2011 going into 2012!

Nothing really exciting about our New Year's Eve, but it seemed so special. It was quiet, but I had such an over whelming feeling of love, hope and pure joy. I had and still have so much to be thankful for. While everyone was out and about. I spent my evening with my husband, daughter and my dear cousin Roe. More to come about thoughts of 2011 and changes for 2012. I wish nothing but the best for all you bloggers and will continue to keep you all in my prayers. :) One love and God Bless you all! XO

Best Christmas Ever!

 I say best Christmas ever, because it was the most humbling for our family. This was the first Christmas, we really got it right. We woke up with the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional, a beautiful opening prayer with our neighbors (Mom, Dad and Jerome), a heartfelt testimony meeting with the family (Mom, Dad, Jerome, Mone, Ash, Beckham, Loloa Jr, Tue, Sho, Lana and I) *tears*, and the most wonderful breakfast ever. To add to how amazing this day was, Mom went to Sweet's in Provo to help feed the poor, Dad went to church, My little family went to the Provo Cemetery to visit dad (Loloa) and the boys went to drop off gifts and visit with some friends (who were like family) from High School. We ended the day, with great company, dance, laughs, dancing and desert's from our dear brother Spencer and his wife Lisa. It was one of the best Christmases I have ever had. I love my Family!

Happy "Turkey" Day!

Mom found out before Thanksgiving that her Cancer was back. Not good! Not good at all! So, we all decided to go out to a fancy restaurant for Thanksgiving. We got a call 2 days before Thanksgiving from my sister in law, Ashly (Mone's wife), whom I just adore. She wanted to invite us to her parents house in Mapleton for Thanksgiving. Her parents wanted to cook Thanksgiving dinner for our family and even had us invite the cousins (our other siblings/Aunty Felilia & Uncle Alofa's kids) from Provo over to join us. Can I just tell you, that this was one of the best Thanksgivings our family has ever had. So much love felt from more than 3 different families. We're pretty close to the Rees family (Mone's In-Laws) and if you met them, you would know why. They are amazing people. So much love to give and room to share, always making us feel comfortable, safe and enjoyable. I just love them so much for the unconditional love they show, not only to our dear brother Mone, but to the rest of us, even the extended family. What an amazing couple Bruce & Sandra are. I'll forever be thankful for the amazing meal, great company, yummy desserts and the love we were able to enjoy on such a special day. :)

Happy Halloween!

Updates, Updates, Updates! All extra late. I know, I'm sorry! ;)

I know I'm totally late, but my next few post are going to be a little bit of a catch up from last year's happenings. I totally forgot about the things I do want to remember from last year, like Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. I also want to share a very important experience that has changed my life and my attitude for 2012. There's so much to catch up on and I feel like I hardly have the time, but I will do my best to get my blog updated with everything that "NIVA" has been up to. 

Please understand that I don't ever post to boast, but want to share some great, happy, sad and even at times, very humbling experiences that have helped me along the way. My only hope is that my blog post finds all of you in the best of health and in great spirits. This is a learning time for us all and I'm more than happy to open up about my life, if it will only touch and inspire another, just as some of you have made an impact on my own life. Hope you enjoy my upcoming blog posts. One Love & God Bless you ALL! :)

My Blog.

I've neglected my blog...once again. I sincerely want to apologize in advance for not blogging as much as I have been planning on, but it's been such a busy year so far. LoL! I have been trying to manage my time efficiently this year and so my poor blog has not been a priority. However, I will be making more of an effort to post some important things and even some feelings I have on life. 2012 is a whole different experience so far. I love this year. It's a special year! I have felt this from the moment clock stroke midnight on New Years Eve going into New Years '12. I have to admit I've been posting a whole lot more on FaceBook and my Health-Blog. I have dedicated myself to living a whole lot healthier and striving everyday to be more fit and even stronger. I'll be back to post more soon. For now, here's a before and after picture of me. LoL! What a crazy change, aye? Well, CHEERS 2 a New Year & another chance 4 us 2 GET IT right. Let's not waste {2012} 

Prayer changes things.

"Gratitude expressed to our Heavenly Father in prayer for what we have brings a calming peace-a peace which allows us to not canker our souls for what we don't have. Gratitude brings a peace that helps us overcome the pain of adversity and failure. Gratitude on a daily basis means we express appreciation for what we have now without qualification for what we had in the past or desire in the future. A recognition of and appreciation for our gifts and talents which have been given also allows us to acknowledge the need for help and assistance from the gifts and talents possessed by others."

