7 Years to ETERNITY....

Today, November 22, marks the 7th year of my Loving Mother, Atili Fosepi Vea Unga, away from me.. And along with my younger siblings. Before I begin this entry, I would love to share a song with you that we sang at the morning of her burial service at church.

"Well its hard to say goodbye & let go.

And its hard to see it end.

When the memories we've just made may never happen again.
Well it's harder for time to ever erase.

The together times we share.

That when we're apart, remember, all the love we shared together.

And for all that love thank the Lord above who showed us, the way.

That, we can be together, forever some day.

We will be Together forever some day.... "

This song still brings the same emotions & tears as if we sang it 7 long years ago. I still can't believe I have lived this long without her!!! I never thought it would exist in my world.

It's crazy how life has its twists & turns that are out of your control you know? I still remember the exact late night when she passed away... It was the most un-realest feeling that any human can feel. To witness offhand, your Mother, who was my EVERYTHING, just slip away right before your eyes. I don't think I cried so hard in my life! I don't think I said her name so many times in one night. Calling & yelling her name in sooo much agonizing pain, as if I were to cry louder & harder, just maybe, maybe she willl hear me & come back to me... But No... it was HER time... Her time to go.. Her calling was finished here on Earth & I know my HF has a plan for her up there & I can't wait for our Grand Reunion when the time comes!

Wow....7 long years!!!! Is it really here? Yes... It is! I always wondered how life would be if she were still alive... Would I have still made the same decisions? I wonder how different or the same my life would be.... But.. Everything happens for a reason. I know myMoyher was needed, long before her time here with US. I may not understand or know now, but when that time comes, I know its pretty clear that she's supposed to be, where she's supposed to be. As sad as I may be, or that emptiness inside of me that will always be there, I know once I gain a better understanding of the Gospel, I will be relieved & happy shes where she is.

Before I end, I wanted to share a poem with you that my brother wrote.

"The pain of losing you Mom is only temporal.
Because the gospel teaches families are Eternal.
Your smile, your love & a simple hug
Are the things we miss since you've been called above.
Although God's plan may differ & it's hard to understand
But with faith in our Father we will meet again."

Finally after 6 long years of waiting, on June 4, 2010, my Mother finally received her headstone. Last year for my birthday, my Honey surprised me with a birthday dinner with all my close 1st cousins, sisters & best friends. I thought the dinner alone was the surprise...but before he left for the night, he hands me a folder. I anxiously opened it. If anything I was more curious then surprised... "what in the world could be in this folder that I want???" I opened the folder with excitement. I had no idea what all these papers were inside, but as soon as I read "Atili Unga paid in full" I automatically knew what it was!!!! Flustered with emotions, tears of joy & happiness, I hugged my man as if I wasn't going to see him again! Hugged him as tight as I could & I told him how much I loved him & thanked him from the bottom of my heart.
So 7 months of meticulously planning, we finally designed it after how many rough drafts & meetings with our counselor at Skylawn.

I learn to realize that each day is a gift. Let's make everyday count, for we never know what tomorrow may bring!!!

We Love & Miss You Mommy!!!! Like I always say in my prayers, I hope to see you in my dreams........

