25 September 2022
VOLUME 10 – NUMBER 471
Yarima and Selvin on wedding day
Yarima
I got married this week! Selvin is amazing and makes me feel happy. I’m so grateful that I was able to spend this special moment with family and friends. I’m happy that all the stress of planning is over. Happy for those who helped because it was very much needed. In the end it came out so beautiful and it was nice to hear that people thought so. I’m grateful for this chapter of my life and what it brings and being surrounded by people who love and support us.
Yarima’s siblings with Selvin and Yarima
Endia
Congratulation Rima and Selvin on your wedding this week! The ceremony was beautiful. Seeing family together always makes my heart burst. The reception after was a lot of fun, Endia and I were exhausted when the day was finally over.
I started my new job this week at Whole Child Therapy in Spanish Fork. I help children with autism learn to better communicate and live a better life. It’s a job of many small miracles. The children have a very sweet and tender spirit, and I am grateful to spend so much time with them.
Braden was in town, so Endia and I had a Family Home Evening in Springville with him, Ashton, London, and Hannah. We made some meatloaf and played pickleball. It was a lot of fun!
Yarima and Selvin’s wedding reception
London
Yarima and Selvin's wedding was absolutely beautiful! She did such a great job planning out all the decorations, choosing the colors. Monte, Gloria, and Veidi went down with Dad to get all the luminarios set up, which looked so cool, especially as it got darker! The rest of us helped set up the mason jar lightening bug lanterns for the tables, and other decorations.
It really is such a happy moment to get together as a family and celebrate with each other. Seeing Yarima and Selvin together made me feel so excited for them and their future together. As much as I love our family, I feel like I love it even more each time another brother or sister-in-law joins our craziness!
Setting up luminarios for the wedding
Monte
Congratulations Yarima! It's so exciting that you and Selvin got married. On Thursday, the fam woke up at around 7:00am and went to set up for Yarima's wedding, and reception. Gloria, Veidi, Dad, and I went up first to set up luminarios.
Then we set up tables, chairs, lanterns on the tables, and finally, right in time we got everything finished! Then we changed into our nice clothes (Dad changed in the trailer!), and we were ready for the ceremony. The ceremony and reception were amazing! I love you, Yarima!
On Friday, I went over to Aiden's house to have a sleepover with him, because I decided not to go to our ward campout the week before, and can I just say, friend drama is no fun! But it's always good to have a great friend like Aiden.
Selvin and Yarima cutting cake
So, let's get to the fun stuff. When I got there, we played some video games. We talked a lot and played more video games. By the time we got ready for bed, it was 2:30am! And that wasn't the last of it. We talked about girls, movies, and soundtracks for about a half an hour before we fell asleep.
Then we got up at seven to go and clean the church. Once that was done, I helped Aiden with his job, and got an extra $10 out of it! Then we got back to his house, and watched a movie called Hot Rod on Vidangel. It was such a funny movie!
Then we went to Wendy's and Wal-Mart. We looked at vinyl albums. The first thing I saw, I had to buy...The Elf soundtrack! I had been wanting a Christmas album for a while, and what better one than Elf. Aiden bought the Essential Elvis Presly.
Then we went back to Aiden’s house and played more video games. Then we talked some more, ate dinner, watched a episode of Psych, and then went to the region dance. This was one of the best weekends I've had in a while!
Loading up tables and chairs for wedding
Ashton
What a week! Yarima's wedding was a party! It was so fun to see everyone there and after the ceremony we just had a ton of fun. I was a little stressed out because I was up at the front with Selvin, and I had to read in English what he was saying in Spanish. There were times where I got ahead or behind, and I had to look up at London sitting in the front row. She would give me signals to speed up or slow down.
I also got to go home and head to the Hale Center Theater play, Lucky Stiff. It was pretty good, but honestly the best part was Kai! There was one scene where the lights were off, and then all these spooky loud voices started talking. Kai started to get worried and audibly says something like, "Woah!...Hey! Guys?!"
It was almost as if he instinctively reacted like we were watching a movie we could just fast forward through!. Me and Monte were laughing at him for the rest of the night!
Aura with Yarima at her wedding
Aura
Hello everyone! A little update here. The girls are doing great, Yaretzie turned 13 this summer and Itzel will be 8 next month.
