ABC's of Me

ABC's of Me

Fill in your answers and tag 15 people. Thanks, Nimo!

A - Age: 28

B - Bed size: King size

C - Chore you hate: Bathroom--so I make Uela do it

D - Dad's Name: Vini Tumu Purcell, dad, grandpa, papa

E - Essential start your day item: Straightener

F - Favorite actor(s): I just saw Fast & the Furious so right now it's Paul Walker

G - Gold or Silver: Silver

H - Height: 5'7

I - Instruments you play(ed): Violin since the TVA days in Laie

J - Job title: Wife & Mommy 1st, Delta agent 2nd

K - Kid(s): 1 beautiful babygirl

L - Living arrangements: Married with 1 child

M - Mom's name: Patisepa Laveiseaso Fafai-Purcell, Grandma & Nana

N- Nicknames: Bubbles, Bubbs (this was only with the Livng Legends group at BYU--don't ask me lol), mommy, mom, babe, baby

O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: 7 months prego--fluid was low

P - Pet Peeves: I aboslutely hate when people save their chewing gum--on a plate, behind their ear (yes I've seen that), on their hand--I hate it! My other pet peeve? I'd have to agree with Nimo- Negative people. Move it along if you're walking around with a dark cloud over your head!! I also hate when people can't be happy for others successes--we're all entitled to it, it's up to you!

Q - Quotes you like: "A day without love is a day without life!"

R - Right or left handed: Right

S - Siblings: 2 sisters-Lora and Sala, 2 brothers-Vini and Hyrum

T - Time you wake up: When im working- 4am When im off- as late as possible!

U - Underwear: A must

V - Vegetable you dislike: Lima beans

W - Ways you run late: Devyn and her oh so fabulous hair, but most of the time Uela ;)

X - X-rays you've had: Teeth and ankle

Y – Yummy food you make: Hmmm, chicken casserole. This one is a hard one cause sad to say, Uela does all of the cooking

Z - Zodiac:I'm a Capricorn

Just because a post is so much better with a picture

Con't busy week.....Saturday

So I had to dedicate a post all on its own to my niece Journey. She is Sala and Ron's oldest and the oldest grandchild in my family. Journey was baptized and confirmed Saturday, April 11 by her father. Yay Journey! Wow 8 years has flown by soooo fast. Journey is a special member of our family. She came to us when Sala was young and we all felt almost immediately that we were among an angel. Journey is such a sweet spirit and is a great help in our family. She is the oldest of four and is very motherly and nurturing. Hmmm, sounds like a great babysitter for the near future! :) Journey is in 2nd grade at Monroe Elementary and is a very bright and intelligent girl. She's a sporty-kind of girl. This year she was the only girl who played in an all boys Junior Jazz basketball league and I've got to say--she kicked some butt. Journey also has a beautiful voice and we love to listen to her sing. Congratulations Journey, I love you!

My busy week!

Tuesday/Wednesday: So it's almost the end of the week finally and I am exhausted. It's been a pretty crazy week for my family but a good busy, not the annoying busy. Tuesday night we had our last family dinner with Sister Lola Purcell who entered the MTC Wednesday and will be serving in the Oakland Temple mission. Sister Purcell is my first cousin and is from Provo. We are sooo proud of her and know she will be an awesome missionary. We love you Sister Purcell!

Friday: Our family along with some of our good friends, took our annual trip down to Provo to watch Tiafau Purcell, Lola's brother (we missed you Lola, I'm sure you heard our cheers from the MTC) dance in BYU's end of the year Ballroom concert. Can I just say it was nothing short of AMAZING! Tia is on BYU's International Ballroom tour team who has been top notch in competition. They are the Undefeated National Formation Champs since 1982. They have been criticized on their costumes, because although it's ballroom dance, every piece of clothing is modest and follows church standards--I think it's awesome, but still beautiful. Tia also dances individuals and has taken 2nd place in nationals. This year was special because it is Tia's last year on the team. He is only a Junior but will be gone his Senior year doing an internship in Brazil. The theme was Viva Espana, or Live Spain and our Tia was the poster boy for this years concert. Tia was the star of the show and closed it up with a solo doing the Paso Doble. We are all soooo proud of Tia and all he's accomplished. I wish and expect nothing but the best for Tia. He is an amazing person both on and off the dance floor.

