Lyla & Company

Life right now...

2010-09-15T17:29:00.000-07:00

I have so much on my mind and heart and I feel like sometimes they both may just explode...sometimes because they feel and think happy and oft times just the opposite. Right now I feel like someone who is caught in the rush of life and watching it all happen in slow motion. I want to jump in and stop me from some things and then others I just want time to stop to relish in that sweet moment of life.

My Danny received his mission call, and to say that it was an emotional experience for me would be a huge understatement. We picked up his call letter from the post office because we had all our mail on hold due to our move...which is another story in itself. But, back to the topic at hand, Danny and I walked in together and asked to mail clerk to check our mail, he walked back with that infamous large white envelope. He handed it to me, and I in turn gave it to my handsome son grinning from ear to ear! Before we even reached the door to exit I was in tears, he sweetly hugged me and walked me back to the car w/ his arm around my shaking shoulders. I remember well the times when I comforted him as a child as he wept on that same shoulder. We waited for 54 1/2 hours before we opened it. We wanted Loni Anne, Pap, Lynn and Nate here and they all had plans to be here by Friday night. So we just waited till Saturday to open it. Check out the link below for the OPENING!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2sYmIThqJA

As you can see it was a fun and exciting moment that we shared with 57 of our closest family and friends. Danny aka Elder Nock is so excited to serve his mission in San Bernadino, California! I am excited to, it is just a wonderful feeling being a missionary mom.

With our Nock family in town and Loni Anne here we had a mini Nock reunion. It really wasn't a real Nock reunion because my brother in law Luke and nephew Sean were not there. Nevertheless, we had a great time, eating, beaching it and just laughing way too much! I am grateful for wonderful in-laws who always make me feel loved and special. It was so great having my Loni Anne here, we realized that this is probably the last time we will all be together until Danny returns so we took some family pictures.

Life is busy, wild, too fast and sometimes filled with too much drama but, I guess its mine and I have to live with it and make it the best ever. I am grateful for many blessings and for family and friends who make life worthwhile. Today at work as I listen to my co-workers sometimes sad and empty lives (meaning w/o the gospel and family) I'm so grateful for my trials, tribulations, blessings and gifts from God!

The summer is just flying by...

2010-07-19T19:51:00.000-07:00

We have just come home from John's second kid pitch game and so far...not so good. However, he is learning to play a new way and after this season is over, he will be used to it. He has always hit so wonderfully off the pitching machines but, the real human pitcher thing...has got him a bit stumped (for now that is)! He looks great in his uniform and tonight he played 3rd baseman and the catcher would never throw him the ball to tag the man out. He just kept running towards anyone there to tag them out and never made it! I'm not gonna lie, it did annoy me after the 10th time he did it.

Baseball seems to be the big thing right now in the family, if we're not watching John play, we are taking Andi and Spencer to work at the Kinston Indians stadium where they work concessions there. They are enjoying it and have the funniest, "Drunk people, groupie and park rats stories" when they come home. The park rat is the typical teenager who is dropped off by their parent to just loaf around with no adult supervision and they usually "hook up" with their bf or gf and act like idiots! The drunks are just plain ol' ridiculous and are always hitting on my daughter! What losers! I may just end up hitting (literally) one of them the next time they want to act like a fool! The groupies are single, older women who go to every game, yes even the away ones and always dance to the song "Jump on it" when its played at the stadium. They think they look sexy and appealing but WE all know better!

Danny's mission papers are finally done and hopefully Bishop and Pres. Hancock will process them this week online! I am so happy we were able to get them done. I am also grateful to everyone who helped us out with the 4 fundraisers to help raise money for Danny's mission! Danny is working part time (very part time) like 1 or 2 days a week for a private club as a fry cook. He also moonlights for anyone at church who needs a big, strong guy to move something heavy. The heavier the item the more $ he gets!

My 3 older girls have such busy lives with babies, school, working and dating that its hard to even try to blog about them w/o taking up too much time. I am proud of Loni Anne and Sela pumping out good grades and being a true Nock when it comes to work! They are so dedicated and hard working, they always seem to make their employers smile! Jaz, Brooks, Donnie and Lyla are fabulous and doing GREAT!

Dan and I are doing what we do best, handling family, church callings, work and extra curricular activities. We have most of it under control and what we don't have under control the Lord does! Life is crazy busy, chaotic, full of adventures and this summer is just flying by...but, I wouldn't have it any other way!

4 down, 3 to go!

2010-05-30T20:12:00.000-07:00

I can't even begin to believe that my 4th child, my oldest boy, my baby Danny has graduated from high school. He is now an APA alumni and the festivities leading up to last Friday night were so fun and memorable for him and our family as well.

We had his luau on Saturday the 22nd of May, he along with his girlfriend Emily and cousins Clark and Grantie had a joint celebration with 200 of their closest family and friends! What a grand celebration it was and the night was so much fun with all the kids dancing, singing and playing! The food was awesome and the beautiful flowers and plants made the hall feel like we were on a tropical isle! Thanks Snow and Frankie and Creative Gardens of Winterville (2527567788) for making that happen.

My sister Loni, Emily's mom Vickey and I organized all the food and might I just say we did pretty good. BBQ, teriyaki chicken and beef, long rice, lupulu, rice, potatoes, fruit and toss salad, baked beans, coleslaw and an amazing assortment of desserts made for some fat and happy luau goers!

The show was fun and we had some great entertainers, some of them on stage for the first time ever! I'm so proud of all of you, especially Emily who joined the girls in a sweet hula called, "Sway it hula girl"! She was great.
Danny also performed with his cousins and did the haka and of course they were a true crowd pleaser!

The baccalaureate exercises were the Sunday before at a local church in Kinston and it was a very nice ceremony with Emily giving the benediction. We took lots of pictures with my Mom after wards and it was great that she came to that because, she got to watch the boys march in their cap and gown. She left for Pgh. on Thursday before their commencement exercises at school, so I am grateful she was there for that night.

Last Thursday was the Senior Awards Night and after a nice catered dinner for all of us they gave away awards and scholarships to very deserving students. Danny received an athletic letter award which was so nicely framed along, with a senior class picture and one of him, Dan and I at a Senior night last Feb. The night was complete to me because his acting Headmaster gave him some sweet words of encouragement about his mission and future plans. His football coach also thanked me for letting Danny attend the school and then told me what as awesome leader Danny was for the team this year and that he loves my boy...yes, I cried!

Friday night was his commencement and the whole Nock and Jones families were there. The Anderson's also came and so did Trent, Lauren and Andrew. We had a great crowd and as the kids walked in one by one, of course Danny had to do a little fresh prince of Bel Air move as he came in and pointed to us and winked! Emily received a character award which was a plaque and a monetary gift so I was so proud of that too! When the time came for each student to receive their diploma, their names were called by Mr. Pollock and then their diplomas were given to them by a faculty member and they posed then for a picture. Then the girls would get a hug and kiss from Mr. Pollock and the boys got a handshake. When it was time for Danny to get his diploma he posed with a crazy, yippee kinda attitude, to which the crowd just cracks up, and then when he goes to Mr. Pollock whose hand is extended for a handshake, Danny shakes his head no and points to his cheek. Mr. Pollock then kisses him on the cheek and everyone just starts cracking up even more! Mr. Pollock turns to all of us and says, "Oh what I do for these kids"! Afterwards we put his gardenia leis on him, made by Grandma Tilini and then about 10 candy leis which Jaz made! I was so proud of my son and I thank Heavenly Father everyday for blessing me with him.

Last night, Danny graduated from seminary, he has gone through 4 years and studied the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. He should be ready and well prepared to preach the gospel now. I am very proud of my son and I know that he will be a great missionary and that he will work hard. He has learned the value of hard work on the football field and in the classroom, he has developed a deep love for the gospel and his testimony has grown because of seminary, YM and his family and friends!

So, Dan and I are now proud parents to 4 HS graduates...4 down, 3 to go!

Mothers Day Talk May 2010!

2010-05-16T19:59:00.000-07:00

I was asked to speak on Mothers Day last Sunday and I thought I would post my talk up here. I usually have some sort of tribute to my Mom and didn't this year, so I thought I would just post my talk. I did take out a couple items because I read them from another book and didn't want to type that in. Happy Belated Mothers Day to all you sweet mommy's!

Good Morning brothers and sisters, before I begin I would like to wish all of you sisters a Happy Mothers Day. I am especially grateful that my own dear mom is here and I can’t believe how lucky I am to speak today with her here in the congregation. She is truly my hero and she has always been the greatest example to me of unconditional love, endless service and great faith.

When I think of Mothers Day and the great celebration that it is, I often think of my long list of things of what I haven’t done or what I could have done better as a mother. I look at you women in this ward and am always in awe of what you have done or continue to do to raise good children. I think of the sisters whose children are grown and gone and those who don’t have children of their own, and, am grateful for their natural, nurturing love they show to my own and for the gospel truths they have taught them.

This was surprisingly a tough topic for me to write on…not the fact that it is hard for me to write beautiful and awesome things about my mom or about being a mom in general but, the fact that I wanted to focus more on gospel truths that we needed to implement into our lives, so that we could teach our children to become more Christlike, and also to help us become better mothers and women and people of God in general.

So, I began to really think about what it is my own mother has taught me about this precious gospel, and I would like to focus today on just a few of them. I would have to say right off the bat that her love for the scriptures was the 1st thing that popped into my mind. If I had a dollar for each hour she has read her scriptures I would be a very wealthy woman. She knows the scriptures inside and out, backwards and forwards. I have seen her many times read and study for hours on end and, I have been taught by her, many truths as she uses the scriptures as her main teaching tool.

In 1979, Pres. Spencer W. Kimball addressed the women of the church in a worldwide women’s fireside. Because, he was in the hospital at the time he had his dear sweet wife Camilla read his remarks, Pres. Kimball said, “I stress again the deep need each woman has to study the scriptures. We want our homes to be blessed with sister scriptorians whether you are single or married, young or old, widowed, or living in a family. Become scholars of the scriptures…NOT to put others down, but to lift them up”.

I feel that in order to do this, that we must study the scriptures, we must accept challenging callings, we must strive diligently and powerfully to teach our children the gospel of Jesus Christ. To do this, we must develop ourselves to our fullest and finest potential! Pres. Spencer W. Kimball continues to say, “Seek excellence in all your righteous endeavors and in all aspects of your lives”. I feel he is also saying, in short, we as women of the church must fill the measure of our creation and that no matter who I am married to, what my children may choose to do, I must NEVER lose sight of who I am. I am a daughter of God, and a mother in Israel!

When we lived in Pittsburgh, the Meservy family moved into our ward from Utah. They had 8 children who were smart, athletic, witty and all of them were so well versed in the scriptures and knew so much about the gospel. It amazed not only myself but, the entire ward because this family really had it all together in every way. We all wanted to know the mother Michelle’s, big secret and how she did all of this with her children. She said simply that their day never starts without scripture study, that every morning at the kitchen table as they ate breakfast they read the scriptures as a family. They never missed, that was her only secret…that they never missed. On a side note, she was also voted as mother of the year in Utah a couple of years before moving to Pittsburgh. Today all of her children, 9 of them, are return missionaries; college graduates and all are married in the temple. Do you think that daily scripture study worked? I know it did.

