I'm Grateful For Life!

I swear I live every day of my life and now thinking of my prayers, I never thank my father in heaven for the gift of life. I thank him for every day, but I don't recall, life. My life, I've definitely taken for granted way too many times.

My life now, does not reflect the teachings of my parents. They raised me right. They raised me well. It was me that made "life" decisions that I guess I would say, went in the wrong order from the order I was taught. Now looking at life from the perspective of a Mom, I would say that it is the greatest gift that anyone can receive.

I'm just about to give life. It amazes me. Birth, pregnancy. The whole bit. I will never forget when my Tamara was born. I couldn't believe it. I had carried her for 9 months and then all of sudden, she was there. She was in my arms. She cried for the first time and I was just overwhelmed at what had just happened. Now that I'm about to give birth again. I'm due in about 15 days. I can't help but feel grateful for the gift of life.

I had gone to Riverton to see Dr. Burgett for my "weekly" appointment. We monitored the baby for about a half an hour to make sure there was no "distress" on the baby. He checked out great! I'm now dilated to a 4! Woohoo! And Dr. Burgett says that he bets I'll have this baby by the end of this week! Woohoo! December Baby! Although after he checked my cervix, I think he might have pulled the trigger. My contractions right now are a bit much. lol Then again, I am sitting here blogging with a cup of hot chocolate and eating raspberry crumb cake. I'm so hungry!

Since Tamara decided to go with my Mom to my Aunt Paea's house, I'm finally getting some down time all to myself. Some much needed down time. Totally wouldn't mind if "labor" interfered with my down time though. It actually would be perfect. I'm always scared that I'll go into labor and have Tamara with no one else around. Scared that she won't know whats going on. If I had to take her to the hospital with me and wait for someone to help babysit her. Seeing as Leroy is no longer in my family picture. But I've pretty much moved on from that chapter of my life.

The Leroy chapter of my life has been shut down, terminated, cancelled, discontinued. So many appropriate words for it. lol

Other than that. Got the laundry done. And I'm ready for the hospital if it happens anytime soon. So this very second couldn't be more relaxing and stress free!

Welp.. now I'm gonna go to the Library and find me a good book to sink into and maybe stop by mc dees for a burger. Hopefully by the time I get home Tamara will be here and I can play with her until it's time for "night night."

Woot woot!

I'm Grateful For #22

#22 Doctors and Medicine

Thanks to those individuals that sacrifice a good chunk of their lives to gain the knowledge they need to help us live and be well. Doctors are such a blessing. I'm totally grateful for them. And Medicine, how ever all that stuff gets put together to help us get better is all a miracle to me!

I'm Grateful For #21

#21 The Earth

In the world today, EVERYONE takes this planet for granted. Every now and then do we actually take a look at a picture, or a sunset, tell help us reflect and remind us of how blessed we are to have this planet we live on. We are blessed with trees, flowers, and animals. All things that help us live and have the things that give us life. I LOVE THE EARTH!

I'm Grateful For #20

#20 The Worldly Things

Yes. I said it. The Worldly Things.
* A Car (My Car)
* Television
* Computers
* Cell Phones
* Clothes
The little things like this that "in the end" really don't matter actually help out a lot in my every day life. Yes, I do realize that I can't take them with me to my next life, but as long as I'm still here on this Earth, I will always be grateful for these little things!

I'm Grateful For #19

#19 2846 S. 3095 W. West Valley City, Utah 84119

AKA MY HOME! This place has such a big spot in my heart. It's my get away, my turn to point, my one place that I know I will always be safe. It's that one place where you know you could never go wrong; A place where you will never feel left out. A place that makes you laugh, smile, cry, the whole bit. A place where I will always want to be. I LOVE MY HOME!

I'm Grateful For #18

#18 Lulagi "Leroy" Unasa

Would rather not have a picture of him. But he is the Father to my kids. My soon to be ex-husband. Even though things didn't work out between me and him, I'm still grateful for him. Without him, I wouldn't have my kids who are now and forever, my life.

I'm Grateful For #17

#17 Gordon B. Hinckley

My most favorite Prophet of all time!! President Gordon B. Hinckley. I grew up with him as my Prophet and he plays a big roll in my life along with my Testimony. Just the thought of him or picturing him in mind automatically brings a smile to my face. You can't help but smile. He is so inspiring and has always and will always be someone that I look up to and want to be like. I want my kids to roll model him just as much as me. He is a great man in every way.
I LOVE THIS PROPHET!!

