Adoption anyone?

Mike and I use this online service where we merged our pictures and came up with "an idea" of how our future children would look like...The results...well ..I'll let you decide.. This is our baby girl

and our baby boy

Aren't they...hmmm Breathtaking?? For the sake of humanity.. maybe we should adopt! *This post is just for fun! We both would feel so blessed to have the opportunity to be parents.

more Wedding videos. Poco a poco llegan los videos

What a wonderful night that was! made by my wonderful brother! Alex

Nylene is here!!! yay!! Our first Christmas tree!

My little sister is here for a couple of months! Yes, MONTHS! Every time I say that, people widen their eyes and say: "wow!! MONTHS! How does Mike feel about that?" Maybe it's a cultural thing?? Who knows! You see, for us Peruvians (or maybe it's just my family), family is never a burden; the more the merrier. And there are never bounderies...we talk about everything. And when Mike and I want time for ourselves we simply leave or Nylene leaves. I really don't see what the big deal is. I love that Mike gets along with her so well. He calls her "his little sister" and is very protective of her. As for me...I'm loving it! We are having so much fun! We took her to get our first Christmas tree! She kept smelling the trees as if that was the determinating factor to pick one. We decorated it on a Monday night, we had Christmas music in the background and then, of course, Peruvian Christmas music that made me want to dance. Mike always laughs and says that no matter what the festivity is, our music is always meant to make you dance. I love being all Christmassy! I love Christmas time, mainly because it's Christ birthday! but also because you can feel His spirit on the earth.

Nylene and I saying HI! What A great blessing to have her with us!

los tres hermanos! faltan dos mas

Christmas tree day!!! Nylene smelling the tree.

Our tree!

Last August when Mike and I were in Peru we went to shop for some Peruvian crafts at a local craft market. We, I should say "I", were looking at some jewerly and were talking with the sales lady. We told her we had just gotten married and she gave us this Peruvian Nativity Scene inside a Chullo (typical Peruvian hat). It is one of our most favorite wedding gifts and we love it!!! It was our first Christmas tree ornament and means a lot to us.

Things I'm loving lately loving lately

*Cuddling with Mike before falling asleep.
*Buying presents for loved ones. (Christmas shopping)
* Mango Wafers
* Home-made soups
*Christmas music
*Long baths
*Mike seeing me off to work very early in the morning ( and knowing he goes right back to bed after)
*Funny videos of babies and cats
*Writing
*Beautiful Pennsylvania in the Fall

Boy! I love a lot of things!

Mi hermana

When I left Peru, my sister was 15 years old. To me, she was still a little girl. We were really close growing up, but because there is a gap of 5 years between us, I was closer to my brother who is only a year older than me. When my brother left for his mision, Nylene and I grew even closer! We started hanging out and just spending more time with each other. Our family went through a lot of changes through those years and we always kept together, supporting and loving each other. We shared the same room and most of my favorite memories come from those times; Praying together, singing together, talking until very late at night or me getting upset at her because she would be soooo loud at night when I was trying to sleep.
In my time here in America I've met many friends, a couple of which are LIKE sisters to me. But certainly no one can take my sister's place. Being away from home has helped me appreciate my relantionship with her. I missed her every single night. There was no one to talk to until late, or even be mad at!
I went through a phase where I remembered all of the things I did as a big sister. Some good, some not so good. I remember when she was little she would try to copy me in EVERY WAY!!! And this used to drive me nuts! I remembered trying to take advantage of her innocence and her never letting me!!! Pondering about those moments and the ones I lived in those past 5 years, I felt we got even closer than when we were sharing a bedroom. After 5 years without seeing her I got to see her again. She was the first one who I saw and hugged. I could not believe how grown up she looked! How much prettier she'd gotten. It broke my heart a little, but I remembered that even though we were apart for a while we had still spent time together! I and knew her even though I couldn't recognize her. It was soooo great to have her close again and after a couple of minutes it seemed like we were never apart.
Last August, we went to Peru for our Sealing. My mom and sister had planned our wedding and were pretty much in charge of everything. When we got there it was a little crazy with all of the last minutes details! I saw my mom taking care of the whole wedding like a pro! And I saw my sister helping her and being in charge, too. I saw her sooo grown up and independent it blew my mind. I still think about her like my LITTLE sister; the one who always followed me around. On the day of the reception, at one point I realized that for the last couple of months it had been all about me. When I was dancing the waltz with someone ( I can't remember who it was) while I was dancing I started looking around at the big place; the decorations, the tables, the people- and for some reason I started to think about my sister. I wondered if with all the fuss about that day, and all the planning for months she had felt left out, or even jealous. At that moment I looked at her, she was holding my bouqet, and also looking at me. She said, mouthing all of the words so clearly to make sure I knew what she was saying : "I LOVE YOU!" Her eyes were sparkling and she had a big smile that allowed me to see all of her teeth!!! I felt her love and joy for me. I realized that she was happy for me, always happy. How grateful I am to have a little sister so sweet and wonderful as mine. I think it's funny that from all of the waltzs I danced that night, that one, is one of the most special ones (even thought I don't remember who I was dancing with!). Love between sisters is sweet, is forgiving, is unconditional. I am so grateful to have a sister who teaches me everyday how to be a sister! I love you mugre!


