Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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A Day In The Life Of A Blogger

Holy cats, have we really been blogging for six years?!

Blogiversary 6

It feels like Blogiversary 5 just happened, and that it was mere months ago that it was 2007 and we were posting tiny pictures and writing a few sentences each night about whatever was going on under our roof. All of the years of this adventure have been exciting, but the last 12 months in particular have brought things we never could’ve expected when we started this site: a book that somehow landed on the best-seller list, a lighting collection that we designed right here in Richmond with a local company, a short film on Oprah (what?!), and probably the most exciting thing of all to us… a new house in a neighborhood that we’ve dreamed about living in for longer than we’ve even been blogging.

Blogviversary House

For our sixth blogiversary, we wanted to start things off with a twenty piece orchestra to serenade you while you eat your Toaster Strudel and scroll through this post, but the logistics were a little tricky. So we decided to go for the next best thing: a week of blogiversary fanfare and behind the scenes banter (just like we’ve done for the past few years here, here, here, and here). And the festivities start right now. Here are a few of the things that we have on tap for this week:

  • a day in the life post full of pictures & details about an average day for us (just keep scrolling for this one!)
  • an awesome giveaway that just happens to involve plane tickets
  • a mathy medley of pie charts and blog stats about how we spend our time, where our money comes from (and where it goes), along with a few pretty intense facts & figures (some of which even surprised us)
  • a Q&A video full of answers to tons of personal questions that you guys submitted via Facebook
  • a behind-the-scenes post about our recent Oprah stint (there’s a pretty funny story about how that day started out…) along with a clip for you guys
  • a post about a side gig that didn’t work out (you win some, ya lose some, so we thought sharing something that didn’t work would be a fun pulling-back-the-curtain moment)
  • a chance for you guys to tell us about yourselves, which John can’t wait to spin into an infographic-tastic recap for everyone

So on with the show! Some of our favorite blogiversary posts to look back on are our “Day In The Life” rundowns, since it’s fun to look back at what times were like in previous years – especially to see how our surroundings and our family has changed (click there to read the ones from 2012, 2011, 2010, & 2009).

DayInTheLifeYears2

But documenting yourself all day can make an already long day that much longer (ex: setting up the tripod to capture laundry folding), so this year we instituted an iPhone pic-only policy so that our day would be less filled with camera set-ups and more, well, like a real day in our lives. So forgive the crummy quality of some of the pics. That’s real life, yo.

6:15AM: John’s up. Today he goes for a run around the neighborhood, but some days it’s the gym (and some days it’s just staying in bed). Once back, there’s even a little bit of time to respond to a few emails before us girls wake-up.

DayInTheLife 1 6am

7:45AM: Clara’s awake and she and John start the day slow with some playing in her room (they made a Lego dragon). I’m out of the shower and getting dressed, and Burger gets out of bed, but only for a second for a potty break. Then it’s back up to bed for him.

DayInTheLife 2 7am

8:30AM: Everyone’s downstairs. Breakfast is eaten in various places, including Clara’s morning cup of yogurt while she takes in some Jake and the Neverland Pirates after some magnet-doll playing with me. I get a jump on reading, approving, and answering comments that collected overnight while John squeezes in a shower & a shave.

DayInTheLife 3 8am1

9:00AM: Running a bit behind schedule for school, I get Clara dressed quickly while John tosses her snack into her school bag. John and Clara are off just in time for the 15-20 minute drive to preschool (depending on lights). I hang back to proofread and double-check that morning’s post before it needs to go up at ten – making sure links work, all the images are in, and doing some last minute tweaks.

DayInTheLife 4 9am

9:45AM: Clara’s dropped off at preschool so John runs a couple of errands on the way home, namely stopping at the grocery store to replenish the fridge. I steal a few minutes to respond to emails before hitting publish on the post at 10.

DayInTheLife 10am 2

10:30AM: John’s home from the grocery store and I’m busy doing comments on the morning post. Once the food is put away, John takes advantage of the quiet house to focus on some computer work: backing up photos, responding to emails, and starting to select and size pictures for a post later in the week. I take some last minute photos for an upcoming post since the sun finally decided to come out and then I do some emailing about the showhouse before starting on a post for the next day.

DayInTheLife 11am2

NOON: Time to pick-up Clara at school. Since we’ve got a meeting right afterwards, we both head out. Once Clara’s picked up at 12:30, we swing by Jason’s Deli to grab a quick lunch before of our 1:30 meeting.