I'm Grateful For #16

#16 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Why is it that when people are going through bad times, or when they need something is when they turn to the Lord? These days, we really do take this gospel fro granted. I now am realizing, with my little family breaking apart, kicking out Leroy, and becoming a single mom to two kids, I've started doing the things the church encourages us to do on a regular basis. I ask myself, why haven't I been doing this anyway? or in the first place? I feel so much better after reading an uplifting scripture that helps me get through my day, but to think of how great my days could've been if I were always doing this. I truly am blessed with this gospel and I wish I never take it for granted again. It's always been here for me when things are unstable for me, so I need to be able to just live the principles that were taught to me from the beginning each and everyday, for the rest of my life. My kids will be brought up with the teaching that were taught to me through this gospel, but I will make it a priority to multiply their wanting this gospel in their lives. I LOVE THIS GOSPEL!!

I'm Grateful For #12, 13, 14 & 15

#12 Aki and Chester Malaeulu

Where to begin with these two. Aki and Chester are such great parents! I look up to their parenting in every way. I love seeing and keeping up with with what there family is doing cause they are always doing there every day activities based on "family." They now have 4 kids. They are still young and I just can't help but hope that my family can one day be on the same level as theirs. They are such great examples, even on their off days. They are the kind of family that will open there day with a prayer, fight all day long and still close with a prayer and remind each other of how much they love each other. I LOVE ME MALULUS!

#13 Kuuipo and Nai Tausinga

Oh man! These two literally are the "second parents" of our family. They've gone through struggle, they've seen, heard and pretty much experienced it all. These two are the "life savers" of the family. They have really mastered sacrifice. Kuuipo alone has always been someone I've looked up to and wanted to be like. I remember having to share rooms with her when she was still living at home and not one night would go by without her getting on her knees to say her individual prayer. She is truly a daughter of God. She is blessed. She is honest. She is to all of us 6 younger siblings, THE BEST OLDEST SISTER. I'm very blessed to have her in my life and be the example that she is. I LOVE MY TAUSINGAS!!

#14  MADRE I PADRE

Two words, HARD WORK! I think if there was one thing my parents would want us kids to learn from them it would be to work, work hard and work honestly. My parents are legit! I was truly blessed to have them be my parents! My Dad is such a softy. He does have his "days" don't get me wrong, but always at the end of every day, my day is THE GREATEST DAD! He works through hot summers and cold winters without any complaint. He's the type of Dad that is only happy when the kids are happy. He works so hard each and every day and comes home to lazy, spoiled kids and most days never has any lunch money. I've always seen through my Dad a lot of Humility. When I have ever had a bad day, I never went wrong with turning to my Dad. I remember my Junior High School years when me and my Dad would go late at night, out for some Ice Cream. I loved it, cause it was just me and him. We didn't have any of my other siblings and we would just talk about the most random things. From the weather, to sports, to school, to church. It really didn't matter. We just enjoyed each others company. Those nights, I will never forget!
My Mom, is pretty much Super Woman. Well... Super Woman times a thousand. I really don't know how my Mom does what she does. And what she does, is pretty much EVERYTHING! Cook, clean, taxi driver, bill payer, hard full time worker, 7 children barer, cheerleader, lunch money giver, baby sitter, at home quilter worker for some extra cash, mechanic, house fixer upper, loving Mom! She's up working well before the Sun shines and goes well past it setting at night. I know most days my Mom goes a day with a good 2 to 3 hours of sleep, making it actually just a power nap. And to her that's normal. She has sacrificed so much for our family and still does to this day. She never gets enough credit for all her hard work and she never complains. I know that us kids get on her nerves a lot but she has never failed to put aside her hard feelings to still try and make us kids happy. She slaves for us and we most definitely take her for granted A LOT! My Mom is the type to secretly make us happy. She can think of every different way to makes us happy, work hard to  just put that smile on our face and we wouldn't know how hard she worked at putting that smile on our face. I pray that one day I can come close to the woman that my Mom is. I bet it's impossible but at least she's put out a level that I can work towards for the rest of my life and try to be as great as her for my kids to look up to as well.
I LOVE YOU MOM AND DAD!!!

