CHRISTMAS DAY

Well another Christmas Day has come and gone.. And again I'm left with the thought of Where did the time go.
Our Christmas morning started WAY before the kids woke up.. My helper David stayed up to help wrap things and to help with the two babies. Jr went to bed after taking some medicine he has a tooth ache that is KILLING him.. ( I think he just didnt want to wrap). LOL..
The kids woke up right after I finally got to bed, so it seems like I just clolsed my eyes and they were trying to wake me up so they could OPEN their presents, I stalled as long as I could but decided that I better get up because I was not going to get any sleep anyway because of the nagging of the children.
We started opening gifts and the boys quickly began to realize that Lelu had WAY more gifts then they did. I explained that the big one for the boys was to be opened last after all other gifts, Lelu of course loves the spotlight so she opened each gift as slow as she could commenting on each gift and then looking at the boys. I finally realized her game she was playing and told her to HURRY.. She got to her last gift and opened a Nintendo DS.. She jumped with glee for that was her TOP of the list request.. Now the grand finale both Sione and Amone started tearing the BIG gift for them and there it was right in front of both of them X BOX 360... A item that had been on the top of their list for 2 years now.. They could always play Uncle Siones but now it was their own.. The look on their faces were priceless.. Then it all seemed worth it, the staying up to wrap, the NO sleep just to watch them.. SO WORTH IT..
I've decided that next year we as a family are going to work more on the GIVING of the Christmas spirit.. My kids are older so they will understand the lesson being taught to them.. We are going to do the 12 days of Christmas but instead of giving each other gifts we are going to do SERVICE PROJECTS each day.. And then as gifts to each other instead of buying we are going to offer a service to each other ie.. a day of doing their chores, or a day of cooking for them, something like that.. I want them to know HOW much can be done with NO money, that doing service is worth so much more then anything else..
Well from our family to yours I hope you had a Merry Christmas and We wish you a Happy New Year...
Love
The Finau Family

2 birthday parties...

As per my previous post we had to do 2 birthday parties.. We are not a BIG birthday party throwing family, so it was very simple and very JUST US.. My baby Teki turned 1 and got to eat his very first piece of cake all by himself.. He was treated by being carried all day by everyone.. His feet did NOT touch the ground..
Iman turned 2 and because Imans only friend is my nephew Raymond they were invited.. She loves being the center of attention and just can't get enough of it.. I let her watch ELMO all day on the computer, so of course she was excited. She ate her cake opened presents, she got a motorcycle from Raymond and clothes and toys from us.. I think I'm going to hide her motorcycle just so she can get it again for Christmas.. ( I know ghetto but it's really to cold for her to take it out and play)
Now that these two parties are behind us, we can finally get ready for Christmas.. Only a few day left and lots to do...

Iman is TWO.. and baby Teki is ONE...

What can I say I have two babies in December.. Where does that leave me.. I'm not sure.. Sad is where it leaves me.. If anyone knows me then you all know my story.. We (my husband and I) had 4 kids then we were both satisfied with that then 8 yrs later we (actually me) had 2 more and they are less then a yr apart.. Crazy I know, but in some sort of weird way they actually have brought us closer together as a family.
My daughter Iman Tilah Finau will be 2 on Dec 18th.. I had her in Chicago (yes I said Chicago) She is so tiny and yet is so head strong that she yells at everyone and tries to fight everyone. The older kids laugh at her because she is so small.. They say her attitude is from Chicago. When she dances they all yell "Go Chi-Town, Go Chi-Town." and then they all laugh.. Iman was born as a chapter in my life was coming to end, she started the new chapter with happiness and a lot of forgiving (mainly of myself). When I look at her I am reminded at how simple things should be in our lives, and how the Lord remember you even in the BAD times.. Happy Birthday Iman I love you my Chi-Town BABY..
Baby Teki is 1.. His birthday was Dec 3rd.. Yes that means for 15 days Iman and him are the same age.. LOL.. I guess I'm really sad to see him grow because he is the baby of family.. He has brought so much joy to our lives we can not put it into words. When he smiles the whole family smiles, and when he cries the whole family cries.. The older kids hate to see him cry.. The older boys walk in from school and they go directly to him to bother him.. He has been the easiest baby to care for, he just wants his stomach full and a clean diaper and he is good to go.. (takes after his namesake).. I love you baby Teki Happy birthday..