Two Thousand Nine

Happy New Year everyone!!

2009 passed by in a twinkling of an eye. I bet our family would love to think of the many blessings and changes that took place last year while we're striving hard to live, to learn and to love with each passing day. As I was contemplating and pondering on the things and events that happened in our lives, I felt grateful for the love of our Father in Heaven who never gets tired of forgiving, loving and guiding each one of us if we will only let Him. Besides our annual apple picking in upstate New York and summer family outing at a theme park in Pennsylvania we've only been to 1 state last year, VIRGINIA BEACH in Virginia, where we spent Easter week-end. It was a beautiful place where you can enjoy and be at peace with the beauty of the nature.

The girls continue to find time learning to play the piano with the help of their Mommy. Although it wasn't as regular as it should be, I must however admit that they are very teachable and can really play well. Family time is always the best time for all of us. Whether we go out to eat or go to church on Sundays, go to the temple as a family, go shopping, hold family home evening or just hang around the house to rest--we simply love and enjoy it! We also discovered that we can express our feelings about life's challenges by gathering together every night and read from our church magazines-The ENSIGN, FRIEND, and NEW ERA. This simple means strengthen our family relationship.

I'm sure that besides the occasional whining and crying and teasing and annoying- you would like to know what's going on with the 2 girls who spiced up Mom and Dad's lives. Shelley, the youngest member of our family, turned 10 last July and is now enjoying her 5th grade in Elementary School. She loves to help her family in any way she can and she's the kind of person who would gently pat your shoulder or rub your back and tells you that you are a good person when your day seems so stressful. She is proud to say that last year 2009 she accomplished her goal to memorize the 13 Articles of Faith by heart.She also loves to call her friends on the phone and talk about the Jonas Brothers or Justin Bieber[followed by a thrilled scream!!] Just like other girls her age, she loves to cut out pictures of her favorite teen celebrities from a magazine and post it on her mirror or dresser to adore and admire. School was also fun and exciting for her esp. every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday when she attends the early morning band and chorus practices. Getting into the school band was one of the coolest things that happened in 2009. She plays the flute and they are getting ready for their School Winter Band performance.Shelley is looking forward to Junior High when she graduates from elementary in June 2010. One time her Allergist asked her what she wants to be when she grows older and without hesitation she immediately answered "I want to be a Nurse like my mom!" And I'm sure Shelley will be a good, compassionate nurse someday!

On the other hand, our teen-ager turned 14 on January 2nd, How awesome!! Geri works so hard and participates actively in school and YES! she is graduating from Middle school[8th grade]and next school year she will be in Highschool! Geri is the "Big Sister" in her group at school. Friends run to her for advice about almost anything and she thinks that helping them with their problem is cool. Crushes, admirers, tell me how you call it and Yes i'm glad that she's been very open to me about it . She is [as much as I am] grateful to the leaders of the Young Women's organization in our church for patiently and diligently helping them become the kind of women God expects them to be. She benefits a lot from their Mutual Night every Friday. Young Women ages 12-17 gather together to have fun, like cooking, crafting, dancing, learning values and standards[which we reinforce at home] that will help them choose what is right.She prefers learning a new piano piece by herself and would just consult me if she couldn't figure out a note, she thinks Pop music is more interesting to learn than classical music. Also for her, working backstage is cooler than performing on stage.After their successful Dance Concert last December 2009-they are preparing and looking forward with excitement to a stage play titled "Aladdin" which will be presented in a few months.Jeans, shirts, sneakers, boots is way comfortable for her. One of the coolest things that happened to her last year was to be called as the ward[bensonhurst] Youth Representative to the Stake[Brooklyn, NY] and I think Mom and Dad better save and prepare now to help her achieve her goal which is to become a Cardiologist someday!

As for Mom and Dad: Mom started working days since May,2009.She is now working with patients with Cancer and is blessed with a lot of opportunity to help and understand not only her patients but also their family. She still teaches in the Relief Society class every 3rd Sunday and plays the piano[organ] during sacrament service. She still loves to take pictures of the family and organize and clean the house during her free time. She also plans to go back to school in fall 2010 for her Master's Degree. Meanwhile Dad continues to work hard as a driver/courier for Bioreference Laboratory. He loves his calling in the church as the 1st counselor in the Young Men's Presidency.He also has never loss his love for cooking--that means--cooking for his family. He thinks that experimenting on new spices is fun and we just love to eat everything that he thoughtfully prepares and cooks for us. Year 2010 will be a busy and exciting year for him with the new job in the hospital that awaits him.

As we carefully look back and ponder on the many challenges and blessings that came our way, our hearts are filled with gratitude for our loving Father in Heaven for directing our life as a family. We are also thankful for dear families and friends who have always believed in us and have loved us for who we are.

Again, we're sending you our love and hope for the best this year 2010!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!