A baby . . .

Just to clarify before I begin, NO, I am NOT pregnant. BUT, I would like to be :)

People probably think I'm crazy because I have 3 kids in the order of 1, 2 and a 3 year old. I admit, not the best idea. I wouldn't change it though. I've been told I needed more time between each child and I didn't spend enough time with this one and blah blah blah. To clarify again, I, Heilala Garcia, am the mother of these children. I've spent nearly every moment of their lives with them. I'm pretty sure I know my kids. Yes, I admit I'm a bit mean sometimes, but who, honestly, am I close with that I am NOT mean to?? Besides my dad. But that's different territory. Anyways, my point is, I think they're fine. For three reasons.

Reason 1: they were born when Joshua and I needed them. Joshua and I haven't had a smooth sailin relationship. It's been a bumpy road. Our children, all unique and special in their own way, came unexpectedly (sort of) but at the perfect time. Gabriel was Joshua's lifeline. We weren't exactly making the best choices but once Joshua saw a little boy that he would influence in a good way or a bad way, he wanted to be the best dad EVER. It was like his first time seeing the sun after years of darkness. Joshua needed him and so did his family. Gissela came when I just wanted to give up on the world. She was my breath of fresh air. I felt rejuvenated and whole again like I could actually get up again after nearly walking dead for almost 2 years. I needed her, and so did my family. Melena'a was just the sunshine we needed after our stormy weather. She made us ALL HAPPY. She completed us and oh I really don't know what I would have done without her at that time and even til now. So all of our children were given to us maybe not at the most convenient time, but at the time God knew would be best for us.

Reason 2: having them close together means they'll all leave my house around the same time. I'm a rip the band aid off as fast as you can kinda person. I don't do the whole slowly little by little. If one leaves they better all leave soon because I don't think I could handle it after a few 5 years.

Reason 3: they were unplanned. I didn't exactly ask for them, they just kinda happened. And with Sela we were trying NOT to have another one. It's not like I was just like Oh baby's! I wanted to wait, but God had other plans for me and because of reason 1, I am forever grateful.

With all that said, I want another baby. I know people keep saying, Oh wait til you have a steady job or Oh wait til you're done with school or Oh wait til this or that and blah blah blah blah blah. I asked Josh if we could wait a year. It has been a year and I have taken my IUD out. I'm not saying we're trying, cuz we aren't. If it happens it happens and I'm ok with that. Why wait when I have the Lord on my side? My life has changed since being sealed with my family. In the eternal perspective, why would I NOT keep having kids? I've felt such a strong obligation to have kids because pregnancy and having kids is a piece of cake. It's not easy but compared to the amazingly strong women I've met who have gone through miscarriages, C-section, complications, morning sickness, bed rest, ect, I'm just fat when I'm pregnant. And it takes me like a push to get them out. So I almost feel like if I could, I could have 10 kids easily. Will we??? idk. Maybe, maybe not. Hard to say. I just want to go with what the Lord wants me to do and right now I feel like if we wanted, we could have a baby. And I want a baby.

Jon

For the past few weeks we had the privilege of having Josh's younger brother Jon visit us! It was a long 2 weeks filled with constant tourism. LOL. Being from Hawaii I never really cared to do a lot of things I just kind of stayed home or hung out, I never actually wanted to go out and try things. Having him visit though, forced me to actually find stuff to do. Tourist kine. We went to PCC during the day, ate at gateway and at ambassador, and watched the night show. We went to Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor. We walked around swapmeet and Waikiki for free just checking out the stores and never got to actually go to the beach but we drove past it! Lol. Hiked up the Hau'ula loop trail and went to Turtle Bay for the fireworks. Pounders, Temple, Hukilau, Castle, Sunset and Waimea beaches are a few that he actually went too. Josh took him farming a lot, but idk how much he enjoyed that. Hahahaha jk Josh. Ted's, Giovanni's, Hukilau and Keneke's are some of the places we ate at. He got to go to the Laie temple before it closed down for the 2 week thing. We even got to go to the Dole Plantation which I have actually never been to. It was really fun.

