And now this is the last business day with you….

FAREWELL!!

And with that,

let me show a little behind the scenes.

A few weeks ago our amazing designer and friend came in from Indy to do an “art class” with the kids, and draw up some things to be used on the site. He wanted the kids to be involved, and he had them helping, making their own versions of things, and we had a lot of fun. Our HUGE chalkboard wall was covered- some things for the site, a LOT just for fun.

Chalkboards are a big part of our life with schooling, and now we have a 42 ft one running through our house so you will see this incorporated in the new site!

Oh!

And speaking of new site…………..

You better be here this MONDAY!

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It’s going to be BIG.

And NEW.

All fresh, shiny, and pretty. 

I’ve been here cheesing all day. My socks are officially rocked off. Stick around for goodness, my friends!!

(I enjoy challenges.)

FAQ’s:

“How long have you homeschooled?”

We’ve always homeschooled our kids. Priya is in sixth grade now, and that means I have seven years of teaching under my belt. Well, the kind of schooling where you sit at the table with papers and textbooks. I’m a believer that we begin teaching our children the day they are born, and everyday there after. They learn much in everyday living of life.  Technically speaking, Priya was an October birthday, which is the odd cutoff for the school year. At four she was ready to begin schooling, but would have had to wait until the September she was five to begin kindergarten. We decided to teach her, and we’ve never looked back.

Then we had Adin, Riah, and now Gabe.

“What’s your day like? How do you run a business at the same time?”

Below is a summary of our day- Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri. On Wednesday we spend the day at our supplemental school, Classical Conversations.

I require the kids to rest in the afternoon for 90 mins. I work. They have quiet time. I work. Some people I know enjoy something called a “weekend.” I work. It’s a tough line, and a balance I continually evaluate. The biggest step this year was committing to leaving the computer off every morning, and just BEING with the children. This was HUGE, and it literally redefined the efficiency of our “schoolhouse.” It’s been going really well. Now that 10:30 part (below) rarely happens. I have to have at least one point on my schedule that remains wishful thinking. I just don’t have time to go to bed that early. Maybe someday.

“How do you teach them all when they are different ages?”

We model the old-fashioned “little schoolhouse.”  We have a 12, 9, 7, and 4 year old. I typically teach the same subject to the oldest three. Then they each break off into whatever they are capable of doing for that subject. For example, we may study Verbs. Riah will copy definitions, Adin may make charts and an example sentence, and Priya will dig much deeper into Verb Anatomy. We may read a paragraph from a book together. Priya and Adin will keyword outline and rewrite the paragraph, and Riah may reread it and choose one important point.

Occasionally, a nerf gun fight between subjects is necessary……

Kitchen redo meant new chalkboard wall! It’s so much bigger and better now.

“Do they like being homeschooled?”

This answer can vary day to day, just as I would imagine any child’s answer would. Of all my children, Riah most definitely comes to the school table with the most enthusiasm and it has always been this way.    One of the greatest joys is seeing how each of their personalities work and handle tasks. Seeing their little minds compute is such a gift to me.

Being older means Priya has more work than the rest. Sometimes she needs to break away form the brothers to concentrate.

“What has been the hardest thing to teach so far?”

Grammar. Diagramming sentences was never a real passion of mine, but I am learning so much more this go-round. I’m actually enjoying learning and teaching it to them!

“What will you do when they are older and classes are harder? Will you teach Chemistry, Trigonometry?”

The older they get we will most likely implore the services of specialized classes, tutors, and mentors of particular subjects. Brett also studied engineering and science in depth in college, so he can always help out as well.  It is so amazing how large the homeschooling community has become. The options truly are endless.

We’re focusing on American History this year, and here are some books we’re currently studying….

According to many people, writing is a dying art, and many schools (and homeschoolers) are no longer teaching cursive. We are keeping this art alive and writing well in this house.

And of course, the most common question of all:

“Do you worry about their socialization?” (Interpreted, “Are they sheltered weirdos?”)

I have come to learn that this is a valid question, and can only be answered on a “per-family” basis. Socialization depends on the parents and personal family style. Obviously, if a homeschooling family is very shy they may not choose to interact with others often. This would create children of the same breed.  The same is true of children that go to school as well.

There are so many options to get homeschooling families out and interacting from every class imaginable, sports, field trips, traveling groups, you name it. Being “socialized” is no problem for the modern homeschooling family.

