Dedicated to a real Proverbs 31 Woman

Tomorrow, my Mum turns 55 years young. Her name is Alice Ruth Va’a and she is one of my closest friends and most important people in my life.

Don't mind the photo from 1760 lol

My Mum was the eldest girl of eight children and in most Samoan families, that means you are your mother’s right hand. My Mum raised her younger siblings and ran the house when my grandparents were at work. At 10, she was changing cloth nappies and making lunches. She dressed, prepared and walked her siblings to school and always made sure they had everything they needed. By her teens she was the main cook, cleaner and carer. She would ration food and hide the eggs from her brothers lol and would make sure there was always enough to go around. She watched her siblings like a hawk and protected them, especially her two baby sisters. She could keep up with the boys and wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself. She was sporty and naturally athletic, playing volley ball and participating in track. She looked after her cousins and was a big sister to all her Awatere Cres neighbours who are now our beloved whanau, too. Even though my grandparents struggled trying to raise a family of eight, she was their rock and never complained about her responsibilities as the eldest daughter. Even now as a grandmother herself, my Mum honors my grandparents in word and in action. She takes them to their doctors appointments, does their groceries, takes them out for walks and loves them wholeheartedly with a servant heart.

Mum and my grandparents

Typical ghetto family photo in winter

My Mum was dedicated to raising Caleb and I. She was all about that Mum life. She woke up early and went to sleep late. She stayed up with us when we were sick; sleeping with and watching over us while we slept. She prepared beautiful meals and even though we didn't have a lot of money growing up on pledges as ministry workers, she managed to raise two fat children make sure we were fed, bathed and well taken care of. We slept in one room (even when we moved into our 3 bedroom home of 21 years) and she would tells us stories, sing songs, make us laugh, tell us riddles and all these other wonderful things that I cherish deeply. My Mum protected us and always kept a watchful eye. We weren't allowed to go to sleepovers or hang out on the street after school even though we rep the 274 like we were slangin' on the corner every night lmao. My Mum always stayed home with us and I can't really remember a night she wasn't home except when Caleb was born and I was 3yo and had to look after my Dad lol. She taught me how to be responsible, kind, giving, selfless, to have initiative, to use my common sense, how to plan and organize, how to prioritize, how to care for others, not to be reliant on them and how to be independent. She was a selfless parent and devoted all her time to raising us kids and our cousins.

Ally and BP

Mum, Dad, Cee and teamsuperjems

My Mum taught me how to be a Mum. She was so gracious with me and modeled what I wanted to be for my children. She never gave me the easy way out and made sure I knew my responsibilities in it's entirety. She never encouraged me to go out or offered to watch Keal so I can go out like everyone else my age... and I am so thankful. I know it sounds strange but it taught me to sacrifice and how to manage my priorities. I never felt like I missed out on anything because of what I gained in being a parent first. I knew what my job was and Jahkeal (and now Elbrycian and Marvel, too) ALWAYS came first. I learned that from my Mum... She tough loved me and showed me the beauty of being a present Mum. She taught me how to bear the weight of motherhood and how easy it is to bear when you love your children with joyous heart. My kids adore her. They're always excited to see her because she invests time into them. She takes them on adventures, tells them stories, teaches them fun things, plays with them and always makes them laugh. She is the epitome of a great Nana and I'm so grateful to have her in my children's lives.

Fish n Chips at Mangere Bridge

Mum... You are fire. You are warmth that provides, loves and embraces. Your words give life and your presence is like a light in dark places - close enough to feel and visible from far away. Your protectiveness is like an all-consuming fire and the boundaries you set for us as children still guides our paths as adults. You are a fire that no one can put out. You are determined, hardworking and always persevere because your eyes are always set high on the King. 

You are our protector and our prayer warrior. You are the greatest example of a Mum, Wife, Sister, Nana, Aunty, friend and teacher; and you are the personification of the Proverbs 31 Woman. 

