Bellaland

New Years Resolution #1

2013-12-30T11:14:00.001-07:00

Daniel and I sat down and created a list of items we wanted to work on for the New Year. We set personal goals and family goals. As we read through our goals we decided on 3 personal goals and 3 family goals. We are both so excited about our goals and what they will mean for our little family.

The first goal we had was to have regular Family Home Evening Nights. We wanted to have one night a week that not only brought us closer together, but closer to God as well. For those of you who know me well, know that I struggle with regular church attendance among other things, but I couldn't deny the power of Family Home Evenings. Some of my strongest memories growing up were the make shift family home evenings we had. I remember my Dad putting together a game out of a card board box, singing hymns with my siblings, praying together and trying not to laugh as someone inevitably let gas loose in the middle of our prayer.

So here is to our first resolution. Cheers!

Fourth Grade

2013-10-22T19:14:00.000-06:00

Some fun facts about Daniel!

My fourth grade teacher is Miss Burgess.
My favorite school subject is MATH.
My favorite sport is Football.
My favorite hobby is Drawing.
My favorite book is the Calvin and Hobbs Comics.
My favorite TV Show right now is S.H.I.E.L.D.
My favorite movie is the 3rd Transformers.
My favorite food is cheeseburgers.
My favorite pizza topping is sausage.
My favorite song is Home by Phillip Phillips.
My favorite chore is cleaning my room.
My favorite holiday is Christmas.
My favorite colors are blue, white, orange and red.
My dream vacation is going to New York or Hawaii.
My favorite game is Stratego.

Lordy, Lordy, Lorde

2013-10-22T18:58:00.002-06:00

We can't get enough of Lorde and her album Pure Heroine! So good!!

The last few months...

2013-01-06T22:08:00.001-07:00

So much to share, so many posts, and so little desire to play a huge catch up. So how about some prime pics, tags and on to a fresh start?

We had a lot of fun Halloween night with these three!

Oh yeah! This cuteness is happening!

I slaved over this meal; with the help of Lua, Mom, and Lorien. Do you see something missing? Oh yeah, the turkey wasn't done. :( I'm planning a do over soon!

I haven't laughed so hard!

Dance party fun with these two!

I can't even tell you how happy I am for these two love birds!

I gladly spoil them. They deserve it. :)

Oh just some robot fun!

Christmas dinner party at my house. Good times. LOVE these two!

PF Changs good times with Peggy, Cheryl and Melanie. These women inspire me.

After a ridiculously upsetting night, I was cheered up by these three in a LATE night sleepover. LOVE!

He had to watch us cook dinner, only to fall asleep ten minutes into it. Don't you just want to eat him?

Asisi family trip to SLC to see the Christmas lights. Good times.

Good job iPhone!

It was SO great having Mom and Dad home for so long.

Christmas dinner! A delicious polynesian feast!

Reading the book the grandparents got him for Christmas. I'm so happy he loves to read!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! CHEERS to 2013.

Mumford and Sons

2012-11-09T00:23:00.001-07:00

I am so absolutely moved by this song and video.

Stuart Falls

2012-10-08T19:40:00.001-06:00

A few weeks ago, Melanie took us for a hike up to Stuart Falls. I have to preface this with the fact that I hate to hike, but I was feeling this strong desire to get out there and get moving. So I told Melanie that I would be down for a hike. We planned it and I was good with it until the day before. Haha! I desperately wanted to cancel the hike and go see a movie instead.

The hike was hard, I was so out of shape, I was praying for strength to finish and at one point I had asked Daniel to push me along the trail. I was even contemplating the idea of quitting the hike, staying right where I was and calling for Search and Rescue to come and take me off the mountain. But I'm so glad that I didn't. I'm so glad that I finished the hike. I felt great. Also, what a perfect time to take a hike! The mountains couldn't have been prettier!

Note: I took the Holga out with us on the hike as well. The above pictures were taken with my iPhone, but as soon as I get the Holga pics back, I will post them on the blog.

Flag Football 2012

2012-10-07T18:27:00.000-06:00

It has been a little strange to not have Aggie games to go to, but YAY for Daniel's flag football. We had so much fun going to the games! Uncle Sione even helped out with the coaching. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the little guy. He really appreciated it. And Thank YOU John for your willingness to help.

