Today being Memorial Day, where we most specifically honor military serviceman, I had to make sure to recognize my own man-in-uniform. Some of you know, others of you don't, that Vaka is currently serving in the Army Reserves as mechanic with the 146th Transportation Company. In many ways it has been a big blessing in our lives, but it has definitely come with its sacrifices. When we met, he had just returned home early from a deployment to Iraq, due to various injuries he suffered while out there. While thankfully he didn't have to give the ultimate sacrifice of his life like many men and women have, he has been a hero to me through some of the other sacrifices he's made to protect our freedom. Because of his injuries, he's gone through surgeries, endless physical therapy, given up playing rugby and he still suffers daily pain. Before his deployment when his mom was sick, he didn't have the opportunity to spend as much time as he would have liked with her because he had to attend training.
The amazing thing is, even after his injuries and the sacrifices he's already made, he would volunteer to go back on a second deployment in a heartbeat and do it all over again... if I'd let him. :) I can give him away for 3 weeks of training that he'll be leaving to do next week, but an entire 18 months in a warzone... is a sacrifice I haven't yet been willing to make. We'll see if he can change my thoughts on that... but until then, thank you for your example babe!!
Monday, May 26, 2008
I love my soldier :)
Posted by Brooke at 8:28 PM 6 comments
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Tribute to my MIL
On the 4th anniversary of her death, I couldn't let this day pass without recognizing my sweet MIL. I have yet to meet one person that didn't have amazing things to say about my mother-in-law Janet. Some may attribute this to the fact that she is deceased, and that it is common for people to idealize those who have passed on. However, I believe she is an exception to that rule. I have no doubt whatsoever that she was just as genuinely kind-hearted, selfless and loved by all throughout her lifetime.
One of the main things I admire about Janet was her ability to adapt to and internalize the Tongan culture. Just a bit of proof to illustrate how great she was at this: I remember being shocked when Vaka told me that his mom was palangi... in all the years I had seen her, I had always thought she was just an extremely fair Tongan. :) She is well known among many Tongans for her ability to speak the language like a native... and those that have tried to learn the language, know how difficult that is. It is one thing to understand it, and quite another to speak it and speak it correctly. I will be so proud of myself if I can just come to understand it in my lifetime!! Janet paved the way in uniting two cultures into one family, and I am so grateful for the courage and faith she exercised to do so, making the integration of two cultures into our own family so much easier for Vaka and I.
Even though Janet is no longer on this earth, she has left quite a legacy. She was a wonderful teacher, wife and mother. I am sure raising her 12 children was one of her greatest accomplishments... something only someone quite angelic could do.
('Ulu'amu & Janet family)
We are so blessed to have the gospel and the sweet assurance it brings that there is life beyond our earthly existence. I love to often sit and think about the wonderful things our loved ones are continuing to do as they live on elsewhere. I imagine Janet is hard at work making just as many friends and blessing as many lives as she did while she was here. I am also grateful for our knowledge of eternal families and for the opportunity Janet has to continue to bless our lives from another sphere. I have had numerous experiences where I have felt her presence-- our sealing being one of the most special. It is comforting to know she was able to witness that special event in our lives.
(visiting mom on our wedding day)
The Tu'ifua family motto is "our family can be forever." In one of her last letters to Vaka before her passing, she reiterated this in writing "remember to keep yourself worthy to help our forever family." I am grateful for her humble righteousness in teaching her children, and instilling such values in her son which prepared him to be the amazing husband and future father that he is. Thank you Janet, we love and miss you!!
Posted by Brooke at 9:39 AM 2 comments
Monday, May 12, 2008
A belated shout out to the mothers in my life....
I have been blessed to be influenced by many amazing women in my lifetime. These are just two of them, but perhaps the most important two. My beautiful mom and my sweet grandma. I am so lucky to have had such great examples as I prepare to become a mother myself. I love you both!!
Posted by Brooke at 6:55 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Snakes and snails and puppy-dog tails....
.... is what our baby will be made of!! Yes it's true. See below for evidence, clearly marked for those of you who just couldn't tell. :)
In other news, we are officially moved, though not necessarily moved-in. :) For those of you that didn't know, don't worry, we didn't go far!! Just further up the hill in Draper to a townhouse (with a garage, hurray!) so we now have a birdseye view of Ikea rather than being across the freeway. Even though it was a short move it was still a lot of work, but luckily we had the help of my family, as I didn't realize how limited I would be!! Currently the baby boy's room is filled with boxes... it was nice to shove them in there and have them out of the way for now but unpacking those will be my project over the next few months. We LOVE having more space and now finally have room for people to come visit, so let us know when you'll be arriving!!
Posted by Brooke at 1:55 PM 8 comments
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Our new favorite missionary
Notice how "palangi" Vaka looks next to Manatau. I hadn't realized how white he had gotten until I saw them standing next to each other!! The missionary couple that was waiting at the airport to make sure he was picked up commented to Vaka as he walked up "Oh YOU are the brother? We were looking for a Tongan!" LOL. Guess we need to get him out in the sun!!
Posted by Brooke at 9:25 AM 1 comments