As we mentioned yesterday, it’s Blogiversary Week, baby (still can’t believe that we have been at this for half a decade). So we had some fun recording an average day in the life from both of our perspectives, so you can see what each of us – and even Clara and Burger – may be doing at any given time. Woop, here it is:
6:00 am – 7:30 am
JOHN: The whole house is sleeping, so I duck out for a 5-mile run down by the river. I’m home by 7:30 and no one even knows I’m gone.
7:30 am – 8:00 am
SHERRY: I wake up around 7:45 and the house is too quiet so I know Clara is still sleeping but John’s not next to me so he probably went for a run. Burger stays in bed, but I drag my butt up and walk straight to the office and sit down in front of the computer where I see John sitting at his desk squeezing in a few minutes of work between his shower and Clara waking up.
SHERRY: I check blog comments and answer a few questions and then glance at my planner which always looks like this. I know it’s crazy, but it makes sense to me (I use it to write notes about post ideas, appointments/calls we have, book promo stuff that we have to do, deadlines for articles, etc). I check what’s going on for the day and notice that I owe a little blurb to a magazine by 2pm today (wish I could tell you which one!) for an article they’re writing, so I just dive in and get it done so I don’t forget or feel rushed later.
8:00 am – 9:00 am
JOHN: I hear Clara starting to stir, so I go say good morning, change her diaper, and sit her down for some breakfast. While she’s chowing down on some yogurt, I try to get organized for the day – which includes writing out a few things I have to do and grabbing the coupons that Sherry has cut out for a trip to the grocery store later.
SHERRY: I continue answering comments and Facebook questions and then play with Clara for a little bit (since once the post goes up around 10am I usually don’t get to spend much time with her for a while). She’s great at playing independently, but we like to connect with her a few times a day and really get in there and interact. Besides, I might like her play kitchen even more than she does…
SHERRY: Once I get Clara dressed for the day, John and I hop back on our computers while Clara plays on her own – taunting Burger with her snack.
9:00 am – 10:00 am
JOHN: I make some scrambled eggs for me and Sherry to wolf down before having to get Clara off to today’s activity: music class. It’s just one day a week for thirty minutes at a local church (the program is called Musikgarten), but she loves it.
SHERRY: I proof-read the post that’s going to go up at ten. Proofing usually involves previewing what we wrote to make sure photos are centered and reading it through at least two times (sometimes three times if it’s a detailed tutorial- just to make sure things make sense and are in order and I haven’t written “I love panting” instead of “I love painting”). I also add links to things that I reference. We still average about two typos a post so I can’t imagine how bad it would be if I didn’t read things through beforehand.
JOHN: Clara and I give mommy a kiss (Burger’s too hard to catch) and we hurry off in the car for music class.
SHERRY: Sadly I have to miss Clara’s music class since it runs from 10:00 to 10:30 (which is right when the post goes up and I usually have 100+ comments that I have to approve/respond to). I used to get to go when her class was later in the day, but after it got moved up I tried going to a 10am class and just letting comments build up and answering them after class but it was too crazy (lots of the same question and confusion over something that could have easily been explained if I had been “on”) so it just works better for one of us to work and for one of us to go to class with Clara – at least for now. Here’s hoping her next semester will be a later class again, so we can both sneak out to spend that hour a week singing songs with her and dancing in a circle (I promise it’s just as awkward and hilarious as it sounds).
10:00am – 11:00 am
SHERRY: I get the morning post up and squat comments for the next hour while John and Clara music class it up. I can’t wait for them to come home so I can hear what I missed from Clara, like “the little boy was dancing so nice – I think it was wonderful.” One of her favorite things to gaze at while she’s at the church for her music class is a little diorama of Noah’s Ark. She’s in love with it. So there’s always some time accounted to staring at that before and after class. Meanwhile, over two hundred comments roll in over the course of the hour, so I’m at home furiously trying to keep up with them and answer every last question that comes in.