Oh here is a funny story. When the boys got their shirts and saw that they were going to be black, they decided to name themselves the Black Cougars. Haha, what!?!

HEN MOVIE CLUB

2012-10-06T21:31:00.001-06:00

Did I mention that I started a movie club? I didn't? That's strange. Well, I did and it is so fun. We get together once a month to see a movie. There is a blog! There are membership pins! There is a newsletter and for a while there, we had a bunch of giveaways. So fun! Anyways, CLICK HERE to get to the Hen Movie Club blog. Also, if you want to be a part of the club, sign up on the blog and get email updates of all the going ons.

Birchbox

2012-10-06T18:10:00.001-06:00

This summer, Allison introduced me to Birchbox and I am LOVING it! Basically you pay $10 a month and you get a box full of beauty products. WHAT!?! Yeah! Once you get your box, you try out the products, write a little review on the website and you get 10 points. For every 100 points you get $10 worth of credit to buy the products you have fallen in love with. CLICK HERE if you are interested in joining!

FUN.

2012-10-06T13:28:00.001-06:00

So right about the time Daniel started school we were LOVING the band FUN. Here is a music video from their recent album.

Third Grade

2012-10-06T13:23:00.000-06:00

A little questionnaire that Daniel filled out on his first day of school...

My favorite indoor thing is playing with my toys.
My favorite outdoor thing is riding my scooter.
My favorite color is blue.
My favorite ice cream flavor is mix.
My favorite game is Sorry.
My favorite song is Black and Yellow. (Ummm, no idea how he even knows what this song is.)
My favorite TV show is The Mysteries of Alfred the Hedgehog.
My favorite school subject is math.
My favorite pizza topping is cheese.
My favorite book is Star Wars.
My favorite movie is Daniel and the Lions Den.
My favorite holiday is Christmas.
My favorite food is spaghetti.
My favorite place to go is California.
My favorite thing to do is play with my Mom. (Awww!)

Bear Lake 2012

2012-10-06T13:12:00.000-06:00

Every year my family heads up to Bear Lake for some much needed R&R. This year we weren't all able to go up at the same time, but it was still GREAT! I love Bear Lake!

Isn't that an interesting tidbit about Butch Cassidy?

This coffee shop was up for sale and I was so close to moving Daniel and myself up there to run it! What a fun, eclectic coffee shop!

The lady who owned this Ice Cream Parlor in Paris was so nice. She opened the shop, just for us!

The parade in Montpelier is a thing to behold. I mean, how fun are the floats? Not to mention the fact that the kids came home with LOADS of candy!

I LOVE BEAR LAKE!

Thanksgiving Point Animal Farm

2012-10-06T10:35:00.000-06:00

So I just have to say...

Ari, I absolutely love you and love having you around!

Lua, you are such a sweet Momma! And we LOVE you!

This summer, we took Miss Ari and Daniel to the Animal Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. Good times were most definitely had!

Shins, Blind Pilot + The Head and The Heart

2012-10-06T10:20:00.002-06:00

Daniel and I made it to one concert this summer. Only one...but what a good one! We got to see The Head and The Heart, Blind Pilot and The Shins at the Red Butte Gardens in SLC. SO GOOD!!!

This kid was so good to wait in line before the concert!

Melanie, thanks for inviting us to join you! Ummm, my glasses are totally crooked in this picture.

The Civil Wars

2012-10-06T10:12:00.002-06:00

About this time, I was addicted to The Civil Wars and was LOVING their CD. Here is a music video from their album.

Chills, right?

The 4th of July

2012-10-06T10:09:00.001-06:00

Daniel got back from California, just in time to enjoy the Fourth of July festivities in Provo. Good times were had! Provo really knows how to celebrate the 4th!!

It is true...

2012-10-06T10:06:00.000-06:00

I am FINALLY updating the blog after months of ignoring. There is so much to share! It has been a fun filled, crazy summer. Daniel got to spend a month of this summer with Grandma and Grandpa in California. He had a fabulous time! I, on the other hand, was lost without this kid. I had all of these plans to organize, meet up with friends I haven't seen in a while, try out new recipes, excel at work, etc. Yeah, I accomplished NONE of that. But there was some self reflection which was needed!

