This Guy-- James David

We're making life decisions lately. Lately there are stressful wedding moments and down-to-business conversations. It's so good to have him by my side.

Yesterday we went and found some open space (not hard in Texas) and wandered through it. The wildflowers up to my shoulders (again, not hard) we walked and talked, just to spend some time together. At one point we even woke some sleeping deer. He amazes me. The things I am scared to talk or make decisions about, he takes them straight on and with no hesitation. He has moments of stoic seriousness and yet at times I catch silly antics that make me burst out laughing. He works hard and dedicates himself to excellence. I think he's pretty handsome too. 

Aren't those glasses to die for? 

Looking forward to April, we are enjoying the process of getting there. The months have now turned into weeks and things are coming together. 

This guy, he's the best. 

Alina-bobina

Her dad came down yesterday morning and said to her,

Alina, how come you're so cute hun? Did you get cuter last night?

 Just had to capture those curly-curls.

For the Sweetest Five Year Old

She hasn't been feeling good the last couple days, so we thought she may need a little beauty and love.

I adore the details.

Afternoon Thoughts

I sat in the backyard this afternoon, on my quilt, soaking up the sunshine and sipping iced chai tea. Lots of changes this week, some discouraging, some fantastic. My wedding registry counts down the days for me.

51.

In Anticipation

I spent the better part of Friday with yards and yards of fabric in my lap while the rain outside pounded on my window, seemingly to get in and join me. Yesterday I woke up and began working on the maps to include in our invitations, drawing and painting away while the kids watched Saturday morning cartoons. Every once and a while they'd pop over to give emphatic approval (between shows of course). Last night James and I looked over the final designs for our invitations and were excited because they look completely fantastic. 

I feel like I'm finally to the point where I can begin to think about details for our day. The details are my favorite part. All the pieces are beginning to come together, and through each step I'm learning to consider it an adventure, when things go wrong--because they do almost every time--to roll with it and find out where the better option lies. There is usually a better option. 

In less than two months James and I will be boarding a plane on our way to a wedding. 

Our wedding. 

Random Acts of Kindness

Two days ago I opened the coffee shop where I work and the assistant manager came out and handed me a gift card and a box of Hershey Kisses. She said,

Someone came by and bought a 500 dollar gift card and asked us to use it on everyone who comes through the drive-through this morning. So use it until it's gone.

five HUNDRED dollars.

Everyone who came through our drive-through that morning, from 4 to about 9:30 was given their entire order for free. It was an amazing thing to tell car after car of people that their coffee, their breakfast and the coffee they were getting for a friend, was on us. My regulars were so blessed, and were still talking about it with me two days later.

Up Before the Sun

I adore early mornings. I'm pretty familiar with the hours of the day before the sun comes up. Close actually, much more than acquaintances. The coffee shop where I've been working for a year--

its actually my one year anniversary there today, happy anniversary--

opens at 4:30 in the morning. Add a half an hour before that to get everything open, and 45 sometimes 30 minutes before that to pull myself out of bed and get there, equals a lot of no-sun hours.

What I love most about the morning is the things that go along with it. Our house is quiet in the morning. Don't get me wrong, I think the daynoise is great, most often laughter and games, yelling dinosaurs, tigers and sheer delight (or anguish) with the day's happenings. Early mornings are cozy in the kitchen, with my laundry going in the other room and a cup of tea with breakfast. Breakfast. I think breakfast may be the best thing since...

well what is older than breakfast? The parted waters?

I recently discovered an amazing cookbook at the library entitled Super Natural Every Day. The author/chef/photographer, Heidi Swanson, lives and works in the city of San Francisco. She walks about 5 miles a day, most often to any number of local farmers markets. With China Town, the Mission District and the Park all within her reach she cooks with ingredients that make my heart happy. Her book is amazing and I can't wait to try some of her breakfast delicacies. One last thing, did I mention I love San Francisco?

 All photos on this post taken by Heidi Swanson. 

 101cookbooks.com

Enchanted Rock

Last Thursday night I came home to find the fam planning for a one-night camping adventure. Did I have to work? Nope. Did I want to go? More than anything. After much preparation and turns of events, we arrived to Enchanted Rock and a wonderful expedition.

 From foreground: Levi, Seth and Caleb.

 Caleb, Charis, Alina, Levi and Seth.

 

 Adam and Kathy helped the kids down into the cave.

We got to our campsite after dark and Thomas and I set up the tent (we had done it once before in the backyard). After a chilly night we woke up and Beth made pancakes and eggs over the fire.

Enchanted Rock is a National Park here in Texas containing a huge granite rock that rises 425 feet in elevation. The kids, including Levi (age 2) hiked to the top almost completely unassisted. They did an amazing job! It was wonderful to hike up the granite and look back over the surrounding area. Just over the crest is a cave system that runs down one side of the rock. We took the kids inside the first little area so they could get a feel for the cave. They laughed, asked questions and were absolutely tough troopers. It was windy and cold but we all had a blast.

What a joy to go along on the first Hernandez family camp-out.

Give Prints

*Photo taken by Cristina Robeck*

This blog inspired me more than anything else has photographically in a long time. Maybe it's the lighting, or maybe it's that I love this long-haired-california boy so much. Cristina is on a black and white journey recently with her photos, and it inspires me. Back to roots, back to the darkroom...she is incredible and I thought I'd share.

24 Exposures.

Productive.

So many things we've gotten done!

First, James' best man AJ Teaters was here last weekend and they embarked on a mission to put together the perfect outfits for our wedding. I have to say I think they outdid themselves. They are not only going to look so sharp, but dang handsome too.

Friday night I invited a bunch of the girls I know in San Antonio over to a friend's house to craft. We made about 27 yards of pennant banners and made great progress on my favors! It was an absolute blessing to receive all of their help. Serene learned to use a sewing machine! I still have a hundred banners left over to sew together. Also, I'm starting to feel like I live in Hobby Lobby.

James and I started a registry today. It was a blast to run around the store and pick things out. I think James had fun with the little scanner.

We figured out our flower situation, and it looks like we will put them together ourselves after all. I'm excited about the process however, and I believe it is completely possible to pull it off. We have so much help!

We found a little place in town to order our wedding bands through. The part I am most excited about is that my wedding band will actually be carved to fit in with the squared off bits on my engagement ring. They'll go perfectly together.

I'm loving the process. I have finally gotten a break from working 50plus hours a week and it absolutely shows. Plugging away with so much help we'll be done in no time. Or, in just the right time.

Thanks to many of you who contribute to this process.