11:00 am- 12:00 am
JOHN: Since we’re already out and about, Clara and I head out to the grocery store to reload on some essentials.
SHERRY: I take a break from comments and glance at my email but it’s crazy so I just skim the page and delete the junk mail so the number in my inbox goes down a smidge. Because seeing 84 new emails at 11am when there were none the night before can make your head spin. A lot of it is sponsor & giveaway stuff along with book stuff (tour scheduling, press blurbs or fact checking things they need, etc). Mixed in there are sweet reader letters that we love. I save those and read them out loud to John a few evenings a week so we can permasmile at my laptop together.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
JOHN: I get home with Clara and spend some time unloading groceries while Clara runs off to play with her trains. Then Sherry and I chat a little about a new project we want to tackle next week and start planning what we’ll need to do first, what we might need to pick up at the store, etc. I also send out a few sponsor emails and coordinate next week’s giveaway along with making sure I have the right image for the one that will go up this week.
SHERRY – After John and I chat about that new project together for a while, I answer more blog comments, get through a few emails, and I’m just about to begin writing a post for the next day when Clara comes in and asks for lunch. She had been playing at her desk with her crayons and messing around with her dollhouse, but it’s officially lunch time, so momma needs to get on that.
SHERRY: We all take a break and meet at the dining table for some grub. We usually just eat some soup, homemade deli sandwiches, or hummus and flatbread but John actually picked up sushi for us while he was at the grocery store, so we chow down on that while Clara has some tomatoes, grapes, hummus, and crackers (and takes a nibble of california roll).
1:00 – 2:00 pm
JOHN: Lunch is done, so it’s back to the computer to finish up my emails. Meanwhile Clara’s running in and out of the room playing with some books and small plastic animals. Occasionally she calls us for some help, but most of the time she’s psyched to do her own thing. Speaking of doing their own thing, I let Burger out to do some early afternoon acorn hunting. He takes his job very seriously.
SHERRY: I proof-read as much of the afternoon post as I can (it usually goes up between 2 and 2:30) and then I finish up by adding some links, catching some more typos, fixing a few unclear parts, and it’s finally ready for me to publish it right before two o clock rolls around. Then since I have five minutes left in the hour I squeeze in some train-board time with Clara, and Burger ambles over to see what’s going on.
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
SHERRY: Two o’ clock means it’s time for Clara’s nap (she just takes one a day, usually from around 2-4) so I change her diaper and tuck her in. Our routine is super fast (sound machine on, curtains closed, lights off, kiss, door closed) and then it’s back to answering comment questions for the rest of the hour.
JOHN: We’re sharing a video in a few days (our annual Q&A one), so since we already recorded the footage yesterday, I get to work on editing the video. I have to find music, edit the clips down since a bunch of them are super long, and just generally clean it up and add transitions and type so it all makes sense. It usually takes me about three hours each year since it’s our longest video and it has tons of questions and answers (and I’m married to a talker!), so by the end of the hour, I’ve made a small dent in the assignment.
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
JOHN: I’m itching to keep plugging away on the video since I’m in the zone and Clara’s sleeping, but we have a book call at three to talk about the still-not-finalized tour schedule (we’ll share all the dates with you guys as soon as they’re pinned down!), hammer out what we’ll be speaking about at each location, and do some other book-launch planning stuff. It’s funny how we thought that once we sent in the manuscript it would be nice and quiet, but planning all of those events, scheduling things, and doing little press interviews just picked up where writing and shooting left off. It’s exciting though, so we’re not complaining. At this point the book is like our third kid (behind Clara and Burger of course).
SHERRY: Our call lasts the whole hour but we’ve hammered out a lot of stuff so it feels good. I hop back on comments with big plans to write a post as soon as I’m done with a few quick comment answers.
