BIG Shoes to Fill

Maika got sent home with a list of what they think might be "fun" ways to do reading over their fall break. When I say "fun" I am talking about reading sitting on their bike, by candlelight, in the bathroom, etc. The teachers do this so there is incentive for the kids to read. The real incentive is if the kids take the paper back, they will get a prize. But do you think it makes me really want to take the extra time over break and read more with them than we already do? I am not that kind of mother...SORRY! I would rather the kids be able to enjoy their break and not have to worry about homework, so we didn't do it. In fact, when Maika told me he didn't want to do it, I tossed the paper in the garbage after seeing it sit on the floor for a couple of days. That was the end of that, or so I thought.


Maika went back to school after fall break and realized the treat the kids were getting was an airhead. (Yeah for me, more candy from school) When he came home that day, he was motivated to do the worksheet and asked me where it was. I told him that I threw it away because he didn't want to do it. LUCKILY, I had thrown it away that day and could still get it out so the tears would stop being shed. He looked at the paper and said he wanted to read with his Dad's shoes on. When he began reading, I looked over and thought it was cute how little his feet were in contrast to his dad's.

Then I thought more about it and realized he has some pretty big shoes to fill. He is well on his way though. Maika always follows his dad every where. If Cliff is not around, Maika will always make sure he finds out and then goes to meet him to help or just be around him.

Getting Up There!

Okay, not really! On the 15th Cliff turned 35 years young. He ended up having to work a long day because of meetings. I tried to have dinner done by the time he got home, but it didn't work out. I had to make his guava cake and in the midst of making the frosting I realized I didn't have any powdered sugar. I had already gone to the store and didn't want to lug ALL the kids back out. It was a pretty crazy day. I didn't even get out to buy him a gift, so I bought him the gift that never fails me: "Call of Duty: Black Ops 2." He told me he didn't want anything, like always. I won't buy clothes for him anymore because I always fail at that attempt.

Anyway, when he got home, we had rigatoni, Cesaer salad, and garlic bread for dinner. After dinner, myself and the kids cleaned up to let him relax for a bit and then we had the cake. I must say, it turned out really yummy and the kids had a lot of it too. Very surprising that they ate that cake. I guess it was the way it was decorated a little bit fancier than usual.

I hope he had a good day even though he had to work most of it. He is an amazing husband and father. The kids all run to open the door when they hear the garage door open. Leilani had really become attached to her dad. She wants to be held as soon as he walks through the door and he is great for doing it every day even though I am sure he needs a little down time.

Tunoa's Blessing

October 14...This Sunday was special for our little guy. Cliff gave him his baby blessing and the men that stood in the circle to help with that are ALL amazing men.

Some of you that read this may not be familiar with what a baby blessing is in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. So a short explanation will be given. It happens shortly after the baby is born and is given usually by the father who holds the priesthood (the authority to act in Gods name). A group of priesthood holders, usually close friends or family members, are asked to stand in a circle and hold the baby while the blessing is given. The baby is given a name by which he/she will be known by and a blessing.

So our son was given his name that the he will be known by which is Tunoa Olaus Fano and the blessing was short and simple.

He was blessed:

1. That he would know he was loved by his family.
2. That he would understand his mother and love and respect his mother.
3. Along with number 2 was that he would know that his siblings are here to help him out.
4. That he would thirst after the truthfulness of the gospel.
5. AND that he would obtain as much knowledge to help him to prepare to receive the priesthood.

From L to R: AJ (just in the picture), Jr, Cliff, Charlie, Darren, Bingham, Jethro. All of them are uncles to this little guy.

Had to make sure that I got at least one picture of Cliff and I with him.

At home chilling in his blessing outfit. This is one that my mom had saved from when my brothers were blessed. The other boys were too big for it and fit him just perfectly. 

It was a fabulous day to just come home and reflect upon the good in the gospel of the church. I am thankful for the gospel and teaching us about our Savior and His atonement. It is amazing to know know that we can all return to live with our Heavenly Father if we just continue to keep the commandments and do what our Heavenly Father has asked. I am blessed to have 6 of our Heavenly Fathers children come into our home and be entrusted to take care of these precious children. It is definitely not the easiest task by any means and there are days of frustration and anger, but I love them dearly.