My kids also LOVED having him here. I felt so bad because they would just follow him around the house like little puppies. Even if he was in the bathroom they would just bang on the door and yell at him to open it up. As soon as Gabriel would wake up he'd asking me where "tio Jon" is and that he missed him. Jon was also very helpful to me and very patient with the kids. If any of you know my kids, they're a LOT of work. But we enjoyed the short time that we had with Jon and hope that he or any of Josh's family will come visit soon :) Here are a FEW pictures of his visit (my camera sucks on my phone so I hate taking pictures on it)

Jon walking along a lookout point between makapu'u lookout and hanauma bay

Jon again

Gabriel watching tio Jon

hiking the Hau'ula loop trail

my Gissi chillin at Sunset beach

she was captivated by the sand

eating at Keneke's grill . ono grinds brah .

Ted's bakery . best freaking pies ever !

4 years

I've written and deleted this and rewritten it a million times!!! Why? Because it is so hard for me to tell a simple story without making it a million pages long. So here is my million and ONE attempt.

4 years ago to this day, I made one of the most important and life changing decisions of my life. To marry my Joshua. Now, I can't write all lovey dovey like the world is full of bliss and love and oh happy day! because that was NOT our relationship. It has been hard, full of trials and we almost divorced. We only knew each other for a few months and we got married because I was pregnant. Not the best idea, and not the smartest move. We married none the less and boy did our lives change.

We went from happy, spontaneous, outgoing, fun-loving, practically crazy (well maybe just me) to anti-social, angry and not so happy making. We weren't communicating, fighting and even in our separate worlds. Oh it was HORRIBLE! We nearly got a divorce last year, BUT through the tender mercies of our loving Father in heaven we stayed together. Did it get easier?? No. It got harder. Last November was probably the hardest month of my LOIFE! I was practically praying everyday that He would just take me and I wouldn't have to live with any of it anymore. I took it minute by minute, trying to hold myself together, trying to look normal, trying not to shoot myself... but with the Lord's help we made it. We sealed the deal by getting sealed on April 21, 2012. Has life gotten easier?? NO. But I am more aware of the tender mercies of my Father in heaven. He has blessed me immensely and I am so grateful to Him.

My Joshua has changed A LOT. Well, I guess I should say he has changed BACK into the man I fell in love with. Life is very interesting. I am married to an organic vegan who is into whole body health. It isn't just "oh I don't eat meat" it's more than that. He is an amazing man and I feel so blessed to be married to him. Yes he has given me more white hairs than my children, but then again he gave me them too. LOL. Seriously though, through all the trials and troubles we have faced, I can honestly say that it has been worth the struggle. I have worked hard for my family, and I have been through hell multiple times to keep them together and I will continue to fight for them! I made a vow 4 years ago 'til death do us part' and a covenant 2 months ago til eternity's through that I will continue to fight for and keep. I am so grateful to have made the decision to get married 4 years ago and I cannot wait for the may more years to go :) Til eternity my love, I LOVE YOU!! XOXOX

For Father's Day

I have had the privilege of having amazing men in my life. All who have had a great impact on my upbringing. I know everyone believes that they have the best father/husband/whatever in their lives but for me personally, I know that I have been one of the luckiest girls on earth to be surrounded my extraordinary men. (I say girls because I'm not the only "girl" in their lives.)

My dad. Half the time I don't know what to write about him, and it's always difficult to. If you know my family, you know that we're kind of rude and sarcastic. Or at least maybe that's just me. And my dad and I are so much alike I feel like I'm talking about myself half the time. Lol. But here's my attempt anyways. My dad is a funny guy. He is kind of scary upfront and a bit too straight forward, but underneath it all, he's a big softy. Growing up we kind of had a weird relationship. I think he couldn't really connect with me cuz we're just alike. Kind of like trying to raise your own childhood self. And I guess that's what did it, because we were so much alike he knew I needed my space. I needed to learn my own way, and he let me do that. And I am forever grateful for it. People probably think he favored my sister, and in a way he did, but she's a big cry baby and needed lots of love. He cared for me and treated me the best way that I needed, and I am so fortunate to have had that opportunity. He is the most caring and giving guy I have ever met. We butt heads a lot but that's just because we're both stubborn and hard headed. He is a determined, immovable force when he wants something and he refuses to take no for an answer. He loves to joke around and tell stories but be careful cuz he'll tell it over and over and make the story better each time. He's a big man with a big heart who loves unconditionally and I am eternally grateful to my Father in heaven for blessing me with such a man. I love you daddy!

