it as ammunition to fire through

30. Last, but certainly not least, I am grateful for the Holidays. I understand that these are things we should do daily and not just on a set-apart day, but we're human and we get caught up with the world and our individual lives. I am grateful for great reminders, such as these, they help me evaluate myself and my life.

I have so much to be thankful for and I only pray that I can do a better job of remembering to be thankful for all that I'm blessed with. Happy holidays everyone!
 

Blessing From Above

Pakileata Malia Tavo

It's amazing how such a small being can be so captivating. On Wednesday, September 25, 2013, the woman to the right was admitted to Arlington Memorial Hospital just before 9:00 p.m. per doctor's order. Delilah (Vaitai) Tavo was already 5 days overdue and more than ready to hold her precious baby girl.

Doctors and nurses monitored both mommy and baby over night before inducing Delilah early Thursday morning. The contractions came rushing in and the mother-to-be could barely handle the excruciating pain. Hourly updates were pretty slow...1 cm...3 cm...3 cm...3 cm...4 cm...stop. Baby girl was obviously not cooperating and Delilah just couldn't bare the pain. 

Nurses administered the epidural shot at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2013 and the effects were almost instantaneous; Delilah was finally able to relax and close her eyes. Nurses continued to monitor both mommy and baby and were concerned with baby girl's heart rate as machines indicated it was dropping below normal levels. It was then determined that a cesarean was required for baby's health and safety.

Shortly after 9:00 p.m. that same evening, doctor's rolled Delilah into the Operating Room with her husband, Leonato Tavo, Jr., by her side. Doctor's prepped Delilah for surgery and at 9:42 p.m., this precious angel was delivered safe and sound - 9 pounds, 1.9 ounces and 20 inches long.

Nurses couldn't believe how wide-eyed and alert she was. Needless to say, homegirl was up all night being nosy...new surrounding and new people all around. I can already tell she's going to be a smart one!

Leonato's family named this sweet angel, Pakileata Malia Tavo. She is absolutely perfect in every way and immediately had both families wrapped around her tiny little fingers.

I believe time is required to really let all her features settle in, but there's no doubt she is a daddy's girl. She has a lot of his features and they're obviously sleeping twins as you can tell by the picture to the right. haha.

She's only a week old but she sure knows how to be a boss. The picture to the left was one of her 3:30 a.m. feedings...she didn't even cry and yet all of her maternal grandparents were up. Must be nice to be so powerful at a young age.

Everyone warned me that Pakileata would steal my heart instantly and I tried my best to avoid it, but it was obviously an inevitable battle. I am truly amazed with Heavenly Father's perfect creation and I'm glad I get to call her my very own. 

Here are some pictures from her first week of life...I love you Pakileata!

Year's with Grandma Joyce

What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies. ~ Rudolph Giuliani

I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who blessed me with an amazing maternal grandmother: Mele Siosiani (Joyce) Mo'ungaloa. This woman has always been a strength to me. 

I still remember the first time she came to our home in July 1997. I was 11-years old and having grown up with my paternal grandmother, I always thought grandma's were quiet, nice and relaxed. I was sadly mistaken. This grandmother was loud, mean and always bugging us to do stuff around the house. I can remember complaining to my mom how her mother was so loud and mean. Of course, my mom told grandma Joyce what I said which led to a lecture from grandma that it was her job to grill us kids. She emphasized that her voice is no different from our mothers and that as a mother (figure), it was their duty to teach us all we needed to know in life. That was different from my paternal grandmother who stood as a representative of my quiet and humble father. 

As a teenager, I would grunt and kick because of the extra work grandma Joyce would give me or the constant noise her lecturing would make in our house, but as I've grown over the years and witnessed firsthand the product of her constant nagging, I am eternally grateful for all of her teachings and stories growing up.

Mostly, I'm grateful that I could learn about the Tongan culture from her. She helped me to learn the language, the traditions and the customs which undoubtedly distinguish and isolate Tongans from the other Polynesian cultures: respect, love, service, selflessness and loyalty.

She's taught my mom and us grandchildren, how to work hard and to give our best to others; especially to our husband/father's family. Even after my grandfather passed away, she's still been focused on doing her best to serve his family to the best of her ability. She's been a true example of this principle. I'm grateful this is also a trait that my mom has inherited. I've witnessed her hard work,  sweat and tears over my father's family and I'm grateful for the examples she's set for my sister and I.

My grandmother has great faith in an all-knowing God. I've watched her over the years begin and end her days with scripture reading and prayer. I wish I were as diligent in my studying and prayers. In the last several years, that is all she has cared about: her faith and church activities. She's declared that the remainder of her life will be focused solely on God and perfecting herself.

I know it'd be foolish of me to think that my grandmother will live forever. I know God's plan and understand that she's only here temporarily. I will always cherish every memory I have with her and pray that we can make many more with her. This year we celebrated her 77th birthday together ... Enjoy the video below of her birthday song. Ofa atu!

Pearl Party

A new baby is like the beginning of all things-wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities. -Eda J. Le Shan

 

After months of planning, I can finally breathe! In preparation for the first grandchild in our family, Pakileata M. Tavo, a baby shower was thrown for my sister and her husband (Delilah and Jr Tavo). Before I get into the details of the shower, I hate to admit that all the talk of this unborn child taking over our lives is absolutely true in every way. (Deep Sigh) I really didn't want to believe or admit it, but the baby shower alone proved otherwise.

Family, friends and coworkers attended the 3-hour event held at our chapel (gotta love free air-conditioned venues). It was a pearl-themed party with the usual pink and white decor. Special thanks to Nala Ahau on the decorating ideas and to the setup crew Friday night for helping us get an early jumpstart: Nala Ahau, Peti Hafoka, Ella (Moe) Vaitai, Tina Liu, Teli Toafa, Mele Piutau and the kids (Saia, Malini, Tiulipe, Lucas and Viliami Alipate).