Nylene and I way back in the day! Sharing a room! ALWAYS sharing a room!!

Nylene and I celebrating the night away!

Nylene and I hoarding all of the candies from the piñata.

My brother, me, sister-in-law and little sister!

My sister always by my side and my brother always has my back! I love you guys!

The rest doesn't matter!

I came home last week after a VERY long day at work, I was crabby, exhausted and SUPER hungry! I had spent all morning arguing with a costumer service rep ( a company had been charging our credit card without authorization, I complained, they told me they were going to give the money back, 2 months later nothing, I called, asked and they said they had already refunded the money, oh surprise! they gave the money to someone else, there is nothing they could do, back to the story)who told me I was lying and the card that the money was refunded was my card and I wanted more money...I was soooo mad I wanted to cry!!! It wasn't a great day...Things at work were crazy and I couldn't wait to go home. I went to my door complaining why there were TWO locks for a door inside an Apartment building. Dropped my keys. Dropped my bag. Spilled juice on my new suede booties. FINALLY managed to open the door. Hang my keys and I found a note from Mike written on a ripped paper that looked like it came from my notebook in which I write my stories. Rememberd I didn't have much paper left. Complained I had to go buy more notebooks. Complained why didn't he use paper from the notepad where notes are supposed to be written on. Wonder if he had forgotten something and I had to drive to his work and save the day. Turned on the light and read : "even a blind man could see the love between us".

The note put a huge smile on my face =], but I was still feeling upset! I went to the kitchen, opened the fridge and grab a bottle of water, how sweet was my surprise to find another note, I walked around the house and found more and more notes. I felt so silly for a minute.I let circumstances get to me and be mad! I realized I have everything I need to be happy and the rest doesn't matter!
Here are some of the notes Mike wrote

And this one is my personal favorite!

more Wedding stuff

So we got Sealed in the Lima Peru Temple this last August. We had to wait to see our wedding pictures (at least a couple of months) and we haven't even seen our Wedding video/album. Except a clip that my brother kindly made for us! here it is

Karen+Mike video clip from ALEX on Vimeo.

Looking back at the big wedding, the family, friends and the whole celebration I think it was everything I've always dreamed of. And even though it was a great celebration and I LOVED sharing this wonderful moment on our lives with my family and friend, what was most important to me was that I got to be Sealed for eternity to a wonderful man! I can even start to explain how much I love this guy. I wake up everyday and I'm amazed at how much I can love him. I didn't even know how much love I had inside me! I only hope it gets better! I was thinkg not long ago of how much I've been through, during my little 27 years...I've had great moments where everything seemed possible and I felt like I had the world in my hands, I've also experience the opposite, great sorrow and loneliness, and lately a lot of homesickness, but oh how greatful I am for ALL of that!!!, because it has brought me here, I am happy, so happy! life is not perfect and there are a lot of circumstances that I would love to change, but that doesn't really matter, all that matters is that my heart has changed, and I find joy in the little things that Heavenly Father gives me everyday. He recently gave me Mike, what a great gift! what a great responsability! I've been so happy for a while now and I hope that doesn't change, no matter the circumstances!

Primer Baile

Mike and I first dance to Michael Buble's Hold on ( video taken by my aunt Alicia)

Peru and all things that came with that!

We are in Peru!!! wooohoo! well we've been here for a 13 days and a lot has happened. Mike and I got marriend and the Lima Peru Temple of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of The Latter Day Saints. Mike got stuck in Peru for Irene (which I actually don't think its a bad thing) and I had eye surgery so right now I have a LOT of time to relax.

Temple Pictures

Our entrance as Husband and Wife.

I don't have all of the pictures of the wedding yet but I have some ramdon ones take by family members. Hope you enjoy.

Trailer

Me olvide completamente de poner este video que es el "Trailer" del video anterior.. Hecho por mi querido hermano Alex (Febrero 2011).

Trailer Karen + Mike from Alex Cablle on Vimeo.

Mike...is pretty cool

Ok, so KC has been doing all of the posting, and I have been neglecting my blogger duties :-/  I've been wanting to post, really I have, but I am...well...lazy.  But as I sit here next to my love, I am decidedly not-too-lazy-to-post.  So here you have the beginnings of what will without a doubt, be a beautiful posting run.