DayInTheLife Noon

1:00PM: Back in the car to make the 30 minute drive to our appointment, which is photographing the Massey Street of Dreams for the quadruple House Crashing post we shared last week. This is already starting to feel like one of those days where we live in the car.

2:15PM: John’s photographing the homes while I gather info from our guide, Justin. I also steal away to publish the afternoon post from my phone at one point. Justin’s 10-year-old daughter was there so Clara spent most of the time playing with her new friend, although they eventually both ended up resting since we were close to Clara’s nap time, and Justin’s daughter was under the weather (hence not being in school and tagging along with us).

DayInTheLife 2pm

3:00PM: We leave the Street of Dreams to make the 40 minute drive home. I use the car ride to catch up on the comments that built up while we were touring. Clara reads a book in the backseat and John checks in with her periodically to make sure she hasn’t fallen asleep. Can’t lose a real nap at home by letting her drift off for ten minutes in the car!

3:45PM: We’re home and Clara is down for a nap. This is usually prime project doing-time, but I have a phone interview in a few minutes related to the Super Soul Sunday clip, and a showhouse call with the builder and his team afterwards. John gets changed into work clothes so he can caulk the sunroom’s trim & nail holes while I juggle two phone calls, a few emails, and attempt to finish the post I started earlier that day.

DayInTheLife 4pm1

5:30PM: Clara’s up from her nap, so I go up there to grab her and we play in her room for a little while.

DayInTheLife 5pm

6:00PM: Family walk time! We don’t get one of these every night, but this weather is too gorgeous to skip one today. We talk about Clara’s school day, the upcoming posts we’re both writing, and what projects we each hope to get done the next day.

DayintheLife 6pm1

6:45PM: Home from our walk and time for dinner. Tonight’s a family favorite – chicken squares (update: here’s the recipe). Clara puts her mixing skills to work with me while I check in on comments again and finally finish the post I’ve been working on sporadically throughout the day. The thing about sharing 7 posts in a 5 day period is that we’re always working on finishing some that are already written, writing new ones, and answering questions for the ones that are already up.

DayInTheLife 7pm

7:30PM: Dinner is ready so we sit down to eat together. Clara gets her tomatoes and veggies down with minimal encouragement and even eats half of a chicken square. I clean up after dinner while John tackles a few emails that have built up throughout the day. Then Clara and I snuggle on the couch for a few minutes, finishing up the episode of Jake and the Neverland Pirates that she started before school.

DayInTheLife Dinner

8:15PM: Bedtime for Clara. She votes for a different mix of helpers each night, but tonight it’s Mommy on teeth brushing and PJ changing duty while Daddy is in charge of reading the story.

DayInTheLife 8pm

8:30PM: With Clara tucked in bed, it’s time to squeeze in a few more hours of productivity before we stow our laptops for the night. John finishes the post he prepped pictures for earlier in the day while I catch up on any questions that came up on Facebook or Instagram during the day along with sending some book outline stuff to our publisher (yes, we’re officially working on Book Two! Ahh!). Eventually the TV gets turned on and we’re sort of half watching as we finish up some last minute emails, comments, and miscellaneous computer work. We can’t believe other than John’s sunroom caulking, we haven’t done much DIY at all, which means tomorrow will probably be a project-heavy evening (after Clara’s all tucked into bed) to make up for it.

DayInTheLife 9pm

10:00PM: To resist the urge to keep working, we clean up and turn the lights off downstairs, put our computers away, and head up to watch TV in bed. Our current routine is trying to catch up on old Scandal episodes on Netflix (John’s 70% into it and I’m about 120% into it thanks to his sister getting me addicted).

DayInTheLife 10pm

11:30PM: John has already fallen asleep a couple of times mid-Olivia-Pope tirade, so the TV goes off once that episode is over. With teeth brushed and contacts out, John has a second wind and reads a few pages of a book while I decompress with some Pinterest browsing on my cell phone along with some late-night texting with Katie Bower and Roo. Burger finally comes under the covers to snuggle between us, and the lights are out by midnight.

Comments

  1. Jessica says

    Love the Scandal talk! Your breakdown of how “into it” you and John are reminds me of me and my husband. He thinks if he doesn’t sit down he is not REALLY watching a show, but I know he’s into it (at least 70%)!

