The Throw Down!

Let's just say that this past weekend showed how great a leader and father James is. I'm glad I didn't have to fill the shoes he needed to, in order for things run smoothly & honestly. Even though I can still be a Negative Nancy at times for living here, I am reminded by little situations like this weekend (& others) that our family was needed here for various purposes. And to be honest, it's still taking me time to adjust, even accept, responsibilities asked of us. I could go into a play-by-play about an emotional meltdown I had today, but I'll save it since Hawaii is nearby. SO near. 

So last week was drama. It pathetically found us, as in the business we manage…….and like the smart people we are, things were taken cared of, allowing us to recover Saturday, Sunday and welcoming a fresh new week. *FYI- Dumb people, will always be dumb. Not necessarily uneducated, but just NO common sense or integrity. As you can see, James is the one with compassion & I'm the one still rolling my eyes!

Friday, after the huge "throw down", we got ready & relaxed at our first Pesega Lima (5th) Ward party. It was at the gym located on Pesega High's campus. James made a yummy crab salad. Yes, VERY yummy. James is pretty cocky when it comes to cooking & anything in the kitchen, even washing dishes, but he really is a good cook. He can throw things together and it'll taste awesome. Ya, it's kind of annoying, especially since he sounds like a "know-it-all" as he cooks. hahaha. For me, I like my recipes & I stick with them. Anyways, his was one of the few dishes that was devoured, sauce and all. Good job hun! Mind you, the sister serving our crab salad was calling it coleslaw. hahaha.

I got to perform with some of my relief society sisters. It felt wonderful to dance again. I think I was OVERLY excited when I was invited & learned the dance as soon as they taught it to me. It was my first time performing a Cook Island dance. We were even called up for a hana hou. Mahie got really excited when she saw me on stage & tried to copy us, it was cute. 

Saturday, was very relaxing. Although James had to wake up for a 6 a.m client, we all were able to get sufficient rest and put in quality time to deep clean our home. I am very particular when it comes to cleaning. I'm not an OCD freak nor do I always have a spotless house, but I do get grossed out when people don't clean things properly. I almost had a heart attack  the first time we arrived and I saw our house girl wipe the table, counter & floor messes up…and then use the same rag thing to wash our dishes. Pua'i!! Blah! Anyways, I'm proud that I have made a few adjustments here and there, making it a little homier for our time spent in the family house. I still have a lot of projects in mind to keep me occupied while I roast in the Samoa heat, but I seriously can't wait to stop by Ross to bring things back. 

Early Sunday morning, in the wee dark mosquito filled hours of night……I heard the happiest voice talking loudly as if no one was asleep. Mum arrived from Auckland!!! With boxes of New Zealand cookies, chocolates, lollies, clothes for the kids and things for the business. The fun definitely had arrived and I couldn't be any more relieved, excited, overjoyed! I love my husband and my babies, but sometimes a woman just needs another woman to talk to. 

Evan wearing 9-12 months clothes from Aunty Sharon in NZ

(He just made 5 months)

Mum's energetic spirit has filled our home once again and I can't believe she has been gone a month and a half/almost two months. I remember James and I dreading the day Mum would leave us alone here in Samoa, and now here we are almost 100% locals, hahaha. Almost. I made a joke to Mum when she walked in saying, "You smell really nice!! What are you wearing?"   Mum: "Oh, nothing, I didn't put anything special on. It's just me."   Me: "Oh, that's right…….I forgot how nice NORMAL smelled like". Maybe because it was 1 in the morning & we're delirious…..or that I've lived here in Samoa for almost 3 months, you know, smelling trash burning outside, sweaty people, mosquito punk smoke……..so I can make jokes like that & laugh, because we both laughed so hard. Just incase someone out there gets offended. I don't care. 

Mum has been a big help. I even got to relax baby-free, laundry-free, dinner-free, dishes-free, Aleipata kid-free, lol, watching all my Pretty Little Liars dvds…..and we even bullied James into driving us to "Kua" (not sure of the spelling), the "boonies" of Samoa where all the gorgeous beach resorts are. We are totally burnt. No where, not even the beaches back home in Hawaii can beat the crystal clear water & white sandy beaches here. 

.….now to spend as much time as we can with "Nana" before this week is over. Tomorrow I plan to FORCE Mum to bake her yummy brownies!!