Innocent flirtation, passing glances, and any excuse to make each other laugh. When Jenn first met Patrick, she was instantly attracted to him and a crush began to form. Patrick played it cool, he couldn’t deny that she was one hot tamale, but he was playing hard to get.

As Jenn puts it, she finally convinced him to ask her out, and the rest is history. These two are just about the most perfect compliment of each other I’ve ever seen in a pair.  Jenn’s nose crinkles up and her eyes dissappear when Patrick teases her, and you can see in Patrick’s eyes all the love and adoration in the world.

The day was filled with laughter as we romped around Seattle for their engagement session. I just love these two and can’t wait for their big day!

You can view more of their engagement photos by viewing their slideshow here. And check out their entire gallery to view and order prints by clicking here.

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He was coy, and charming. A master of elusiveness, never around, always busy… too busy for the normal components of a college social life. Handsome, so so handsome.

I remember the first time I met him because it was very different from my normal encounters with guys during this time of my life.

He ignored me.

Flat out, uninterested. I was blond at the time so I get it… he probably thought I had nothing to offer to the conversation. I was getting over a bad breakup at the time, epic breakup of  dramatic-Jersey-Shore proportions, so I was caught off guard by his lack of interest, but not offended.

We gathered a group of friends and neighbors maybe a week after our first encounter and headed to the movies. Basketball season must have been over, because he wasn’t coaching that night and was able to join us. Randomly and unintentionally I landed in a seat next to him.

The movie itself wasn’t that amazing, but what happened in the 8th row from the bottom, 4th and 5th seats in was amazing. He laughed, and then I laughed. We giggled, belly laughed, lost control, I cried laughing tears. I loved him instantly for his genuine expression of joy.

To this day, if he laughs, I laugh. I knew I would marry this man. Almost the moment I met him.

photo by Jonathan Canlas

It’s not uncommon to find me in a coffee shop in Seattle as soon as it opens in the morning, like this one. Truthfully, I’m a morning person, and get the most out of my day between the hours of 6am and 11am. Sometimes Billy doesn’t believe me because he leaves for work at 5 in the morning, but I’m usually up and starting my day not too shortly after him. I like to keep on (somewhat) of the same schedule, that way I’ve put in a full day by the time he strolls in the door at 3:15 and I don’t have to feel guilty about turning work off for a few hours to just hang out with him and live LIFE.

Life, what’s that? Oh yeah, it’s the stuff we’re doing when we aren’t taking phone calls, answering emails, having meetings, attending events, or running work related errands. It’s the stuff in between, the stuff we actually work so hard to enjoy. The “life” part of my life is about to get more complicated with the addition of the Bean come February, so I’ve been spending some time researching work/life balance.

How many of you struggle with work / life balance? I would wager than anyone who has the kind of profession they feel a slight twinge of passion for takes part of it home with them, finds their mind wandering during down time… to what has to be done at the office, or genuinely would rather work than do most things. That’s where I’m at. I would rather do “work”  than do most things.

According to most of the things I’ve Googled on the subject, including Wikipedia (our most trusted source) and the Mayo Clinic… that’s pretty unhealthy.

Some of my favorite tidbits on how to manage a freelance, self employed life have come from the genius mind of local Seattle writer Michelle Goodman. She’s the author of the Anti 9-to-5 Guide, and My So-Called Freelance Life. Good friend and fellow freelancer, Liz Andrade turned me on to her books right after I took the freelance plunge in 2008, and while I’m completely guilty of not following a single word of her advice on most occasions, I think she’s got it right. I use Liz as my shining example of what to live up to when it comes to work/ life balance. She has a fabulous blog on what it takes to be a freelancer, and you can check it out here.

Things to consider when the Bean comes in February to maintain both a healthy thriving business, and a healthy thriving life:

- Taking actual maternity leave. Setting all autoresponders and voicemails to reflect that I’m taking legit time away from work. Every new mom is entitled to that.

- Working hours will likely change, and a lot will have to give.

- Learning to say no. I’m fully aware that I have a problem saying no. Anything and everything that isn’t directly contributing to the happiness of my life or the success of my business is going to have to get the axe. I’m only one woman. I’m going to have to practice this one over and over. “NO I’m too busy to help you” “NO I’m sorry, you’ll have to either hire me or find someone else to do that project for free”, “NO” “no” no” “no”. Next time you see me, ask me to practice on you. Trust me, I need the practice.

- Rearranging my priorities; Family first, then business/clients, then every other distraction.

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It’s going to take some work, as there are a lot of changes to come. Changes I’m sure I’m not even aware of, but in the end it will be worth it. Having a family, for us, is what life is all about.

What are some of your helpful work/life balance tips? Anyone have advice on managing self-employment with kids?

And because everything is better with a photo, here is a belly update! This crew photo is from a recent commercial shoot I did with Bella Signature Design for Event Solutions Magazine! We used the new space next to Sodo Park, The Oasis. So excited to share the details and rest of the images of the shoot, but it’s pretty top secret, so I even blurred the props out. You might recognize me  [Sidenote - I'd like to point out that this dress was a flawed purchasing decision and has since made it's way to the bottom of my closet, never to return. I think I look HUGE! It's either the dress, or I need to put down the bagel chips. I'm going with the dress (probably in denial)], the rest of these amazing people are Daniela and her Bella Signature crew. A team of very talented Seattle Designers.

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