Saturday: This morning my younger brother Vini was endowed in the Jordan River Temple, in preparation to serve in the San Bernadino California mission. It was a beautiful session and words can't describe the feelings I felt being in the celestial room with my parents, both sisters along with their husbands, and now my younger brother. Just one more little brother to go and we can all be there as a family. The temple just deepens your love for your family and this morning was such a special treat for us all. I'm glad Vini got in there asap--after Bednar's talk this past conference I know he will need that extra protection you are given when attending the temple. We love you Vini!

Right after Vini's endowment session Journey was baptized.

It's been a busy week, but a fun one!

Book Review: Sarah's Key

There's nothing more relaxing then a good book. I just finished Sarah's key and I am so embarrassed to say that Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay has been sitting in my "to be read" pile for over 2 weeks. We took one of our many trips to Barnes and Noble because my husband is a reading freak and Uela refused to buy me another book until I finally got to my TBR pile. So this past weekend I escorted my grandmother to Oakland to catch her flight to Honolulu and I dug it from under my pile and threw it in my purse. I wasn't sure if it would be a book that I would love. I haven't always been fascinated with books about World War II, especially ones that deal with the Holocaust, they're just so depressing. Unfortunately this one got buried, and I kind of forgot about it! What a huge mistake because I thought this book was very, very good. This just further proves what I already know -- too many great books and not enough time to read them all. This book covered a horrific event in France history; and I hate to admit it, but I was absolutely clueless. Like everyone else in the world, I was aware of the Holocaust -- I just didn't know that almost 13,000 Jews were arrested in Paris on July 16th, 1942. These people were taken from their homes by French policemen under orders of the German Gestapo. Most of the adults were sent directly to concentration camps; however, some of the adults and children were moved to the Vél d’Hiv, an indoor stadium used for bicycle races. For almost a week, people were held here in horrific conditions until they were shipped out to concentration camps.

The beginning of this book just broke my heart. When the policeman came to round-up her family, Sarah, a 10 year old girl, locks her 4 year old brother, Michel in a closet and tells him that she'll be back for him soon. Unknown to her at the time, the French police are taking her and her parents to the Vél d’Hiv; and they have no plans to allow Sarah's family to go back home . The guilt that this young girl feels for leaving her brother just tore me apart. Michel is about Devyn's age and I actually felt sick as I read (and thought) about Sarah's pain. As a reader, I just kept wondering how much Sarah could handle; and I have to say that I couldn't stop thinking about this young child. The book also tells the story of Julia, an American journalist living in France 60 years later, who is researching the Vél d’Hiv incident for an article. Julia is amazed that she wasn't familiar with this part of France's history, and she soon finds out that most French people aren't comfortable discussing it. As she learns more about this awful time, she discovers that her husband's family has actual ties to a displaced family. As Julia's personal life becomes more complicated, she begins to get emotionally involved with the people she is researching; and she eventually starts to question her own life.

The author did an incredible job of weaving together the two stories. From the very first page, I was drawn into these characters' lives, and I had to know what happened to them (especially Sarah.) This book also had quite a few surprises in it which kept the reader guessing. Most of the characters were living with some type of secret; and I thoroughly enjoyed how Ms. de Rosnay "unlocked" each of these secrets. I thought she did an amazing job of tying together the stories and developing the symbolism of the key throughout the novel. After reading this I'm curious as to find out more about Vel d'Hiv and also to find more books by de Rosnay.

Called to Serve, San Bernadino California!

So last night my family anxiously gathered at my parents to hear where my younger brother Vini will be called to serve. It was a night we all have been waitng for, for years. The first missionary in my immediate family. Of course my poor brother had to wait all day long til everyone was off work so finally 10pm hits and we're all ready except Lora and Hobart are running late. What a buzz killer! When they finally arrive, we all take a wild guess at where he would be called. Guesses of countries all over the world from Europe to the Phillipines and even to the motherland of Samoa. We finally let the missionary take a whack at it and his guess was, California! With wide stares and everyone at the edge of their seats, holding their breath, the big white envelope finally opens and Vini reads, "you have been called to serve in the San Bernadino California mission, english speaking!" Everyone finally takes a breath and is just soooo happy for Elder Purcell.

