Monday, December 1, 2008

The Gathering


This is for the good 'ole days. The gang got together on Friday to catch up. Kyle (Matt Lauer) was great at posing the probing questions that we all secretly wanted to ask. Kyle, great job dodging the political bait held out by Dave and Kim. Dave, we would love to see a picture of Bambi.

You can find Chris's artwork and blog (maybe) at
http://chrismcquinn.com.

Next year, we are all headed up to Tori's to party in her beautiful new home. Party at the Hansen's!

Tara, thanks for the spin in your Mercedes and for getting us together. Thanks for your friendship and love.

Gang, send your pictures in email to me and I'll post them up here. It would be great to be able to see the offspring as they grow.

Moki's, well, we'll have to catch you the next time around. Even restaurateurs need a break, I guess.

Top picture: left to right, Dave, Chris, and Tara
Bottom picture: left to right, Tori, me, and Kyle

So much has changed and yet so little. We don't look old, right? Until next year...

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Our Family

Greetings again! By popular request, I am adding some pictures of our family. Many thanks to my husband, Pal, for being the historian of our family and scanning in the thousands of pictures that we have!

I love my family! By my family I mean, of course, my husband and children, Palemia, Austin, and Keily. I also mean each one of you that may be reading this blog. In some way, you have inspired, exemplified, and supported me. I love you! You are a miraculous creation and meant for greatness. I see greatness in each one of you. Thank you for your love and positive support!

Palemia is truly fulfilling his calling as husband and father. He exemplifies love, kindness, gentleness, courage, and strength. He is my hero and I love him more and more each day. I could not have chosen a better life and eternity partner. I believe that he is a gift from God in my life. Together we are working each day towards our vision for our lives and it is fun!

Austin Fa'ataualofa is 11 years old! He was just 3 years old when Pal and I married! He is growing in his talents and he takes after his mother, Ariel, and father in his creativity and artistic abilities. Last summer he won an art scholarship by creating a portfolio and getting references from his teachers. He is soaring in his artisitic abilities, already sketching faces and hands. It is remarkable to see his work. Additionally, he is playing piano beautifully. With the help of his grandmother, he is learning quickly and has many pieces memorized. He is truly a gifted and remarkable child. His school grades are excellent and he works very hard to do well in school. I thank his mother and grandparents for giving their all to help him grow, learn, and become all that he is capable of becoming.

Keily Leuta'alepotoefetala'i is 4 years old and already in charge of the the whole household and pretty much anything or anybody around her. Her talents are surfacing as well. She loves to dance and learns new dances quickly. She is already performing with her father during his Polynesian shows and is a natural on stage and LOVES it. A funny thing happened just this week when the Tooele Transcript Bulletin, the local paper, used her picture with the Easter Bunny on the Tooele County Commerce section where they were thanking all of the sponsors that helped with the egg hunt and Easter festivities. The day of the hunt we were too late for the egg hunt, but just in time to enter the drawing for the prizes. Low and behold, her name was drawn and she won a Tonka dump truck! Sooooo, funny. She was so proud of that truck! And mom was thankful that she didn't go home empty handed. Ooops! The people who took the pictures with the Easter bunny must have thought her picture turned out cute. And they were right!

Oh yes, and me, I suppose you want to know what is going on with me. Well, where to start. I am loving having a flexible work schedule so that I can be mom to Keily, truly the most rewarding part of my life. My consulting businesses allow me to choose my work hours, make good money, and work around Pal's and Keily's schedules. I am learning the delicate balance of setting realistic goals and sticking to a plan. It is remarkable what can be accomplished when I stay the course and do the little things each day that consistently move me closer to my goals. Easier said than done, but I've found so much joy and confidence by changing how I organize my time.

Some of you may be wondering how my health is. I am so happy to report that through blessings from God, my health is good and staying on track. I am so grateful for medical advances, knowledgeable medical professionals, and alternative treatments that support, manage, and improve my health. These are miracles in my life and I feel so blessed to live in a time and place where all of these things are available. Truly miraculous.

The General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is being broadcast this weekend (4/5 - 4/6/2008). I have only watched the first session as the second session is about to start. Already, it is inspiring, truthful, and a welcome reprieve from the world. Elder Wirthlin's talk was especially poignant. I encourage you to watch/listen at:

http://www.lds.org/broadcast/gc/0,5161,8046,00.html

You will be uplifted, encouraged, and blessed as you listen and share in the Spirit.

Much love to you all and thanks for reading the blog. Never forget your greatness and that you are a miraculous creation of your Heavenly Father and the Savior, Jesus Christ. They know and love you. They know your name. They know how you feel and watch over you. They want you to be happy. You are incredible! Now go out and MAKE your life what you want it to be!

With love,

Kim

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Personal responsibility - what's that?

And why would you want to take personal responsibility? I witnessed the most unbelievable segment on the Today Show afternoon show today (3/11/08). Hoda and Ann were trying to out wit Dr. Laura. It was quite remarkable and somewhat comical to watch (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23575221/). We live in a day and age when people do not want to take personal responsibility for their circumstances, choices, and resulting consequences. Read "As a Man Thinketh" by James Allen. It becomes clear that we each create our circumstances by our thoughts and resulting actions. Whether it be that our husband cheats, our health is suffering, or we are experiencing success beyond our wildest dreams. To quote James Allen:

"Mind is the Master power that moulds and makes,
And Man is Mind, and evermore he takes
The tool of Thought, and shaping what he
wills,
Brings forth a thousand joys, a thousand
ills:--
He thinks in secret, and it comes to pass:
Environment is but his looking-glass"

Accepting 100% responsibility for everything in our lives is liberating, empowering, and freeing. When I realized that I was responsible for EVERYTHING, I didn't feel guilty or shameful, I felt empowered! Try it.

Do you want something different in your life? Change your thinking, now.