I have also been blessed with amazing in-laws! I know some people complain about their in-laws and yada yada yada, but I can say that mine are the BEST! My father-in-law is so wonderful! I think he spoils my husband a bit too much but I can't complain cuz I'm his wife. LOL. Glen is such a wonderful father and grandfather. He has been so good to Joshua and I and to our children. We are so lucky to have him in our lives. Not only has he helped our little family so much but he helped raise my husband. There is so much of Glen in Joshua that I can't help but appreciate all that he has done in his life. He is such a caring grandfather that it is doubt why Joshua is that way his is with my children. Full of love and compassion, he is always there for us and lets us learn on our own along the way. We are so grateful for all you have done for us and we can't wait to spend more time together in the future! We love you opa!


My Josh. Oh dear, where do I start with this man... I have such a love/hate relationship with this guy. I love him so much, I just hate it. LOL. This guy has put me through a lot. A lot more than I bargained at the beginning. Half the time I just want to punch him in the face! But I don't. Because I'm not violent like that. I just don't want the world to know how crazy I am about him. Joshua William Garcia. Probably the most loving and playful father I have ever known. He is SO good with our children. That I can't deny. They absolutely ADORE him because he is so so SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good with them. Always playing with them, patient and caring, he just loves them and they feel it. We have a little trouble with disciplining because you can just tell that they make him melt and he just can't say no. It drives me up the wall! And I guess that's where I come in. He is no doubt the best father for my children and I am so grateful for him. We've had our ups and downs and I can say that our downs have been worth the ups and it'll just keep getting better. With God on our side, who is there to make afraid? I thank the Lord each day for having such a wonderful man in my life. I love you Josh. Xoxoxox

Happy Father's day to all the father's out there. And may we remember the Father of us all on this special day, our Father in heaven. Xoxox!

My Na'a

A year ago, after 3 long days of contractions, at 1:15 am, our little family was blessed with a beautiful baby girl. Melena'a Vileti Kawailani Mana Gwyneth Garcia. 8lbs and 4oz, 20 1/2 inches long, a head full of hair and a good set of lungs, she came into this world 2 days after her due date curious and hungry. She was the hardest pregnancy for me and the longest labor. I don't think I've had so much pain in a pregnancy til hers. It was all back aches, ankle problems, hormones making me crazy (I swear it was the hormones) and it was just... A LOT. I think my hips would randomly go numb and I wouldn't be able to walk for a bit. But she has been the happiest baby since, and I just can't get enough of HER!!!


Now she's walking and talking and thinking she's a big girl. She loves to talk on the phone, watch movies and play outside with her siblings. She thinks she can run with the big kids, and with siblings like hers they help her along the way. But watch out cuz she will smack you in the face if you get on her bad side. Her most favorite person (besides me) is her grandpa. He is the only person that she will go to instead of me. She loves to eat everything, except papaya. I'm not sure why but she's never liked it. Play her a beat or just clap your hands and she'll dance for you. Sing her a song and she'll join you. Gabriel is her most favorite person to play with. He can make her laugh and giggle by just being around her. She is absolutely the sweetest child I have ever met and I am so thankful to my Father in heaven for allowing me to raise such a beautiful soul. I think all of my children are beautiful but Na'a is special to me because she can make me smile when I am sad, comforts me in my times of need and just makes me happy by just being around me. She does drive me crazy because she knows I'll pick her up whenever she cries, but how can you say no to that beautiful little face?

I can't believe how quickly time has gone and I'm thinking of having another one because I get so sad seeing my babies grow. Lol. I can't believe how big all of my children get but it is a great reminder to me to remember to hug them a little tighter and love them a little more each day. I have been so blessed and I am eternally grateful to my Father in heaven for all that he has done for me. I know I don't need a guardian angel because I have 3 beautiful angels who help me each and every day.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! Mommy loves you and I can't wait to celebrate many more with you!

xoxox

New Calling!

As we transition into our new community I have just received a new calling!!

I have been privileged to be a part of amazing wards. I loved all of the wards I've been to and can honestly say that I am so blessed as a member. I have been a part of 4 Tongan wards, 2 regular wards, a Samoan ward and a Samoan branch. I have had such AMAZING leaders and I have learned so much from all of them. I have seen kids without leaders or leaders who aren't dedicated and as sad as it made me to see that I couldn't help but feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful time in primary and in young women's. Even as a relief society member although I was young and new to being a mother I felt a part of the organization and I can honestly say that even though I've been through tons of wards and leaders I was so blessed with all the leaders and teachers that I have had. I can name A LOT of them and I wish that I could say thank you to everyone. I think I will one day... but I digress.

