The World Of Gymnastics

Oh My Goodness!!

Can I just say that the world of Gymnastics is insanely terrifying!!

Here we are at our first Gymnastics Practice with Epic Gymnastics in Murray, Utah.
She doesn't care for Volleyball or Basketball or Softball. Because for the past little while she is constantly doing cartwheels and flips and such, I showed her what gymnastics was and I asked her if this is something she wants to do, she replied YES!

So I googled gymnastics clubs in the local area and Epic Gymnastics pulled up first. They offered a free trial class and I thought - Perfect! A trial class to give her a little taste of what she would be getting into but also something that wouldn't be completely permanent if she chose against it. So I called and scheduled her trial class on March 14 for 6 pm.

We went.

The began with simple stretches and jumping jacks for a warm up. She kept up well with the other girls that have been in the class before her.

Jumping Jacks.

I was surprised by just her stretching compared to the other girls with how much more flexible she was compared to them and this being her first class.

Then when this happened... my jaw dropped. I thought, "What the heck!?" I mean, no offense to the other girls but - my girl - I would've expected her to look like the girls in her class, but damnnn! She's really got something going for her in this sport. I thought to myself, "she really does know what she wants to do doesn't she?"

I'm so proud of her!

Then it got real scary!!

At Epic Gymnastics, they have this big gym with the different events in gymnastics. As a beginner you start off as a Bounder. Each level of gymnastics has a sign off sheet that each participant is to complete before moving up to the next level. After the Bounders Class you move up to the Lighters Class.

At each class that is held for an hour long, you move to different stations within the gym and you rotate to allow other classes to utilize different parts of the gym. They allow no more then 8 in each class to give each student good one on one time with their instructor.

When I saw her group rotate to the low beams my eyes were so big! I don't think I blinked worrying she would fall and hit her head even though the entire floor is matted. It's major scary stuff!

Tamara jumped on and did as her instructor (his name is Peter - but in my head I call him - Hot Peter lol) told her to do and even though she was very hesitant on the beam, she really got the hand of it. When she would stumble off the beam, she got right back up and kept on her task.

I seriously was amazed at Tamara and how much she really fits in with this sport.

I really filmed just about the entire practice. So we can study what she does and other girls to practice at home and at our local gym.

Tamara has shown so much progress in just her first gymnastics class. I honestly couldn't be any more proud. Now even if in the future she decided against Gymnastics, then that would perfectly fine with me. I honestly am proud of just this first class. And even beyond this class, her at school, her at home with her brother. She is growing just gracefully. I would completely credit it to my family and also Leroy's for all their support in incorporating the importance of family.



Under the right flag! I couldn't help but imagine her 20 years from now in the Olympics. =)

How crazy is this new adventure we are entering. I simply can't wait to see where this leads us.

XOXO Via

Opening Doors

So this happened...

That there is Mrs. Mona. I worked with her at the Printing Division.. She had to resign due to cancer. #cancersucks She was such a doll to work with. She was always positive and loved to dance and smile.

Notice how in this picture she's posing with a "peace" sign.

Well that's exactly what I'm getting at.

I SAID PEACE!! lol

I've finally hung up the steel toe shoes and said my farewells to the LDS Printing Division. It wasn't easy but it also wasn't hard. Easy because of my why and we all know I function entirely around the kids and my family and what's best for us. Hard because of the many amazing people I worked with. It wasn't easy saying goodbye to everyone but I have to be honest... I am super excited to go full throttle on school and really get it done.

Leroy and I have been discussing this change for awhile and I couldn't be any happier with the choices we've made to finally move our family forward in the right direction.

So in celebration to this change along with many other reasons behind this - we decided to take a weekend vacation to Las Vegas!



We drove out last Thursday and came back Sunday night. It was a much needed get away and I can't wait to book our next little vacation.

Along with our little get away we attended the USA Rugby 7s Tournament. It was held at the UNLV Stadium.



Of course we would support Samoa since the kids are half Samoan. lol I knew absolutely nothing about rugby until this tournament and to be completely honest... I love rugby far more then football. I love how fast paced it all is. There are only 2 halves and each half is only 7 minutes long. Which would make sense since they are play with no kind of padding. It's bone on bone and I couldn't imagine them playing any more then just the 7 minutes before it becomes any more brutal then it already is.

So yes... I love rugby now that I understand the game.



Got to have dinner with Aunt Laulea. It's always great seeing family.



Took the kids to Circus Circus.


Swam at late hours of the night. Which was great cause there was no one else there swimming with us.


Ate twice at the buffet at Sunset Station.

Did lots of shopping and more and more eating. lol

Did we gamble? Yes. Did we win? Yes.

What happens in Vegas. Stays in Vegas. lol



This week has been the week to begin playing catch up on just about everything I fell short with while I was working and the things I couldn't do because I was working.

Staring with... Filing Taxes!! We finally filed the other night and I would say it's not a bad year.
Next yeat will be better.



