HAPPY 2014!!!!!!

WOW!!! I am officially fired at this blogging stuff LOL. It has been about 6 months since my last post and so much has happened. 

First of all David finished Summer Semester with a 3.8 GPA and Fall Semester with a 3.7 GPA. I am so proud of him. He has come so far in the past year and a half. In November he had the opportunity to travel to New Zealand with one of his professors to present a paper that he and some of his fellow students ha written at the Australian New Zealnd Law and History Conference. Their paper was “Law & Justice in Indigenous Conflict Resolution Methods in the Pacific: A comparative analysis of Conflict Resolution Methods in Hawaii, Samoa and Aotearoa”. He was able to spend a whole week in New Zealand attending this conference and checking out the University of Otago. Yes that's right folks... We are going to grad school, or at least he is and I'm going along for the ride. LOL.. But he thoroughly enjoyed himself. Here's some pictures of his trip. 

Michael Ligaliga's (David's Professor) family made the ultimate breakfast for them for their arrival to New Zealand. 

In front of the Richardson Law building where they presented their paper. 

David walking up the steepest street in the world. (Okay so he walked the last bit and got a ride up the rest of the way LOL)

David at the top of the steepest street in the world. 

David and his classmates with the 2 women that run the Pacific Islander office at University of Otago. 

Possibility that we might go here this year. 

When they arrived in New Zealand

Other than that, life has been mostly about school and work for David. And it all paid off in December when David graduated from the International Peace Building Program here. He was honored with a certificate and a green stone(jade) necklace carved especially for the peace building students. The funny thing was that true to his style, David didn't even know he was getting honored that night, so that's why he is in basketball shorts and a t-shirt. The same thing happened when he recieved his mediation certificate. At least I found out early enough to be there this time. LOL

David with 2 of his professors and 3 fellow classmates that graduated from the International Peace Building Program.

Michael Ligaliga gave the intoduction for David.

Now I know it seems like David's been having all the fun, but I got my fair share as well. Since David went to New Zealand during the week of Thanksgiving, my family took pity on me and flew me home for the week. It was so nice to go home, even though I was freezing. LOL. The kids have grown up so much and I didn't realize how much I missed them. It was nice to be home and enjoy time with no stress and no work. It was a much needed vacation. I even got to see my brother Cole's new house. We are truly blessed and I am constantly reminded of that everytime I look at the wonderful family that I have. On mu flight home I had a hour layover in Seattle. I stayed in the airport, but I was still freezing. LOL. I had a beautiful welcome home banner when I got home, and enjoyed learning how to make pies from my mom for Thanksgiving. It was good practice for Christmas. I even got to help decorate the house for Christmas, which was nice, because we didn't get a chance to go home this year. Here are some pictures from my trip. 

Ready to go home

Layover in Seattle

Thanksgiving in 760 with the kids

Decorating for Christmas!!

After our adventures we came home for Christmas. We were blessed to be able to skype with David's family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day since it was Christmas and the day after Christmas for them. David's youngest brother Ether left for his mission on December 26th, so we were able to Skype with him as he was at the airport, and we were able to watch him as he went on his flight to the Ghana MTC. We are so proud of him. 

Chritsmas day was filled with food, food, and more food. We were able to have Christmas dinner with the Fijian families here in TVA and some of the Hale kids. There was so much food, but better than that there was great company. There are currently about 8 Fijian Families here in TVA. It's like we have our own little island here. We were all able to get together for Christmas and New Years. It's always nice to feel like you have your own family here in the middle of the ocean so far away from home. 

We have certainly been blessed in this past year. We have great friends, a roof over our heads, wonderful supportive families, jobs, and the opportunity to recieve a higher education. We look forward to 2014 and all it holds for us; David's graduation in April, grad school, new adventures. Thank you to all those who make our lives so wonderful and full of love. You are all in our hearts and in our prayers. 

Tamatoa Meatoga Moreno

This was the eulogy from my nephew's funeral:

Tamatoa Meatoga Moreno

Dear Tama,

Long before we came to the earth we knew you. We waited patiently for you to come. When we heard you mom was pregnant we were over the moon. Your first couple months in your mom’s tummy we knew you belonged with our family. You craved good food. You had your mom eating everything from fa’i to salsa to sushi, and then some. You were my kind of kid.