Coming to this new ward I was scared. Growing up in mainly the Tongan wards it's a little nerve racking to come to a non conventional ward. We have members from all over the world with dozens of different languages and it's so crazy how many kids there are! And I love every second of it. I feel so honored to be a part of this small TVA community. The sisters here are so kind and there's a sincerity that emanates from them. There are so many kids it is so great for my children to be a part of that. They finally aren't the only ones screaming and crying during sacrament. Lol. But it has been nice.

I was just recently called as the sunbeam teacher :) so I'm Gabriel's teacher! We had lots of fun today. It's funny though cuz that was my first calling out of young womens. Never did I think that 4 years later I would be teaching my own son in the same class. It's funny how life sometimes does that to you. I wanted to be in young women's or something "important". But I guess I get to do the most important job in church too. Teaching my children. Especially my son.

I know that God gives us blessings when we need them the most. And in His timing. I needed this calling and I need this ward. For now. And for however long He sees fit. I am so blessed and I am forever grateful. Hopefully this calling will help me as a mother and as a teacher. I know with God's help I can do all things.

another lesson . in listening .

This week has not been my week. Because I don't have a work schedule, I have no schedule period. I'm just a mess until it's almost noon then I finally get up and get crap done. I mainly do it because Josh gets all stressed out when he gets home and the house is a mess. If I don't have anything to do, I don't do anything. At all. I camp on facebook. So this week has been CRAZY! Not crazy busy, more like crazy I don't know what to do with myself. We have actually been pretty busy with ourselves doing stuff, but nothing has gone my way.

Today was a particularly hard day. We went to a party at the beach for the school thing Gissi and Na'a go to. It was windy so everything was flying every where. I only have 2 arms so I was constantly yelling for my children to "stop that" "don't touch that" "no you can't go to the sand" "don't touch the dog" yadda yadda yadda. My mom was there so she helped a bit. Gissi almost ran to the beach, I thought I lost Gabriel but he went to the bathroom by himself then decided to come out naked for free and Na'a pooped all over herself and decided to scratch while being changed. Gissi kept eating and spitting out food, Gabriel didn't want to eat he just wanted to play, Na'a kept picking food off the ground or off of other peoples plates, you get what I'm saying? It was fun though :) I about had it though when we left. It was perfect timing for my patients and their energy.

Then I didn't get Gabriels school stuff done. I swear these people are so fired! My old doctors clinic has faxed his info 3 times and they still haven't gotten it and they won't sign the papers for me because they haven't received the fax! I've called them a million times and the person that can help me is NEVER IN! And she never calls me back. So I quit. I think I'm changing doctors or clinics.

On top of all the tantrums and crazy day we've had and the no luck with Gabriel's school papers, Josh leaves his card in the atm machine. This is the breaking point for me. I am so furious it takes all of my controlled energy to not scream in his face. I am out of wipes. I am down to my last wipe. One stinkin sheet. And this guy tells me we can't buy anything because he left his card in the atm machine. We go back and its not there. He goes to work and I go home crying. I don't want to ask my mom because she just bought me a vacuum and some other stuff and I just deposited my last 20$ into my account to bring it back up.

I get on facebook and I get on twitter and I feel like ranting. Like usual. But instead I tell myself it's ok lala, it'll work out. I call the bank and they tell me we might not get it back for like 4 weeks..... I am just so upset I don't even know what to do with myself. I'm sitting at the computer not even crying because I'm just soooooooooooooooooooo upset. What am I supposed to do??????? So I sit there and convince myself that its ok everything will be ok. How? I don't know but if I think anything else I'll do something I'd regret.

I write Josh a not so very nice letter and I leave. Where do I go? I don't know. Then I get the feeling to go back to BYU and try again... huh? Go back? But we just came from there... I know the feeling and in my head I literally think "is this really a miracle where I'll go back and it'll be there????" naaaaah, no can. But I do it anyways. I figure why not.