4:00 – 5:00 pm
JOHN: I get back into video editing and then take about 15 minutes at the end of the hour to edit and size photos for a post that we’ve already written for tomorrow afternoon (the thing about sharing 8 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). Thank goodness Sherry is a list-maker or we’d never stay organized.
SHERRY: Before starting that post that I planned to write, I click back over to my email and see a few urgent things I have to respond to for our publisher and our accountant (he’s running some numbers for our next quarterly tax payment, so he has a few quick questions). I finally get to start that post, but about ten minutes into it Clara wakes up, so I go get her and hang out in her room for a little while with her at her request. I’ll admit that for some of the time I’m anxious to finish that post hanging over my head, but it’s nice to just chill with Clara in her room for a little while (John and I attached to our laptops all night long, so little slivers of time away from it during the day keep us sane).
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
SHERRY: I’m back in the office trying to write a little more of that post while Clara plays with a box of spare ribbon on the floor behind me (she has loved doing that since before she even turned one – it’s pretty cute).
JOHN: About half-way through the hour, the ribbon-playing has lost its magic and the bean is restless and ready to get out of the house, but I have one last phone call to take care of. We’re coordinating a really complicated giveaway so it takes a little bit of planning with that vendor. Stay tuned for it in a couple of weeks!
JOHN: My call takes around twenty minutes and then we’re ready to pile into the car. We’re off to Home Depot (one of Clara’s favorite places, believe it or not – she even recognizes the logo and squeals “Yay! Home Depot!” when she hears a commercial for it on the radio). We need to grab some materials for a little bathroom project that we’re planning, so after I make a sketch of what we need and Sherry and I tape things off to be sure we like where it’s headed, we all pile into the car (Burger included).
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
SHERRY: At Home Depot we pick up what we need while Burger and Clara get their kicks in the car-shaped cart.
SHERRY: Then since we’re out we decide to stop to grab dinner at Chipotle, which is at a walking mall near our house. That way after we eat we can all walk around for a while and soak up the fresh air and the nice fall evening. We usually eat out sparingly (and try to choose places like Chipotle or Jason’s Deli so the food is nice and fresh) and otherwise we’ll eat at home, where the average meal can be anything from spaghetti or perogies to veggie chilli, bean burritos, rotisserie chicken, or veggie burgers.
JOHN: Walking around this particular mall after getting to eat there is especially nice because Clara loves it and it’s even dog friendly (so Burger’s allowed into the stores with us too).
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
JOHN: We’re back at home and have unloaded our Home Depot materials from the car, so this is sort of family hour in our house before Clara goes off to bed at eight. We do our best to log some good reading-time with her and also end up scribbling with crayons, and talking about our day.
SHERRY: Burger is usually full of energy around this time of the day, so he’s bounding around the sofa and Clara’s laughing and chasing after him. But 8 o’ clock is here before we know it and it’s time to put that baby to bed. After brushing her teeth and slipping her into some pjs, we just do the same nap routine for nighttime (sound machine on, curtains closed, lights off, kiss, door closed) and she’s snuggled up under the quilt I made her and pretty close to drifting off by the time I shut the door.
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
JOHN: Once Clara’s in bed, we usually get most of our work done. Tonight it’s more video editing for me along with some other post writing and picture sizing.
SHERRY: I’m finishing up some other posts, trying to get a head start by proof-reading the post for the morning, answering some emails, and looking at a bunch of Reader Redesign submissions (all of which get me so inspired that I want to hop off the sofa and paint/upholster/rearrange something, haha).
10:00 pm – 12:00 pm
JOHN: It’s pretty normal for us to have both of our laptops fired up until around midnight, but we try to get cozy and sit on Karl with the TV on in the background so it feels more casual. Some nights we do major DIY stuff together between 8-12 (like building/painting/demo/etc) instead of sofa-computer stuff since during the day it’s hard to get anything other than very small projects done with the bulk of our comments rolling in and a toddler running around, but not tonight.
