The Maternal Hobbyist

08/05/2024

When Allyson Felix, a renowned Olympic athlete, discovered she was expecting, her primary sponsor, Nike, was prepared to reduce her endorsement agreement by up to 70% and advised her to 'know her place and just run.' However, Felix did not accept the offer and instead chose to leave Nike to start her own line of running shoes called Saysh One. Despite giving birth to her daughter via an emergency c-section seven months into her pregnancy and spending over a month in the NICU, Felix made an incredible comeback and qualified for her fifth Olympics. She proudly wore her brand of running shoes and went on to win 11 medals, surpassing Carl Lewis for the most track and field medals by an American in history. In addition, Felix has partnered with Pampers to launch the first-ever nursery at the Olympic Village, providing a space for Olympic mothers to bond with and nurse their babies amid their competitions.

05/11/2024

The Northern Lights as seen in Arkansas tonight! WOW! This was on my bucket list and I can’t believe we had the opportunity to see them from our back yard!!! It’s one of the most INCREDIBLE things I’ve experienced in my life! It was like watching a painting in the sky. So in the last month, we’ve checked off solar eclipse, and now the Aurora Borealis. 👏🏽 👏🏽 👏🏽

Let me know in the comments what state or major city your near and if you saw the Northern Lights tonight!

05/11/2024

Can anyone see the northern lights outside right now? If so, please post a picture or a video! It’s on my bucket list!

05/10/2024

Last minute Mother’s Day gifts under $20 from Amazon! Here’s the link: https://liketk.it/4FO9r

I get so many compliments on these necklaces! They’re 24k gold and I’ve had them for over a year and they still look brand new! The aromatherapy candle is soy wax with essential oils and it smells absolutely amazing!

04/16/2024

We love shopping at Party City for all our balloons and celebration decor!

04/12/2024

Can’t believe our Frenchie will be 9 this year! He’s been with us since before our kiddos were born and we call him our Velcro dog. He likes to go everywhere I go. He especially loves snuggles. He’s super chill until he sees another dog, then he goes into dinosaur mode and everyone stares. It’s the “tell me you have a frenchie without telling me you have a frenchie” mode. 🤪 Anyone else have a French Bulldog and want to be friends with Jax?

12/12/2023

LEAD IN SALT

As the mother of a lead-poisoned toddler, this is important information about heavy metals and other substances found in 23 different salts that were sent for laboratory testing.

Are you concerned about the amount of heavy metals like lead, inorganic arsenic, cadmium, mercury, & microplastics in your salt? We tested!

10/20/2023

I have been working hard to update my blog and I would love to know what you would love to see more of. More gluten free recipes, home DIY projects, mom hacks, home organization, kid’s activities, family travel, lead testing results with lead-free tested products, or something else? Please let me know in the comments!

10/07/2023

As the leaves turn colors and there’s a crispness in the air, I can’t resist the desire to start making fall treats. This Creamy Pumpkin Mousse with Maple Whipped Cream is so easy to make and it’s gluten free. I just shared the recipe on my blog. Details in stories!

https://thematernalhobbyist.com/pumpkin-mousse-with-maple-whipped-cream-recipe/

09/02/2023

Such an amazing story of two girls solving a problem in their community! They’re hoping this can change the future for people around the world needing clean water. 👏 👏 👏

https://face2faceafrica.com/article/two-nigerian-girls-invent-award-winning-device-that-purifies-polluted-water-for-safe-drinking

Two Nigerian students, Elizabeth Korolo Boluwatife and Abdulsalam Ajara, invent device aimed at purifying and reusing polluted water.

09/01/2023

One day, I was home alone with my daughter when she was around 2yrs old. I was sitting on the couch. Suddenly, she said, “Mama! Jesus!!!” I turned to find her standing in front of the doorway staring up and she was pointing with a big smile on her face. I was in shock and I had no idea how to respond. I didn’t see Him, but I know without a shadow of a doubt, SHE SAW JESUS standing there. She stood there almost giggling with a big smile and I said, “Well did you tell him, Hi?”🤦🏻‍♀️ She instantly waved at him and said, “Hi Jesus!” She kept standing there and after a few moments, she turned and walked away to go play. That was over 5yrs ago, and to this day I’ve thought about how I should have responded and all the things I should have said instead.

Since then I’ve personally had numerous encounters with God and he’s saved our lives countless times. For example, this past April, the kids and I were hit by a drunk driver. In the ER after my husband took the kids out of the room, I was quietly laying in the hospital bed. Suddenly I heard Jesus say, “I hold the keys to life and death.” I burst into tears realizing that He saved us AGAIN. If you don’t know God or you don’t have a personal relationship with Him, it’s not too late. But time is running out and I urge you, the Kingdom of God is near! Let’s turn from our sins and believe in this Good News! God promised to send a Savior - He knew that without one we would all stand condemned by his judgment. Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, his servant life, and his coming kingdom are all foretold by Isaiah. Through Jesus, the promise of redemption and restoration are fulfilled.

Jesus died to save us from sin. Salvation is in Him alone. Trust Jesus fully and experience the forgiveness and the wholeness He brings! If you have never trusted Him, pray and seek Him through His word in the Bible, and talk with people you trust who are true followers of Jesus. I’m happy to pray with you and for you any time. Please reach out!

07/07/2023

How we use our words directly impacts our kiddo’s behavior. Earlier today, I wrote out “Love is patient” on some sticky notes and put them around the house where I spend the most time. It’s not easy to work on ourselves as parents with the day to day needs, but I know the reward is worth it for our family. ❤️ We can do hard things.

