bridal bliss and a lemon.

There are aspects of planning a wedding that are totally cool...

To mention a few: food tasting, cake tasting, shopping online (EBAY should be one of my bridesmaids, we've become such good friends), registering and receiving gifts, etc...

I had my first shower last Saturday with Marcos' side of the family and it was awesome. Marcos' tia, the aunt Lisa, was the planner and thought of everything and really made me feel so special.

However, there are also aspects of planning a wedding that are totally uncool... (but the cool stuff totally outweighs the uncool stuff, so it's not even worth mentioning).

Anyway, can't wait to be married. Hopefully, life gives me lemonade!!

jax christie

7 weeks


8 weeks


12 weeks


16 weeks


20 weeks


Jax is by far the most fun, energetic, sweet, smart dog that I have ever been around. She took a whole 5 months to "potty train, " but has learned the commands sit, down, stay, roll over, stick em' up, and play dead aka "bang."

She loves Marcos and I and recognizes us both as her masters. We have so much fun with her and can't wait for her to have some babies so we can share our love of her with someone that wants a puppy, too.

the walk stars

My dad. generous, loving, strong-minded, compassionate, outrageous, sensitive, faithful.

My mom. beautiful, unselfish, nurturing, thoughtful, delicate, forgiving, trustworthy.

My dad. a husband, a father, a dancer, a runner, a man of many trades.

My mom. a wife, a mother, a dreamer, a traveler, a woman that could fly.

My dad. my hero.

My mom. my inspiration.

My dad. living with Multiple Sclerosis for 25 years.

My mom. living with Multiple Sclerosis for 24 years.

2009 Walk MS

Click here to donate

Thank you to Kimberly who is walking on behalf of my beautiful parents.

peep these

Ladies in the wedding party, here are the shoes I found at Target. They run for $22.99 on Target.com, but I am hoping to find them in store for a better cost.

I read the customer reviews... "I bought these shoes after purchasing a brown dress to wear to a formal dinner. These shoes look great on and are very comfortable! I normally wear a size 8 1/2 and my feet fit snuggly into a 7 1/2. Order at least a half a size smaller than normal!"

I'm going to keep looking, but what do you think of these??

2 months from today...

I will become mrs. amanda ortiz.

I landed right back where I started from...

Fox Landing (Camp Fox), Catalina

snorkeling, kayaking, rock climbing, oh my! (oh, and squid dissection, too)

My fifth graders and I had a great time; a real educational learning experience. It brought back so many good memories from my childhood. The whole trip was so nostalgic for me. I could picture myself, my mom, and my sisters way back in the "good ol' days." I climbed bible peak, the same path I climbed 20 years ago. Walked through the same cabins I slept in as a child. Ate in the same "mess hall..." (I could go on and on).

I came home tired but am now, more than ever, excited for the wedding. My bridemaids were busy with dress shopping and found this
I love it!

My bff and bridesmaid, Kim, (with help from her sister and hubby) made my bridal shower invitations and did a gorgeous job! I absolutely adore them!