Better late than never, right?

I hadn't posted any shots of our Christmas lights and wanted to (even this late, hehe) because we worked so very hard on them. Here are some shots of our Christmas tree 2009.

Our attempt at a repeat family photo... this year didn't go as well as last year.

We FINALLY took pictures of our outside Christmas lights. We have been NUTSO busy and honestly just hadn't had time to take the gazillion lights and decorations down in an organized manner. We finally got 'em down and I snapped some pictures before. I am a bit mad though because I forgot to turn the outside Christmas tree lights on and it was pretty cool. Boo.

You can barely see the cool little, purple tree... that should have been lit with white lights. =(

The back door.

The front entrance.

We're looking forward to next year. I want to see how many years our apartments can deny us first place. There was no denying it this year but they did, somehow. They don't like us very much and we are certain they won't ever let us win a competition. Hehe. Oh well. I loved every second of it.

4 Rows - Check!

I have successfully completed 4 full (and extremely long) rows for my scarf and first ever crochet project!

It's getting exciting...

Although, I need to figure out why I have a slight curling effect. It isn't too bad and I think I have the technique correct but maybe not... I am off to do some research!

=)

Light Dancin' Dream

I had the weirdest dream last night... I dreamt that when we were taking our Christmas lights down we left them out all over the ground outside. It gets interesting because we ended up having a dance party and were dancing all around the lights. I remember thinking that it was cool that we could dance without breaking the lights. And then awhile later and right before the dream ended, I remember thinking, "There's no way we haven't broken at least one light!"

Raaaaaaaaaaaandom.

Oh also...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I never did say that, huh?

This was my very first Gin 'n Tonic, courtesy of Jonathan himself. =) It's his favorite drink and in 4 and a half years I haven't tried one! We had a cozy New Year's all to ourselves. It was lovely.

A Formal Welcome for My Niece

As her 1 month birthday approaches, I would like to give a formal Amy'tude welcome to my best friend's baby girl.

Welcome to the world Miss January Sky Hernandez!

Born at 1:13 pm on January 9, 2010, weighing 7 pounds 11 ounces.

I had the honor of being able to be there to see her first minutes in this world. There were lots of smiles and lots of tears... it wasn't too long of a day, although I bet Emilie would beg to differ. Jonathan and I left to be there at 6:30 am and got there just in time to wait with the family, get some pictures, eat, laugh and smile. They had just broken her water and she was good to go!

Gettin' ready! We were just in time!


We just had a few minutes with her before she had to be taken to get cleaned up. I shot pictures like a mad woman while trying stay back to let the family get in close.


The January sky minutes after January Sky came into this world. Beautiful - not a cloud in site!

Elated Dad says I'm next! Oh boy! (Look at the little January's foot prints on Daddy Nelson!)

The gorgeous sunset in the January sky on January Sky's first day here! Our trip back was beautiful but bitter sweet - we didn't get to see Emilie before we left. =(

:) Hoooooray! Welcome January! Happy almost 1 month birthday! We love you! And thanks for waiting for your Tia Amy!

Crocheting Quest!

I am super excited to announce that I have officially joined the crocheting world! I learned to crochet when I was just a kiddo; however, I gave it up and had only mastered one long single crochet and covering hangers. Yarn-covered hangers really make a pretty cool gift and are a super neat craft for the kiddos - under adult supervision, of course.

(Single Crochet Stich - Photo: http://www.fourgoodcorners.com)

(Yarn-Covered Hanger - Photo: www.pinkdaisygirl.blogspot.com)

For you non-crocheters out there, a single crochet is shown above; it is the base of majority of crocheting projects and is the easiest part, in my opinion. Because I never learned how to turn and continue past the first row, I never actually learned how to make anything! LOL

Well, thanks to a friend’s inspiration, I have embarked on a quest to learn everything there is about crocheting! Jessica recently made a pretty scarf with little pockets that I just fell in love with. I have occasionally thought about picking up some yarn and a few needles to give it other go but I guess I just never found my true inspiration. When I saw her handy work, I knew I had to give it another shot.

I don’t remember the exact day I began again (it’s been about a week) but I just up and decided to go to the craft store; I bought some needles, some cool purple and green yarn, and the coolest little carrying bag (with holes at each end for the yarn!)