I am extremely excited about Peru in August.  I was talking to a friend, and they said that August is the best time to go.  My first time was during the beginning of September, so it should be similar.  But this trip is set to be extra special.  I have some of my family and friends coming with me!  I just hope, for their sakes, that I don't ignore them while I take in the awesomeness of Lima...and of my extended family.

I think I also need to say something about my emotions.  I am very happy.  I know there are things I would like to change, or be better (6-figure job, and a nice big house anyone?), but when I look at where I am and what I have- I am happy.  I can look over to my right at this very moment, and see the love of my life; and it never gets old :-)

More Pictures

This is where I feel in love with Mike! and of course we had to have a picture of the place! our favorite place!

Happiness like this...

Happy, happy, happy! That's how I've been feeling lately. Last winter I was driving and all of the sudden the sky turned gray and  snowflakes started to fall. I stopped for a minute because driving on the snow is one of the things I'm most scared of. I took a deep breath and realized how beautiful the scene was. I felt overwhelmed with happiness, so blessed and lucky to be in a place where I can be a part of season changes. Then, many of the great experiences I've had  came to my mind, my family, my love, my job, even the moments where I went through bitter experiences. I had a feeling I hadn't had for a while and almost forgot all about it. It was joy. Joy to be where I was at that point, with all the good and the bad that brought me there. Happiness for all the things I've discovered, all the things I've lived, all the things I've created. It has been a couple of months since that experience, and I still feel that joy. I feel so happy sometimes I think it's a dream.. and I wonder if this happiness will last, or is just a phase. I don't know... I want it to last. I know where that happiness and joy comes from. It comes from the Lord and his love, from the people He's put on my way that makes me feel His love, that makes me look at life in a different way. I am also aware that even though my life is not perfect (and there are many things I would like to change) I am the happiest I've ever been! 

Photography!!

Mike and I were in Peru last February. It was my granpa's birthaday and also Summer!! I love going to Peru! heck! I would love to live there! Anyways, February in Peru is great! summer! beaches, carnavales! It seemed like the perfect time for some "engagement pictures", since we didnt have any. I am really happy with the work of our photographer (man! she can really photoshop! hahaha). We decided to take them in Barranco ( a suburb of Lima) really close to where my parents live, and where I grew up. Barranco is known for it's colonial Spanish vibe, lots of artist start there, there are lots of shows, amazing food and shopping to do around. It is also known (in my personal opinion) as one of the most romantic places in Lima.

Here are some pictures taken there.

A video celebration!

My brother's friend and business partner had the kindness to make Mike and I this video, as part of the video service they offer for weddings. The day of the shooting was quite an experience. Mike and I had been in Peru for 3 days, and I got sick!!! I had a very high fever and at one point I could not stand anymore. I had fun the first couple of hours...but then my body had had enough. I have to say though, Victor did great! with as little as I could give, he managed to edit this great video! I love the final result...He used a lot of the "behind the scenes" shoots, where Mike and I just were being ourselves..which I guess that's what makes this video so much fun. Mike and I both love it! and we can't wait to see the one of our wedding!!! so excited!



Untitled from KARINA TAMAYO on Vimeo.

The Legend of the Wedding Band

I was looking online for some ideas for my LDS wedding, and found this Poem which I love!


The Legend of the Wedding Band

In a fair and far off country many centuries ago, a kind young
King was married to a princess he loved so.
Together they lived happily until one day
Beauty's worst enemy would force the King to travel far away.
One night before he left, as he walked throughout the palace grounds,
He tossed into a moonlit pool some pebbles that he had found.
As the lovely ripples widened from where the little pebbles fell;
The King stood thinking quietly of the wife he loved so well.
And remembering the next day the surface he had seen,
He had a gold ring made to fit the finger of the Queen.
"There is no Ending or Beginning to the circle on this band,"
The King said to his wife, as he slipped it on her hand.
"And that's why I have chosen this golden ring
To be a pledge to you that my love will last through all Eternity."
And so sense than a gold ring has been the symbol
Of beauty, devotion, and the endlessness of Love.
May all the Love and Happiness you two have found together,
Like the circle of the wedding band, go on and on forever."
(Contributed by Hallie Springer)


"There is no ending and beginning to the circle of this band" I love that, I love what the wedding band represent, a comitment, a covenant, an endless love. 


~K.C.~

First post -Primer Post!!!

Wooohooo I'm so excited to start this new blog. Wich pretty much will keep my family (who lives in Peru) up to date with all the adventures of this new live... yes! Mike and I... our life together...


-wooohooo  estoy super emocionada de empezar este nuevo blog, que mantendra a mi familia al tanto de las ultimas experiencias de nuestra nueva vida... una vida juntos Mike y yo!