Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The Best Christmas!

No, I didn't get a 2 carat diamond ring or anything "grand" like that... This Christmas was simply the best because we spent it together as a family... PLUS ONE! It was a peaceful and happy time with memories to cherish...

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Monday, December 22, 2008

Our Special Day


The Soliven Ohana

The Cheney Clan

Mommy & the girls...Elia tries to make shaka ;)


On Saturday, December 20 we had our sealing at the Laie Hawaii Temple!  We got to the temple a little after 7:00am and we're ready to go by 7:30am.  Our sealer's name was Bro. Au and he was a sweet old man, who almost started before our family and friends arrived, even though we were scheduled to begin at 8:00am.  By 7:50 am, our friends and family began to arrive...we happily welcomed Laurie Flores, the Solivens (my parents), the Cheneys (Sam's parents & Yee Man), Buckinghams, Cifuentes, Richs, Allreds, Caseys, our special angel Sally Lee, and Mika's birth grandparents who flew in just to join us for this special day!  We send our love and thanks to each of you!  If I forgot anyone, please forgive me! 

The ceremony was short, but very special.  Mika was so adorable as she held onto Sam's thumb and she even held out and didn't start crying until the very end ;)  I felt so full of gratitude, love, and happiness!  Being in the temple is always such a peaceful and happy place and to be there surrounded by loved ones, is just awesome!  

Afterwards, we had some breakfast at the pavilion next to the temple and got to enjoy each other's company some more.  You'll notice that Sam isn't in any of the photos because he had to hurry off to work :(  It was a beautiful day and an amazing experience...truly, our God is a God of miracles!




Saturday, December 13, 2008

A Blessing and a Miracle


Christmas has definitely come early for our family this year!  Back in July when we found out the news that we would be welcoming another baby girl to our ohana, we surely felt this!  Then just about a week ago, we had another great blessing given...we were given an early court date (early by 6-8 weeks, which is usually how long you have to wait) to finalize our adoption, which will enable us to go to the Laie Hawaii Temple to have Mika sealed to us before it closes at the end of December for 18-24 months!!  Next week Tuesday, Mika will legally be ours!  Then on Saturday, Dec. 20 we make it for all time and eternity!  We truly feel blessed beyond measure and feel so grateful for the tender mercies that the Lord has shown us...  

Sunday, December 7, 2008

'Tis the Season...

We weren't going to do it, but we did buy a Christmas tree this year... and Elia was such a great helper decorating it! She loved putting the hooks on the ornaments and passing them to daddy and mommy. She's also been really good at not touching them or pulling the off the tree (with the exception of the pair of wooden slippers, 'cause she has a slipper fetish!).  Sam's sister, Becky, carved and hand painted these Hawaiian Christmas ornaments (plumeria, ukulele, Aloha shirt, slippers, Hawaiian teddy bear on a sleigh) and they were a gorgeous addition to our tree this year!  Thank you Becky!!   We love looking at our tree all light up and smelling that unforgettable "Christmas smell"! 




We also attended our Ward Christmas party last night and it was a beautiful and spiritual event! They portrayed the birth of Christ and it was really something! Helps us remember the "reason for the season"! You might also notice that Elia has bangs now...she had her first hair cut yesterday too!







Thursday, December 4, 2008

Wonderful Discovery!


On the evening of Nov. 30, Mika made the wonderful discovery of her fingers! From that night on she has been sleeping through the night!! Can you tell we're excited? Boy it feels so awesome to get a good night's sleep!

Here's a photo of Elia at the BYU Christmas Tree lighting we went to last night too: