Say what...

Day in and day out I look for quotes or messages that will inspire me to do good, go on, or take courage in what I'm faced with that particular day or week.  So here are a few quotes that I love!

"The Lord will always prepare a way for you to escape from the trials you will be given if you understand two things. One is that you need to be on the Lord's errand. The second thing you need to understand is that the escape will almost never be out of the trial; it will usually be through it."

Henry B. Eyring

 

I've read this quote over and over again and the more I read it, the more I love it.  Too many times we wish that bad things or hard times wouldn't happen to us.  I've heard the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?"  President Eyring explained it so clearly with his second point when he said...you need to understand that the escape will almost NEVER be OUT OF THE TRIAL; it will usually be THROUGH it.

 

Only after I've gone through a trial it is then, and only then, do I realize how much I needed it.  I understand how important it was for me to experience that particular experience.  I can accept the fact that if it weren't for that event in my life I most likely wouldn't be able to handle something else that comes up or help someone else in need.

 

 

 The family is a haven in a heartless world.  

~Attributed to Christopher Lasch

 

As we live in such a crazy and ever changing world the family unit is one thing that keeps me grounded.  I know that there are no guarantees in this life but I can promise you that with all of the craziness and evil in this world, I can go home and know that as imperfect as we are, I can find peace and comfort in knowing that my family is there for me.  All too many times I've seen friends or acquaintances who don't have that same luxury of being able to go home to a family that is so accepting.  Sure we have our flaws and disagreements (what family doesn't?) but we all know that when it comes down to it, it's 

 FAMILY OVER EVERYTHING! 

The best feeling is when you look at him....

and he's already staring!

There is nothing that gives that "feel good" feeling or makes me blush more than when I look over at my husband and he's already looking at me... It makes me feel like a little girl who has just received a smile from the guy she's been crushing on... To make things more romantic, he won't even say a word, he'll smile or wink at me and then continue on with what he's doing.  Growing up I never felt like a pretty girl or even the type of girl that guys would like.  I never really had the confidence that I so admired in other girls my age.  So when I see how in love my husband is with me or how good he treats me, it still boggles my mind!  

 

 

"Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity."

 

Margaret D. Nadauld

 

As women we sometimes try to fit in with the world.  Why?  As Sister Nadauld has said we should try to be Women of God.  Women of God can NEVER be like women of the world.  What a blessing to know that being different is okay.  Our future posterity need us to be Women of God.  We need to take strength and comfort in knowing that we will be blessed for our desires to live more like our Savior and to emulate him in all that we do and say.

There you have it..a few of my favorite quotes.

 

 

If I Were My Mother I’d Tell Myself…

YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING, 

ALL OF THE TIME!  

Now that I'm older and I have a family of my own I find myself thinking, "How did Mom do it?"  For those of you that know my mom she is involved in EVERYTHING!  She is on committees like they're going out of style.  Whether it is on a committee for a community event, booking a show or planning a reunion, my mom is involved in every aspect of everything.  Please don't get me wrong or misinterpret this blog.  I"m in no way saying that what my mom does is wrong.  I truly appreciate the "busyness" that is associated with all of these events.  I've just realized that my life doesn't have to be all of that, all of the time!

Growing up we were involved in so many activities, festivals, shows, parties, reunions, etc.  I'm pretty sure we (me and my siblings) were involved because we had to be.  I am thankful for all of these happenings because they've truly helped me in my life.  Following mom has been a blessing because I've learned how to carry myself, express my feelings, take notes, make checklists, follow through with plans, etc.  All of these things have made me a better wife, mother, leader, planner and organizer.  I've learned to pay attention to detail and most importantly TO DEPEND ON THE LORD!  But...

I've also learned that I prefer being at home and just being with my family.  I know that may sound weird in some way but I enjoy NOT having to go to everything.  I like choosing which functions I can and can't attend.  I've realized that when it comes to choosing between paying a bill or giving money for a family function/fa'alavelave/kavenga that I don't feel guilty for paying for my bill.  I"m content with having birthday parties for just 40 people and not 340!  I don't feel obligated to attend EVERYTHING because I can't.

Wow!  Now that I've reread that last paragraph I feel like I'm okay with being antisocial. LOL! But...OH WELL!  I KNOW that my family is my first priority and that's something that I've really struggled with.  Being Polynesian is definitely a blessing but there are some downfalls.  Let's be honest....family functions every week get a little overwhelming.  Some people may enjoy all of the events that you could attend in one weekend here in Salt Lake City, Utah, (you know this is true...there is always a wedding, birthday, funeral, etc) but I've realized that I'm not one of those people!

