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These brown brick stairs remind me of the brownsto

These brown brick stairs remind me of the brownstones in NYC and Chicago. I’d dream of what life might be like in the city.

We have three days until Halloween. Trick-or-Treating is uncertain. Gathering is not recommended, so what are you going to do to bring the fun on Halloween this year?

Here are five ideas I’m thinking would be fun and festive.
1. Carve pumpkins. I know it’s basic, classic, but it’s fun! Add a drill or a new tool to mix it up. Maybe paint a pumpkin this year. Sheesh, we are late to the game. It looks like we will n carving pumpkins on Halloween.
2. Make mummy dogs for dinner. All you need is crescent rolls and hot dogs. Wrap up the hot dog in a roll like a mummy and bake.
3. Gummy worm contest. Get a paper plate for all participants. Add 6 gummy worms to each plate. Cover with whipped cream. Race to see who can clear their plate of gummy worms the fastest. This is messy and hilarious.
4. Get Carmel apples! Slice them. Share them. Enjoy!
5. Wear onesies or silly costumes and play charades. Make up your own cards with Halloween words to act out.

Are you a planner too? What’s one fun thing you are hoping to do on Halloween this crazy 2020 year?

You know what scares me? This. I have everything

You know what scares me? This.

I have everything ready to create my cookie cookbook and I’m scared to put it together. It’s a passion project. It’s not about the cookies, it’s about hospitality, community, and cookies too. It’s a creative work that has my heart and it’s a bit terrifying to share with the world. So here I am, telling you, I’m going to start. I’m going to get over my fear and do the thing. What do you do when you are scared? I pretend like it doesn’t exist.

Ooof... This quote by Brené Brown is a good chal

Ooof... This quote by Brené Brown is a good challenge for me to:
Know my values.
Live by my values.
Communicate hard things.

When I respond big it’s an indicator for me to take a deeper look and get back to this simple breakdown:
What are my values?
Am I living them?
Was a value broken?
Is there a hard thing?
Do I need to communicate?
What’s at risk if I stay silent?

I lean into the character of God when dealing with hard things.
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 ESV

Hello Beautiful! I see you working hard. Five thin

Hello Beautiful! I see you working hard. Five things I’m going to do to stay motivated today.
1. Exercise for one hour.
2. Finish one outstanding task completely.
3. Write two thank you notes.
4. Spend one hour on administrative work.
5. Make myself a healthy lunch.

Between Colorado fires bringing weeks of smoky skies, the flip back to online learning, the pandemic, and elections I kind of want to stay in bed all day. I’m finding I have to be so intentional about my mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health in this difficult season. Our county is back on safer at home orders. When we were in Washington I met a professor who had been teaching there for 32 years. He asked if we could walk and talk. He knew soon the weather would make that walk quite uncomfortable. He said the weather is challenging five moths out of the year, but there are ways to deal with it. That’s where I’m focusing this morning. Five ways to be intentional with my day. Five things that are good for my heart, mind, body and soul.

I’m getting my mind right. I feel overwhelmed and in need of God’s wisdom and strength. I am remembering today if I live in the kingdom of God I live differently. I live with hope. Hustle is different. Hustle may be obedience and excellence, but it’s not a hustle for my worthiness or satisfaction. I am most satisfied in Christ. My worthiness is in my identity as joint heirs with Christ, loved by the Father with faith in Christ over my worthiness coming from my hustle. But, faithful, hard working lovers of God, working with all His energy for His glory fueled by His love we are. Yes. Kingdom life on earth takes strength and effort. Hustle, but the power, strength, and love is Christ so powerfully working through us. It’s a beautiful balance of choice to move and trust and dependence. My hustle doesn’t make me worthy. Christ make me worthy and fuels my hustle. His power in my weakness.