SHERRY: We sit in front of the TV (The Voice is on, and then it’s Parks & Rec time) and I finally finish the post that I’ve been writing on and off all day. It’s normal for a post to take us around 2-3 hours total (usually not all at once) since we have to edit/size/upload photos along with writing things up (that doesn’t include the time it takes to buy materials and do the project). Unless it’s fast like a giveaway – those only take around 30 minutes to write, but probably take an hour or two to coordinate via email beforehand. Around midnight we finally decide it’s time to put the laptops away and get ready for bed. We’re zonked.
12:30
SHERRY: Burger, John, and I climb into bed and we lay there recapping some of the highlights & challenges of the day and then do a quick run-through of any important tasks that we have to knock out tomorrow (gotta finish building/painting something, write two posts, proof two posts, and hop on two more calls). Before we know it, we’re out cold, with Burger and Bearger beside us. Zzzzzz.
Psst- You can check out how things have changed over the years by peeping this rundown from last year, this one from the year before, and this one from the year before that.
Update – Some of the most frequent requests that we get are for info about professionally blogging (how we made our site, how we grew our following, how we make money, etc) so we shared all of the details about how we started a blog, grew our traffic, and turned it into a full time job.
BrookeJ says
We love Musikgarten! I’ve been taking one or two kids there for 5 years–love the music and the program. So happy that Clara enjoys it:)
Rainbow miller says
This is totally random, but when do you bath Clara? Haha (that’s the odd thing that can mess up our schedule so I’m always curious) you guys have great balance. Very inspiring :)
YoungHouseLove says
We usually do that every day or two (it’s not part of an evening routine, it’s usually just after she’s really messy from being outside/at the part, so when we get home we’ll do it – she loves baths).
xo
s
Emily says
Sherry,
You have GOT to get you an Erin Condren Life Planner…. best decision Ive ever made and best money I’ve ever spent! (well, maybe that is a little bit of an exaggeration…) but seriously, you’ve got to get one!! And blog about it and let us know how much you love it! Because I know you WILL NOT regret it! (erincondren.com)
xoxo!!
YoungHouseLove says
Really! Thanks for the tip!
xo
s
Marissa C says
I love you guys. You can tell how much you put into this blog and the fact that you take the time to answer comments on EVERY POST and do everything possible to make your readers DIY empowered impresses me SO MUCH.
Rock on.
Amy says
Those who are great at what they do you make it look so deceptively easy and effortless. You two are no exception! A day in your life post was a healthy dose of reality – you work so very hard at what you do! Thank you for sharing your labors of love and congrats on your blogerversary!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, thanks Amy!
xo
s
Corie says
Thank you for putting so much work into this blog. I love it. So… just thank you. :)
Michelle @ Lifewithacrazypup says
Seriously, you guys are rockstars. And can I also just tell you how much I appreciate that you guys answer and respond to the good majority or your comments. It really sets you apart for ALL of the other big, big blogs. I always check an hour or two after I leave a comment and 99% of the time, you’ve responded. It always makes me smile and I thank you for actually reading what we have to say, especially considering the amount of time this takes every day!
Katherine says
I feel guilty commenting….. because I’d rather you spend time today with each other and Clara.
Anyone who thinks blogging is ‘just some little online project’ needs to read your post about the business of blogging.
Would love to hear in another post about the times you get to spend alone without talking about business – because we all know with children & biz planning time out together is a process.
And would love to hear about Clara’s adventures with other children visiting for play time or her play groups outside.
Please don’t reply to my comment….. spend the energy sharing a hug with each other tonight when the house is finally quiet and settled.
Jennifer says
You guys are so insanely cute! Happy 5 Blog Years!! I think I’ve been reading since at least 4 years back!! What kind are Clara’s completely adorable shoes? (sorry if this has been asked already..!)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks! Those are from Target. They’re her new preschool shoes since Crocs aren’t allowed there.
xo
s
Stacey says
Phew~!! That was exhausting! THANK YOU for all of this hard work that you put into this wonderful blog of yours – it’s amazing how a 10 minute break at work to read your blog everyday can really brighten my gragging work day sometimes :)
Ya’ll are awesome!
