Rose Family Year in Review | Cheyenne, Wyoming Photographer

I usually start out the New Year with a business year in review, which is still on its way. This year, I’m starting at home. I edited most of these photos from a year of my family life within the last week, feeling guilty spending time on my personal photos throughout the year when I needed to tie up client sessions and orders. And I guess this personal post has some implications for my business as well. Being a work-from-home mom is nearly impossible. I can’t even separate work and home long enough to write this post! There was recently an article circulating on Facebook that sounded something like this, “The Top 20 Things You Never Say to a Working Mother.” Well, I could write my own version for the mom who tries to work out of her home, for the small-business owner who never leaves work, professionally or personally, physically or emotionally, for the person who is secretary, owner, customer-service agent, book-keeper and accountant, attempting to accomplish something (anything) while little hands pull hers away from the keyboard and mouse. Translation: the mom who feels guilty about nearly every aspect of her life.

The last year was trying, to say the least. It has broken my heart to put stress on my family, to become so exhausted that I felt like I had nothing left for them. It has also completely stressed me out being behind on sessions and orders. I refused sessions left and right throughout the spring, summer and fall. I attempted to put a “cap” on the number of weddings I took. I hired out some things for my business. I also have an absolutely incredible babysitter whom the girls adore and whom I am SO lucky to have found (Aline, we LOVE you). My husband is endlessly patient and supportive.

But what it all really comes down to is that I have a hard time saying no, and an even harder time balancing everything during the busy times. I don’t intend for this to be a rant or pity party; I realize everyone who has little ones (or older ones, for that matter) feels busy, stretched, and tired, and I realize every job can be stressful. And I am so blessed to be doing something I love while my girls are able to be at home with me. I just want to make some changes for next year, personally and professionally, so that things can be better in both realms of my life. I want to be present in my life, not an overwhelmed bystander. So I’ll be budgeting a little more for the personal bank next year.

My babies are growing up in the blink of an eye. Sofia has stretched out into a knobby-kneed preschooler who is already too big for her britches. Lyla has gone from a babbling crawler to a runner who is talking in full sentences. It is such a blessing to be the one they call Mom. Here’s a little taste of our lives in 2013.

The winter allows me a little time to shoot some studio sessions. These two usually help me test out my lighting.
We went to Disney World last March. Sofia was, yet again, in heaven. Lyla was a bit overwhelmed, but I think she still had a blast.Ariel really wanted to talk headbands and hairpieces with Sofia. She was enthralled, as you can see.If you haven’t checked out Belle’s Cottage, you need to. So very cool. Daddy got to participate in the skit. He had a very major role. Springtime in Wyoming, which coincides with early summer everywhere else in the country…This is how Daddy has to do yard work most of the time…My love and I celebrated our 10th anniversary in Hawaii. A big thanks to Mimi, who watched our girls for us!

The girls in early summer…This next set might win me the “Mother of the Year” award. I was reading to Lyla one afternoon and accidentally fell asleep in her rocking chair. When I awoke about 10 minutes later, the house was silent. I walked into the kitchen to see this…The crumbs on the floor? Yeah, those would be the cupcakes she deftly pulled out of the cupboard and devoured. The line across her forehead? That would be from burying her face in the container. This cupcake monster also turned one last summer. And sweet Sofia turned 4. Sofia and Daddy had a camp out in our backyard treehouse. Mommy was so jealous. Our fall began with a quick trip to Omaha to visit Auntie Karla. She had so many fun things planned for the girls, including a trip to Vala’s Pumpkin Patch. Then came Halloween……and a stretch of gorgeous weather in November. Lyla and I had an impromptu photo shoot after one of the first frosts. This first shot is definitely one of my favorites of the year. It sums her up completely. Christmas was so much fun this year. Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!