Tuesdays With Steve

Every other Tuesday I go to Salt Lake to pick up my paycheck. Steve and I have started a new tradition where we meet on these days and have lunch together. The fun thing about downtown Salt Lake is that there are all of these quaint, unique little restaurants and cafes hidden away among the businesses. Steve and I decided that instead of going to a chain restaurant on these days, we would find a small restaurant we have not been to and give it a try. So far we have found a great place that only serves soup(the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld would be proud), a fantastic salad and sandwich shop run by a Russian lady with a strong accent, and yesterday we found Esther's. Esther's is a little cafe a few blocks away from Temple Square. It is run by Esther and her daughter, who were both there yesterday. Steve ordered a halibut sandwich, which was the best I have ever tasted, along with some fabulous homemade fries. I had a taco salad, which was not too shabby. Esther's fry sauce was also pretty amazing. Now, like every restaurant, Esther's was not perfect - her shakes could use a little work - but, I was not disappointed. We were glad to here that this cafe has been doing well, and I love being in a country where these little mom and pop places can exist. I look forward to a new find in a few weeks.

Kennedy's First Flight

As many of you know, Steve loves to fly. In fact, he loves anything about airplanes. Forget having a conversation with him when a plane is flying overhead or shows up on the television, because it will be like talking to the wind...his focus is on that plane. On my first date with Steve, we flew in an airplane that he was piloting. He earned his pilots license many years ago, but has been unable to fly a plane for awhile due to medical reasons. Luckily, Steve has a friend who is an avid pilot and owns a couple of airplanes. Norm has taken Steve up flying quite a few times in his Cessna, and Christopher has also had an opportunity to go on occasion. Kennedy, on the other hand, has never set foot in any type of airplane, which you would never expect from her being Steve's daughter.

It was Saturday and Steve was doing some side work for Norm. I interrupted the kids play time to drag them to the health food store. I was trying the kid's patience, because apparently I was talking to the store assistant too long about boring things like supplements. I bribed them with flavored honey sticks and told them we would be on the way home soon. Steve had mentioned earlier that there would be a possibility of us going flying today, but it was almost 5 pm and he knew I had to meet a friend at 6:30 for dinner and a movie. Obviously, I thought the window of time had passed for flying....and then the phone rang. Steve was on the other end and I knew from his voice what he wanted. After fourteen years of marriage he is finally learning how to approach my anxieties about spur of the moment activities(yes, I am a planner and don't like instant decisions, though I am trying to get better). Steve stated that Norm wanted to take us for a quick flight. My instant reaction was stress. Not only was it icy and freezing cold outside, but Kennedy had never been in a plane and I needed to be somewhere soon. He assured me that it would take no time to get the airplane out of the hangar and up in the air. Was that really suppose to make me feel better that we would be in a plane that would take no time to get up in the air??? I am sure I was starting to hyperventilate when the thought came over me to just stop, breathe, and enjoy the moment. I knew this would make Steve's day to go up with his family, and besides the absolute worse that could happen would be crashing into an icy lake.

Kennedy was excited when she heard she was going to get to fly. She asked me if they were going to serve her peanuts on the plane. I explained that it was not the type of plane you fly from the airport in Salt Lake, it was a lot smaller. She did not quite understand until she saw the plane and in a brave, but nervous voice stated, "oh". For those of you who have never been in a Cessna, it is about the size of a stretched out Volkswagon Bug with six seats squished together. I think I was more nervous than Kennedy, just because I have not been up for a while. It was dark by the time we were up in the air and the scenery was absolutely beautiful. There is nothing more phenomenal than seeing the moonlit valley covered in snow from 2,000 feet up in the air. The kids thought it was great because we were able to fly right over our house. Plus, they loved seeing all the places we go(Target, church, Fat Cats) from a birds-eye view. Kennedy loved to talk to Steve through the headset. I am so proud of her because she was extremely brave through take-off, landing, and all the bumps along the way. Sadly, I did not have my camera again, so you will have to make due with our cell phone pictures. Anyway, the flight was great, and I am glad I did not give in to my anxieties. And yes, I was a half hour late for my friend, but she didn't care.

Did I Really Say, "Let it Snow"?

This was the view from our front yard last week. In fact, this has been the norm over the past few weeks. So, for those of you basking in the sun in California, see what you are missing?