Andrea says
Happy 5 years! I’ve been following your blog for almost 3 years so I’m a big fan! (and looking forward to your book!)
On any given day, how many blog posts are you working on? Or do you always write them the day before they go up?
YoungHouseLove says
Sometimes it’s a ton. Here’s a post about that for ya: https://www.younghouselove.com/2011/09/blogiversary-iv-anatomy-of-a-post/
xo
s
Ally says
$herdog, you’re lucky to be such a natural beauty…I need to eek out at least 30 mins. everyday just to pluck my chin hairs :)
Grab a Cup O’ Hot Cocoa and breeeeaaaaaaaathe… :)
xox
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahahahah!
xo
s
Jennifer says
Two things:
1) I love how Clara is in the background of one of the pictures standing on something in order to peek out the window. So cute!
2) I love how you’ve made toys for Clara. Maybe the next one could be a Noah’s Ark of her very own? Could be a fun project!
YoungHouseLove says
That would be so much fun!!
xo
s
Vickie L. says
My goodness, you guys! You must truly LOVE what you do. And I must truly love you guys because as I read today’s post I was feeling genuine concern. Thinking things like, “Oh they work so hard at this, I hope their joy for decorating and diy-ing isn’t robbed by all this busyness.” And, “They are SO busy I hope they never stop enjoying doing what they do together.” Well, I’m a fan of the people as well as the blog and I thank you for keeping it real and sharing your gift of diy and decor and gab with us all and pray you never lose sight of your first loves amidst all the craziness and successes of your lives. Blessings on your sweet family!
Roberta says
I just found your blog last week – and now you are asking yourself if I have been living under a rock LOL – and I can get enough of if. You guys are awesome…
Going to try to build a doollhouse for my daugther for X-mas….was hoping John could share the sketch he drew for the doolhouse in this post: https://www.younghouselove.com/2012/05/building-a-house-for-dolls-part-1/
I’m not hadny with tools,but wanted to try this so bad!
Thanks a lot!
Roberta
YoungHouseLove says
Aw man, we don’t still have that sketch, but the measurements are all in that post you linked to I think! They’re just written into the copy. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Kate says
We’re due with out first little one (a girl!) at the end of January, with me continuing to work full time and my husband staying home to watch our daughter. I hope we get even a quarter done of what you guys get done!
Sarah says
Looks like a Mommy and Dadddy-made Noah’s Ark would be a popular Christmas present!
Amanda says
Seeing how much ya’ll do during the day made me tired! I just want to let you know how much we (if I can speak for everybody here) appreciate it! In addition to being inspiring, the morning and afternoon posts are little escapes for me from whatever office madness is going on that day. I read about what you guys are up to, check in on the Bowers, and then spend a few minutes on Pinterest. So thank you for what you do to keep me sane (and creative)!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Amanda!
xo
s
Stephanie says
You guys have some impressive work ethic!
Do people recognize you a lot when you are out shopping? If so, do you like it or do you find it annoying? I grew up in Richmond and my parents still live there. I always thought it would be cool to run into you guys when I was in town visiting.
I would totally go into geek mode if I saw you, Clara and Burger in Home Depot. Haha!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh no it’s fun! We love meeting readers. I’m a weirdo and probably will say something embarrassing, but it’s fun!
xo,
s
Claudia says
I didn’t know you guys were vegetarian :D I keep going back and forth for various reasons but the hubs will never give up his meat.
