{ Happiest Place On Earth }

Took a family trip to Disneyland...for FREE! (it's not what you know, it's who you know!) Here's some moments from our day.

Started our day off with the Buzz Lightyear ride..twice...in a row!

So into it...just look at the face!

He LOVES anything and everything "Buh!"

Flying with Unko Spence! My boy was so HAPPY the entire day.

Haunted Mansion

Not so into this ride lol

Waiting in our private VIP room to meet all the princesses...

Obviously we were way more excited than the babies! lol

Thanks to Rapunzel (Jamee) for getting us in and rounding up all the princesses for us!

They were all SO PRETTY! (and looked exactly like their character)

...already the ladies man!

Safi boy ran up to Flynn and held his hand and said "Buh! Buh!" (Sorry baby...Princesses only here)

Meeting Mickey

My first plank! I held perfect form while the seats were moving simultaneously up and down  -all while the carousel was moving! SUCCESS! lol..eh..jp

According to Terewai -the babies had a "Disneyland Hangover"

Tower of Terror! 

Pure Tongan BUFFNESS right here!

{ I Love to Create }

My new thang!

This is my first time using charcoal. I know..I know, this is just amateur stuff but if you look closely it's a bell pepper. (it's some what abstract) I've always loved to draw...and I just now discovered how to use charcoal (it's pretty much just smudging, blending, and erasing charcoal to create an image on paper-with out drawing any lines) and I think I might love this more!

I LOVE to create!

Once I have more free time on my hands I can't wait to make something a little more er...interesting! haha

{ If only... }

The standard -every- husband should live by:

 IF ONLY this were true...

-I'd wake up every morning to a clean kitchen..oh, and breakfast in bed.

-he would watch baby and be oh-so-patient while I shopped at H&M for a couple hours.

-I would get to watch my favorite shows (in peace) while he gave me a massage and folded the laundry at the same time!

-he would write his papers ahead of time so I'm not stuck doing it for him on a Friday night

If only... haha Oh well, I know my Sugardaddy got me!

Aaaaaaand I'm pretty sure my husband has an entire 'if only' list for me as well...too bad he doesn't have a blog. ;)

{ True Love }

On Saturday night my son and I went to a rodeo while my husband caught up on some sleep. We got there before it started and walked to the very top of the stands (already knowing baby wouldn't do well in a tight space crammed between people). As we were sitting at the top by the aisle waiting for it to start and watching more people come in and take their seats my eyes were drawn to an elderly couple (maybe late 70's early 80's) walking up the aisle towards us. To be honest, the first thing that caught my attention was the elderly woman had huge patches of hair missing, with only very few straggly strands left. (it was apparent that she was most likely going through chemo due to her appearance and feeble state) But her loss of hair wasn't what kept me staring. (I know, I know...so rude)

...it was the tenderness and patience that her husband showed as he slowly walked by her side with one arm wrapped around her lower back, placing his hand on her side and the other gently holding her arm nearest him to help brace her. They walked just like this the entire way up enduring every step until they reached the top. (and the stands were pretty big) Once they found some open seats the elderly man folded a blanket nicely and placed it on the bleacher for his wife to sit on. They looked so happy and in love.

I finally had to force myself to look away before they or anyone else saw me staring. Even after seeing my own grandmother with cancer and going through chemo, I still cannot image how hard that would be to have my other half go through a sickness like that, especially after being together for almost an entire lifetime. After watching this elderly couple all I could think was,

"That is true love!"

Too many people today get caught up in the fallible notion that love is only romantic bliss, pure happiness, and instant gratification.

Anyone can fall in love, but only the enduring, selfless stay in love.

Here's a funny, candid vid of an elderly couple. They're so cute! (go to 1:50)

I can't wait to grow old with my Love. Even when we're old we'll still be laughing and making fun of each other! ;)

{ Halloween costumes }

I can't wait to go Halloween costume shopping for baby this weekend! As much as I am tempted to dress him up like this....

('cause I think it's the cutest/funniest costume ever!)

or this....

(but I think making my son Dwight would just be cruel, but funny. plus he doesn't have the hair color or nose. by the way-I wonder what this kid's parents look like?...'cause he looks exactly like him! )

....I figured since he now understands more, he would rather be something he would want to be. So I think we might just have to go with his #1 HERO:

But if we had a family dog it would so be this...

or this....

