28 April 2024
VOLUME 12 – NUMBER 553
Yarima and Selvin with baby Mattias
Selvin and I welcomed our baby boy on April 24. His name is Mattias Aldair Carranza. He weighed 4 pounds 13 ounces.
Mattias had to be born a month early due to some severe health concerns the doctors had about me. I thought I was just going in for my weekly check up on Monday morning (April 22) and they ended up sending me to the hospital to be monitored more closely.
After some lab results, my doctor came to a conclusion that she wanted to admit me and have me induced, because my symptoms became severe. I was induced at midnight, and my doctor broke my water at 7:00am Tuesday morning.
It was a long and very, very hard wait for him to arrive. After three long days, Mattias was born. He was admitted to the NICU because he had no interest in eating, and he also needed a small amount of oxygen.
I was told I would have two more days in the hospital due to them having to ease me off the magnesium. Suddenly the day came and I was discharged having to leave Mattias behind. He will have to stay in the NICU for several days before he is ready to come home.
I went through some pretty hard moments to get Mattias here, but I am so grateful for the support that I received while I was there. I’m grateful for my nurses and doctors who listened to me and advocated for me. and for my husband who didn’t leave my side when I needed it the most.
We are so happy to have Mattias in our family, and can’t wait to watch him grow!
Baby Mattias (4 pounds, 13 ounces)
Rima had a baby! I can't believe it! While she was in labor, Mom and Natalie went to the hospital to help her out with anything she needed. Because Natalie had to leave on such short notice, she asked Isaac and I if we could babysit her kids while she was gone.
I had a great time babysitting Emma, McKay, Brigham, Mateo, and Sophia! Isaac and I mainly babysat Mateo and Sophia, because Emma and McKay were at school, and Brigham was at a friends house. Mateo and Sophia were really fun to be with, they were so happy and bright, and they were really easy to handle!
While we were there, Isaac and I tidied up the house, fed the kids, and watched some shows. By the end of the day, I was kind of tired, but when we got home, Ashton and Caleb wanted to play Fugitive with everyone. Mom and Dad were going to leave on a business/anniversary trip to Park City, so Caleb was in charge.
We got to play Fugitive, and it was crazy! It was really suspenseful, because you didn't know where the driver, Ashton, was. The whole time, we were looking for spots to hide, scared that he would come around the corner, so we were constantly watching our backs! I had great night, and I hope to play Fugitive again some time!
Owen and Mable
For a few days this week, Mom and Dad went to Park City for Mom's work, so Caleb was in charge while they were gone. On Tuesday for our youth activity we went to the Taylorsville temple. It was super pretty inside.
I have never been to an open house before, so I did not expect what I saw and felt. There was one painting I really liked. It was a mother putting on the armor on the stripling warrior.
Later the night we played Fugitive as a family and I had a lot of fun playing. To play, we started at Falcon Ridge Elementary, and we had to get back home without being caught by someone driving in the car. I had Isaac and Troy on my team and we were so close to the house the second round, but Ashton caught us before we could make it home.
Endia, Cougar, children playing games
On Friday Riley and I went shopping for Morp stuff. The theme was rhyme without reason, and we went as “Lumberjack and Men in Black.” On Saturday we spent most of the time at Riley's house. He taught me how to play Minecraft and we played that for a while. We also made chocolate covered strawberries.
Then we went to Swig to go visit Monte and Aiden. We gave Monte a ride home because his shift was over at 2:00pm. After Swig we went back to Riley’s house and had a pizza party. Then we watched a show.
Then it was time to start to get ready for the dance. We had Aiden and Monte join for the dance. We took pictures, and then headed to Panda Express for dinner.
The dance was really fun. When we got there it was so empty, but by the time it was over it was packed with people.
Lumberjack and Men in Black
This last week I was in the Atlanta, Georgia area for a work training trip. This is an annual thing my company, AARC-360, does every year.
It was nice to feel like I got a lot more out of the trainings this year compared to last year (everything last year felt over my head). I also work with a lot of great co-workers, so it was fun to be around them and see them in person for a change.
AARC did a great job putting together a lot of fun activities outside of our all-day trainings. One evening we had a casino night, which was awesome. They provided fake money and set up a few casino tables. At the end of the night, you trade in the money you made for raffle tickets and then there’s a drawing for prizes.
AARC-360 employees at casino night
I ended up winning the second most amount of money overall (8 tickets) which was fun. At the raffle at the end, there were six prizes. Before I say who won the prizes, I should point out that 8 of the 32 employees at AARC are members of the Church (and don’t ever gamble).
There was a rule that each person could only win one of the possible prizes (no repeats). I had my ticket numbers pulled on two of the prizes so I walked away with the highest of the two prizes—$100. To avoid repeat winners, 10 total tickets had to be pulled and 8 out of the 10 were for guys who are Latter-day Saints.
