Five temples in Arizona?!

Wow, this was news to me. Did they announce these at General Conference? Maybe it was that trip to Park City on Conference weekend that made me miss the announcement. Oops.

Temple announced for Phoenix, Arizona

Watch out, East Elementary…

…HERE COMES MAKAI!
Yesterday Makai graduated from pre-school. This is a new concept to me, but I went along for the ride (doesn't the above photo seem a bit over the top? Or is it just me?). He's all ready to go to kindergarten...too bad he has to wait a few months. His teacher, Miss Diann, wrote a note to him that said: "Dear Makai, The thing that I will most remember about you is your kindness, and that everyone wanted to be your friend. You will do great in kindergarten. Love, Miss Diann."

The graduate taking his seat and looking around for Mom.

The whole event was a safari theme. Here is Makai receiving his packet containing his diploma, cap-n-gown picture, and school-ready practice worksheets.Some love for the cheering little sister.

What's going on in my world

• Went to Marcela's 2nd birthday party. Good food and great company (and a piñata to boot!).
• Spent some time with the Piacitellis. Ditto the food and company—the kids loved playing on the water slide and Aki loved the Wii (he now wants one for Father's Day...too bad I already bought him a new scripture holder. hehehe) I actually have something, but he reads this thing, so I cannot divulge, but sadly, it is not a Wii.

These are not my kids...I just stole the picture off Brynn's blog to represent our time at their place.

• Had FHE with the Funaki crowd in Utah county. Aki got Tongan food, the real stuff, and was so happy. It was good to see everyone again.

• Went to book club even though I didn't read the book. Thanks for the encouragement, Jenn.

• Debating whether or not our family should try out as extras in Brad Pitt's new movie. (Thanks for the heads up, Katie!) The first time I read this, I thought it said "modern" looks, but now that I read it again, it says "non-modern" looks...I guess they came to the right place! Tooele is about as non-modern as you can get.
•I'm leaving tomorrow to go see my friend, Stormy, for a few days!

My TV (DVR) habit

I never watch regular TV anymore—can't stand the ads. I DVR my shows, then watch them in half the time. But Aki and I have decided to give up the TV—for the summer, anyway—until BYU football starts in the fall (he has his priorities, you know).

Anyway, just wanted to share two little gems from watching TV this week:

The American Idol finale wasn't anything great (although David Cook won—woo hoo!) but I loved the below portion. i had a good laugh. And I'll always love RDJ, much to Aki's chagrin.

That leads us to the premiere of SYTYCD...just check out the guy below. Crazy stuff. (The video goes on for a while...but just watch a little of it to get a taste.)

And any House watchers out there? The season finale was so good...it moved me (really).

Mothers Day Recap

8:00 am - get myself and kids bathed, clothes ready
9:00 am - eat big breakfast made by Aki
10:00 am - read the Ensign, do hair and makeup
11:00 am - head to church, listen to Mothers Day program
11:30 am - Makai and Ame stand up in front to sing with other children, but can only wave. No words sung.
12:00 pm - receive Mothers Day plant—pink geranium—from youth
12:15 pm - listen to Aki's Sunday School lesson, during which he pays nice tribute to his mom and grandma and wife
1:00 pm - head to Young Women
2:00 pm - to home I go; am presented with the gifts shown above—does my purse now look awesome or what?!—and sweet handmade cards
2:00 - 5:00 pm - I have no memory of this portion of the day (could it have been sleep induced?)
5:00 pm - down a delicious dinner made by Aki
6:00 pm - walk around neighborhood and to park; meet random strangers with whom we play a game of croquet (I won!) while the kiddos play on the equipment
7:30 pm - run into Justin & Brynn while walking home; we chat while kids play for a bit
8:00 pm - eat huge banana split for dessert (it's Mothers Day, remember?) while we watch DVRed Survivor finale. Don't like the results.
10:30 - hit the hay with my hubby

Hope all you other mothers had a wonderful day to rest and enjoy.

That Wonderful Mother of Mine

Here are my mother's hands making the crust of an apple pie this past Thanksgiving. Those hands are tired and worn, but they remain strong and capable. They represent what it is to be a mother, though I dare not even begin to list all they've accomplished.

Mom, THANK YOU.

Thank you for (among a million other things):

• teaching me to write thank-you notes
• not having sugar cereal in the pantry
• fulfilling your church callings
• summers that were anything but idle
• your example of self-discipline
• your expectation of responsibility
• the many reminders of correct English usage
• the thousands of delicious homemade rolls
• an interest in this big wide world
• my brothers and sisters
• a house full of bookshelves and books
• a love of the Latino culture
• keeping family traditions
• the job charts and Saturday chores
• helping me learn to sing alto
  
• not always taking my side
• the love of learning
• trusting me
• your innumerable sacrifices
• always being there for me
  

P.S. Thanks for letting me take drinks from your Diet Coke and take gum (light blue Extra!) from your purse. I now feel your pain.

I LOVE YOU. Mucho. I can never give back to you all you've given to and done for me.

In Primary today, my kids each made me a beaded keychain for a Mother's Day gift. I immediately thought of the poem "The Lanyard" by poet laureate Billy Collins. Click here to listen to him read the poem. I think you'll enjoy the words.

Love,
Lindy

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** *

Two things I want to remember about today:

--As Aki headed to the kitchen to make breakfast, he asked for Ame's help. Confused why they needed to make breakfast for Mom, Aki explained that it was Mother's Day: "Because Mom gets breakfast for you all the other days, today you can say thank you by making it for her." "Oh, okay," she replied. With a big smile, she asked, "Mama? What kind of cereal do you want?" (I really should have gotten only cold cereal today! I turn on the stove for breakfast maybe once a week. But Aki made pancakes with eggs and bacon and fruit. It was all delicious.)

--When it was our turn to take the sacrament today in church, Makai grabbed 2 of the little cups, one in each hand and turning to offer one to me, whispered, "Happy Mother's Day."