Another thing my mother taught me was to always attend the temple. This is the main reason she lives out west, because she attends the temple faithfully every week, sometimes with others and sometimes alone. If you ever want to go with her, do not think you’ll go to do just 1 or 2 sessions and then go home, be ready for a marathon day there. She enters when the sun is up and exits when it has gone down. One of the greatest experiences I had at the temple was when our family went before Loni Anne left for her mission and did baptisms for Dan’s mother’s side of the family. There we were, Dan and I, Loni Anne, Danny, Andi and Spencer. We had about 30 names and with the help of Jesse Anderson and some friends from her ward, we were able to perform all of them including, Dan’s mom. The spirit was obviously there and my children left with a greater appreciation for their family who has gone on before them and for the rich blessings we receive only from the temple.

Our beloved Prophet Joseph Smith has said, “The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead. Those saints who neglect it, do it at the peril of their own salvation”. I know that when we attend the temple and happily share those experiences with our children about the importance of why we go, it will sink deep into their souls why it is important for them, to always be prepared and ready to enter that holy house of God. How grateful I am for the temples that dot the world and that allow us to be more like Him and for the eternal blessings we receive there to be families forever.

The last thing I would like to share with you about my mom is that she is a woman of great faith! She, through her faith, has been instrumental in pleading with the Lord on behalf of her children and grandchildren. She has fasted for days on end for Tommy to be healed of what could have been a terminal illness, or even one, to render him a vegetable his whole life, she prayed and fasted for my Andi to be healed of colic that she suffered with for over 3 months of her life already, and literally overnight Andi was healed. She stood vigil day and night in a hospital room in Utah 2 years ago as my sister Mia barely held onto life, fasting, praying and seeking a priesthood blessing for her. These are just a few examples of the faith my mom had in the Lord for His healing power, which He has so obviously blessed our family with.

But, I want to tell you all who HER example was. The person, who taught my mom how to pray and fast and rely heavily on the Lord for everything, was her own mother. My Grandma Mele was a convert to the church. She was the glue that held her family of 13 together. She was physically strong and a spiritual giant. She was loved and respected by so many on the island and many women who could not take care of their own children, gave them to my grandmother because they knew she could and would love and take care of them. She was also a woman who always had enough for not only her own family but for anyone else who was in need. Noone left her home hungry or in need because she had a generous soul and shared all she had. She taught her children to not only love the gospel but placed an important emphasis on their education as well. Two of her children were given scholarships to attend the Church College of Hawaii, now known as BYU-Hawaii. They were the first in Tonga to receive them. Her youngest son was the first eagle scout in Tonga and all of her children married in the temple, even the ones she raised that were not biologically hers. All of them remained active members in the church, they have served as RS presidents, missionaries, bishops, stake presidents, temple sealers and temple presidents. My grandmother could not have done all these things on her own. She relied on the Lord to bless her and her family always. She served Him everyday by serving others. She exercised great faith in Him, by fasting and praying for her children and grandchildren just as my mom does. When my sister Janie was a child she was diagnosed with polio. My mother and father were devastated and turned for comfort to my grandparents. Janie was given a priesthood blessing and then my Grandma Mele fasted everyday, she fasted for 24 hours, broke her fast ate a meal and immediately started her fast again. She did this for a month, and when my sister was taken back to the doctor, as you all can guess, there were no signs of the deadly disease. I am so grateful for the amazing lineage of fine, strong and God fearing women I come from. Mine is indeed a very noble heritage.

President Gordon B. Hinckley has said, “God has given the women of this church a work to do in building His kingdom. That concerns all aspects of our great triad of responsibility…which is, first to teach the gospel to the world; second, to strengthen the faith and build the happiness of the membership of the church; and, third, to carry forth the great work of salvation for the dead. Know that you are daughters of God, children with a divine birthright. Walk in the sun with your heads high, knowing that you are loved and honored, that you are part of His kingdom, and that there is for you, a great work to be done which cannot be left to others”.

My love for the scriptures, my desire to attend the temple, and the great faith I have, I know I have learned and inherited from a mother in zion, a mother who knew! I love you mom!

In closing, may I just say how grateful I am that the Lord has seen fit to bless me to be the mother to seven beautiful, talented, spiritually strong and loving children. When I think of my children and the blessing that is mine to be their mom I think of what Sister Marjorie Hinckley said in a talk she gave on a Mothers Day. She said, “Jewish women have a wonderful way of bidding each other goodbye. They say, have joy in your children. And so I say to you, have joy in your mothering”. And I do, I feel exquisite and inexpressible JOY just being their mother!

I know that God lives and that Jesus Christ is His son and our Redeemer.

Venting!

2010-05-12T19:49:00.000-07:00

Tonight I am so frustrated! Sometimes, I feel like I'm on the parent battlefield alone! I know that Dan works hard to provide for the family but, sometimes I feel he leaves the rest of the parenting to me...the sucky stuff like, disciplining, dealing w/ heartache and issues, filling out all the forms for whatever is needed...bill paying, grocery shopping etc...Don't get me wrong, he works and works and works, which is awesome! But, I think he just is so tired that he is not motivated to do anything else! That is what is so annoying to me right now! If I am in a "war" with one of the children he calls it my war, well YES it is my war...but, that's ONLY because he refuses to address issues at hand that NEED to be addressed!

I don't even know why I am carrying on like this, I just need to vent I guess! I can't work like he does, it just isn't in my gene pool makeup! And, tonight when he asked me what was wrong, I told him...and then I waited for a reply of any kind...and here's what I got..."I don't know what to tell you"! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I. Am. So. Tired. Of. Hearing. That.!!!!!

I see other men who always seem to have the right words in situations like this and they seem to bring some peace or are able to resolve the issue at hand. Dan doesn't have that gift! And, I'm not gonna lie it is soooooooo bothersome! He NEVER seems to know what to say!

So, in lieu of feeling this about him I decided to go to a blog of my niece in law who is a widow at 33 with 6 little girls and after reading some of her posts and feeling just an iota of pain that she feels in a very real way, everyday of her life now...I've decided to just shut-up and deal with it! (Only after I blog about it)!

I love my husband more then anyone else in the world, he comes with many imperfections, as do I! He is not...

a public speaker
a college graduate
a wealthy man
a savvy business owner
a studly athlete
a GQ model

He is also not...

an abusive man
a man who has eyes for other women
a lazy man
a selfish man
a self righteous man
a show off

He is (just as Starr from the Washington Branch would say) "A GOOD MAN"! He loves me and our children and parents. He tries hard to provide for us and he deals with a crazy, loud, mouthy show off wife! He tells me I am beautiful even when I know better! He thinks I'm sexy (I still don't get that)! He is a good son and son in law! He loves the Lord and tries hard to do right by Him!

I think I feel better now and can go to bed not angry anymore...Thanks Blog World for listening...

NOT a family update....hahaha! yeah right!

2010-04-21T06:20:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I didn't mean for this to be a family update...

So much has happened this last month. We have had prom, Cinderella play, Lacrosse, baseball, scouts and everything else in between. This is part of the reason for not blogging as much, we have had a very busy Mar/April!

I have to start this blog by saying just how much I loved general conference. I love hearing from our prophet and apostles and it seems like twice a year isn't enough. I can feel the love that they have for each of us and sometimes feel as if they are looking right through the TV screen right to me, it's like they are saying, "Lyla, this talk is just for you"! I love sitting in my comfy living room with my family eating good food and listening to our general authorities share important messages of our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I really enjoyed it because it was Easter, we were able to have Wynnie and her Burke girls over, the missionaries and Jaz, Brooks and babies there. We ate till we couldn't move and then just vegged in front of the TV afterwards!

My Danny turned 19 on April 1st and we are getting his papers done for his mission. We are excited to see where the Lord will send him for two years! He is playing Lacrosse and is enjoying his last year of school with his cousin Clark and girlfriend Emily. He had prom last week and looked BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!! I felt like time was just racing by as I reflected on times when he was a little boy, as I looked at him in his size 44R tux coat! How blessed I am to have a good son like him.

Andi and Spencer have been involved in the play at school. They did the Brandy and Whitney Houston version of Cinderella. Spencer was part of the backstage crew and really enjoyed it and made friends with so many. He bragged a bit on closing night that the director wants him to do it till he's a senior. He is such a good hard worker. I asked him if he ever came out on stage during the play and he told me that yes he does, twice in fact, to put the drawbridge on and then to remove it. he told me, if you look closely you can see the white Nike strip on my shoes! He is so crazy!

Andi played the Fairy Godmother and was superb! I cried the first night and then just grinned from ear to ear the last two nights! She nailed it! She was so perfect for that part and was so OVER THE TOP!!!! I was so proud and grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed her with such a beautiful voice!

John John is back to baseball and is liking it OK so far. He is a bit rusty and it is time to take him back to the batting range. he loves to make us laugh and is still very much a mamas boy...we need to fix this because I sure don't want It to be an issue later in his life.

My Jaz, Loni and Sela are all doing very well and I have come to realize that they are strong, smart, focused and very capable women! I hope I can take some credit for that! I do love and miss them in my home but, I love to hear about things they are doing that are so fun, exciting and great lessons in life for not only them but, for Dan and I.

As you can see, life is the same with slightly new and different experiences and familiar ones just to keep it somewhat normal!

Gladys Knight and the SUV Choir!

2010-03-22T19:20:00.000-07:00

YES! I was able to see this DIVA perform last night!

She brought her amazing Saints Unified Voices aka SUV choir with her!

This is Loni and I with two of the choir members, our dear sweet niece Rosie and handsome Tupua! They are 1st cousins and talent runs deep in their family! They treated us like VIP!!! We sure did appreciate the LOVE you showed us!

I wish my whole family was there to feel the sweet Spirit and to hear the beautiful singing that the choir and Gladys Knight did! The most impressive part of the whole program were the testimonies borne by her and her husband. They have a deep understanding of the true gospel of Jesus Christ and they are spreading His word all over the world!

I would encourage anyone to go to one of their free fireside performances but, I will have to warn you to get their early because the line was wrapped around the building and it is like that every performance!

My favorite songs sung last night were, "I am a Child of God", a stirring solo sung by the queen of the night, and she put so much love and feeling into it that my emotions got the very best of me and the tears flowed freely from that moment on! The Christian favorite "Tomorrow" and "Kanaka Wai Wai"!

A big thanks to Rosie for making this happen! I love you girl!

A Home Going for Jalen...

2010-03-20T20:02:00.000-07:00

What would you do if you lost your 3 year old son in a car accident? Now, fast forward about 3 1/2 years and you have a beautiful 20 month old son who dies of a virus. Sounds like a nightmare but, it really happened to my sweet friend Shon and her wonderful husband. They have an 11 year old daughter who has had to endure these tragedies as well!

If this happened to me I probably wouldn't be typing this blog because I believe I would be 6 feet under too! I attended the funeral of their oldest son James over 3 years ago and last Wednesday I went to cute Jalens funeral services or as stated in his program, his home going.

The funerals (both of them) were unlike anything I have ever experienced. They were more of a joyful celebration of life. Their was alot of singing and praising God. The thing that struck me most was the fact that Shon and James Sr. are two of the strongest and most faithful people I have ever met. They seem to have a deeper understanding then I could even dream of having or just an amazing amount of faith.

One of the preachers said that with every tragedy comes a greater blessing...what greater blessing could there be? I mean think about it, they have lost 2 sons while just toddlers so tragically and unexpectedly! I cannot imagine what could be the blessing behind this nor, do I ever want to! I NEVER WANT TO BE IN THEIR POSITION...NEVER! DID YOU HEAR ME? NEVER!

I imagine that when we were standing in line in the pre-existence to receive our gifts and talents, that I was off gorging at the chocolate fountain when it came time for me to get my dose of courage, strength and endurance. In fact, I probably missed that line on purpose and maybe even slipped a note to Heavenly Father begging Him to please never test me in that way!