My brother Vini is a very special person. Those of you who know him well, knows that he was born to serve the lord. I have been amazed watching him mature into a man that is so strong despite all the trials our youth is faced with these days. He's very obedient and very well mannered. He's been preparing himself for this day and he is ready. My testimony of the gospel has grown from watching him go to the temple every Saturday with my parents to do baptisms for the dead while they are in their session. I'm so excited for him and know he will be an awesome missionary. However, I'm a bit worried about my mother. Vini is her right-hand man, and the biggest mama's boy so we'll all be praying for her :) I'm incredibly thrilled and honored to be his sister. I never doubted this day would come. We love you Vini and we're sooooo proud of you!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is a special day. My mother--who also happens to be one of my best friends, is another year cooler today. And wiser. And older. She's made me into the person I am today and I'm forever indebted into all she's invested in me. As I thought about this post, I was reminded of all the things my mother has done for me. I've caused her both joy and heartache, but my mother's love has never failed me. She's taught me so many great lessons of life. Here are just a few of the many lesson's my mother has taught me that has helped mold my backbone and perception of the world.

1. My parents greatest pet-peeve was when we argued as siblings and growing up in a house with two other sisters all one to two years apart was tough. I remember when I was younger, I USE to be the biggest Laker fan (soo not the case anymore!). I loved the old school team with Magic. I also loved them because my dad did to and I adore my dad. Lora and Sala were the biggest Chicago fans because of Jordan of course. It was a playoff game and we got into the biggeset fight over who was the better team. It got a bit out of hand, and I remember the disgust and disappointment in my mother's face. She was by far the disciplinary parent, but always gave us a good talk. That day, my mother taught me RESPECT! It is more than ok to disagree, but you always need to show respect.

2. My mother is big on education! All growing up, the principals, office ladies, counselors and teachers knew my mother by first name. I swear Hunter High School was on her speed dial. She would constantly call in and check on our attendance, grades and behavior. The same woman who when I brought home all A's with one A minus, sent me back to the teacher to see why, and if there was anything I could do to bring that up to an A. It was a bit insane. My mother always pushed us to challenge ourselves. My senior year I thought would be a breeze since I was done with credits for graduation but my mother had other plans. She enrolled me into 3 AP classes, yes SHE enrolled ME! :) She would always tell us "push yourselves, if these palagi kids can do it, so can you!" I learned over and over again, and I am still learning from my mother that the only barrier we face in achieving something is the self doubt we create within ourselves. The power to push me thru that barrier-- or to push me back into it -- had never belonged to any other person. It was mine and only mine.

3. When I was expecting with Devyn, my pregnancy was amazingly easy. I never had morning sickness and I felt great. When I went into labor, everyone just thought it would be cake too! After 16 hours of labor I couldn't dialate past a 5 and her head was starting to swell at the top, so the doctor called for an emergency cesarean. I started to panic. My mother and sister combined had given birth to 9 kids and never has there been a cesarean given to anyone in my family. It was unheard of, but that soon was about to change. With a somber face, my mother stood at my bedside and told me that everything was going to be ok, even though I just heard her franticly calling my dad to rush over to give me another blessing. It was too late, they started to prep me for surgery. The numbness made me so sick. I told my husband that I'm needing to breath harder and I feel like my heart is going to stop beating at any moment. They only allowed one person in the operating room, so my husband came with me. My mother held my hand tight until they rolled me into the operating room. The entire time, I can see the nervousness in her face, but she kept reassuring me that everything would be ok. That day, I learned that pain can be transferred and shared by two people.

Mom, happy birthday. Thank you for everything you are. I hope to be able to follow your footsteps and be that amazing mother for Devyn, as you have been for me. I love you!

Rosa and Julius Ulugia's wedding!

We lit the newlyweds table. It looked real cool once we dimmed the lights

All the bride asked for was to drape the hall, so we did a tent style drape

We put a 40ft by 15ft platform to raise the headtables which consisted of the newlyweds and the whole wedding party. People only go to weddings to see the wedding party so we needed to make sure they were visible no matter where you sat


Drapes were tied with bows for a curtain look. It helped break up the ugly brown walls


Round tables were the VIP's so we did the taller vases


Wedding colors were Red, Black and White


Black table runners with red rose petals and silver bowls for the centerpieces

So my sisters and I have been doing weddings for about 8 years now, starting from Sala's wedding and we've finally talked ourselves into starting a business for weddings and events. Rosa is like a little sister to us and we did the wedding decor on Valentine's day for her special day. It was very busy since we took on all the decor and flowers but I had so much fun doing it, especially cause it was for someone who is very dear to us. We love you Rosa and Julius! Thanks for letting us be a part of your special day. You were beautiful!

Just a few pictures of the decor! There will be more to come. Thank you to everyone who tirelessly stayed awake all night to help us. Special thanks to our husbands for all their hard work in helping our dream become reality. Much love and thanks to our younger brother Vini! I love you!