Feature Writer of the Week: Stephanie Keller

Tell me about yourself

I’m a daughter, sister, wife, and mom. I’m a quilter and a seamstress and a runner. I’m a law school graduate and I’m trying to be an entrepreneur. But most of all, I’m a follower of Jesus Christ. And everything good that I do, I do it because of Him. But obviously… not everything I do is good. 😉

When did you start blogging, and why?

I started my blog Hope and a Breath in May of 2014. I need this connection to the world outside of my everyday mothering activities. I am a law school graduate from the University of Utah. Except for a semester of teaching Business Law at Hastings College, I haven’t worked outside my home since I had my first child over six years ago. I still have this desire to work, but lawyering mostly takes me away from my kids. My blog is my journey to find out how I can work while being with my kids every day. I really love sewing, so it was natural to want to start a business with my sewing skills. It’s cheap therapy. My blog is still SO MUCH a work in progress, but I’m trying to enjoy the trip.

What are some of your favorite sites on the ‘net?

I have followed Dana for over five years. That girl is an inspiration, for sure! I think she’s the Midas of the sewing world.

I read up on Abbie because I love her decorating skills and she’s the mom of six kids. SIX. Her ability to parent six little people is amazing. I think, “If she can do six, I can do three!” Abbie also recently started a new business with her best friend called Paint and Prose.

And to get my running fix in, I regularly check up on Janae. She helps me have hope I can keep bettering my pace even after kids! She’s random, but she’s also very addicting!

And I do most of my shopping from Amazon because I have 3 kids 6 and under. I would rather eat celery and carrot sticks for dinner than take all three of them in a store by myself.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I like to feel like my days are successful. Right? So I have a list of priorities. If I get the first few done, I call it a good day. I try to do them in order. If I get sidetracked, I always come back to the top of the list and work my way down. 

1. Read my scriptures and pray. I try to do this FIRST THING every morning.
2. Figure out what we are eating for dinner. If I’m prepared it feels less burdensome. I like to eat healthy yummy food, but I don’t like to cook.
3. Get outside. My kids need to get energy out.
4. Exercise. If I don’t exercise, I’m not a nice person.
5. School. I homeschool – so we learn stuff. 😉 
6. Sew for 30 minutes. Yes – I try to sew 30 minutes each day. It helps my stress levels. Which skyrocket every 20 seconds because I live with a 3 year old. 
7. Household chores. My house is likely a disaster by the time I get to this point in the day, but I have done what I enjoy first so I don’t feel resentful that I have to clean.

What advice would you give someone who wants to blog or share his/her story?

First, define your goals. Take a real tangible piece of paper and write out a plan.

1. What do you want to write about? (Be specific)
2. How often do you want to write?
3. Who is your audience?
4. What are your goals? Make money? Connect with people? Provide a service?

After you have a plan, figure out the HOW. Like whether to use blogger, or wordpress.com or wordpress.org. Do a big Google or Pintrest search. Start a Pintrest board dedicated to blogging ideas. Listen to podcasts while you do dishes or workout. Check out books from the library or search for free books on your kindle. 

But most of all just DO IT. You never know who is watching and who is reading. I have a (very) small following on my blog, but I love when someone tells me that a blog post has helped him or her. You can make much more of an impact than you realize. Flood the Internet with positive and helpful words. 

What story are you most proud of?

I love my latest article from HVFH titled “God’s Will and God’s Grace.” I feel like I need to reread it regularly so I can keep my emotions in check and recognize my blessings.

How can people follow you?

Obviously you can keep reading my articles on Her View From Home. 

This feature launched me into actually starting up my Hope and a Breath Facebook page. Like me please! 

And I love Instagram – follow me here. 

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Articles by Stephanie Keller

Stephanie Keller

I am wife to Jake -- the modern day superman. He truly is my better half. I am mother to Sam, Olivia, and Timothy. I love them fiercely! I like to say they grow up too fast (and some days not fast enough!) I am a lawyer by education, but now a stay at home mom. I stay sane with my three littles by sewing and blogging. I'm beginning my first year of homeschooling and I'm scared. I hope you enjoy reading about my journey through life! Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hopeandabreath/