Happy Mother's Day

I know this is a few days late, (I have a good excuse). Sunday was the first Mother's Day in a long time that I was actually excited to go to church. The past seven years or so Mother's Day has been one of those dreaded holidays that I am lucky if I survive without shedding a tear or two. This year however, I am no longer the excluded lady with no children, now I am a mama too. Inoke was very kind in that he realized the significance of this Mother's Day and got me a sweet present... (picture below). I still cooked breakfast and lunch for us.... but Inoke did hold Nadia while I ate first and enjoyed my meal. Here are a few pictures that we took after church. Yes, I know that I have a slight obsession with matching Nadia and my church clothes... But hey, let me have my fun. So happy belated Mother's Day to all you mamas out there and don't give up on Mother's Day to all you who are yet to become mamas.

And here is my sweet present from Inoke... A beautiful new Coach purse and matching wallet that can double as a stylish "diaper bag" when necessary. He definitely scored major points this year...

Happy, Happy Birthday Inoke...

It seems like yesterday I was posting Happy 30th B-day to Inoke. Holy smokes the past year has flown by and so many new and exciting things have happened for us. Inoke isn't a big mushy lovey dovey kind of guy so I don't want to embarrass him too much. I just want him to know that even though I am always talking his ear off and lecturing him about everything and anything I do love and appreciate him. He is a very hard worker and has a big heart. (Sometimes I think it is too big). I love to watch him play with Nadia that is when I get to see the big burly man turn into a kid again.

Here are a few tidbits of info on the Birthday Boy...

A - Age: 31
B - Bed size: King
C - Chore he hates: he doesn’t do chores…
D - Dog's name: no dogs
E - Essential start the day item: toothbrush and toothpaste
F - Favorite color(s): orange
G - Gold or Silver: Bling Bling Gold
H - Height: 6’4”
I - Instruments he plays: guitar and ukalele (kinda)
J - Job title: Youth Corrections Officer
K - Kid(s): Nadia Ann Talaivakaturaga Biutanaseva
L - Living arrangements: House in Laie, HI
M - Mom's name: Titilia Bale Tuwai Biutanaseva
N - Nicknames: Knox, Noqu Buba, Noqu Rosi Vinaka
O - Overnight hospital stay: Hernia Repair as a child and then sleeping over when I was in the hospital.
P - Pet Peeve: Karla talking TOO much.
Q - Quote from a movie: “Senka, Are you dead man?” (Cool Runnings).
R - Right or left handed: Right.
S -Siblings: 6; Balavu, Tuwai, Wati, Finau, Wesley, Talei
T - Time he wakes up: Alarm goes off at 4:30, but snoozes to 4:40, on the road by 5am!
U - Underwear: yes
V - Vegetable he dislikes: Salad for sure, but it might be easier to say what he likes: Corn, Green Bean Casserole, Fried Eggplant and Bele. That’s it.
W - Workout style: Weights, Rugby, & Punching Bag.
X - X-rays he’s had: dental
Y - Yesterday's best moment: Playing with Nadia.
Z - Zoo favorite: Hmm we never go to the zoo, but he really liked Shamu at Sea World.

Inoke, I know you wanted a motorcycle for your big day... but hmm maybe next year...

Day at the beach...

Yesterday Inoke and I took Nadia to the beach. The first time she tried to "lick" the water, She quickly picked up on the difference between a swimming pool and the ocean. Poor thing she had this shocked look on her face like "hmm that water tastes BAD." The salt didn't slow her down though, she loved splashing around in the warm water. I couldn't have asked for a better day, the sky was blue, the water was crystal clear, and the wind was just enough to keep you cool without blowing sand all over. It was perfect. After Nadia swam for a while, Inoke took the lead with her back home so I could enjoy some much needed sun time. Inoke is always reminding me how fair I have become and how much I need some color. I don't remember the last time I was able to relax and soak up some sun at the beach like that. Its hard to be in Hawaii and still look like I just moved down from Alaska. Ahh it was heavenly...