Busy! Busy! Busy!

Almost exactly four years ago I was sitting in a house wondering how I was going to fill up an entire day with things to do. The next 730ish days were filled with the same thoughts. What to do? What to do? What to do? How times have changed, and thank goodness. My life has gotten steadily busier over the last two years, but these last few months have been CRAZY!!! I can't remember the last time I have been this busy. Thankfully I am loving it. I heard someone once compare life to a train ride. Most of the ride is pretty mundane, and monotonous, but every once in a while you turn a corner and see a breath taking view. Right now, I am taking a big huge breath of beauty. I just feel so blessed to literally be alive. (Check out my car accident picture to see what I mean.) Anyway.... the business has meant no blog update in awhile, so I will try to update you on all the goings on of the fig fam.

The HOUSE

Mike, Ari, and I moved into our new house around the 11th of August. I have wanted a house for SO LONG! I just love it. It isn't the hugest house around, but it is wonderful, and fits our family of three perfect. It is only five years old, and the previous owners took very good care of it. The decorating has been pretty fun, but my "to buy for the house" list is still pretty long. We want to have everyone over when we get it a little more finished. My mom is giving me her barely used piano, and I can't wait to get it in. I am still just waiting for some super nice strong men to get it over here. Mike says sometimes he will wake up in the morning and think, "Wow! This is my house." It really is hard to believe, but I guess after the first payment, we will really feel it.



Ari chose this spot to take a nap. Mike and I were busy getting our bedroom closets organized (really..i promise) and we came out to find her. It was so cute, we had to take a picture.

The TOY

Mike has been eyeing these scooters for some time now. He finally convinced me that it would actually be cheaper to make payments and pay for gas for a scooter, than to keep driving his truck around. I finally caved, and now his scoot scoot has arrived. I am not sure how long the weather will allow him to use it, but he sure is liking it. I just hope he is REALLY careful.



Ari LOVESSSSSS her daddy's new bike, and wants him to take her for rides all the time. Since my accident though, that has been COMPLETELY vetoed by the mom.

The JOB

This fall I transferred to Country View Elementary in West Haven. Not only did I change schools, but I finally graduated from the second grade to third. I LOVE IT!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!! Oh wait..... did I tell you?????? I LOVE IT!!!!!!! I am in total teacher heaven. I have such a good class this year, and my third grade team is phenomenal. The staff and parents are great, and I hope to stay around for a long time. I have never been at a school for longer than two years, so I am really hoping to call this home. I love going to work everyday, and have a hard time leaving before five or six.

The GIRL

Ariana started preschool/daycare this year. The first day was pure torture for me. When I took her down to her class, she started to bawl, and gripped onto my leg. They literally had to pull her off of me. I finally got away, and had to wipe the tears off my own cheeks. As I walked out the door I faked a happy face as I turned to wave goodbye. As I turned back, I saw my pretty little princess waving at me from a barred window. (The bars are to protect the kids from falling into the window during recess time.) I then really lost it as I walked to my car. I felt like the worst mom in the whole world, and had to call my own mom so she could reassure me that I wasn't, and that I was doing what was best thing for my family.

Now Ari loves it. She is learning so much. Everyday she has a new story, and a new song to sing. She has even been using some Sign Language around the house, which is really cool. She still is so funny, and makes us laugh everyday. The other day she tried to convince me that she needed to find a new boyfriend, because she left her old one, Ethan, behind in Farmington. I told her that Ethan would have to be her boyfriend until she was at least 18. Then she could find another. Something tells me that is not going to happen, but at least I can hope. She is such a flirt, it really scares me.

She also loves the new house, and regularly kisses as many of the walls as she can before leaving it. She still likes to sneak into our bed at night sometimes, but she really likes her new pink and purple room.

The WRECK

Well, life can't be all sunshine and roses everyday. Last Saturday I was driving to my niece's baptism in Syracuse. I wasn't really running late, but enough to where I wasn't using my ummm "best" thinking skills. I got to a 2 way stop sign heading west. My brain thought I was at a four way. I brought my car to a complete stop, looked to see if it was my turn to go, and drove on through. Well, of course the car approaching me to the south didn't stop....... oh wait, he did stop, only after plowing right into the side of my car. It was awful. My poor little Stratus got totalled. We wanted to get a new car this summer, after Ari was done with daycare, but now we have no choice. At least Mike has his scooter, so we can get by with his truck for awhile anyway.

