MATUA MANIA

Pranks, Procrastination and Piety

2011-01-31T15:55:00.003-07:00

Some people NEVER grow up! Toilet-papering (or any other form of vandalism) your neighbors house, door-bell-ditching or the flaming bag of poop. Take your pick. It was funny, then annoying and now its just downright juvenile which means I'm old. I'll cut teenagers some slack because I was once a teenager and I got a lot of kicks out of the tricks and I don't want to rob my sons of making memories that don't include an overnight stay with law enforcement. But someone has been playing a REALLY bad joke on us.

Chase and Jen kept getting random private calls on their cell phones. The person on the other end, never spoke or responded to their repeated "hello's" or requests to stop the behavior. That is, until Jen finally threatened to bring in the police. Then as sudden as it started, the calls stopped completely. We're still tracking the calls so if you're reading this blog and you think you're ready to spend some extended time with law enforcement, please give it another shot so we can send you there faster!

How do you get your son to move a little faster? I mean, has anyone else had to BEG your kid to get a drivers license so that they can drive the car you bought them? The one that's been sitting outside gathering dust, bird poop and rust? Seems strange to me because when I was a 16-year-old, all I ever wanted was to get behind the wheel of a car. Until he can finally get that drivers test done (he's got until the end of today), the car will stay parked on the curb and he will continue to walk to school. I'm still not sure if that's enough motivation.

Our work with the young men in the Lehi 41st Ward is progressing towards several rank advancements including Mica's to Life Scout. We're very proud of the Scouts we've been working with. They have made a lot of sacrifices and they have been working hard. Jen and I are so excited for our Blue & Gold Banquet (Jen's in charge) and our first Court of Honor since moving to the Ward. We'll have pictures and more from both events.

We've been trying to get our boys up to speed on the new Duty to God program and that's been a struggle. Does anyone else feel like there's never enough time in the day to get things done? Between school, work, church and all of the sports we participate it, its hard to feel like we've accomplished anything during the week. Oh well, on to February. We're gonna give it our best shot.

New and Newsworthy to Us

2011-01-21T15:55:00.000-07:00

One of my (Seti) many New Year's resolutions in 2011 has been to make sure that I do everything in my limited power as a living, breathing, working, husband and father, is to make the people in my life happy. If you're a spouse and a parent you know firsthand that making your household happy is much harder than trying to lose weight, chase chickens or herd cats.

So far I think I'm making good on my promise and part of that resolution is to update this blog regularly. I started a new job (which is actually an old job that I'm going back to after five years). Yeah for new beginnings, boo for long commutes. Thanks to my friend Rob, I'm back at Ingenix as a Business Analyst. If you have a few hours and want to know what exactly it is that I do every day, let me know and we'll sit down over a cup of cocoa and try to figure it out together.

It was sad to leave my friends at Ancestry.com. They were VERY good to me and I've made some great friends there. I hope to stay in touch with them (they probably don't feel the same way).

Jen is still working as a Manager at Greenwood Assisted Living, moonlights as a Scout guru, football (fanatic) mom, rugby mom, mom to the world and the love of my life. She still moves through life at an incredible pace. She is amazing. I'd bottle up that kind of energy but its nuclear and harmful for a normal person's health.

Kingston got a haircut. No more Polamalu-like hair on the football field. His friends and family members are still trying to figure out who the 'new kid' is when we go places as a family. Its so nice to see his face again. He donated all of his hair to Locks of Love, a cause that is close to my heart after watching my mother lose her beautiful hair to cancer. The hair actually goes to children, but its still a great and worthy cause.

All of the boys, Kingston, Chase, Mica, Kenyon and Quinn are currently playing basketball but can't wait until they can get back on the rugby pitch. Practices start up next month. Aside from that, we're enjoying school and our time in our new ward. We're now attending the Lehi 41st (Tongan) Ward with Abby and Sam Havea and their kids. Its been a blessing for us to serve in multiple callings there and we're making a lot of wonderful new friends while strengthening old bonds.

Here's are some recent photos of our family (thanks Alisha!) from earlier this month. God bless you all and we hope you're having a very wonderful 2011 so far.

Another Matua Christmas

2010-12-26T20:26:00.003-07:00

There will NEVER be a substitute for the time we spend together as family. Over the years we have watched our sons grow older physically and spiritually with their cousins on both sides of the family and each Christmas season the focus has become less and less about the gifts we give and receive and more about the true meaning of the season, the birth and life of our Savior Jesus Christ.

This year as has been the case since I was a child myself, my family gathered to celebrate Christmas Eve by enjoying good food, reminisce about the past and contemplate the future. We were sad that Eddie, Darius and Theresa and their respective families could not join us this time, but we thought of them often throughout the night.

