Wouldn’t it be great if we all felt this way about Mondays?

Yeah, I know it’s Wednesday, but this week has flown by. My happy things this week…

1. My birthday. Yes, today is my 40th birthday. I went out to breakfast and got a pedicure. It’s all down hill from here.
2. My quiet house. The kids are all back in school and I am getting some much needed peace and quiet.
3. My wonderful husband and friends who threw me a fabulous 40th surprise birthday dinner last Saturday! I have never been surprised like that, and it was so fun, and so very thougthful. I love having great friends and family. Really, what else does a girl need?

So, in honor of my 40 years, I have come up with 40 things I’d like to do with the next 40 years of my life.

1. Go white water rafting
2. Visit Paris in the springtime
3. Remodel my kitchen
4. Raise my children to be responsible adults who give back to their community
5. Share my happiness with others
6. Lose 40 lbs
7. Run a marathon
8. Climb a mountain
9. See the Great Wall of China
10. Live for at least a month in Tuscany
11. Be a good friend
12. Boogie board
13. Photograph someone famous
14. Have one of my photographs published in a magazine
15. See the Great Barrier Reef
16. Win an award for one of my photographs
17. Have lots of grandchildren
18. Retire young and enjoy it!
19. Own a cabin on a lake
20. Give back
21. Fight for a cause
22. Go on an African Safari
23. See my daughter perform in Carnegie Hall
24. Meet the President of the United States (don’t really care which one)
25. Swim in a lake (a MAJOR fear of mine!)
26. Jump off of a high dive
27. Go on a Disney cruise – it just sounds like so much fun!!!!!
28. Be healthy
29. Finish a scrapbook for each of my children
30. Go see Mount Rushmore – I don’t know why, I’ve just always wanted to see it.
31. Buy a pair of ridiculously expensive jeans that look fabulous on me
32. Make new friends
33. Smile more
34. ALWAYS send thank you notes and birthday cards
35. Learn how to cook really well
36. Be grateful for all of my MANY blessings
37. Keep a journal
38. Research my family history
39. Go snorkling on Grand Cayman Island – or Tahiti would be fine too.
40. Live in the moment each and every day and be happy!!!!! 

I’m so happy this week because…

1. I’m almost caught up from being on vacation.
2. I love to watch people who work hard and accomplish amazing things. I just love the olympics…so sad they are over, but I really enjoyed them this year.
3. Bright colors make me feel good. As far as I’m concerned there is nothing better than pure, bright, vibrant color.

Have a great week!

I know I have been completely MIA the past couple of weeks. I had a fantastic break and vacation. I am now back in the saddle and ready to go. I know some of you are waiting patiently for proofs and orders and we are working like crazy trying to get caught up. Please be patient we should be caught up soon…

So, for happy monday…3 things that make me happy…

1. Rest, lots of it. Sleeping in, lazy days and walks on the beach.
2. My new Mac Pro with my 30″ cinema display. Yes, this thing rocks! My son’s friend said, “That monitor is bigger than our tv!” I completely converted to mac over my vacation. If I could only figure it out I would be very happy. So far so good, just slowed down a bit with converting to mac. I’m sure that once I get it down it’ll be faster than ever!

                        
3. Spending lots of time with my kids. They truly delight me and make me smile. I love vacations!

Have a great week!

This week, there is one thing that is making me very happy!
1. Vacation.
2. Vacation!
3. and VACATION!!!!!

I’m almost ready to go. Just filling some last minute orders and getting the last few sessions proofed. I’m headed to the Oregon Coast for two weeks to visit my sister and relax. I’ll be out of the studio from Wednesday, July 30th through Wednesday, August 13th. Don’t worry, Kimberly will be here on Tuesdays and Thursdays to answer phone calls and emails. She’ll also be packaging and delivering any outstanding orders. She’ll call you when they are ready for pickup. By the way, if you are thinking about a fall session, NOW is the time to book. We are filling up fast! There are only a few spots left in September and October, and these will fill up before you know it. Don’t wait to the last minute and be disappointed for your holiday pictures.

