Santa Photos, Sawdust, Scaling Pains, and Saying Yes to the Hire

Baby News That Melted My Heart

This week officially pushed me over the edge in the best way possible. Jett had his Santa pictures done by Specialties Photography, and I genuinely do not know how parents ever choose just one photo. He is so stinking cute that I am fully convinced we are going to buy every single image.

If anyone has tips on how not to purchase the entire gallery, please send them my way. Until then, I will be over here zooming in on every little smile and wondering how he keeps getting cuter by the day.

Mom life is wild, and moments like these remind me how fast time is already moving. I swear he was just born, and now we are talking about Christmas photos.

House Progress and Aches I Never Want Again

In house news, we are officially floating, taping, and we textured our first room. Seeing texture on the walls made everything feel real in a new way. We are still on track for a May 2026 move in date, which feels both far away and right around the corner.

That said, when we got back on Saturday, I was in so much pain from sanding and aching that I could barely move. Neck, arms, hands, everything. I am really looking forward to the day we move in because I do not ever want to feel that level of soreness again.

Building your own house is rewarding, but it is not for the weak. Every milestone comes with sweat, dust, and a very strong reminder of why contractors charge what they do.

Business Is Growing Fast and That Comes With Pressure

Business wise, things are growing at an insane rate. It is exciting, validating, and also incredibly hard to keep up with. The volume of work, clients, and projects has reached a point where it is no longer sustainable without additional help.

I finally broke down this week and responded to all the applicants who have applied. Interviews are getting scheduled, and I am genuinely eager to bring someone onto the team. We want to hire quickly, train them well, and get them helping immediately.

This season has made it crystal clear that growth without capacity is painful. Right now, I am working at three in the morning just to keep up with clients, and while I am proud of what we are building, this is not the long term plan.

Business Advice of the Week

Do not hesitate to make the hire.

Waiting until you are drowning puts you in scramble mode, not leadership mode. Yes, hiring can feel risky in the beginning, but proactive hiring gives you breathing room, margin, and the ability to scale with intention instead of panic.

Learn from me. Build the bench before you need it.

A Busy Week and a Needed Change of Scenery

This upcoming week is packed. Meetings, interviews, client work, and onboarding all stacked together. But we are also heading out of town to Naples for a business trip for my husband.

We are planning to mix work with a little personal time, maybe see some Christmas lights, and finally do a few festive things to get into the holiday spirit. We have both been running nonstop, and this feels like a much needed reset even if laptops are coming with us. ✨

Looking Ahead

Between baby milestones, house progress, business growth, and hiring decisions, life feels full in every sense of the word. Busy, yes. Hard, absolutely. But also deeply rewarding.

The focus for the next few weeks is clear. Hire intentionally. Protect my energy. Keep clients supported. And make space to actually enjoy this season.

If you are a business owner feeling stretched thin, let this be your reminder that growth is supposed to feel exciting, not exhausting. The right systems and the right people make all the difference.