On Christmas day, Jen's family joined us for brunch. It was a relatively quiet day and it was evident even with the Kolowich's that everyone is growing older and soon, the numbers in our family gatherings will soon decrease as our children move on to college and missions. So, we cherish these next few years together as major changes loom on the horizon.

We are so grateful for our families. We love them dearly. As we prepare for yet another new year, we pray that it brings us opportunities to serve others, develop and nurture current and new relationships and do what we can to encourage success in our individual and family goals.

We hope that there are fewer heartaches as we remember the death of our beloved uncle Kepi, less accidents as Seti continues to recover from his broken leg and that we can do everything we possibly can to bring happiness and warmth to others and members of our extended family.

Happy New Year from the Matua's!

VISITORS, HIKING, CAMPING and a RODEO IN JUNE

2009-07-10T20:13:00.006-06:00

We had so much fun during the month of June that we hardly had two minutes to sit down and chronicle all the fun. We had a wonderful visit from Carrie (Brennan) Whilhite and her kids. They were traveling from Southern California to a wedding in Boise and decided to stop in a for a few days before and after their trip to spend some time with us.

We took them on a tour of the Oquirrh Temple, a visit to the Kennecot Copper mines and a hike up to the Timpanogos caves; all in one day! By the end of that day we were all beat. Grandpa John, Ricky and the Holindrakes joined us in all the fun.

Our first official visit to the Lehi Round Up. I never thought I'd be visiting a rodeo in this lifetime but I can guarantee you that it won't be my last after my first trip. The boys have been before but I think Jen and I are hooked on calf roping, barrel riding, bull riding and rodeo queens....okay, maybe I'm the only one hooked on rodeo queens.

Aside from the hike up Timpanogos, Kingston and I hiked and camped up Alpine canyon in an area known as Hamangogs. We've been going full speed in scouting since Kingston was twelve but now that Jen is part of the Scout Committee, our involvement in scouting is something bordering on fanaticism. Chase, Mica and Kenyon are all very involved in their respective activities, meetings and camps. Kingston is working on approval for his Eagle Scout project.

July is already turning out to be a busy month for all of us. I've started a new job at a company in Provo called Ancestry.com and Jen has completely embraced her role as a Manager at an assisted living company here in Lehi. The boys have all started football and are looking forward to the new season. Next week, some friends and I will host our very first entertainment event. Island Groove will feature a comedy act and two musical acts at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City. It should be lots of fun...after all the headaches it had better be!

Looking forward to more updates from our friends and family. Have an incredible July and God bless you all!

What Happens in Pocatello...Something Happened in Pocatello?

2009-06-03T14:22:00.008-06:00

The graduation season is underway and already we've had our fill of pomp and circumstance! Last weekend we traveled to the mysterious, exotic locale of Pocatello, Idaho to witness and congratulate our niece (also known as our Starter Daughter) Emma Filiaga, who graduated from Highland High School.

Emma is the second of many who will graduate from the Matua clan, following in the footsteps of her sister Amanda who graduated last year and is now attending the College of Southern Idaho on a volleyball scholarship. Emma has accepted a scholarship of her own from Dodge City Community College and will enroll in the Fall.

We had an absolute wonderful time while in Pocatello with family and friends. At a luau in Emma's honor (along with two fellow graduates Hailey Hanohano and Cassie Valai), Kingston, Chase, Mica and Kenyon all joined their cousins in a special dance to show their respect and love for Emma.

We're so grateful for examples like Amanda, Emma and all the young people in our lives who have committed themselves to their education, family, friends and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

A side note: This is the second year in a row that Seti has celebrated his birthday in Idaho (haha!) What does it feel like to be 40? According to the "Great and Wise One" (that would be Seti), "I've waited my whole life to feel this sexy!" Only time will tell how much longer the body and the mind remain intact but the soul is truly ecstatic for the next 40 years!

Heath Wedding
We pulled off the Heath wedding in our backyard and by all accounts it was a huge success. Karen and her helpers did a wonderful job to get everything done in time and the result was a gorgeous backyard that we will enjoy for the rest of the year. Congratulations again to the newlyweds.

Abarca's
Jose, Kassie and their two little ones are now settled into a new rhythm here in Lehi. Jose is working in Salt Lake and it appears that he is enjoying his new learning environment while Kassie and the little ones get reacquainted with siblings and cousins. We have enjoyed having them around and look forward to a Summer filled with fun.

Japan
Ah the life of a stand-by passenger is never aligned with the universe! Our last post indicated that we would be off to visit the Holy Land. Unfortunately for us, hundreds of other people wanted to be there the same time the Pope visited...Go figure! So it was a quick change of plans and suddenly we were in the land of the Rising Sun. What a total surprise and a memorable adventure. We have a new found respect and admiration for Japan, its people and culture. We totally missed out on Israel, but we really enjoyed our stay in Tokyo!

