Happy Halloween & Happy Birthday Too!

After the freezing weather that we have had this week, it warmed up and was nice enough to go out and play on the swings today! They kids were so happy to be outside.

We had grandpa and grandma Hawkins over for dinner tonight. (Not sure how I missed getting pictures with them!) We made a spooky meal. The kids loved looking at all the creepy food, but only really ate the soup.
Daddy took the kids trick or treating while I passed out candy. This was the first year that Vela understood that she would get treats by running from door to door. She loved it!

Hema had so much fun. They did our neighborhood and then dropped Vela off with me and then went for another hour or so. He got to ride on daddy's shoulders and thought it was a blast!

Vela spent the rest of the night looking out the window and waiting for kids to come. She loved opening the door and seeing all the kids. After we gave them treats she would slam the door and then turn to me and say "Give me 5." I guess she thought we were doing a great job with the treats.

Hema got a lot more candy then Vela!

Today is also our sweet Katie's birthday!! We talked with her today and love her so much! Hope all your birthday wishes come true this year Katie! We love you forever!!!

What a Week!

Boy have we been busy! In the last week we have:

• Attended 2 Halloween parties - one with our home ward (we don't attend there anymore - but they still invited us!) and one at our Tongan branch. Both were sooo fun!

• We also had Hema's preschool performance. It was so cute!

• We picked out our pumpkins and carved or decorated them! Hema and I both LOVE to carve pumpkins. We couldn't convince either of the kids to carve one or even let us help them do it. Luckily we had some stickers that they were willing to use! Maybe next year!

Here is Hema's

Becky's Pumpkin

Hemaloto's Pumpkin

Vela's Pumpkin

• We stood in line at 6:00 AM on Tuesday and froze our hind ends off at the Health Department, but we are all vaccinated against H1N1. There were seriously about 4,000 people in line behind us! Yikes! I had debated back and forth about getting it, after talking with my Dr and my pediatrician, we decided to go for it. Seriously, after getting them I feel so relieved! Now we just have to go back in a month for the kids to get their boosters!

• I have been looking for a sewing cabinet since my awesome trend setting cousin Stephanie posted about hers in this post. I finally found one that I love love LOVE! It is black and solid wood and is 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide with 2 sturdy pull out desks that run the whole length. It is 2 feet deep and is going to hold every little nick knack I own! I got it off of KSL for $300 and couldn't be happier. Now if we can somehow figure out how to get Hema and his brothers to get that upstairs into my bedroom, I will be VERY happy. I hope it fits! This isn't the first time I have measured and double checked to make sure something will fit perfectly - and neglected to figure out how it will get upstairs! Wish me luck! I will be so sad if I can't use it! There is no where downstairs that I can make it work.

Here is the lovely cabinet that was her inspiration. Perfect for a momma who gave up her sewing room to become a toy room for her sweet kiddies, but really has a ton of sewing stuff she'd love to have in one tidy spot!And here is mine! It is much bigger than the one in the book, but seriously, I have a lot more stuff to store then they do! I've been praying for the past couple of days that it will fit up the stairs - Hema keeps laughing, saying that I can pray all I want, but he doesn't think the Lord will move my wall! (Come on, pray with me - I really want it to fit!)

• Vela has been walking around saying "yeah baby" all day. I have absolutely no idea where she learned it - but it is pretty cute in her little voice!

• I braved the crowds at Payless today, along with 1/2 of Utah county! I haven't shopped at Payless for years - but left there with 7 pairs of shoes! Thanks Oprah for the 50% off. Even though I NEVER watch your show - I love your deals!

• My awesome sister in law Tina took the kids pictures and they turned out so cute! Here is one of my favorites!

• Tomorrow will be such a fun day. They kids are so excited for Halloween and it is also Katie's birthday. Little Hema thinks it is just plain crazy that his birth mom was born on Halloween! We hope you have a Happy Halloween!!

Woot Woot Winner!!!!

