Outstanding effort, kindness, and citizenship...

So, Ilaiasi had his Kindergarten "graduation" ceremony last Friday and since I have volleyball during the last period of my day, I was able to attend. I am so glad I did! After all of the kindergarteners tromped across the stage to receive their graduation certificates, the principal, Mrs. Kenjura, got up and made a big speech about how all the boys and girls should be proud of their accomplishments, and that she now had a couple of special awards to hand out, but that it was ok that each child wasn't going to receive one of these awards -- I think she was mostly preparing us as parents for the inevitable tears and disappointment our little ones might experience at not receiving a "special medal." Anywhooo...she proceeded to talk about how the award she was giving out, the Principal's Award, was intended to go to the 2 students who consistently demonstrated outstanding effort, kindness, and citizenship throughout the school year. She said that at the Kindergarten level, she really emphasizes kindness and had asked each of the teachers to choose a student who best demonstrated this quality when interacting with their peers. Of course, after receiving notes indicating that Ilaiasi had been involved in activities like "scissor fights" during the school year, I had no expectations of him receiving this award. However, much to my surprise and delight, Ilaiasi WAS the recipient! In addition, the principal came up to me afterwards and said such nice things about my son. Let me tell ya -- I am SO blessed to have such a good, sweet little boy. And it is definitely NOT the result of my stellar parenting by any stretch of the imagination...he just came out this way! What a great kid!

When I spoke to Sunny about this, she reminded me of a funny story that pretty much sums up my sweet kid:

Ilaiasi came home from school one day and as soon as he got into the car he said, "Oh, Mommy...this was a VERY bad day!"
Me: "Oh no, what happened?"
Ilaiasi: "Well, you know my buddy Conner? Well...at lunch, he thought he just tooted, but really, HE POOPED IN HIS PANTS!"
Me: (trying VERY hard to keep from cracking up) "Oh, dear...how do you know?"
Ilaiasi: "Well, he had to go to the nurse, and when he came back, his pants and his underwear were in a bag! And then, HE TOLD ME!"
Me: "Well, did you laugh when he told you that?"
Ilaiasi: (looking scandalized) "Oh, no, Mommy...that wouldn't be nice at all!"
Me: "Well, what did you do when he told you?"
Ilaiasi: "Oh....well, I just went like this: [made a very sympathetic face] 'AAAAWWWWWW'!"

Ahahahaha...I crack up every time I think about it, but it totally sums up the type of kid Ilaiasi is. He's my little sweetheart and I love him so much.

Funny Ilaiasi

Well, it's been almost a year since my last post, but my sister Sunny's recent blogging activities have inspired me to action. I feel like I've missed out on a whole year of funny Ilaiasi stories, and I thought I'd start by writing a few of them down. So, without further ado....here we go:

1. Just a bit of background before I begin this story. I've been very surprised over the years at the number of people who do not realize the diversity in my ethnic background; especially those who I assume know this information. So, as a preface to this story, I must make the disclosure that while my dad's family is Tongan and...let's just say "somewhat overly tan", my mom's family is Swedish and white as a blanket of new fallen snow. And it comes as no surprise that Ilaiasi has had questions from time to time regarding the difference in the color of his skin (super BROWN) and that of Grandma's and Grandpa's (white or pink...depending on season and amount of physical exertion). So, this information in mind, this is a conversation I had recently with my crazy, hilarious son.

As you may or may not know, we have baby #2 due to arrive in October. Upon discovering the exciting news, Ilaiasi told me,"Mommy, if it's a girl, we should name her Chloe. And if it's a boy, let's call him Max or Jack...because I know how to spell both of those names already!" Then, as a very generous afterthought, my monkey tells me, "But Mommy, you can pick the last name!" I, of course, had to explain to him that because the new baby will be part of our family, he/she will have the same last name as all of us. At this point, Ilaiasi made a comment that I thought was absolutely hysterical. With a totally confused, but completely sincere look on his face, he says, "But Mom...we're all brown! What if the baby comes out peach-ish white like Grandma and Grandpa?"

I love the way little minds think...he's such a goofy kid.

After Church Temple Expedition

Just thought I'd post a couple of pictures of my boys on the Houston, TX Temple grounds. Ilaias had a good time looking at all the fountains, and was also fascinated by the discovery of a semi-domesticated squirrel. He insisted that we take several pictures of said squirrel, and by the time the squirrel's photo shoot finished, my camera had run out of batteries. Thus, these are the few pictures of the boys I caught before becoming a squirrel paparazzo. I've also included a picture of the infamous squirrel for your viewing pleasure.

