End of Dec 2023

Wow, so I've completely dropped off with blogging on all platforms (paper journal, IG, FB, family blog). *inhale 2, 3, 4....and exhale 2, 3, 4*

Welp.... it's 2024 now and I'm recommitting lol. So here we go. 

We ended 2023 with...so much lol Not sure how to start so let's just dive in. 

Dec 15th - Gallbladder Removal

I was getting ready to go to Activity Days with the family and my back/stomach started hurting so bad. It was a different type of pain and it kept increasing. We got to the chapel and I asked Aljay to massage my back. The pain went away but returned immediately after the activity and right when we got home. 

I took some ibuprofen and tried to go to bed. As much as I tried to position and reposition myself, I was in so much pain. We decided to go to the ER around 11pm. They scanned my top right side and found gallstones and an inflamed gallbladder. They kept me overnight and then got me in for surgery around 11am the next day. Luckily, I was able to go home by 6pm. 

The pain felt like week 3 or 4 after a C section. Still tender, a bit sore, and feeling very tired. I didn't fill my prescription for pain meds because I wanted to get an honest feel for where my body was on the healing. 

I'm so glad it was removed though. I didn't realize that the gallstones were causing the horrible back pain I had been enduring for a while! It's a relief to have it out, but now I'm even more aware and cautious of what I eat and how I care for my liver. 

Dec 22nd - Parents Arrive & Afele Christmas Gathering 

My Mom and Dad arrived in the afternoon. I hadn't told any of my family members due to just trying to prep the house for their arrival while recovering from my surgery (oh and fatigue!). 

The surprised and happy reactions from everyone was totally worth it. I wish I got it on camera but it was so beautiful seeing my Mom and Dad getting hugged and kissed from everyone. Aunty Fu'a had the biggest smile! She hadn't smiled that much in a long time. Uati of course was teary eyed. Not only was it the first time they had seen my parents in almost 6 years, but it was the first time we all had seen them in their current physical state. 

As usual, we ate too much, played lots of games, and laughed even more. It's always a good time when we're together. 

Dec 24th & 25th - Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

On Christmas Eve we decorated cookies (Aunty Peyton makes the best!), wore our matching pajamas (Aunty Britt always comes through), and ate Greek food (gyros)! So yummy!

The following day we gathered again in the afternoon, opened presents, did our favorite's thing gift exchange, ate Vietnamese food, then went to the movies to watch Aquaman!

Dec 26th - Dad's Birthday & Driving to Vegas

The next day we packed the cars and made our way to Vegas for Dad's side of the family reunion. Tui drove his car with Mom and Dad. We took the SUV and all the kids of course. 

Camilla's family and Candace's family all arrived in Vegas on the 26th. We planned to have dinner together at a buffet to celebrate Dad's 73rd Birthday. It was an awesome start to our trip. 

I'll make a separate post for the reunion :)

Dec 31st - Salani's Birthday & an Unexpected New Year's Eve

We drove back to Utah on Dec 31st (Salani's birthday), leaving Vegas around 4pm. We were planning to get back in Utah just before 10pm, with enough time to pop fireworks with Teki. 

And then the miracle adventure happened lol 

Storytime!

We were about 10 minutes away from St.George, driving through the gorge over the Virgin river within the Arizona border. This area has many bends and turns and several dead spot (meaning little to no cell service). 

At one point, the car started curving outside of Aljay's control. He immediately knew something was wrong. We kept going until the tire almost fell off and hit the back fender. The loud thump woke up the kids and prompted a quick pull over to the side of the road. 

Aljay was able to safely drive us off the road and onto the side. After putting the transmission in park and turning on the safety hazard lights, he immediately stepped outside to inspect the tire. To his surprise, our tire was still barely hanging on to the studs with two lugnuts still attached. 

First set of miracles:

1. Our tire was still attached to the car. That thing should've been rolling down the road. 
2. We were able to pull off to the side of the road. We just so happened to be by the one area in that gorge that had room off of the road to pull over to. 
3. Our tire was not flat and still usable. It's like an angel gently pushed our car to side.
4. We were all ok. 
5. Aljay and I were calm, not panicked. We could think clearly. From the minute we pulled over, we felt a comforting peace in our hearts, knowing that everything would be ok. This feeling lasted throughout the whole ordeal. 

While Aljay was assessing the damage, I was in the fronst seat trying to get a hold of our car insurance. It was after hours on New Year's Eve so getting through to an agent wasn't happening. Aljay and I decided to get a tow to the nearest hotel in St. George (which was about 10 minutes away). 

With a simple google search, Aljay found a few tow companies and was able to get a tow truck on the first call! He was also able to book a hotel nearby. The tow truck arrived within 30-40 minutes, fit us all in the cab of the truck, and got us to our hotel. 

Second set of miracles:

1. We had 1 bar of cell service. Had we broken down sooner or later down the road, we would have had zero cell service and only room to pull to the side of the road, but not completely off the road. 
2. We were able to get a hold of a tow company on the first attempt. 
3. The room we booked was $89 and it was pretty nice considering the price!
4. The car insurance would only reimburse us for the towing services up to 15 miles. The hotel was 12 miles away.
5. Aunty Brittany and Aunty Penny jumping into Emergency mode, sending us money, checking hotels nearby so we're not at a ghetto motel lol all the things! Their prayers and presence brings so much comfort. 

Well, we got settled into the hotel room. We had two queen sized beds in the room and a queen sized air mattress that we had picked up in Vegas. We also had some blankets with us from the road trip. We were all tired and hungry. Uber Eats and McDonalds came through like a champ! And that driver got a well-deserved tip from us!

The next morning, Aljay woke up and very slowly drove the car to O'reilly's auto shop which was only a few miles away. This shop only sells car tools/parts. Aljay bought all the tools and parts he needed and got to work in the parking lot. The workers were so impressed with Aljay they even came outside to watch him. It turned into a little workshop moment as they asked him questions and watched him work. They happily allowed him to return the tools and refunded us the cost of the tools. 

By noon, he was covered in car grease and grime, but the job was complete. He joined us at Culvers (burger restaurant) which was conveniently right next to our hotel. I had walked with the kids over to Culver's and had finished paying for the meal when Aljay walked in and triumphantly proclaimed "I DID IT! IT'S DONE!". I almost cried tears of joy/relief/gratitude/all the things.

After a quick clothing change in the Culver's bathroom, Aljay sat down with all of us to enjoy lunch. We headed back to the hotel and decided to take advantage of the pool before leaving. The kids and Aljay enjoyed a quick 20-minute dip then showered, changed, and got back into the car.

We made one last pit stop at the gas station before heading back on the road. After 3 hours, we were finally home!!! It was so lovely to come home to dinner (Thanks Mom, Dad, and Tui), a birthday cake and birthday decorations for Salani (Aunty Brittany always coming through), and our welcome committee (Uncle Lahvjal lol). 

Final set of miracles:

1. We all had a comfortable sleep. So glad we had bought an air mattress in Vegas. 
2. Aljay being our Youtube mechanic and being able to fix our car. What easily could've been a $1500 job, cost us only $80.
3. The convenience of Culver's being next to our hotel. 
4. Getting home safely. 

The whole experience is definitely one that we will never forget and especially one our kids will never forget. Aljay and I couldn't help but feel so blessed, knowing the miraculous nature of the whole thing. There were no coincidences. This was God watching over us. Thank you God!