I love that you are all together, more or less, throughout the day. My husband works from home, but in the garage, so it’s just me and the cats until my monkeys get home from school.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh no, we eat neat sometimes. Most nights not, but sometimes chicken and even red meat on occasion :)
xo,
s
Brittany D says
I honestly had no idea that it took so much effort to blog full-time. I’m now wondering where you find the time for all of your projects?? Weekends? Surely the weekends are reserved for sleep and family time? ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Most times we do them at night after Clara’s in bed.
xo,
s
Ann Marie says
You guys are amazing. If I worked from home I would never get dressed in real clothes, and I certainly would not put on make up! I would sleep in, take afternoon naps, and probably never accomplish anything. You guys are so motivated and energetic, you worked hard for this success! Props to you both!
P.S. I think I average 2 typos per sentence…Imagine the fan base I would have if I had my own blog…eek!
Jessica says
Im a WAHM, too, and my oldest is just a few days older than Clara – this post is awesome for me to see that Clara, too, spends time entertaining herself throughout the day. We’ve recently added #2 baby (he’s 3 months now) and Finn has had to learn how to entertain himself. They’re at the age that its totally appropriate for them to spend a little while without adult play! Thanks!!
YoungHouseLove says
So glad :)
xo,
s
Melissa Sharp says
I’m convinced you two are the hardest working folks in blog business.
Congratulations on five successful years! You guys have earned it. :)
Alison says
Holy wow! You guys work your cute little hineys off. Thanks for working so hard to give us such great posts.
Crystal @ 29 Rue House says
Sounds like a perfect day! Thanks so much for sharing it!
Keely says
You two are so inspiring! I love that you keep Clara as well as your readers at the centre of your day-to-day life – it’s so wonderful to see you work/play/parent as a family! Happy five years – I know I’ll be reading for at least another five!
Cassidy says
Thanks for sharing! and congrats on turning blogging into a full-time gig. You obviously work very hard.
I can’t get over that from 5:50 to 7:00 you fit so much in. Tape and measure in the bathroom, load everyone in the car, drive to Home Depot, find what your looking for, check out, back in the car, drive to Chipotle, order, eat, walk around, and drive home! It takes me 20 minutes just to drive to the Home Depot!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah, we can get lost in HD for two hours, but thankfully we just needed one thing so we zipped in and out and it’s right near that mall so it was a pretty simple loop. Haha!
xo
s
Jodie Kirk says
I really admire you guys! You have worked so hard to be where you are– what an amazing example for Clara!
Monica Crowder says
I don’t know how you guys have time to do laundry and clean house much less do all your projects. I am a stay at home mom with a 3 year old and a 5 month old and it seems all I have time to do is fix lunches, throw supper in there, give the boys baths then crash myself. Yall inspire me to do DIY projects. 2 complete of like a thousand I want to do.
Keep inspiring!
Monica
iva says
I love this post, and especially the image where Clara peeks out the office window :) But the one thing bugs me with the “day in the life” concept, is that you don’t do a “normal” day in the life, you do a crazy blogiversary (I had to look up how you spelled it :D ) day, with two posts a day and extra work and crazy giveaways and so on. By the end of the post even I’m tired :D and I would like to think you don’t work that much EVERY day. SO, what do you think, can we get a really truly normal day next year? Please? :)
YoungHouseLove says
This was last Thursday, so it was leading up to our blogiversary but it wasn’t this week. It pretty much always involves things like giveaways and writing posts (we share 8 posts a week, Blogiversary or not). It would be fun to do a random day-in-the-life in six months though – but it’s pretty much always us writing posts, doing errands, planning or doing a projects, juggling Clara and comments and email, and then parked with our laptops on the sofa until midnight. Haha!
xo,
s
Leigh says
My day is so boring compared to yours. Can I just sayI am jealous??? Also, blogging does take time and lots of it. You guys really are an inspiration.
On a different note, Sherry I think we have similar planners. I got mine at Target and I love it. It’s just the right size and it’s pretty too.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes mine’s from Target too!
xo,
s
Jenifer says
The real power of sharing your day-to-day is the inspiration and peace it can bring to others.