If you met our kids you would know that they are quite social, and have no problem making friends. In fact, I notice that being homeschooled has made them very comfortable around all age groups because they are not limited to daily interaction with only peers of their exact age. I remember first hand the feeling of being shy and uncomfortable around “older” kids. I have seen children look down on those that are younger. One of my favorite things about watching homeschooled children is the “little schoolhouse” effect. Children of all ages play together with ease, and acceptance comes easily.

Below, our friends came over for a break from school to play Just Dance. They danced it up for an hour, and we got our P.E. in for the day. Bonus. 

Have a question for me? Feel free to ask! I’ll gladly answer and perhaps respond in another post down the road as well.

I am so giddy that I can hardly handle it. It’s almost as if I see my dreams that have only been visible in my head and my heart coming to fruition before my eyes. It’s a bit overwhelming.

I couldn’t think of a better post to kick off this week of daily postings (you heard that right, DAILY!) than this one from January of this year.

What was a hope of yours for 2011?

These were my hopes for 2011, more or less.

]]> http://www.studio3z.com/blog/2011/09/still-more-or-less/feed/ 13 http://www.studio3z.com/blog/2011/09/whats-in-a-name/ http://www.studio3z.com/blog/2011/09/whats-in-a-name/#comments Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:28:11 +0000 admin http://www.studio3z.com/blog/?p=9966 To us, quite a bit.

I can hardly believe the journey that we’ve been on over the last couple years. In fact, I find it difficult to even begin to share, but I will. Big changes are coming around here. I’ve been saying it for months (and some of you are wondering if it is really even true!) but we are getting so close. These changes are more than I expected, and also something I didn’t think would be so difficult to complete. We made the leap into the world of “re-branding” and along the way, I feel I found myself. Not sure if Brett would say the same thing, but me, most definitely. I figured out my part. I figured out I can be a good mom AND also run a business. And let me tell you, it is such a wonderful feeling when you figure out the how’s and why’s of your place in this world, and for us the world of the photography industry.

Two years ago we hired a designer. You heard that right, two years ago. (Bless you Ryan.) We’ve only been in business for a little under 5 years, but we never had a brand, look, or logo. Being “un-branded” became our brand.  In a way I feel we never really owned up to who we were because we just weren’t sure, and that’s normal. We were searching. We were gaining experience, building, shooting and growing. We didn’t throw down roots and call any “look” home….we just purchased the latest $50 website every 6 months or so, and hid there for a while. You know, “until we figured out what we REALLY wanted.” Right.

In the spring of 2009 I went to cheer my good friend Bobbi on as she spoke at a convention in Indy. It was there that I met Ryan Hunley and heard him speak. It was that day that I KNEW he would do our company’s branding. I had been holding off on getting a new site/blog because I wasn’t sure what we wanted it to look like, but hearing Bobbi and Ryan speak about the importance of your brand, I knew we needed to get going. Ryan was different……he didn’t speak business-y. Ryan spoke from his heart. He spoke with passion. He was honest. He wasn’t about to let a client walk away without feeling 150% satisfied with his work. He had energy and confidence, but was still incredibly humble. And, I was sold. I don’t think poor Ryan knew what he was getting in to. But then again, he’s a designer, and they tend to deal with indecisive people. But Brett and I…well….we’re of a different breed.   Sometimes Brett has trouble with decisions and over analyzing things (as in sitting at a restaurant for an hr. before deciding what to order), and I am admittedly picky as all get out. (Again, bless you Ryan.)

It was about a year and a half ago that it happened. Ryan sent over a round of studio3z logos, and they were rocking, but I just didn’t feel connected. I then realized it was the name. I knew RIGHT THEN AND THERE that we just couldn’t go on as “studio3z.” I needed a name that meant something more to me. Something that was a driving passion for us and what we do. Something people would hear and understand who we are a bit. So, the next day I (*gasp*) told Ryan I was ditching the name, and he was completely a gem about it. Then Brett and I began some serious soul searching. SERIOUS. Like praying, writing down words that we were drawn to, ideas of who we were and what we stood for, and things that were important to us. We had nights of sipping wine, mapping out our life on the chalkboard wall, and nearly coming to tears out of frustration. Imagine finally coming up with something awesome, taking it to Google just to find it belongs to someone else??! Ahhh! I just wanted the right name. Our name. Talk about putting the pressure on……

Last August we were having dinner with some good friends. They are the kind of friends who are completely honest-not afraid to lay things out there. They offered up a couple critiques about us. Ouch. But you know, the good kind of ouch you need to hear. The kind you grow from. I’m so thankful for friends like that. They listened to our dreams, where we were headed, and they were digging it. The next day Brett and I were reflecting on the previous night and we kept coming back to the same place. An idea that has consumed us and drives us. Something that sums up our mission. And then we knew…..we had found our name. And of all things, it was Brett, standing over a pot of food he was stirring at the stovetop, “So what about ________??!” Of course I was hesitant. But then about an hour later, I was sold. “It just makes perfect sense,” he said. “You’re absolutely right,” I concluded, with the biggest sigh of relief and smile across my face. We had it.