I love to win! I mean, really who doesn't?? I rarely enter giveaways. I've maybe entered about 5 or so blog giveaways ever. I guess I have a bit of a lucky streak - remember that cute Shabby Apple dress I won for Vela a few months back from this giveaway? (I got this very dress for Vela and it is soooo cute on her. But for some reason I can't seem to find a single picture of her in it - so just picture a little brown cutie in the dress!) Maybe I should take up gambling, because I won again!! Yippeeee! Remember that cool family photo shoot giveaway that Kami at NoBiggie.net was giving away? Well I won! I am so excited to get our pictures done. I spent about a hour looking at the awesome pictures on her website! She is amazing. You can check Ginnie J Photography out here! Hooray for giveaways!!

For Marilee

Here you go Mar - lots of snow here today!

I think it makes the spider web on the door look cool!

Can't imagine how much snow your old house must have right now! Enjoy your 80 degree weather and pool and BBQ in the park for Halloween! Sounds dreamy!We'll be trying to keep our kids from freezing to death on Halloween! Love and miss you!!

Yummy Tilapia!!

I had some fresh tilapia from Costco and wanted to try and cook it a different way. I usually make fish tacos with it and they are super tasty, but I just wanted something different tonight. I googled talapia recipes and there were a lot that sounded good, but this one looked easy and yummy and I had all the ingredients! It is a Paula Deen recipe. I seriously It was soooo good. The combination of the lime and butter is heavenly. Hema and I both said we could eat it again tomorrow. The kids didn't think it was too great - but honestly the only fish they ever eat is salmon. I thought I'd pass the recipe on. It's a keeper!

Ingredients:
Cooking spray
4 (6 to 8-ounce) tilapia fillets
1 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 lime, finely grated zest and juice
2 tablespoons butter


Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Spray cookie sheet with nonstick spray.
Rinse fish and pat dry; place on the prepared baking sheet.
Season each fillet with salt, cracked pepper, lime zest and lime juice.
Put the fish in the pan.
Place a pat of butter on each fillet and cook in the oven for 8 to 12 minutes.
Servings: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 12 min
Difficulty: Easy

Thank you! Thank you! (and a cool link)

I first wanted to say thank you to all those who pitched in to the Samoan Relief Effort for our stake! I was deeply touched that people wanted to help. We got help from as far as California and Virginia! You rock! Honestly, as I was dropping off all the food yesterday, I started to cry thinking how cool it is that people that will probably never travel to Samoa and may not even really know any Samoans (unless you count the Vela being 3/8 Samoan), would sacrifice in these tough times to help out. I was most touched by the contributions of 3 of my sister's kids. They each pitched in between $6.43 and $9.72 (or so) each. I kept thinking that they were probably planning to buy a little toy or some candy, yet they instead paid for rice or flour or crisco for people half way across the world who have lost everything. So cool - you're teaching them well Jen! Everyone who pitched in really helped! All together we gave 500 pounds of rice, nearly 100 pounds of flour and 10 cans of crisco. Thanks you so very much!!!!

Okay, now on to the cool link. My friend Kami (who is also an adoptive mom) is doing a cool photo give away on her blog, nobiggie.net. The pictures are awesome!! Check it out. Wouldn't you love to win some nice pictures for FREE?!?!?!

Lessons Learned From Primary

I've learned so many lessons from serving in primary these past few months. When I was called as Primary President I was a little overwhelmed because I really had no experience in Primary. It has been such an incredible experience. I seriously LOVE Primary.