I'd rather be

I'm thankful to my mom for the strong woman that she is and for always holding it down.  She is truly the backbone of our family.  I know that some people may think that I'm "ta'e ofa" or as Samoans would say "E le lava le alofa".  Truth is this...I love my extended family but I NEED to focus on my little family.  I will serve others, I will continue to help WHEN I CAN, I will attend what I need to attend and I will be there for those that REALLY need me!  

My grandpa Fuifatu Fau'olo always said that in the Polynesian culture our insurance policy is our family.  They are the only ones that are there for us in times of need and struggle.  I know that is true but I'm willing to pay my monthly insurance policy if it'll allow me the family time I so desperately want and need! My family (parents, siblings, grandmas, aunts, uncles and cousins) knows I love them and that I'd do anything for them BUT I need to make sure that Will, Pili and LaVona are my first priority! 

And I'm alright with that.

Really....

Can I just say how happy I am to finally meet 2012?  Last year was filled with so many struggles and hardships that I thought we'd never get through it.  There was a ton of heartache and pain but as we all know, there is always a

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL!

As we look forward to a new year of challenges and adventures I'm also looking forward to a year filled with life lessons and blessings or in short....

 

I feel that all too often I focus on the negativity in my life and I overlook all of the many things I've been blessed with.  It just seems so much easier to complain about things than to rejoice in them. I decided that instead of sharing my New Year's resolutions, I'd just start this year's blogs off by mentioning a few things I'm thankful for.  Why not start off with an attitude of gratitude rather than a "stink attitude"? hahaha  Here they are and in NO PARTICULAR order....

My Savior

Will, Pili & LaVona

My family

The BEST babysitters EVER

(they'll NEVER know how thankful I am for ALL of them)

Being on our own

A wonderful job

My Taylorville 6th Young Women

(Leaders and girls)

Talents/Skills

(I know I gotta 'em...LOL!)

Laughter

Good food

Pinterest

Cell Phone

Ho Ho Gourmet =)

A comfortable bed

Extended family who REALLY are there when I NEED them...
not just when they NEED me!

 

For these things I...

I know that this year will be great for me and it all depends on me.  

I look forward to this year's 

LIFE BLESSONS!

Jam sessions...

So we're all sitting here at home and I'm listening to my Dad and brother (Josh) jamming!  Ever since I can remember this has been a pass time for my family.  No matter what we're all going through in our lives jam sessions always seem to bring us together.  As much as I love listening to all genres of music I especially love listening to them jam old school Tongan and Samoan songs!  There is something about listening to an acoustic guitar and my dad strumming and picking that relax me and take me to another place in my mind.

For those of you that know my family you know that music and shows are everything to us.  I'm pretty sure everyone thinks their family is the most talented but I can guarantee that my daddy is better than yours...LOL! You can ask any of my cousins and they'll tell you that jam sessions can be in affect at any time...as long as there is a guitar.  Jam sessions at home, the park, family BBQ's, cooking for a wedding, etc.  If I ever need a pick me up, JAM SESSIONS will do it!

Love...

As I sit and ponder about all of the people that have entered my life some people really stand out and others...well, not so much! LOL! Tonight, I think I'm going to blog about the most important person in my life...my husband,  
William Bernard Maumau. 

Here's our story...

(ok, my version because Will always tells a different one...but mine is TRUE)

Back in 2005 I was working at SkyWest airlines and had been home from my mission for almost two years.  I was seeing someone at the time and it was not a good situation (which I now realize...LOL!).  My mom was so against me seeing this guy but being the stubborn person that I am, I didn't listen.  I continued seeing him but I knew deep down inside that I probably shouldn't have.  Anyway, I became really good friends with one of my co-workers and he would ask about my relationship with this guy.  As I shared my experiences, situations and problems with this friend, he would always tell me that I was 

"too good for him and that I deserved better!"

As time went on, my friend tried to convince me that he knew someone that he would like to hook me up with.  My response, NO WAY!  I am anti-hooking people up and there was no way I'd say yes.  My friend persisted and then one day in the break room my friend said, "Is it ok if I give your number to this guy?"  I finally said yes (after 3 weeks) so that my friend would leave me alone.  He then said, "Good because I already gave it to him."  Wow, really?!  Yes, really!  LOL!  Anyway, I got a call the next day from a number I didn't recognize and when the person on the other line asked for Lusi, I told him she wasn't there.  Then I asked who it was and if I could take a message and he said "William. She doesn't know me but could you just let her know I called?"  Sure, was the response.