# 15 Silivia Vaiolingi Langi

Namesake! My Grandma! She's past on and yet still runs through my mind a lot. I could never be as great as she was. Like my mom, they set the examples high for us to goal and try to accomplish. My Grandma Silivia was such a hard worker and I remember as a child, I wouldn't ever give her a break. She did it all. I remember the way she walked, it was a sort of wobble and a limp combined. I knew she had bad knees but that never once stopped her from doing work. She was also a collector. Whether is was stamps, pens, cans, pictures or whatever it was. I would love watching her smile every time she found something she could add to her little collections and put it her jacket pockets or under her mattress. My Grandma Silivia was a great woman and I hope just like my Mom, that I could be as good as she was!
I LOVE YOU GMA SILIVIA!!!

I'm Grateful For #11

#11 Leslie Alusa Langi

My Dear Leslee! She is the kind of sister EVERYONE wants. She the type of person you can turn to regardless of what the situation is. You could probably go and murder someone and know that she is the type of person you could run to. She has always been there for me. Growing up, she was always my ears on a bad day, my wallet when I was starving, my cheerleader at my sports games and just in general, she is a GREAT SISTER! She plays a big part in my life and LOVE HER TO DEATH!!!

I'm Grateful For #10

#10 David Latu Langi Jr. & Loisi

These two are what I would call "The Lost Sheep." lol But at the end of the day, what these two have gone through and the love I have for them keeps me alert and grounded. Because of them, I always think of the worst that could happen. On the other hand, these two are also "The Life of The Party!" I don't think our little family get togethers would be as fun without these two. They really do bring a lot of laughs, smiles and just the fun in general. No matter what, these two will always have a special place in my heart. I LOVE TEAM ZERIOUS!

I'm Grateful For #8 & 9

#8 Viliami Ta'ai Langi

My Little Brother Willy! The Baby of the family. My little brother is so special to me. Growing up as kids, I relayed a lot of negative things I got from my older siblings down to poor little Willy. One thing I love about Willy is that he has such a big heart. If there was one thing I about Willy that has always stood out in his life, it would be that he knows the true meaning of Sacrifice. He is now a Junior in High School and boy has he grown up so fast. He's a very loving kid and if I had to depend on one of my three brothers on anything, I know Willy would be the first one I would call. I LOVE YOU RINNIE BOI!!!

#9 Filimone Palanite Langi

Money Jabroni! Me and Mone go waaaayyyyy back. Like seriously. Me and Mone pretty much grew up together. We would always team up against little Willy since he pretty much always got what he wanted versus anything me and Mone. Our Childhood is where me and Mone really bonded. We had the same friends, most of the time. I wasn't allowed to play with boys when we were kids but I did anyway cause I always hung out with Mone. Mone is the "softy." He is definitely the listener in the family. He always has some good advice on anything you might be talking about at the time. He is never one you would hate to be around. He's very talented at what he loves to do, which is art/photography. I LOVE MY BIG BRO MONE!!!

I'm Grateful For #6 & 7

#6 Vikita Uinseni Tausinga

AKA Teta AKA Hulksmash! One look at my little Victor and you would think, "football." Right off the bat, he's big, bulk, built and definitely someone you would think, "I don't wanna mess with him." But really, Victor, out of the entire Monster Crew, has the BIGGEST HEART! Without a doubt, he is what society would refer to as, a teddy bear. BIG and SOFT! Victor definitely has the strength of an army don't get me wrong, but coming from great parents, he knows his limits. The one thing I love about Victor is that he is such a great listener. I remember I would walk him and Sunshine to school every morning when I lived with him and his family, and Victor was always the one to listen to what I had to say. I LOVE YOU HULKSMASH!

#7 Christina Vaiolingi Malaeulu

The First. The Oldest. The Responsible. The Dependable. The Girly-Girl! My Dear little Christina. She is so SMART! Without a doubt, she knows her place and she knows her roll as "the oldest." Most times I hate that she's only 7 going on 8 and having to babysit the "younger" Monster Crew. But does she ever complain? No. She definitely has a very bright future ahead of her. She has the humility of her Mom, and the courage of her Dad. Christina is just another one of those kids, "you don't have to worry about." I can't wait to see what her future brings. I do know that whatever it is, it will be great!
I LOVE YOU CHRISTINA!!