With the bit of effort I have given, I can honestly say that I am quite proud of myself already! While I always had a crocheting passion, I didn’t necessarily know if I had true ability. I am learning to give myself a bit more credit and now, I think I can, I think I can! I have practiced a bit on and off this past week inbetween statistics reading and grueling problem work and have found myself rushing around to get back to crocheting. Pretty fun.

I used the same area of yarn for several attempts, practicing with a few tries at a row of single crochet stitches. These were pretty horrid attempts and my fingers felt like they were going to fall off, but I knew it would get easier. I did and redid until I was happy enough with my technique to move on to the next row for the very first time in my life! I practiced this a few times as well before I realized something very important... I was doing most everything wrong! No wonder it was so flippin' hard! I was pulling the "yarn over" the wrong way and was pulling another part over instead of through. I undid some of the mistake and tied it off; from there, I continued the correct way so I could look back at my success in the future.

(The curly part was my first try and the rest that falls closest to my ring was the best attempt; after I learned my misakes!)

The correct way is much easier and much more fun! I saved my first ever double row (shown above) and decided I wanted to start off fresh with a scarf, in honor of my first inspiration. =) And so it began... at this point, I have completed three full and correct rows for my first crocheted scarf! Wooo hooo, crocheting here I come!

To Reader Tracy

Hi Tracy!

I apologize that I haven't been able to get back with you! I have some crazy hours and was smack dab in the middle of my Statistics class for my Master's. Whew! It is NUTSO! I definitely want to speak with you about your questions and haven't forgotten about you. My major class work will be complete on Friday. I would love to chat then or soon after. Please don't hesitate to email me if you'd like and I will get back with you after Friday! (AwesomeAmytude@gmail.com)

Thank you for your readership. I hope I can help.

:)

*~* Blessings for the Family *~*

My family and friends are always in my prayers but I wanted to send out a special blog with some extra special blessings for our family during these hard times. Cancer is being battled on both sides of my family right now and I am very blessed to be amongst a strong and loving family. It is hard but we will make it through. I know God is watching and His plan is there waiting.

I love you all and will be thinking of you.

A Beautiful World

The days have been beautiful... while freezing cold in between, every other week has been absolutely gorgeous. I wanted to post some shots from my nature collection in celebration of the beautiful weather and world in general. I love this world and how ridiculously blessed we are.

:)

Enjoy every second. As my Dad always says and you'll see me say again and again, "Don't let a day go by that you don't have some fun."

The Mysteries of Love

For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health..." We've all heard these words time and time again; these are words we long to speak to the one person we can call our own, the one person we can love, honor, and cherish until the day we die. I'll always respect my vows to the love of my life; these words are sacred to me and I know that since the moment these words were spoken from my lips, I'll truly honor them until the day of my death.

Here lately, I've been thinking more and more about what it is to love, honor, and cherish as long as you both shall live, and what it really means to love for better... and for worse. My bewilderment of Love's mysterious web began after observing several dramatic chapters of a friend's relationship controversies. The good and the bad, that's for sure!

I'm sitting here contemplating people and love and the way it all works when I should be completing at least one of the five chores I've begun and haven't finished because I've moved onto another activity; I started washing dishes three hours ago. Since then I've gone through photographs, gone to the store for gardening dirt, replanted my Aloe Vera plant, and had one more conversation with my friend who is having some major relationship difficulties. The next thing on my list of 'Things-to-Ponder' came to me as soon as the consoling conversation was over... what the hell could she still see in this jerk-face?

I was just finishing up the Aloe Vera transplant when the conversation first began. The contents of these conversations usually have my blood boiling and my rage slightly roaring by the conclusion, but I've seemed to keep my temper to a minimal, considering my Irish blood. At this point, I can't get upset anymore because only she knows what is best for her life and I for sure know what is best for mine; however, I am still in awe at the way love works as a whole...

While this guy couldn't be the one for her, unfortunately, he is a necessary evil. Every relationship is vital to a person's individual understanding of love; without these love lessons, we wouldn't be prepared for the one relationship that will last forever. Forever ain't no joke; it takes preparation, understanding, patience and one hundred percent commitment. As unfair as it is, all the heartbreaks in our life are necessary; without the mistakes made and lessons learned, we wouldn't have the tools needed to maintain the one relationship that we want to last forever. Each relationship is like a stepping stone for the next relationship and ultimately the final love of your life; each sets you up for the next until you have learned what you needed to make it in the world of love.