    Reply

  2. Carrie says

    I am impressed. This year’s day-in-the-life post is way more sane than last year’s. Last year’s post had you up at 6am, running around all day, then doing projects until midnight or 1 am (only to get up at 6 am the next day??). Now it looks like you are actually getting a bit of chill out time in the PM, and while your day wasn’t lazy or slow by any means, it wasn’t totally insane. You both have done a great job of sticking to your New Year’s resolution!

    I remember reading last year’s post and thinking ‘holy crap… I don’t want to be a blogger if this is the life I will have!’. Now it actually looks semi-doable, less stressful, and enjoyable. Honestly I don’t care how many posts you write in a week, I like your content, and I think the content will only improve when you’re happy and not worn out or sleep deprived.

    Reply

  4. Lauren says

    We are crazy busy at our house as well. I think you look fabulous, so this question is more directed towards scheduling and being so busy. Do you fit in time to workout like John does or is sleeping the priority? Happy Anniversary. I look forward to your posts!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Lauren! I’m not really a runner (bad ankle) or a gym rat (I end up sitting in the sauna, haha!), so I just use our walks and running around after Clara as my exercise for the most part. I love to swim, so when there’s time for that (sometimes we go to the pool on Friday nights) that might sneak in there. And DIY is good exercise too! I think I read that painting a room is 400 calories gone!

      xo
      s

  5. Tricia | 724 South House says

    Happy Anniversary. I just made it to month #1 and I have a new appreciation for everything blog. Hopefully I’m lucky enough to hit 6 years (or even 6 months :)! Your blog was one of the first I ever read and I was hooked from the beginning. Definitely inspired me to do my own!

    Reply

  6. Kasey says

    I’m addicted to reading your blog, happy 6 years wow!! Chicken squares are our family fav too and Scandal is my new personal obsession…catching up on netflix myself too :) I knew I like you guys lol!

    Reply

  7. Anika says

    I always look forward to these behind the scenes posts every year – thank you guys for continuing the tradition! Also I have to say I really like using only iphone pictures: somehow it seems a lot more real and personal (side note: the white chaise/chair in the 2:31 picture is amazing! Any idea where it’s from?).

    Happy, happy, happy six years!! And congratulations on all the time, effort, and work it took to get here! I’m so glad you stuck with this and I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us the rest of this week.

    Reply

  8. tess says

    warm congratulations on your success,

    the car pictures made me laugh for some reason, maybe because some of our semi-dysfunctional exchanges take place there, I think of it as a “private” place, silly of course as everyone can see in through the windoews

    Reply

  9. Breeanna says

    I love Scandal! When I found it on Netflix, I finished it in like 3 days. Can’t wait for the next season! P.s. I’ve been reading your blog since you lived in house #1, and I’m so happy for you guys and the success you are earning! I know you have worked hard to get where you are!

    Reply

  11. Gabby Orcutt says

    You guys are crazy!! How do you enjoy each other with all of that going on? You need residual income to slow down, relax and fully enjoy life :) That being said, I would totally miss your blog posts! But 7 in a 5 day span is a bit much don’t ya think?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      You know, we have learned that different people want different things from our blog (for everyone who says “just post once a day!” there are people saying “I wish you could post twice everyday!” so we decided a few years back that we just have to move at a pace that feels right for our family. From the outside this schedule might look crazy-busy to someone (or super slow and lazy to someone else) but it really just seems to work for us.

      xo
      s

  13. Autumn Beach says

    WOW. Just wow. You guys are AMAZING. And you deserve every bit of success this blog and all of your hard work have brought you. It’s awesome when good things happen to good people. And you guys are definitely good peeps. Thanks for sharing the journey with us. Here’s to many more years of the YHL we know and love. Happy blogiversary! :)

    Reply

  15. JoeyfromSC says

    Happy Blogiversary!!:) I’m a newbie around here and love your blog!!

    You both work so hard and I’m amazed at this day in the life of peek lol.y’all are so organized! Kudos and here’s to many more years blogging!! I love John’s pepsi shirt btw lol

    Reply

  16. Catherine says

    Just a little FYI (cos we got told about it at work here in TK Maxx) TJ Maxx is now online! tjmaxx.com is now open :) Unfortunately I still can’t shop there though :(

    Reply

  17. JoeyfromSC says

    I received the shades of light catalog in the mail today… I don’t remember signing up for it ,but I was happy to get it.

    I was reading it before bedtime and on page 21, who do I see?! Lol YOU GUYS! I am still new around here & I am trying to catch up,so I feel clueless because I did not know you had your own line of lighting ha… even though now I see the banner on the right side…. so exciting! Congrats! and everything is so nice looking and affordable! Y’all have become superstars lol :) I’m going to try to read a little of your blog each day so I don’t feel so lost lol

    Reply

  18. andrea says

    wow…you guys are rockstars! I love that you’re both able to be there with clara all day, and still be so productive :)

    Reply

  19. Sarah says

    Happy 6 years! I enjoy your blog so much! We live in Rockville, MD (DC suburbs) and our 1968 colonial looks a lot like your new one just south of us!

    Reply

  20. MBH says

    Clearly I’m a tired mom when my first reaction I had to your day was, “Clara sleeps til 7:45?? And naps well!” I have two boys up and yelling and running at 5:30am and it never gets easier. I love the pace of your day and love that you’re a team. Even though you are very busy, you are all together. And even though you work later into the night you pepper the day with family time. I love that!

    Reply

  21. Kate E. says

    Happy 6 years! Like many other readers I have the “sit in my office for 9-10 hours a day a toiling away on spreadsheets” type day… but my daily does of YHL breaks up monotony or calms me down from a stressful/hectic day!

    Keep up the great work – and man, can you guys pack a lot into one day!

    Here’s to 6 more years and counting!

    Reply

  22. Teri says

    Did you give the recipe for the chicken squares anywhere above in the comments? i think my 3 year old might like them also.

    My favorite thing about your blog is that you actually do answer questions. I know it takes a long time, but please don’t stop doing that. I wouldn’t have been able to get my wallpaper down w/o you. :)

    Reply

    • Erin says

      I’m not one to usually react to things on the internet but “SecretBaby”, do you not realize that there is a 3 month period when you shouldn’t even tell FAMILY that you are expecting?! You’re not entitled to every detail of anyone’s life, even if they are in the public.

      CONGRATULATIONS John and Sherry on your new addition, I hope people like this do not discourage you from sharing anything with us, you did everything correctly and it’s supposed to be an amazing announcement and experience, so don’t let the negativity bring you down for one second.

  25. Carli says

    You guys are superstars! If I’m ever feeling lazy I just need to read one of your ‘day in the life’ posts and boom! I’m motivated.

    Also, this post makes me think of that funny meme going around social media right now: “You have as many hours in the day as Beyonce”. Me after reading that? ‘Wo. I DO have as many hours as Beyonce. I should do more.’ You guys after reading that? ‘We know. We get crazy amounts of stuff done on the regular’. ;)

    Keep it up you two!! Always impressed with your projects, posts, passion and interaction to your readers :)

    Reply

  27. ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com says

    What a day! Wow! I’m pooped for you guys! I think people forget how much work actually goes into the bigger blogs, like yours! And you have TWO of you working on it, while juggling a toddler! Definitely why the Petersiks are two of my favorite bloggers ever!

    Reply

  29. Kristi Valentini says

    Thank you for sharing your day’s schedule. It’s so easy to think that so-and-so has the ideal life and I want that, and blah, blah, blah. Reality shows you guys work hard and pay your dues to have what you have, just like everybody else. Plus, it’s always nice to know that other working moms are multi-tasking all the time!

    Reply

  30. Danielle Ferretti in Miami says

    Hi P’s and congrats on your 6th amazing years of entertaining the world with your DIY antics ! I seriously would not function if I didn’t have my daily dose of your blog…

    LOVEDLOVEDLOVED you guys on Oprah ! :)

    Just also wanted to mention – I have a 9 to 6 job pretty much at a desk in front of a computer. I am just so amazed that you guys are able to be so organized in getting so much done being work at home folks ! Whenever I take a day off and plan how I want my day to go, it NEVER goes anything like the plan… Hours get lost, I have no clue where the time goes ?! Ok, maybe I can blame certain blogs that distracted me – but still ! So, kudos to you for being able to be so organized and keeping it real ! xxxooo

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, thanks Danielle! The funny thing is that I used to wonder where hours went at work back in NYC because I’d mess around on the computer (I’d just get sucked in!) or go out for lunch and end up coming back later than I planned, but somehow when it’s “make this blog thing work or you’re out of a job” it seems less enticing to sneak onto Facebook all day!

      xo
      s

    • alexandra says

      Wow! The audacity and tactlessness of some people! It’s so unfortunate that people can make these hurtful comments whilst hiding behind a computer screen. John and Sherry, you guys are the very definition of grace and poise. Please keep doing what you’re doing and know that 99.9999% of your readers respect and will defend your decision to Photoshop out a bump (or Photoshop on some unicorn horns, if you ever so feel compelled). Congrats again to you guys!!