Back On Track

2009-04-29T13:33:00.005-06:00

Yes, its been a long time but we have recommitted to getting our blog back in shape. We've reached several milestones in the Matua household, one of which is NOT employment for Seti. Despite what our new President insists is an end to the recession, the unemployment rate continues to climb and the job market becomes more and more competitive. Thank goodness for small miracles. Seti has been picking up contract work to help with mounting expenses and the entire family has made sacrifices to ensure that we survive the economic hardships. We are so grateful for your prayers and for the support from our family and friends. We are given these trials as a test of our faith and we're doing our best to pass the test.

On a much lighter note, Kenyon celebrated his ninth birthday a week ago. He continues to be a wonderful student and has made so many friends here in Lehi. He's looking forward to starting another season of football and has become known in the area for his bright smile.

Mica recently turned 11-years-old and was awarded his Arrow of Light in our last Pack Meeting and is now a Scout working on his first advancement to Tenderfoot. Mica is finally breaking out of his shell (can you believe it?) and his inquisitive mind and athletic abilities make him a neighborhood favorite amongst children and adults.

Chase has really flourished in school this year. He has made a number of great new friends who share his passion for music, art and sports. He says he's going to give football another shot this season. Chase is becoming a VERY good cook and often prepares wonderful meals for our family.

There are so many things that Kingston wants to accomplish this Summer but he's most excited about making money. He wants to referee flag football but for the time being is happy to mow lawns in the area. In our Scout Court of Honor this past Sunday, Kingston was awarded his Life rank and is now working on finishing final requirements to become an Eagle Scout.

Finally, Quinn still rules the roost. He is a great helper but an even better comedian. Quinn has a way of boosting our spirits, even when he's not trying. Its always nice to have a bit of comic relief to get us through the day and Quinn has been a vital part of ensuring that there are always light hearts and warm spirits in our home.

As a family, we earned the Heart of Scouting pin, a religious award that is given to Scouts and families who fulfill the requirements outlined by the BSA. We're so happy that we accomplished a goal that we set as individuals and as a family.

Finally, we are so proud of Jen who has taken a voluntary lay-off from the airlines to pursue an opportunity closer to home. She is the new Customer Care Manager for an assisted living center here in Lehi and we're so grateful that she can use her unique talents and abilities to grow in a new challenge. We listen each night as she recounts stories from the lives of these wonderful, ripe spirits and the funny things they say and do. We'll miss our jet-setting (for sure), but we're so happy to have her closer, where she is the centerpiece of our home.

Once again, we thank all of you, our friends and family, for all of your support. Next on the Matua Agenda:

A Trip to the Holy Land
A Heath Wedding
Bonding With the Abarca's

CELEBRATING LIFE

2009-03-13T18:26:00.002-06:00

Birthdays: A constant reminder that our kids are growing older and we're just....OLD! Yesterday we celebrated Mica's 11th birthday. Today, our youngest son Quinn, turned six.

It is hard to fathom that our sons are no longer the baby's they were just a short time ago, especially as we watch Jen's siblings welcome more new babies into the Kolowich family. Diapers are an abnormality within the walls of our home and screaming is contained within the confines of our television.

We have to admit though that when there are tiny babies visiting our home, cooing and wobbling around on unsure, delicate feet we have glimpses of yesteryear when we were new parents. But those memories are fleeting and we are enjoying the stage they are in now, wondering what tomorrow will bring as our ‘Tweeners’ become true teens.

Happy Birthday Mica! Happy Birthday Quinn! God bless and bring you with many more to come!

Enjoying Maui Sun

2009-02-25T21:31:00.003-07:00

Sometimes, the best way to deal with stress is by going to that happy place. Literally! Jen and the boys decided that they needed a few days away from the gloomy, gray skies of Utah so they hopped on a plane and traveled more than six hours to the beautiful shores of Maui.

Its amazing what a few days in the sun, on a beach can do for you. The average temperature there was 80 degrees and the water was bliss. Kingston, Chase, Mica and Kenyon spent most of their time in the water with their snorkel gear on and Quinn even ventured into the waves a time or two just so he didn't feel left out. They even tried skim-boarding!

It was hard for them to come home to Utah after having such a wonderful time but all good things must come to an end. They're all very grateful to have visited one of the most beautiful places on earth and can't wait to go back to see the rest of the island and enjoy all of the wonderful things they didn't have time to do this time around.

We wish that we could have brought some of that sunshine home, but we did take enough pictures for you to enjoy....

SIGNING DAY UPDATE

2009-02-04T08:21:00.001-07:00

Its the big day for high school football seniors around the country as they declare their intent to play for one of the hundreds of salivating colleges and universities around the nation.

Manti Te'o, by far the biggest Polynesian name on the radar today, will inform his adoring fans and the nation at 2PM Pacific Time today. Coming into the home stretch, Notre Dame, USC and UCLA are at the top of the list, but its never a done deal on signing day and Stanford, Tennessee, Oregon, BYU, California or Colorado may still have a glimmer of hope to sign the man-child from Punahou. Manti's signing-day frenzy has been monitored closely by the nation, a lot like another Polynesian star, Haloti Ngata did a few years ago. That's how big Manti's number has become.

Timpview senior Xavier Su'a-Filo will announce his college of choice at 2PM Mountain Time. The 6-4, 285-lbs offensive lineman has Auburn, BYU, Colorado, LSU, Notre Dame, USC, Stanford, UCLA and Utah on his mind. With his pro-style body and nimble feet, Xavier is a hot commodity for teams looking to beef up in both pass protection as well as the run. Will he opt to stay in Utah close to family, or is his future in the PAC-10 or SEC?

Another Utah product, James Aiono (Murray HS) became the #1 Junior College prospect in the nation thanks to his impressive stats and consistency on the campus of Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. Unfortunately for Aiono, becoming a non-qualifier meant that he would not be able to join the Utes right out of high school. But fortune has a way of finding those who persevere and Aiono has made the most of his time in Ephraim. He will be wearing red after all next season and I can guarantee you, this guy is going to turn lots of heads when Ute Defensive Coordinator Kalani Sitake gets his chance at molding a hot young prospect.

I'll update you throughout the day on the latest signings and surprises.

Missionary Experience

2009-01-26T20:48:00.002-07:00

Last week, Kingston and Chase had an incredible time experiencing what sacrifices full-time missionaries go through each day. They had to live by mission rules, learn more about the country they were called to serve in and bear testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Kingston was called to the Apia Samoa Mission and Chase was called to serve in the St. Petersburg Russia mission.

One of the activities for missionary week was doing baptisms for the dead and they were also asked to teach the first lesson from Preach My Gospel in a member home. To top it all off, they attended the mission farewell for Elder and Sister Satori, our former Stake President in the Granger West Stake in West Valley.

Its hard to believe that in just five more years, we will actually be bidding farewell to our very first missionary. We will cherish and enjoy each moment with each of our boys as they prepare today to serve the Lord in the future.

Welcome 2009

2009-01-03T20:12:00.003-07:00

We have finally recovered fully from our Christmas holiday. We had a wonderful time with Kassie, Jose and Jackson Abarca who stayed with us during their visit from Iowa.

We had Christmas Eve with the Matua family at our home. We haven't had that much fun in a long time and of course, Seti's white elephant gift was the highlight of the evening.

We hosted the Kolowich family (and Heath's) on Christmas day. We had the Filiaga's from Idaho staying with us too. And at one point, John, Ava and Ricky. So the extra space is really paying off for us now.

There was lot's of snow, stuck cars and cold noses but through it all, we had a wonderful (white) Christmas. Thank you so much for spending the holidays with us. Now, we're looking forward to a wonderful, blessed new year! We can't wait to make more memories.

White Christmas

2008-12-18T13:02:00.002-07:00

It appears we're going to have a White Christmas after all! Well, we're still a week away I know but this snow is relentless. I've been out twice, just this morning to get it off the walks and driveway and its still coming down. This is the view from our back porch. There is one plus to having this much snow on the ground...It conceals all of the yard work that I was supposed to have done before it fell!

We're just hours away from hosting a small party for some of Jen's siblings, cousins and an aunt and uncle. The roads are slick (I nearly slid into a tractor parked on the side of the road on my way to drop the boys off to school) so we pray that everyone will make it here safely. We can't wait!

A Matua Thanksgiving

2008-12-01T15:05:00.002-07:00

After a fun-filled evening with the Kolowich's, we spent Friday evening with the Matua's. Even after all these years, we just seem to learn so much about and from each other. We had traditional fare (again) and played games into the night. All of the adults went home, but some of the kids lingered and even spent Sunday with us.

I guess the primary difference between Jen's family and Seti's family is that one family's kids are all under the age of eight and the other has lot's of tween's and teen's.

Dad had Thanksgiving several times that night. The Alzheimer's is progressing but we're doing our best to make him comfortable. He's coping well mentally, but his body is doing much better after the new pacemaker.

We owe our Father in Heaven so much!

A Kolowich Thanksgiving

2008-12-01T14:14:00.003-07:00

We were absolutely SAD that the General of the Matua Troops was at work Thanksgiving morning, but we were ecstatic that she was able to join us for Thanksgiving dinner. We had the fine opportunity to have Thanksgiving dinner at a local museum of animal trophies....HA-HA! Actually it was held in the Heath home in the Avenues and dinner was delicious - Turkey, ham, candied yams, salads, rolls and to top it all off, incredible, luscious gravy! Mmmmm! Scrumptious!

After dinner at the Heath's, we were joined by a few of our family members on our annual tradition of walking off dinner at Temple Square. Hugh, Tara, Kara, Pearl and their children all joined us for a breath of fresh (cold) air and beautiful scenery. Oh, and Kyamani was there.