This is easy enough to understand, right? But, how do you explain to those forever-searching friends that sometimes they just need to move on? How do you tell them that being unhappy is a sign that you need to make changes to be happy and that if this isn't possible, it may be time to move on to where you can be happy? I have often wondered how to explain to my dearest friends that they'd just know when they had truly found the one, that the search had ended, that the preparation was over and the real fun had actually begun.

How can anyone explain the bizarre phenomenon that is love? It's just plain weird. :)

A Win-Win and a Congrats!!!

I have to say, it was a bit tough going into the legendary game between UT and Bama this past January 7th. I have ties with both teams and was super excited to see the two play. My family (both sides) is from Alabama and I lived there for a little while as a girl; however, I was born and raised in Texas and married a born and raised Austinite. Just a bit torn, huh?

(http://www.ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/)

Great game. I wish it could have been a different game but, what will be will be. I'm proud for Alabama... they deserved it. Enjoy family! ROLL TIDE.

(http://www.sodahead.com/)

Not for the kiddos - Throw it on the ground!

Mork & Mindy

I grew up watching the good stuff: Mork and Mindy, Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, The Brady Bunch, etc. Most shows were awesome and most are still considered classics. I can't say the same for the crap our children watch these days; it is ridiculous and we outta be ashamed of ourselves for allowing it.

(Photo courtesy of: www.chiefacoins.com)

Mork and Mindy was one of my absolute favorites. As an adult, I purchased all the seasons and have enjoyed watching them on many occassions. :) Incredible. If you haven't seen it, google it and find an episode. Classic.

(Photo courtesy of: www.buzzine.com)

Finally here!!! Wedding Photos!!!!

I do not have the CD version yet but our wedding photos can be viewed here:

Amy and Jonathan's Dream Wedding

The photos are beautiful. HUGE props to Caroline Mowry; she did an absolutely beautiful job... she kicked our wedding's butt!

The photo website is http://www.printsbycaroline.com.

Life is Sweet!

'Nuff said.

Our Beautiful Extravaganza Concludes...

with parasailing!

This too was an adventure. I am slightly (therefore totally) afraid of heights, so parasailing was interesting. All was well while looking out at the beautiful view but the second I looked down at the ridiculous length of rope between us and the boat, I was slightly panicked. I just had to look into Jonathan's beautiful eyes and back at the view and all was well again. :)

Here we go!!!

Pretty view... bye bye island!

:)

Kisses in the sky...

Woooooooo hoooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Awesome... totally awesome.

Hawaiian Honeymoon Extravaganza Continues...

More Laua fun ... We loved the "Pink Blush" drinks

Laua Fire Dancer goes wild...

Awesome band behind this handsome man...

**********

Now, for some Scuba style...

It was our first time to scuba dive and we both had an absolute blast! We got to practice for an hour in the pool before and had an awesome instructor. We went to two different dive spots and went to a depth of 40 feet. I was a little petrified when I first got in the ocean and really realized that not only was I scared to death but that my mind was still pretty sure I couldn't possibly breath under water....

But I did! We did great! We are in love... with scuba too!

First minute in the water... um, we're really doing this?

Hooray!!!!!! We are doing it!

Go UT! Thumbs up!

Hello!

Goodbye! (Eeeeeeel!!!)

Having fun and feeling at home :)

Posing with the statue...

Awesome, huge, waaaaay cool turtle and a shot of us divers.

Hello, buddy!

Posing again... this one was a video :)

Really cool adventure; we HIGHLY recommend it. Just be safe.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart

Thank you to every one who had a hand in our wedding. From the vendors, to the friends, and our wonderful family. Thank you all for your thoughts, your prayers, your kindness, your touching gifts...

THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!

We love you all very much.

:)

Our new dawn... and the infamous question.

How would I answer the question, "How's married life?"

I would think of the words of Bella Cullen (aka Stephenie Meyer's words in Breaking Dawn, the last of the Twilight Saga Series)...

"I had found my true place in the world, the place I fit, the place I shinned."

For the present and forever future...