The other thing I did take away from the home going service for Jalen was that, even though these people and I did not really worship the same way, we did share a common LOVE for our Savior, Jesus Christ. I believe as they do that God lives that He is very aware of us and our needs!

I felt very grateful after the funeral to be a mother to my children. I held onto John John so tightly as the family came in and as I looked at the tiny casket with Jalen inside wearing a baseball cap, I ran my fingers through John John's hair and felt his warm skin and kissed him gently, wiping my tears I offered up a silent prayer of gratitude to Heavenly Father, for giving me yet another day with my baby.

Forgive Me Please!

2010-03-16T10:10:00.000-07:00

I watched the movie Blindside last night with my sister Wynnie, and although this was her umpteenth time watching it she still cried right along with me. I must say, I ENJOYED it immensely! To even blog about it should tell you that.

Anyways, there is a line in the movie that just was very poignant and thought provoking. In a scene where the parents who took Michael Oher in, Sandra Bullock plays the wife and she is worried about his past family life. She conveys those concerns to her husband played by Tim McGraw he replies, "Michael's greatest gift, is his ability to forget".

That made me think of when you correct a child, you may scold him or may even have to pop his hand if he is going to do something to hurt himself. Then immediately after you do that, the child goes back into your arms and cries for comfort. Children are so quick to forgive and forget.

I reflected on how many times the "ball has been in my corner" to forgive and FORGET. I was ashamed at how many times I haven't but, on the other hand I am amazed at how many times I have. Have you ever been able to forget about a time when someone has really wronged you? Have you ever turned the other cheek and NEVER turned it back again?

There was a time when a good friend of mine was offended by something(s) I said. They were always in jest and never meant to hurt her, if I even remotely knew they were I would have stopped immediately and apologized right away. I thought we were tight like that...know what I mean? Anyways, I was stopped one Sunday by the executive secretary at church and he told me my bishop wanted to see me the following tuesday. I wondered what new church calling I may have and to tell you the truth I was a bit excited and anxious to meet with him. Tuesday evening came and I went in completely unaware of what was going to happen. He proceeded to tell me that my friend went to see him to have him talk to me about my comments made to her. I was blown away! Literally blown away! I sat in there listening to things I said teasingly, even lovingly be turned into rude and mean comments. I couldn't believe she had totally misunderstood me and my jokes. I was mad, I was offended, I was OVER IT!

Now, she has forgiven me (or so she says) and I have kind of forgiven her. I just can't seem to get past the going to the bishop to complain to him about my jokes thing! So, I want this gift of forgetting like Michael Oher has. I want to get past this...but, I can't. I am very careful and guarded when I am around her, I am so not comfortable anymore with her. I feel like she is okay with me but that she has totally disregarded my feelings. I think now that she gotten "her way" she's fine and thinks I should be to. But. I. Am. Not.

How do I forget about this all and let our friendship be what it once was? I really don't know.

"There's no place like home"

2010-03-10T05:57:00.000-08:00

I saw my grand babies last night and as usual they made me laugh and covered me with kisses, as I did them! It was so good to hug, feel and breathe them in! I asked Donnie if he wanted to sleep over my house, he says with a bit of hesitation, "Ummm I got no pajamas at your house Nana". I knew full well he had no interest in sleeping over and that he just wanted to be home with his family.

This made me think of a time waaayyy back when I cried hard to my mom to go to Florida with my cousins after Annie and Dave's wedding. After much pleading from my cousin Ginger and I she finally agreed. I literally had no time to pack so I left with just my clothes on my back and 1 other outfit in a bag. My aunt told mom she'd take care of my needs.

As I climbed into the back of my uncles truck with a huge cab on it with Ginger, we were giggling with excitement. Before we were even out of town (and I mean literally just about 3 miles down the road), I felt the lump in my throat and pangs in my heart for my mommy! However, I knew after all that begging and crying I would be so embarrassed to ask my Uncle along with the 25 other people and 4 other cars to stop and turn around just to drop me off! But, now in hindsight OHHHHH how I wish I did!

This was absolutely the worst summer of my life! Little did I know that my cousin Ginger was only sticking around with me for a few days! Yup, all that crying to play with her for just a few days! This was the reason I even wanted to go to Florida! But, my sweet Ginger left...and I was there with Loni and we stayed at another uncles house. He had 6 kids (I think) at the time, they were so beautiful and fun but, you add 2 more to that mix and it can be chaos. My aunt just wasn't "UP" to watching 2 more kids! I guess I can't blame her now but at the time she was just not very nice to us...especially me! We did go to Disney World and I got to sell fruits and veggies w/ my uncle one day.

This isn't why I'm blogging about this though, I'm not here to bash my aunt. I just couldn't help but, remember the many times I have called my mom from a friends house around midnight crying to go home. I always thought it would be more fun at someones house with their cool toys, tv's and other things but, after all the fun was over and it was time for bed, I didn't want to stay! I was ready for home and mom, period! Nothing could make me stay.

I love that my home was that precious and sweet to me as a child. I love that it is to Donnie today (his home that is)! I love that cool things don't make the house. I love that the cool people in it do! I love that no matter how far away I am from my mommy, I can still call her and receive that measure of comfort that only moms can offer. I love that my kids have done the same thing with me! I love my home and I love going there everyday!

Lose-Lose Situation

2010-03-04T09:20:00.000-08:00

When I am not being a "gone postal" mail carrier, I either moonlight on stage emceeing our shows or, I substitute teach for our local county schools. I have only subbed for middle and high school classes and I must say its been enlightening...to say the VERY least!

I have taught language arts, music, Spanish, English and EC. For those who have been out of the loop for awhile EC stands for Exceptional Children. I always envisioned these classes to be filled with sweet children who are handicapped, or sweet kids who just needed extra help. Well it does have its share of those sweet kids. Then there are the...oh how do I say this and sound civil...THUGS, PUNKS, kids who the regular class teachers have somehow "deemed EC" to get out of their class. You know what I mean, the 18 year olds in 10th grade type of student. The one that doesn't want to work or contribute to society in any way! Yes, yes, yes these kids are in these classes by the dozens! These kids are here to avoid being home or going to work. They are here taking up space, corrupting the good kids, interrupting classwork time, stressing teachers out, and most importantly (especially w/ the economic situation we are in now) wasting precious tax dollars!

Why are they still in school? I am trying hard to figure this out. They eat free lunch, they destroy school property, their lazy and make a teacher want to break a law! I sure wish paddling was still in force. These kids need a good ol' fashioned Tongan beating! Not by me of course but, by their parents or whoever is raising them (Bless their hearts)!

Don't get me wrong, their all not thuggish punks...some are so sweet and ARE here to try hard and succeed in life. I just find it comical that they are paying me to babysit a bunch of kids who get nothing out of school and the school gets nothing out of them...its just seems like a lose-lose situation!

What comes to mind...today!

2010-03-03T11:06:00.000-08:00

So many things have crossed my mind on what I would like to blog about today. First off was my dads birthday was yesterday. If he were still alive he would have turned 88 yrs old. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Saula John Finau! I did name John John after him. It hit us (my sisters and I) that not one of us named a child after him. How sad is that?! So, when I became pregnant with John I knew I wanted to name my child after him. I am so grateful I did as I cannot see my boy as anyone BUT JOHN who is handsome, charming and smart like dad was!

Next on my mind is, why do I constantly sweat the small stuff? I really had hoped that with age this trait would somehow dissipate into thin air...umm no such luck! I wish I could get past things like...

bad service
high light bills
kids on the bus who make Johns life hell
dirty public restrooms
bad managers at work
muddy driveway and backyards
crappy tax returns
etc...

You get my point. In reading one of my all time favorite blogs right now, the blog author who is a widow in her 30's with 6 beautiful daughters all under the age of 10. Her last post was abut having a really rough "mourning" day. She writes all that she did that day and then says after finally losing it trying to assemble training wheels on one of her daughters bikes...

"This is my plug to you all to not sweat the small stuff. Talk yourself down from the ledge you want to jump off of and take a step back..or two, or three, to see what you've actually done. Training Wheels will not do me in today".

I hope you all get the point. I know that sometimes very stupid, mundane things create a big reaction from me, which is so unnecessary! So, I pledge to myself and myself only that I will try to do better. To not overreact and to try to sit and assess the situation before flipping out!

Another thing I have realized lately is, how very blessed I am to have a great husband. He is my one sure and true person in my life, who loves me irregardless of all of my imperfections! I don't want to turn this to an ode to Dan post however, I have found myself thinking about him throughout the day more and more. Not the, what am I going to cook Dan for dinner today kind of thoughts, more like, the way he said something to me today or how he made me feel when he held my hand in the car. His kindness, patience and love for me is something I could never REALLY blog about. Only because I don't think I could ever really put into words just how much I love him and how grateful I am to have him in my life...can you feel the sap oozing through your computer screen yet? Sorry just another thought I want to put out there!

Last thought of the day...who are your real friends? Do you really know? Not that I am questioning who mine are just a random thought. I look at the way others influence other people for the good and for the bad and, it blows my mind how someone can think that someone who is slowly dragging them down to hell is their true friend. What are they thinking? I know you can think of someone this has happened to. I think of my cousins son who is serving life in prison for murder, he tells me in one of his letters, how he wishes so badly he could have known the gang he associated with were NO GOOD for him. He didn't heed the advice of his loved ones to steer clear of the people. Instead, he insisted that he knew what he was doing and that they all needed to stay out of his business and his life. He regrets that so much as he sits in a prison cell everyday for the next 30 years. I would have to say choose wisely your friends and go to the right people that can point you ALWAYS in the right direction.

The missing wheel?

2010-02-23T19:52:00.000-08:00

This morning as I prepared to take John John to school, Danny called me and by the sound of his voice I knew something bad had happened. He was going to school after dropping Andi, Spencer and 2 other kids from seminary off at their school when... (and get this), the front driver side tire came off the van and rolled about 100 yards away. It actually flew across the street and landed in a field.

Being the psycho, lunatic mom that I am...I start to freak out and he assures me that he is just fine. Thank goodness he is such a good driver like his dad and knew to stay calm and steer the van as close to the side of the road as possible! I drive there and get him and the van situated, he was more embarrassed then shook up, as students and faculty from his elite private school spotted him, in my beat up greenish blue 90's something mini van and stopped to assist him in his plight. Poor guy, my handsome, strong, popular, captain of the fb team son is sitting on the side of a busy road, in an ugly van that's missing a wheel!

Anyways, as I am still upset and telling Loni Anne all about it and all the "Could haves" with this whole incident...she gently reminds me that the could haves did not happen. She told me to remember that Heavenly Father is so mindful of us and our situation right now, He knows what a good young man Danny is and the righteous desires of his heart to serve a mission this summer, and that is why this wasn't a lot worse then it was. She said, and I quote, "Heavenly Fathers angels were watching out for him today". My mom also relayed the fact that in her daily personal prayers she always blesses us by families, for example bless Lyla, Dan and kids, bless Loni, Grant and kids. Last night however, she felt so inclined to bless each one of her 27 grandchildren by name. She knows and I KNOW that the extra prayers offered up in Dannys behalf were heard as well. Thank you Heavenly Father for hearing our prayers and for the safety of my loved ones!

From 7 to 4...

2010-02-20T13:09:00.000-08:00

As most of you know, I took Loni Anne to the airport last Wednesday to go back to school. She started class today, and I was surprised to see that she just wasn't that excited to go back. It's funny to me how much of a "homebody" she has become and I am already having Loni Anne pains. I know I have blogged before about the sadness I feel as each of my children are leaving our home but, I tell you it is just such a HARD thing to deal with.

