When Thickener Becomes Formula. Uh Oh!

He's growing up so fast! He's now 4 months old as of April 1st and let me tell you, HE'S HUGE! My mom tells me he really does take after Henele lahi (who he's named after). I remember thinking at the hospital of how I kinda didn't want to side towards that name cause of how I don't know who Henele is. But one thing I've learned with all that has gone on in just the past couple years of my life is that...

YOU CAN NEVER GO WRONG WITH MOM!

So as any daughter would do, I trusted my mom with the name she chose and new that it was meant to be, putting aside all my "other" feelings. And thanks to my mom, and giving my son the name Henele, she says he is very well just the same as her Uncle Henele. I love it! Even though I still don't know him and all I get are stories of him and the kind of man he was. I'm proud to have my son named after him. THANK YOU GREAT UNCLE HENELE! OFA LAHI ATU! 

What I love so much about how good Hene is, is that when I have to go to school, I know that I don't have to worry about him cause if anything, he makes babysitting much easier for Grandma and Grandpa.. and Uncles Willy and Mone.

For the past couple days, I could tell something has been bothering Henele. He would cry but no tears. It was that kind of cry where you know something was wrong. But what was it? The only thing Hene really cries about is not getting enough sleep, he's hungry or his diaper is full. He had RSV for a short period of time and even that didn't make him cry. So what was with all the fuss?

After school one night I was talking with my mom about Hene and how he's been crying for who knows what. 

We put the pieces together and found as an answer!

I bet you can put the pieces together now. A bottle was made for Hene and instead of mixing his formula, thickener was mixed into his bottle. Mind you, he drinks a full 8 ounce in one sitting. I know huh? Oh dear! So I look at the can of thickener to see what ingredients are mixed into that goodness and call poison control. Tell me why after I confirmed with them, he was gonna be alright they laughed and said they've never heard this one before. So long as my Henele was ok, I was ok.

Then there is Tamara Leethee. Time flies so fast with her. Look at all that hair. I love it! She gets those nappy roots from me. And as much as I hated my nappy hair growing up, I highly doubt she will hate it. Why? Cause it's that sandy brown color. Its one thing to have normal nappy black hair. But because she has the color (from her dad) I bet Ill be beating up little boys at very young ages for their attempts at my Tamara. So to all you young fellas, THINK AGAIN cause Momma Via will always be ON POINT!

Tamara will be 3 this year. You know what that means.. Time to look into schooling for her. I'm not looking forward to Tamara's first day of school or Pre-School. I will cry my eyes out!!

Here are more recent pics of my two little super stars!

Doing some shopping at Winco!

Lunch Date with my Tamara Girl at her fave Mc Donalds!

Me and Henele driving together! (probley not a good idea to be showing him that stuff so young huh?)

When Sandbox meets Tamara Leethee...Sorry Sandbox! lol

Strepotitisphobia

What comes to mind when I say, "Strep?" .....  Every time I ever heard the term STREP I think Strep Throat. Do we agree? And when we think Strep Throat we think, Cant swallow or swollen throat... Well..

Did you know you can get Strep on your SKIN?..

Usually around winter time when the weather is really dry, is genetics that me and Tamara get really dry skin and even spots of eczema. But never anything too big that we can't handle. Normally just spots here and there, then we slab some hydrocortisone 1.5 and we are in business!

About a week and a half ago, Tamara grew some eczema on her left hand. And with the normal routine, I call Nurse Christina for a refill on the Hydrocortisone, pick it up and put it on. I did that for a couple days but noticed that it was still there and wasn't coming down, it actually looked as though it was getting worse.

At the same time Tamara's hand is like this, I catch STREP THROAT! I was coughing, headache and best of all I couldn't swallow. Strep throat is contagious. So I had to try my hardest to maintain what I had but at the same time be conscious about being around Tamara and Henele. I go to the instacare and GET SHOT! The penicillin they shot me with was so thick that I can still feel the pain today.

This is all happening just this past tuesday. We woke up, I got the kids ready. And me and Tamara were on our way to the hospital to pick up my badge. But as I was driving down the block I could tell just by the hurt feeling of swallowing that I had Strep. So instead of going to the Hospital, I go to the Instacare. After about a 2 hour wait we finally were good to go home.