Then the journey began. That was August of 2010. This year we have dug so much deeper, and we can’t wait to share what we’ve come up with our friend Ryan, who I still can’t believe actually wants to be our friend.

We can’t wait to “own up” to who we are.

I plan to post quite a bit over the next week and then guess what…….

WE LAUNCH.

Thank you for sharing in this with us. We are giddy with excitement!!

(Photo props to Sarah Rhoads)

We rented an adorable little rustic place in the small fishing town of Stonington, ME and spent the days wandering around the harbor, exploring back country roads, and eating fantastically fresh seafood.

Stepping off the plane, the first thing we had to do was find the best place for Lobster. Of course. I had been dreaming of lobster for weeks now. We were led to “Red’s Eats” for what was the “World’s Best Lobster Roll.” Verdict: It did not disappoint.

Afterwards we headed on our journey up from Portland, ME to our tiny island. We passed a couple beautiful bridges along the way.

We arrived after dark, so the next morning we were eager to head out to take our first peek at the quaint little harbor town. I read before the trip that Stonington was a very small town, seemingly untouched since the 1950′s. I would say that statement is just about right on. The town was very quiet, and on the days when the fog would roll in and cover everything, it felt near silent at times….almost eery, like a movie scene. There was no cell phone coverage there, so it really felt very “off the grid,” which was mainly awesome…..just not when we wanted to check on the kids!

Our sweet lil’ house, built on top of a granite quarry, with enough blueberries and blackberries in it’s surroundings to eat for days.

We rented bikes and traveled to Bar Harbor where we rode around a gorgeous (and big) lake. It was incredibly beautiful, but man was I a major wimp. I’ve never despised the great outdoors more than when I was dying trying to ride up those hills. BLAH.

My precious man shot some major filmage. Those coming soon, and they flipping ROCK. I just shot him shooting filmage, instead.

A meal to remember one evening after we had been lost, cold, hungry, and Jason schmoozed our way into getting us into this restaurant where they were booked solid for the night. Win for us, thanks Jason!

Wonderful parting dinner and sunset the evening before we left….hosted by our newly-married friends.

And that’s it for part one. I plan to share Brett’s film he shot, along with the rehearsal dinner, and one of our favorite weddings we’ve ever photographed. Seriously, it was gorgeous and filled with so much love.

Coming soon…

We’ve been having FUN over the past 9 weeks. “Fun” can also be synonymous with: frustrated, stressed, excited, emotional and a few other adjectives I will withhold. It has certainly been interesting, and honestly so exciting.

I have to say, our contractor has been a gem. He went OUT of his way to always ensure that we had water, a sink hook-up, and all of our appliances available for use. Even at times when we had a stove sitting in the middle of the floor, we had constant access to cooking which was a major concern of ours. We don’t eat out often, and we cook 3 meals most every day. The process could have been MUCH harder on us.

Floors were all placed, we made our tiny 80′s cut-out from the kitchen to the dining room larger, and new appliances began to trickle in. I began working on the dining room decor, which I wanted to make more of an “everyday” room than a formal dining room. It’s looking great I must say, and we’ve been doing school in there for the last few weeks so it is really feeling like home.

Making this wall cut-out bigger has been the biggest change for us yet! I can’t believe we’ve lived 5 yrs with it that small.

We call this our “hillbilly sink.” Lee (our contractor) propped our faucet on a 2×4 since we didn’t have a counter.

Before the counters we put in, we all traced our hands on the plywood tops that have served as counters for us over the past couple months. We figured someday, someone will rip the counters out and this would be a little time capsule of us.

Brett’s new baby:

Snippets from around the kitchen and dining room:

Once we finish painting, get our shelving up, and our art on the walls, I will post the completed rooms! 

