JEN SEVERN'S BLOG

Today I am dreaming of fall. I can't wait for the leaves to turn bright oranges and yellows. I don't think I will get to the northeast this fall. It will remain on my bucket list for 2016. I took this picture a few years ago and I am longing to sit on this hill again enjoying apple cider and laughter with our dear northeastern friends.  This breathtaking quintessential New England picture was taken on Mount Sugarloaf and overlooks the Connecticut River. There was a fall breeze blowing through our hair and it was damp but not raining. It was chilly enough that we didn't want to stay long, but it was so beautiful we wanted to stay all day. The kids were running around laughing and tossing a football while we soaked in scene. I love New England in the fall. It seems every few miles there is an apple orchard selling fresh cider and acres of apple orchards with every kind of apple. You can get a wagon and a bucket and walk through ...

I finally got a chance to hear Kristina's voice today. She has been busy taking online classes, having visitors to her island home and holding baby sea turtles. My mom and I chatted with her as we drove to Denver. She's really tired and I tried to convince her Spark is her temporary answer. She's not so sure.  Scott and I are building a new home. It's a dream come true and for that we are humbled and grateful. I finalized all of our interior choices today. I can't wait to see how it turns out. I love designing homes. I think I should have went to school for it. I can be strategic and creative, artistic and practical, modern and warm, thrifty and eccentric. I have been working with an incredibly talented company, IRG. They assign a designer to help you, ours was Ann and she is fantastic to work with. I left today with all the samples strategically grouped, kitchen, bathroom, and so on. The next time I see these samples they will be on walls and floors. They wil...

I did it! I managed a weekend of work and kids with Scott out of town. Everyone is safe and happy, lunches are made and everyone is about to get in bed. Jess has been riding me about how I rarely relax. It's true, I have a hard time chillin' it. I like to be productive and in general I don't find relaxing productive. Once I suggested we put a theater in our basement and Scott laughed at me. He said, "If we want to watch movies with you then we will need to do it near the kitchen. I don't want to be in the basement alone." Touché. I like to cook or bake while watching TV. I guess the kids are getting older and things are getting easier. They can empty the dishwasher, sort the laundry and clean their rooms. If the house is at least bearable then I feel like I can relax. I decided that this season I would sit and watch every game the Broncos play. Well, that maybe a stretch so I'll go with Pete Carroll's philosophy, one game at a time. I watch...

I can't believe how big the kids are getting. Mai went to the mall with a friend to pick out a Halloween costume. On October 31st they will be matching as Minnie Mouse. She is learning to be a thrifty shopper. She spent $30 and came home with loads of things. I will thank Stacey M. for that! She even brought her own money. She didn't even ask me for money. When our kids get money they divide it into four pots, tithing first (at least 10%), then they can choose how the rest goes between saving, fun and charity. I guess she had enough in her "fun" money to cover it. I think her 'fun money' is running low and she will be motivated to get a job soon. Today she posted an instagram photo, the picture wouldn't load on my phone and all I could read was, "When your hair is on point." My first thought was, "Oh boy!" I knew when I saw the picture that it would make me laugh. It was a picture where she was reenacting her 3rd grade bangs ponytail o...