We concluded the night of festivities with a dessert and games at our house! It was so much fun although I was informed by Miss Lana Belle (future Alpine School District teacher) that my A's were not very good. A story for the campfire!

Confession No. 1,999,991

2008-11-16T19:09:00.002-07:00

Okay, its been awhile since Kingston's last football game and I had to get this off my chest. I've been a longtime proponent of parents cheering internally and not out loud, a matter that has kept Jen and I at odds for many years now. Jen likes screaming like a banshee when her kids are playing. I like hiding under the bleachers until the gale-force winds have subsided. I get pretty hot under the collar when an opposing player uses dirty tactics in a game but that's about the extent of my ire when it comes to the boys' sports. Okay that's not the only time but my point is, I prefer to internalize my fury until I can get home and start throwing walnuts at the chickens.

But then came King's last game. His performance was pretty flat but then again, the entire Lehi team was looking pretty lethargic. So, long story short, Kingston made a tackle early in the third quarter and didn't get up. For some reason, I waited until all of the other concerned parents around me were absolutely quiet before I yelled out, "Get up!"

OOPS!

A classic case of not enough input, very poor output. I'm pretty sure that my thought at that particular moment was, "Is it just me, or am I really an idiot?" Anyway, I took a few gulps of cold night air to clear my head before I finally walked down to the sideline where he was being attended to by the people who aren't idiots to ask how he was doing. Aside from a severely bruised elbow, he appeared to be okay but I lost a lot of points that night in the "Father Know's Best" category.

It's funny how something so insignificant can make such an incredible difference in a boy's life. I'm fortunate that my son's have been blessed with a special ability to overlook my failings as a human being but its these little life lessons that give me greater perspective in my calling as a father. I swung for the fences that night and struck out with the bases loaded but I can tell you this, next time life throws me a curve I'll be sure to check it before I swing. My 'team' is counting on me.

Halloween 2008

2008-11-05T10:55:00.002-07:00

There's a rumor going around Lehi that the Matua boys have a "very serious" dad. In other words....he doesn't like kids. So, like thousands of Californian's who went door-to-door to post fliers to petition the aid of its citizens (and illegals) to vote for Prop 8, I went door-to-door in my own neighborhood to inform everyone that I'm not "serious", I just don't like neighbor kids....I'm kidding....I think.

Actually, since I'm too serious, I decided to leave town over Halloween so that Jen and the boys might enjoy the festive environment of Halloween fun and trick-or-treating with me asking, "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"

So while they ran around the rain sodden streets of Lehi, compelled by the need to gather as much candy as possible and fueled by a sugar-induced high, I was on the streets of Waikiki watching adults act like children.

The boys are still talking about the 'Silly Adventures of Bat Girl (Manaye) and her trusty side-kick Belle (Lana)' who were very entertaining throughout the night and quite boisterous in their chorus of Trick-or-Treat at each door. Or, how Belle would yell out, "Bat Girl! Bat Girl!" when no one was home. And who can forget the Oompa-Loompa's who thrilled a throng of ghosts, goblins and Jabbawoockie's dancing to Thriller in the middle of the street?

I have to say, I may be too serious for my own good, but I sure would have loved to have been there to join in the fun.

Our New Home!

2008-10-22T12:03:00.016-06:00

We finally took some pictures of our new home! We love it and wanted to show it before it gets covered with snow. (We had snow on the ground 2 weekends ago...but it melted away and now the fall colors are BEAUTIFUL!) The family before us worked diligently on an amazing garden and we have been blessed to reap the rewards! We have had a bountiful harvest of potatoes, strawberries, apples, peaches, tomatoes, corn, beets, onions, peppers, squash, carrots and pumpkins. The boys even found a family of snakes living in the garden! The chickens are so great they almost make us feel like real farmers....almost!

Writer Unblocked

2008-10-12T19:57:00.002-06:00

I had the opportunity of interviewing this 'kid' (Rey Maualuga - USC Trojan) for Spasifik Magazine (a Pacific Islander publication based out of New Zealand) a few weeks ago and finally blasted through my writers block. Its been bugging me (kinda) for the past year. Much of it was self-imposed after years of listening to the same 'ol, tired sports cliche's and quoting the compulsory laundry list of lawlessness that has become a prerequisite for college and professional athletes gone bad. But I've decided that its all part of the job and honestly, people just can't help being....people?

So I'm back in the game and it feels good to get the creative juices flowing again. What's next? A screenplay? Finishing that novel that I've been talking about for years? A film treatment? Who knows. What I do know is that I'm having a blast with the hate mail.

Cold days, long meetings and warm cocoa

2008-10-05T19:26:00.006-06:00

Football is not just a past time, it is life. It is especially true when you're raising five sons. And its all fun and games until the temperatures fall below the 60's and you can't find the requisite gear for a Utah winter.

