See ya later!

It's almost that time! In exactly a week we'll be dropping Markybo off to the MTC. It's so bitter sweet! On one hand I'm glad that we won't really worry about where he is and what he's doing. I'm sure that wherever he is, he'll be taken care of. I can also be sure that my gas will stay where I left it and that the change from bridge toll that I leave in my ash tray will still be there the next time I have to pay $5 to cross the bridge. LOL But I'm bummed that my little brother isn't going to be around for two years. It's a familiar feeling for Mormon families. That mixture of joy and sadness that we all face when a brother, son or uncle goes away for 2 years. We can officially say goodbye to the boy and prepare to welcome a new "man".

I'm delighted at the thought of going to Utah with my whole little Nisa clan on Sunday. My little family has always included my little brother so it's only fitting that we can tag along to see him off. I'm the biggest craft junky dork so I couldn't be more excited about checking out all of the fun trinkets that Utah has to offer! It's the craft capitol of the world! HAHA But more importantly, I'm happy that I have the opportunity to show my support to my little brother who is taking a huge step. He's grown so much already and those who heard his talk at his program know that going on a mission wasn't always his priority. I'm sure he'll do well, I'm positive he'll change at least one life and I'm confident that if the life he changes isn't that of someone in the Philippines it'll be the life of the young man who's leaving us next week. It's the beginning of adulthood for Markybo and since goodbye seems so permanent, "I'll see ya later". :-)

A few pictures from the farewell Sunday. So wish we coulda got a few with the UNGA clan! It was such a HECTIC day!

Today

Ephesians 4:32 - "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

I don't get horoscopes on my phone. But thanks to Lani who introduced me to a new app, I do get a "Verse of the day" instead. I get a scripture from either the Bible, BofM or D&C that randomly pops up, stays up and renews every day. The scripture above is the one from today and it couldn't have been a better reminder for me. I have such a hard time forgiving and forgetting. It's a true weakness of mine but I'm workin' on it!

Gotta love a good reminder.

Family...period.

I read this quote today and posted it on FB. I don't have to elaborate cause it speaks for itself. I.LOVE.IT.

"I once read 'blood is thicker than water'. In today's world, after all of the advancement, we realize that often times the blood of another can save ones life. If you think family consists of only those who share your bloodline, you're sadly offering a swift slap to the face of one who would give the last of what they have for your happiness."

I didn't grow up with everyone who I call family. But I know that I couldn't live without them all even if I tried. Life has a funny way of making certain things fall into place. It's all part of a greater plan and I would be foolish to question something that I have no power over. I will say that I'm lucky in more ways that I can count.

Lucky Girl

It's been CRAZY for me lately! You can tell by my lack of blogging. ;-) We were lucky enough to have a whole lotta family join us for Mark's farewell program last Sunday. It turned out really nice! I'll post pictures soon. I also have a back-up of recipes that I need to post. Geez it's sucky trying to play catch up!

I've been busy at work especially. It gets hard to be away from everyone for most of the day. I'm not cut out to be a stay-at-home mom, but oh how I miss everyone while I'm at work.

Siua has made it a routine to send me camera phone snapshots every once in a while when I'm at work. They help me maintain my sanity when things are tough and it's a subtle reminder of why I'm here in the first place. More likely than not, they are pictures of Luvie doing whatever task he has planned for the day. I must say, I am one lucky mama. He's AMAZING with the kids! They have been blessed with an incredibly patient hands on Dad. Most times I don't even know what he has planned for the day with his baby girl. But sure enough, I get a picture of Luvie at the park, the store, the two of them out to lunch or going for a walk. He does the same when he is on field trips with the boys. He went on one with Joshua recently and my Joshy couldn't have been more excited for his Dad to go.

It's the little things that help my babies feel special and loved. He does such a good job with those special little things. I once read "The best thing you can give children, next to good habits, are good memories." I'm so glad that so many of my children's good memories are shared with their Daddy.

Here are a few of the cell phone snapshots along with Siua's subject heading in his emails -

"This guy is lovin' it. All hecka juiced to brush a goat.lol"
"She's ready to shop."
"Lunch on the go. She's feelin' her Lunchables. lol"
"Someone wants her own bowl of cereal. Straight throwin' a fit."
"Lunch at Round Table with Rich and Marky Bo"

THANK YOU LANI!!!!!