Today, was our Primary Sacrament Program. Honestly I was a bit stressed out about having to write it and plan it. I just wasn't sure how to do it. It really went great. Here are a few things I learned:

• There is a reason that your are a presidency. Counselors and a secretary are indispensable!
• Usually in a presidency, you balance each other out. My counselors strengths are my weaknesses. It is perfect!
• Primary kids can sit pretty reverently during a whole sacrament meeting - especially if bribed with candy!
• Primary songs are simple and always bring the Spirit!
• When children share gospel truths it is far more interesting than when adults do it.
• The adults/ teachers are more nervous to be up on the stand then the kids are.
• I probably didn't need to worry so much about writing the program. Those kids could have said most anything and it would have been awesome!
• The congregation is pretty quiet when all the kids are on the stand.
• There are at least 100 different ways to try and fit the whole primary on the stand. We tried most of them out.
• When you unhook the microphone at the sacrament table to hook up a longer one, you should tell the Priests before they try and bless the sacrament and no one can hear the prayer. (Sorry!)
• If you don't tell the primary chorister that a member of the stake presidency wants to say a few words at the end, she will stand all the kids up and start the closing song before he gets to the pulpit - and the counselor from the stake presidency will just sit back down without speaking. (Oops!!)
• Children singing in Tongan is so beautiful! I wish I had recorded them.
• The older kids who said they wouldn't bear their testimonies, will end up doing it anyway - and doing an incredible job of it!
• The kids loved getting candy afterwards, but I could tell that what really made them happy was doing the program. They felt the Spirit and loved every minute of it!
• I am soooo lucky to get to work with such sweet kids every week! I love Primary!

The Primary Program was a great experience, but I am glad it is done for this year. Now on to teaching the Primary kids a dance to be performed at our stake conference dance in January!

Samoan Relief Effort

I thought I would post this on here and call on my blogging buddies. I have had several people ask if there was a way to help out in this relief effort. As most of you are already aware, a terrible tragedy hit Samoa On September 29th. Four tsunami waves 15 to 20 high feet roared ashore after an earthquake hit close to Samoa. Last I saw, the death toll was around 180+ people. Most of those killed were in Samoa and several were in Tonga (including 2 LDS sister missionaries). Besides losing loved ones and many people being injured, entire villages were swept away. So many people literally lost EVERYTHING! Our stake is sending crates for relief this coming Tuesday (October 20th). There are some specific items needed.

• Bags of sugar
• Bags of rice
• Bags of flour
• Laundry soap (powder only) in plastic bucket or bottles　
• Cooking oil (shortening only)
• Clothing mainly for children but also adults. Our stake has asked that we don't donate hand me down clothes unless the clothes are in good shape. Something that you would wear yourself. We are asked to use our best judgment, but they highly recommend that we donate nice clothing to the children and the adults.

(People fled to higher ground to survive.)

If you would like to participate, please let me know. You can bring the items to me and I can take them to the drop off, or you can take them straight there. Every little bit helps! This effort is especially close to my heart as Vela's sweet birth mother is Samoan. If you are able to help in any way - please let me know! Thanks so much!

Video Clip of FBI Parking Lot getting hit by tsunami
Video clip of survivor

Video clip of the 2nd wave of the tsunami

Happy Birthday Vela!!

It is so hard to believe that our Sweet Vela turned 2 today. She is such a big girl. She had her 2 year check up and was 36 1/2 inches tall (above the 97%) and weighs 31 lbs (90%). She is talking so much now and really has just gone from being a baby to being a little girl. Here she is with her dad this morning.

We had a birthday party for her at the Thanksgiving Point Farm. We had over 30 family members who were able to come celebrate with us. We ate doughnuts and hot chocolate. Vela loves a good doughnut, much more than cake! All the kids went on pony rides and fed the animals corn. Then everyone went on a wagon ride. These big horses pulled us.

It was a little chilly, but we had a great time.

We are so grateful for everyone who came to support Vela.
We had a great time and Vela did too!

It really means a lot to us.
Vela got lots of fun presents. She got pretty bows and clips, dolls, a little toy camera, yard tools and all sorts of doll gear. She kept trying to sit in the doll stroller. Here she is in the dolls bed. Nice and cozy.

She loved all her presents, but I think her favorite is the stroller to push her babies around in. I know that Vela will be the best big sister some day. She loves to tend her dollies and is so sweet with them.

Happy Birthday Vela! We love you so much! We are so grateful that you are part of our family!! You are so sweet and so beautiful. You have brought us sooooo much happiness!

