she saw things photoblog

girlfriends

i long for deep connections with people.  i love people and think everyone is beautiful with their own story... but those deep connections where everything falls into place and 2 souls are open at the right time to be able to truly see one another with love and intrigue - those are rare and wonderful.
Last weekend, I was able to spend not-quite-enough-time with my dear girlfriend and her family.  In the midst of a trip that was stressful and sadness filled, the light in my heart from spending time with this woman, and to watch our daughter reconnect and love eachother as if no time had passed made it all worthwhile.
I love you, Jess.  Thank you for SEEING me... always.

xoxo,
jen

on the road

what a treat.

one of the things in life that makes me happy is waking up on the weekends really EARLY, long before the rest of my family gets up.  Pouring myself a lovely cup of coffee and enjoying some time that is truly my own.  It the only time I get that is completely free of feeling obligated to be doing something for others.  I like to sit down in my office, with my steamy hot coffee, turn on some music, and let myself wander around the internet.  ahhhhhhh.
I got to do that this morning, and then along came a sweet little surprise.  My dear girl came sleepily up to my office gate, rubbing her eyes, and said, "Mommy?  Would you like to go out to Genie's for breakfast this morning?" 
It was like a Magical Morning.  Time to myself, sweet words from Zoe,  loads of hugs and kisses from all of 3 of them, and then a yummy breakfast out with my darling little family!!!!  Pure heaven.  Bliss.

here's me, looking happy:

Other good news:  I am finally feeling nearly caught up and able to work on some really fun projects (ANGIE!!!).  I've been feeling really overwhelmed for months, and it is so good to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
The daffodils are blooming, which to me means that my birthday is coming near.  I will be 36 next friday.  I keep reminding myself of the words a counselor once told me: "We are still struggling to grow into ourselves in our 30's, it is in our 40's when we fully blossom."  Believing that makes getting another year closer to 40 much sweeter!!!
Zoe's birthday is 5 days after mine... she'll be FIVE!!!!  I cannot freakin' believe it.

random thought:  i want to pierce my nose.  who's with me?

xo,
jen

miss elsa in new

, originally uploaded by she saw things.

welcome to the world, elsa!!!! you are a delightful girl with amazingly sweet parents. you are in for a wonderful life, sweetie!!!!

fun weekend!

hello everyone!  happy monday!

wow!  what a weekend!

Thursday night (ok, not technically the weekend) with my Portland Photog girlies was a blast.  Lots and LOTS of giggling... and what could be better than THAT?  The seminar we went to was "interesting", but filled with silly moments.  At one point we got lost in the maze of the hotel's corridors and pracitally chased by the Seminar Guy!  Oh how i wish i had video footage of that....

Friday night I had a wonderful time at dinner with my new friend, Ali Edwards, and her lovely mom.  We had good food and drink at Nuestra Cocina here in SE Portland, but more than that was the fantastic conversation.  We probably could have chatted it up for a couple more hours, but we closed the joint and had to let our sweet server close up.  She graciously invited me to sit in on her class at the Creative Keepsakes Convention on Saturday, so I got to listen to her highly inspirational talk about loosening up and letting your creativity flow.   Walked out fired up and READY TO CREATE!  (which happens to be my very favorite thing to do!)  Thank you, Ali, for everything!  It is so fun to make new friends who share a passion for creating!!!

The remainder of the weekend was spent working... lots of sessions to edit, wedding packages to create, and new and exciting she saw things things to CREATE!

The weekend ended with a lovely dinner with our dear friends, Matt & Christy.  Christy is an amazing chef, and she brought over a DELICIOUS thai curry chicken noodle soup.  Lucky us!!!!

I have a couple of session spots available still in March and April!  I am imagining that they will fill up rather quickly, so if you are interested in an early spring session I'd be delighted to hear from you!

I would love to have more comments!  Its fun to hear from the folks who are looking at my photos.  I'm thinking of having a contest..... hmmmmmmm.  Any ideas???

xo,

jen