Well, there’s no easy way to give anyone not so great news, so here it goes. I was in remission for a couple months, before being given the news this week that the cancer is back. I have been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. It’s mostly in my liver, but has also found its way to the abdomen, spine and some lymph nodes.
I started chemotherapy right away. I also have a little “amigo” in my chest (a port) that it’s distributed through. I mostly feel fine. There are some days I am very hopeful and of course there are others where I question it all. I do know I am not in this alone and have the love and support of so many.
Telling family was the most difficult part—it never seems like the right time—other than when you just can’t sleep and feel the need to send it in a text message at 4:00 in the morning (that’s how I delivered the news to my parents and siblings).
On the other hand! I was very fortunate to be asked to officiate Rima and Selvin’s wedding. It was an amazing experience. Congrats! Much love. —Aura.
Visiting with Gloria’s biological family
Veidi
For Yarima's wedding, we helped set up for it, so we got there early to set up. I went with Rima to pick up some of her things and we went back and helped set up in time. Then we got dressed for the wedding. I am so happy for Rima!
Isaac
I got called back for a Christmas Carol youth edition and it was really fun. I think I did really well. I got there and I went into a room with the director and a couple other people. They had me recite the lines they gave me, and they said I did really well. It took about five minutes and then we got out of there and raced back to get set up for Yarima's wedding. The ceremony was really nice. Congratulations Yarima and Selvin!
Kai
I am so happy for Yarima! The wedding was so cool! We went early, because we had to set up luminarios all around. There were a lot of games, drinks and food. So much FUN!
Grandparents at wedding reception
Mom / Jenny
Endia and Yarima are married! I am so thankful that they both found someone with whom they are equally yoked. Both couples can grow and learn together and help each other find their greatest happiness if they are willing to strive and do their best.
Endia's wedding took very little set up and just a day's worth of cooking and preparation--which was mostly planned and taken care of by Endia and London. Cougar's family is amazing, and it was great to get to know them in such a casual celebration--swimming, food and company.
I had a very special experience the next day as I sat in the bride's room of the temple with Endia, and we talked about the significance and blessings of marrying in the temple. I am eternally thankful that her happiness will last for eternity if the two of them endure to the end.
Yarima's wedding turned out beautifully! Everyone’s dresses, flowers and the outdoor setting fit perfectly. It was neat to have so many of Selvin's coworkers from Utah and Wisconsin come and celebrate with them. Aura did a great job officiating in the ceremony even though she was not feeling the greatest.
As the night progressed the luminarios and bug-light table lanterns began to show up. Everything looked beautiful! The bounce house, nine square, lawn games and dancing were a great hit and kept everyone entertained. It was a beautiful day!
Family home evening
Braden
This month has been a busy one for me with lots of traveling. Two weeks ago, I was in town for Endia and Cougar’s wedding, I flew back to North Carolina to spend a week with Brooke, and this week I got to fly out for Yarima and Selvin.
On Tuesday I got to spend the evening with Ashton, London, Endia, and Cougar. We had dinner at Endia and Cougar’s apartment then played some pickle ball at a rec center nearby.
I had a blast hanging out with some of the siblings who I don’t get to see very often. One of the things I miss most about living so far away is that I don’t get to be a part of the fun stuff my siblings get to do since they live so close to each other.
Yarima’s wedding was amazing! I was so impressed with everything—from decorations, to the ceremony, and also the refreshments. Such a great night—congrats Yarima and Selvin!
Brigham and Joanna at reception
My last night in Utah, the whole fam in West Jordan played SCUM together. It was fun to have Mom and Dad join. We were all laughing at what was happening during the game. It was a great last night with the fam. On Sunday I flew home and I’m pretty excited to be able to get back into my regular routine.
The last three weeks have kind of been all over the place and we are now able to get back to our normal schedule. On Sunday, Brooke went to a ward get-together with her family, and I stayed home since Ellie was napping. When she woke up, we sat on the deck outside and read for a little bit. She read her picture book and I read Lord of the Rings (I’ve wanted to read this for a while and just started this week).
Ellie seemed to be getting a little upset she wasn’t getting much attention, so I tried just reading my book out loud to her. Surprisingly, she calmed down and just looked at me and listened to Fellowship of the Ring for 20-30 minutes!
Yarima’s parents at wedding