Worried that Tamara or Hene have strep, I schedule an appointment for later that afternoon for Tamara and Henele to get checked out.

We get to Dr. Vierra and she tests Tamara POSITIVE for strep. And when she looked at Tamara's hand, it too turned out positive for STREP!.... Who would've thought that you could get strep on your skin.

Tamara is still on her anitbiotics and Henele is healthy as a horse. Tamara is doing so much better and her skin infection has gone down so much!

The strep monster is alive and living people! Beware! =)

Bumbo Fight

He can't quite sit up straight on his own. But he sure does love his Bumbo! lol You wanna know who else love his Bumbo?

   

You got it! Tamara! I don't know what she was doing with that pillow but then again, I don't understand half the stuff she does with random things. lol The mind of a 2 year old can be pretty mysterious.

Now how would I look if I had this made for the kids? Is it a bit much? lol I saw it on pinterest and it got me thinking. Hene has to have a onesie made with this on it! totally kidding.. I actually had a shirt for Tamara that said, "If you think I'm pretty, you should see my Mom."... And when I had put it on her, I thought to myself, "Now when someone reads her shirt, they're gonna look right at me."... So I took it off. hahaha.. She only wears it to sleep..

So, earlier this month, I had laringitis.... hmmm? does that look like its spelled right? Well, if it's spelled wrong just sound it out and you'll catch my drift. But I had it and got over it. I had the horse voice and all. Now, I'm sick again, and so is Tamara. I have no clue where I me or her got this round from. But let me tell you, IT SUCKS!

I watched this movie yesterday. Me personally, I give it 5 stars! There's a great amount of courage, humility and triumph in it, among other things. From left to right on the cover, it goes, Aboline, Milly, Skeeter and Hilly. That's for those who haven't seen it yet. Let me emphasize "yet" cause I highly recommend it!

In the movie, Negro maids were paid less then minimum wage to raise White woman's kids. Now that in itself I would consider NEGLIGENCE! Skeeter who is the courageous hero in the movie was raised by a maid named Constantine. Constantine, to me would be the hero, she is the reason. It seemed like Skeeter viewed everyone as equals, where as everyone else, saw whites above blacks. Skeeter has a big heart and ask myself if I could ever be as courageous as her. 

To be able to do something that can change the lives of others in a way that life can be viewed in a more positive way would be an outstanding accomplishment. 

And if I could do that, I would say that I have dreamed and lived a dream! =)

I wonder if back then, when Negros were treated the way that they were in those days, if there were any white people that viewed life as if the situation was the other way around. If whites slaved for blacks. And if they did, did they view or treat them in a more civil way? I think that there were. And what's sad is that still to this day, there are still racist people out there. If you happen to be reading this and you fall under that category, GET OVER YOURSELF! lol (seriously)

But anyway. it's a real good movie and you should go watch it!

MEDITATION

I've put aside 15 minutes of every morning to meditate. There are days when I do it, and some days where i don't. And it's safe to say that there is a HUGE difference in my day when I do meditate. 

There tends to be an overload amount of thoughts running through my head that I may be approved for a professional psychiatric center. And we all know how much we would miss Via if she wasn't around to blog off her life right? lol

Have a great sunday evening everyone! Smile and go eat some ice cream! even if you don't need it, go eat it cause you can and cause it's good.. . 

Tangiloto, The Model

I've been a pinterest maniac lately. I run into the coolest things ever! And when I read this quote, I thought to myself, "This is one long test." lol Or I'm really just overlooking GREAT blessings. =) I'm sure that's it huh? It sure wouldn't be the first time cause I definitely take a lot for granted and now that my own kids will have to suffer my wrong doings, I've been bitch slapped back to reality and I feel what I've done.

I finally got my taxes back and corrected. Thank you Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and Sorry Leroy, sucks to be you. But that's what he get's for trying to back stab the "baby momma" lol

Spring Break is coming to an end and back to school come Monday. I am really just trying my hardest to understand and absorb all the knowledge in as little time as possible. More importantly I want the knowledge to stick... I don't want to be like, "Wait, I remember I read something about that.."