Kenyon played his very first game in the cold this past Saturday, his second week as a quarterback. He toughed it out but eventually broke down in the fourth quarter when the rest of his teammates ran back into the huddle with frozen tears and numb fingers. Misery loves company!

Mica recorded three sacks and three tackles-for-loss under the same gray, dismal skies. Father's on the sidelines are ordinarily a deterrent for young athletes but when you're dad is a bull-headed Samoan, deterrent is a kind word that he can hardly understand. Let's just say that when your father pull's the "no X-Box or Wii for a week" card on you, well... there are some things worse than tackling a guy twice your size with a face full of mud.

Score another one for deplorable parenting and despicable paternal ingenuity.

On the bright side, we had THREE priesthood holders attend yesterday's General Priesthood Session. Chase joined his dad and older brother Kingston in what is quickly becoming a Matua family tradition. We are so happy to have heard the prophet speak to us and even though Chase struggled through it (believe me when I say I know how hard it is for a twelve-year-old to sit still for two hours) we are certain that he learned a little something about honoring his priesthood and magnifying his callings.

Another week in the books and another on the horizon!

Latest FB Highlights

2008-09-26T12:15:00.003-06:00

Its Kenyon's (pictured) first year of football and he's really flourishing in his position's on the field. He plays receiver/tailback on offense and corner back / safety on defense. He has learned a lot from his older brother's over the years.

Mica is really beginning to pick up the game in his third year. He has been moved to various positions throughout the season, but has found a niche at tight end and outside linebacker. His nickname on the team is "Monster". We thought it was because of his looks, but we were later told by the coaches that he earned his name because of his tenacity and fierce tackling.

Kingston was unable to play in his natural position of receiver this year because the coaches felt like he could contribute better on defense. (In other words, the coaches had sons playing receiver already - yeah, bitter parent syndrome set in for us too.) He got over that initial hurdle by the end of the first game when he recorded an interception, caused a fumble and made a game saving tackle. He's planning on trying out for the Lehi HS JV next year and is REALLY hoping that he grows a foot before next season.

Thank you everyone for supporting our games this season. Its been a lot of fun wearing purple and black! Go PIONEERS!

Farewell my friend

2008-09-12T09:51:00.005-06:00

It would be hard to understand death it if were not for the gospel in our lives but having someone from your graduating class and close friend die suddenly and tragically puts your life in perspective.

I will miss my dear friend Iamafana Lameta, a convert to the church during our senior year of high school at Church College of Western Samoa, who was until his death serving as bishop in his ward, passed away yesterday from a brain aneurysm. He leaves behind a faithful wife and five beautiful children.

He was an incredible friend who lived a humble life dedicated to serving his fellow men. His passion in life was translating church publications and talks by General Authorities during the church's General Conference sessions. I loved the man as my brother and know that I will see him again one day.

Settled In

2008-09-10T22:27:00.005-06:00

We attended our very first block party hosted by our new ward and feel like we can officially call Lehi our home now. The boys are going full speed with school, sports and church and we're back to figuring how exactly we can squeeze in so much in from on day to the next. Anyone else having that problem? :D

It has been lot's of fun (and very advantageous) living close to Kevin, Hugh (kinda close) Abby and Alisha. We want to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation to those who helped us move. I think Seti had a collapsed lung, sore ribs, two bum knees and a stiff neck by the time moving day came to a close. I think he's always had those problems but he's conveniently blaming it on the move.

We are thoroughly enjoying our new lives in Lehi and hope that the FBI, IRS and ICE are not reading this blog because we do not want to be found! But if you'd like to visit us, please call and we'll give you our new address.

Final Destination....LEHI?

2008-08-12T10:50:00.004-06:00

Who would have thought that we would end up in Lehi? For more than fifteen years (with a brief stint in Lehi with mom) we have called West Valley City our home. Now it appears that we have suppressed the temptation of living in Utah County long enough and are ready to pack up our belongings, load up the Afakasi Bus and set up camp in Lehi.

We are praying and hoping that everything goes well and that by the end of August, we'll be in our 'new' home. We're just a hop, skip and a jump in any direction from Hugh, Abby, Alisha or Kevin. We're looking forward to the boys starting school at Sego Lilly Elementary and Lehi Junior High.

Goodbye police chases, gunshots, graffiti and Astro vans sittin' on Dubs. Hello horse flies, minivans, rodeo's and tractor pulls!

Go Pioneers!

Risky Business

2008-07-27T21:26:00.003-06:00

This past weekend, Seti, his brother Eddie and a business partner, Karl Lundeberg put their resources and art to the test at the Utah Samoan Cultural Celebration here in Utah.

They recently created a clothing line called Donofeno, an acronym for "Doubt Not, Fear Not". Sales were difficult and they really weren't sure how their tee-shirts would be received, but they decided it was worth the risk.