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.” Romans 12:1 MSG

When Mailee & Micky are together the talk about a

When Mailee & Micky are together the talk about a mile a minute and the energy in the room is amped up! I was honored at a chance to hang with Michaiah and take a few senior photos for her. We walked around Ri.No., river north district of Denver admiring the wall art in the back alleys. Micky is passionate and it was fun to hear about the things that fire her up. I learned who the teacher is that is making her senior year bearable and some of her dreams for what comes after high school. Mailee has been friends with Micky for a long time and I plan to watch this young adult take her beautiful space in society and shine. I was honored to be here on this day with you Michaiah. So much love for your beautiful life.

Devastating night in Colorado. People in our commu

Devastating night in Colorado. People in our community are losing their homes and businesses. Heartbreaking. The East Troublesome fire grew over 100,000 acres over night raging through Grand Lake. 🔥🙏🏽❤️

As I introduced myself to Trace we started talking

As I introduced myself to Trace we started talking about our connection. Trace’s dad went to Clemson University and his college roommate was our mutual friend Mark. They were such good friends that after following his career to California he came out to visit Mark in Colorado and decided to stay and raise his family here.
When I was in college I was president of my sorority and our house had a balloon payment mortgage that was raising the dues to astronomical rates. To help offset our financial woes we rented out rooms to boarders. One of our boarders was this fiery red head named Kristina. She just transferred to the University of Colorado from UNC and this literature major needed a place to stay. Kristina was the nanny for Mark’s two beautiful girls. Kristina makes friends fast with everyone and then drags me around and introduces me to all her friends.

On this night my regular assistant was in Breckenridge enjoying fall, so I asked my daughter to assist me. We all walked on these dirt trails as the sun was setting and the flatirons were casting a monstrous shadow. On this trail there is a river that’s barely flowing as most of the snow from last winter has melted. We walked through Aspens and tall grasses. It was so beautiful and relaxing. I could see how our friends had been friends from college to now. What amazing people. We learned about what sports Trace played in high school, how this year is going with the challenges of Covid, his stretch college, must apply to college, and others on his list. His mom was out of town, so his dad was helping him out juggling all the extra shirts and I learned a little about the business he runs. It was one of those peaceful evenings when the beauty surrounding us set the stage for a great conversation, connection, and pictures of Trace to mark this huge accomplishment. His adult life is just beginning, what a great young man.

It sounds like we are going back to online school

It sounds like we are going back to online school for fall semester. I’m just sending everyone a huge virtual hug. Change is hard. I listened to a great sermon series for times like these. If you need a little encouragement check out Andy Stanley’s series at North Point Church called leading through. You lead yourself, you lead in your family, you lead amongst your friends, and you lead in your community. How we lead through matters. Nothing about this season is easy. Huge hugs to you and your family. Love to you!

Meet Lauren! There was a moment I will never forge

Meet Lauren! There was a moment I will never forget when Lauren was around 2 years old. I dropped my toddler off for Mom’s-Day-Out. That wishful moment that I was desperately hoping everything was going to be okay there was another mom and her sister doing the same thing. It was right there at Rocky Mountain Church that I’d make four of the most dear friends I’d have for the rest of my life. Our kids became friends and I’m pretty sure I survived toddler years in part thanks to these women. Lauren was one of Mailee’s first friends! Now Lauren can claim she helped bring me out of retirement!

I’ve taken countless photos of Lauren over the years and this summer I got a text asking if I’d take Lauren’s senior pictures. There was NO WAY I’d pass up an honor like that! Lauren is as beautiful inside as out. She’s had a special place in my heart all these years and as we took these there were a few sweet moments. She borrowed Mai’s hat! That’s cute right! Friendship lasting all these years! We share with our friends! Mai was happy to share and Lauren was freaking cute in that hat! At the end of this session I asked if Lauren wanted pictures with her mom. They agreed to a few. As we rode back to get my car I’d pass my camera up and she would look through the photos. I asked her what her favorites were and she said, “I love the pictures with my mom.” My heart about burst! I have taken some photos of amazing seniors this year. Truly amazing young adults!