I sometimes feel we forget to do that. To truly take time to see ourselves, our mistakes, our need for growth, our value, our worth and our potential. When we don't do this, are we missing out on opportunities? Are our actions affecting others for the good? or the bad? Hmmm...things to think about I guess. Enough of that, here are some pictures from my trip out to pick up Daniel after his month with the folks.

2012 Summer Olympics is coming!!

2012-06-24T22:09:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited for the 2012 Summer Olympics and have been watching the Olympic Trials the last few days. I am so inspired already by the athletes stories, I've cried several times already and I can't wait for it all to start on July 27th!

Daniel's Baptism via Instagram

2012-05-06T19:40:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was one special day! As the day progressed, I couldn't help thinking that days like this are the things I live for. It was most definitely a day of love, reflection and family. So let me share my day, thoughts and Instagrams.

I woke up at 4:30 am and started cooking for the luncheon. It was super early, but it was so enjoyable. I didn't turn on the music or the TV, I just let myself enjoy the quiet. While I was seasoning the pork and placing it in the crockpot, I reflected on the last four years. The time I first met Daniel and the overwhelming feeling that he was meant to be mine. His Transformer birthday party, his first time to Bear Lake, learning to ride his bike with Grandpa, Christmas mornings and the many other memories from the last four years.

At 7:00 am, I woke Daniel up, cooked him breakfast and helped him get ready for the day. As I watched him fidget with his tie, I tried to remember my own baptism. I remember being excited, nervous and confused all at once. :) But as I watched Daniel prepare for his baptism, I saw excitement, nervousness and clarity. He was ready for this moment.

At 10:00, we headed to the Stake Center with John and Inoke. Once we got there, John and Daniel changed into their whites.

At 10:05, the tears started. :)

At 10:30, the program began and Daniel was baptized and given the gift of the Holy Ghost. It was such a special moment for our little family. Both Daniel and I were so thankful for Uncle Sione and his willingness to perform these ordinances. He is such a wonderful example to my little guy and myself. He is always willing to help others, he is a wonderful husband to Lorien and loving father to Inoke. He above anyone else, has taught me to "just get over it" and value the importance of family. I am so thankful for him.

Some sweet and unforgettable moments:

Daniel packed his hair gel, unbeknownst to me and made the congregation wait that extra few minutes after his baptism to get his hair back in tip top condition.
I was asked to lead the music, ummm...I missed the last verse of the song and went to sit down. YIKES!
While waiting for the program to begin, Inoke let loose this HUGE burp which got all the little kids laughing.
The Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents pulled together and got Daniel his own set of scriptures. So sweet! Aunt Beth, got Daniel a scripture case, which she sewed Utah State patches on.
Daniel also got a $10 bill from Allison & Blake which he began jumping and screaming, "MOM, LOOK I GOT TEN DOLLARS! I GOT TEN DOLLARS!!!" He then got a gift card from Melanie and started shouting, "I GOT MY OWN CARD! LOOK MOM, I GOT MY OWN CARD!" Allison commented, "I wish I got that excited over ten bucks." :)
Sister Griffith, the Primary President who used to live in Hawaii, whispered to me that it was nice to be amongst so many brown people again. :)

At about 12:00 we headed to Mom and Dad's for a yummy BBQ. It was so great to have our friends and family there to celebrate with us. I didn't get pictures of everyone, but here are a few...

Once we got everything cleaned up, Daniel and I headed home for a much needed nap. At 6:30 pm, we went back to my parents house and the sisters went out for sushi while Sione stayed home with all the kids. WHAT A CHAMP!!

It was Fia's first experience with Sushi and she LOVED it! It was so nice to spend some time with these ladies! We laughed, we cried and we ATE!

10:00 pm, Sione got a fire going and we all snugged around the fire, under the Super Moon.

Midnight - I laid in bed with a full and thankful heart, thinking of what is to come. I thought of Daniel as a 12 year old, then a 16 year old, 18, 21, 25, 30...I pictured him looking back to this day and reminiscing, possibly wondering what I might have been thinking. Well, Mr. Daniel, here you go...

Daniel,

I am so proud of you and the decision you made to be baptized. You have such a big heart and a beautiful smile. You love everyone around you and inspire me to do the same. Daniel, I want you to know that I believe in the power and blessing of the Holy Spirit. I know that if you listen to that still, small voice, you will be guided to the right decision. I know that there will be times in your life that you will question that voice...remember that he won't lead you astray and it won't always be easy, but it will be so worth it. Remember that it is not your job to judge the choices others make, but it is your duty to love and care for others. Daniel, you have a family who loves you and will always want what's best for you, trust their wisdom, guidance and know their love is true. Lastly, know this, that I love you with all my heart and always will.

