So we survived our first week! Phew! I thought I would be crying by Saturday cause I missed daddy so much. But pretty much over it and have to be strong for my girls. Isalei is taking it a bit harder cause she is not used to me disciplining her all the time. But we will get over this hump, Im hoping SOON! I hate being the the consoler and the discipliner at the same time! *sigh* The key is to keep busy, so this week I planned to get out to the park as often as I could with the girls. Ilyana was amazed at all the excitement that was going on in the playground. Could not get that girl to budge for a minute. Funny how I wasnt the only mom there. Im sure they had the same idea of trying to pass time by dumping their kids off at park just to have a lil silent times to themselves as they watch their wee ones play. HA!
As far as our weekend, on Friday my bestie, Bea invited me and my girls over for a greek themed dinner. It was great. Im always up for new things for my taste buds to get excited over and they were really excited once that food hit my mouth. Too bad I didnt have my camera for ones to see, hopefully on another date.
On satuday we went to a family friend birthday party at Incredible Pizza. A advance place of Chucky chesse. A bit pricey but the games are awesome. The food was not my cup of tea. Peter piper is by far the best pizza and game eatery in our household. Isalei had a great time, Ily not so much. She was on cranky mode and wanted to me and her nana to hold her constantly so the birthday party had to be cut short. I headed over to my mom's house to stay the night which ended up us staying til today.
That was pretty much it. This weeks is Halloween week and Tamu's birthday is this Friday so we going to celebrate on Halloween.
So Mike has officially been gone for 3 days. I am still in denial that he will be over there in less than 3 months since we can still be able to communicate thank goodness to cellphones and he is still in the proximity of the US and will be back in December to celebrate Christmas with us.
Before his departure, we both took time off from work to spend time together as a family. We were planning on making adventurous trips but a stay-cation was a better idea. It was great. We went to our fav stores to supposedly window shopping and hours later we come out with bags in our hands and our wallets empty. Lately, I have been so inspired to take picture of random things that hubs graciously bought me a new spiffy camera. A CANON POWER SHOT SX20 IS. I swear this is the best toy ever. He said that it would be great to feel our walls with great photos and keep me somewhat busy with odds and ends project.
Check out the cool photos:
Im sure you get my drift.... but the photos are awesome.
As the days came closer for his departure, everyone kept asking me how I was feeling. I really didnt feel anything. I was in denial that the day of him leaving would never come. Then it did.
We woke up early to make sure everything was in order. His bag. Check. His paper work. Check. We kid around the whole morning with the girls. It was wonderful. We were actually on time going out the door without a rush for once. If you know our departure, we are always on a rush and in a hurry to get out the door. We hit up some breakfast on the way and did some qtime in the airport. Then he started his speech with my eldest on how he wanted her to be a good girl and not give mommy a hard time. I tried really hard to hold back the tears but my emotions got the best of me and tear drops were rolling down my face. I kept telling myself to think of this as if he was leaving on his yearly annual training but I just didnt grasp that concept and all that can see was him training to be shipped overseas. It was awful feeling. But he got a hold of me and made his speech to me that I was a great woman and that I will do awesome holding the fort down while he is away. Which of course made me ball like a lil 2 year old. I collected myself before my oldest could see me cause I didnt want her to feel something was wrong. We exchanged our goodbyes and daddy hugged his lil girls for bit before getting on the escalator. My husband is a very strong man. Doesnt show his emotions to anyone esp me ...lol. But when it comes to our daughter it strikes him to the core. We waved as he went up and we were on our way to our car without our other half, daddy!
Mike is doing well and getting his training. He cant talk much cause of OPSEC reason and they are in and out of briefings throughout the day. But we miss him dearly.
A date that will forever be remembered. Its on the news and people have been affected by this one way or another.
On Sept 29, 2009 , Tuesday morning, Samoa was hit with a 8.9 earthquake which minutes after caused a horrifying tsunami to follow. This cost many lives and left some parts of both Upolu(Western Samoa) and Tutuila(American Samoa) that were once known for its beautiful beaches and loving hospitality in ruins.
Being stateside you can only think of the worst and pray that your family is doing fine and were in a safe place during that terrifying moment. Hours later I was relieved to find out that my mothers family that lives in the village of Fagatogo was well and safe. Everyone was accounted for. But as I watched the news and read articles some families were not so lucky and the numbers of missing and those found dead were rising into the hundreds and my heart just crushed for them. I wept in their despair cause they were caught off guard with out any warning and those who did get warning were too late. *** Samoa Aftermath ***
Being Samoan, we are from small islands that have big hearts. And we all came together to help our mother country because of this devastated event.
Today, Sunday October 4th.
clean up and help on the island is still being conducted as reported by the news. People are still trying to grasp the concept of what just happen and preparation for burials of loved ones are starting to begin. In Samoa, a mass burial and memorial service will be held on Thursday of those who were found and brought to the mortuary. Many of those who have found their loved ones have already buried them as seen in belows clip. *** Burial in Samoa begins ***
It just breaks my heart as a mother, daughter, and wife to see many of my people in despair. I feel especially for those children who were swept away and didn't have a chance. As a mother, I can only feel their pain to see their seed go. *** A mother recounts her daughters lost ***
Helping hands all over the world are flowing into Samoa and Am Samoa to help those who survived this catastrophic event. Brother and Sisters of Samoa all over the globe are doing what ever they can to help.
If you want to give a helping hand you can donate to the following.
To my people of Samoa. We are Samoa. My love and prayers go out to those who lost loved ones and will be forever kept in my heart. Faavae le Atua mo Samoa!