    • Secret Baby says

      I wouldn’t speculate if you just didn’t post photos including your midsection, or let a bump show. But photoshopping pictures of yourself, for whatever reason, is really lame.

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yes, I edited the photo, admittedly poorly, so this sort of conversation would not take place. Fail on my part. I can’t just “let a bump show” because even if it’s a burrito it completely hijacks a post that has nothing to do with that. The constant guessing that I’m pregnant is tiring. The examining of photos like private investigators is tiring. I’m the first one in the comments to say I don’t have a flat tummy (as I did in this very thread!) I just don’t want to be asked everyday if I’m with child. It’s just like I’ve edited photos of my cleavage to make my shirt cover it because I don’t want that to be the topic of conversation either. The point of that photo is about an average day at our house, not if there’s a secret baby.

      xo,
      s

    • Jessica says

      As a reader, I am embarrassed that you and John have to deal with such boundary crossing in your comments. I met you on your book tour and I was amazed at your genuine kindness and enthusiasm. Thank you for letting us into your home, and thank you for sticking with us even when strangers on the internet attack that which is private and precious to you.

    • Secret Baby says

      I guess that’s just something you have to live with when you choose to profit from being in the public eye. You can’t seek to be a celebrity and then complain about privacy.

      You didn’t address the second option, which would be simply not posting photos where your burrito/secret baby shows.

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I don’t believe that permanently hiding Sherry’s body from photos is a good solution, nor does it cut down on speculation (for example: “haven’t seen her midsection in a while! Anything you want to tell us?”). I also don’t accept that what goes on in my wife’s uterus is anyone else’s business just because we’re home bloggers. She has said, at least 100 times, that when and if there is news that is safe to tell, after we announce it to our families we will share it on the blog. That is still the case.

      -John

    • SecretBaby says

      You’re right, photoshopping her stomach to a flat line and then saying “not flat, just sucking it in!” is way more “keepin’ it real”…

    • Liz says

      I don’t check your site for a day and now I have two more posts and pages of comments to catch up on! Ahhgh! (Yes, I love your comments section as much as your actual posts!)

      I’m with Jessica – I am embarrassed for all of the people out there who think it’s ok to harass and bully someone. Just because YHL shares their home with millions of people doesn’t mean that we have free range to be cruel. Reading exchanges like this makes my bloated, chubby, saggy belly sick. It’s sad that the internet can be such a hateful place but it’s also nice to see that for every bitter instigator, there are hundred of supportive “friends”.

      I may not fawn over every design choice, but I will always respect your tact and strength to openly share so much with your readers.

    • Gina says

      J&S – I am with you, this is a private matter, but neither of you respect your own privacy. Maybe if you didn’t do State of the Uterus videos, or call a spare bedroom a Future Nursery, or talk about future kids (in essence, stop feeding into this and keep the subject going), people would not be so curious and ask. There are plenty of other bloggers who do not seem to have this chronic problem because they don’t tease it like the two of you do. And John, really, if you honestly feel what is going on in your wife’s uterus is no one’s business, there would not have been a State of the Uterus video. Hypocritical, no? Can’t have it both ways. Just my two cents.

    • A says

      Yeah, I’ve totally altered pictures to hide my tummy too. As someone who had an extremely high risk pregnancy/delivery, the questions about whether I’m now carrying or not can bring back some traumatizing memories. Not really something i enjoy dealing with so -Photoshop away! I totally get it and am 1000% behind you!

    • Angel says

      So sorry you have to deal with this bullsh*t guys. I am not going to respond to “secret baby” who is blatantly a troll hell bent on being hurtful to a person they don’t have to look in the face, and I really cant understand why you are even approving those comments but, @Gina, “State of the Uterus” wasnt a video, it was a post written by Sherry asking readers to RESPECT THEIR PRIVACY regarding this matter. So the fact that they are continuing to ask for privacy… not actually hypocritical at all. Kind of the opposite actually.

