the wedding & the construction project

Happy New Year from Honduras & congrats to all the Seminole Fans, what a game!!

The wedding was beautiful.  We had a small civil wedding and reception at Carina's parents house a few days prior to the wedding and then a wedding Mass and large reception at the Catholic Church on November 30th. Here in Honduras you must have a civil wedding, and then if you choose you can get married in the church as well.  I have included some pictures of both of the weddings below.

My parents arrived a week prior to the wedding, it was great to have their help and credit card.  A few friends and my Aunt & Uncle arrived the Wednesday before the wedding, as planned, however my siblings and 4 other friends got stuck in the islands on the North Coast of Honduras, the weather was horrible and the planes could not depart.  That added a little stress to the wedding weekend, but thankfully after much frustration and time in the airport they all arrived safely by Thursday evening.  It was great to have everyone here.

Juticalpa, Honduras is not the easiest place to travel to so Carina and I were very grateful to those who made the journey.  We know that many of you were with us in thought and prayer and we thank you for that as well.

My brother served as my best man and my sister was Carina's maid of honor.

With our parents, my siblings, Carina's nephews & Padre Ricardo. 

From the left; my Aunt Fifi & Uncle Bob (from D.C.), my brother (Andrew) & sister (Elizabeth), my parents, Carina & I, Josh & Katie (Nashville), Tim & Krista (Tampa), and Suz & Mike (NYC)

Carina received a lot of compliments on her dress, her Aunt Juanita actually sewed it by hand, it was beautiful.

It's not easy to find large coolers here in Juticalpa so I wasn't sure what to do about keeping beer cold for the reception.  If you ever run into that problem, know that a horse troth will work just as well.  Carina's dad made this troth and a smaller one for the champagne.

Here are some pictures of the civil wedding that took place on the back patio at Carina's house.  We had a live Marimba Band, plenty of food, drinks, and dancing.  The area where the service took place was later transitioned into a dining area, and then a dance floor.  Carina's mother and aunts served a traditional Honduran plate, carne asada, chismol (pico de gallo), refried beans, & tortillas.  Carina's Aunt Suyapa from Chicago added a little North American flare by preparing some amazing BBQ ribs.

My long time friend Tim Kleman served as my witness at the civil wedding.  One of Carina's best friends, Lissy Canales served as her witness.  

The Marimba Band

Josh and Katie loading up at the buffet. 

Here's a picture of Carina's nephew (Anthony) making his 3rd trip to the chocolate fountain. Carina's sisters sent us the fountain and thanks to my mom & aunt it worked without creating a huge mess.  

My parents, Carina and I the week prior to the wedding at a church in Jutiquili, Honduras. 

My dad organized a 5K run/walk for the North Americans, I believe it turned into a 3K.  I did not get to attend because I was being a good groom and running errands with Carina.  I was at the bank when I saw three of my friends run through the plaza in these neon green shirts, needless to say they got a lot of strange looks.

As for the construction at Carlos and Cindy's house, the roof was finished last week and I believe Carlos has some friends that are willing to pour the concrete floors this week or next.  In the picture below you can see the addition.  The white and blue wall to the left are the original 2 bedrooms and the area in the middle with the 2 windows will be their living room and kitchen area.  The area to the right will be an outdoor patio that will include a small room for a toilet, a small room for a shower, and in between the two rooms will be a large sink or what we call pila (water storage container).  

Here is a better view of what will be the patio, shower room, room for a toilet, and water storage in between.  

Here are a couple pictures from last month before the roof was completed. 

The living room / kitchen area. 

For anyone who has been involved in a construction project you know that the original estimate is just that...the original and an estimate, so is the case with this project.  I have given Carlos $1,700 of the $2,600 that has been raised.  He has kept track of every dime that has been spent and aside from the concrete floors that need to be poured and windows that need to be purchased we are almost finished building what we had originally discussed.  Fortunately Carlos has found many friends and family members that have been able to help him with the labor.  I'm just waiting for the final materials to be purchased to see if there will be enough money to help another family, stay tuned. Thanks for everyone who has contributed to the project, you all have been a great blessing to Carlos and Cindy.