Sela has just moved into her own place and she just left (about an hour ago) to spend her first night there. Danny leaves on his mission this summer and we will be down to 3 at home. Going from 7 to 3 is is an adjustment. I just hope that my kids are ready for this new part of their life...I pray that I taught them how to...

Pray
Stay safe
Clean and care for their home
Read their scriptures
Make sure they always have clean underwear on
Pay bills
Attend church EVERY week
Be responsible
Work hard
Be respectful of others
Laugh alot
Cry sometimes

and most importantly...

CALL HOME every now and then...

Don't get me wrong, I am so happy and understand the ultimate plan...we raise them the best we can and then we let them go and hope and pray that they remember all they have been taught and make the best possible choices for their lives. But, I just have to say one thing...This. Is. So. Hard!!

I'm ok and I know that I am not the first nor the last mom this will happen to...I am just feeling melancholy that's all. So to you my children, whom I LOVE more then life itself..be good, be safe, be clean, be smart and beHAVE!!! Love you MOST!! MOM xoxoxoxo!

AA=Amazing and Awesome!

2010-02-19T05:56:00.000-08:00

While working yesterday I ran into a girl I used to work with, she was outside doing some yard work and I was delivering her mail. As we were catching up with each other and life she shared with me that she had gone through rehab for alcoholism.

To say I was shocked would be a total understatement, but to say I ever thought that she had a problem that intense would be. You see, where we worked in an upscale office environment, the manager would buy bottles of alcohol at 4pm to bring down to us girls to help us unwind before the day was over at 6. Yes, you heard me right, the manager encouraged drinking alcohol on the job. It was his way of saying, "Thanks girls for all your hard work". They were always clueless why I wouldn't have just 1 glass of wine with them. They knew I was Mormon but how could 1 glass of wine hurt me?

I do remember thinking that sometimes this was really out of hand. They were never drunk off their rockers but I believe they had a "buzz" before they left. I often thought how wrong it was that they were getting behind the wheel like that. It was hard at times to sit there and watch and listen to their alcohol induced rantings about this or that...they always seemed a bit more gutsy (for a lack of a better word) when they had a few drinks in them.

So, to see my friend and to hear of her triumphant win against this horrible disease was such, "GOOD NEWS"!! All, I could say to her over and over again was, I'm sooo proud of you! She quit that job, and I'm not saying that job was her reason for her disease, I'm just saying it DIDN'T help. She told me she was drinking a bottle of vodka a day. She was hiding bottles everywhere, in her car, yard, house...anywhere her husband couldn't find them.

She had a sponsor upon completion of her rehab and now she sponsors 3 people in their fight to get sober. She attends meetings all the time, she speaks at different functions and she is happier and healthier then ever! In this world of so much bad news and negativity I felt so inclined to share some "GOOD NEWS" on my blog.

Throwback!

2010-02-17T17:54:00.000-08:00

An old throwback pix of me...I think I was 14 yrs old here...

When I first started blogging about 2 years ago I did this intro to the blogworld and decided to bring it back for my slew of new readers! HAHAHAHAH!

name is Lyla
eternal companion is Dan
kids-7, yes 7 I am a Polynesian Mormon...(I knew that would be pretty self-explanatory)
g-kids-YES 2 glorious! 2 beautiful! 2 amazing! 2 WHOOO HOOO!!! 1 amazing, smart, talented, beautiful, strong willed and happy boy named DONNIE and 1 gorgeous, blue-eyed, almost blonde, spitting image of her mama, breathtaking, sweet, precious and feisty granddaughter named LYLA ALANA!!
I am the youngest daughter of Saula and Tilini who hail from the Tonga Islands
I have 5 sisters all much, much older then myself!
Love my church and especially my ward family
Family is a BIG DEAL to me
Friends are too
Love to-surf the internet, watch movies, go shopping (hate window shopping), yard selling, public speaking, teaching, travel, karaoke, eating, talking on the phone, holidays with my family and more!
I am a Republican
I wished I went to college
I loved that I stayed home with my kids
I hate housework but, LOVE a clean house
Socializing and schmoozing is my thing
Total Type-A personality
My mom is my hero, I always say when I feel like life is just too hard, "Tilini did harder things"!
I am a brat to my sisters
I am the cool aunt
I am the PITB to my beloved-(that can either be Pain In The Butt or Pitt bull) you decide!
I am also his WORLD!!! Really, I am just ask him!
I have no interior decorating skills
I can throw a party like you have never seen!
I love to sing, dance, emcee and I especially love getting $$$ for it!
I love myfamily.com
I deliver the mail..."Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these courageous couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds" blah, blah, blah!! More "going postal" blogs to come!
I love being in charge
I am a PTA President
I talk better then I listen
I am a pretty good cook
I am a better passenger then driver and...last but not least...(drum roll please)!

"I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and gosh darn it everybody likes me"! If you were an avid fan of SNL back in the late 80's you'll get that joke...if you were just born around that time, sorry you missed out on one of SNL's best skits ever!!!

So, now that you have a little insight into my life I hope that you weren't too bored, disappointed or shocked! If you really know me then you aren't shocked at all!!

The day of LOVE!

2010-02-14T19:38:00.000-08:00

The Valentine Birthday babies! LOVE these two!

Well, today is Valentines Day and in about 90 minutes it will be officially over. This day of LOVE has been just that, a day filled with my LOVED ones all around me! It started off perfect, I woke up to start the chicken for lunch after church and, waiting on my kitchen counter was a beautiful card and chocolate covered pretzels! My Dan gave me this card that said everything I needed to hear, it gave me that warm, soft and sweet feeling. It made me want to hug and kiss the LOVE of my life, which I did...for at least 7 minutes! ;)

Then we went to church and my sweet primary boys had some yummy treats for me to show their LOVE to me as their teacher! I am so grateful to be their teacher...they teach me more though because they are so smart and spiritual and filled with the light of Christ.

I also got to teach the sisters in RS today. Our lesson was all about Jesus Christ, our Savior, our chosen leader! I cannot think of a more perfect topic to speak on this day of LOVE then about our Savior who gave us the greatest gift of all...eternal life and salvation, all because He LOVES us all!

After church we all came home and prepared a birthday lunch for my sweet Loni Anne, she turned 23 today. Jaz, Brooks, Donnie, Lyla, Grantie, Clark, Molly, Jimmy, Emily, Eva and Bradley joined us today for the festivities! We had a yummy feast and Uncle Grant made, "holy" cake for Loni Anne! If you haven't had some of this cake you must try it! One bite and your like, "Holy freakin' cow this cake is awesome! Hence the name holy cake! Loni Anne wants this cake to be her wedding cake too...hmmm...I will have to think on that one for awhile! Grant LOVES his Loni Anne!

So this day has been fun filled and the LOVE I have felt today was great. I feel so blessed and fortunate to have family and friends who LOVE and care for me! This day of LOVE is almost over but the feelings and memories made today will last a lifetime...I LOVE that!

REASONS or EXCUSES or WHO CARES! HA!

2010-02-04T10:34:00.000-08:00

Its been about 7 months since I last blogged. I could give you a bunch of excuses like...

its been crazy
i had another baby (OH MY)!
i work 2 jobs
my hubby was unemployed
i have no internet at home (one of the downsides of living in the rural country, only snail slow speed available)
my daughter came home from her mission
i have 5 kids still at home
i have 2 rambunctious, wild grandbabies
football, baseball, plays, basketball, rehearsals, practice
i'm pta president of John's school
i was helping danny with his eagle project
i drive about 100 miles a day with work and lifes demands
i'm addicted to facebook

Need I go on? yes, life has just taken over and my personal life on blog world became overwhelming. I CAN however post snippets of it on facebook.

So, one of my 2010 goals is to post a new blog once a month or hopefully more! You see, I started this blog as a form of a personal (but not TOO personal) journal for my posterity! So far I have really cheated them! Sorry ya'll Great, Great Grandma Lyla can be a slacker!

So, here I go!!! Wish me luck!!!!!!

Just thought I'd add this pix from Johns baptism last October...more pix to come!

Are You a Gestapo Mom!

2009-07-31T10:48:00.000-07:00

I have this need to talk about something that I am currently working very hard on and needed some advice from my blog readers out there...all 2 of you...so here goes.

I am finding that turning back the hands of time is something I soooo wish I could do right now, why you ask? Not, because I want to change diapers or worry about babysitters or even to have my pre-baby body back!

I wished that I was a better mother, a more patient and kind mom. I spent way too much time worrying about how the house looked, how my kids performed and their grades in school that I took no time to really help them pursue their own interests and desires. I know I had them in church every week and we had family prayers and FHE but was that enough? I hope so! I have heard the apostles and prophets counsel us to do those things and our children will learn it and get it, sometimes it just takes some longer then others.

I feel inadequate and just plain ol' sorry! I know that all I can do now is move on and make the best of what I have done. I am NOT sorry for raising my kids the WAY I did, I just think more sorry about the execution of some things. I was more a gestapo at times then a loving and nurturing mom. I was that way because I thought that was the way to raise obedient children. Kind of the, "Put the fear of God and me", in them and they will never stray. So years later I find this didn't work and that they ultimately make their own decisions and choices!

I want to know is there a way to make this better or am I just wishful thinking here, is it like putting a band-aid on a gaping wound? If there is and one of you know it, then please share that with me!

This is not a feel sorry for me post either, rather a, "I want to enlighten any future or reigning gestapo moms" post or truly a "If you have a solution to my problem" post! LOL!

I hope you are all having a great summer, at least whats left of it!

Finau Family Missionaries!

2009-07-15T07:20:00.000-07:00

Growing up I never thought we would produce so many missionaries from the Saula and Tilini Finau clan! Maybe partly because we had 6 girls and it was a rarity for sisters to serve then. But I am happy to say that we have had many from this immediate family of ours and I am so proud! Michael (Loni and Grants son) just boarded a plane this am heading to SLC for a week of fun with the family and then off he goes to the MTC for 3 months to study and learn Spanish to teach the people of Argentina, Bahia Blanca Mission!

So far from this family we have...

Loni Finau Jones(sister) served in Sacramento, Calif. 1982-1984
Filipe Mausia (adopted brother) served in Prove, Utah 1988-1990
Thomas E. Burke (nephew) served in Denver, Colorado 1996-1998
David J. Kaminski (nephew)served in SLC, Utah 2000-2002
Travis Outly (nephew) served in Auckland, New Zealand 2001-2003
Joey Kauvaka (nephew) served in Panama City, Panama 2003-2005
Grant Jones II (nephew) served in Sydney, Australia 2005-2007
Loni Anne Nock (daughter) serving on Temple Square 2008-2010
Alexis Jones (niece) serving on Temple Square 2009-2010
Michael Jones (nephew) serving in Argentina 2009-2011

What a blessing their service has been to our family! I am grateful to missionaries who give of their time and talents to helping those come unto Christ!

We have recently been in touch with one of the missionaries that taught and baptized my husband and let me tell you, our lives are forever changed because of Eric Barden and Derron Bowyer! I hope they realize the impact they have left on our forever family!

So, I wish my sweet Michael the very best mission experiences possible! I pray that Heavenly father will keep him safe till he returns home! I am grateful for Sisters Nock and Jones and their desire to serve at this time! They are beautiful, bright and spiritual young ladies inside and out! My dad and mom are so proud! I know it!

Sweet Dreams

2009-07-14T07:18:00.000-07:00

Donnie and Baby Lyla came over last night and they crawled into bed with Dan and I last night.

They felt so good with their soft baby skin and that yummy baby powder smell. They gave me kisses and said sweet things like, "Nana I love you" and "Papa so funny".

