Abilez Family Holiday Greetings 2009
This year has been a combination of positive endings and exciting new beginnings, multiple challenges and countless blessings. January found me in Maryland with my family celebrating my parents’ 70th birthdays. My brothers planned and hosted a wonderful surprise party for them and flew me out as the crowning surprise. We had such a wonderful time and I was able to visit not only with immediate family members, but also aunts and cousins that I haven’t seen in far too many years.
In August, Kayla (22) graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in political science. What a proud and exciting moment for this mother! We packed all of her belongings, which were numerous after accumulating over 4 years, along with Brianna’s (who spent the last school year rooming with Kayla at BYU) and hauled it all back to California. We have said goodbye to our beloved BYU for a while, and hope that either Kiana or Bryce will be there in the next few years.
In the spring, Brianna (20) was accepted to her original dream school—USC. In August we moved her into a beautiful apartment in the heart of downtown Los Angeles and she began her 2-year dental hygiene program at USC. She is loving living in L.A. and is working so hard in the program. I was able to attend my first USC football game with her in October for Parent’s Weekend and finally felt firsthand the excitement and traditions of being a Trojan fan.
Kiana (17) began her senior year of high school in August. It really hasn’t hit me yet that she will be graduating in June. It just isn’t real to me. She has been enjoying the semi-laid back feel of being a senior with fewer classes and less pressures. In October, however, Kiana experienced an unexpected accident in dance class and seriously injured her right knee. Upon further inspection by an orthopedic surgeon it was discovered that her ACL was torn. She will undergo ACL reconstructive surgery on the 18th of December. The most tragic part is that she will not be able to dance for the next 6 months. That is not how she had planned to finish up her senior year. The idea of missing out on dancing was far more devastating than her injury. We are trying, however, to find the meaning behind this set-back, confident in the fact that our Heavenly Father loves us and always has a plan for us.
Bryce (14), my baby boy, is not so much a baby anymore. He had a most excellent summer, spending about 5 weeks with my brother Larry and his family. He attended Boy Scout camp with Larry and Cousin Lawry in Maryland. They then traveled across the country, taking in many of the beauties that this land has to offer. He spent a week with Larry and family at Philmont Scout Camp in Arizona where he had a really memorable time. He flew home and then about 2 weeks later he proceeded to travel to Yosemite Valley with his Boy Scout troop here where they camped for a week and climbed Half Dome. It was definitely the adventure of a lifetime. Bryce began high school in August and is finally taller than all of his sisters and his shrimpy mother. On a whim he tried out for dance at the high school and made it into the advanced class. Being a boy, he was automatically placed on the boy’s dance team. He has really embraced dance and is having a wonderful time building friendships.
There is so much uncertainty at this time in history. I still work for the school district, but with the state of the economy and especially the budget in California, jobs in the district are hanging by a thread. I am thankful every day to be able to get up at 4:00 a.m. and go to my job! We have had a lot of trials as a family this year and especially these past few months. I have often become overwhelmed by my burdens and worry about providing for my family. But the other night as I crawled into my warm bed, I was reminded of how very blessed we are. We HAVE warm beds, and a home to live in and food in our tummies. That’s all that really matters, right? We are a family, we have love, and we have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives which keeps us grounded, brings us peace and a sense of purpose. I will try not to sweat the small stuff, but will reflect every day on the beauty of this earth and the love and sacrifice of my Savior. May you and your family feel that same love and peace during this Christmas season and into the New Year. Know that we love you and send our hugs, kisses and greetings to your home. May God bless you always!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Peace
There is nothing that makes everything all better than spending a day at the temple. I am grateful for the peace the temple and the gospel of Jesus Christ brings. I am grateful to know that my Heavenly Father KNOWS me and that my Savior bore my burdens for me. If I can always remember that and be faithful, nothing else matters! I love my family. They are my greatest accomplishment and my priceless gem!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Regrets
Four Things You Can't Recover:
1) The stone after the throw.
2) The word after it's said.
3) The occasion after the loss.
4) The time after it's gone.
Feeling melancholy today....
1) The stone after the throw.