How we talk to each other, especially our little ones matter sos much. I love this chart. 💗

07/07/2023

Have you tried Threads yet? 😱

07/07/2023

Between working, taking care of the kids, and traveling, moms need convenient ways to work out and I’m SO glad I found Active&Fit ! It's an affordable fitness membership with the flexibility to change when mom life happens. Simply enter your location and get access to their network of thousands of gyms all for $32 a month for a standard membership. Now I can stay consistent with my workouts, because I can select the gym that works for me, or workout using videos on demand while we travel.

As a matter of fact, you can get 200 on-demand workout videos just for creating an account! This video happens to be one of my favorite HIIT workouts! I get my own virtual 1 on 1 well-being coach, and there’s no long term contract, all included at no extra cost with my standard membership. This totally supports my goals of getting stronger, keeping up with my kids, and being the best version of myself.

Want to try Active&Fit Now? Register to get 200 on-demand video workouts and download a guest pass to a gym near you. Be sure to use promo code SUMMERSTRONG to save the $32 enrollment fee. Offer ends 7/31/23.

Let’s get Active and fit NOW! Save this video so you have the promo code and drop your questions in the comments.

05/15/2023

Northwest Arkansas Families: New Park Alert! 🚨

(After reading the comments in speaking to other parents, this park needs to make some immediate safety updates. I will keep you posted.)

03/11/2023

Family friendly events happening in Northwest Arkansas this weekend!

•Little Tinkerers Family Workshop: Fortineers
**(Ages 3-6, Must register.)
📍
🕑3/11 at 9-10:30am
💲$10-$12 each

•Partners in Play (ages 6 and younger)
**(Ages 0-6yrs.)
📍
🕑3/11 at 10am-12pm
💲Members: Free, Kids 2 and under Free, Adults & Kids age 2 and older $11

•Ruff Ruff Read - Read with Poe (a dog.) (all Ages)
📍
Bentonville PublicLibrary
405 S Main St.
Bentonville AR 72712
🕑3/11 at 10-11am
💲FREE

•Family Storytime at Bentonville Public Library (all ages)
📍
Bentonville PublicLibrary
405 S Main St.
Bentonville AR 72712
🕑3/11 at 11:15am-12pm
💲FREE

•Tween Studio: Let's Make a Mural
**(Ages 11-13yrs.)
📍
🕑3/11 at 4pm-5:30pm
💲FREE

•2nd Saturdays of Pea Ridge - Food Trucks, Market, Live Music from 7-9pm, & Community
📍Pea Ridge Food Truck Court
200 Townsend Way
Pea Ridge AR 72751
🕑3/11 at 6-9pm
💲FREE

•Victory Film Series 🎥 Clue (PG 1985)
**(Ages 5 and up.)
📍Arkansas Public Theater
116 S 2nd St
Rogers AR 72756
🕑3/11 at 7-8:30pm
💲$12

ADULT EVENTS
HAPPENING IN NWA THIS WEEKEND!

•Green Roof Design Workshop
📍 garden of the Ozark
🕑3/12 at 2-3:30pm
💲$15/members or $25/nonmembers

03/04/2023

The deals are live and rolling in! Check them out here!

02/15/2023

Have you seen the deals we found today? If not, join our Deals group so you can snag deals like this writing tablet for kids! It’s never too early to shop for birthday gifts.

02/15/2023

Have you seen the deals we found today? If not, join our Deals group so you don’t miss out!

02/02/2023

We have a deals page where we share sales and great finds for everyone in the family! Here's one example. Feel free to join our Maternal Hobbyist Deals group too.

01/22/2023

For our Chicagoland people, I made this list of 2023 FREE Museum Days in Chicago so it's all in one place.

https://thematernalhobbyist.com/free-museum-days-chicago/

Free museum days are here! Mark these dates on your calendar for your chance to enjoy Free Museum Days in Chicago during 2020.

01/05/2023

This was the most fun birthday he’s ever had!!! Balloons always make the biggest impact at a party. I like to shop at Party City because I can get everything I need all in one place. Plus they offer online ordering, pickup and even delivery. That saves so me much time on the day of the party!

01/02/2023

Since I received so many messages/questions about my surgery, I thought I’d take the time to write a very detailed post about entire experience from the initial exam through three weeks of recovery. I included photos and plan to update my post daily, then weekly to add any final details. Here is the link:

https://thematernalhobbyist.com/what-is-it-like-to-have-a-septoplasty/

What is it like to have a Septoplasty? Here is my detailed experience starting with my ENT appt and surgery, through three weeks of recovery.

12/07/2022

God spoke to me audibly (out loud) and saved my life!!! All glory to God!!!

12/07/2022

If anyone would like to see a professional classical ballet, this is your chance! The Nutcracker has 3 more shows, including one this Saturday at 2pm. It’s 1:45min total with an intermission. Such a great family experience and intro to ballet if your kiddos have never experienced one before.

So many wonderful things are all wrapped up together in this performance on Saturday!! Our friends at will be performing at the new venue created by our friends this weekend!! So many adorable little dancers in our community have come together with AMAZING pros to make this special production! Get your tickets here: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/3392323/ozark-ballet-theater-presents--the-nutcracker or at the link for OBT in bio!!

08/06/2022

If you live in the Northwest Arkansas area and you’re a homeschool family, check this out!

Join us for our first Homeschool Showcase!! Come see how Steam Ahead can be a part of your regular schedule!
~Half-Price Admission for 2 hours of play
~Aug 29th
~2 session times available
~Please register online at www.steamaheadnwa.com/events