It’s an overwhelming experience seeing your dreams take shape before your eyes. We’re feeling extremely blessed here in the Z home.

our little girl is no longer little and almost no longer a girl.  she’s almost twelve, but the size of an adult.

we know this b/c her shoe size has now exceeded both mine and Jess’.  we know this b/c she has become rather mature and responsible.  we know this b/c she has become more selfless and caring about others, preferring others to herself, although we still have to remind her at times to prefer listening over speaking.  we know this b/c she is starting to have more of a mind of her own, that still needs lots of guidance.  she is very unique and quirky and we wouldn’t prefer it any other way.  we know this b/c we are also having to grow more with her and through our relationship with her.  she still hasn’t lost the innocent way that she views the world and those around her and we hope she never loses this sweet charm completely.

she is blossoming into the lovely fruit of God we had hoped she would become.

Ilford Delta 3200 BW, Contax 645

Today I am prepping the kids school drawers, filling folders with paper, lining bookshelves with their new books-trying to make some sense of the chaos that will (hopefully soon) be their schoolroom.

Today I am longing for our house to be back to normal. Please. Soon.

Today as the kids are running around screaming, tapping me on the shoulder, talking to me as I type this, I am thinking about where I was sitting earlier this week. On a dock. In Maine. In a town where no one can use cell phones. Seemingly untouched since the 1950′s. I missed the kids terribly, but….

I really liked that place.

Our kitchen is slowly being pieced back together, painting begins soon, our COMPLETE RE-BRAND is on the way (can’t wait!!!), and I begin school with the kids next week. Life is insanely busy, but incredibly blessed. Can’t wait to share more soon….

]]> http://www.studio3z.com/blog/2011/08/today-2/feed/ 1 http://www.studio3z.com/blog/2011/08/about-a-boy/ http://www.studio3z.com/blog/2011/08/about-a-boy/#comments Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:29:05 +0000 admin http://www.studio3z.com/blog/?p=9680 Homeschooling means no school “picture day,” therefore, I try to photograph the kids around their birthday to document their year. Here are a few of our son Adin, with a note to him.

~I always knew I would have a boy. So much of raising kids seems foggy, but I’ll never forget seeing you for the first time. Something about the reality of having a boy after Priya seemed so weird but wonderful.

I find that I spend more time trying to “figure you out” more than the other kids. You’re not as vocal- dramatic- or “in your face.” I do know you have a huge heart, but expressing it can be a bit tough at times and that can be misinterpreted. I remember getting in trouble when I was little for not “seeming remorseful” to my parents, when inside I felt like my heart was bleeding and I couldn’t breathe….I just didn’t know how to express how I felt, and it hurt. I see this in you and I can sympathize.

I see your massive determination, but typically only for what you choose. You OBSESS over things…..like when you decided you wanted a compass, so you researched online about the types and models and begged, and begged, and begged to go to the army surplus store to look at them. Two weeks later you were obsessed with something completely different. We’ve had to work with you on this, reminding you about moderation in all things. Obsessing over anything just isn’t healthy.

You are an “all or nothing” kind of guy, and it makes schooling quite the challenge for me. Convincing you that school is fun is like convincing a brick wall to speak. Sometimes I just want to cry right along with you. But, we make it.

You’ve never been a fan of the curly hair. This is something I just can’t understand- I think it’s wonderful.  You’ve begged me for years to buzz it off but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it….until this summer. Your 9th birthday was coming and you again, begged. We gave in and Baba buzzed it off. You were completely in love with it (and I have to admit, it suits you well).

You’re so tough. You have my pain tolerance. You walked over to me about a week ago calmly and said, “Um, I think I got hurt.” Your side above your hip had a gash and was bloody, and after I cleaned you up I just had to laugh…..

I see you help your little brothers. I melt. We tell you often that we know you didn’t ask to be a big brother, but God made you one, therefore there are certain responsibilities that come with that role. We remind you that there are two little guys following you around- seeking to emulate every action, every word, and your works. This is something you need to know and be reminded of.  “Character is what matters,” you hear quite a bit, and we discuss ways that this can be built up, and ways that it can be torn apart. Sometimes you roll your eyes, but most of the time I see you listening. We speak frankly with you, and your questions truly amaze us. When you are deep in thought I find it nearly tangible.

Love you little guy. Thank you for making me get off the computer and pause work to come snuggle with you before bed. You are now nine, and I know in a few years I will be the one begging you.

You are so loved and cherished, Adin.  ~ Mama & Baba