    • Tiffany says

      Sorry to cause so much drama :( I wasn’t trying to suggest photoshop or anything…I was just really jealous because after having my baby its still yuck!

    • Kate S. says

      John and Sherry, you all are the epitome of class and grace. Sometimes I see how you handle such ugliness and I make a mental note to remember it when that stuff comes my way. Y’all are a light in the world and I am so grateful for that.

    • Caitlin says

      wow people are seriously insane LOL
      I just linked back on this from your new baby announcement post today and first, CONGRATULATIONS! Second, “secretbaby” needs a life, as does everyone else who stalks your pictures to the point of noticing when you photoshop your stomach. I truly hope I’m never that creepy.

      In my opinion, Kim Kardashian profits from being a celebrity and may not have a right to hate the media since that is what made her famous. YHL became famous for this blog which to my knowledge is always specifically about their HOME. Adding in fun information regarding their Family should be a “perk” to readers, NOT a “privilege”.

      In other words, my sisters and I all texted “did you see YHL today?” and are very excited for our favorite strangers :)

    • Randa says

      I agree with Kate S! That’s the one good thing about ugliness, it can make the graciousness of a response shine so much brighter. You guys (John & Sherry) rock when it comes to those gracious responses, while still maintaining your boundaries. Love it.

    • Valerie L says

      Oh man, SecretBaby, time to get a hobby that isn’t trolling blogs. I’m sure many others agree that they would photoshop themselves regardless of their situation. All I have is a burrito belly and I don’t want to share that with the webs!

      I can appreciate why you would do a “State of the Uterus Address,” and it was very gracious for you to do so. I have been dating my boyfriend for 4.5 years, and am asked weekly when we are getting engaged. Even though we have every intention to do so, being asked constantly, sometimes by people I barely know, is infuriating.

      Congratulations, and keep doing what you’re doing, J&S.

    • Karen says

      Wow Secretbaby, I’m shocked that someone so interested in “keeping it real” would use such a fake name. Congrats to the Petersiks on your expanding family, and continuing to welcome us into your lives even though there are some terrible people out there!

    • Christine says

      I just linked here from your awesome announcement today and firstly – MEGA CONGRATS to my fav bloggers!

      Secondly- I’m sorry but secret baby is just a horribly douchebagy troll. My husband and I have been married for 9 years this Nov and together for nearly 13, and as a couple who have suffered 2 miscarriages now and would be classed as extrememly high risk if we did have a pregnancy go to full term it gets annoying and uncomfortable to constantly have to explain why after all this time we haven’t had a child. At first I used to politely explain that it wasn’t the right time for us, now after constantly being hounded by people about it I prefer to make them as uncomfortable as I am by saying things like – “I have a barren dried up uterus so no babymaking”, or “Children are smelly and time consuming, I’d rather buy shoes” or “Childbirth sounds icky, I’m just going to buy a foreign baby”. It shuts people up pretty quick.

      Great job in maintaining your cool and dealing with such a horrible knob!

    • Gaidig says

      SecretBaby? and Angela, I am amazed at how incredibly rude you are, especially after Sherry directed you to their previous post about exactly why your comments are generally hurtful.

      Sherry and John, I am sorry you have to deal with such trolls, despite your best efforts to allay their comments.

    • Michelle says

      I stumbled on to these comments today after reading the good news of your expanding family. Congratulations!! I hope that you both know that your devoted followers love the information that you are so gracious to share with us. You entertain and inform your readers by letting them into your lives and home, and they love you for it. I am so sorry that some people choose to bring negative attention and a sense of entitlement that I am sure carries over into other aspects of their lives. Although I am sure you get beyond frustrated, you always remain classy in your responses. Kudos to you both and thank you for sharing!!

    • Kimberly says

      Just want to echo the sentiments about you guys being so gracious in the face of rude/insensitive/inappropriate behavior! I wish you didn’t have to deal with that :( I heart YHL!

    • Jennifer says

      Sherry –

      Who knew people like “secret baby” spend their days stalking photos of you to analyze your BODY! You have officially hit rockstar status… can’t post an innocent picture with people reading into it! I would look out my windows before going to bed at night, just to make sure “secret baby” isn’t stalking you at your home as well!!!

      Congrats on the good news!