We watched about 15 minutes of Disney and before I knew it I felt Baby Lyla's little body go limp on my left arm, and then I heard Donnie snoring in my right ear. My stretched out arms ached a bit, longing to go back in the curling position while lying on my side but, I just couldn't let these sweet babies go. They are only this small for such a short period of time! These are such precious times and memories! I LOVE being their Nana!

Boys will be Boys!

2009-07-13T12:31:00.000-07:00

My Danny went on a mini mission last week and I really missed him! He was only an hour and a half away but that was far enough. I know that when he goes on his real mission I will really miss him but will be so happy he is serving the Lord. He got to ride his bike, knock on doors, watch the elders administer to the sick and broken hearted, ate at member's homes, plan, study and even allowed to teach part of a lesson at a less active members home! His week was awesome filled with fun, hard work and sweat interviews, splits and zone conference! He came home Saturday and he stayed up talking to me about it all for about an hour. He expressed to me his excitement to go on his real mission. He did miss us and Emily though. I pray he will continue to have a great desire to serve the Lord!

Spencer went to scout camp and said that in his 4 years of going that this was the worst year ever! The camp site was really kind of a joke! The food was worse then school lunch (I can't even imagine). The weather was OK but they did get rained on so badly one night that all their bedding got soaking wet! the up side to this all was that he went to dinner and a move w/ the troop and the dads on wed. night! I was so glad when he got home and I just want him to do this long enough to get his eagle scout! He has all his badges but plans on getting a few more and then we need to find a great and worthwhile project!

John is in a summer league baseball team! He is playing 3rd base and is hitting off a pitching machine...this is the first time for him to play that way. I went and got his baseball equipment and he thinks he is such a tough guy now! I really enjoy watching his games, even if it is hot and has lots of mosquito's! Nothing like watching your kids have fun!

Summer seems to be flying by and before we know it, it will be football season! It will be my Danny's last year playing in high school! He is the captain of the team this year and has been conditioning for the last few months! Hopefully, we have a great season! I love my boys!

"So, come what may"

2009-07-09T11:46:00.000-07:00

I must say, life has been crazy lately! I feel sometimes overwhelmed by it all. I am writing this in hopes that its just me looking at this thing anymore! LOL! I am unsure sometimes of what I am supposed to be learning from all these trials, and then I hear of someone else's trails and once again, grateful for mine! All I can say is that my life has taken unexpected twists and turns but, for some reason I and I alone KNOW why! My life is a direct result of my choices in my earlier life. And that's ok, I understand that I am still loved by my Heavenly Father and that I do have a wonderful and supportive family.

I just want to understand why life can be so AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! ya feel me? Well, like President Hancock says (my stake president), "We can do hard things"! I believe that, I know its true I just need to remember it!

Sister Nock told Sela in January at Temple Square, "I believe in Christ, so come what may". I feel the exact same way, I just need to remember it! That's all...

M. I. A.

2009-05-20T11:44:00.001-07:00

Yes I have been MIA and for good reason! No computer at home and only a blackberry to do what I need to do online is too hard!

UPDATE:

Sister Nock is in Montana and doing fabulously well! She returns to Temple Square in June! She is happy and working hard and loves being a missionary! We have truly felt the blessings from her service and grateful she is part of the Lord's army!

Sela is home for the summer and brings much laughter and help into our home! She is sassy, funny, beautiful and a peacemaker! Love that she is home!

Danny loved Lacrosse and has earned his Eagle Scout rank! He will receive his award at church on May 31st in Kinston if any of you want to come! He is a Co-Captain for the football team next year and is the secretary in SGA! He is driving all over Kinston and works for the Kinston Indians selling programs and whatever else they want him to sell!

Andi is working at Kinston Indians too and just finished their spring play at school! She is in no rush to drive and will gladly let her siblings (including Spencer) drive her around town!

John John has done remarkebly well in 1st grade and has met his AR goals all year long! He is playing T-ball right now and loves it!

Jaz and the babies are doing good and Donnie and Lyla are growing like weeds! They are so funny and smart and make us smile all the time!

Dan and I are working and the kids, callings and community keep us busy and on our toes!

My mom had surgery last month and is doing well and recovering! She is getting stronger everyday!

Other then that life is life and we go on everyday living it as best we can! I will try to do better on my blog!

Tuesday Tell All

2009-03-24T07:45:00.000-07:00

Topic for today is...

"What do you like most about Spring? Do you have a Springtime memory to share"?

These are things I love about springtime...

The weather (IT IS PERFECT)!
The flowers blooming everywhere are so beautiful
Spring Break with the kids (we don't even have to go anywhere)
Shedding the sweaters and jeans
Easter and hiding the baskets and, watching John John start to freak after everyone else has found theirs! Plus, my father in law usually comes down and visits which is always so fun!

Peoples moods just seem to change and they seem happier
Attending my kids recitals
The soccer, lacrosse and t-ball games! Yes! I love them all!
Spring Cleaning, I know this sounds weird but, I LOVE going through my stuff a few times a year and decluttering the entire house!!! Spring is always one of those times! Feels so good!
Kite flying with Pap! He always gets a very nice kite and takes it to the beach with the kids!

TUESDAY TELL ALL!

2009-03-17T11:01:00.000-07:00

Tuesday Tell All

Topic for Tuesday 17th March - Procrastination!

"If it weren't for the last minute, I wouldn't get anything done."
Unknown

Are you a procrastinator? What things do you to procrastinate? Are there some thing you are glad you procrastinated, or some things you wish you hadn't? Do you have any tips for overcoming procrastination?

The reason for this topic is because last week was "National Procrastination Week", is that something to celebrate? I thought it would be more appropriate to approach this topic a week late:).

Oh my goodness I do not know if I have the time nor energy to tackle this one so I will just have to get back to it later!!!

YEAH! that's the truth and that is how I live my life...some people may call it irresponsible or some may say I am living life on the edge...but I beg to differ...I say I work best at the 11th hour! I am great under pressure and I actually do better I think!

Ok, some things I procrastinate daily are...
DIETING ugh!
waking up
getting dressed
making dinner
doing laundry

weekly...
grocery shopping
getting gas
updating my blog

monthly...
paying bills
visiting teaching
my RS lesson
paying bills!

yearly...
that dreaded appt. with that dreaded doctor (you know the one)
my annual ward Christmas party (last minute all the time)!
oh so many more but those are the ones that stick out!!!

So, what do you all put off till the last minute?

BILLINGS, MONTANA!

2009-03-10T07:05:00.000-07:00

BILLINGS, MONTANA

THIS IS WHERE MY SISTER NOCK WILL BE SPENDING THE NEXT FEW MONTHS! SHE HAS BEEN CALLED TO SERVE HER OUTBOUND MISSION TO BILLINGS, MONTANA AND IS VERY EXCITED! I HAVE GOOGLED THIS BEAUTIFUL BIG SKY COUNTRY AND I AM EXCITED THAT SHE WILL BE IN SUCH A GREAT PLACE! I PRAY THAT THE FINE PEOPLE THERE WILL TREAT HER WELL AND WILL BE RECEPTIVE TO HER GLORIOUS MESSAGE!

SISTER NOCK, ME AND SISTER LOR (her baby...1st trainee)

BILLINGS, MONTANA TEMPLE

MY NIECE JILLY SUGGESTS WE NOW CALL HER "LONI-ANNA MONTANA"! HAS A CUTE RING TO IT DON'T YA THINK?

MY WORST NIGHTMARE!

2009-02-25T03:08:00.000-08:00

I just got off the plane from SLC to JFK and made a pit stop to the restroom. As I was reapplying some make-up, a woman and girl ran into the restroom screaming, "Macy?! Jordan?!" The woman standing next to me just looked at me and together we mouthed, "OH MY GOSH"! As I walked out of the restroom I see the woman crying frantically as she is telling others about it and they join her in her search for the 2 kids. I see her a few minutes later being approached by a plain clothes security man and she was telling him her 2 boys walked into the men's restroom and after awhile they didn't come out so she went in and they were gone! Now, I see all kinds of security people walking around still looking....I stopped and said a silent prayer asking Heavenly Father to please help them find the kids and that they are safe! This is truly my worst nightmare

A Beautiful Temple Wedding!

2009-02-23T22:03:00.001-08:00

My nephew Ala got married to a beautiful young lady named Mary Lou just last friday! They were married for time and all eternity in the beautiful and majestic Salt Lake Temple!

There were about 60 of us in the temple to witness the couples special day!

Then about 3 hours later there were about 500 of us at the reception partying, dancing, eating and having way too much fun! I was honored to have emceed the great reception! The talents that were displyed that night were wonderful and it never ceases to amaze me at how talented my family is!

I saw so many members of my amazing Fonua Family and we had a wonderful time together!

My cousin Sela and hubby Sia (Parents of the groom) my favorite cousin!

My handsome nephews and their boys!

Handsome cousin Al with his wife Jen

My Sela Belle dancing the night away!

Dan and I

The little Fonua girls dancing to "Wishin', hopin' and prayin'"! too cute!

But, by far the best part of the day was knowing that two of Heavenly Father's sweet children kept themselves pure and clean to enter this holy place and marry the way that He has asked us to!

Mr. and Mrs. Ala Brown!

Missionaries ROCK!

2009-02-19T09:29:00.000-08:00

Sister Nock, Sister Lor and Sister Jones

Sister Jones and Sister Nock

We have been fortunate enough to spend some time with our Sister Nock! First on Monday which was her P-Day. We went to lunch, she took us on a tour of the Beehive House! Which was awesome, she had the right balance of history, humor and of course her testimony which made it a great tour!

Afterwards, we took her and her companion shopping at the local Wal-Mart which was unlike any I have ever seen. It was normal on the inside but it was located in town so it had an upper and lower parking garage. We parked on the upper level and after we brought the groceries Sister Nock took the cart and placed it in an escalator made just for it and we hopped on the other one! I was impressed...can you tell I live in the sticks?!

She took her groceries to her house and then we met her at the conference center and just talked, looked at pictures and listened as she told us of the great importance of her work! She reiterated to me that we need to do all we can to build the kingdom of God on the earth! She is such an amazing missionary!

Yesterday morning Dan and I got to do a session with her in the beautiful Salt Lake Temple and then had breakfast with them and we said goodbye to her so she could report back to her work.

After we left her at Temple Square we met our family back in Eagle Mountain and took our niece Alexis to the MTC (Missionary Training Center)! There were 14 of us there to send off our amazing Sister Jones to serve at Temple Square too! She was radiant and excited to serve the Lord and we were happy and sad to leave her at the MTC! She will be an amazing missionary....I just know it! By the way, it was exactly 28 years to the date that Loni, my sister (Alexis' mom) entered the MTC to serve her mission in Sacramento, Calif.

Now, on to today, we will meet our Sister Nock for a scheduled tour of Temple Square at 1:30! We are excited and ready to see her in action again! I am so grateful for these 2 sweet women in my life that will bless our families so much through their service! My missionaries ROCK!

The trek west....

2009-02-17T06:31:00.000-08:00

begins like this...

Left on Friday morning

Got to Cookeville, Tn. and died...literally just died...

Left at 6:30 am from the hotel and decided no more stopping if we were to make it to Utah by Sunday night!

Stopped in Oklahoma City, Ok. for a Valentine dinner and continued our all night driving with me at the wheel...

By morning we were in Albuquerque, NM

That afternoon we were in Arizona and decided to make a stop at the Grand Canyon!
Beautiful! Breathtaking! We were at the tower pictured below and it was so interesting and wonderful to be able to go! We can't wait to take our kids and Dan's dad there this summer!