Food

 

There has been so much going on in the last few months that we really just wanted to make this as simplistic but fitting for the mommy-to-be as possible. Therefore, after some hair- and teeth-pulling (not literally), Lola (mom) and I were finally able to agree on a menu. We'd like to thank all of those who assisted with the menu and especially to those who offered to help. I hope I get the same offers when it's my time. haha.

• Meat/vegetables (gma & gpa Vaitai)
• Potatoes (Lile Finau & Tina Liu)
• Shrimp (Aisea & Emeline Maile)
• Fruits (Angie Vaitai & Seini Mila)
• Quiche (Auntie Rona, Natasha & Nazanin)
• Pinwheels (Mele Piutau & Hevaha Niupalau)
• Cupcakes (Nala Ahau)
• Pineapple Pie (Maele & Kafaika Wolfgramm)
• Cream Puffs (Crystal Vake)
• Ice (Tania Galeai)

This shower was certainly a group effort and I appreciate everyone who put up with all my nagging and hounding since we found out the sex of the baby. She will be spoiled, but let's pray she isn't a brat.

Games

I will be the first to admit that I am not particularly fond of games at baby showers. In fact, I try to avoid them at all costs in fear of total embarrassment. But like my cousin Lillian Haisila Dzurenko said, "what's more fun than public humiliation at family functions?" LoL. Therefore, a big THANK YOU to all those who participated in our games: catch the pacifier, baby song and baby (onesie) modeling. Unfortunately, I don't have a video of the first game (catch the pacifier), but I have a video of the sing off between the two best baby songs and the runway modeling competitors as well. Hope you enjoy watching just as much as we enjoyed playing!

 

Gifts

 

We don't know what we did to deserve so much love and help from everyone, but this new bundle of joy better realize how blessed she is to have so many caring folks in her life. Mommy & daddy have unpacked and are ready to setup for her arrival. In a few short weeks, we'll be welcoming her to this mortal life...unless she decides to come earlier. haha.

 

Enjoy the pictures...ofa lahi atu!

Eternal Lovebirds: Mr & Mrs Vaitai

Well, I'm a terrible blogger. I haven't blogged since these 2 got engaged almost a year ago. What can I say? I've been busy! Needless to say, I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't document such an eventful occasion...their wedding celebration. Now that I've been able to recover from all the madness (it's been over 3 months), let me see if I can capture some key highlights of the craziness, I mean...all the fun for their future posterity.

The festivities started Tuesday, May 7th when the two lovebirds got their marriage license. However, due to schedule conflicts and travel arrangements, the lovely couple went on their own before making a temple trip together that same evening. Therefore, the official celebration of their marriage license was held the following day, Wednesday, May 8th with a welcome dinner at the Vaitai residence. Here are a few pics from the occasion:

Thursday was a day for preparation with both families running last minute errands and continuing to welcome family from out of town. A dance was then held in honor of the couple on Friday, May 10th at the DFW Airport Hotel & Convention Center in Irving. Unfortunately, I arrived late due to my role as the errand girl so I'd like to thank Chris Afungia & Toutai Kautai for being great photographers and capturing these pictures.

It would be inapproprate of me to document the weekend festivities without paying respect to Ella and her family. Sadly, Ella's first cousin - Marlena Samuels - was involved in a fatal car accident after the dance. She was a sweet and kind young lady and will be missed by many. RIL Marlena!

We are most grateful for the Moe family and their humbleness. We were prepared to eliminate our traditional Polynesian activities (dancing, ta'olunga's,  music, etc.) and have a simple reception for Ella & Naki, however, they would not allow it. They insisted on moving forward with the program as planned with a special focus on the eternal union of Naki & Ella. And for that, we are truly blessed to join forces with a strong and loving family.

Naki and Ella were sealed for all time and eternity in the Dallas Texas Temple on Saturday, May 11, 2013. It was a warm and sunny day after having rained the day before. Following the sealing, a reception was held in their honor at the Grapevine Convention Center.

We're thankful for all those who had a hand in decorating the convention center and helping to make Ella's wishes come true. Our biggest concern was making sure Ella's day was just as she imagined and I believe that was accomplished (she told me herself).

We are also grateful to those who provided entertainment. The Polynesian show, the wedding party dance and the individual family dances were all awesome. What great memories! I can't forget the caterers: Aisea (Maile), Emeline and their crew helped tremendously. Thank you guys for all you did.

The wedding festivities ended Sunday with the traditional First Sunday activities. Ella and Naki were clothed in traditional Tongan attire and attended our ward (Euless 2nd) for the first time as a married couple. Since it was Mother's Day, Bishop (Mite) Ahau gave them the opportunity to share a few words regarding their own mothers. It was very touching and of course both of their moms were sobbing. I'll give it to their moms, they pulled off a great weekend and raised two amazing individuals who made us proud siblings that weekend. I wish we could rewind it all over again.

Following church that day, a family dinner was held at The Reserve in Euless. Both families came together to share a last meal before all returning home. We are again thankful to those who cooked, prepared and served food for Sunday's meal. The speeches shared Sunday were also meaningful as talks of the past, present and future were given to help prepare the couple for their lives together. I pray that Naki and Ella will cherish their memories of that weekend and remember those who helped to celebrate their union.

John Bowring once said, "A happy family is but an earlier heaven." It was definitely a happy weekend and what joy it brings to know that these two have started an eternal family and that death cannot limit their existence and bond. I look forward to seeing the amazing things God has in store for these two, but especially for our families as a whole. We love you Naki & Ella. XoXo