Lauren, thanks for asking me! I’m so proud of you!!! You’re an incredible young lady!

My alarm goes off and before my feet hit the floor

My alarm goes off and before my feet hit the floor I’m on my phone working, scrolling, and shopping. What I’m not doing is getting out of bed. Putting on my workout clothes and hopping on my bike. My priorities are off and my day is more in control of me than I am of my day.
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The hardest thing for me to say no to is people. I love quality time with people. I just took on a bunch of work and now I have hard realities to face that includes reprioritizing. I used to be able to get distracted and just workout later. Now kids are in school, I have work to do, and all the twenty minute distractions and connecting with friends is leaving me working late, tired in the morning, and my life feels out of balance.
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I came across this phrase ‘prioritize and execute’ and realized that’s what I need to do. Instead of chill and then freak out, I need to stay calm, get settled, and make better decisions.
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“Remain calm and make the best decisions possible.
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To do this S.E.A.L combat leaders do this:
Relax
Look Around
Make A Call.”
-Extreme Ownership by Willink & Babin
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In our family we say do the most important thing first. I like the S.E.A.L. lingo Prioritize and Execute!
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I am working to regain control of my day. It is going take discipline and clear priorities, more than I think I have. I know I’m missing executing on my values and goals. I’m going to reset expectations for myself and prioritize and execute!

Mailee ran to the front door of her best friends h

Mailee ran to the front door of her best friends house. It was a dilemma in 2020 if we should buy a dress for ‘faux hoco’.

What’s faux hoco? It’s the best of 2020 creativity when there are no tickets to be sold for that big game on Friday night under the lights, no marching band rattling the stands, no cheers or face paint, and there is no dancing, for that matter there’s no standing closer than six feet without a mask. (And I thought the religious school was strict in 2019, a pandemic trumps the ‘leave room for Jesus when dancing rule.’🤣)

Mailee borrowed that dress she loved from her best friend. She did her own curls with her flatiron on her dark short hair. Her girl friends made dinner reservations in Wash Park at a trendy Italian restaurant. She shared a meal with a friend, wisely allocating every hard earned dollar from nannying.

As for a date that handsome young guy she met at a college camp this summer is now her out-of-state boyfriend and he is exactly 1,278 miles away.

So, she did the thing 2020 has taught all of us, she made the best of it.

No, it’s nothing like what she dreamed her senior year would be. She thought she would have no voice on this day because she yelled so loud for the home team her voice was almost gone. She thought she would go from face paint Friday night to dolled up Saturday night.

We can not force something to exist.

Mailee you are beautiful. We can grieve and have joy simultaneously.

Mailee bounced into my office at 10PM. She had a huge smile on her face. Those girls are sweet. I had a great night. We split a delicious pizza and got Dutch Bros before. We each spent $10. She slid through her camera roll showing me the highlights. Tonight she wasn’t powerless or a victim to the pandemic. Yes, the pandemic puts constraints on life as we knew it. Thank God for creative people trying to bring a bit of joy to this insane year. It wasn’t big, showy, new, flashy, there were no pigskins being tossed for touchdowns, or homecoming queens, there was no dj, no dancing, and no hot dates. But, tonight a few girls got dressed up and went to dinner. They laughed and made memories. They called it Faux Hoco! Love you Mailee Jenn!

Last night I drove 19 minutes to the east side of

Last night I drove 19 minutes to the east side of Commerce City. I crossed worn down bumpy railroad tracks as the sun set. There were no lights that blink when a train comes or gates that come down to assure you stop. I slowed way down. I missed my turn into the Radiance Event Center and flipped my car around in the driveway of a one story ranch home. My headlights felt intrusive. The house looked loved and lived in. There were bars on the front door and there was a football field across the street contained by a chained link fence. We were warned that a rehearsal dinner was taking place at the event center, but not to worry, that was outside and we were inside. We were invited to come on in.