I’m off to a couple of weeks of pure relaxation with my family. I’ll be back rejuvenated and ready for the busy season.

Til next time – Jen

Is it Monday (I mean Tuesday) already? I can’t believe it! Summer is just flying by…I wish time would slow down so I could enjoy it a bit! We are busily working here at the studio trying to get everything done before I go out of town next week. I’ll be gone for 2 weeks, but Kimberly will be here Tuesdays and Thursdays to answer the phone, return calls and get all the orders packaged up and out the door.

I found this video on Youtube and it reminds me of why I do my Happy Monday posts. Every week posting my 3 favorite things just helps me to stay grounded and remember why I do the things I do. This video just made me think about people all over the world and how much we really are the same and how much we all value the same things (well most of us!), no matter where we are in the world or in life. Take a watch and think about what warms your soul and what makes you happy. It’ll brighten your week, I promise!

Here’s my three this week:

1. Color! Lots of it! I especially love green grass and the blue ocean right now.
2. Playing with my kids in the pool, and helping my son practice swimming…he’s so cute!
3. Did I mention Edward and Bella yet? Oh I am so obsessed right now…have you seen the movie trailer yet? Oh why, why do I have to wait until 12.12.08? You can check it out here.

Have a great week!

I’m back!!!!! I took an extended leave from my blog and I apologize that I have been away so long. It just seems like every year I think I can’t wait for summer so that things can slow down a bit and I can enjoy some time with my kids, but it never seems to work out that way. It’s been busier than ever! What’s up with that? Anyway, I’ve been working a ton and have been able to squeeze in a couple of trips to the beach, Knott’s Berry Farm and the pool, but it is exhausting! I’m back on for a couple of weeks then I’m off on a two week (did you HEAR that? I said TWO WEEK) vacation. That is something I have never done before, so I think it’s going to be insane getting everything done before I go so that I can relax a bit and enjoy my vacation before the busy season hits.

Anyway, three things that make me happy this week…

1. Lying in the sun at the beach with a good book. Heaven!
2. Walking early every morning with my sweet husband and my cute dog.
3. Bella and Edward (from Twilight) – oh my gosh I can’t put those books down!!!!! I read Twilight in 3 days and now I’m halfway thru New Moon and I need to control myself. I don’t have time to read!

Have a super-fantastic week!

Oh gosh I can’t believe it’s Monday already! I am having a fabulous day too.

My three happy things today:

1. Listening to my daughter play her oboe.
2. Swimming on a warm afternoon with my kids.
3. Cherry Tootsie pops – only 60 calories!

Have a super fabulous week! – Jen

3 things that make me happy this week:

1. Fresh flowers (tulips and gerber daisies are my fav)
2. Frozen Yogurt (okay, officially ADDICTED!!!! Cherry on Top, Frosted Cup, Pinkberry, Golden Spoon – I’ll take them all.)
3. Going shopping for jeans and buying them 2 SIZES SMALLER than the last time I shopped!!!! Yipppeeee!

Have a great week everyone!

You might think I’m crazy, but Monday is my favorite day of the week. Really, it is. I am off Sunday and Monday, since I work most Saturdays. So Monday is my day when I get to do my stuff, run errands, pick up the house, exercise, etc. It just feels so good because I get everything done and I am ready for the new week. So happy Monday everyone!

Three things that make me happy this week:

1. My pilates class (it’s kind of a love/hate thing, but it makes me happy when it’s all done!)
2. My 7 year old son. It was his birthday yesterday and I just LOVE him so much!
3. Early morning sunshine. This time of year it’s really cloudy here in the mornings (they even have a name for it, “June Gloom”) so when we do get a sunny morning I just appreciate it so much.

That’s it – have a great week!

Til next time – Jen