Our New Home!

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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!