Huntington Beach... A home away from Home

Hello there my Love:) I hope all is good & well on ur end :) Well, the past week, my sisters, Lani & Bobo & I were able to head down south & welcome our 2nd cousin, Sister Dinah Rogers home from her Edinburgh, Scotland mission!!!! We were set a couple months ago to drive & spend the wkend there. But we were planning Audreys bday & we noticed how much time away we would lose & money!!! So this was totally a last minute trip there to welcome her with open arms @ the LAX airport:)
We left about 8:45am that Wednesday, & came home first flight Friday morning. When we got there, Aunty Lani picked us up & we were thrilled & anxious to see her & everyone else!!! It was still a disbelief that we were actually there. The last time Lani, Tash &I were there, it was her farewell program along with her sisters wedding. A year & a half ago!!! My that came around sooo fast!!!! So they were planning a small potluck with close family. So, when Lani & Lika headed to Costco, we were told to make "Welcome Home" posters for Dinah. Little that we knew, Aunty Sela was making super cute fancy signs with her cricut machine. Had I have known that, believe me, I woulda saved the embarrassment for myself & not even do it :) LOL!!! Then Soon after we gave up on our signs, they came back with shopping & we started to help cook. I offered to make my Mom's chocolate cheesecake. So I made two. Lika made this yummy sushi kind of dish that had raw salmon that was super yummy :) I can't wait to make it for my Hubby! He's sucha good eater & is a dare devil when it comes to food :) So anyways, after we were done cookin & prepping we headed to the LAX Airport to meet Dinah there!!!
I rode with Sarah & her 2 adorable kiddies! Sarah & Tasha are the same age & these 2 are the ones that just "click." Finally after being in the car for a lil' too long, we arrived to our destination! We met up with Aunty Sela & her beautiful girls Lolohea & Anuanu. They were there w their kids, & Anuanu's hubby (which is my second cousin on my dad's side. Our Grandpas are brothers) Together we all waited anxiously for our Sister to walk up the walkway so we can greet her w open arms :)
Finally after waiting for a little while, out she comes. Still the tiny frame beautiful Dinah we all remember!!!! It was so emotional as we all looked on as her immediate family greeted her with pure tears of joy & long tight hugs!!! Totally emotional & yet so heartfelt!!! We each had a turn to greet & hug her led by a photo taken there after. Still in shock of Dinah being back so fast, I observed from the back as she was greeting & hugging everyone. She def had a glow that day. A glow that'll probably never leave her. Maybe it was a Missionary glow? Or was it cuz she was happy to be home? Maybe both... Either way she was definitely glowing:)
We headed home & were literally stuck in gridlock traffic!!!!! It was CRAZY!!!!! It was actually a blessing in disguise, because I got the opportunity to talk w Sarah & I got to know her on a personal level which I enjoyed! It was a pleasure!!!
When we arrived to Lani's house, some of the other family were there to greet Dinah & stay for the potluck, I was starving' like marvin' so I couldn't wait to eat!!! After we ate, we all mingled with the girls & kids. Talked, laughed & took some pictures. That was a fun night :) It's always good to see my Mom's Family. Then Dinah hooked her camera to the TV & we seen lots of beautiful pictures of Scotland!!!! And other interesting sights on her mission. So that was cool to witness.
As the night drew near, my sisters & I were up talking with Lani & Dinah & just reminiscing about the good 'ol days when we used to live with them way back then :) Those were some unforgettable fun times!!! Being there also made me miss my Mom even more... That's all who was missing was her. She's the link to all of this. We finally called it a night after Dinah led us in a prayer before bed. Off to bed we went & my sisters & I couldn't wait to KO:)
As Friday came to me earlier than I thought, we were waken by the smell of fresh fried bacon:) Yum my favorite!!! As we got dressed for the day, we made it downstairs to eat some hearty breakfast made by Sarah's hubby, Ernie. Thnx Ernie again for the food :) After breakfast we were all ready to run some errands for their family reunion that was going to happen that weekend. After running their errands to the city & heading to Aunty Sela's house for their "committee meeting," we were all starvin' since we hadn't ate since breakfast. By the time we left Sela's house, it was nightfall. I was looking forward to eating some steak fries from Betos. But my Aunty Lani made plans of her own :) She opted us to go have BJ's as a family :) so that was super sweet & totally unecessary, but it was her treat since she said it was our last night there.
Dinner was fun. We chatted & we did what we do best (or I can speak for myself at least) & grubbed!!! I ordered the crusted Parmesan chicken which is my ultimate fave!!! It was funny cuz Dinah & I ordered the same thing. We were totally full by the time we can even say "pizookie." Of course my Aunt pushed us to order some, so we eventually partnered up & shared one upon a pair. Lani & Bobo shared one, Dinah & I shared the choc chip one. And Amy & Aunty Lani shared one as well. We ended the night as our only gentlemen, Uncle Terry, taking group pictures of us in front of the restaraunt.
We came home & my smart self wanted to pull an all nighter. I figure I can sleep on the plane. So Sarah was craving the cake, so I made it for her again. While I was making the cake, we were all watching " Grown Ups" which was a good laugh. Then I was thinking we should have a movie night & watch movies all night. I was super excited to spend time w the girls & have fun bonding night! Yeah, that didn't happen. I think we were all tired from the car ride to & from LA since we were in a car majority of the day. So one by one, each girl was falling asleep like dead flies on a hot summer day. I couldn't blame them, I was tired too, but I refuse to oversleep & miss our 6:30am flight!!!
We watched maybe 3 movies then it was time to get ready to head out! I watched "When in Rome" & it was hecka cute!!!!! I wanna buy the DVD. The other action movie I watched, it was such a great movie as well. Great twists & turns that were unpredictable. Bobo loved it too. We had a blast! Well, I did atleast!!!
Then before you know it, it was time to head back home :( Luckily we weren't late, so we made our flight. We said our Goodbyes at the airport. It was Lani & Dinah who dropped us off.
We were truly greatful to spend that little short time with our wonderful family! Although it wasn't as long as we liked, but we got to see Sister Rogers!! So, that was our basis of its appeal! I hope that I do better at planning for the upcoming year. I want to atleast visit down south twice to three times a year!!! And then just build up from there ya know?!
Well, I am forever greatful that my Aunty Lani. She reminds me of my Mom so much! Just being around her makes me FEEL like I'm near her. She's truly a blessing in my life.