Love,

Mom

San Diego 2012

2012-04-22T19:36:00.001-06:00

What a lovely trip! Daniel and I got to visit my folks in California over Spring Break! It was so nice to get away and just enjoy ourselves. Here is our trip in a nutshell...

It starting on our way down, but not to worry...

It cleared up soon!

We celebrated Easter with Grandma and Grandpa.

Grandma and I visited the Vista Farmer's Market! YUM!!

She made a delicious Strawberry Shortcake with the strawberries we bought.

Then we had a wonderful day at the Oceanside Beach...

Another day was spent at Wholdford Lake with Grandpa!

Another day with Grandma at the USS Midway Museum and Old Town.

A trip to The Yellow Deli and a cute little coffee shop.

Then home...

8 Year Check Up

2012-03-14T18:01:00.000-06:00

I still can't get over how big Daniel is getting. Today he met with Dr. Later for his yearly check up and we learned that Daniel is:

* 4 feet 6 inches tall (97 Percentile)
* 83 pounds (93 Percentile)
* Good Vision
* Good Strength and Coordination
* And for a polynesian 8 year old is right where he needs to be.

It's always nice to get a clean bill of health from your pediatrician!

Kony 2012

2012-03-10T00:30:00.000-07:00

I support this 100% and will be out there on the streets April 20th to make sure EVERYONE knows where I stand and that I care!

Some More Birthday Pictures

2012-03-05T19:25:00.001-07:00

Thanks Fia for taking the pics!

Happy Birthday Mr. D!

2012-03-04T10:33:00.000-07:00

Daniel just turned 8 years old and has somehow left me feeling extremely old. Where does all that time go? I remember the day he first got here...really someone please tell me how four years can possibly go so fast.

While you're thinking of how to answer that, here is a fun little interview I did with Daniel on his birthday...

Me
Daniel

What was the best part of being seven years old?
Ummm...the best part was going to second grade.

Why?
Because I got to meet new friends.

Okay, that sounds nice. What are you most excited about for year 8 of your life?
My new Legos and Nerf guns and my footballs.

That's it? Toys?
Yeah, are there any other questions? I want to go play with my toys again.

Yes, okay let's just shoot through these...

What is your favorite color?
Blue

What is your favorite food?
Cheeseburgers

What is your favorite movie?
Transformers 3!

Who is your favorite person?
My Mom

What is your favorite song?
Pumped up Kicks

What is your favorite thing to do at school?
Play on the computers!

What is favorite chore to do around the house?
Cleaning the toilet.

What is your least favorite chore?
Making my bed.

Anything you want to say?
I love chocolate and my favortie drink is Sprite and I like living in our new home. I love going to jump at the gym and going to school.

YAY! Thank you for the interview!
Can I go play now?

Yeah.
I love you Mom.

Love you too!

Valentines #32

2012-02-14T21:46:00.002-07:00

Despite all the rolling of the eyes and snide comments I tend to make, I really do have high hopes for this stinking holiday. Silly...I know, but I'm a girl who loves LOVE, what do you expect. I spend days preparing myself for the holiday and reminding myself that no one is going to surprise me with flowers, my knight in shining armor will not appear with roses and chocolates, Justin Timberlake really is getting married to Jessica Blah and for no good reason, I am still single.

Yet every Valentine's Day, I secretly hope that someone will surprise me with flowers, that my Knight in Shining Armor will appear at my door holding roses and chocolates, that Justin Timberlake will need an emergency x-ray...see me behind the desk and wonder where I have been all his life, and that I was no longer defined by such a lonely word.

I can not complain though, I have a beautiful son who let me spoil him rotten tonight. I picked him up from Megan's house and made him do homework in his room while I put together a Valentine's surprise in the kitchen. It was so fun to cook a special meal for him, decorate the table and just chill with my little man, The Voice and a spoonful of Nutella (nectar of the Gods).

Here is to my 32nd Valentine's, it really was a great day! I pray all of you were blessed with LOVE, Happy Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Crepes...mmmm!

Mr. D...my sweet little man!