So many things have happened since the last post on our blog. Tragedy and joy. Natural disasters and medical miracles. Country-moves and new homes. New schools and new jobs. Financial successes and second-jobs. Milestones and "where did the time go?". Goodbye beach and hello dirty lake (over time I've changed my attitude about Utah lakes, don't worry).
In 2020 Jan we moved from New Zealand to Utah, USA. Home is where the heart is and our manawa e noho ki Aotearoa ake ake ai. Fast forward to now and we live in Eagle Mountain. Like it's technically Saratoga Springs though but the street address still says EM even though signs on the road all say Saratoga Springs. I'm just salty that I can't go use the better library 😂.
Danielle is still love of my life forever and ever amen and amene hell to the yeah. She's working two jobs right now to support our family and I'm so grateful for her cause ain't no one got the time for that and Danielle carries 99% of the family burden and effort. Like she's coaching Talia's soccer team, is ward historian, tests children's ability to read, write and math on the daily, picks orders at at her second job (when she's not being told to do other jobs) and on top of all that puts a mince and cheese pie together for me so I can't possibly screw up dinner. Does that make me sound like I do next to nothing? I would say it sounds like I could do a lot more and I work on being someone worthy of her. I'm grateful for Danielle every day.
Hinalei is 16 colors her hair blue or pink depending the week. Has a JOB of her own and splurges on stuff for herself and friends which sometimes includes her siblings too so that's heartwarming. Keeps up Doesn't like school still but I think she's applying herself like 1% more than last time we'll see. Still doesn't wear her glasses though, bloody 🥚. Still love this kid.
Joseph is 14. Out with friends nearly every day. Had a very active summer like the rest of his siblings, swimming and enjoying outdoors at camps and what-not. Took up the trombone when he started middle school and still rocks out in band to this day. Puts on a lovely two-dimple smile when Danielle asks him stuff like "Got a girlfriend yet?" and hasn't started using one-word answers for everything like people caution about teenagers. Love this kid.
Rawiri is nearly 13. Still best friends with the Twins in Lehi. Has a new friend here in EM that he goes to school and church with. Loves his long curly hair that he brushes out into a 'fro. Still loves Minecraft, drawing, animation and writing his own comics. Our newest middle schooler and first kid going into Advanced classes. Love this kid.
Lennie is 10 and has come through some sore (like grievously painful) physical trauma this year that deserves (maybe a drafted and never published) its own post. Needless to say, she's another example of a resilient and strong will. Though March '25 would have made any ten year old child fear bikes and roads forevermore, Lennie rides her bike to school alongside her little sister every weekday. She still enjoys ballroom, making art, singing, swimming and being on phone calls with her friends all day long. Love this kid.
Talia is 8. Yep our youngest kid is 8 blimmin' years old, oh how the time is just disappearing faster than a raindrop in Utah summer. She's made friends with virtually every 8 year old within a mile of her. Our door is frequently teeming with children wanting to have playdates and otherwise holoholo i fafo. She's in a Advanced Learning Level class this year as a third grader. She loves making tonkatsu or having me make it for her with a diagram drawn up for me so I can't over-spicy it on accident ever again. Love this kid.
As for me, I still enjoy working at the VA. I've made good friends there that actually want to do stuff outside of work which is good for me cause though I would rather be with my best friend all the time, it is healthy to do things with friends. I struggle with finding more income especially cause I agree with Talia, I should be the one working a second job. Anyways, that's a short and very un-detailed update about us. Aloha 'oe until next time.