Katie's Obituary

My friend Camille taught me how to paste things on my blog, enabling me to post Hefa's obituary below. Yes, I realize I am a little behind on blog technology. Since posting the section about my friend Katie passing in September, many of you have asked about her. I thought it would be appropriate to post her obituary also. Her obituary is one of the most touching I have read. I have posted it in the section where I wrote about her. You can find it by scrolling to the end of the page. Thanks Camille for your computer tips.

Hefa, you will be missed greatly

During my absence from blogging, one of my dear co-workers passed away. There are few words to describe what a great man he was. I was shocked when I learned of his stroke at such a young age. I will forever miss his laugh, humor and kindness. I will miss you Hefa, like so many others whose life you blessed.

OBITUARY

Hefa Reggie Tuita passed away peacefully at age 39 due to complications of a stroke surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was born July 27, 1969 to Leini and Tuitu'u, in Angaha Eua, Tonga. Hefa played football for Provo High and graduated from Spanish Fork High. Hefa was above all a very devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He loved and cherished his wife and kids more than anything and was extremely passionate and supportive in all aspects of their lives. His selflessness, loyalty, dependability, overwhelming laughter and humor was felt by everyone. Hefa lived life to the fullest. He saw and brought out the good in everyone and everything.He had many accomplishments, most importantly he married his best friend, Karley Allred Tuita on September 1, 1990. He served as a volunteer firefighter and fire and rescue for Spanish Fork City for nine years and was past president of The Spanish Fork Fire Association. He was also a proud member of The Utah State Firemens Association and enjoyed attending the state convention every year. He worked very hard and successfully owned and operated Tuita Construction for nine years. He was president of The Provo Steelers Ruby Team the first year that they took state. He proudly became an American Citizen on September 10, 2008 and a first time voter. He was currently employed at Provo Canyon School, Summerset Campus and was very proud to be a loving mentor to the boys that had become an important part of his life.

Preceded in death by Uhila Setafano_, Manase Mohuanga, Mosese Lavaki, and a fellow fireman, Sterling "Red" Leifson.Survived by his loving wife, Karley Tuita; his children, Tiana, Taylor, Hefa, Soane, Tu'l Niua; parents, Leini (Saane), Tuitu'u (Uhila); siblings, Soane, Vea, Maletino, Olivia, Tolofi, Isikeli, Viliami, Christina, Ray, Nia, and many half brothers and sisters, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.The Tuita family would like to express their thanks and appreciation for the wonderful care given to Hefa in ICU at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.Rosary will be held Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. The viewing will follow from 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 5, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. All services will be held at St. Francis Catholic Church, located at 65 East 500 North, Orem, UT. Burial will take place at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Hefa Tuita Memorial Fund at any Wells Fargo Branch or The Bank of American Fork, in Spanish Fork, UT.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Christopher got a bike-shaped sled from Santa for Christmas. I thought the thing might fall apart the first time he tried it out, but it has actually been a really fun and sturdy sled. Saturday we got the bug to go and play in the snow. We had a great time!

My rosy-cheek girl. An indication of the 20 degree temperature

Christopher and his cool ride...literally

Who is controlling this sled???

Christopher, my stuntman

Kennedy, preparing for her big jump

Do we have to leave??

Back to the Blog....Finally

So, I realize it has been a little while since I have posted on the blog. Alright....it has been a long while. My friend informed me that it is hard to blurk(blog lurk) my blog when I am posting nothing on it. So, I apologize to all my faithful followers(all two of you), and I will return to my weekly posts. My distraction this past month was Christmas. I know, most people think that I would have an abundance to write at such a wonderful time of the year. But, for me, when Christmas arrives all sense of the real world is left behind for a month. I love to get caught up in the spirit of Christmas and everything that it involves, and I tend to leave my regular tasks behind. This would explain the dust on my exercise videos, the limited space on my DVR, and the neglected blog. I have also obtained the knack for forgetting my camera. We picked out a live Christmas tree....I forgot the camera. We saw the beautiful Christmas lights at Temple Square...I forgot the camera. We got the newscasters to wave to us during a live broadcast of the Channel 2 news...forgot the camera. We went to a Mexican fiesta for New Year's Eve... I didn't realize we were going, so didn't think to bring the camera. Opening presents on Christmas Day...didn't bother with the camera, because I didn't think the shutter was fast enough for the flurry of wrapping paper. Thank goodness for the gift of memory. So, although I have not written in the blog, we did have a wonderful Christmas(one of our best), and we hope you all were blessed with the same.