We also run our own business, and we have the same sorts of hours (but we go to bed by 10 because we need a lot of sleep). LOL
With this, we are with our son all the time, really, except when he’s in kindergarden which is two mornings a week. The rest of the time he is playing in his space in our offices (his office!), or he is playing while we are working at home. We also take time throughout the day to have family meals (three meals a day together, what a pleasure!) and individual time with the kiddo and family time all together.
DH was feeling that DS is a bit “neglected” since we have been extra busy these last couple of months. Our family and one-on-one with DS time shrank a bit, but he still seems very happy and grounded.
Seeing another family working with a kiddo playing along side. . . well, it brought him a little peace. “Ah, ok, we are ok.”
Carrie says
Hi. Please tell me the name of the walking mall that is pet friendly (as mentioned in today’s post). We are new to the Richmond area and always looking for new places to discover with our 2 dogs. This mall sounds like a great place to walk around after dinner.
YoungHouseLove says
It’s called Stonypoint :)
xo,
s
Laura B says
Super Jealous that our Home Depot doesn’t have those “car” carts. We average 5-7 visits to either the Home Depot or Lowes each week. My boys (ages 1 & 2) prefer Lowes because they have the car carts and our Home Depot doesn’t. As a full time Mom to two little boys and a part time (work from home) designer for a commercial architecture firm, I greatly appreciate how hard it is to get work in between naps and nightime sleep. I enjoy catching your blog because I can relate.
jenn says
Im so sorry if you are having to answer this for the 500th time, I skimmed the comments and it doesn’t look like anyones asked this yet…
I’ve been reading for a few years now, 2 years counts as a few right?! :) Whats the “shop” you mentioned running/fulfilling orders for?
Thanks! Have a great afternoon!!
YoungHouseLove says
That was something we used to have (a print shop where we sold prints and shipped them ourselves).
xo,
s
Brenda Kamande says
Wow! I’m amazed at what you guys have to do everyday! Reading it was tiring, nevertheless inspiring! You truly put your hearts in everything…and it shines through every single post…and the humor is a huge PLUS! Cheers to many more years ahead…from Kenya, Africa with love :-)
Natalie says
Very interesting!
As the blog continues to grow in success (with no signs of slowing down anytime soon!), do you think you’ll ever switch to a system where you don’t have to approve each comment? Or that you would hire additional help for the blog?
Just wondering how long you two can continue to manage it all, as it becomes more successful and you (potentially, maybe, one day in the future) have another kiddo.
YoungHouseLove says
We are currently dedicated to keeping things “grass roots” since it feels authentic and natural to us. We love DIy so much we don’t want to outsource it, haha. And I think there’s something comforting about the fact that we are just two people, so the blog can only grow as much as two people can handle, so there seems to be this nice cap (if we don’t hire people, it might not grow as much, but it still feels intimate and personal to us).
xo,
s
Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings says
wow! i’m still trying to figure out when you sleep. love that ron swanson was on your tv :)
Maggie says
My thought about why Clair is so good at independent play is that you both model your good work habits –so now that she is older she is busy doing her “work” (i.e. playing).
Another advantage of your working at home.
I think it is wonderful that you can both be home all the time –Clair is a lucky girl!!
Maggie says
Oops it is Clara!! I’m such a poor speller i always write my comments in word so i can spell-check but it doesn’t tell you if you have the wrong Clara :-(
YoungHouseLove says
Aw no worries! You’re so sweet.
xo,
s
Marie Kovarik says
I feel like I should stop commenting. I feel so guilty that you have so many comments to read/respond to. I’ll still read everyday of course.