The kids.. Boy this is big change for them. I stay home with them until Summer Semester starts. I will be applying at the airport so I can try and get us some flying benefits for more vacationing. lol

Tamara - Starts gymnastics on Monday and I can't wait to see what she thinks about it. She is always flipping everywhere we go. So I showed her what gymnastics was on youtube and asked if she wants to try a class for little girls like her and she said yes. So here we go.

Henele - I need to find a cross country team for him. Anything to keep his energy down. Like way down. It would help out everyone a whole lot. lol

Other then that. They are both doing well in school and are ready to venture into newer worlds this life has to offer.


We are still going strong. Taking every day one at time and simply - try.
We are happy. =)

Welp... Until next time.

XOXO Via

Make It Count

Happy New Year Everyone!!

-(Yes, my only reader Sunshine! lol)

So lots of things to say and express.

This is the year! The year me and Leroy will take bigger leaps and hand in hand, crash and fall. hahaha no I'm kidding. I just know this year will be filled with many many many opportunities for the both of us! Thankful for Leroy and all his hard working lately that it's given our family to make more things possible for us.

Something is going to happen this year. Something good! Something that will change our lives forever! I just look forward to the rest of this year and I know that many things will happen and make things better for our family.

School. Gotta get back and get it done. That's in the books for the year.

New Job. Currently applying and am not really settling with what I want to do in the meantime or where I want to work. As much as I love the Printing Division, it's just something that can't be held when both kids go to school full time.

Calling. As the Young Women Second Counselor, I really am excited to see where this calling takes me and how much it will help me improve myself.

After seeing this clip on Facebook, it really opened up my eyes to how I am taking care of myself and I've learned that I really do put EVERYONE before me. I really do. I'm thankful for this clip and feel that it was intended to be watched by those that don't take care of themselves because they are taking care of others.

This year, I will take care of myself. I will do what best for me and will begin to set the path for my kids that they may learn for themselves the importance of taking care of yourself first.

I want to explore.

I want to really step outside of the box this year. Do something new. Do something that will benefit myself and my family. I wanna do something fun.

I went to the gym this morning and usually I'll hit the treadmill and just jog until I'm tired. Today, I jumped on the elliptical and even that little thing was burning me up. lol I've really gained over the holidays. I weighed in before the end of the year at 208.2 and weighed this morning at 206.5. I know it's not a big changed but I don't care how fast I do this time, as long as it's in the right direction then I'm good AND as long as I'm not depriving myself of the foods that I love. I know I just need to be mindful.

I feel like I said that same thing last year. lol Either way, at least my mentality is straight and hasn't given up.

Enjoy Life!

I'm going to enjoy everything I do. Even going back to work today. I'm going to hold my head up high and still work hard because I know my time is limited there.

No Enemies 2016!

One very important rule for this year is - NO MAKING ANY ENEMIES! Be the better person even when people may be in the wrong or are clearly having a bad day.

2016 - LETS GO! I'm Ready.

This years theme...

MAKE IT COUNT!

xoxo Via

My Grown Up Christmas List

So lately, I’ve been feeling a little… ughhh. Not annoyed, not irritated or anything like that. Just overwhelmed. The saying, “There’s not enough hours in the day,” doesn’t even begin to state where I’m standing right now.

Back when I was a Single Mom, I do not know how I was able to do it. I was in school full time, working full time, held a church calling as the second counselor in the Primary for nearly 3 years, hitting the gym on the regular and that all began with Henele as a baby in diapers. I look back and ask myself, how was able to do all that by myself.

Now that my family is complete and I have Leroy back in my life and things have fallen back into place, I would only assume, I would be able to handle the same exact load and more! But no. I feel like I’m doing half what I did as a Single Mom with no time and no energy.

My laundry baskets are empty for not even 12 hours. I don’t get it? Where am I falling short? I have gained so much back after losing so much weight. I’m stressed way too much. I go to work and feel like I can’t hang. Literally. I can’t. Midnight hits and I’m just drained completely.

Leroy works so much. It’s almost as if he still were not here, as if I were still a single mom. I have a much bigger income with him. The only thing I can think of is that both kids are in school. Henele has preschool on Monday and Wednesday from 8:30 am to 11:30 am. Tamara has Kindergarten from 12:15 to 3:20 pm all week except Friday where it’s a short day.

Mondays are hard for me to get up and take Henele to school, then pick him up and be back at the school 45 minutes later to drop off Tamara. While Henele is at school I’m tutoring Tamara and helping her with Homework because by the time both me and Leroy get home from work, both kids are just about out for the night.

I am constantly complaining that I never see the kids. The few hours in the morning that I am not at work, they are at school half that time and then when I get to work, I don’t get off till midnight.

I’m exhausted.

And trying to keep the bills straight cause I swear they be switching up dates on me, other house needs like laundry, grocery and simply keeping it clean is so hard to get done and keep up with.  Half the time I don’t know if Leroy even has a lunch for work or not. If the kids are even eating. How they are keeping up with their school. I HAVE NO IDEA!