After those first few months, things started to change, and then we really knew you were your mother’s child. She was glad that you liked waffles. But you also had that Moreno blood that craved chorizo with eggs. I don’t think your mom was too opposed to that wither. I remember when we told your brothers about you. Sorry to burst your bubble, but they were really hoping you’d be a girl. Either way, you were coming to a world full of love waiting for you.

The last couple of months in your mommy’s tummy you were very active. So much that your mom had to wake up and sleep with a bowl of sugar cereal. You loved to hear your daddy and brothers. When you had been in your mommy’s tummy for about 33 weeks, we got our first picture of you. You were beautiful and you could feel the excitement building up awaiting your arrival. Your mom and dad called me all the way in Hawaii to help figure out a name for you. They said they wanted something strong, and something that would describe the fighter that you are. That’s when we found the name Tamatoa. It meant boy warrior.

On June 25, 2013, your mom went in for an emergency ultrasound, and the doctors decided you were ready to come out. At 4:47 pm pacific standard time you were born. At that exact moment your fight began. You were taken to the NICU and your daddy watched over you. He would not leave your side. You were so valiant and brave that you only needed to suffer for a short while on this earth. At 7:58 pm you were called home to our Heavenly Father. I guess He needed you more there than we did.

Tama, you fought the good fight, and won. Our hearts still yearn for the company of your spirit, but we know the work you are doing now is far more important. We love you Tama, and we pray that you watch over and guide us so that one-day we will all be reunited. We love you Tama

Lovin Laie

Lately David and I have been working on balancing our lives more between work, school, and family. So this past weekend we had an impromptu family (David&I) weekend. We went to Laie Days Summer Jam and the movies Friday night. It's always nice to live in a community that gets together often. We enjoyed the free food, free music, and great company. It was packed as you can see. Well kinda. Then Saturday we went to town to do more for David's physical, went shopping at Costco and Walmart, cleaned the house, then went to the beach. It was a long but beautiful day. Sometimes when you live in paradise you forget how beautiful it is. Later Saturday night we were able to Skype with David's family and see my namesake, and the new princess of the Ravia family. Hopefully by the end of this year we'll be able to go see them in person.
I am so grateful for this life that I have. Even if it gets stressful sometimes. I wouldn't trade anything in the world to be where I am today. We are truly blessed by our Father in heaven.

Below are pictures of Laie Days, beach time, and the fun things you find at BYUH

Home

So it's been about 2 weeks since I had my mini vacation to California and I think I need another one. It was so nice to go to the pool and the beach on a daily basis. And I literally haven't seen the beach since. Sad story. Anyways. When I was home I was able to spend time with my family, in particular my sister Felila and her family due to the departure of their baby boy back to Heavenly Father. I am so thankful for a family that always pulls together in times of need. I was especially grateful to my brother Tyson and his family who flew me home last minute. Since I got married I have a hard time going on planes by myself because my personal pillow and heater doesn't cone with me. Unfortunately the only seats available on the flights was in first class. So I suffered through a 3 course meal on both flights. Now I've been corrupted. If I ever have to fly by myself again it really needs to be first class. So let's get this boy through school so I can fly first class whenever I want! Lol. Here are the menus from my flight. I had other pictures but they got deleted from my phone.

BYUH Confessions

Okay so on Facebook there's a page called BYUH confessions. Basically what it is, is people can send in their "confession" and it will get posted with out anyone knowing who they are. So last night someone "confessed" and David and I spent a good 20 minutes cracking up and thinking of responses. Below is the confession and our responses to it. Always good to have a good laugh before bed lol.

Air Conditioning

Since becoming a TVA coordinator my wonderful boss has been trying to standardize things, and since the hale coordinators got AC she got me one too. Can I just say that we've become slightly antisocial with the world. Lol we are enjoying the coolness especially in this humid Hawaii heat. So glad I don't pay the electric bill now. :)

BABY RAVIA

Finally pictures of the newest princess of the Ravia family. I feel sorry for the guy who tries to date this girl.