Thomas the Train

I love that whenever my family sees something with Thomas the Train, they think of Trenton.

My older sister just called me to say that she was at the store and they were having a sale. There was a Thomas outfit and she wanted to know Trenton's size. :)

Trenton loves Thomas (and the other trains from the show too)!

Some things with Thomas that he owns so far are:

-underwear
-outfits
-DVDs
-books
-a lunchbag
-a spinning toothbrush
-a sunglasses
-one soft plush Thomas
-one rubber bath Thomas toy

Every time we go to Walmart, I try to avoid the Thomas clothes and the toys section because if he sees something with Thomas on it he will throw a fit to have it. lol

Meet My Mom

This is my mom. My mom is my best friend (aside from my husband) and we’ve always been close. Growing up everyone would say I was her favorite. I really don’t think I was her favorite I just think we are close. After all, she breastfed me until I was 3! Lol ok that MIGHT have something to do with it but I don’t know. :P Growing up I could tell her anything. I never had to lie about where I was going with friends.  Never hide to sneak anything. I want a relationship like that with my kids. I want them to be able to not feel scared or embarrassed to tell me anything. She was my best friend but also a parent. I didn’t disrespect her or sneak behind her back. I knew she was my mom and always made sure to ask for permission before doing something because even though I knew she would say yes, I respected her. She has done so much for me and I have no idea what I would do without her. Even until this day she does a lot for me but mostly for my sons. She’s the best grandma hehe. Of course, she has made many bad choices and those were choices I tell myself I will never make and have my kids go through.  But at the end of the day, she’s human and we all make mistakes. If I were to lose her anytime soon, a part of me would die. I have no idea how I would hold up. Ok.. anyway, meet my mom!

Tayven is going to grow up and be a family man.

I’m hoping his attitude and personality doesn’t change too much as he gets older. 

Tonight, my husband and I were asking him how his Valentine’s party at school went. He said that he played pin the tail on the donkey and he won (not sure if he is story telling.. LOL). Anyway, he then said that he won $100 and he has to pick it up tomorrow (this def. is story telling!). So, Daddy asks him, “Tay what are you going to do with the money?” 

And Tayven says (seriously, mind you), “I’m going to buy you guys stuff and food (yep, he’s definitely my son!). I’m going to buy you guys food and electric.” 

Sounds silly but he is actually so mature for his age. He is thinking about taking care of his parents and (sadly) about paying bills. “/ His first answer was NOT something for himself, but for us. He makes me proud. VERY proud. =)

Family & Food + My Birthday part II

After picking up our food from Applebee's I HAD to have Jamba Juice. I haven't been to Jamba Juice since before we left Hawaii. So, I got me a Peanut Butter Moo'd, which is the only thing I get from there lol.
Then we stopped at 711 to grab some shrimp chips and Hawaiian Sun juice.

When we got to 711, we grabbed the juice but couldn't find the shrimp chips. When we got to the register, I asked the guy cashier if they had run out of the shrimp chips and he said no "the Hawaii section was in the back." So, I walked behind the cashier area and OMG I was ecstatic! They had everything I've been craving since we moved here except for teri patties. They had mochi crunch, li hing mui candies, the Hawaii diamond crackers, laulau. kalua pig, manapua, portuguese sausage, and redondo's red hot dogs!!! That made my night! We landed up going back to the motel, working on some homework, watching TV, and then going to bed. 

This morning we checked out, went to 711 and grabbed some Hawaii grindz! 

Then we drove back home. 

Just because.. here are some pictures of the boys in the hotel room.

50!

My mom turned 50 on January 30th. My aunties (her sisters) threw her a surprise party. A week before the party, my aunty had asked me and my siblings to write her a letter. Here is my letter:

To my mommy and best friend,

                First off, you are fifty! Fifty, Mom! I can’t believe it. Hehe It’s ok though because you definitely don’t look it! I was asked to write you a letter and I’m unable to think of what I want to say. There is a lot to say but since I talk to you regularly, I feel like I’ve said it all. I’ll just start off by saying that I appreciate all that you do for me and for the boys. I just want to make sure you know that everything you have done is appreciated and none of it goes unnoticed.