I just had to make sure that I give credit where it's due. For the record, 9 times out of 10, the pictures that you see on my recipe posts (and almost all of the pictures at family functions) are taken by my super talented apprentice photographer sister LANI.

She is amazing and has such an eye for good pictures and great angles. I can't wait to see her develop her talent into a booming career if she chooses to move forward with it.

THANK YOU for being so willing to help me Lani!!! I love you hunnay!

Here are a couple of my FAVORITE snap-shots Lani took during the past couple of weeks.

Good Old Coconut Bars

I was maybe 6 years old when I recall having my very first coconut bar. I probably tasted it long before but I was too young to remember. I didn't even know what to call it but it came in a big box during Christmas week just like every year before. There were a ton of other homemade goodies (peanut butter fudge, chex mex, nougat etc.) but the sweet coconutty treat stood out just as much then as it does now. It was my FAVORITE.

My great-grandmother MaMaw sent us the box of goodies she made from scratch every year at Christmas time. I didn't even know her real name until I was in my teens. She's from the South and we only called her MamMaw. Apparently, the nick name came about because her grandchildren, my mom included, couldn't pronounce "Grandma" when they were young.

I never really got to spend as much time with her as I would have liked. When I was young, I specifically remember that I looked forward to the $10 check she would mail on every birthday. The first check I ever cashed was from MamMaw. She passed away when I was a teenager. But now that I'm older, I know that we would have gotten along great. We share a love of baking and I'm positive that she is one from whom I inherited that love.

Sorry the picture is so small, this is the only one I have. It's me all the way to the right. You can barely see me sitting on the couch next to MamMaw. My mom (in the center holding Rich), my Nana (left) and my MamMaw (right).
I'm lucky to have been surrounded by some of the most amazing cooks. My aunties Tala and Lea make some of the BEST dishes I've ever had. My auntie Tala especially bakes the most dilectable Tongan desserts. It's this group of women (of course my madre included) that I draw inspiration from.

So this one belongs to my MamMaw. An old recipe that hasn't ever been changed because it's THAT good!

Monday night I decided to whip up a batch because we hadn't had them in a while. Mark's girlfriend Hannah was over for dinner and offered to help so I asked her to make them for me. With quick directions Hannah made it happen for our coconut bars. Maybe that's a sign that she is meant to be a part of our family. LOL While Hannah worked on the bars, Lani, Tasha and I worked on dinner. It was a group effort and we ALL enjoyed it. I hope you enjoy it too!

Coconut Bars
4 cups of grahm cracker crumbs (you can buy the crumbs OR crush regular grahm crackers)
1 stick of butter
1 bag of chocolate chips (for our house, I use two)
1 bag of shredded coconut
1 cup of chopped pecans
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
Preheat oven to 375. Put the stick of butter on the bottom of a sheet pan and bake in the oven. Remove the pan once the butter is completely melted.

Sprinkle grahm cracker crumbs over the top of the butter and pat down to create a crust.
Add chocolate chips, coconut and pecans (in that order) spreading over the whole pan evenly.
Drizzle with sweetened condensed milk trying to get it evenly over as much of the pan as you can.
Bake at 375 for about 12-15 minutes. Sometimes I have to leave it in for an additional 2 minutes to make sure the coconut browns just right. Take it out of the oven and let it cool at least 20 minutes before cutting and serving. The longer you wait, the better they hold up. Our batch didn't last very long! LOL
Doesn't it look SO easy?!?! It really is! Which is probably why this is one of the very first things I ever baked.

The Secret

We all know about it. When I walked into work my friend gave me this "scroll" that she found. I.LOVE.IT and I couldn't resist posting it. I'm including a picture of the scroll but since the lettering is so small, I typed it out as well. I bolded the ones that I especially loved. ENJOY! I know I did.

I Promise Myself
(Repeat this line before each of the following)
To be so strong that nothing can disturb my piece of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet.

To make all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet.

To give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.

Okay so I probably should've just bolded them all! LOL But I really enjoyed this. The forgiveness issue is a big one for me. I am a leo, I won't let you burn me twice. LOL But I can sure try!