UTAH- Settling In

So now that we've made it to Utah it was time to settle in. And we didn't waste any time with it.

One of the first things we did when we got here was get our car registered and change our license plates. It was a sad day. After Aljay changed the plates we both looked at each other and said "WE'RE UTARHNS NOW!" (Yes Utarhns...not Utards cuz we're not tarded lol......yet hahah)

For some reason, changing the license plates felt like the final step out of the twilight zone and into the reality that we don't live in Hawaii anymore and that all this traveling is not a vacation but an actual move.

That's when the homesickness started kicking in...for all of us.

(This is the "emotions" and "feelings" part so feel free to skip the blues)

I really started missing my family and friends, especially the convenience of having them just down the road from us. I was so sad having to explain to Leila and Iosefa that we cannot go and visit her cousins and friends. And it always made me sad when Leila would ask "When are we going home?" or Sefa would beg us to leave and "go home."

I missed our ward. LOVE Hauula 5th Samoan Ward. Best ward disss errrff!

I missed the weather, ocean breezes, humidity (believe it or not).

I missed the people in general! People in Utah don't often say Hi. And no one calls you Bradda or Sista or Auntie or Unko or sole or suga or Tita or Mary lol...

So yes it has been another adjustment. and YES it will take some getting used to.. But we've been transplanted before (Thank you Parentals) and I know we'll adjust and learn to love it. 'Come what may and love it' right?

Okay tissue. wipe. nuff of the boo whoos.

So what do I do to kick the home sickness? Well...I'm a "checklist" type of person so of course I start my pros and cons t-chart. Despite the outcome, the process always helps to keep my mind focused on the positives.

Pros	Cons
- Everything is cheaper. Housing, food, clothes, gas, eating out, etc. - We can actually afford to survive on one income - Coupons actually work - Everything is Family centered - Better access to stores, supplies, etc. - D.I. (loovvvee) - We still have family around.	- You have to use up gas to get to everything and everyone - Wages are lower, so it feels like we got a major pay cut - People aren’t as friendly - Dry heat. Thinner air. Lotion and lip balm so'o. - I’m always being mistaken for being Hispanic (except Aljay…everyone can tell he’s Samoan. Go figure.)

Honestly, Aljay and I are pretty resilient. We are both optimist (well maybe He is a bit more than Me, but I'll just be positive and give myself some credit lol). But there has been no better cure than our family!

#1 Remedy for Homesickness = FAMILY

Uati and Omi have been the biggest helps evverrrr!!! They have opened up their home to us (which is a tremendous blessing for our family), welcomed us into their ward, fed us, clothed us, and given us love and guidance. We are soooooo grateful for them! On top of that, our kids have their cousins, Aulia and Iutana, to play with and Aunty Norma who spoils them with her mean cooking.

One of the first places we went to eat at was good ol Golden Corral :)

Iutana and Aulia

We also got to spend some time with the Tafiti side of the family including a few familiar faces from Hawaii and Idaho.

(had to steal some of these pics from Jaime...thanks Jaime!)

At Uncle Mia's place-

I wanted to jump on Jaime when I first saw her! We had just said good bye to her in Hawaii and seeing her was like a part of home was with us. And then Rachel and Mike and Angelosi walk in and it felt almost complete. Just missing everyone else in Laie.

At Rissa's house for toonai after a full day at Seven Peaks water park (Thanks Omi for the passes!) -

4th of July in Provo-

It was so much fun meeting family, getting to know everyone, and letting the kids play with their cousins.

Unlike Hawaii, fireworks are legal and can be bought everywhere. Walmart, grocery stores, parking lots, side of the road....We got a few small ones for Leila and Sefa to play with.....then later Aljay's inner child wanted some aerials so we got some on the side of the road and lit em up.

You can't really tell from the pic but it was hailing!

The next day we had to run outside and put the cinder blocks on the trampoline to prevent it from flying away (the wind gets kinda rough sometimes). While we were placing the blocks on the trampoline it started to rain.....the rain was faahhreeeezziing! Next thing you know the drops started feeling like little pebbles...IT WAS HAILING! WHAT THE HAIL! That was a first for me... I was quite excited about it.

Through all the family fun and festivities we still had to be adults and think about adult things like jobs, finding a place to live, figuring out how we're going to feed our children, et setta raa, et setta raa, et setta rahhhh. Couldn't help but put this guy's pic up...I always pronounce "etc" the same way he does...but in my mind...cuz people don't always get it when I say it out loud. #uselessinformation

Anyways....moving along!

We had been job hunting and Aljay got a job that he really likes. He works for a Tire company that fixes and replaces tires of all sizes. So he gets to work on semi trucks and other "stuff" (ask him, cuz I don't speak car too well) Despite all the openings for graphic designers and stuff like that, he chose this one because didn't want to be behind a desk. He enjoys the manual labor and I'm just happy he's happy. It's good pay, good hours, and goodness gracious its a few minutes from BYU campus. We feel blessed. Couldn't get any gooder. It's tire-riffic! #dry#likethisweather #daddyjoke#olefiahashtagasimea

As for me...we've decided that at least for right now I can be at home with the kids :) Being a stay at home mom is taking some adjusting (not that I've been one for a long time), but I do love being with the kids. I think they feel the same way...hmm...well at least I hope they do. lol At least now I can focus on getting our home in order(when we do get one of our own lol) , our finances organized (when we do get money to actually finance), and becoming an EXTREME COUPONER!!! Well maybe not "extreme" but definitely a couponer.

In the mean time, while we figure out everything, we'll enjoy the time that we do have together.