We park illegally and run to the atm. There is nothing there. I go inside and wait at the help desk. He is helping someone else and I'm just standing there and this lady walks up to me and asks me if I'm Josh's wife. huh??? She then tells me she is the lead for the Holomua this year and knew Josh had applied. I told her he got hired and she said great and left. Another worker came to the desk and asked if I had been helped. I said no and began my dramatic story about how I need a card. They pull out a billion cards and start looking through. I ask if they have a bank card and he says yes. I then ask if he has Josh's and he asks me "do you have your ID?" I freak out and ask him if he has it. He says yes and I literally jumped with excitement! Trying not to scream I asked if he needed Josh and he says as long as I have the same last name he'll give it to me. And he did :)

You cannot imagine how my mood changed in that one instant. I went from crybaby of the century to happiest wife ever! We stop at the front of the building and offer a small prayer of thanks. I have been humbled again. Of course I go home and write a simple note saying I found the card and leave my horrible letter for myself as a reminder that even though my day doesn't go exactly as I planned, God has a plan. I just need to trust in Him. Even though my day was crazy and I ended up coming home crashing (which is why I'm up at this hour), I learned a valuable lesson.

Had I not listened to the spirit and not gone back to BYU, we probably would have waited the 4 weeks. Or canceled the card and got a new one. Even though my day didn't go perfectly and I didn't get everything done that I needed to do, He saw me through the things I NEEDED the most. Like wipes :) Don't underestimate the small things. They make the big things possible. I am listening. Even if it takes me a little longer than most...

Pupusas

I made pupusas the other night and they were... WONDERFUL!! I was so proud of myself because I have been trying to make them for a while and always it was a complete fail. Until Sunday. They were an epic success! So epic that Joshua ate them all before I even finished. Eh. And Gabriel loved them too. Which is also a huge success cuz he's a picky eater.

I just wanted to share my wonderful success but sadly they were eaten so quickly that I didn't take any pictures. I made some for my family the next day and my parents LOVED them! But my dad could probably have eaten the dozen I made in the first batch. They are not as difficult to make as I thought they would be. The recipe is rather easy. Or at least because I didn't have much I had no choice. Either way, it was absolutely delicious and I am excited to make more.

I am going to figure out how to make the curtido, because a pupusa isn't complete without it. Also I need a good salsa de tomate (thank you veronica!) recipe so I can make that too. People always tell me, oh lala its easy just throw all these random ingredients together. Y'all need to understand that it has taken me a LONG while to figure out to cook without burning something. We still have issues with the burning but not as much. I will keep you posted when I figure out how to make the rest but til then, my pupusas are YUMMY!!!

I'm finally listening

I'd like to share an interesting experience I had a week ago. For the past few months, probably since March, Josh has been asking me to quit my jobs. Now if you know me, you'd know that I love my jobs. I love working at the PCC. It has been a wonderful experience and I was so saddened to put in my 2 weeks a few weeks ago. Today was my last day and although I will be around here I will still miss dancing on the canoes every day.

Two Thursdays ago, I had gone to the temple. Josh had been on my case all week about quitting my gas station job. The Saturday before I had agreed to work 2 extra days including the Saturday I was already scheduled for. Going the temple I asked for guidance. I asked to know whether or not I should quit. I wanted a absolute yes or no. I knew it would be a test of faith and I challenged my God saying "Lord help my faith". If I am supposed to quit let Joshua know and I will quit. I got my answer all right.

The Tuesday before I had trained a new worker. A young man came in asking if we were hiring. I told him I wasn't sure but that we might be because a few people had just quit and I was planning on quitting also. In my mind I thought, I will regret this. I wasn't sure why I had said it or what would happen next but I got my answer on Friday. I was scheduled to work and train the same lady but when I went in another girl was there and she said she would be working. I called our manager and she said that the girl was working and that I could go home. I was ESTATIC! I didn't want to miss a Friday with my family so off we went.

A few minutes later standing in the Foodland line waiting to pay for my groceries I noticed a letter in my pay. I had been "released". My prayers were answered. I was fired. Humbled, humiliated and a bit embarrassed I shared the story with my husband and he simply just laughed. He was right, and I had been wrong. I am thankful for this simple but amazing experience and I hope that I will continue in listening to the promptings of the spirit and the guidance of my priesthood worthy husband. It has taken me a few years to understand and "listen" to the "still small voice". And I hope to NEVER challenge my God to help my faith like that again. He is always listening and forever guiding. Now I know and I will not forget.  