Gabrielle, who also goes by his Korean name Byung, is a fabulous chef. Michelle said, “Welcome to my favorite restaurant in Denver, it’s wherever Gabe is the chef.” He is famous for his sauces and he made us Korean tacos with cilantro lime sauce. I chose the spicy version. Gabe offered us a space to meet and dinner too!

Excitement was in the air about this meeting. We were part of the national Teach One to Lead One Denver Chapter’s visit from headquarters. They brought four recent college graduates getting professional experience and Jose Maldonado the COO of Teach One to Lead One. I love listening to Jose teach and cast vision so much I wanted to shrink my kids and bring them to this meeting in my purse just so they could hear him on this night. He reminded us that the Teach One to Lead One curriculum has gone through 19 years of edits. It’s excellent, but it’s just ink on a page unless people take it to the kids. We are here for the kids. The social and emotional well being of kids is declining in the US and we want to reach more kids in our community.

Join us! Teach One to Lead One Mentors Kids At-Risk
in a climate of violence, hate, and low self-esteem. Teach One to Lead One develops students to stand strong in integrity and character. The T1L1 community has passion, big hearts and space for you to join in this movement.

Puppies are stealing the show! I had the honor of

Puppies are stealing the show! I had the honor of taking the Olsen’s Family photos and their new puppy came along too! We had a lot of laughs! Puppies are full of vim and vigor! Sitting and smiling for the camera is more of a mature dog thing😂🤣
LOVE you Olsen’s!!! Thanks for the honor of taking your pictures! It was so fun to see your new puppy in action too! Puppies bring smiles!

I heard this advise in college about dating. Maste

I heard this advise in college about dating. Master, Mission, Mate
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Let’s break it down:
Master: Everyone follows a master GPS. What’s your GPS that you use as a guide? Here are some examples:
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Yourself: “I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.”
William Ernest Henley
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Money: “He who has the most gold rules.” Wizard of Id
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God: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33 ESV
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Or: your parents, happiness, pleasure, sports, work... who has the final say?
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It is going to take time to figure out who is the captain of your ship. What’s your GPS? Who or what is your guide? Everyone has a master and you can’t serve two masters. We get to choose! I think if you & your mate have the same guide, it’s more likely you’ll be headed in the same direction. Figure out your master. When you date, figure out theirs. See how that lines up before diving into the deep end.
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Mission: a summary of your aims and values.
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Every solid company has a mission statement. What do you exist to do and by what values? This is a big, huge important question to ask yourself. What do you want your life to be about?
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Here’s mine. It’s so simple and I stole it from Amos “Seek God and live.” If I added to it I’d say, “Love God, Love people.” (in this order God, self, family, community, people).
I’ve heard some great mission statements from businesses and individuals. I don’t think mine is that great, but it’s short & sweet. It works for me. What’s yours? There are no final answers here. It can be developing, but where are you now? Where do you want to be? What’s your big life goal? As you process see how that lines up with the person you are dating. It makes sense to partner up with a person when your mission, your values, and goals align. If it doesn’t, have conversations around it. What could go wrong if your values and goals don’t align? Mission matters.
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Finally MATE! You don’t need to know the details of your future. Master and mission serve as guide posts. So many things in life change, but you can weather storms and thrive when your team is united with a solid master and mission in place.

I want to let that soak in and use this as a model

I want to let that soak in and use this as a model of how I to speak kindly to myself. Want to practice with me? Vulnerability is risky and being vulnerable and kind is graduate level work.

This book is 💯🔥 #worthit I want to read this book so many times that it becomes a conversational. I’m on my second round. I have a slew of book I want to get through before the end of the year, but I’m willing to push a few books off to next year for this book. I’m going to try and listen to it once a month. It’s that good.

My family decorated the kitchen with balloons on m

My family decorated the kitchen with balloons on my birthday. We had take out for dinner from Pho, of course and cookies.

