Oh, Baby!

This is my friend Rhiannon, whom I met in Phoenix on my way to Texas. Isn't she gorgeous? Isn't this picture fantastic??

For more of her work, Raw Canvas Photography.

Scenes From the Weekend

I may have done more this weekend than I did all week. Saturday we went geocaching and in the process found the best climbing tree. It made my heart so happy. We ate great all weekend, meal after meal of greatness. Later that day we were in the backyard and found an old bird feeder, and decided to paint it. More pictures when it's done. Saturday night everyone from our home-church came over for a potluck and game night. James and I made cornbread muffins and they were a hit! After that we went to Amazing Jump and jumped on trampolines for almost two hours. This morning we woke up sore, but after breakfast invited Zach, Ana and Seth over for PBandJ, under the epic tree. We played frisbee, climbed, and played some poker. Fantastic.

Frustration

I really don't like job searching.

Cade

The Hopkins

 Eli and James, yeah they're buds.

 He was giving me kisses!!

Love these two!

 This kid has the best socks ever.

I was so blessed to be able to hang with the Hopkins while in So-Cal a couple weeks ago. Seeing Lizz was a highlight of my trip here and I can not believe how big Eli is. I held him first when he was 13 days old and now he's almost a toddler. Still the same awesome little man though. I wish I could have had a week to hang out with just them. 

figuring this all out

Levi Hernandez

So I'm learning my way around the big city of San Antonio. In the last year I've discovered I'm pretty good with directions-- if I can get there once I can get there for rest of my life. The only thing about here is all of our friends live in a 30 mile stretch that is almost a straight line, so really I don't know my way around the city much at all. 

Yesterday we baby-sat for some friends, the Hernandez family. Caleb, Alina and Levi have a special place in my heart and they are so fun to hang out with.   

I've dedicated hours each day this last week to looking for work. I've found a couple things, and am going to send my resume in today for a position as a Library Assistant at the University of Texas. Full time, benefits, you know. I think I'm getting tired of being on the internet however, one of my biggest frustrations is how convoluted everything is, and usually when it looks to good to be true, it is. 

However seeing as my job, until I find a job, is to find a job-- I press on. 

hero

This morning I woke up early, to this, out the dining room window. I sat with my tea and journal.

My heart has been heavy today for The Spinello family. They are so dear to me, and their little boy is sick. He had a brain tumor removed yesterday, and is now having a hard time seeing and can’t move his right side because of a stroke. He’s four. With people praying for him all around the world I want him healed with all my heart.

One day when the nurse came in dad said, “Now Cade, you have to use your super powers.” Cade in all seriousness whispered sternly, “Dad!! They are supposed to know about my secret powers!”

Cade is a super hero in disguise, you see.

James and I got to spend some time with some family friends tonight. The Petraks moved to San Antonio almost the same day I did and we have been helping them move in. I’ve heard so much about Jane and it was wonderful to finally meet her. I hope we will get to see a lot of them. 

You go, Caders. 

Lunch

We had lunch today, together. By together I don't mean we were on the phone, talking and eating at the same time together. I mean, really and truly we stood next to each other on his lunch break and made grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. Together.

Lovely.

From Christmas to Texas

My new baby cousin's first Christmas.

He and my sister are like two long lost peas.

Family pictures, some of them were nice, and others of them were so goofy.

James' first day it snowed from morning until we went to bed that night.

Our first snowman!

We did a lot of resting.

We played in the snow as much as possible.

The view from the Pierce's deck, overlooking Dana Point.

Our favorite people ever!! James is still wearing those sillybands.

Elijah and James fell in love with each other again.

On the road again...

Sunrise in Arizona.


Christmas at home was fantastic. Before December, in 2010, I spent approximately three days at my parent's home in Cold Springs. Not enough. James flew in on the New Year's eve and spent a week with us there. We spent as much time as we could with family in the snow and then headed back down to Orange County to see some of our favorite people there. From Dana Point we headed to Phoenix to spend time with the Teaters family, and at 5:30 Saturday morning we started our drive to San Antonio. It was a long day of driving, but getting here in time to be welcomed home by everyone in our community was fantastic.