The good part was that no one got hurt. Looking at the pictures, I am just SOOOOO so grateful that Ari didn't get hurt. She was less than a foot away from being smushed. I have felt SO guilty about that. I just take extra time to hold and love on her everyday, and know how lucky I really am. She only got a small bruise on her shoulder from the strap on her car seat. She was asleep when it happened, and I think that was another real blessing.



The FUNERAL

Lastly, I said good-bye to one of the greatest human beings I have ever had the privilege of being loved by, my dear neighbor and adopted grandma, Margaret Egbert. I have never met another person who loved as she did. I hope I can live to be even just a little bit like her. She was 85, and living in a worn out little body. I am sure she had a wonderful reunion with her husband and family on the other side. I love you Margaret!



The END

Well, that I hope you didn't fall asleep. If you did..........WAKE UP! I am done for now. Leave a comment. I would love to hear from you.

Until next time!

Kelli

p.s. The train quote was from President Hinckley, "Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride." Thanks Lori!!!

Fig Fam Flashback

I was looking at some of my old e-mails today, and I came across this old video clip I took of Ari in Samoa. It was taken in Elder & Sister Miller's house in Pesega, January of 05. Ari was about 6 months old. She was such a fun baby. I hope you enjoy it, BUT please ignore my ULTRA annoying voice in the background.

The 24th of July Samoan Cultural Festival (Eh?)

Ever since Ariana's luau on the 18th, it seems my life has been filled with all things Polynesian. From hangin' with an old friend, eating taro, making koko Samoa, and calling friends on that favorite island of mine, I can practically smell the salt of sea.... or maybe just the burning garbage.

Top: Megan & Ari, Emme & Ari
Middle: The Big Fig Fam
Bottom: Giddy Up Ari & Caleb

On the morning of Thursday the 24th of July the whole "big fig family" attended the Pioneer Parade downtown. The Tongan community always has a band and a float in the parade. This year the Samoan community entered a float for the first time. As they walked by, I started yelling out "Fa'asamoa." All at once practically the entire group turned my direction and started yelling back, "Talofa!" It was awesome. I even made sure the Miss Samoa USA contestants (or Samoan princesses) waved at Ari. She loved that.

Samoan Community Float

After the parade we headed down to the Samoan Cultural Celebration at Wheeler Farm. The celebration began on Monday, and was schedule to end with the Miss Samoa USA pagent the following Saturday night. The place was pretty empty, because most people were hanging out at Liberty Park after the parade. It was still awesome though. I was able to speak the little bit of Samoan I remember, eat panikeke, and check out the Samoan whares. (They were of course triple the price than they were is Samoa.) My favorite part was talking to Doris Teo's sister. She was running Doris's booth. She looked so familar, so I asked if she was related to Doris. She turned around and was really excited to see me. I guess she had met me in Samoa two weeks before I left. She remembered Ari, and was so nice. After that, Mike and I decided to go back the next evening when the entertainment was scheduled.

The next evening we returned with empty bellies and pockets full of cash. The place was packed, and I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb. I had gotten really used to that in Samoa, but it was a little bit shocking. It was good though. We had such a good time. We ate taro, boiled bananas, bbq chicken, panikeke, and best of all......koko samoa (although I burnt my tongue REALLY bad, I just couldn't wait.) We saw a few people we knew. I heard Kristen Tauiliili had been there during the week, but I didn't see her. That would have been cool. Lu Ieremia was supposed to meet as there that night with Bre, but after some gang problems, they had to shut the event down early. The entertainment was great, although it too was cut short. They flow two bands in from NZ, 3 Houses Down, and Jamoa Jam. It was so amazing to see so many Samoans all gather in one place in UTAH. Heaven!

Ari eating taro at the festival! She loved it in Samoa.

Sunday we attended our friends Lindsay and Ben Fonua's baby Leila's blessing. Ben's Tongan mom prepared a feast at the park afterward. We had this really good drink made of watermelon, mango, coconut, and coconut milk. Yum!!!

Sunday night I pulled out of the freezer the koko samoa I bought from Rebecca Lolo when she was here for her sister's wedding. Mike's family wanted to try it. The smell alone was enough to make me do the siva.:) Mike's family wasn't to keen on it, but I loved it. Mike's mom Cathy liked it, which scored many points for her in my book.

Finally today I decided to call my Samoan aiga (family) the Tagaloa's back on Upolu. Vale (the mom) heard my voice and said, "Hello my Teuila Measina!" That is my Samoan name the family gave me just before I left. She said everyone was doing great! It was so expensive to talk very long, but so hard to get off the phone. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!

