Every late summer I find myself in a big giant MESS.  Just like spring cleaning, I go through the same process every fall, except the cleaning has to do with my thinking, my actions, our schedule for family, play, and work- as well as our home.

This summer was BUSY for us.  We had a lot going on for work, and although we normally home school year-round, we slowed down quite a bit over the past 3 months in order to accommodate our busy schedule.  Honestly, I felt a bit guilty…scratch that, VERY guilty for not having the time I would have liked with my kiddos.  If there is one thing I hear from my photographer colleagues with kiddos, it is “How do I find a balance to it all?”  And it is very, very easy to see how this could be an issue.  Trying to run a home based business, while taking care of the kids can be tricky…then adding their schooling on top, and a hubby who still works full time outside of the home, well, you have no choice but to run a pretty tight ship in order to get things done!  I have spent the last few months really thinking about it all, and about how to make our home run more efficiently.

This week has been the “kick my butt in gear” week.  I began with writing lists on things that I need to get done in my everyday week, and then a list of things I would like to get done in my week.  I am trying to manage my time, and see how many of the “wants” I can fit in there amongst the “musts.”

 
 
Here is a typical day in the Z household:

 
7:00- Everyone up.  Mama makes breakfast.

7:30-Brett to work.  Kids finish up and straighten up kitchen.

8:00- Kids do chores, Mama does Bible reading.

8:30- Kids get dressed, and have free time if everything is done.  Mom catches up on email, or posts blog (which has to be prepped day prior).

9:00-Kids at table with books.  School starts!

12:00- Snack time. Go for walk if nice out.

1:00- Nap or rest time for all kids.  Mama gets cracking on work-blog prep, emails, or editing.

3:30- More school

4:30- Dinner prep.  Kids can go play if work is done.

6:00- Dinner

8:00- Kids to bed

8:30- Hoping to take 2 nights off a week, but most nights will be editing and blog prep, mixed in with updating expenses and all that other super fun business stuff.

Here are some shots from schooling last year.  Riah kinda danced around, but this year he has to sit down with them and work.  :)

I had to empty out all the drawers and clean them this week…WOW what a mess from the past year.

Ahhh…these photos are like “Pleasantville” compared to how this house actually sounds!!

Monday is our official “start” of school in the Z home.  Wish me luck!!!!  :)

P.S. Beautiful sessions will be on the blog next week too!

Chelli and Jeff drove down from Columbus to do a photo session with us.  We were so excited that they did!  They have been married for 16 years and had been talking about getting photos done of the two of them, but didn’t want the normal “cheesy” type shots.  Jeff is an old friend of Brett’s brother Jason from college.  When Jeff came across our work via Facebook, he decided to book with us.  We were honored to spend an evening with them in downtown Cincinnati.

We had the most PERFECT yummilicious light that night.  It couldn’t have been any better.

Love their smiles!  :)

FAVORITE.

So sweet.

This whole series ROCKED.

Then we went around and did some night shooting.

I really love this one too.  :)

Chelli and Jeff, thanks for taking time out to come down and hang with us.  Be sure to let us know if you are ever back in the ‘Nati!  :)