New Beginnings

We are FINALLY in our own place! For a while now I've been asking Joshua for us to move out and we had our differences and arguments and blah blah blah. But now, after a while, we are officially on our own :) We are currently living in TVA right next to BYUH. We absolutely LOVE IT! Gabriel just asks to go to "his house". If I accidentally refer to my moms house as home he quickly corrects me and says "gamma's house lala", it's SO CUTE! We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath with a living room and kitchen. It's on the second floor so I have to do quite a bit of climbing. My only complaint is that the parking is too far. Other than that it's just great. It's furnished with 3 beds, 2 dressers, 2 small drawers, a couch, table with 4 chairs, a refrigerator, a phone and a desk. The phone and cable is paid for as well as the internet. And it's CHEAP! Cheap for hawaii that is.

But I cannot say that it has happened with no trials. It's been a little tough on us financially. And my faith will be GREATLY tried. I have quit both of my jobs at the request of my husband. He's actually been asking me for a few months now and I am on my last week of work. I am sad but also excited to just be home with my kids. It will take great faith in trying to make it financially. If Joshua has been impressed for me to stay home then I will honor the covenants that I have made in the temple and follow. I am so proud of him and so proud of us. I know that the Lord has had a hand in ALL things in our lives. He has allowed these trials for us to face so that we may grow stronger. I know some of them were our own faults and we have paid the price. I hope that in the future we will learn to head the promptings of the spirit and learn to pray in thanks for all things. I am grateful for this opportunity and grateful for the life I have been given. Wish us luck cuz we surely will need it! But with God on my side, who is there to make afraid!? Til next time, thanks for reading!

xoxox,

lala

Eternity

April 21, 2012 was the day that eternity began for our little family. I feel so privileged and honored to be part of the gospel and of Christ's true church. I cannot express my love and gratitude enough of the Savior. It was so wonderful to be able to seal myself and our little family to Josh. Small and private as it may have been, it was absolutely PERFECT. The presence was just amazing. My babies looked so beautiful in their white attire and they were just so wonderful. Baby Melena'a was sleeping, Gabriel and Gissela were both so good. It felt like everything just worked out perfectly!

We began with a morning session. We tried to do initiatory but they were so busy! I was able to do one name with Olga but Joshua and Jon weren't able to. When we got to the session my uncle joined us. Because my dad wasn't able to make it, I was so grateful that he was able to be there to represent him. After the session we had to wait a while for our kids and for our room and I was just so anxious the whole time! I had almost fallen asleep during the session because we hardly got any sleep the night before, but as time got closer I couldn't seem to sit still! I was just too excited!!

Our sealer was amazing. He explained the whole purpose of all the ordinances and never has it been so well explained and I now understand the meaning of all of them. He gave us such great advice. My favorite being, "Now the temple does not mean there will be no trials, it almost guarantees it. But it does provide the necessary protection, guidance and help that you will  need to be able to face them." And also, "this does end at just you (pointing to me) being sealed to him (pointing to Josh). It also seals you to Him (pointing up). It is a 3 part marriage." It gave me great comfort to know that regardless of the things Joshua and I will face, if we are faithful and keeping the sacred covenants we made, we will be guided and protected along the way. I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and for the opportunity to seal our family to Him. I'm a blessed beyond measure and I know that the only way to thank Him will be through my faithfulness. I hope that the day that I return I will be able to stand before Him blameless and unspotted from the world. Thank you to all those who joined us on our special day and for those who couldn't make it, we still love you all :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FATSO!

Also, before I forget, I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to the most irritating sibling in the world. To my first best friend, my favorite child, the kid I look up to Ofa Ki' Liahona Latu, Happy 21st Birthday bro :) I wish I was there to celebrate with you, but I'll be seeing you next week! A little something about this kid.

After we had Gabriel, a few short months after my family moved to Hawaii from Utah. Everyone except Ofa. Of course I had cousins and other relatives around but I didn't feel comfortable asking any of them to help me with my son. This guy, still in High school, playing football and with his studies he still managed to find time to watch my little man for an hour or two every day. Even after I had my Gissi he still helped me watch them BOTH. Of course his amazing GF at the time helped him watch, but my point is, idk many boys his age who would have done that EVERY SINGLE DAY, and I admire him for it. Fatso you're one of the best brothers I know, and I am lucky to have you as mine. I pray for you daily and I know that you'll go far. You've got a bright future ahead of you and I hope that you can remember that the Lord is ALWAYS on your side. Even when we're not doing everything were supposed to. That's what the plan of salvation is for and I hope that you can take advantage of it and do what's right. Happy birthday small dawg;) see you next week! OFA ATU!!!!!

The beginning...