Welcome Home Sister Dinah Rogers!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!

My Love, My Mentor, My Better Half, My Rock, My Everything, My ALL Happy Birthday to the Man beyond my DREAMS....

Maya Angelou once said, "Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time."

And that is exactly what happened with Leka & I :)

Today marks the 28th birthday of my husband, Hausia Sione Nemani Leka. I am absolutely honored & blessed to have him for the past 10yrs of my life & I look forward to an Eternity to spend with this crazy man of mine :)

I guess I wanted to share & reflect about my Bday Boy :) and share some great things that I love & admire about this man.

Well first off, even before I really got to "know" him, I instantly fell in love with his outgoing personality & his sweet charm that he carried with himself. He's just always been so genuine & kind to others. And always willing to make you smile & go out of his way to Better SERVE you!

Over the years, my Hubby has made a tremendous 360 degree change!!!! I mean, we ALL have a past. Growing up, his parents both had 2 full time working jobs. Which left one thing for theis average kid: FREEDOM. Being the young & curious boy teenager that he was, he found himself enjoying being in the company of a much older crowd of a bunch of knuckleheads that were up to no good. Soon enough, they each grew a strong brotherhood & before you know it, they all became inseperable. Young, old & in between, they all got into trouble from fights, shoot outs, DUI's & several other illegal/legal matters that really doesnt need to be repeated.

I once heard a great quote that stated, "It's not WHAT happens to you that matters, but HOW you handle it that matters most" and from this quote, you can either do 2 things! 1. You can look at it as a negative & 2. Look at it as a positive. Now ideally, being in my hubby's shoes, he had come from a negative past, ideally what he should is take the positive route right? But sometimes people don't. They are already doing the bad so why change?

Well I am happy to say after a bunch of trials & tribulation, he has made a DECISION to leave the past in the past & look for a positive. Or whatever else is out there. I am just soo glad he decided to join a business almost 5 years ago that focused on SELF IMPROVEMENT!!!! Now of course we are all not perfect & there is always room for self improvement, but this particular business is a Leadership Devlopment business that not only do you improve yourself, you're SERVING others!!!

And so through the years of being faithful & loyal to this business as a couple, we've gained sooo much from this journey. More so on a personal level & yet a relationship level. Not only between us, but everyone else we come in contact with & those who we continually see & love on a daily basis. Through our wonderful duplicatable system, we've read so many books & listened to so many audio CDs that helped develop our character, relationships & everything else in between. Because my Hubby was a hungry & eager student of the system, he has been mentored from those who already have fruit on the tree. Because he was humble enough to sit back & be led & taught by the 5% he has been one of the most humble, serving & phenomenal men I know out there that is willing to fight for what is right!!!

