Ryan and Steve came in from Chicago for their engagement session a couple weekends back.  Cincinnati weather has been so bizarrely perfect this summer, but this evening we had picked out for the session was a scorcher.  These two had such a cheery disposition that they wiped the sweat from their brow and moved on.  :)  We really loved having the chance to hang out and get to know these two before their wedding day.

We didn’t realize that the place we had chosen for the session had a lot of things going on and was PACKED….but we walked around, rolled with the punches, and I loved what we came up with.

These two are so sweet and at ease with each other.  We really love that.

This is one of my favorites from the session….so very them.

Another sweet favorite.  Ryan, you are adorable.  :)

But my absolute favorite….

I LOVE this!

Que romantico….

A couple action shots of us….

while I laid on the ground to get shots (there were people walking by who thought I was nuts)…..

Brett balances on a rail, with his camera and backpack.  He is so ridiculous, but I love him.

Ryan and Steve, we are super excited for your wedding this October!  I know it is going to be a beautiful day and we so look forward to sharing it with you.

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!