                You are my best friend, not just my mom. We’ve always had each other’s back (so to speak). I’ve cried on your shoulder and you’ve cried on mine. We argue, fight, have gotten mad each other (these are rare but they have happened), but we’ve also had so much more good times together. You raised me to be the best I can be. By your greatest achievements, personality traits, and efforts, you have taught me that I can be a great person and a great mother to my children. You’ve taught me to not care what others think and to treat others how I want to be treated (cliché I know.. but it’s true). By your mistakes and bad choices, you’ve taught me many things as well. No one is perfect and EVERYONE makes mistakes, so I don’t care about the things people have to say about you nor do I care what they may think (besides, no one but ME has been there to know anything anyway). You and I both know that you are a great person with great intentions who loves everyone and is always set out to please everyone (which you should stop and learn to say no :P ).

                I honestly have no idea what I would do without you. I still can’t believe I even moved here to Utah. I bet no one would have thought that, huh? I miss you like crazy every day. I miss our daily ventures to “run errands” where we would land up buying things we didn’t need. I miss the days when you would bring me food I was craving or food just because (you know I love food). I miss having my mom with me. I miss your 10 minute meals. I miss your hoarding.. HAHA. You’re so far away and it sucks. But you know what? I’ll see you again (hopefully SOON) and we’ll make the best of it. I’m also going to work on getting you to move up here.  ;)

                Are you crying yet? If not, stop holding it in and trying to be tough! Hehe. I’m crying while typing this, so it’s ok Mom. I guess I’ll end it here. I hope you have an amazing dinner and I’m grateful for Aunty them for making this dinner for you. You do deserve it! I truly wish we could all be there, but it’s ok. You’ll have a good time anyway! I wish you a Happy Birthday and MANY more years to come (I need you!)  I love you so much, Mom. Forever and Always.

Love your daughter,

Caprice <3

My aunties took those letters, printed it in a nice font, and framed them. They set it on a table along with her cake and a picture of her and her siblings. 

Here is my mom (who does not look 50!) with Rayne and her husband Harold. 

Here is my little big sister (she's younger but a lot taller than me) and my older brother with my mom. 

It's just missing my older sister and I. 

My mom said she had a great time. She was really surprised. She loved the letters. Everyone was crying when they were read. I wish we were able to be there, but I'm just glad she had a good time with the rest of our family. :)

Dreams and Reality

“I want to become an actress, move to New York, star in a musical, make it onto the big screen, and become famous.” “I want to be a scientist and find cures for diseases”

These are dreams that some people have. A lot of people, if not all, have dreams. Me? No, not really. 

Sure, when I was little I wanted to grow up and be a teacher or a doctor, but I also wanted to be a mother even more. 

Now though, I am so very realistic. Too realistic to where I don’t even bother to dream big. My “dream” is to one day own a house and for us to open up a family restaurant. Not too farfetched, right? Pretty possible and attainable, right? 

When people are asked, “What is your dream car?” They may say, “A Cadillac Escalade, with chrome rims, decked out sound system, etc.” When I am asked the same question, I say, “one that will fit my family, runs well, and is good on gas.” See, realistic right? 

Most likely the reason for being so realistic is living a life where I’ve always been struggling. Pretty much my whole life we’ve been lower class, borderline poverty, and at one point even houseless. Well, there was one point when we were middle class when my mom was married to my ex-stepdad. Anyway, I know that certain things are just unattainable and nearly impossible, especially with the economy the way it is. So, instead of setting myself up for disappointment, I stick to reality and things I know can be accomplished. 

Our Christmas

I'm blogging about this a little late, but better late than never, right?

I'll start off by saying that this year we weren't able to buy our boys anything. With both of us being students, finally purchasing a vehicle last month after needing one for a year, and paying rent, we had no extra to buy gifts. We were expecting gifts from my mom and younger sister, since they told us they got the kids some gifts but that's it.

Last Monday after Tay's Christmas performance, we were hanging out in the living room when we heard our doorbell ring. I opened the door and no one was there. There was, though, quite a few gifts! The boys were so excited that Santa had arrived a few days early. About a half hour later, there was a knock at the door. Again, no one was there but there were a few more gifts! I couldn't believe it. I had tears of joy and gratitude to know that people care about my kids and us. There are great people still out there. Thanks to the kind people from church, some friends and some family, my boys had a great Christmas when we weren't expecting much at all.

On the morning of Christmas Eve, we drove up to Salt Lake City to my husband's uncle and aunty's house. It was good to see everyone. The boys, of course, were excited to see their cousins. They played with them the whole time we were there. On Christmas morning, all the kiddos opened their gifts. My boys got gifts from their cousin's. It was so very nice of them. I also got a gift from them--some socks and lotion. That afternoon, we went to my husband's aunty's family's house. It was a lot more traditional than the other parties I have been to with my husband. There were "talks" given and prayers said all in Tongan. The adults sang songs in Tongan too.

