Nice to meet yoU!
I'm Maren.
BLOGGER
Wife
MOTHER
PHOTOGRAPHER
JOIN THE PURSUIT!
Hello! Welcome to The Mom Nextdoor (TMN)! I’m so glad you’re here! If you’re looking for a community of moms united in a quest to find joy in motherhood you have come to the right place! At TMN you will find simple solutions, tips, and tricks to help you simplify the have-to’s and focus on the get-to’s of motherhood.
Join the quest as we homemake, nurture, live, craft, and connect with each other to find joy in motherhood.
OUR STORY
Do you enjoy being a mom?
It’d been a tense morning talking about our bleak financial situation, #gradschoollife. Covid19 had just reached Arizona, Matt’s school campus had been closed and I realized my photography earning potential was drying up as the whole world shut down.
Then came this question from my dear husband, “Do you enjoy being a mom?”
As much as I wanted to… I didn’t answer immediately. I couldn’t, I was afraid of the answer.
I knew why he was asking. It had been a hard semester for the whole family.
I was putting so much time, energy, and focus into my photography business that I there wasn’t much left for anything else. Not for Matt, not for the house work, and not for Emi. As a result our happy go lucky three-nager had turned into a little monster.
So… did I enjoy being a mom? Not really. And that broke my heart.
Then came another question, not from Matt, from deep within my heart. Did I want to?
I realized this was a crossroad. A decision had to be made. If I couldn’t do it all, what did I want to do? Photography or Motherhood.
Don’t get me wrong. I know both are possible for a lot of people… but the Maren that I was in that moment, it wasn’t possible for her.
For me the question wasn’t where would I find my joy?… it was where did I want to find my joy?
Motherhood. I choose motherhood.
The peace of that answer settled deep in my heart and I let go of everything else.
I am on a quest to find joy in motherhood every single day. TMN is an invitation. Join the quest, let’s find joy in motherhood together.
Hi There, I'm Maren
Most days you can find me on an imaginary safari with my daughter Emi who finds an alarming number of Rhino’s with bunnies stuck in their ears. Good things she’s a “vet” and has a good assistant. Me. I’m the assistant.
When I’m not on safari, taking pictures, or journaling the adventures of motherhood you can catch me snuggled up in a cozy blanket reading, sniffing all the candles at target, working on a puzzle, or planning our next family activity/celebration/tradition.
TMN is a record of my daily quest to find joy in motherhood and I hope the crafts, activities, tips, and personal experiences will help you do the same.
FAVORITE QUOTE
“
God loves you no less when you struggle than when you triumph.
-Dieter F. Utchdorf
GET TO KNOW | Maren
Family Birth Order: 3 of 8
childhood nickname: Mareseatoats
pet peeve: Deciding what’s for dinner.
Currently watching: The Masked Singer
Go To Outfit: Yoga pants + comfy tee.
favorite things: Scented Candles, 1000 piece puzzles, Harry Potter, Cozy Blankets, Traditions.
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