Funny thing happened while there, the crows there were as big as chickens and as you can well imagine, they must eat VERY well at this national park. We got back to the car and there was a crow right by the car, so I start video taping him and then Dan throws me 1/2 a cookie and says to throw it to the crow...so, I do...as the crow rushes to the cookie and puts it in his mouth, he makes this noise and all of a sudden the sky turns black and it is literally a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's movie, The Birds!!!!!!! they are swooping down all over our car and I am screaming and trying to roll up our window before one of them flies into the car and plucks out an eyeball! It was all caught on video and is quite comical...when I get home I will see if Jaz can upload it for you all to see!

We continued our drive to the Beehive state and finally made it to Eagle Mountain at 9:15 pm to a houseful of nieces, nephews, Loni, mom and Sela!!! What a happy night!

So glad we are here and safe and that it wasn't as long or as hard as the real trek across the plains!

On the road again!!

2009-02-12T11:04:00.000-08:00

So, my hubby and I leave tomorrow morning and make our way across this beautiful country in my mama's Cadillac! YES! folks she got a caddy for Christmas from my sister Loni and Grant! Dan and I get to take it to SLC for her and we are excited for several reasons....

1st we get to be alone for a couple days,

2nd we are driving a caddy cross country (that doesn't need any explanation),

3rd, we are going to see our girls, Sister Nock and Sela,

4th, we are going to hit up some sights along the way,

5th, we are going to take Alexis (Sister Jones) to the MTC,

6th, we are going to the temple and also a temple wedding so we will see TONS of my family!!!! (Ok, maybe I'm a little (LOTS) more excited to see them then he is.

There are so many more but those are definitely the highlights! I will keep you all posted on our trip and will post pictures soon! WHOOOO HOOOO UTAH HERE WE COME!!!!!!!

Coming to UTAH!!!

2009-02-10T17:06:00.000-08:00

Hi All, I am so excited to be leaving this friday to go out to Utah!!!! I will actually get to see my daughters Sister Nock and Sela!! My nephew is getting married in the Salt Lake Temple and I am going for that and I am driving my mom's new car out for her! So, to all my Utah friends give me a call and lets do lunch, dinner or whatever!!!! Love you all!

America what have you done?

2009-02-04T11:11:00.000-08:00

What do you all think about the stimulus plan Obama is trying to push through?

How about his choices for his cabinet? And why they keep withdrawing?

The only thing I like about this guy is the fact that he's a Steelers fan...but I think that is ONLY because they campaigned for him....

Sorry Obama fans but this is getting ridiculous and eventually it'll all come out in the wash....just you wait and see...

STEELERS ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!

2009-01-21T13:13:00.000-08:00

LYLA AND HER BOYS!!!!!!! SIAOSI AND SPENCER...# 1 STEELER FANS!!!!!

JUST HAVE TO SAY HOW PROUD I AM OF MY STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!! THEY WERE AWESOME ON SUNDAY NIGHT AND WILL BE AGAIN AT THE SUPERBOWL BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!

BABY JAZ REPPIN' THE YOUNG STEELER FANS!

OUR FOREVER STEELER FAMILY!!!

SISTER NOCK WANTS TO TELL YOU A LITTLE ABOUT THE STEELERS!!!!!

DONNIE WITH HIS GAME FACE ON! AUNTIE ALEXIS KNOWS WHAT'S UP!

Read what happened the last time we went to the Superbowl!!! (copy and paste this link)
http://www.kinston.com/news/steelers_8545___article.html/wynnie_family.html

To say our family is fanatical over the STEELERS might be bit of an understatement!
Oh, and to all the STEELER haters reading this....like my nephew Mike says, "Keep hating cause the STEELERS feed off of it, and we're HUNGRY"!!!!!!

GOOOOOOOOOO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!

NEW YEARS IN PITTSBURGH!

2009-01-10T17:10:00.000-08:00

Dan, John, my friend Teresa Patrick and I decided at the last minute to go to the land of the STEELERS for New Years.
It was a whirlwind trip but so much fun...3 days!

We arrived and of course ate at...

Eat-n-Park
Tokyo Buffet

shopped at...

a normal mall
the STEELERS store and
GIANT EAGLE!!!

But, sadly did not get any yummy Pittsburgh donuts or gems, and no Primanti Brothers sandwiches!

We spent NY Eve with Pap,Annie,Dave and some of their good friends! We played a game, ate yummy food and watched the ball drop with! Pap was grinning from ear to ear the whole time and was so happy! I loved seeing him and just being there!

The snow was so crazy and the frigid FREEZING temps were bone chilling! Literally my bones HURT!!!

On the way home we stopped at the beautiful Washington DC Temple because, Teresa had never been there. We saw the lights and surprised Loni Anne's best friend from BYU-Idaho who is currently serving at the Washington Temple Mission, Hermana Garcia is an amazing missionary and she is just beautiful!

I am so glad I went even if it was just for a couple of days!

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE!!!

My Company!

2009-01-04T19:41:00.000-08:00

An update on my company! I wanted to wait till I went private before posting this! Love to you all!

December 2008

To Our Dear Family and Friends,

Happy Holidays to all of you! We hope this Christmas update finds you happy, healthy and enjoying this beautiful and joyful season.

I really can’t believe that this year is over and 2009 is right around the corner. It has been quite a year filled with many highs and many lows! However, we have come out of it much stronger and filled with gratitude for the blessings we have received!

Some of the highlights of 2008~

Jaz and babies moved back home!
Loni Anne went on her mission in July
Fonua Family Reunion in Utah
Finau Family Reunion in Idaho
Andi went on tour with Melissa from NY to Idaho promoting Melissa’s CD
Moved to a different house
Moved Sela from Pittsburgh to Utah
Lyla started working at the post office

As you can see life is business as usual but, of course it is mixed with lots of fun, sarcasm, way too much laughing and of course the occasional (daily) heated debate! Here is our 2008 update!

John-7 and in 1st grade, loves school this year and has played many sports, and perfected more video games! He has lots of friends at school and church and can hardly wait for Christmas! He enjoys reading, watching cartoons and playing on the computer. He keeps Dan and I young!

Spencer-13 and in 8th grade, is loving school and is very much a leader among his peers! He played football this year and, he is the basketball team manager. He loves scouts and his friends at church! He also was the water boy for Danny’s football team! He absolutely LOVED that, even though he heard many wise cracks from the bleachers…compliments of his awesome family and friends! Spencer continues to excel in his “people” skills and I am convinced that if he isn’t an ESPN reporter one day, he will be a politician (an honest one of course)! He was given the most prestigious award at his school last May. They told him that he exemplified everything the school stood for! I was o proud!

Andi-16 and in 10th grade, is doing well in school and is still very involved with her drama and music! She landed the lead role for the local community college production of High School Musical! She was an awesome Gabriella! She is now auditioning for “Thoroughly Modern Millie”. She placed 2nd place in a talent show at the high school, and just wrapped up a semester of voice lessons. Andi is a social butterfly and her calendar stays packed with events and outings with her friends! She has turned into my right arm (much to her dismay) and it seems as if life and home run smoother with her in charge!

Danny-17 and in 11th grade, is attending Parrott Academy in Kinston. He and his cousin Clark Jones are together and having way too much fun in my opinion! He is there on a football scholarship and played very well this last season. He made many great plays and it was neat to hear his name over the loud speaker so many times! He is now working on his eagle scout project and will hopefully have the work done for it by January 2nd. He is still very much a kid at heart when it comes to video games and sports. But, then he morphs into this young man when he is driving, lifting weights and dating a sweet young lady named Emily, who we have just grown to adore. It’s crazy to think he will go on his mission in just 2 years!

Sela-19 and a sophomore in college , is now living in Utah. She was attending Utah Valley University in Orem but, this semester she has transferred to LDS Business College in Salt Lake City. She is having the time of her life hanging out with her cousins, making great friends, shooting videos at 1 am in downtown SLC and going to a dance every weekend! She also has learned the hard way how NOT to drive in the snow as she slammed on the brakes and hit a median. Thanks to her our insurance agent LOVES us even more! She also does many responsible things too like, working at a marketing company, homework and attending church! Sela is very independent and hard working and we miss her so much when she is away from home!

Loni Anne-21 is now Sister Nock and currently serving a mission for, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! She is serving at the Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission. She will be serving until January 2010! She has been out since July 23rd and she loves it! She meets and teaches hundreds of people a week from all over the world! She recently was the director of the, “Call Referral Center” and has had the opportunity of serving with wonderful sisters, leaders and senior couples! One of the highlights thus far in her mission is that she had the opportunity to meet the prophet of our church, Thomas S. Monson along with both of his counselors! She loves this experience and has grown and matured even more! She has also experienced a lot of negative things such as the protestors of the Proposition 8 bill. We are so proud of her and all that she is doing. She would love to hear from any and all of you anytime! Her mailing address is…

Sister Nock
Utah SLC Temple Square Mission
50 N. West Temple Street
RM # BSVC
SLC, Utah 84150-1006

Jaz and the babies are back in NC!!! YEAH!!! I cannot express the joy we all feel having them back so close! The babies are so big and beautiful!
Donnie is 4 and is following in his Uncle John John’s footsteps. He loves video games, Star Wars and playing with his cousins! He is so sweet and helpful around the house and aspires to be a drummer and a Jabbawockeez dancer! He is such a Tongan!
Lyla is 2 and is so beautiful, sassy and very smart! She is so tender hearted and will usually sit in time out with her big brother even if she’s not in trouble! She loves baby dolls, coloring on herself with permanent markers and dancing! She is very animated and keeps us in stitches or on the edge of a nervous breakdown with her crazy antics!
Jaz is starting a new job in January and will also start school. She is wanting to major in computer programming and architecture. She loves photography, traveling and spending time with her family! She is doing the very best she can as a single mother and we are so proud of her desire to be the very best mother and daughter possible. She is convinced she will never re-marry or date again. However, she doesn’t know that my sisters and I are updating her profile on e-harmony and LDS Singles on a daily basis! (just kidding)

Dan is doing great but, he is getting grayer by the minute! I keep trying to introduce him to my friends Clairol and L’Oreal but he won’t hear of it! He is going on his 13th year (give or take) with Alside Window Co. He is a supervisor but says his job description is more like babysitter to 40 whiney grown-ups! He is serving as the Sunday School president and, as my assistant in every calling or job I volunteer for! He gets so mad at me sometimes and then I show him the pre-nup he signed…where it states that he will assist his wife in all her crazy affairs for the rest of their lives! Poor guy, he was especially HAPPY when I told the rec. center director that he would be more then happy to be John John’s basketball coach! Oh! you should’ve heard the groans at the dinner table over that one! He will do great I know it! He still has a passion for killing poor innocent fish in the ocean and has really taken an interest in genealogy work!

Lyla aka me! I am doing well and I have not yet gone postal! However, I have come very close! I am almost at my one year anniversary with them and it is an interesting and physically hard job! But, I am getting used to it! I am currently serving as a teacher in Relief Society, primary chorister and ward activities chairman! I love all my callings and all those I work with in the church! I am the PTA president at John’s school and I work with the best group of ladies there! We have a blast planning and organizing our kids school activities!

Dan and I are enjoying life with all the kids and the grandbabies and all the different activities they are involved in! We know that everyday with them is a gift from Heavenly Father!

Dan’s dad and my mom are doing so well! They are traveling lots to see their grandchildren do many things! We were so happy to have both of them here with us in July for Loni Anne’s amazing farewell weekend! They are the epitome of selfless love and service to all of us! We cannot imagine our lives without them!