As we continue to learn more about our business, I have come to notice that my Hubby is doing EXACTLY what is taught to us. And through his everyday examples, he is secretly teaching me what I need to work on & what I should be doing & whatnot. I am blown away that through this business, he has come to devour books as though his life depended on it:) Its just such a wonderful & an "awe" moment when I see him reading his list of books that never end. Or to see his face light up when he is taught something new that he read from a book! It's just a sweet feeling I tell ya!!!! And to witness all these tiny steppingstones that he is going through to "better" himself, not only for himself, our friends & family, our business, but most importantly for our sons is truly PRICELESS!!! You sure cannot put a price tag on that one :)

I am just grateful beyond words that my HF made him just for ME!!!! I know in the near future to come, because of all the sacrifice & delayed gratification he has been practicing, he will be blessed in ten folds. He is gonna be one of the most inspiring Leaders out there that is gonna have a massive explosion! He def knew that in the beginning, it was gonna take a lot of handwork & persistence. But he already has a set vision & a dream to conquer. And he knows once he gets IT, it's gonna be that much SWEETER!!!!

Before I leave, I would love to end with one of my all-time favorite quotes: "Be Blessed & be a Blessing."
My Hubby sure is a blessing in my life. I wouldn't trade him for the WORLD!!!! We have a marriage that I hold deep in my heart. We are both far from perfect, however we strive to be better people, spouses, brothers & sisters, friends, children of God & business partners.
You can be a blessing to others in so many different ways. We strive daily to bless others in so many different ways. Whether it may be writing an encouraging note card to friend/family, sharing or volunteering your precious time doing service to others. I mean it can be the simplest things. In the end, its the thought that counts. People don't care what you know, until they know how much you care.
Anyhow, I hope I did some justice & shared a piece of my Hubby's heart with all of you. He's the true servant humble Husband that he was born to be. I am truly honored & speechless to call him my MINE !!! Now only if he can be baptized!! LOL...

Have a tremendous day & enjoy your week!!! Love you all x0x0

My Cup is Overfull.... Another Year.... Older & Wiser....

Hello my Love :) I hope all is well with you my Deary!!!!! The last couple of days has been the most unforgettable yet rewarding days of my life! On Thursday I turned the big 25!!!!! I have been dreading this day to come & it's ACTUALLY HERE! So in my head I have been playing mind games with myself! I was like, Hummmm I wonder what or if my Honey will do anything for me this year? Of course being married to him for the past 4 years (5 in 2 wks!) he likes to do things BIG! He doesn't like to say or brag or talk about it.... He just DOES IT! He's always been that way when I met him... Not only can he 'talk the talk,' but he makes sure he 'walks the walk' & then some! So, since being spoiled by him for however long we've been together (almost 10 years! Hey.... Who's counting? LOL) I guess you can say I would LOVE to look forward to these kinda things just to see how creative or whatnot & see what he comes up with! But this time around, I literally was like not caring. I'm too old for all this stuff. And not even that, but my Honey just has this silent humbleness that speaks volumes. So that literally rubbed off on me big time! So literally, this yr for my Bday I just wanted to EAT! LOL...

So Wed night I put the kiddies to bed around 9-9:30pm & I found some time to read & catch up on some tasks I have been slacking off. Then before I hit the sack, I wanted to hurry & finish a book I was currently reading. And by this time Lex was on a conference call talking away & whatnot. I lost track of time & As I was approaching the ends of the chapter in my book, he hands me a white bag.... And I look @ the time & it's 5 min after midnight! Its my BDAY! Yay for me! Of course I was thrown off, totally unexpected. He kisses me on my lips & forehead & whispers " I Love You & Happy Birthday!" and mind you he's still on that call. So he walks away in the living room so I can enjoy my gift to myself. I reach out whats in the white see through bag & here comes a brand spanking new iPad!!!!! Is this guy really serious???? He's crazy! Where did he get the money for this? I don't deserve this... This is way too much money for me! Of course I was grateful no doubt. I ran to the living room. Hugged him like haven't seen him in ages. Kissed him all over his handsome face & I said Thank You & I Love You MORE! Then I spent the next 2 hours on this thing! LOL soooo addicting!