Anyway, I called him back that evening and we started talking.  I didn't officially meet Will face-to-face until a couple of weeks later because he was traveling for work.  Then on one of his return trips (from Jamaica) he called and asked if I was at work because he was on his way in.  I said yes and told him that I was working at the "B-Gates" which was perfect because he was flying in on Southwest.  Can I just tell you that I was a nervous wreck!  It was bad enough that his first impression of me would be in my work uniform AND I worked a double that day!  OMG...I ran to the nearest bathroom and "tried" to make myself look presentable.  When I got back to the gate I tried to help the couple of people in line and then I saw this Poly guy walking towards my gate.  All I remember thinking was, "Is THAT Will?"  And then the guy said, "I was wondering if you could help me with my flight?"  I recognized his voice and I'm sure I smiled really big and replied..."Depends!"  We both started laughing and then I told my co-worker that I was going to take a break since we were between flights anyway.

Needless to say, things worked out and we ended-up getting married a SHORT six months later.  Everyone thought that we were crazy for getting married so quickly but we both knew in our hearts that it was right.  I remember asking my cousin Ku'uipo when she was getting ready to get married how she knew that Myron was "the one".  Her answer was simple, "You just know!"  And that's how I felt.  I just knew that Will was the one that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. 

He has been the biggest blessing in my life and loves me for who I am.  He has shown me unconditional love from the beginning and continues to each and every day.  He may not be the hopeless romantic that I thought I wanted to marry but he sure does know when I need a pick-me-up.  He's a hard worker and he will do anything to make sure that I have what I want.  He has given me two beautiful children that I will be forever thankful for.  He honors his priesthood and trusts in God with all of his heart.  He makes me laugh with all of his LAME jokes. He loves that I watch football with him and that I actually like it.  I love that while we're driving around he makes sure to hold my hand.  He's not afraid to show his love for me in public through small acts of affection.  He wipes my tears away when I'm crying! 

I could go on and on about what a wonderful guy I'm married to but I think this quote sums it up:    
"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person." - Mignon McLaughlin

I guess my marriage would be considered somewhat successful because I've fallen in love with my husband many times already!

It's just one of them days...

"That a girl goes through
When I'm angry inside
Don't wanna take it out on you
Just one of them things
Don't take it personal
I just wanna be all alone
And you think i treat you wrong"

So my life is actually pretty good right now but every once in awhile I run into one of "those" days.  Today happened to be that day.  For some reason I felt like all of the problems and issues that are surrounding my life needed to be dealt with TODAY!  I was so focused on all of the problems that I needed to solve that I decided to forget them all and clean =)

As I started cleaning our room I realized that we had so much stuff and that we didn't need it all.  So, I started packing bags to take to the D.I. (Deseret Industries...a second hand store equivalent to the Salvation Army but waaaaayyyyyyyy better! LOL!)  By the time I loaded up my van I had 9 HUGE bags of stuff to take.  I'm still not done yet and if Will finds out that I packed four of his drawers, he'll probably be a LITTLE UPSET...oh well!

Throughout the whole day I've been thinking about where I'm at in my life and I have to say that I got a little disappointed.  I mean, I'm 31 years old and have nothing to show for it.  Seriously?!  Where has my life gone?  What have I done with the past 31 years?  I was so disappointed and upset that "one of them days" just got worse.  Boy, if I hadn't been dragging my feet yet, I was now.  I don't know how else to explain it except that I felt like a...

Then I got to thinking!  I had some accomplishments, didn't I?  Then I thought back to some of the highlights of my life.  I graduated from high school, attended some college, went on a LDS church mission for 18 months, returned home honorably, married my love in the temple, have two wonderful & beautiful children and am a working mom!  Those are pretty admirable accomplishments...I think =)

Anyway, my day seemed to get a little better as the night went on and then it hit me...I've got to have "one of them days" every once in awhile so that I can truly appreciate the things that I have now.  Sure life will be frustrating at times but that's the way it is.  Like the old saying goes....

 

 and keep in mind...if you're feeling frustrated or down....

IT'S JUST ONE OF THEM DAYS!

SHOW STOPPER...

Ever since I can remember my family has been in the entertainment industry. My parents are both entertainers and have owned their own Polynesian show and band for years. Almost all of our memories as children we're surrounded by shows and gigs that my dad's band played at.

Now, I'm not complaining because I LOVE dancing and being on stage...and if I wasn't 100 lbs heavier now, I'd probably still be dancing =). Being able to see the joy that you can bring to clients and to the audience is priceless. One thing I love is being able to dance to a "live" band. My dad's band, ISLAND TIME, started in Carson, CA and when we moved to Salt Lake City, UT, he picked up here where he left off. The band her in Utah became known as ISLAND TIME II and have been playing together ever since.

Anyway, the reason I share this at all is because for me, the entertainment business has come full circle. I am now the proud mother of a little boy who LOVES being on stage and entertaining.

Ok, so my warrior is a little on the fluffy side but that's ok. Each time I see him perform I want to yell out, "THAT'S MY BOY!" but I don't think that'd be professional. He's only four years old and is just beginning his life as an entertainer but let me tell you, he's already a

SHOW STOPPER!