Everyone thought it was hilarious, and our CEO’s wife jokingly said, “What is it with this Mormon thing—they’re winning all the money!”
Braden, Ellie, and Charlie at church
Mom and Dad went on their anniversary up to Park City. It was a work trip for Mom that happened to be the same days as their 30th wedding anniversary. While they were gone, Ashton stayed with us, and we played Fugitive.
It was really fun. We had to start at the stake center, then go to Falcon Ridge, and then make it back home. Sadly, I never made it back to the house, but I did get close a few times.
The closest I probably got was when I was with Gloria and Troy. We were on our way back home, and I decided that we should take a way that Ashton probably wouldn't check, so we went down the way of the Tucker's, Zimmerman's, Pettit’s, and the old Horner's house, and it worked, all the way until we turned to our house from the Chamberlain's.
We decided that since we were that close, we decided to risk it, and as we started running, 20 feet away from our yard the Tesla lights illuminated our bodies and Ashton caught us!
I was kind of bummed, since I have never made it back—I like to play risky. Maybe one of these days, I'll be able to do it. I can't wait to play again!
Brigham, Emma, Mckay in homemade cars
It's been so long since I've played Fugitive, but we were able to play again. I love Fugitive, just because it gets that suspense and adrenaline running through your veins. You just feel like a spy when playing.
I do prefer to start the game by myself, because large groups of people are easy to spot, but I don't mind meeting up with one or two people along the way.
This time we went from the Wakefield Chapel, up to the stake center, and then to High Bluff, and back home. It was so fun, and I did make it home. I love this game, and I can't wait to play more throughout the summer.
Monte and Caleb playing Fugitive
All full-time staff at the MTC got to go to Top Golf this week. It was fun, even with the embarrassment of not knowing how to swing a golf club! The purpose of the event was to build relationships between the different areas and departments of the MTC, and that definitely happened. I got to know quite a few people beyond the workplace, and that was a big highlight.
On Sunday I got to speak in church after spending most of the weekend up with the family in West Jordan. I actually enjoy the chances I get to speak, despite the nerves.
One more thing I got to do this week that was pretty unique was leading out a meeting for about 60 missionaries. It has been a while since I have taught, but I got to fill in for one of the managers who holds a weekly training with all the missionaries in his area of the MTC.
It felt like that opportunity to teach energized me and it made me remember how much I miss being with missionaries.
Mom eating dinner with Dad in Park City
This week Mom and Dad were gone, and Ashton came over. We did Fugitive and it was really hard and super fun.
Me, Gloria, Monte, and Isaac went to stake sports. They did not have nine square so then Me, Gloria, and Riley played volleyball. I have never really enjoyed it but it was actually very fun.
While Mom and Dad went to Zion's camp, Sophie Zimmerman came over, and we played games. Then Isaac, Kai, and I went to her house and we made s’mores on her s’more maker. The next day we went back to her house and we ate s’mores and then we watched Cinderella.
Dad in a work cubby in Park City
I planned a hike with some mission friends for this past Saturday. Six of us ended up going. It was cold and wet, but a lot of fun! We did Bell Canyon Granite hike in Sandy. It rained. At one point it was very steep and slick and snowy, but we made it and it was worth it. By the end of it all my hands were swollen and red because of the cold rain!
I returned home, and Sebastian and Eliseo stayed at our house for a night again. We played Endia's and Cougar's board game called Betrayal. It was all a lot of fun!
Caleb on hike with mission friends
Last week was Earth Day, and Endia, Cougar and Owen came over and we went to buy little flowers to plant. we got red and white flowers with plain white flowers. We planted them in a pot outside so it could get the most sunshine. We ended up putting it on the side of the house in front of the garbages.
Quinn doing homework
We had a GIANT Nerf war in the gym this week. Mom also started teaching piano lessons to the Mendoza's again. Then Mom and Dad left to Zion's Camp on Friday and Saturday, but we had some fun when they were gone.
Mom and Owen
On April 23, Jenny and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. As I looked back on past notable anniversaries, I had to smile a little. Our 20th anniversary was probably our most extravagant, when we celebrated by visiting Maui for a week. Our 25th was also kind of fancy, when we flew first class to Fort Lauderdate, Florida.
However, other anniversaries were less glamorous. For our 10th, we were at an awards banquet for my work (Lumin Publishing), and this time for our 30th, we celebrated quietly at a work retreat (Utah Foster Care) for Mom!
I just want Mom to know how happy I am to be married to her! Jenny, through wonderful times and tough times, there is no one else with whom I would rather make the journey…than with you! Happy 30th anniversary Jenny!
Mom and Dad’s engagement photo