We want you to know we think of you all often and, we thank you for your friendship and love you so willingly show us!

As life rolls by so quickly we are aware of the infinite love and goodness that we feel daily from our Heavenly Father! We cannot imagine our lives without Him in the center of it! I pray that this Christmas season we will all feel His love for each of us as we celebrate the birth of His son Jesus Christ! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!

Love, Dan and Lyla Nock and Family XOXO

The voice of an angel!

2008-12-26T20:53:00.000-08:00

Well, the one thing I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED about Christmas was having the chance to talk to our missionary!!! She sounds great and really sounded like an angel. She is so happy! She told us she is so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary at this time! We all (13 of us) talked to her and it brightened everyone's day and mood! After she spoke to everyone individually she asked me to get her dad and go to a quiet room and put the phone on speaker. We did, and then she started to testify to us of the importance of the gospel in her life and, the way in which her life has changed for the better. She expressed her gratitude to us for supporting her while she is serving the Lord! She absolutely loves her new companion and she was so spoiled by our family and ward family and friends with packages and cards! Thanks to all of you for thinking of our girl at this time! Our missionary is healthy, happy and in great spirits! She wants me to tell all of our family and friends that she sends her love and thank-you's to all of you for being so supportive, for the letters and especially for your prayers, she DEFINITELY feels them! I thank you too!!!

Going Private!

2008-12-22T15:06:00.001-08:00

Hi all, I have decided after some crazy things have happened to some of my blogging friends that I will finally be going private! I have decided to do this on January 1, 2009. If you want to join me in the private blogging world just let me know!!!! Thanks!

"All I want for Christmas is"...

2008-12-09T20:53:00.000-08:00

A million dollars!!! NBFR! My kids have given me their lists and let me just give you a sampling of what they want!

Wii
XBOX 360
Razor Cell Phones
Games for all their video game units
Nintendo DS
Trampoline
Really expensive shoes and clothes
Laptops
XBOX live cards? (I have no clue what this is)!
Taylor Swift and Jonas Brothers concert tickets!

and more...

Why don't they just ask for world peace...I think that is more do-able at this point! Whatever happened to Barbies and GI Joe's? I remember just dying for a Baby Alive and an Easy Bake Oven! Wow! Life was just so much simpler back in the day...simpler and cheaper! Whatever they end up getting I KNOW they'll appreciate but, I just wish I could give them everything on their lists because they really are great kids and deserve it all! But, they will make do with what they get and I am sure they'll survive! I did!

Sister Toni Kaonohi

2008-12-09T20:34:00.000-08:00

Check this blog out! Get your tissues ready and hear about an amazing, strong and beatufiul young lady! My dear friend Snow sent this to me and I am glad she did. When you think your trials are too much to bear and feel like life is overwhelming you just see these stories and say thank-you to Heavenly Father for giving you trials you REALLY can handle!

http://sisterkaonohi.blogspot.com/

What was I thinking?

2008-11-30T10:52:00.000-08:00

On Thanksgiving day after we ate way too much, we decided to go to a movie. Our son in law Brooks, brought the babies over and so with all the different ages and taste in movies we decided to seperate into 3 groups. Dan and Brooks would go watch Transporter. The teenagers would go to Four Christmases and I would take
John John (7) Donnie (4) and Lyla (2) to watch Bolt.

So, I get a large popcorn and drink and the movie starts. It is really cute by the way and I would suggest it to anyone.

About 1/2 way through the large bag of popcorn, Lyla is trying to take it away from Donnie and in the course of that it spills all over our row. She looks at me immediately and says, "Dorry" and hugs my neck. How do you get mad over that? John John and Donnie are not so amused and wanted more popcorn!

Ten minutes later John John is literally slurping the very last of the drink and was making too much noise. I tell him to stop that and open the lid to drink some more. He does and as he is making more noise with the ice, the VERY large cup is too big for his hands and slips and spills all over the row on top of our popcorn! He quickly looks at me and says, "Sorry Mom"! Donnie and Lyla were very upset as they were still thirsty!

By this time Lyla is tired of my lap and promises to be a good girl. So, I put her in the chair next to me. She sits for about 5 minutes and I think she is secretly watching me to know when I will not be paying any attention to her because, to my surprise she was up out of her seat and in the row in front of us. She is smiling at me and going to each seat and putting the seat down and then slamming them up! She proceeds to do this to 3 seats down the row, I am trying not to make a big scene to grab her but, how can you NOT, when you are climbing over a 7 and 4 year old, totally engrossed in the movie and yelling MOVE MOM, MOVE NANA! I am stepping all over popcorn and ice making loud crunchy noises and the whole time Lyla is just a giggling slamming seat cushions up and down! Meanwhile, the other movie goers are all taking turns looking at the crazy lady who can't control her crazy children.

I finally get Lyla in my control and put her back in my lap and tell her to NOT move nor make a sound! And, I meant it! About 10 minutes later I felt my leg get all warm, then I felt it get all wet! NO WAY!!!!!!!!! I cannot believe she just peed on me! But, she did! I take her out of the theatre and tell John John I'll be right back. I have to go to the theatre Dan and Brooks are in to find Brooks to get his keys, to go to his car to get a diaper! All the while Lyla is walking like a bow-legged cowboy! People in the lobby are just cracking up! We run to the car and I hit the wrong button and the alarm starts going off! Lyla is saying "Uh Oh Nana"! We finally get into the car, do our thing and luckily there were some spare pants in there for her. I am also panicking because I have visions of Donnie and John John screaming and crying because I am not in there and the whole theatre crowd trying to comfort them. Luckily, they were fine.

When we walked up to the door of our theatre, Lyla started to resist me a bit and was moving her head back as I opened the door and it hit her on the back of the head. Obviouly, she starts screaming and once again the movie goers all look at me. I am closing the door but notice John John coming towards me. I whisper to him to sit down as I am comforting Lyla. He tells me he has to go to the bathroom, and now! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! I tell him to quickly go to the restroom and I will stand in the hall and wait and watch for him. **NOTE TO ALL** I have NEVER let him go to a public bathroom alone! So, now I am panicking! I shut the doors to watch John but, I know I am close to Donnie so he should be fine right? No, he sees us all leave and yells in the middle of the movie, "Nana wait"! and runs out!

Well, finally John John comes out and we sheepishly return to the theatre but take the back row and sit quietly for the remainder of the movie, which was about 20 minutes! Afterwards, the guys came out of their movie just smiling and having fun, the teenagers came out of theirs smiling and having fun! I, on the other hand, have a wet leg, a baby with boo boo on her head because of me! And, the babies are so mad at me because I will not let them go for anything! But, I survived and it made for a very memorable turkey day! i just have to ask..."What was I thinking"?!

Holidays are here!!!!!!!!

2008-11-27T11:08:00.000-08:00

The Holidays are HERE!!!!!!!!

This is my favorite time of the year!

I love, love, love the holiday season!

People seem to be nicer!

Stores have the BEST sales!

I love the beautiful white snow!

My house is all lit up!

There is a party EVERY weekend!

I get presents!

I give presents!

My hubby doesn't moan about me shopping for silly things!

I usually get to see my mom!!!!!!!

I have all my kids in town!

And, it seems as if the Savior is on our minds more then normal!

There are just a few things different though...

First of all, my Loni Anne will NOT be home because she is on a mission...

I may not be able to attend all the parties and festivities because of the dreaded post office!

My mom will be here but only right before Christmas and then off she goes to Pa.

It rarely snows in warm North Carolina!

And, this year because of the crazy economy gifts will NOT be as plentiful (sad day)!

But, the most important thing of this season is remembering the birth of our Savior and remembering those less fortunate!

I love the Holidays!!!

PLEASE HELP!!!

2008-11-24T18:58:00.001-08:00

PLEASE VOTE FOR BROOKE BURKE ON DANCING WITH THE STARS!! SHE IS MY NIECE AND WE REALLY WANT HER TO WIN!!!

SO PLEASE CALL 1-800-868-3405

YOU CAN CALL ABOUT 6 TIMES AND THEN IT WILL TELL YOU HAVE EXCEEDED THE TIMES ALLOWED TO VOTE ON THAT PHONE...PLEASE VOTE ON ALL YOUR CELLS AND HOME PHONE!! THIS IS THE LAST TIME TO VOTE FOR HER TO WIN IT ALL!!! AND SHE IS THE BEST DANCER LEFT SO PLEASE VOTE!!! THANKS!!!

YOU CAN VOTE TILL TOMORROW!!!

BUT, DO IT NOW DON'T WAIT OR YOU MAY FORGET!!

THANKS DIVAS!!!

"THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS"!

2008-11-17T06:52:00.000-08:00

Hi All!

I am back from NYC and we had a BLAST!!! We shopped a little in Chinatown and ate tons of yummy Yankee food! The kids loved Times Square and walking on 5th Avenue and riding the dirty trains! YUCK! I could do without those and the rats that run on the tracks and the lack of hygiene in the city as a whole!

Some of the awesome things we saw and did...

Our amazing friends who treated us like royalty! They are the BEST! Jenn Cook's one-liners is reason enough to visit the Big Apple!

My nephew Reno flew in from Utah to help with the show and brought my daughter Sela to surprise me as well!!! THAT WAS BY FAR THE BEST SURPRISE!

Watching Sela dicker down the prices with all the foreigners, she is a PRO at that stuff! **Reminder** she is only 19 and was very intimidating and very successful at it!

Eating all of Andi Cooks amazing Hawaiian cooking!! Oh I am craving some huli huli chicken right now!

Eating pizza in New Jersey that tastes just like Motta's Pizzeria in Hartford, Conn.

The Statue of Liberty! In all its green glory...we saw it from the other side of the Hudson but it was even majestic from that far!

Ground Zero, Wall St. (the apts. we stayed at were right on Wall St.) The Bull, Trump Building, The Empire State Building, Gray Papaya's, Broadway, 5th Ave and we even drove through Greenwich Village!

The man on the subway selling pop-up books for Jesus!

The foreigners on the street whispering, "Gucci, Prada, Chanel and Coach"? then taking you to a van parked on the side of the street and pushing you in! (Not fun and I freaked them out when I said, "Get me out of here"!) and magically the price for Sela's Louis Vuitton went down another $20 bucks!

The show we went to do was great and the crowd was fun and young! They had a blast and the food and dancing afterwards was so fun too!

I especially loved seeing one of my dearest friends whom I consider family, my Andi Cook!! She has always been so wonderful to my family and I, it was good to just reconnect with her and to feel of her warm and beautiful spirit!

This was such a much needed shot in the arm for me prior to all the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holidays!

Thanks Jenn and Andi for having us and treating us so well!

Thanks to all my nieces and nephews and of course my own kids who came and helped in the show!

And, thanks to my sister Loni for driving us all the way there and back in the very comfy and BIG 15 passenger van!!!

PICTURES ARE ON THE WAY!!!!!!!!

NEW YORK NEW YORK!!!

2008-11-14T18:19:00.000-08:00

Hi all, I am in NYC to do a show for a singles ward for one of my best friends daughters! My sister Loni and I along with Jaz and Andi and all of Loni's kids and our sweet Eva!! The show is tomorrow night and they are cookng up a storm here tonight! Smells so good! I will post pix. and updates as soon as I can! Thanks all!!! I feel like putting on a top hat and grabbing a cane and dancing to Frank SInatra's, NEW YORK, NEW YORK!!

PLAYING DRESS-UP!

2008-11-08T18:04:00.000-08:00

So, I am way late on posting pix of the kiddos at Halloween but, hey...better late then never right???

