Thursday, December 18, 2014

Melina

This past summer my sweet niece, Melina, and her boyfriend, Nate, came to Utah to visit.   Here are some pictures I took of them while they were here.








































Erin Apelu--The Most Happy

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

What Would You Thank GOD For?

What if one morning we woke up with only the blessings we thanked GOD for the night before?

It's a legitimate question. What if? Would we be richly blessed or severely suffering? I'm sure we'd all put a little more thought into the things he has given us to make our lives better and more satisfying.

And why do the majority of people wait until the holidays to contemplate those blessings? Is GOD more charitable to us in those two months than the other ten? I doubt it.

With that being said, I feel an overwhelming desire to be a cliche and publicly announce what I am thankful for (and promise to try harder the first ten months of the year to  do the same). And since the month is already half over, I have a lot to discuss. Give me a few days to list one for ever day of this month.


In no particular order:

#1--I am grateful to GOD for blessing me with the circumstances of my birth.
Of all the time and places in the history of man, GOD blessed me to be born in this dispensation to the loving family that has provided me a comfortable life.  After recently watching the movie 'THE GOOD LIE' (I highly recommend it) it has provided me a humbling reality to the circumstances that so many of GOD's children are enduring on a daily basis. I can never truly express how grateful I am to GOD for this.

#2 Parents--Of all the parents in the world, GOD blessed me with two
honest, caring people who love each other, our family, and the LORD, with all of their heart, might, mind, and strength. They've been the perfect example to me on what eternal love looks like. They have sacrificed their time, energy, money, and many sleepless nights for me (not to mention the other members of my family). I will always be grateful for their love, patience,
understanding, and forgiveness as I still continue to make my way down the thorny path of life.

#3 Siblings--I am thankful to be the tail-end of the Arbon clan. I was blessed with three amazing brothers and two incredible sisters.  Although I was mostly seen by them as the annoying, spoiled, baby of the family (the oldest was 18 and the previous baby was 7 when I was born) their example of love, kindness, and hard work made an impression on me and influenced many of the decisions I have made. I every single one of them (including their spouses) know how much I love them.

#4 My Eternal Companion, Faaeteete (Fa'a) Apelu--After almost eighteen
years of marriage I am still in awe that this wonderful angel is mine. Not only is he incredibly handsome, he is the kindest, most loving, patient, hardworking man I know (besides my daddy!). No matter the drama I've thrown his way (Arbon women come with A LOT of drama!), this man has handled it with a class that most could not. I would be lost without him. He is truly my other half.




The Apelu kids are the best. It's hard to not get emotional when I think what my life would be like without the three best children in the world. They deserve their own recognition.


#5 Darnel Apelu--This chubby baby, with his brown hair and big, dark eyes
captured my heart the minute I saw the two blue lines on the pregnancy test. I obsessed about his wellbeing from day one and still worry about him to this very moment. His intuitive, loving personality has brought so much joy and adventure to my life. Darnel has been a perfect big brother to his siblings. His intent knowledge and love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ has influenced me to learn more and better myself. I can always count on Darnel to be there for me. He always said I was his best friend and he is definitely one of mine. I'm not sure how I will survive when he goes on a mission in two years.

#6 Dylan Apelu--Since the moment I discovered I was pregnant with this adorable dude I had faith that GOD knew what a blessing he would be in my life. Even with three forms of birth control, Dylan fought his way to this family and surprised us exactly twelve months after Darnel was born. His enthusiasm for life and determination to succeed was apparent since the day he came into this world. You can always count on Dylan to be the life of the party. His witty personality and intellect makes him the center of attention wherever he goes.  I can never truly express to him how grateful I am for the help and love he has given me the past fifteen years. He loves the LORD with all his heart. I will be lost without him when he leaves the coop to serve him.

#7 Aryana Apelu--My Princess. I am the luckiest mother in the world. Not only did GOD bless me with two fabulous sons, but the most amazing daughter. I have to admit, during the first five years of her life I was quite certain she was the biggest drama queen. Nine years later I couldn't have been further from the truth. I am beyond grateful for the close relationship we share. I believe that it's crucial for a daughter to be able to confide in her mother. Besides being best friends, Aryana keeps me in line. The fact that my disability (Multiple Sclerosis) is so crazy from one day to the next, I can always count on her to keep me organized and step into my duties at a moments notice. Her intense obedience and love for the gospel is a true inspiration to me and those around her.

Stick around for the next seven. Coming soon!

Erin Apelu--The Most Happy

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Aryana Lanimaina Marie Apelu's 14th Birthday Bash!


My beautiful princess, Aryana, turned fourteen yesterday. It's such a clique to ask where the time has gone, but seriously---WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?

Fa'a and I could not be prouder of the amazing young woman she has grown into. She is honestly a kind-hearted, loving, giving, obedient young woman. She is organized, loves to serves, thinks of others first. Her favorite pass time is attending the temple serving others through Baptisms for the Dead twice a week at the Jordan River Temple.

Under no false pretense do I stand to take any credit for the incredible young woman that has blessed our life.  I truly believe we are born with the spirit we had in the pre-existence and we are the same as we were then. Fa'a and I must have done something good to be so blessed with three amazing children.

Happy Birthday to my Princess Aryana Lanimaina Marie Apelu


Enjoy some highlights from her birthday party.







Isaak Lorton offering her favorite desert from Great Harvest

Ly making Aryana's sign













Fa'a making 40 hamburgers














Let the Dodgeball Games begin








































Griffin's glasses got in the way of the dodgeball














Sweet Lexi and Erika blowing up balloons

It's the stripe sisters





LET THE BALLOON GAME BEGIN 














LOOK AT THOSE TWO HIDING IN THE CORNER--CHEATERS!

















































                                                   NOW IT'S TIME FOR TREATS!




                                                 ARYANA OPENING PRESENTS








ARYANA AND DYLAN ARE BOTH EXCITED ABOUT
THE FAULT IN OUR STARS






                                   DO HER FRIENDS KNOW HER OR WHAT?






                                   EXCITED TO GET A GIFT FROM HER BROTHER













                                 LEXY, ERIKA, AND BRE LOVE THESE PICTURES



                                                              GROUP PHOTO