Anyways, I'm so excited to take my son to the pumpkin patch and trick-or-treating. He's gonna love it!

{ Sleep is for people who are BROKE! }

If you're in need of a motivational tip-of-the-day check out this video clip I came across today.

Since school started for the both of us our schedules have been CER-AY-ZEE! And on top of school Saf works the graveyard shift full-time (at least 6 days a week). While he works baby and I sleep. He gets home when we wake up -then he sleeps. Then I have to wake him back up so he can watch baby while I go to class for a couple hours. Then he goes back to sleep for another couple hours once I get home. Then the days he goes to school he comes home from work and sleeps for 3 hours -wakes up and goes to school -then comes back home and knocks out for a couple more hours before work. Then wakes up and leaves for work and we go to sleep for the night. And the cycle continues the next day...

...did I loose you? 

Don't worry if I did 'cause even I get lost trying to keep up with this schedule. Through out the week this cycle of "I sleep/then you sleep/neither of us sleep" the days start to mesh together and the common question we have started asking one another is, "What day is it again?" 

Looking at the picture from a day-to-day aspect we often have to stop and ask ourselves, "Why are we doing this?" or "Let's just take this semester off?" But then looking at the bigger picture we are reminded that the sacrifices (and loss of sleep) are only a speck of the success that will follow down our road. I have hope and faith in our future because we're working hard for it now! At times it does feel quite overwhelming. I don't get to see my husband as much (either does anyone else -and it's gotten to the point where people have started stopping by our place just to make sure he's still alive! True story) and deadlines for test, homework, and projects becomes stressful after a long day at work, taking care of a sick baby, and/or running on little to no sleep. But we tread through it because we want more opportunities for our family...we want a better future for our son (and future kids)...we want to be better than what we were yesterday.

I've always believed that you can never stand still in one place. You're either progressing or regressing. But never still. Even though we haven't reached our goals (yet), I still feel accomplished because we continue to move forward and progress...

Sleep is nice, but it will never be sweeter than the fruit of success after hard, diligent work.

Although my husband did comment, "Well then I must be sleeping too much 'cause I'm still broke!" haha 

(Patience baby, patience...)

{ Sea World }

Last week my husband took his vacation week. The highlight of our week: taking our son to Sea World. Here's a few pics from our day...

Safi boy LOVED the whales. He was screaming and clapping the entire show. He even loved getting wet in the "soak zone"...good thing 'cause he was the perfect pancho from keeping me wet. ( after daddy got splashed once...he waited for us at the top where it was dry)

 Going through the Shark tunnel...um, where are the sharks? (I guess they didn't show up in the pic)

Safi boy didn't want to leave the sea lions. We got some fish to feed to them and once they started barking and jumping against the glass he got scared and decided he had enough.(yes baby, they're a little bit bigger than Moko)

Sea turtles! Baby said, "shhhhhhh.." when he saw them sleeping in the sun. (they were pretty boring)

 Baby didn't really get the concept of the tide pools...he just wanted to pick the starfish up and throw them.

 My twins.

My family <3

After Sea World we hit up the outlets right before the border, instead of staying at a hotel for the weekend. I got some cute Jordons for baby and 3 shirts, 1 jacket, a dress, and 2 bracelets for $30. Talk about steal of a deal! I was in heaven seeing all these crazy discounts! (only my husband knows how cheap I am) We're definitely making another trip back there.

 Yes, it was literally right next to the border. There's the border on the left and the outlet on the right.

....aaaaaand we almost ended up in Mexico on our way home. (Saf almost took the 5 south) That would have been ALL BAD! -they might have stolen my husband's gold tooth! haha

{ I'm Legit }

You're not a legit adult/mother until you shop at Costco with at least one kid in the shopping cart.

{ family & Sundays }

Not only was it General Conference weekend but I also got to spend some QT with my girls. Last night we had a girls-night-out to La Creperie in Long Beach. It's been years since we've all been together like this. (the only ones missing where Ashton and Stasi) It's crazy how we all have our own lives now and we're spread across the world. Literally. From Hong Kong to New Zealand to the States...Wihongi's are taking over the world!!! haha I loved catching up with my sisters. Even though we don't see or talk to one another on a regular basis, when we finally do get together -it's like no time ever passed.