Despite the lukewarm sales, they are quite confident that they will succeed. They will continue to work on branding their business and already have a website. You can visit them at www.donofeno.com

Happy Birthday Grandma Karen

2008-07-14T19:12:00.003-06:00

We celebrated Grandma Karen's birthday this weekend at Payson Lake in Utah County. Pearl & Kara, Kevin & Erin, Hugh & Tara, Clint & Alisha, Jose & Kassie and their families were all there to help celebrate.

Once again we enjoyed the beauty of God's creation's as we fished, swam and hiked our way around our awesome campground. Matt even joined us for an evening of fun around the campfire.

About the only setback we experienced during the incredible weekend was the blown tire on I-15 as we made our way home. No worries though. Uncle Clint came to our rescue! Looking forward to the next family outing!

Congratulations Kevin & Erin

2008-07-09T17:38:00.003-06:00

We were privileged to witness the sealing of Kevin, Erin and their three young sons in the Timpanogos Temple this past weekend. Nothing is more inspiring than entering that holy place where family can be together forever.

Congratulations on reaching this everlasting and important milestone. Visit often and pray always! We love you!

Independence Day

2008-07-09T17:30:00.004-06:00

Thank you so much to the Holindrake family for their generosity over the Fourth of July weekend. We drove down that afternoon with the Filiaga's and Seti's boss (Sid Pauga) to join the Holindrake's at their home.

Clint cooked hot dogs and hamburgers to go with the delicious salads, fruits, chips and desserts. Afterward whetting our pyrotechnic appetites with a few fireworks in front of their home, we drove through Lehi and parked just east of the freeway to enjoy the fireworks display at Thanksgiving Point.

Being with family and friends is always a wonderful way to celebrate and remember the sacrifices of those who fought for our country's liberties and for the foresight of our founding fathers who were inspired by God to establish this great nation!

Scouts in Moab

2008-07-01T11:41:00.003-06:00

Just 24 hours after returning from Samoa, Seti accompanied Chase, Kingston and the Granger West 9th Ward Scouts to Arches National Park near Moab, UT for their annual Scout camp. Chase passed off all of the requirements for his Tenderfoot and Second Class ranks. Kingston is currently a First Class Scout and is close to completing all of the requirements for the Life rank.

The guys hiked in and around the areas near Delicate, Landscape, Double-O and Wall arches as well as Dead Horse Point. They also ran the Colorado River and completed a difficult 14-mile hike under a scorching sun before the long ride home. Seti and the boys were ready for a nice long, hot shower and a restful night in their own beds. At the very least, this scout trip has taught the boys humility and gratitude.

Talofa Samoa

2008-07-01T11:27:00.003-06:00

Thanks to his employment with an international company (Life Transition Services), Seti was blessed with the opportunity to return to the land of his ancestors for a brief visit. Aganoa Beach (inset) is perhaps one of the most beautiful spots in the world and is owned by the Utai's, Seti's mother's family. Seti spent nearly every minute of his trip at this incredible locale.

So much has changed in the ten years since his last visit, but the land is still beautiful and provides inspiration and relaxation for the growing tourist industry in the country.

While in Samoa, Seti was bestowed the chiefly title of Aganoa by his mother's family. It is a great honor to serve his mother's family, village and country. We look forward to one day visiting Samoa as a family to teach the boys about their Polynesian heritage.

Nauvoo Trip

2008-07-01T11:20:00.003-06:00

Now that June is over we can breathe a sigh of relief. Our busy month started with our incredible trip to Nauvoo with the Granger West 9th Ward youth. Jen did a wonderful job of organizing the entire trip over a two year period. Over 50 youths and leaders traveled from Kansas City to Nauvoo to St. Louis over five days.

We did temple work in the Nauvoo (awesome) and St. Louis temples. We visited Liberty and Carthage jails too. What a very emotional and spiritual experience for all involved. We even had a non-member traveling with the group who committed to baptism immediately after visiting Carthage. Our individual testimonies of the gospel were strengthened. We highly recommend a visit to this historic and awe inspiring region of the nation.

Graduation Time

2008-06-06T22:45:00.007-06:00

We were in Pocatello, ID this past weekend to attend Amanda Filiaga's high school graduation. Amanda is the eldest daughter of Teuila and Ivor Filiaga. Teuila is Seti's sister. Amanda is the first grandchild in the Matua family to graduate from high school.

You tend to come to grips with the fact that your youth is slipping away when a kid you've known since birth is wearing a cap and gown and is planning their first year of college! But we were so happy for her and the fact that she has done well enough to earn a full ride athletic scholarship to a local college.

We celebrated Amanda's achievement at a party in her honor. Family and friends were there to wish her well on the first day of the rest of her life. Congratulations Amanda!