So later that day, we got to witness one of my 1st cousin's purposal! It was the SWEETEST thing everrrrrr! We were soooo Happy & ecstatic for her! We all felt like we were getting purposed too! The whole set up, scenery, storyline was perfect! And the best part of it all, she had NO IDEA! I would re-tell the story, but I will let the pictures do the talking! I will add pix tomorrow ;) Then I went home to meet Lex so we can head out to dinner. My Honey & I had made plans to have dinner @ Cleo's a Brazilian Steakhouse. As soon as I pull in to the house, my 2 youngest come running out "Mommy! Happy Birthday! Mommy, guess what, you have balloons in your room." LOL they were too cute! They ran outside & handed me my boquet of balloons & Isaiah handed me a dozen of a rare white & magenta roses. I walk in to be greeted by my Honey w a Bday card in hand. He knows Ima card kinda gal! I LOVE cards! Then I re-tell the story to him abt the engagement.Then they sang HB to me as my Honey was lighting my cupcake cake that had 21 candles & not 25! It was soo cute, my Micah pointed out,"Thats not a 5, it's a 1!" then we all started laughing! Then we ate some cupcakes & we were off! When we went there, there was NO one there! And to me that was a sign that maybe the restaurant sucked! LOL.... So being the boring self I am I opted to go to BJ's. As we were approaching closer, I wish I had said Bucca de Beppo instead! Their calamari is the best to me!!!! But I was too late & I couldn't make up my mind as usual! So we had a nice dinner still in shock about the whole engagement & whatnot. Then we ended the night there ;)

The next day I had planned to run some errands for my niece's bday party we're planning for. Then my Sister Tash calls me to see if I wanted to go out for my bday since we didn't get to really 'celebrate' yesterday. I really wasn't in the mood. I was looking' crazy. I just got back from Michaels. I was hungry & yet lazy for not eating anything yet. So I finally said OK. I was more in the mood after I did my hurrrr since I wasn't looking too bad nemore ;) Then we headed out to my Dad's house so Leka can weigh in. Then I caught a ride w Ane to BJs where the younger 4 were waiting. We all hadna simple dinner there. Talking from Bday planning to random everyday life. Then outta nowhere these sneaky gals pull out 2 Forever 21 bags & a Victoria Secret bag! Of course I was embarrassed, I felt guilty! But they pushed me to open it. So I thanked them & read my card anxiously. It was super cute! I got really cute clothing, jewelry & smell good things since I like to literally eat my body sprays! My sisters always tell me I overuse my body sprays but I can't help it;)

So tonight really put the icing on the cake for me as a closure to my bday! I am just soooo grateful that my HF has blessed my life in soooo many ways! And for allowing me to live & conquer another day as I please. Before I end I wanted to share a quote of "gratitude" bc that's the exact FEELING I have as I'm typing up here. This is an excerpt taken from the book I finished about a month ago.

"I have always found it ironic that the people in this world who have the most to be thankful for are often the least thankful, and somehow the people who have virtually nothing, many times live lives full of gratitude."

I didn't grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth, however I have the fondest yet BEST childhood memories ever! I am forever greatful I was raised the way I was so I am able to literally be thankful for all the small things I take for granted. This Bday was more on a emotional level if nething. Things are just things & can always be replaced or lost.

With that said I will end it Here so I can catch up on my beauty sleep! Pictures will come soon! Love u all & Sweeeet Dreams xoxo

Sweeeeeeet NOVEMBER has finally COME!!!!

Hello there my Love ;) I hope that you all had a wonderful memorable Halloween wkend! It sure was a busy last couple of days yet rewarding just to spend some good ol' QT w my Loved Ones & family!!! My home computer is currently goin through some issues (aren't we all ;)) so my Halloween wild wkend will come soon!!! Sorry for the delay for all my anxious 8 folowers ;) LOL!!!

NOVEMBER is my all-time FAVE MONTH! I have various reasons such as:

