Category

A Well Crafted Life

Category
Focus
CC image via ihtatho on Flikr

The past few years for me have been back and forth and all over the place when it comes to work and family. I’ve been fortunate to have been able to take time to develop my blog and freelance work to really benefit myself and my family. It wasn’t easy on my husband, son, or finances living the freelance life. I’ve appreciated that I’ve had so much support these few years though– I mean, how many people get the opportunity to really work on their dreams?

Losing Focus…

In September I was offered a full-time position as a Social Media and Marketing Specialist at an amazing company that is really doing good in the community. My freelance work and my blog had finally gotten to a place where it was being profitable and I was getting closer to my goals right before this opportunity presented itself. I knew that in accepting the full time position I would have to really step back in many areas of my life. Basically, I was at a fork in the road and I decided to just battle my way through the obstacles in my path rather than deciding to take one road over the other. A whole jungle of opportunity and challenges in front of me and there I was staring it down with my machete no where in sight.

I am disappointed in the way that I handled the transition from freelance to full-time. I let some people down and I certainly let my blog go in the process. Since September I’ve felt like I am in a constant state of juggling priorities. My health has suffered. My state of mind has suffered. My friendships have suffered.

Finding Balance…

I’m just now at a point where I feel like I am getting a handle on life again. I’m learning to say no (even when I don’t want to) to opportunities that come my way that I don’t have time to do properly. I’m working on focusing and prioritizing. Heck, I’m working on learning how to have a day off!

More than that… I’m teaching myself to blog again! I’m trying to get back to the roots of why I began blogging and what I want to get out of blogging. I’m working on regular postings and clear goals for the year.

In my desire to re-focus and prioritize my blog I thought that perhaps others out there may need to work on their focus a bit. So, I created the below printable for bloggers looking to get back on track for their blogs.

Free Printable Focus Worksheet

Click here to download your free Blog Focus Worksheet Printable

This worksheet coordinates with my Free Blog Planner Printables– check back later this week  soon for new and updated blog planner printable pages!

family photo ideas, portland photographer, portland family photographer
Family Photos by Motormouth Studios

When I was a child I loathed taking family photos. Everyone had to get dressed up in nearly identical clothing and head to a stuffy studio where we posed awkwardly and pasted smiles on our faces. Even if we had a great photographer, the experience was never too amazing. I’m glad we have those photos. But, I’m even more glad that today’s “family photos” have an entirely different feel to them.

This year, as a gift to our parents and siblings, we hired Macey from Motormouth Studios for our family photos. It was freezing outside, but we had a clear and beautiful day to work with as we took our family photos in SE Portland. I gave everyone a loose color scheme to work with and asked them to join us for an hour of taking photos. SO much better than family photos when I was a kiddo.

I couldn’t be more thrilled with these photos. Each day when I wake up and drink my coffee before I head off to work I look around at the photos on the walls of my living room and smile big.

portland family photography, family photography clothing ideas
Photo by Motormouth Studios
Portland Family Photos, Family Photo clothing ideas in winter
Photo by Motormouth Studios
kid photography portland, beaverton kids photography, se portland photographer
Photo by Motormouth Studio
child photographer in portland, best portland kid photographer
Photo by Motormouth Studios
portland photographer, portland family photography
Photo by Motormouth Studios

 What were your family photos like growing up? Awesome? Lame? Tell me all about it… and, if you have a photo, share a link!

I’ve been really good recently about sticking to my posting schedule. Today I had a post almost ready to go an just waiting a few small things before I could publish. But, life got in the way a bit. And, I’m so glad it did.

My husband’s parents are in town visiting and we are having such fun together! My son is calling them “BamMa” and “Papa.” Today we decided to go out to the Willamette River and paddle board. I stayed at the shore with the kiddo…but, we all had a grand time. Afterwards we enjoyed a homemade dinner on a rooftop in downtown Portland.

20130716-230057.jpg

20130716-230230.jpg

20130716-230329.jpg

20130716-230342.jpg