Anyway, there was a lot of food! My boys decided to act up (Trenton was tired and Titan was tired and hungry), so I didn't really get to eat, but my husband's cousins grabbed a huge foil pan and put some food in it for us to bring home. Lu Pulu, tapioca, mussels,and octopus in coconut milk, ribs, ota, pig, noodles, and lots of desserts. We got home, warmed it up, and ate like we were starving. I love Tongan food! Lu pulu is my favorite. I swear I could eat it every day. :P

I can't wait for the next time I can eat Tongan food. I think it'll be in April for my husband's friends farewell. He's going on his mission. :)

So, overall, we all had a great Christmas. Of course, I missed my family but it was so much better than staying home and being sad.

Titan is unique.

Of course all of my kids are unique, but compared to his brothers he has quite a few differences.

1. He’s the only one we tried/planned for.
2. He’s the only one conceived in wedlock. (he was conceived right after we got married (a couple days after). Although we didn’t really have a honeymoon, he was our “honeymoon baby.” 
3. He’s the only one not born in Hawaii and born in Utah (so far). 
4. He’s the only one who was breastfed past 2 weeks postpartum. 
5. He’s the only one who has not met my family (yet). 

This is random and I was just thinking about this when I was laying in bed this morning. 

I hate to be a quitter

but I have given up on the Reverb10. I am way behind and do not feel like playing more catch up. Plus, I'm on break from school and am spending more time with my family and crocheting. :)

It was fun while it lasted.. lol.

5 things people should know about me.

1. I am honest. I seriously rarely lie and if I do it's probably just a fib. I just see no point in lying. Most liars ALWAYS get caught. I grew up having to lie for my mom and hated it. I despise being lied to. I simply just don't get it. WHY?! I have lied in the past, but oh boy did it come back and bite me in the butt. I've learned from that and everyone should just try their hardest to be honest. It's lovely! ;)

2. I am loyal. If someone were to give me a chance to be that close friend, I would be a dang loyal friend. I haven't had a "best" friend besides my husband since 9th/beginning of 10th grade. Maybe it's because I have kids now, maybe it's because people are just so shady and don't give me a chance, or maybe it's just because I'm not really sociable at the moment because I'm always stuck at home. Either way, I just don't have close friends near me right now. I care about people and am always willing to help someone out.

3. Do not mess with my kids! Seriously, just don't even try. I'm tiny (kind of lol), I am nice, sometimes shy, but you will experience a not so nice me if you mess with my children. :)

4. I am very open minded. Yes, people say they are open minded all the time, but they really aren't. Whenever a debate occurs, I always hear and try my best to understand both sides. I am what they call a "fence sitter." When people believe in something different from me (such as religious views), I never push my views on them nor do I tell them they are wrong. I even am curious to hear what they believe. Another example of me being open minded is that I am Mormon. Basically, we believe gay marriage is wrong and it should be between a man and woman, we believe in modesty, we believe in lots of things lol but my point is that I have family members and friends IRL and on Facebook that are gay, do not dress modestly, get tattoos, piercings, drink coffee, etc. I love them all even though I don't believe in their choices.

5. Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the gospel, and my family are everything to me. :)

Thanksgiving

So, I thought we were just going to be celebrating with just us this year since we don't have a car to travel to my hubby's family's house, but our neighbor (the wife is my hubby's cousin) are staying here too.  Now, we're going to celebrate together! It'll be all of our first time cooking everything ourselves because we always just went to a family member's house to eat and didn't need to cook anything. 

We'll be doing the ham, stuffing, potato salad, green bean casserole, and candied yams. They are doing the turkey, more stuffing, the dessert, and I'm not sure what else. 

I was thinking it was just going to feel like another day, but now I'm actually looking forward to it. :)

10 Things I'm Sick of

Every Monday, I will be writing on a prompt. Today, I chose "List 10 things you're really sick of." With the way things are going right now, this shall be easy.

1. I am sick of having to depend on people. I tired of having to ask for a ride to go somewhere or having to schedule appointments around times when I think I might be able to get a ride. I'm tired of having to cancel appointments because of not having a ride. I'm tired of being a burden and a pest.

