Teenagers

     I had the privilege of attending my cousin Yesica's funeral services. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to make it because I couldn't find a plane ticket since I decided to go last minute. Thankfully my cousin Marsix and her little family were going late Thursday night which was perfect because I did school during the day and listened to lecture on my way up to Utah. She's my bestfriend and really any time that I am able to hang out with them, we always have a blast. I was sad that Mike wasn't able to make it :( He had just asked for vacations for his grandma's birthday in July so he couldn't turn around and ask for more vacations. We really missed him. It wasn't the same without him. I always feel a little home sick when he's not able to travel with me.
     Yesica's funeral services were so beautiful. Everyone who spoke about her during the services had such wonderful things to say about her. She was such a beautiful person both inside and out. I usually don't like viewings but before the services, my family was able to gather together with her one last time. I didn't know that I would want to see her, but I did. When I approached the casket I noticed there was a white beanie with a red border. I turned to my aunt (her mom) and asked why there was a beanie in there. She said her oldest son Santiago Jr (the one that graduated high school days before) had made it for her mom. He said 'I bet she loved it because I made it for her'. I looked at my aunt and smiled with my eye balls full of tears and decided that it was best I go and sit my butt back down before I started to ugly sob :)
     You could really tell by looking at her self less, loving, friendly children what amazing parents they both are. During the service my family and I had the opportunity of all going up together and singing a hymn. I remember looking up for a split second at all of my family gathered together. We were all wearing white. I remember thinking, 'this is what Heaven is going to look like' and immediately got a big huge knot in my throat. My aunt Mary elbowed me because I had stopped singing and she was following me along with the melody. I smiled and went on to singing. I'm so in love with the family Heavenly Father has given me.
     After the program we went to the grave site. I was in awe with Yesica's little family. After their mom was buried, they did a little family hug. Santiago said Yesica used to be in the middle when they did family hugs. There was no doubt in my mind Yesica was in the middle that day. At the end of saying our goodbyes to Yesica, some one noticed there were some ducks flying right above us. They were all white, flying around in a circle. It was such a peaceful, beautiful feeling. We all watched as the birds slowly flew away. It was such a beautiful closure to Yesica's life.
     Santiago's ward prepared some yummy lunch for us. You could tell they live in a great ward, every one was so nice. Santiago came over to our table and just like he always did since I've known him, he shared his testimony with us. He said he had seen Heavenly Father's hand this whole week, and even for the last couple of years. He said looking back God had slowly been preparing him for this day. He also shared on Facebook how the day before he was upset with Yesica and went to sit on the couch. He said something told him to forgive and forget and he went back with Yesica and had a great day, sharing stories, laughter and they went out and got food. My testimony of eternal families has really been strengthened by watching him go through this hard trial. I'm sure it's been heartbreaking every day for him. But he has managed to get up and keep going. It makes me happy to know that we will be okay if a family member passes away. If President Hinkley who was the President of the church can cry over the passing of his sweet wife, so can we. It's okay to feel sad like Jesus when his cousin had passed. We can morn over the loss of others, so long as we keep going and working towards making sure we do everything we can to meet them in Heaven.
     After having lunch together with my family, Santiago's job 'Grand America' invited us to their beautiful hotel to have dinner. They accommodated us in a beautiful room and all of the food was very good. Even during this hard time, Santiago treated us like he always does. His job even let family stay in the hotel rooms for free because most of them were out of town. We had a great time at the hotel. It is unfortunate that we only get together during funerals, but I'm thankful for even those opportunities to see cousins and uncles that we don't get to see too often. The hotel was beautiful and my cousin took pictures of families outside by the fountain. When the sun was down we found ourselves (cousins) all gathered around in a circle having a good time. I felt like such an old fart surrounded by teenagers. It seems like all of my cousins are the same age and are all growing up together. Before you know it we'll be going to weddings every other month.
     We decided the night was young and didn't want to leave. We wanted to go see Jurassic World but since no one ever decided on anything it got really late. Marsix had the idea of going up behind Capital Hill to see the city lights. Yazmin let me borrow her van, Marsix took her dad's van and my cousin Jessica took her truck. We piled up all the teens in the cars and headed up the hill. One of Santiago Jr's cousins was 'wild'. Man that kid acted like he had just eaten 30 packs of sugar! When we were hiking up the hill he was going around scaring the girls. It was a residential area and we had told them to be extra quite. Needless to say as soon as we made it to the top, the security guard flashed his lights at us to come down the hill. Womp, womp. Down we went. We decided to go to plan B, which was temple square. We were able to make it there un-eventfully, just the way I like it :)

     I was so glad when we made it back with all 18 people without losing any one, and getting Yazmin's car safe and sound. We sure had fun hanging out with these goofballs.

     The next day my cousin Anabel and her huband had us over for lunch. Once again we had the opportunity to get together as a family. (I made Marsix jump in the trampoline so that I could get a cute Vanellope smile) 

My uncles are always SO funny and I love hanging out with them. I think they get it from my grandpa, he was always making us laugh. Thank goodness for eternal families we also get to see him again one day.