Higginson Reunion

2008-06-06T22:35:00.003-06:00

We had a wonderful time catching up with members of the Higginson family whom we rarely see. Seti had a decent round of golf (thanks again Nathan Bingham) but he and Clint let the victory slip through their fingers on the last hole and gave Adam and Jose bragging rights until the next round.

We really enjoyed the trip to Pine Valley and fell in love with the place. It was truly a beautiful place. The weather in St. George was perfect for lounging about and shooting the breeze. The trip through Zions National Park was awe inspiring and doing baptisms in the St. George temple for members of the Kolowich family was AWESOME! We're looking forward to the next Higginson family reunion.

Kenyon's Baptism

2008-05-08T22:45:00.003-06:00

Kenyon was baptized and confirmed last Saturday, May 3rd. We had grandma's, grandpa's, uncles, aunts, cousins and friends there as witnesses. Even Kenyon's school teacher showed up which was a great surprise. We are so grateful that so many could be there to support Kenyon.

His dad performed the ordinances. We had a short brunch afterwards at our Ward building. It was a very special day for a very special guy.

Four down, one more to go! Congratulations Kenyon!

Kenyon's Birthday

2008-04-22T17:46:00.002-06:00

Mom forgot the camera at home, but we still had plenty of fun celebrating Kenyon's eighth birthday. Kenyon invited two of his friends from school and his cousin Mason to join him in a late afternoon movie (Horton Hears a Who) and dinner at Tepanyaki Japanese Grill. More than anything, Kenyon is looking forward to his baptism, which will take place next month.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENYON!

Happy Birthday Quinn

2008-03-27T09:39:00.002-06:00

In all the excitement of having back-to-back birthdays, we forgot to post pictures of Quinn's new gift on our blog. Quinn celebrated his fifth birthday on March 13th and is eager for the fall when he starts his new adventure in Kindergarten. Quinn invited his friends and cousins to a birthday party but he got to play with his new Smart Cycle a day in advance. Happy Birthday Quinn!

Mica's Tortoise

2008-03-14T23:51:00.003-06:00

Mica's new friend

Happy Birthday Mica!

2008-03-14T23:44:00.003-06:00

Mica celebrated his 10th birthday on March 12th. He shares a birthday with his cousin Isabelle and his aunt Dahlia Lemafa, but I doubt that neither Dahlia nor Isabelle share Mica's passion for animals. For years now, Mica has been begging us for a tortoise. Not the little one's that are tucked away in a shoe box, but a REAL tortoise that grows and lives to be a hundred years old. We're not sure that this one will live to be a hundred in a house full of boys, but we're pretty sure that he will grow to be quite large since he's already eaten a head of lettuce since he set up camp in the boys' room. We thought we

Hiking with Scouts

2008-03-02T11:37:00.004-07:00

Its been a week since I accompanied the Scouts on their snowshoe outing to Big Cottonwood Canyon and I'm still sore. King and Chase were kind enough to hang back and help their old dad up to Doughnut Falls. The scenery was breathtaking, the hike was difficult and we walked away with a better appreciation for paved roads, a warm bath and more importantly all of God's beautiful creations.

Photo's from our recent weekend with Grandpa John.

2008-02-17T17:34:00.006-07:00

IRB USA Rugby Sevens

2008-02-17T17:29:00.004-07:00

Kingston attended his very first international rugby tournament in San Diego last weekend. He's still trying to grasp the game but has learned a lot over the years listening to his father go on and on about how he was the "star" of his team. The boys will learn soon enough that their father was introduced before each match as the 'water boy'.

We Found Him!

2008-02-13T22:07:00.004-07:00

While on a weekend trip to San Diego, we encountered this rare, large, imposing species in the woods. He was preparing to smash this SUV with the large boulder on the right when we startled him. He immediately turned on us, and we narrowly escaped with our lives.....

Grandpa John, grandma Ava and Ricky were very hospitable and gracious during our visit. We love them and hope to visit them more in 2008!

Basketball

2008-01-19T15:59:00.001-07:00

Kingston's school team (Monticello Academy) played their first two games this week and are a perfect 2-0 after beating Lakeview (Saratoga Springs) on Wednesday and American Prep (Draper) on Friday.

This morning's Jr. Jazz games? Not so good. King and Chase both did very well but there's not much you can do against a team that is twice your size and three years older than you.

The boys want to thank grandma Karen and all of their uncles and aunts for showing up to cheer for their team.

SNOW!

2008-01-07T19:14:00.003-07:00

Is anyone sick of this (snow) stuff yet? My back has been out of commission (convenient) since Thursday, and the boys have been picking up where I have slacked off. Its been coming down pretty steady and the more it falls, the more I dream of my island home.

The new year is off to a blistering start. Or did it ever stop when 2007 ended? I don't get it. The only thing that I'm sure of is that I'm getting old and my boys remind me of that every day.

Pick up the PACE!