YoungHouseLove says
No!! I love chatting with you guys. You encourage us and inspire us – and crack us up :)
xo,
s
Andrea says
What’s really wonderful about this post: first of all, I somehow imagine you guys having this glam existence divorced from all that mundane stuff like childcare and Home Depot shopping. It’s sweet to see your real life, which looks a lot like my own real life — tag-teaming childcare responsibilities and shopping and a bit more time staring at screens than might be preferable. (Modern life, huh?) The other wonderful thing is seeing you actually *living* in this lovely house you’ve created — ie, it’s not a set or specially photographed the way magazine shots are. Gives me hope that one day I might be able to do the same. Very sweet post, guys. Thanks.
Oh, and my heart goes out to you all re Clara’s Olivia doll’s ears. I can only imagine the trauma. (:
Shannon says
As a full-time (and sometimes more) freelance writer and editor, I love hearing about your writing process! Also love that you share just how many hours go into the front and back end of what we get to enjoy each morning and afternoon (which sounds like a lot!). Major props to you both for your dedication, crazy time management skills, and mad writing abilities. :) I am one of many who is inspired by what you do every day!
Amber says
Since you guys are Mac users, I guess you can’t use Windows Live Writer to draft your posts. Do you use another system to draft posts or just do it right in WordPress?
And also, I now have a major craving for scrambled eggs :)
YoungHouseLove says
We do it right in WordPress.
xo,
s
Louise C says
Hahaha my cat curls up UNDER the blankets on the couch like Burger does (but my cat is a bit furrier and larger, and likes the whole couch to himself) but he draws the line at getting under the blanket on the bed – not sure why, as he used to love it as a kitten!
Jenny says
Wow. Wow. Wow – just reading about your schedule makes me tired! Those are some long days! We do projects too but mostly over the weekend (put in full days) and only a little on work week nights. — It strange to think, but everyone has work to do in some form or fashion. Be it the office, home or computer blog stuff…
Meg says
J and S, Y’all are completely inspiring! I have my own little house and garden blog that I started for the exact reason y’all did (to share updates and photos with the fam). I always kind of hoped I would eventually get to blog for my job just like the two of you, but after reading through several of your blogiversary posts I think I can finally admit to myself that blogging-as-a-full-time-job is not what my heart is set on. That isn’t a sad thing to realize though. I won’t stop blogging because of that realization, but I also won’t feel pressure to post on a regular basis to keep up with reader demand either. That said, I admire your work so much and truly appreciate each and every post you two put up, both on YHLove and YHLife. Keep up the good work and happy 5th blogiversary!
Allison @ House of Hepworths says
Your schedule is intense! You work so hard, you deserve all the awesome things that have come your way. I absolutely enjoy reading your blog every day (2x a day!) and am grateful of all the hard work your put into it. Your post today has equally inspired me to be a better, more thorough blogger, and terrified me that if I want to be a better blogger I’m going to really need to step it up a notch (or about 5).
One reason I really love YHL is because you two are just so down to earth and normal. You guys are so real and honest in a world full of fakes. It’s refreshing to read your blog and know that there are two very normal (albeit awesome) people behind it. I know you can’t (and just don’t have time to) be friends with everyone, but I am probably not alone when I say that you do a really great job of making every single person reading your blog feel like we could genuinely be friends with you IRL. I know that I know you IRL, but seriously, I honestly feel like if we lived near each other we would be friends. Thanks for always trying so hard to make everyone feel welcome and included in your circle.
I need to be a better friend to you too. I tend to stay away and not comment or email because I just feel like you are so busy I don’t want to bother you. But please know, I do think about you guys, I read your blog, and I am genuinely grateful for your friendship and kindness.
xoxo
Allison @ House of Hepworths
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Allison! You’re so sweet! We would totally be friends if you lived close- heck we’re friends even though you’re far away :)
xo
s
Nelle says
Wow you guys work extremely hard!! harder en your average 9 – 5 job & at least you guys reap all the rewards and spend time with Clara al day too!! Love your blog!! Congrats on 5 years! Here’s to another 5 years! ;)
Melody says
i really loveee these kinds of posts. You guys seem so productive. Love the pictures as well.