We had an awesome ward trunk or treat party and the kids always love it! There was plenty of fun, food and games! And, of course tons of candy...the kids are just huge balls of sugar still!

STEELER FANS FOR LIFE!!!! SIAOSI, LYLA AND SPENCER!

JOHN JOHN IS THE TOP BANANA!

SPIDERMAN, PRINCESS LYLA AND THEIR MAMA!

PRETTY ROBOTS! ALEXIS AND EVA!

SISTER NOCK THE ROCK STAR AND HER MISSION PRESIDENT AND WIFE! I LOVE THIS ONE!

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SPIDERMAN EVER!

SELA THE GOLD DIGGER (CLEVER HUH)? AND NIECE ENI AKA STORM!

DON'T YOU JUST LOVE PLAYING DRESS-UP???

3's Company, 4's a crowd but 8???

2008-11-03T04:27:00.000-08:00

I almost said 8 is enough but did not want this post to come off the wrong way! Our oldest child/daughter has moved in with us and her 2 children. The move was actually made last July and then she went to work with my sister in Ohio for almost 2 months, while her children were with their dad here in NC. Now, she is back and they are separated...(sad, I know)! But, I have come to realize that in this life we are all individuals who make our own choices and we deal with the consequences (good or bad)ourselves.

So, why am I blogging about this? The one week with 8 back in our home has been noisy, fun, stressful, busy and more! Here are some one-liners you may have heard around here lately...

"Nana I want dink"
"John John won't let me play with his Huk (hulk) game"
"Do NOT touch the toilet again!!! UNDERSTAND"!
"MOM!!!!!! Was the baby in my room again"?!?!?!
"Just sneak out, before she sees you"
"Nana move over" (at 1 am)
"Papa you funny"
"Don't turn it, I'm watching Diego"!!!

And, the best line you could hear around here...

"Nana I love you"!

Oh the sweetness of the grand babies in this house! They are too funny and keep this place rockin'!

I know it won't last forever and honestly I don't think I would want it too. I mean that in a good way, they NEED their own space and time away from us, as we do them. But, it is so good to me right now hearing, smelling and kissing on these sweet babies while in our home!

8 is GREAT!!! For now that is!! hahahah!~

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

2008-10-24T18:49:00.000-07:00

CHECK THIS GIVE-AWAY OUT!!!!!!!!!!!! ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS AMAZING!!! WOULDN'T MY BABY LYLA LOOK AMAZING IN THIS?!?!?! SHE WOULDN'T NEED A WIG THOUGH WITH ALL HER LONG CURLY LOCKS!!! OH EVERYONE PLEASE LOG ON TO THIS SITE AND TELL HER I NEED THIS FOR MY GRANDBABY!!!!!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

FREECYCLE

2008-10-23T23:49:00.000-07:00

Have I been living in a cave??? I cannot believe I just found out about this from my sister Annie today!

It's called freecycle...have you heard of it?

You log on and sign up, pick a city, browse and get this...

If you see something you like you get it...FREE...NO CHARGE...NADA....ZILCH!!!

Here is the description taken right from their home page...

"Welcome! The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,618 groups with 5,991,000 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer (them's good people). Membership is free. To sign up, find your community by entering it into the search box above or by clicking on “Browse Groups” above the search box. Have fun"!

So, I have been window shopping and saw so many things...some of the stranger items were...

feret and rat cages! (WHY)?
size 9 1/2 womens shoes (EWWW)!
rf modulators (WHAT)?
bibs (anyone heard of the DOLLAR TREE)?
Friendship Bread starter recipe (MMMM I WANT SOME)!

As you can see its anything goes on freecycle!

No money, No contracts, No finance charges, No late fees, No hassles!!!

I am going to give it a try, let me know if you do to!

My funny hubby!

2008-10-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

My dear husband sent me this email and wrote, "This would be something you would do. LOL"! So, of course I read on...and I realized my hubby has quite the sense of humor!

One day, when a seamstress was sewing while sitting close to a river, her thimble fell into the river. When she cried out, the Lord appeared and asked, 'My dear child, why are you crying?' The seamstress replied that her thimble had fallen into the water and that she needed it to help her husband in making a living for their family. The Lord dipped His hand into the water and pulled up a golden thimble set with sapphires.

'Is this your thimble?' the Lord asked The seamstress replied, 'No.'
The Lord again dipped into the river. He held out a golden thimble studded with rubies.

'Is this your thimble?' the Lord asked. Again, the seamstress replied, 'No.'
The Lord reached down again and came up with a leather thimble.

'Is this your thimble ?' the Lord asked. The seamstress replied, 'Yes.' The Lord was pleased with the woman's honesty and gave her all three thimbles to keep, and the seamstress went home happy.

Some years later, the seamstress was walking with her husband along the riverbank, and her husband fell into the river and disappeared under the water. When she cried out, the Lord again appeared and asked her, 'Why are you crying?' 'Oh Lord, my husband has fallen into the river!'
The Lord went down into the water and came up with George Clooney. 'Is this your husband?' the Lord asked.

'Yes,' cried the seamstress. The Lord was furious. 'You lied! That is an untruth!' The seamstress replied, 'Oh, forgive me, my Lord. It is a misunderstanding. You see, if I had said 'no' to George Clooney, you would have come up with Brad Pitt.

Then if I said 'no' to him, you would have come up with my husband. Had I then said 'yes,' you would have given me all three. Lord, I'm not in the best of health and would not be able to take care of all three husbands, so THAT'S why I said 'yes' to George Clooney.
And so the Lord let her keep him.
The moral of this story is:

Whenever a woman lies, it's for a good and honorable reason, and in the best interest of others. That's our story, and we're sticking to it.

So, you see my Danny does have a great sense of humor but surely NOT a great sense of reality! I think he is a lot sexier then Clooney and Pitt...ANYDAY!!!!!!!!! (and for all eternity)!

Scattergories and STEELERS

2008-10-19T22:12:00.000-07:00

This is from an email but I thought it looked fun enough to share on my blog!!! I love this game and usually would win anytime I would play it!

SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks!

Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following. They have
to be real places, names, things, nothing made up!

WHAT IS YOUR NAME? Lyla
4 LETTER WORD: Love

TV SHOW: Leave it to Beaver

BOY NAME: Lincoln

GIRL NAME: Lauren
OCCUPATION : Log Splitter

SOMETHING TO WEAR: Lingerie

BEVERAGE: Lemonade
SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM: Lysol
PLACE: Living Room
REASON FOR BEING LATE: Laid in bed too long....
SOMETHING YOU SHOUT: LOOK OUT!!!!!!!

Wanna play along?? Go ahead, just let me know so I can check your answers out!

ALSO, JUST HAD TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO MY AWESOME PITTSBURGH STEELERS!!!!!! WE BEAT THE CINCINNATI "BUNGALS" TODAY SO YEAH!!!!!!!!!! SORRY TO ANY OF YOU CINNCI FANS....NOT!!!!!!!!!!!

POLITICS! SHMOLITICS!

2008-10-15T19:37:00.000-07:00

Ok, time to vent...how many of you are sick and tired of all the negative and hateful campaigning?

It is so amazing how the people running to "RUN" the country are worse then a bunch of 8th grade girls fighting over a boy or fighting to be in the popular clique. The backstabbing, fighting and finger pointing is...

RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!

And, all of this just to prove they are somehow right, justified or whatever else they want to be!!!

Well, I not only get it from the TV, radio and all the billboard ads, and through my email but...

I GET IT AT WORK! YES. WORK.

I am a rural carrier and I have to case all the political mailings and treat them as 1st or 2nd class mail! Meaning they go out the day they come and there are 1000's

EVERYDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CAN YOU SCREAM WITH ME NOW???

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

STOP WITH THE RIDICULOUS MAILINGS...

NO ONE READS THEM!

WE USE THEM AS COASTER FOR OUR GLASSES....

AS MAKE SHIFT DUST PANS WHEN WE SWEEP...

TO FAN OURSELVES...

AND TO AID IN PICKING UP DOGGIE MESS IN THE YARD!!!!!!!!!

I HATE ALL THE NEGATIVE POLITICS AND ALL THAT GOES WITH IT!!!!!!

POLITICS! SHMOLITICS!!!!!!!!!

The Name Game

2008-10-12T14:56:00.000-07:00

Hi there everyone, I saw this on my sweet friend Dolly's blog and thought, yeah right this won't work...and then I put my name in and get these results...I think this is pretty accurate for me...what do you all think? Does this sound like the Lyla you know???

What Lyla Means

You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.
You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.
Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.

You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in.
You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising.
You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.
You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.
You have the classic “Type A” personality.

Find out what your name means here...

http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyournameshiddenmeaningquiz/

General Conference

2008-10-05T20:19:00.000-07:00

I wanted to say how much I loved conference today! Unfortunately, I did not get to see any sessions from yesterday but, todays were just so wonderful! The messages were like soothing water to my parched soul! I love how the messages are so simple and easy to understand yet, they seem hard to live at times for us! I love our prophet so much and especially enjoyed his talks today! You can just feel his love! Pres. Eyering's message of hope and unity were exactly what I needed to hear! ALL the talks were awesome! Some of my favorite quotes today were...

"Be slow to take offense, and quick to forgive"

"You be the one to stand for what is right, even if you stand alone"

"Return to virtue"

"We can't afford to be superficially righteous"

"Find someone who is having a hard time and, do something for them"

"Eternal life with God is the most precious prize"

"One way to be a peacemaker is to seek for anything we agree on, find that common ground"

There were so many more but they are the ones that stick out to me!

"The Rest of the Story"

2008-10-05T07:43:00.000-07:00

My nephew saw my cute daughter yesterday and she wanted him to tell me, **In Paul Harvey's voice** "The Rest of the Story"!

Ok, back to the sighting of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!

Loni was able to speak to President Monson and she told him how much she loved him and then she said to my nephew, "I started to bear my testimony to him, OF him"!! She got emotional as she told him she KNEW he was truly a prophet of God. He was so dear to Loni and he gave her a hug and said thank-you and then asked for her continued prayers! Then jokingly as they were leaving he said to the sisters, please pray for me because I speak 5 times at general conference and Pres. Uchtdorf ONLY speaks 4 times! I love that he has such a great sense of humor!

Awesome story huh?!?! Just had to share with ya'll!

A Sister Nock Sighting!

2008-10-02T20:48:00.000-07:00

Loni Anne emailed us today and, then just a few minutes after she sent it, she sent this note!!! THIS WAS TOO EXCITING NOT TO SHARE!!!!!!!!!!

"Oh my goodness! It’s my pday and guess who I just saw! I saw the first presidency! I’m checking my email and then the sisters in the Joseph smith memorial building say that they were coming! Well, we move from the computers and stand where we can see them! Well, they stopped and talked to us! President Monson asked if we were ready for conference and we all said YES! And then I said to President Uchtdorf that I enjoyed his talk! So, yes…I saw and spoke with the first presidency! Briefly. But I did it! Yeah! What an amazing! Day! I love my mission! It’s the best in the world! No really. It is! Promise! Tell alexis to hurry up and come here! She’d be great here"!

President Monson, President Eyering and President Uchtdorf!

Is Change Good?

2008-10-01T17:14:00.000-07:00

Not sure if it is but, I wanted a change and when that happens I just do it!

There are things I want to change right now like...

My body
My hair
My weight
My eating habits
My tires on my van
My van
My balance in my bank account
My job
My...whatever else..

I can change some and I can't change others so..I will start with what I can change....

MY BLOG!!!!!!!!

I hope you enjoy my new look and blog!

This is one thing I wouldn't want to change!

What are 3 things you would change right now in your life if you could?