December 2024

Sunday 1st - Erana received her Patriarchal Blessing this afternoon from Patriarch Yorgason. His house was so big and beautiful. He had a life size nativity on his front lawn. They had a huge Christmas tree with giant ornaments. Dad, Leila and I went with Erana to listen to her Patriarchal blessing. When he gave it, it was very long. Jay says he dozed off a couple of times, Leila too. It was a beautiful blessing. 

We had family dinner and then at 8pm Pres. McKinnon showed up and then Bishop and Mechelle, Scott and Heather. Before Leila got set apart those that wanted to bear their testimony or give Leila some advice did. Bishop, Mina, Tyrell, Tane, Scott, Mechelle and Heather spoke. I was extremely nervous and whatever I planned to say didn't really come out in order, I was emotional and cried. Jay was fine he was very analytical. Leila said something last. Pres. McKinnon gave her a beautiful blessing, my regret was not taping it cause I left my phone upstairs. We had a beautiful afternoon and evening filled with the spirit. 

Monday 2nd - After work took Leila to get some final things, we bumped into Shaun, well actually Leila was in the car waiting for me. I was in Dollar Tree and Shaun parked right in front of her. He gave her some money for her mission. Girls and I went to the Morleys Christmas Party. Shauna goes over and beyond in decorating her home for Christmas. It's amazing that she likes to put up all those Christmas decorations, very beautiful and makes it feel the Spirit of Christmas. We had snacks, Leila said goodbye to Dorothy and Joe. Hardings, Masinas, Vance & Alice came while we were there. 

Tuesday 3rd - Last full day we have with Leila, actually I still had work and baby still had school. But Dad and Jaxon were home with Leila. The wedlings slept over. Tane went to work the next morning.

Wednesday 4th - We all went to 'Tous Le Jours' for breakfast, my shout. Came home and did final packing and getting ready. Tyrell and Alisa said their farewells to Leila before we left. We met Ahria Skipps at the chapel nearest the MTC. We took photos and then we drove Leila into the MTC and we were guided to go into the underground parking. Lots of Missionaries were in there cheering. We all got out with Leila and gave her our final hugs and her escort took a photo of us and then escorted her away.  When I came home I took a nap and when I woke up I was feeling a little sad and missing Leila already! Jay said he shed a few tears. 

Saturday 7th - I premade a breakfast casserole for our Ward Breakfast Christmas Party and woke up early to put in the oven. But then realized our Oven was broken since Thanksgiving day. We had come home from Tania's and an alarm was going off from our oven and said it needed to be serviced. So I called Shauna Morley and asked her if she could bake it and bring it. I got a variety of casseroles but only one was tasty, I have to remember to get the potato or eggs based ones. They had yummy cinnamon rolls and bacon too. We were late and didn't get a lot of meats. We wrote to all the missionaries from our ward except Leila. And Yay - we had a Santa this year it was Brother Zierse, beggars can't be choosers lol We went and took photos with him. 

The family Christmas party was on the 22nd. We had a white elephant gift exchange again. We had a Christmas eve dinner for just our family. We had shrimp, sushi, vege and cracker tray and ribs. The kids did their gift exchange. Mum, Erana and I played Rummikub after which we hadn't done in ages. Mum and I stayed up late to get the gifts ready. Then Christmas day we opened gifts. Mum got Alisa a sewing machine and Tane a guitar. I got mum some new kitchen knives that are sharp. She was using blunt ones. Mina got us a Costco membership. It was a fun day. Leila had called from the MTC and watched us open presents. We sent her a box of stuff for her Christmas gift. Scot and fam came over for a combined Christmas dinner in the evening. Candi and Jaxon left to NZ on the 29th. We had New Years celebrations in the basement without them. Tyrell and Alisa came over and Mina and Tane did too. We had food and games. We played Jackbox. Mina and Tane left after and it was the 4 of us for the countdown, me, Erana, Tyrell and Alisa. Mum video chatted us for a bit.

November 2024

Saturday 2nd - Girls and I went to Shaylee's Baby Shower, in Lehi. We went with Heather, and met Mina there. Aunty Charmaine, Dolly and Luana were there too. I hung out with them. We had yummy soups and salad, fruit and cookies. I loved the Clam chowder soup it was thick and creamy. Love being with everyone especially the Aunties. 

Wednesday 6th - Girls and I dressed up as Clowns for our Ward Primary Carnival. The youth were in charge and the girls and I did the 'Musical Chairs'. I had Leila paint a huge sign on a white rectangle table cloth. And we put streamers and balloons everywhere.  We were the only ones dressed up but no worries, no shame - it's for fun! The first Musical Chairs game, some kids were crying and it was a little funny. Next one I set some ground rules and talked to them during the game so there was no pushing etc. Anyway it was a blast, girls and I had so much fun. Erana and Leila loved dancing to the music, they were a crack up! All the kids looked like they were having lots of fun. We handed out treats to the winner and punched the kids cards so they can earn treats etc. There was a fishing game, cup game, arts and crafts and snack and treat table. 

Friday 8th - girls went to one of Maya's plays she was in. The Descendants Musical - They took her flowers. They slept over at Minas and Tanes. 

Sunday 10th - Girls and I had our Young Women 'Night of Reflection Night'. It was at the Chapel. I forgot I was suppose to show up early to help decorate, my bad! Anyway it all looked amazing, and the program was lovely. Leila and Erana had brought stuff to stick on the table, their goals for the year. Leila also spoke about her experience in the Temple. She gave an awesome talk. 

Saturday 16th - My beautiful babies went to a Stake Masquerade Dance. 

Sunday 24th - Leila procrastinated writing her talk for her farewell she was up late the night before trying to get it done, even in the morning she had to make a couple of changes. - scary! Yesterday Jay, Me and baby went over to Scotts house to clean and set up. I also prepared a lot of food. 

Leila wore her white/purple Tausala Puletasi dress. Jayden Masina and the La'ulu family gave her flower leis, she also got black leis. The chapel was packed hardly any seats were left. I saw many of our family member, the Bakers, Hillams, our Tausala family, Jaxons friends lol, the Gudgeons, Loni and Jenni and lots of other people.

Leila's talk was amazing, the spirit was strong and she made me cry and I was so proud of her. I left after her talk to prepare the food at Scotts house. So I missed a lot of people, cause some of them did not come to the feed. Surprisingly the weather was great, it was suppose to rain and be really cold but we were able to have people sit outside, an answer to my prayers. I was worried about food running out because it was potluck and nearly everyone bought desserts. I had made pulled pork, lupulu, meat balls (which turned out wrong arrrgh!). Hiromi Taylor to the rescue, she came later but brought noodles and masubi's etc lots of it! We had lot's of people and it was a bit crowded, some people were in the Tiny house and outside too. I took photos of Leila and people when the left. I was glad it was coming to an end. 

Wednesday 27th - Started our fall break. Prepared food for Thanksgiving tomorrow. We continue to get Leila's things for her mission and pack Leila's bags. 

Thursday 28th - I made stuffing, grilled veges, sweet potatoes, apple pie,, sparkly drink and Monis Jello salad was a flop lol. It was only our family and Scotts family at Tanias. We had a very nice time eating and spending time with each other. Tania gave me some of her unwanted jerseys, some of them were Mums. I wore a mask so I wouldn't be sick from the dogs afterwards. Looked at Taylors RV, it was huge. 

Saturday 30th -  Leila had a Leatherbys gift card and a $25 visa card to use, so she shouted us to Leatherbys. Dad had fish n chips, girls and I had Ice-cream and cheese fries.