-Robert D. Hales, "Gratitude for the Goodness of God", Ensign, May 1992, 63

Confession: I have a bad temper, very bad temper. I don't know what comes over me, when I'm upset, but I lose control and it's ugly. It's the ugliest thing my husband, daughter and the rest of my family and friends have witnessed. My husband once said, he didn't recognize me. I lost control of my temper and tore up my entire home. My husband grabbed me by the shoulders to get a look at me. As he gazed into my eyes, he asked me if I was still there with him, because he did not recognize me. This scared the daylight out of me. I was put on anti-depressants for over two years ago, then onto anti-psychotic medication for a year. These medications kept me so tired, that I couldn't argue and at times, I was too tired to think of what to say or how to react to anything. I'm proud to say that it's been 3 months, since I've taken any of those prescriptions. Crazy, I know, but honestly... Prayer saved me; it got me through my depression, anger and self-loathing, back to a place of innocence. Not just daily routine prayers, but heart felt prayers... morning, mid-day and night. Family, couple and individual prayers.

I need the Lord's hand in my life and I'm truly grateful for it. He has blessed my life tremendously. Prayer has brought so much peace in our home. Pray continues to humble me. I always find humility in my prayers. I always find comfort and love in my prayers. My prayers have kept me in track with my goals for this year. It's make Family Home Evening on Mondays, Keeping the Sabbath Holy on Sundays and Scripture Reading Daily an easy thing to do. Prayer has helped me clean up my old potty mouth. It's made me stay accountable for the things I say I will do. It's kept me in line. My prayers have made me 100% active in church, callings, visiting teaching, counseling my friends and family and servicing those in need. I really feel my Savior's love. I feel the Lord's love for me and my family. What an impact prayer has made in our home, family and lives. I bear you my testimony of prayer and the amazing blessings it brings. I know the Lord and our Savior lives and through my own experiences I have received my own confirmation that the things I have know are true. May we all be more prayerful this year. It's a special year and I'm not going to waste it. :)

Happy Networking! :)

"We need to remember that though we make our friends, God has made our neighbors – everywhere. Love should have no boundary; we should have no narrow loyalties. "

— Howard W. Hunter

I know we all like to joke a whole lot about Facebook camping, but honestly, if used properly for appropriate social networking, it becomes an amazing tool to use. There are so many amazing assets of having a Facebook account. It can really benefit many. For more information about how to use your Facebook account, go to downward arrow in upper right hand corner by home link, scroll down and click on Help. Proper networking does not include selfish venting, prideful posting, or negative and nasty comments or remarks. Let's all make it our goal, to encourage and enrich one another's life with positive posts and encouraging words of wisdom. You will find much hope, laughter, smiles, and love in your life. Get the most out of Facebook.

The truth of this message applies to all Social Networking websites. The Internet can be a wonderful tool and resource for information, but caution must be exercised in order to protect families and individuals from the potential dangers that are present online. We do live in a world of technological miracles and have unlimited access through the Internet to resources one cannot begin to imagine. I have made so many friends online. So many amazing woman who have inspired my life, and many who have motivated me to be a better woman, friend, relative, sister, mother and most importantly wife. All of my online friends mean just as much to me as all my friends do. I appreciate you sisters and all that you do to contribut in my progression. You have made my life that much richer and I truly thank you for it all. Let's all work together to get the most out of the web and may we ulilize our online tools to establish a life, family and home of prayer, fast, faith, learning, glory, order and Heavenly Father. One Love & God Bless!

Welcome to the Family! LoL!

My husband was invited to join my brothers Solomone & Loloa to the Chargers vs. Ravens game in San Diego. They had a blast! Although, the Baltimore Ravens lost, it was a good time. I packed 2 cameras and our flip camcord to take and still there were no pictures taken, (guys will be guys, lol). The only picture on the left was taken of my brothers by my husband. LoL!They had many great stories to tell about the trip. They even did some shopping for some of us. YaY! My husband was a die hard Buffalo Bills fan, and just dropped his long time team for the Ravens. YaY, welcome to the family. Well, I guess I shouldn't say that because my brother Solomone is a huge Steelers fan. I'm not so much a Ravens fan as I am a Haloti Ngata #92 fan.


We may not talk about it much, but our fathers were partner in crime buddies since their childhood days back in the village of Vaotu'u, Tongatapu, Tonga. My father Loloa named his first son after his favorite cousin Solomone Ngata. One day (after school's done) I hope and pray that I may one day be able to tell their story. The Legacy his parents left behind is an amazing one. We're just super proud of #92. He's an amazing man and deserves all the success in the world. Love you Loti and the rest of your family!

Merry Christmas!

IDKYI did this, it's not like me to record myself, let alone in the middle of the night looking all busted and babbling on about a few things, but wanted to share my testimony of the reason for the season. In the spirit of Christmas, and through the rest of 2011 into 2012... I will be a whole lot more positive. I was lost and now I'm not only found but back up on the wagon for good. Life's different but only for the better. Keep in mind during this time and through out the year that when you get someone a gift, you put more thought into it and wrap it with love for the finishing touch. Regardless of how expensive or inexpensive it is, you can give a nice gift to someone else to warm their hearts.