2) The word after it's said.
3) The occasion after the loss.
4) The time after it's gone.
Feeling melancholy today....
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Thoughts
Thanks to Kayla, my blog has a little bit more pizazz. I owe the pretty new background to her!
I haven't blogged in quite some time. I've either been too busy, too tired when I get home, or too much "he
avy" stuff going on and I don't want to write about it. That's how I've dealt with my journal over the years. It's easy to write about the fun, exciting things, but when times get hard I just like to lay low and not think about it more than I have to.
Nothing tragic is going on right now, just a lot of transitions. Kayla graduates in August and Brianna has applied to USC for the dental hygiene program. We've been trying to figure out how to keep the girls in school through August when the money/financial aid has run out. We've been fortunate to have been pretty creative in the past. We are hopeful and prayerful that everything will work out. The thought of Brianna going to USC stresses me out like no other.
I know we can't afford it. I hope she gets some serious scholarships or financial aid. I keep telling her that I hate to see her $100,000 in debt coming out of school. But USC is her love and she's dreamed of going there for a long time. I hope it all works out. If she doesn't get in for the fall, she will return to BYU-Hawaii. I'm happy about that, but again a bit stressed about the cost of flying her there. I just want my kids to have all the experiences and opportunities they deserve and not be held back by financial restrictions!
Kiana will be a senior next year! That means senior pictures this summer and applying for college in the fall. Three kids in college at the same time! Lord, help me!! She wants to go to FIDM, but it is very expensive. I think junior college would be a good transition for her, but she gets mad when I bring it up. It might be really good for her to be out of the house and on her own. There has been a lot of tension between her and I for a few years now. I guess our personalities just clash. I love her so much and long for the closeness with her that I have with Kayla and Brianna. She just won't let me in. It makes me very sad sometimes. I try not to dwell on what she doesn't give me but on what she does---the little moments when she opens up to me. Last month we went to a fashion show for FIDM together and one of her friends at the Santa Monica airport. It was a fabulous show and we had a great time. Little glimmers of sunlight!
The state of the economy, especially here in California, is weighing heavily on so many. I work for the school district. Last week 33 pink slips were handed out to some of our teachers, counselors and administrators. Most of them have no idea whether or not they will have a job in a few months. We classified employees won't hear whether or not we'll be laid off until probably May. My job should be secure, but many of my friends and coworkers are not so sure. These are very trying times. Our church leaders have been telling us for years we need to be prepared. I always thought that was for natural disasters, but I believe now that they were speaking of what our country is facing now. Those who were unprepared have been caught off-guard and are now scrambling to try and keep their lives from crumbling. I'm so thankful that I have always been taught to heed the counsel of our leaders.
On a lighter side, our ward recently participated in the stake Roadshow. It was such a pleasure working with our youth as we practiced and prepared for our performance 2 weeks ago. We have an awesome group of kids. The day of the performances I saw such kindness and bonding amongst the kids. They pumped each other up and encouraged one another. It really warmed my heart. Working in a public high school I see the opposite end of that spectrum. Kids in "the world" can be so unkind, crass, and vulger. The youth in the church show such great courage, character and strength. I am honored to be able to associate with them and thankful that I have been able to raise my children amongst such great people.
So, I guess I had more to say than I thought. This has turned into more like three blogs in one. Spring is right around the corner. I'm thankful for this beautiful earth that Heavenly F
ather has given us. I often ponder on the miracle that is this earth we inhabit. Heavenly Father provided everything we could possibly need to survive and be happy. And to top it off he made it so diverse and glorious.
I haven't blogged in quite some time. I've either been too busy, too tired when I get home, or too much "he
avy" stuff going on and I don't want to write about it. That's how I've dealt with my journal over the years. It's easy to write about the fun, exciting things, but when times get hard I just like to lay low and not think about it more than I have to.Nothing tragic is going on right now, just a lot of transitions. Kayla graduates in August and Brianna has applied to USC for the dental hygiene program. We've been trying to figure out how to keep the girls in school through August when the money/financial aid has run out. We've been fortunate to have been pretty creative in the past. We are hopeful and prayerful that everything will work out. The thought of Brianna going to USC stresses me out like no other.