• My Honey's bday is the 13th
• My Mom's 7th (YES I KNOW!!! How incredibly faaaaast) memorial is on the 22nd
• My Honey & I's wedding anniversary on the 15th
• Thanksgiving is my FAVORITEST holiday bc of the "togetherness" it brings this time around & Thanksgiving to me is also a reminder of how FORTUNATE & BLESSED I am with another blessed year spent w all my LOVED ones!!!
• My Baby Audrey turns 1 on the 21st but we'll be celebrating it on the 20th this yr since her actual Bday lands on a Sunday
• This is the month where my Honey & I attended our 1st school dance together in 2000. It was a Homecoming Dance & my BFF Kasandra & I were gonna go together. Then my WILDEST DREAM came true when outta nowhere he calls me over. And he was across the ramp talking to one of his friends. Then I walk over there & he asks if I am going to Homecoming & I reply Ihink so. Then he asks if I have a date & I say no. And mind you while he's asking me these million questions, I have the HUGEST smile!!! Then he goes in for the kill & asks me to go w him!!! And of course me being sucha ditz I reply Are you sure you wanna go w me? Then he says Yes, otherwise I woulda never aske you!!! So of course I said YES!!! OMG!!! I was on CLOUD 9 THE WHOLE DAY!!!! I am sucha cornaball!!! I still remember it like it was yesterday!!! After the dance we were diggin' eachother & we began courting from there! And the rest is history....
• oh yeah... I turn the big 25 in 2 days on the 4th & I'm dreading it!!!! I wanna stay 24 FOREVER..... LOL
• Other bdays I remember this month are:
• Aunty Sanne
• Aunty Kalo
• Charlie Boo Jr. turns 1 this month too!!!
• My brother inlaw Toa Tau turns 25 on the 14th
• My cousin Jay Unga turns 26 on the 16th
• My cousin aka Professional Photographer Maele's Bday is today
• My BFF's sister Kalo is the 3rd a day before mine

I am still in awwwwe how fast time goes! It goes to show that we all share the same 24 hours in a day. No more or no less. Time favors no one. As much as we would LOVE to add more hours in a day since it feels like we NEVER have enough time! Or sometimes I wish I can freeze time! Just last night I was giving my kids a shower & it dawned me that one day they are ALL 3 gonna leave me one day!!! I swear I can still remember each of their super fast births! I was totally blessed to have quick births! I still remember the sleepless nights w the 2am feedings & the never ending diaper changing you can do in a day! I just feel totall blessed to have each of them for as long as I have ;0)

This month already looks busy as I overlook my Hawaii themed calendar. I always try & tackle the events w a positive attitude so I am NOT over stressed or crazy about it! I am trying to think what I am gonna do for my Honey's Bday! HE turns 28 this year! Wow I can't believe just 10 yrs ago he was in high school & I was sooooo in love with him & I didn't really "know" him yet! I have a couple of ideas so we'll see what I actually do!

Well, I guess that's enough for today! I gotta take my sister to run some errands! I can never get enough time w my younger sisters! I hope my home comp gets better so I can share my Halloween wkend w you all! Have a wonderful Tuesday & make it count! Love Ya xoxo

HALLOWEEN HAS FINALLY COME & GONE SOOO FAST!!!!

Enjoy these pictures from Halloween & other events ;0) Love YA xoxo

Here we are at our Trick or Trunk ;0)

Here's our new & improved pumpkins!!!! L toR : a haunted house, a face of a dracula, a scarecrow & a happy smiley face guy!
Jonah showing us his sticky fingers from his pumpkin!

Micah waiting patiently for a pumpkin carver...

My lil' perfectionist!!! He took his sweet time & he was soo proud of his wonderful artwork he completed ALL by himself! My Baby is all grown up!!!

My Micah is havin a blast throwin seeds @ everyone ;) He was totally beaming when we started!!!!
Before their makeovers ;)

Then we had the pleasure of attending our home ward Primary's Trick or Trunk! It was totally cute & simple this yr!!! It was held mostly outdoors which was different since we always have it indoors EVERY yr as long as I can remember!!! I remember as a kid the most SCARIEST one we had attended when I was in primary & it was held @ the Milbrae chapel... & it was sooo cooool! I remember slidind thru the entrance & it was all fun & games afterwards! I remember my cousin Lina playing dead or something w the rest of the YW that yr! I was just sucha fun event to look forward to as a kid! And now that I have kiddies of my own, I too want them to share share what I did when I was their age ;) Here are some of our Trick or Trunk!

Here's my Isaiah Babe showin off his pumpkin ;)
Here are my 2 Babies Micah Jackson & my Jonah Babe as a Power Ranger
Here's my infamous Mr. Micah Jackson! He absolutely LOVED his costume that he picked himself! He was hecka feelin himself w his broken mic!!! If u look closer he has no handle! LOL