Well, it has taken me a good two years to say this and mean it, but I really miss Samoa. Our goal is to go back in 2011, but I hope we can manage it sooner. It would be so nice to visit under less stressful circumstances.

Hope everything is well with all of you! Drop me a line.

Kelli

p.s. Thanks for the great e-mail today Judiff! It was so good to hear from you.

I Am Finally a Home Owner!!!!!!

I thought I would show you all a picture of our new house. We don't close on it until August 7th, but all the financing is done. They just need our John Hancocks. I would tell you where it was, but since this is on the Internet..... you will have to call me! :) (Make a comment...... come on...... I dare you!!!)

Fale O'Figgins

If you have ever been on my blog before now, you know that my life pretty much revolves around my little angel Ari. I am a pretty proud mama, and so she is usually the topic of most of my blog postings. This is one of my favorite. She performed in her first luau last Saturday night, at Layton Park Commons. She dances with Malia Darden's group Ili O' Polynesia. She has a little bit of a focus problem in class, so I did not know how she would do. Well......... I could not have been prouder. Following this message will be a clip of each of the four dances she performed in. BUT... first a special thanks to EVERYBODY who came to watch. It really made my day to see all the support she had. Love ya guys!!! (p.s. The post just below this was done just a few minutes ago, so don't forget to read it.)

And a side note.... the financing for our new house came in today!!! We just have to sign the papers. We have waited so long... I can't wait.

The Hukilau

Ala Moana Annie

Otea

E Piko

Rugby Training with Daddy

I caught this usual evening ritual of Mike and Ari's on my new cell phone last night. Mike would love to have a boy someday, but until then............. he will practice his rugby moves with Ari. For those of you not too familiar with rugby, this following video shows a GREAT example of a play called a scrum. Ari's actions would be illegal in a real game, but the take down of her dad is pretty awesome. Keine Malosi!!!

Ariana's 4th Birthday

I can't believe she is already four. Her first two years went by so slow, but the last two flew by. Thanks to all the fam that came by to party with us. We sure had fun. Thanks to Jen Vesper for making the awesome Mariposa cake. I will put a link on here to her website incase any of you reading this need a cake made (Layers of Love).

The Barbie Mariposa Cake

Again

Say Cheese... or Cake

Make a Wish!!!

Thanks Everyone

Dancing in the Park

Shake It Baby!!!

Ari had her first siva dance performance at Layton Park during there 4th of July celebrations. It was really cute. Her big performance is July 19th at the Layton Park amphitheater. There is going to be food and dancing, and it is open to the public. I would love to see some of you there. Contact me for tickets, or just come and buy them there.

Ari in her Tahitian costume!

Getting ready to do the hukilau.

Grandma Cathy, Grandpa Barry, Ariana, Grandma Houston, and me at the park.

Palagi Girl in a Samoan World

Last Saturday I spent the day with Mike, as he did a wedding of a friend of ours, Taylor Williams. Taylor's dad, Bruce, is the one who took us to Samoa. He is pictured here with Ari. You may think he looks a little like the famous man from the North Pole. Well, he actually does dress up like him, and that's how we met him. (A long story!)

We first went to the Salt Lake Temple where we waited for the new Mr. & Mrs. Williams to come bounding out of the temple, in all their extremely newlywed glory. While we were in the waiting room, I noticed a small crowd of Polynesian people gathering for another wedding. Well, the Polynesian loving spirit in me jumped at the chance to talk to even one of them. Their children sat at the same table with Ari to color pictures. (Boy, it was sure hard not to just take one of them home with me. Probably not the best idea, especially at the temple.) I did manage to start a conversation with them. I found out they were in fact Samoan. I could even hear the language being spoken amongst them. (Boy it made me homesick for Samoa!) I let them meet Ariana, but it wasn't until I told them I had lived in Samoa for two years that they actually acted at all interested in me. We found out we actually knew some of the same people. Surprise! Surprise! (Not really!)

Well, as the time went on I sat there with them, spoke with them, and even laughed a little, BUT.... in the end I was still as white on the outside as I always have been. I had an experience once in Samoa that I will never forget. I had been living in Samoa for more that 18 months. I was sitting in the Stake Center, all dressed in one of my made handmade puletasis. My wet hair was slicked back, with a sei (flower) stuck in it. I am not sure if I had lice at the time, but probably in one stage or another. I of course had no make-up on, as it would just roll off my face as fast as I put it on. I was wearing my same old flipflops that I worn everywhere. And I must mention I had that adorable bead of sweat forming above my upperlip.

