Family Reunion 2009

For Thanksgiving our family decided to have a Family Reunion. We rented a cabin in Ashton, Idaho and we all gathered together. We planned on having family pictures taken and therefore, had family colors chosen so no matter where our kids were in the picture you knew who they belonged to. Even though I was 37 weeks pregnant I was determined to be there. It had been 12 years since we had had a family picture and I didn't want me being pregnant be the cause of why I couldn't be there. So, we drive to Boise and spent the night at a hotel on the drive down. I didn't think much of it and just took it all into account (traveling as I have always). When we arrived at the hotel, it was the worst night--I thought we might have to make a stop at the hospital because I was in so much pain. I wasn't sure how I was going to make it home, because on the return trip we couldn't stop so Sekona could make it back to work. The trip back was surprisingly better than the trip to the cabin. We just made more stops on the way back. Here we are taking pictures outside the cabin by the river.

Here are Mother and Daughter!

Again out by the river with Sekona expressing his love for Makelani coming soon!

Father and Daughter!

The current family picture of siblings and their spouses!

All the grandchildren present and counted for!

Recognition!

In his Division (Washington, Utah, Arizona, Hawaii states) Sekona is ranked #3 as a Personal Trainer and overall (meaning all the 24 hour Fitness) he is ranked #23! This is for having consistency in clients, retaining of clients and overall approval of his training. I would just like to let him know how much we appreciate his hard work and his lovable personality. It seems wherever we go people know Sekona! We are proud of you and love you tons!

Fall Catch Up!

Lillian was a Rainbow princess for Halloween this year and enjoyed trick or treating! She didn't even get scared much, except at one home where there was a dark tunnel to get to the door.

This is when we went to Granny and Papa's house to help pour concrete. Lillian had fun being out and about.

Lillian had her Birthday party at Chuck E Cheese's! She loved it and had so much more fun than being stuck at the apartment. She loved having her cousins come and loved having a pumpkin cheesecake instead of a birthday cake. Dad was able to show up later after a tennis tournament.

Tons of Catching up!

Lillian was excited to have a baby brother! Boy, does she love him. I have the most difficult time keeping her away from Makelani. She constantly wants to hug, kiss, carry, burp, and be in his face all day long. Still, she is a good little helper and I know she loves him. She keeps saying, "but he's sooo cute mom! I just can't keep away."

Sekona is loving having Makelani here and as you can see even made it to the operating room, which he didn't think he could do. Of course, during the whole procedure he was looking right at me and nowhere else. I'm glad that he was able to be there. It was a trying time and glad that it is finished.

Here is our first attempt at getting a family picture! This year for our family reunion the Taufa family's color was black. I will post pictures of the reunion later.

Here is Makelani's first Christmas! He slept through it.

Complaint first, then what we are having?!

I don't know about other people, but I am not looking forward to the "universal" healthcare or reform or whatever the government is calling it these days. I am so fed up with the discussions being all about only the Republicans fighting this loosing battle and how anyone against it is a loser. Obama has more power than I thought he would have to control the media coverage so well regarding this healthcare. Most people are against it. Still, those are my feelings and with having problems with State insurance how in the world would I ever support government runned insurance. So, let me get to the problems of State insurance. I feel that if I gave up my citizenship I would not be having any of the problems that I am having now. If I pretend not to speak english, maybe things would be covered. In my interview I informed them that my private insurance was ending on June 30th. They inform me that with my lay off I should have no problems getting on insurance for my pregnancy in July. Only to be informed that my husband miraculously makes $200 extra for the month of July before dropping down to what is reported in June and August. So I am not qualified for July coverage. Then in August they give me a coupon that isn't paying for my prescriptions because I am informed I have private insurance. SINCE WHEN? I INFORMED THEM THAT I NO LONGER HAVE IT?! I finally get that straightened out, only to go get my DIABETIC medicine and be informed I have to pay $50 for 3 of my 5 prescriptions. Can't afford it. Call the state again and they approve the 3 prescriptions. Go and try to pick up the 5 and only can pick up the 3 because only 3 got approved. Now, when I call them they tell me that I need to have a doctor's note explaining why I need these prescriptions, then take it to the pharmacy so they can input the correct codes and then the State will recognize that I am a DIABETIC. I can't inform them that I am a diabetic and just because I am having only diabetic prescriptions they can't figure out for themselves that I am a diabetic. And people want a "universal" healthcare. It will be soo much worse than this.

Now for the good news. Sekona, Lillian and I went for a ultrasound (which I personally hopes get paid for with all the problems I have been having with State). It was in Portland at 7 am. We got there in plenty of time. The ultrasound tech called us in. Started the ultrasound and asked if I was feeling the baby kicking. I told her off and on. Now knowing the tech was doing most of the imaging from lower on the abdomen than I remember Lillian was, I recognize the kicks a whole lot more. The heart looks great, sounds great and the chambers were fine. The baby was moving all the time and was making the ultrasound tech work for the pictures. We saw the head, brain, arms, legs, abdomen, heart, lips, face, spine, skeleton. Sekona and Lillian enjoyed seeing the baby move. Lillian asked if it was ready to come out now. She can't wait for it to be here. The tech told us we are having a BOY! We are excited and apparently Lillian was right from the beginning. She has been telling everyone that she was getting a brother from the start. Now I just have a hard time waiting for the time to pass, since Lillian asks practically everyday if he is ready to come. If she wouldn't ask so much it wouldn't be on my mind so much.

News update!

I guess it is time to let all know that I am pregnant. I am 4 1/2 months, will be due on December 17th. Lillian is telling everyone it is a boy, but we do not know what it is yet. She gets in these moods of where if her frends (who are boys) or boy cousins play too much together and not much with her, she then decides it will be a girl. I have an ultrasound on the 10th of August and hopefully the baby or doctor will be cooperative. Sekona is excited and has told everyone that he can that we are expecting. He gets in these moods where he won't let me exercise then tells me to exercise and then tells me not to do anything hard or for that long at the gym. I am trying water aerobics and think I have finally found one that is close to when Elizabeth taught in Hawaii. I was offered a bumping position, but it was for a lot less hours and no benefits. so I declined. So far the pregnancy is going well. I just feel like a blob, tired and that is nothing new.

I was treated well!

For the end of my job, I was treated pretty well. On the 17th the bus drivers decorated the table where I collect their papers and had presents there for me. I had a present for the baby, present for leaving and my birthday! There was some donated money, gift certificates and I just felt spoiled. Then on my last day--I attended the end of the year office party they gave me a gift for leaving, a gift for my birthday and a gift for the baby (until they know if it is a boy or a girl). I also won a gift certificate playing one of the games. So, for having my last day of work on my birthday wasn't as bad an experience as I thought it would be. Still, it feels unreal that I no longer have a job. I want to thank everyone for their well wishes and birthday wishes. The pregnancy is doing well and nothing major to inform on yet.