Ilaiasi's End of the Year Party

Ilaias had a BLAST in Pre K this year. I can't believe my little monkey kid is going to be a KINDERGARTENER this fall! It doesn't seem possible that time has flown by so quickly. He's such a great kid and is a serious social butterfly! Every kid he introduced me to was his "best buddy." This is his "best buddy Hope."


Silly faces for a silly kid.


Getting big, but still loves bubbles...can ya blame him? He had so much fun at his party and started talking about it WEEKS in advance.



Gotta love the kissy fish sunglasses.


"And this is my other best buddy Drew."


"And this is my other best buddy Morgan."



End of the day...been playing outside in the hot Texas sun for a little bit too long...no nap...sweaty and thirsty...ready to go home for the summer!

Welcome to the world Emmie Karalena Mahe!!

So, Sunny and Junior have a new addition to their family. Emmie Karalena Mahe was born on May 27, 2009. We love you Emmie!!!

Post-Memorial Day Reflections

I'm feeling rather nostalgic and somber on the heels of such an important day of remembrance. Truthfully, I'm sorry to say that I've never really been one to ponder the significance of this particular holiday...it's always been more of a "woo-hoo, only-3-school-days-left, end-of-the-year, last-official-school-holiday" kind of day for me. I didn't anticipate this Memorial Day to be any different from any other, and made plans accordingly. Thus, the majority of my Memorial Day was filled with family, friends, barbecue, and volleyball. However, last night before we fell asleep, Finau and I got to talking, and our conversation forever changed the way I will look at Memorial Day. We had a good talk, not only about those who have passed on, but about what we want to happen when our time on earth is over. And although that conversation was kind of depressing and a little upsetting, it was incredibly thought-provoking, and it really made me grateful for all I have, and inspired me to take a look at how I'm using the time I've been given. I woke up this morning with the remnants of our conversation in my mind, and today I made a list of things that I would want people to remember about me when I'm gone. Let's just say I have a LOT of work to do if I want to make that list a reality. Nevertheless, I've resolved to begin working on my little list of qualities, and one of the characteristics I hope to acquire is gratitude.

So, on this Post-Memorial Day Tuesday, I am first and foremost grateful for those who gave their lives so that my life can be what it is today. I read somewhere (I'm pretty sure Oprah said it, but I can't remember for sure) that if you're a girl and you're born in the United States, even if you're born in the poorest circumstances you're already better off than about 90% of the world's female population. I feel so blessed to be a part of this great nation. Even with all the ups and downs in politics, the economy, and just society in general, I know I am blessed to be here, and I am so humbled by and grateful for the men and women who have given their lives and are still doing so, so that we can live in the "land of the free."

I am also grateful for my parents, and for their role in making me into the person I've become. I'm grateful that my mom taught me kindness by example. I'm grateful that she showed me how to be compassionate and encouraged me to always do the right thing. My dad taught me confidence and made me believe that there was nothing I couldn't do if I was willing to work for it. I'm so thankful that both of my parents taught me to be independent; they showed me how to weigh all the options, but allowed me to make my own choices...what a blessing this tool has been! As I struggle down the road of parenthood with my own son, I often wonder if I am making the right choices -- especially when my parenting techniques differ from those that my parents used with me. The ability to think independently and weigh the pros and cons of different parenting techniques is immensely comforting, and I am grateful that my parents taught me this skill and then trusted me enough to let me develop it.

My "Gratitude List" could go on and on and on, but, alas, it is time for me to actually do some work and my next class is about to start. However, before I end, I want to express my gratitude for eternal families and for the Plan of Salvation. Even though I don't always understand how everything will work out, I've recently acquired a testimony that it WILL work out in the end. I believe that everything happens for a reason. I believe that I have a loving Heavenly Father who watches over me and sees the desires of my heart. I believe that He lifts me up during my times of struggle, and that He will take all the broken pieces of my life and someday make them whole. I believe that He is the fount from which all of the wonderful blessings in my life spring. And for all of this I am truly grateful.

WOW...it MUST be time for summer vacation!!

So, this morning I got in the car just like I always do. I drove the same roads I always take to work. I pulled into the parking lot at my school -- again, just like I always do. However, there was a notable difference today. As I pulled into the lot, I suddenly heard a little voice from the back seat say, "Um...hey, Mommy? So...where are we going?" To which I replied, "Wellllllll...I have no idea!" Yeah...I may have forgotten to take Ilaias to school on my way to work today. OOPS!! It MUST be time for summer vacation.