I was there pretty early, because I had a small part on the program that night. A few of us "locals" had been asked to sing a few songs in a performance of Women at the Well. There were a group of college aged girls coming from the States, that would be performing with us. As I was sitting there with a group of a few different Samoan ladies from my stake, these American girls came prancing in with their perfect make-up, and stylish clothes. It was SO surprisingly awkward for me. I was instantly embarrased by their naive air of Americaness. That is the best way I can describe it. As I looked around me, I distinctly remember feeling way more a part of these amazing Samoan women around me, than these little American princesses. Just as I was settling on this thought, a Samoan women I hardly knew, leaned up to me and said in her broken English, that I wasn't one of those girls, that I was a Samoan lady like them. I never had felt so much pride.

Now back to Saturday. I realized again in a small moment, that I was no longer accepted in that world. I saw that although in my heart would always live a big hunk of Samoaness.... I would forever more be seen as a normal white American girl. I have been mourning that Samoa lady I became that day for two years now, but that is life. At least I can see her reflected in the eyes of my daughter for the rest of my life.

The rest of the day was great. I spent alot of time with Taylor's sister Lindsay and her beautiful little family. Mike and I had already decided to go to Samoa when I saw Lindsay for the first time. She was playing the part of Fantine in Layton High's production of Les Miserable. I was just mesmorized by this girl. The spirit struck me so hard, that I was to be a mother to one of these beautiful girls. Lindsay will never know how much she means to me. I just love her!!! Ari and Lindsay are pictured to the right.

I have to say thanks to Lindsay's pretty cool Tongan husband Ben Fonua, for letting me compare cultures with him. My family gets so tired of all the Samoan talk. Ya did good Lindsay!! I have a picture of the whole Fonua family here, with their new baby Leila. I guess I will let them keep her, as long as I can at least hold her once in awhile. :)

Until next time.... Tofa Soi Fua

Our Little Samoan Fish Girl

This was Ari today at Cherry Hill. She has been jumping off the edge of the pool without any assistance since last year. Today we decided to let her wear this swimming suit, and not the one with the built in life jacket. We were much more cautious with her, because we weren't sure how she would do. Well, as you can see, she advanced from her simple jump into the pool, into a full on front flipp. Mike and I just looked at each other and laughed. My mother-in-law was sure her fearlessness was due to her padded suit. I guess you were wrong mom. Here is the funny part. I have her currently enrolled in Level 1 swimming lessons at the Farmington pool. One of her two instructors is a very cute blonde super tan highschool kid. Yesterday he took her class over to jump off the edge in the 5ft. water. Ari had to hold the cute boys hands while she jumped into his arms. What a flirt!!! I am definately scared for the teenage years.

Facebook

So I am obviously not very good at updating this thing. Mike is much better. He has some cute things up about Ari. Check out his site of that.

Facebook.. facebook.. facebook.. I read that one girl called it FaceCRACK. It is so true. I just signed up on Saturday, and I have been on and off the computer more times in the last three days, then the last three months put together. Mike and I stayed up lastnight in bed putting in as many names as we could think of. Unfortunately, the older you are, the less chance of finding people of it. Sorry, Honey!!! I guess that five years you have on me doesn't benefit here.

So last night I am trying to sleep, and I am thinking about all these different people from my past and without trying my brain goes from one to another to another to another. It was on overload. I couldn't sleep. This Internet stuff really is changing the world. Normally it would be kind of fun to run into an old friend in some unexpected place. Now they are all over. I found friends from every age, and even cousins I hadn't seen if years, and I am still looking for more. It is like a game.

Some of you reading this might be one of those people who I thought would live only as a memory somewhere in this noggin of mine. Well.... Welcome Back! I hope to find you as happy and satisfied with life as I am. I am married to a great guy, and we have the most beautiful daughter literally in the whole wide world. We have had a really difficult time bringing children in this world, but we have decided we go for quality not quantity. She is literally the reason I wake up in the morning. Being her mom is the greatest gift I have ever received. She has a really unique and special story. I am actually going to start on a book about it this summer, while I am off of work. Wish me luck on that!

See ya on Facebook!

Here We Go!!!

Well, I have finally done it. I have wanted to create a blog ever since I got home from Samoa. Most of you know I am THE WORST at e-mailing, so hopefully I will be better at this.