 

Today after conference we all got together at Aunty Olga's house for an eat. There's nothing better than Sundays, food, and family. It wouldn't be a true family-get-together with out Grampa saying a few words (aka entire speech). Tonight he shared the story of how he and Grama took their five children on a ship from New Zealand and traveled across the Pacific Ocean to America seeking a better life for their family. (OK, any fam reading this -I know you already have this story memorized like the back of your hand so I won't go any further) But he shared a thought that I thought was worth recording. As Grampa spoke he directed what he was about to say to all his grand-daughter's husbands. He said right before they left to board the ship to leave for America his father (my great grandfather, Hono Wihongi) told him, "I'm sorry son but I have no money to give you. I do however have three words of advice...WORK, WORK, WORK." Grampa then counseled all the husbands to work hard for their families. He then added his second bit of advice, "Trust in the Lord." My grandparents came here (to America) with little to nothing and through hard, hard work and trusting the Lord, they built their family and a better future. Even though my husband was not present (due to work), I am grateful to have married a man who works so hard for his family to provide for us and who trusts in the Lord. I know our future will be blessed because of him.

Today -I am grateful to have done nothing but enjoy the presence of those I love most.

{ Never & Forever }

I'm back! Between family from out of the country coming to visit, class/homework, going out of town, having my husband home for his vacation days, and just the everyday responsibilities of being a momma and wifey...I've been MIA on my blog. I've been busy! ...but busy is good.

So to catch up a bit...

On Tuesday Saf and celebrated our [3] year anniversary. The best part about 'our day' was having him home from work. That night we did dinner and a movie. So cliche. But when cliche rarely gets to happen due to our insane schedules...I'll take cliche any day and be more than happy about it.

Reminiscing about these past three years brought back many memories. They say the first year is the hardest...more like the first two years. We had lots of good times those first two, but.........I would never want to repeat them. haha. (they were learning experiences) But throughout this last year I feel like we've finally found our rhythm together.

I love this guy to death! The best part about us is we compliment one another. My weaknesses are his strengths and vice versa. He's not just who I want, but he's who I need. From the get-go when we first met I immediately felt this peaceful, calming feeling when I was with him. It was a peaceful, calming feeling I had (at the time) never known. This peaceful, calming feeling brought out my happiest self...the 'happiest' I never allowed myself to be.

Even now I still feel this same peaceful, calming feeling...

Last year I had to be rushed to the E.R. and ended up having an emergency surgery. I remember when I started waking up after the surgery...I was still very groggy and was trying so hard to fight against the anesthesia so I could open my eyes and talk. When I came to it and could open my eyes (although everything was still really blurry) and barely talk the first thing I did was ask the nurse for my husband. I remember I started crying ...from the physical pain but mostly from the emotional pain of what I just endured. Again, I asked the nurse for my husband. She made some stupid remark in an attempt to calm me down and then said I was still in the recovery room and no visitors were allowed. Still being somewhat sedated and totally out of it (and mad at the nurse because she wouldn't get my husband) I started crying even more and telling the nurse  ....well, let's just say I was telling her repeatedly, "Get my husband you effing-female dog!" (that's the edited version). haha I swear it was the drugs that made me do it! At that point I must have been that distraught because the nurse had to put an oxygen mask on me and the next thing I knew Saf walked into the room, kissed my head, and sat down next to my bed. Immediately that same peaceful, calming feeling of his presence settled me down and I just knew everything would be ok because he was with me.

*Side note: As peaceful and calm this guy can get me...he's also the number one person to work my patience (and nerves)! We are far from perfect. But who wants a perfect marriage? ...that would be so boring? We keep each other on our toes.

We always tell each other to look at things through your 'spiritual eyes' (or eternal perspective). If you know my husband than you know how he's forever clownin' and laughing. Whenever we go to the temple and we're sitting in the Celestial room together, he'll lean over to me to whisper something and then start laughing (his quietest laugh). Then while trying to hold back my laughter, I'll tell him to stop laughing because he's being so irreverent. But secretly, all I'm thinking when I tell him to stop is this is how it's going to be through out this life and here after. He's never going to change and he'll forever be mine.

Cheers to [3] years and an eternity to go...

 

Caught a quick one when he wasn't looking. (I can never get this guy to take a pic) We were suppose to take one of us both looking (for keepsake on our 3rd anni) but when we were at the movies it was too dark and then when we went out to eat we were too hungry. haha So this one will have to suffice.