I feel like there is SO much to blog about that I haven't been blogging about at all! So now I'm just going to play catch up with everything. First I'll start with Josh and I. How in the world does a health enthusiastic Latino from Utah end up with a fat eat errefang Tongan from Hawaii?? There is NO way that God didn't have a hand in our meeting. Ya Utah is pretty small world but I did not EVER mix with any type of "miko" like at all. It all started in 2008. I was new at UVU and he worked at the Multicultural Center, the MC. I couldn't help but notice that this miko was hanging out with the poly's. WTF? Not normal. (To me at least). So I decided to talk to him. I asked him for his name the next day, and as soon as he said it I forgot. Our conversation went something like this:

Me: Oh hi, um.. what's your name?
Him: Josh
Me: I'm Lala, nice to meet you.
Him: Hi Lala.
Me: Oh sorry but I'm not good with names so sorry if I forget yours.
Him: If you do, I'll never talk to you again.
Me:(WTF???? jklfsoinkclhjwoijklhejiyhsoidhjfklankj??!!!)

And that's when I decided I didn't like him. At all. But as the story goes, I saw him again later that day, we exchanged numbers and the rest is history. We got married, have 3 kids and now we're in Hawaii. How things like that happen? Only God knows. I am grateful though, and I do love Josh. He is the most annoying person in the world! But that's only because I just don't want him or the rest of the world to know how crazy I am about him :) 

We were married on June 28, 2008. We went to Grand America for our "honeymoon" and a week later went to NYC, New York for a week. December 2, 2008 we were blessed with our first baby. 16 months later Gissela followed and by June 2011 we had our third child, Melena'a. We've had LOTS of trials and we've almost been divorced. (I think every couple goes through something similar. Especially nowadays.) We will be getting sealed next week in Utah and as hard as our journey has been, it has been worth it. Josh is an amazing man. I could go on and on about how wonderful he is. Even if he is my biggest pet peeve. I am lucky to be married to him and I wouldn't have it any other way. Don't get me wrong, we fight A LOT. We disagree A LOT. (He's freakin vegan raw and I'm like eat erefang.) But we work together and keep our love alive and our family going. "With God, nothing is impossible. But you, must learn to take His hand... Those who have ears to hear, will understand." I forgot the name of the song but if WE can do it, anyone can. No joke. But that's how we met and that was the beginning of our beginning.

Catch up.

So over the past year or so, a few things have happened.


1. We are now on the beautiful island of OAHU. I previously just wanted to come to have our 3rd child here with my family. Being away from them for so long I just wanted to come home and be with them for this baby. Josh was a bit stubborn about it, but it all worked out and we were supposed to just be here for the summer. Evidently, Josh has fallen in love with HI<3 and I think we will be here a little longer than I'd planned. It went from the summer, to just Christmas, to just graduation and now I'm not sure if we'll ever leave. We'll see though. For now I'll just enjoy the HILife and be happy with the sun :)




2. Baby number 3!!! We were blessed with a beautiful baby girl on June 13, 2011. Melena'a Vileti Kawailani Mana Gwyneth Garcia. She was 8lbs something oz I don't even remember and 20 inches. She is absolutely WONDERFUL and I just can't get enough of her. She reminds me so much of her siblings and sad enough I wish that I was "normal" when I had them so I could have enjoyed them as much as I enjoy her. She brings so much happiness to our family and to everyone else that meets her. She really is the happiest baby in the world and I just love it!! Now we have 3 beautiful children. Gabriel, who turned 3 in December; Gissela, who just turned 2 last week; and Mana, who is now almost 10 months old! They grow up so fast...


3. Lastly, Josh and I have just got our endowments and we will be getting sealed in the next few weeks :) We've come a LOOOOOOOOOONG way, and it sure was pretty rough. I'll probably blog about our trials and problems we faced a little later on but I am just grateful that we have been blessed with these amazing opportunities.

I think those are the most important events that have recently happened, life has had it's ups and downs but we've been able to weather the storm and pray that we will continue on in faith! I  have been so blessed and I'm just so happy to be here at this time. I'll be sure to keep updating regularly unlike before. All in all, life is beautiful.

Back to Blogging

It's been a LONG while since I've last blogged. I guess I got too excited and then life just got the best of me and I haven't done it since. But now that I've got my head on straight, life is a little more "organized" and I'm ready to be who I want to be, I think I'll give it another try. If all else fails, follow me on instagram @lalatu913 and twitter @heilala