Look at my stud muffin nephew! lol He's all posing and what not. =) I watched him for a little yesterday while Mack went to go pick up Christina from Faith in God and when he saw me on my phone he kept saying "Cheese! Cheese!" lol What a cute little model he is!

                                         Tangiloto and his favorite Auntie!!!

How cute is that one?

Well peeps.. not much to say this round, probably because we have now got a groove goin on that works great for us and where we dont have to stress about anything. Life is good. And I hope it stays this way and even progresses!

And before I leave I promised Josh Fatani I would give him a shout out on my blog cause apparently he is my number one fan! lol

Git R' Done

Hey!

So I was reading some news articles on the internet to kinda update myself with what's going on out there.

One stood out.

In Florida, Ft. Lauder dale to be exact there's a law firm company that fired 14 employees. Why?

Because they wore the color Orange.

Pretty lame huh? I read on to find out that the company "felt" that this group of 14 were protesting against management. But in "actuality" these 14 had planned to wear the same color, cause they were gonna go to happy hour after work and wanted to color coordinate their group.

One of the 14 happens to be a single mom with 4 children. I feel for her cause I could relate. Obviously not the same situation but we can relate some.

 
I ran into this on Pinterest, and I sort of stepped back a bit. These four words, this simple phrase got so many things running through my mind. Not so much Tamara and Hene, I mean, they're running through my mind constantly don't get me wrong. But this time around, I got to thinking about my own life.

I'm only 22 years old. I'm still young enough to pursue my own dreams. Do things that I've always wanted to do. And what makes this thought even better, is that I can share all my "dream chasing" experience with Tamara and Hene. Instead of me living my life and then watching and helping them live theirs, they can experience it all with me. That's exciting to me. I don't have to tell them stories of "when I was" or "there was a time" lol..

So, moving on to....

The Dream

Short Term - Get my CNA

Long Term - Become a Family Practice Doctor

Saying it seems so much easier then actually doing it and obtaining it! lol I wish it was as easy. My CNA Training has already begun. I've gone through 2 weeks so far and the program is averaged at a 6 week time frame. But what makes it a great program is that it's "self paced." So instead of getting certified in the 6 week time frame they've outlined, I want to get it done in 4. This week is Spring Break so no school all week this week which is actually pretty cause it gives me a chance to get ahead and get r done! =)

So with the program I am required to do 4 clinicals. 2 at a rehab center and 2 at the hospital. This past Friday and Saturday I got 2 clinicals done at Woodland Park Rehabilitation Center. The experience I had pretty much confirmed my goal of becoming MORE then just a CNA. I'm sure you all know that a CNA does all the dirty work. And let me tell you. It's a fact. lol I did everything from changing diapers to shaving old men facial hair to feeding them. It's a lot. I feel bad for current CNA's and wonder why they haven't pursued anything further then a CNA position. It's cool though when you get a chance to interact with the residence and you can learn what it was like in "their time".. I met Millie. She's was so nice to me. Millie is 101 years old. I thought to myself, "she lived through all the wars" lol.. But I helped feed her. 

I learned a lot at the Rehab Center. It was a great experience. 

Tamara lately has been just the same old. She's not as bossy. Well to me at least, not sure about other household members. lol She's starting to use the bathroom on her own. She's "in control" of her BM's. haha

BM is the medical term for Bowel Movement. haha.. 

Henele is still the angel he's been. He's so good to me and is so chill. At church yesterday he was awake all through sacrament and just sat still and didn't cry one bit. I got to enjoy the testimonies that were shared. It was great and also, since Tamara is so active in Nursery she sleeps all through sacrament. So hopefully if this routine sticks, church won't be as hard as I had imagined it to be. 

Love. Me and this topic really need to have a talk cause we are so on different pages. lol But on that whole topic.. if this is even considered one for me at this point in life is "progressing"... I've grown up around the "Vanilla Theory"... They taught me this in Young Women and I've believed it to be true and still do. Now, if you don't know what the Vanilla Theory is, it's pretty simple.