2. I am sick of all the evil in this world. I can't turn on the TV without seeing something bad and can't watch the news without hearing very horrible things.  Babies and children being killed and hurt, murders, rapes, spouses cheating on each other.. it's all so horrible and I'm sick of it. I wish I could change things. I wish I didn't have to worry about my children and the times they have to grow up in.

3. I am sick of complaining. I wish I didn't have things to complain about. I seriously need to stop complaining and suck it up. *Sigh.

4. I'm sick of procrastinating. When it comes to school, I procrastinate. I despise writing papers and because of that, I tend to put it off until the last minute.

5. I am sick of being cold. It hasn't even been that long of being cold but I am already sick of it. I get so lazy when it snows and is super cold out. I don't want to take out the trash or check the mail.. anything really.

6. I'm sick of not being near family. I truly dislike not having someone to call up to come over and just hang out. I'm sick of being on the computer a lot because I can't really converse with my children (I do spend time with them doing things but I can't vent or really talk to them).

7. I am sick of being a big worry wart. I worry too much about so many things.

8. Along with worrying, I am sick of stress. When I worry about something, I tend to stress over it. I hate stress.

Ok so I tried really hard to come up with 10 things but I can't. That's a good thing though, right? It's a good thing I don't have too much to be sick of, right? Lol. I will leave it at that. :)

ah sorry!

I can't believe I have been neglecting my blog!

This past weekend we drove down to Cedar City. It was SO nice to get out of our little town and be around some family. We stayed at my hubby's cousins house.  The boys had a blast!! They loved playing with their cousins and didn't want to leave. The drive going there was really long but coming back wasn't so bad. We're now thinking about move down there sometime after next spring. The only thing that sucks about the trip is that after getting home my boys caught a cold. I think it was from playing outside while we were down there and it rained a few times, plus it was a little cold. So, right now my boys all have a cold.

Tayven had a field trip to a pumpkin patch yesterday. He said he had fun. They went through a maze, stopped at a park in Manti, and had snacks. I can't wait for his school pictures to come in!

We're going to be moving into an apartment across the street, so in the next few weeks we'll be extremely busy. I wish I could take off of school. Having to move and try to get homework done will not be fun. My mom got married on October 10th and I am happy for her. She had her reception dinner this past Sunday and said it went well. We are most likely going back home to Hawaii to visit in December and I am beyond excited! :D Lately, I've just been crocheting and dreading any school work. :P

Homesick.

We have been here in Utah for a year now, and I have never felt so homesick as I do now.

Not a day goes by that I don't think of moving back home.

I get jealous and upset when I read about these family get-togethers that friends on Facebook are having or when I see pictures. I shouldn't feel that way, but I do. I can't help it.

It truly sucks not being near family. It sucks to talk to my mom on the phone when she's at my aunty's house with our family. Tayven tells me he wants to go back home too. My mother-in-law keeps telling us to move back.

I know we will go back eventually but the Hubby will be doing this fall semester here. He also has a lot of check ups for his eye. I guess I just have to continue "hanging in there" until this semester is over and then see what we will do from there.

thinking of the future.

I know if I were to express how I feel to any one IRL like my family, they would flip out and have something to say.. BUT this is my blog and I can write whatever I want! :)

I have already talked to my hubby about this but he didn't really have much input LOL

Anyway I've always known that I wanted a big family. Since I was a little girl and would "play house", I would always have 6 or 7 kids :P When I met the hubby he also wanted a big family. Right now we have our three boys and I am grateful but I still don't have that complete feeling, you know? When the boys drive us nuts the hubby and I always say "OK I think we're done having kids"! lol. I'm not sure if he means it but I know I don't. Part of me wants to just raise my boys and be done with the whole baby thing but I know I'm not done with kids. Because I don't feel complete, I know that there is another baby in store. It's just the matter of when. We are struggling right now and I know we need to wait awhile. It's just how long? I think a great gap is the one between Tayven and Trenton. They are almost 3 years apart. Tayven was already potty trained and everything when Trent was born. The gap between Trent and Titan is too close IMO. I should have waited :P So I'm thinking we'll just wait until Titan turns 2 and see how we feel. I just can't wait to feel complete and be done with the diapers and all that stuff LOL Although I know that when they are grown I will reaaaalllly miss the baby stage. Ok I think I'm done rambling. It feels nice to write it out :)

feeling not so shabby.

Things are just crap right now. I'm not going to go into detail on here but I just wanna say that I feel so down right now. I'm stressed with school, money, having no car, not living near family, missing my mom, missing my husband... It's just everything hitting me at once. I think I'll just leave it at that. :(