I know we can't afford it. I hope she gets some serious scholarships or financial aid. I keep telling her that I hate to see her $100,000 in debt coming out of school. But USC is her love and she's dreamed of going there for a long time. I hope it all works out. If she doesn't get in for the fall, she will return to BYU-Hawaii. I'm happy about that, but again a bit stressed about the cost of flying her there. I just want my kids to have all the experiences and opportunities they deserve and not be held back by financial restrictions!Kiana will be a senior next year! That means senior pictures this summer and applying for college in the fall. Three kids in college at the same time! Lord, help me!! She wants to go to FIDM, but it is very expensive. I think junior college would be a good transition for her, but she gets mad when I bring it up. It might be really good for her to be out of the house and on her own. There has been a lot of tension between her and I for a few years now. I guess our personalities just clash. I love her so much and long for the closeness with her that I have with Kayla and Brianna. She just won't let me in. It makes me very sad sometimes. I try not to dwell on what she doesn't give me but on what she does---the little moments when she opens up to me. Last month we went to a fashion show for FIDM together and one of her friends at the Santa Monica airport. It was a fabulous show and we had a great time. Little glimmers of sunlight!
The state of the economy, especially here in California, is weighing heavily on so many. I work for the school district. Last week 33 pink slips were handed out to some of our teachers, counselors and administrators. Most of them have no idea whether or not they will have a job in a few months. We classified employees won't hear whether or not we'll be laid off until probably May. My job should be secure, but many of my friends and coworkers are not so sure. These are very trying times. Our church leaders have been telling us for years we need to be prepared. I always thought that was for natural disasters, but I believe now that they were speaking of what our country is facing now. Those who were unprepared have been caught off-guard and are now scrambling to try and keep their lives from crumbling. I'm so thankful that I have always been taught to heed the counsel of our leaders.
On a lighter side, our ward recently participated in the stake Roadshow. It was such a pleasure working with our youth as we practiced and prepared for our performance 2 weeks ago. We have an awesome group of kids. The day of the performances I saw such kindness and bonding amongst the kids. They pumped each other up and encouraged one another. It really warmed my heart. Working in a public high school I see the opposite end of that spectrum. Kids in "the world" can be so unkind, crass, and vulger. The youth in the church show such great courage, character and strength. I am honored to be able to associate with them and thankful that I have been able to raise my children amongst such great people.
So, I guess I had more to say than I thought. This has turned into more like three blogs in one. Spring is right around the corner. I'm thankful for this beautiful earth that Heavenly F
ather has given us. I often ponder on the miracle that is this earth we inhabit. Heavenly Father provided everything we could possibly need to survive and be happy. And to top it off he made it so diverse and glorious.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
New Year....
What are my hopes for this new year? Well, like everyone else, I hope the economy improves. The poor folks like me haven't felt the pain too much. There's nothing to lose when you don't have anything in the first place! I do feel the stress from those close to me, though, like my brothers and my parents. I want to get out of debt. If I could just find me that Sugar Daddy I've been looking for, then my financial worries will be a thing of the past! :) I also hope that our President-elect brings the hope and change to this country that he's promised. I want him to prove me wrong---I'm very skeptical, hence the reason I didn't vote for him. I pray that my family will stay healthy. I look forward to Kayla's college graduation in August. I want her to find success and happiness after graduation. I want to get healthier and lose weight. If I can just stay away from all the snacks at work, I might stand a chance. I want to enjoy my kids more. I hope I can put aside the stress of work and "surviving" and have more fun with them. I want to have a better relationship with Kiana. I know that will take a greater effort on my part. I am the adult, after all, so that means I have to meet her more than half-way. And I want to enjoy these last few months of innocence with Bryce before he goes off to high school next year. When he wants to play a board game, I need to do it and care less about the dishes or laundry or whatever. Most importantly, I want to always strive to be a better person: to love my family more, to love my neighbor more, to pray more for those who disappoint me, and draw closer to my Savior. I love that with a new year we all get a clean slate. Here's to making this year count!!
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