Do you know how much I love you, Mum? I don't think I'll ever be able to express it to you in written or spoken word... but I will honor you until end, not because of how much I love you.. but because of how much you love me. Happy Birthday my best friend! Logan's shout tomorrow xo

My loves xo

I'm so skinny but I'm thankful you cut your hair lol

One of your million tagamea selfies with Dad

Forever supporting Caleb and Keal for league games and trainings

MVP Nana of the year. I love you Mum xo

My loves

Mum and Marvel feeding the ducks

Izaeah's Wedding 2010

Mum, My Grandparents and my beautiful cousins Susana and Toni Marsh

Joshy's Wedding 2014

Aunty Rie, Aunty Fale, Cee, Aunty Gina and Mum

Tumau Ruffeez 2017

Feisty Little Head of Curls

It was just after 2am when my water broke. It felt like I had unconsciously pee'd warm jelly all over my side of the bed. I imagined myself springing up like a meerkat, quickly having a shower and getting changed into a cool pregnancy outfit, brushing my hair into a perfect 'for the post-labour photos' bun and sitting in the car eating a ham and cheese croissant waiting for the GM to drive me to the hospital.

But that was just my imagination.

"Wake up... Hello... Is anyone there?... Wake up... Help... Amniotic fluid has mysteriously appeared in our bed... on my side... under my body... Help..."

The GM was all the way over on the other side of the bed and my little T-Rex arm wasn't long enough to hit him. So, I did this ugly as roll and sit up using the momemtum from the roll thing and he woke up because he thought we were experiencing an earthquake. It was so unattractive but so necessary because it was too early to hire a crane. In the small gaps between my fat heavy breaths of pain I was able to have a shower, wash my hair, shave my legs (I know! Who has the time to do that while in labour? Only the overly conscious of course!), fix my bed and all this other stuff I should've done the day before.

I walked around like a penguin. A gi-normous one. Most probably an Emperor Penguin. I waddled to the bathroom. I waddled to the bedroom. I waddled to the kitchen... I waddled on the spot eating a chocolate I found in the fridge. I waddled everywhere like a really tall kid riding an invisible pony.

Every time I had a contraction I sat down and did these ugly whale noises. I'm not even exaggerating. It was like a whale and fifty donkeys were dying loudly in our sitting room. One time my brother walked in, looked at me and walked straight into the kitchen so I couldnt see him laughing.

At 9:30am we arrived at the hospital and I was SUPER ready for my little man to arrive... but my Mum wasn't there. She took Big Son for breakfast and was supposed to come straight to the hospital. My sister Carine was there pretending not to be grossed out every time the midwife came to 'check' on me. She had that 'I wan't to look, but I don't want to look' look on her face all the time and I was secretly worried she'd end up in a bed next to me. The GM and his mum were there, too, taking turns fanning my overheated face. The GM kept saying encouraging things to make me feel better until he blurted out 'It's okay, I know how you feel.' 

Yeah, no comment. I laugh at what some people say under pressure... especially Mr. Female Experiences over here!

My mum arrived with Big Son and my little sisters, Jamaliyeh and Xequelah, took him to the waiting room so he wouldn't pass out and avoid eye contact with me for the rest of my life. My contractions were so strong and I had forgotten how intense the pain was; but through it all I couldn't wait to meet my little man.

Big Son and New Born Little Son

At 10:22am Little Son was born. He was absolutely beautiful and I immediately fell so deeply in love with him. I can't even find the words to express how I felt.  I was really anxious about how I was going to deal with loving two children 150 million percent equally; but when I saw him, everything just fell into place. He was so precious and I knew with everything in my being that I would do anything for him.

My most favourite 2 year old in the WORLD! Just arrived in Raro!

Son... you give me so much joy. You make me laugh with your mild rebelious streak. You are so adorable and handsome. You are your own person and I love how determined you are to be yourself. You are fiesty, spirited and independent. You have an enormous heart for such a little man. You're kind, loving and generous with hugs and kisses. You are an important and significant part of our family. We will always be proud of you and will encourage you do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. You are more than just the second born... you are our son and we praise God Almighty for everything you are!

Psalms 139:13-14 "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well."

Happy 2nd Birthday to our fiesty little head of curls... We love you more than you'll ever know.

Birthday Dinner after a fun filled day out with the family!

First trip abroad. The GM, Big Son, our brothers Samuel and Caleb, Little Son and I at Universal Studios, CA, USA.

Auckland Bound after Uncle Nathan's wedding in Sydney