    • Michelle says

      First… Congrats on the announcement today!!!! Super d duper excited for your growing family!!
      Second. I’m a professional photographer and I use liquifey in PS. I didn’t even notice the “sucking in” the first time I read your post, nor is it noticeable now… And I notice this stuff when it’s funky. Good job guys!
      Much love!

    • Sher says

      Sorry, but I just had to respond. I don’t usually read your comments and one of the first times I do, I get REALLY frustrated at the audacity of people today. As someone who does not have children, nor feels the need to have children, I get the rudest comments about it. I have resorted to making people feel extremely awkward when they get rude (Let’s just say, I don’t have the grace or poise that you two do :).

      However, I think that you guys have the prerogative to photoshop or keep secret your pregnancy for as long as you want. If you don’t want to say anything at all….all the way to nine months and beyond, that is also your prerogative. I’m honestly just happy that you guys share your house reno with me everyday. The fact that you guys even allow us to get to know the personal side of your family is just a bonus and definitely not an expectation from 95% of your readers. Happy to hear about your soon-to-be newest family addition and wish you guys continued success. I will always be an avid reader for as long as you guys allow me to be :)

    • Theresa says

      LOVE your comment John. Way to be kind WHILE you stand up for your wife. :)I had to laugh at the idea of you guys “profiting from being in the public eye”. A DIY blog should NOT be all about how flat someone’s tummy is. Someone even made a GIF about it. HA! How weird….
      Thanks for including personal things in with your blog, sorry for the invasive peeps.

    • Mama Mongoose says

      How did anyone notice your stomach when all I can see are those WHITE spindles in the stairs? :)

  34. kalibrooke says

    Happy Blogiversary! Hard to believe I’ve been reading almost as long as you’ve been writing — thanks for all of the welcome work distractions! Can’t wait to see what this year has in store for you. (BTW, it’s my fave house fo’ sho. Gotta love a staircase.) Bought your book (henceforth, known as your “first book”(!)), so of course, I’ll be waiting to buy your next one!

    Just one thing that I always notice when reading…the abbreviation for ‘example’ is ‘e.g.’ not ‘ex.’ (I know, I know…super annoying. Please take it with a lot of <3!!)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Kalibrooke! You’re so sweet! We both know in our heads that e.g. is right, but for some reason when we type that it always looks wrong to us. Better collectively get over that, huh?

      xo,
      s

    • Kim says

      Haha I have resisted commenting on the e.g. thing so many times, but just wanted to chime in that e.g. stands for example given so just say that to yourself and it might help with it not looking wrong!

  35. Kelly says

    These blogiversary posts just remind me how amazing you two are. Sometimes I think “Sherry and John have the best job/life ever; I wish we had that instead of regular jobs!” and then I remember that it’s not all DIYing and blogging. You have to juggle an unbelievable number of things all at the same time, and your livelihood depends on you continuing to do it well. What you have accomplished over the last 6 years is really impressive. And YHL is still a joy to read. Thanks for putting in the hard work. Your readers appreciate it!

    Reply

  36. Val says

    Yay, Bloggiversary! I love these posts! And, you guys…I am so proud of your work/life balance improvement over years past. I know it varies day by day and you’re still super-busy, but I’m proud of you for decompressing and going to bed at a reasonable hour. Yay!

    Reply

  37. Katie says

    I’ve been looking into the London Times Top 50 Blog Design picks (followed your link to link to a link ;) and after perusing a bunch I just have to tell you how much I love the format you guys use. It’s so clean and simple. Thanks for being so reader-friendly!

    Reply

  38. susan says

    I LOVE this post. And I think it gives a VERY realistic view of what it takes to be a professional blogger. Congratulations on your blogiversary and thank you for all the long hours and hard work you put into your blog. It is by far, my favorite that I read. :-)

    Reply

  39. meg says

    I love and look forward to your blogiversary posts every year! Thank you for sharing…I find it so interested and motivating to one day have the courage to start my own business and chase my dreams. I couldn’t resist commenting today when I got the very last sentence of this post where you said that Burger finally comes under the covers to snuggle between us…we have a Chihuahua (that I swear is Burgers long lost sister) who does the exact same thing! Appreciate you guys being a bright spot in my current work day :)

    Reply

  40. Shawna says

    Wait! I didn’t see the Oprah segment (don’t think we have that channel here in Canada). Any chance you have a link to it somewhere?