Compare your favorite flavor of Ice Cream to the type of guy/girl you like. Instead of sticking with your favorite flavor Ice Cream, try out all the other flavors and be sure it's really your favorite. So comparing that to men, simply date around. I've talked to a couple of guys since the divorce. I feel it's too soon for it so I talk with "friends"... Nothing more. I'm sure when I feel it's right, it'll happen. 

For now, I'm gonna enjoy living single. It's great! =) and just one more thing I want to leave you with...

 

Safety First

So Leroy got beat up last night. At a club. Stories tell us that he punched a girl, he hit on a girl, and he beat me up and left me with bruises all over me. Who knows? But whatever the story may be, it lead to violence and simply that Leroy got beat up.

Do I care? Not at all. Yes, I did smile when I heard he got beat up. But what annoyed me the most of it all, was that he called me non stop this morning. Came to the house threatening me that I'm gonna "reget it" whatever "it" is, I have no clue.

I worried. I threatened him that I would call the cops, got my phone and dialed that oh so familiar number. He left. And then it dawned on me, if he were to break in and beat me till I go unconscious or even dead (who knows?)...

I asked myself, "Whats my plan?" I didn't have one. The back house is behind another house, could I scream loud enough that someone could hear, if there was even someone out there to hear. I guess 911 would be my only escape plan huh? But would I get through to them in time before it was too late?

I never thought I would ever have to think something like this through. I don't know what more I could do but wait for his restraining order to be sent out.

This past week there was an Amber Alert sent out. She was maybe 10 or 11 years old I think. Her name is Aliyah. She was abducted by her biological mother but was later that night found safe and returned to her home. Got me thinking... Would Leroy ever attempt to take Tamara from me? I mean, like an abduction?

I don't know?

But I do know that if that ever happened, I would be a one crazy Mom! I wouldn't stop.

I wish he was still with that girl. Hell, her name is Lani Taufalele. I feel bad for people like her. If she could tolerate someone that lied about something as simple as his name, and she was ok with it. You would think right? Like, if this dude is lying about just his name, what else is he lying about. But it's not really my position to place peoples standards to my liking.

I got a lot on my mind. Tomorrow I will be taking further action to make sure Leroy doesn't ever come around here again. I don't ever want to see him or hear from him again. He got what he wanted. I gave it to him on a platter. Now I will get what I want and I will do whatever it takes to get it.

The safety of my kids will not be questioned. It won't. Period.

My Secret

I want to be happy!

Now I don't know if any of you have read The Secret. So if you haven't, it's a book that tells you the secret to life. It tells you how you can change your life and how if you wished to become a famous rock star or a doctor or even the next Oprah, it tells you just how to achieve WHAT YOU WANT! Now you may corner me and say that I'm living in imagination land, but so far in the book that I've read, I've followed, and has happened. It's pretty incredible actually.

It all has to do with the law of attraction. Let me break down the first half of the book for you. Something as simple as this, "Thoughts become things." If you think in your mind, "I want to be a millionaire." Then guess what? So long as you keep that in your mind, it may very well become true. 

Now they refer to the person, that's me and you and everyone else, as a frequency tower. Our thoughts are our frequency and as we think subconsciously, we send out our frequencies to the Universe and the Universe responds by sending more like-frequencies in your direction confirming your thoughts. 

If you are really passionate about things you want and there are things that are constantly on your mind, than the Universe will confirm your wants and send them your way. Pretty simple right? Now there is one thing that normally comes in the way of those wants and that's the thoughts you have that go against what you want. So for example, I want a new car. Then you run thoughts through your mind such as, "I don't have the money," "I'll never afford it," "It's never gonna happen." Those thoughts adjust your frequencies and the universe then confirms your wants as, "I don't want money," "I don't want to afford it," and "I don't want that car." So then your simple want of a car is no longer on your frequency and you are attracting more like-frequencies along the lines of those negative thoughts of how you aren't gonna get that car. Get it?

Well I hope you do, cause I've been working a lot on my frequencies and I honestly love what The Secret has taught me so far. Try it. You'd be surprised with your outcome!