Tunoa Olaus Fano

I absolutely LOVE the fact that the doctors will induce a week early. This helped out a lot this time because Cliff switched jobs just this past Monday and insurance was getting a little iffy so I am thankful for the induction. I have been induced with 4 out of the 6 and have loved it every time. I am so done by the time the induction date comes along and this time didn't prove any different.

I drove myself to the hospital on the 24th so Cliff could stay with the kids and get them to school and over to a friends house to watch the others until my mom arrived from Colorado. I was at the hospital by 7a.m. and had everything going by 8a.m., including the doctor breaking my water. Usually I try to last as long as I can through the painful contractions before the epidural, but this time I decided to have it earlier to enjoy the time and get a little bit of rest before he arrived. It seemed like he was going to take forever, but he arrived at 1:48p.m. weighing 6lbs 13oz and was 18.5" long. He is so handsome and precious. No wonder I was feeling like I was getting beat to death. He had so much room to make sure he was kicking hard.

While waiting for everything to happen, Cliff kept asking me about the name Tunoa and what I thought about it. I was already set on Isaac. But, I finally just told him to pick between the two names and of course he chose Tunoa. It fits him well. So what's the meaning? It is in reference to the Savior's love. Cliff says "unconditional love." Olaus is after my grandpa (mom's dad) that I never knew. He passed away before I was born. So there you have it. Tunoa Olaus.

After the delivery, they let me hold Tunoa for a few minutes before wheeling me off to have my tubes tied. The doctor asked me one last time if I was sure I didn't want to have anymore after Tunoa came out with all his hair and such a cute baby. My response was "Don't even ask." Cliff and I would love to have more, but my body can't handle any more pregnancies. This being the last baby, I will enjoy it as long as I can.

These are pictures that were taken with my phone on instagram. I got one with him smiling and how precious are those moments.

Kalena LOVES her brother to death and always wants to hold him. It is kind of nice when I need to get some things done and he is crying. She will hold him and put his soothie in his mouth to quiet him down.

Gotta still give loves to this stinker. She is adjusting really well. She is protective of her brother and also loves to hug and kiss him ALL OF THE TIME.

Almost There!

So, just a little over 2 weeks left until baby (I think Isaac will be his name) boy arrives. I haven't gotten much sleep lately and that reflects on how impatient I am with my kids. I am tired of looking at a messy house, but don't have the energy to clean it. I just want to SLEEP!!!!

A quick recap of this pregnancy:

First 3-4 months...SICK and TIRED, but not as sick as I was with Leilani. At least I could cook most things and not have to throw up after everything I ate. I craved hamburgers and salty foods. Anything sweet would make me feel worse. I probably gained most of my weight in these four months because of all the greasy hamburgers.

5th month...felt pretty normal other than clothes not fitting and I didn't want to have to wear maternity clothes because they ARE NOT comfortable. In fact, if I had to start all over again, I would wear basketball shirts and extra large T-shirts the entire time! This has been my wardrobe almost this entire pregnancy. It is so comfortable, but not very cute!

6-7 months...feeling pregnant but not too bad yet. Even went camping on July 4th and slept on the ground with a memory foam pad.

8-9 months...Just plain done with the whole thing and wish it could be over all ready. Can't bend over to even do the laundry without feeling like everything is going to come up.  I only have 2 more check-ups and before I know it, he will be here in my arms.

The picture I took the morning I went to the hospital. My last morning of ever being pregnant.

AND this will be the end of my journey of pregnancies. I will be able to enter into the next phase of life and just be with my kids and begin to really focus on them and not have to worry about another one coming into the family. I am excited to spend more quality time with them and be able to run and play with them! (Of course, this will happen after recovery) I am excited for the next phase in life. They are already growing up too fast and I feel like I haven't been able to spend much time like I would want with them.