Michelle Sosa and I just spoke to a mom’s group on the topic of community starts at home. Here’s an example. A small gesture like balloons in my favorite colors made me feel celebrated and loved. We talked about how most of life is both and... as in joy and sorrow, good and difficult. If I’m honest my day was challenging, but I came home to this and I felt loved. It was both and... really sweet moments and really complex moments. But, having a home to land with a loving family made my day. Love covered my day. Love covered the challenges.

You have no idea how throwing up a few balloons and getting dinner could make a family member feel loved and celebrated. You make it you! Maybe it’s putting a putting green in the kitchen and having a competition or a game night! Building community at home doesn’t need to be grandiose, but intentional love speaks loud and clear, “You are loved by us!” That’s a sweet place to come home even on a hard day. Thank you @scottsevernhomes @maileejenn @stormseverrrn & @london_severn for being my community at home! And to all my incredible friends who took a minute to say HI, I am so thankful. I truly believe community starts at home and like a rock thrown in a pond the wave goes out to community and neighbors. Your friendship means the world to me. This life is so much richer with community, friendships. You add joy and depth and laugher to my life! Thank you!

This is Olivia! Here is a little bit about how I m

This is Olivia! Here is a little bit about how I met Olivia! Mailee and Liv have been performing in plays and musicals for years! It’s my absolute joy to take Olivia’s senior photos. Olivia you are bright! You are talented! You are incredibly kind! You shine brightly!

Did you know we met ages ago at a MOPS group? Mom’s groups are near and dear to our hearts. That group existed for three years and it changed our lives for the better. Tonight we have the honor of speaking at The Nest to a group of moms at Discovery Church on one of our all time favorite topics, community.

Olivia is absolutely beautiful. Make up is just a

Olivia is absolutely beautiful. Make up is just a bonus! It’s the icing on the cake. I wanted to offer my clients a full princess experience make up, hair and photos. There are only a few days in this life that are all about you. Jen, Olivia’s mom treated Olivia to make up before senior photos. It’s a really fun experience! It was a special day for an amazing young lady!
@chaundrat is one of my favorite make up artists. She does hair too! I want the seniors who come through my photography studio to know they are valuable, worthy, loved, capable, seen and honored! This is how our day of Olivia’s senior photos started. More photos to come!

I’m starting my morning slow. Scott said to me l

I’m starting my morning slow. Scott said to me last night, “You’ve been working hard cutie.” Last night I hopped in bed and Mai & I started Community and laughed. I did dishes and started the laundry this morning. Ordinary things. I took time to make myself a latte and a yogurt parfait topped with fresh fruit. I filled my diffusers with the fragrance of fall.

I have 5 sittings to upload and edit, a talk to wrap up with Michelle and handouts to print. I’m really excited to announce our next Bible Study is going to be on Colossians 1. We are going to do an inductive study and camp out on one chapter for a month. Hil has done some extensive research and I’m formatting the study. I’m almost finished with the first draft. I’m not trying to boast here about how busy I am. The truth is I just added photography back into my life and right now I’m in a major adjustment period. I went from not working to much to having a pretty full time job. I love it and we are shifting. I need to figure out how to balance my time and still connect with my family, take care of myself and keep up with other commitments.

For me I know I’m over booked when I stop exercising. If I can exercise and get time with Jesus those are my indicators that things are back in balance, because those are the first to go.

I have a day today that I am choosing to grind. Grind to me is the behind the scenes work that is not sexy. It’s no shower, hair up, computer work that takes focus and concentration for hours upon hours. It’s a grind. Maybe for you your grind is the laundry today (me too). Maybe your grind is getting your college application closer to ready and taking another swing at those essays. Maybe your grind is showing up in a hard conversation or blowing out your sprinklers before winter comes. Bills and accounting feel like a grind to me too.

Here’s my challenge for you and me:
•Take an hour or two to reset. Take care of yourself and your space.
•Take 30 minutes to exercise as a brain break.
•Take a lunch break with someone you love. Put the work away and connect. Laugh, eat, talk and engage. Invest in a relationship you care about.
•Have grace for yourself and others.
•Make today great.

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