Chelise, Sioeli and Leiana - We love you! We can never thank you enough for allowing vela to come to our family. You are always in our thoughts and prayers! We wish you could have made it to her party tonight!

Sisters Trip to Arizona!

I got back on Sunday from our Sisters Trip to Arizona. All of my sisters now live in different states. It is pretty sad! But we sure have a great time when we get together! My mom, Jen, Jess and I all flew out to Arizona to visit Marilee and see her new house. Here we are the night we arrived.We had so much fun. We got to play with Marilee's 5 adorable and sweet kids. I couldn't get enough of James. He is getting so big.
Little Sterling turned 1 while we were there.

We also celebrated Jen's birthday a couple of days early while we were together. (I won't disclose how old she is, since I am just a couple of years behind her).

We swam in Marilee's pool, ate yummy food that Marilee made, tried out some new restaurants, shopped ALL DAY LONG on Saturday (haven't done that for a while), hung and out talked and basically just had a blast!

I sure did miss my hubby and kids, but was so grateful to spend some time with my mom and sisters! I love you guys! Thanks for the wonderful weekend!

Hee Haw Farms!

Hema's preschool took a feild trip to Hee Haw Farms last Thursday. We had a great time!

Hema loved all the animals.

By far, his favorite was this HUGE pig. Just look at his face in this picture. Pure Joy!!

Trying to get 5 4 year olds to all stick their heads through holes and smile is a serious task!

Hema LOVED this white slide.

And at the ends they got to go pick a pumpkin to take home. Hema is so much fun at this age. He loves to learn new things and make friends. It is so fun to see how he interacts with the other kids. He loves his preschool and especially loves it when I get to go on a feild trip with him. I love you Hema!

I am so grateful to be a mom to these two!!

I swear, these kids keep me so entertained. Little Hema says so many funny things 1,000 times a day. I seriously call Hema at work about 50 times a day to report something funny or cute that the kids do or say. Here are a few things Hema said in the past few hours today:

• "Mom, did you know Jesus can walk on the clouds (as we are watching a church video) and dad told me that clouds are mostly water. How does He do that? That means he is really walking on water right? So really, He can almost fly - Jesus is awesome!"

• "Mom, that is looking really nice! You sure are doing a great job on that blankie! That sure will be a lucky baby who gets to snuggle in it." (As I am sewing a baby quilt. He is always building me up!)

• "That didn't even hurt one bit, because I am four." (After screaming like crazy for nearly 10 minutes before he got his flu shot.)

• "We sure are lucky to have Vela. She is the best, even though she can be a skunker and poke me in the eye every day."

• "Mom, can you please come in the bathroom and turn on the light for me so I can see how many poops I did?"

He kills me! I can't even imagine my life without him in it! He makes me laugh and smile and reminds me of what is really important every day.

Then there is Vela. She is such a little cuddle bug! I can't believe how big she is getting. She wants to do and say everything that Hema does.

• Vela usually says no as an answer to any question. But if she is shaking her head up and down when she says no, it means yes.

• Vela can't control herself when she hears music - she has to dance. She was totally cracking me up during conference because she would get up and shake her stuff every time a hymn came on.
• Vela loves to wear jewelry, bows and "pretty pretties" which is how she describes anything new, sparkly, or pretty - yet she can't get enough of football and wrestling with Hema.
• Vela loves babies. She'll carry any little stuffed animal or doll around and pat it's back and hug it everywhere she goes.

• Vela LOVES cats and dogs. She is the only one in the family that likes them and wants to pet and kiss every one that she sees. I get so grossed out when she hugs them and tries to kiss them on the mouth!

• Vela loves to go pee in the potty! She randomly will ask if she can and then I set her on the potty and she counts one, two, three and then pees! What a smarty! One of these days I may even potty train her!

I am leaving tomorrow for sunny Arizona with my mom and sisters. We try to take a sisters trip every few years. We invite all the sisters (those by birth and by marriage) but this year none of the sisters in law could come. I won't be back until Sunday morning. Boy am I going to miss these sweet babes and my Hema too!