Did I mention? I was called to the Young Women as their Second Counselor. So there’s more time I have to dig up for. Not that I think it’s a burden. I’m actually excited to work along side these girls and hope that I can be a light to them as they grow into Women.

All I’m saying is that I am at my wits end! I need to quit my job! My kids need their Mom!

I look back on when all this began. When the stress and overwhelming stuff began and it was exactly when school started.

My job is such a blessing though. It’s good money. But since Leroy is making more then double what I make and gets paid weekly. I ask myself, what is more valuable? – My biweekly paycheck with struggling kids in school and a suffering home, or no biweekly paycheck with a mom that can actually nurture the kids.

I think it is time I let go of the Job and maybe just find something a little more accommodating with home. Like a part time job that is flexible around the kids at school.

I hope I get it together and make my move. Whatever move it is, I hope is the right one.

My grown up Christmas List consists of - a Zen Life at home with the kids. 

Xoxo Via

She Came To Me

She came to me in a midnight dream

I couldn't bare what was to be seen

And when she let out that first cry

My life stood at an all time high

She came to me on bended knees

Asking for my open arms

And when she crawled up high to me

From harm and strife - she was free

She came to me with faster feet

To bandaid her new scars and tears

And when she calmed, a sigh she blew

"It's ok" was all she knew

She came to me with exciting news

The monkey bars, she learned to do

And when she'd get right to school

The playground was a whole new cool

6 years had come so fast

My best friend she will always be

Tamara Leethee, my first, my love

6 years ago - she came to me

We've now hit the 6 year mark! Every once in awhile, I wish time would just stand still for even just a moment. So I can embrace her in just a little longer. I know they grow and grow fast. I begin to get excited about what she will bring this world. She amazes me day by day. 

My Tamara, 

I don't know how the past 6 years slipped through my fingers so fast. I couldn't be any more proud of you and all you have accomplished thus far in your life. You are very smart and very talented. If there is one thing that really stands out to me about you, its your very big heart. You don't see me watching most times I catch you doing a good deed without me asking. I catch you sacrificing a lot for your little brother. You let him win all the time to make him feel like a champ but I know you let him win a lot. You always let him pick 2 shows before you argue for 1 turn. You are always getting in trouble for him. I know there have been many times that I have yelled at you for something your little brother did and yet you keep your mouth shut. I know. Tamara, I couldn't have asked for a better daughter and big sister for your brother. As you grow older, you begin to paint newer colors to YOU and I get excited each time I see a new color. I can't wait to see what you bring to this life in this next year. I love you so much! You really do make my heart beat. Don't ever lose your sparkle! 

Kisses Forever, 

Mommy

xoxo Via

Minions!!!

So this movie just happened.

Tamara has been buggin all day to watch it. And seeing as things have been very iffy with Henele and his lovely little allergy/disease that's been going on the past few days.

Yep. It got pretty intense just two days ago. I left work early to see what the fuss was about with his skin. Low and behold, he broke out with welts and boils everywhere. His elbows, knees, hands and even the edge of his ears. 

I didn't go into work Friday cause it spread into his throat and I could tell he was always low on breath. 

Today he's been better. His welts have come down some and after seeing the doctor, he was just passing the peak of it so he isn't contagious to other kids. 

This is a kind of virus so I think he might have picked it up at the play place at the gym from another kid. I don't know. But Dr Vierra was telling me that it's the season for this disease so it's very normal. 

After yesterday's monitoring Hene we made it out to watch the new minions movie. 

WE LOVED IT!!!! 

I seriously was laughing louder then most of the kids in the theatre. 

Minions is Unasa Approved!! 

Xoxo Via

Just An Update

So.. Decided to download the blogger app to post random thoughts and entries throughout my day. 

Woke up early this morning super ready to hit the gym. 

6 weeks ago I entered this local biggest loser competition. It's called the pound for pound. I weighed in and started my weight loss journey. The first week was alright. I've done fitness before so I already knew what was to be expected. First week went by then week 2 and 3. 

I'm now approaching week 7 and I've hit this point where all I look forward to every    Morning when I wake up is the gym. 

I'm going to be honest. I might not technically be SEEING and change but the FEELING is definitely there.

Week 1 - it took me 24 minutes to run/jog just one mile at a speed of 3.5 mph.

Week 6 - it took me 11 minutes to run one mile at a speed of 5.0 mph. 

My weight is dropping and my metabolism to raising. It's been a while since I've felt this good.

Every Friday I weigh myself in to keep track of my progress and take a front and side picture my fat gut. 

I'm hoping by week 14 I will have enough courage to post all my pictures to show off my progress. 

In my mind all I want is one super lean, less than 5% body fat, ripped/toned body. 

This journey really does have my undivided attention. 

So this weekend let's cheers to healthy living and keep going. 

Have a grand weekend everyone! Get some tan and some gym in today! 

Xoxo Via