I'm Grateful For #5

#5 Leipua O' San Juan Mission Tausinga

AKA Sunshine. Sunshine is who Tamara totally looks up to. She loves Sunshine so much. I have such a soft spot in my heart for my dear little Sunshine. She is so smart. She might only be 6 years old, but she has the brain of a High School Student. Like seriously! One thing I know for sure, is that with the way Sunshine is, when she grows older, she's one person that you know you don't have to worry about. She's the type that doesn't need to be told twice and only needs to learn and be told something once to get it down and get it done. Sunshine is Success! I can't wait to see what she brings in the future. I have no doubt that she will not let us down and that she will go far!
I LOVE YOU LEIPUA!!!

I'm Grateful For #4

#4 Chester Berman Junior

My nephew Jay!
I'm sure you can tell just by the picture that he's the "funny guy" in the family. No seriously, he really is. His 2 cent comments can definitely get you. He always has something to say, and when he says it, it can either make you laugh or smile. Either way you can't go wrong with Jay! He definitely will be the one people want to be around and hang out with all cause he comes with that humor package! He gets "picked on" a lot by us "older" people and yet he never complains. He is one that you know you can depend on if ever you have no where to turn.
I LOVE YOU JAY!

I'm Grateful for 1, 2 and 3

Well, I've decided that for the month of November (the month of thanks), I'm gonna blog about something I'm grateful for, one thing for each day of the month. So seeing as today is the 3rd, I have some catching up to do, but not too much.

#1 Tamara Leethee

My one and only little girl!
She will be 2 this Saturday!
Tamara Leethee is literally my strength. I have never gone a day without my Tamara. She is my reminder of true happiness is. She is my new foundation and focus to move forward and continue down the right roads. She is my "hanny-manny." And even though she is what keeps me up at night, most of my big headaches and even my own frenemy at times, Tamara will always be my "reason." My reason behind every day of the rest of my life. My reason to do everything I do. My reason for life!
I love you Tamara Leethee!
YOU ARE THE WORLD TO ME!

#2 Luseane Vaiolingi Malaeulu

My Dear Luseane! She has only been in my life a hot minute but that first time she came to the big house for me to watch her and I laid my eyes on her, she immediately reminded me of how precious life is. This little Princess already has things under control. She is strong just like her big sister! She has the cheeks that without even thinking you're constantly kissing and squeezing! Her smile makes you melt and when you hold her, the feeling you get is like a good mix between a 5 year old on Christmas morning and the feeling you get in your gut when you accomplish a goal you've had set for so long and you've finally succeeded!
She gives you the look of trust. She is simply your everyday Princess!
I LOVE YOU BABY LUSEANE!

#3 Tangiloto I'moana Malaeulu

Tangiloto, also known as "CoCoa." Nicknamed by my very own Tamara as she couldn't say Tangiloto. Our Albino Baby! He is the type of kid where you look at him once and find yourself already smiling. His personality is well rounded. You can honestly find him doing anything and everything AND EVERYWHERE! lol With him now just recently starting to walk he definitely has you're eyes opened to the max. His laugh is so contagious! I don't think that there has every been a time where I've seen him with someone and wasn't smiling or laughing or doing both at the same time! I LOVE YOU TANGILOTO!

Slowing Down

Well, I'm now going on 34 weeks! Oh, Goodie!
I'm tired, restless and could really use a break. Working as a cashier going on 8 months pregnant is some hard stuff. Yes, I do give cashiers props for their job and what they do, now having the experience, but doing it with 30 lbs in front of you has definitely got me drained. I only work part time too. My shifts are usually 5 to 11 pm and by the time I get home Tamara is sleeping, thank goodness. I wake up maybe 2 to 3 times a night to Tamara either needing a drink or she is having a bad dream. Then she wakes up at about 9 am only to sit next to me while I catch a couple more z's for maybe another 30 minutes or so. I feel bad when she sits and talks to me while I try and keep sleeping. So terrible! We then get up and get ready for our day which consists of getting the bed ready, morning bath, brush and picking up any clutter that was left from the day before. Then we head to the big house to watch Mickey Mouse Club House and me catch up with the world through the almighty facebook. While we get that all going, we tidy up the big house and put together our lunch, if we decide to stay in. I like to go out, as I am extremely lazy these days. But there are days I like to put a couple breakfast things together. Then 2:30 rolls around which means, Grandma is coming home! Then we hang out with Grandma and do anything she needs to get done. Then I go to work and come home to do it all over again!
Why must everyday seem so repetitive?
Well 34 months pregnant Via is gonna go take a deep nap right now!
I'm DRAINED OUT!!
Thank you tamara for taking a nap right now so it's much easier!