    Reply

  42. NC21 says

    Ugh Sherry, the people with the photoshop comments make me want to scream. I can understand why you’d respond to address it, but I wish you didn’t feel like you had to dignify that crap with a response. People are petty jerks, and the internet makes it all too easy to cut people down without thinking about the fact that mean comments hurt. What a pack of jerks. You are a beautiful woman, inside and out, and it sounds trite, but the people who say mean things are jealous of all you have accomplished! Many hugs and warm wishes toward your family, and most of all to you! Working full time while being a mommy is the hardest job, and you kick butt, all in the public eye. You are sweet, sincere people and you deserve the very best life has to offer!

    Reply

    • Sammie Anne says

      Yes, those photoshop posts scream jealousy. I, on the other hand, am totally in control of my jealousy and I am grown up enough to be happy for this beautiful, talented family.

    • Dani says

      Agreed! I want to know who has time to sit around on the internet looking for people to harrass?!

      FWIW, I totally photoshop myself. I have a belly (no baby, I just love cake) and bad skin (thats actually not the cakes fault) but you’d never know it from photos of me ;)

      Sherry I’m yet to see a photo of you where you dont look great, whether you’re cooking a baby or not. Rock on.

  43. Karen J says

    I hope people are double-checking the nutrition info on that recipe before putting it into rotation. I’m all for the easy and tasty part but it’s scary unhealthy (i.e., 32 GRAMS of FAT and 870 MG of SODIUM per serving). I’m genuinely surprised you would make and eat it, much less feed it to Clara. It actually makes me sad, :-(. Maybe you could find some easy/healthy recipes here:
    http://www.choosemyplate.gov/healthy-eating-tips/sample-menus-recipes.html

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks for the link Karen! We use fat free cream cheese when we make ours, and it’s just a family favorite that we might break out once a month (Clara eats half of one if we’re lucky). We generally eat a lot of veggies and hummus and fruit as well as lean protiens, but ice cream and a few carby meals make it into the mix too. We’re an everything in moderation family I think! It’s how we were both raised, so I guess it feels like a good balance to us.

      xo
      s

    • Jen says

      Wow.

      It makes me sad that you have to deal with criticism of every freaking move you make. OMG don’t breathe today, someone might be sad about that too!

  44. Christiana says

    I don’t know how to respond to comments or I would put this where it belongs in the conversation, but I have got to respond to the photoshop stuff. With a story.

    I have a close friend who is very private. About a year ago, a bunch of our mutual friends started speculating that she was pregnant with her second. All the signs were there. Not drinking, looked like she felt like crap all the time, puffed out a bit, etc. People were irritated that she didn’t fess up to the baby. I figured if they were pregnant, they’d share in their own time. If not, I’ve sure gained weight and become crankier before. Not even a thing. I suspected, but I kept it to myself, because you pretty much shouldn’t ask a lady if she is expecting unless she is crowning before you.

    Turns out, she had a cancer scare. She wasn’t drinking because she was worried about her health, she looked sick to her stomach thanks to Chemo, and she puffed out also due to drugs.

    She is okay now, thank God. She didn’t tell people because she didn’t want to have all that attention on her health.. Because it was no one’s business but her family’s.

    Since your detractors are photo sleuths but poor readers, let me break it down: leave people alone about their own fricking bodies. You never know what’s up, and it’s never your business.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh my gosh, that’s so scary! I’m so glad she’s ok. Definitely a reminder that it’s hard to guess what others might be going through, but they’ll fill you in when/if they’re ready!

      xo
      s

    • Kristy says

      BRAVO Christiana!!!! Perfectly said.
      People need to get a life and leave others alone to have theirs.
      CONGRATS YHL Family!
      Looking forward to following your latest project!

    • Vanessa says

      Love the “photo sleuths but poor readers” line. So very true. People have too much time and not enough class. It’s a line that you tread as a public blogger, how much you share, but how people choose to react is all about them and their upbringing. Congratulations!! So, so thrilled for all of you.

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Preach! I love the mornings he sleeps in because I can’t see how those 6 hr nights are good for him. He says he feels like he actually has more energy on the days he works out though.

      xo
      s

  46. Karin / Going Dutch on Decor says

    Congrats! Thank you for sharing. Love the idea of letting Clara choose between bedtime duties for her parents. Might work here as well (now they both want mam to do everything :-(
    The picture of Clara after brushing herr teeth is sooooooo cute!

    Greets from overseas!

    Karin

    Reply

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