In {almost} 7 years of blogging, I can think to the exact posts that cause butterflies in my stomach right before I hit “publish.” Sharing our engagement, our pregnancies, our moves all cause a flurry of excitement. And then there are the posts I dream up while lying in bed. I’ll start thinking of things I wish I could have coffee with you all and chat about. My bible study series I did years ago, parenting milestones, and in-depth conversations about the unicorn myth of “balance” we all somehow chase.

Today’s post is one of those moments. I can think back to living in our old home when this idea started to form. I was new to toddlerhood and wide-eyed with curiosities on how other women did this so well. How are they always flying with their kids? Do I need to be that strict with a schedule? What about tantrums? As I asked for advice from my grandmothers, my well-seasoned mom friends, and you all, I was comforted by this truth that the love of a mother is a universal language.

In my privilege of interacting with you all for the past 7 years, this truth has become more and more magnified with each e-mail, DM, and interaction. It doesn’t matter if you work corporate America during the day or you stay-at-home with your 3 little ones, you all focus your energy, love, and devotion on raising the next generation. And take it a step further from my mom readers, and let’s talk about my readers going through the waiting period. I hate to even call it the waiting period, as that insinuates you’re just casually waiting in a waiting room until your name is called. The waiting period is full of grief, anger, sadness, and hope. It’s filled with doctor’s appointments, sometimes loss, needles, ultrasounds, and more. And as you sacrifice so much of your life, you do it willingly with the hope of giving your mother’s love to another. Take it a step further, and I read comments with a smile on my face as you all send me your mother’s recipes, your aunt’s secret for making a perfect sangria, your grandmother’s advice on raising toddlers. I remember a friend from college telling me, “Everyone has had a mother, been a mother, known a mother, or been loved by someone’s mother.” This isn’t to take away the integral part father’s play in our lives {I STILL call my dad for just about every problem I have}, but rather to highlight the impact mothers make on us.

I felt so passionate about this that I told my photographer, I wanted to do a photoshoot with mothers. Readers that are mothers. Bloggers that are mothers. Neighbors that are mothers. I wanted to highlight differences in vocation, culture, skin, and beliefs. I had this vision of us all sitting in a white room {I found the venue to shoot!} in jeans and plain shirts holding our children.

And then I got pregnant and went on bedrest. And then COVID happened.

And as this year continues to prove we don’t know when a shoot like that could happen, I felt I couldn’t wait any longer to highlight this. You all hear from me ALL the time, but why not hear from other mothers? I NEED to hear from mothers that aren’t like myself to be reminded that the lack of balance is normal, the exhaustion will pass, and we truly love our families more than we ever thought possible.

So what is today’s post about? Today’s post marks a new series: Mama Playdates. I’m not sure what this will evolve into, but I want to start this series honoring voices that need to be heard. We will start by highlighting Black mothers, adoptive mothers, and mothers that have experienced infertility or loss. Many of you know that my family is interracial as my cousins on my mom’s side of the family are adopted. My aunts face situations raising Black men that I will never experience raising my son, and I think it’s important that we talk about those things.

Today’s post is about a mother I truly admire in this industry! Our connection is through our photographer, Angie. And while we don’t live by each other, Angie always tells me how similar our families are and how we are the same person. Meet Taryn Newton. She is a working mom to 4 handsome boys, as well as a full-time blogger. In every single post or Insta Story you can see how devoted she is to her family. Her Insta Stories will make you smile so much! She’s such a positive presence always talking openly about her story, finances, raising boys, and the reality of being a working mom. She just had her 4^th son 2 days after I had Harry {and with no epidural because it happened so fast!} and I have felt so connected to all of her posts.

 

COF, meet Taryn!

 

K: Taryn, thank you so much for agreeing to share on my blog today! You know I was a little shy to ask you because you, too, are in the newborn phase. For my readers who haven’t e-met you yet, please tell us a little bit about yourself!

 

T: I am kinda having a fan girl moment because I have followed you for years! I started following you when you had that cute starter home, and made it look so chic! I am a Michigan native, that has lived in Dallas for almost 6 years. Married to my awesome hubby Rick, and we have 4 handsome boys. Cameron (12), Calvin (6), Cyrus (2), and Cashton. It is so awesome that we had our beautiful boys within a week of each other. In addition, to our boys we also have 3 Labradoodles. Basically a zoo lol. We are also in the process of building a new home!

 

For me, I strive to be a friend to my community and do life with them. I love sharing my life authentically, and giving a perspective of someone who is far from perfect. I share style, home, parenting, and everything else in between. I am a sucker for anything yellow, and my weakness is queso.

 

K: What impresses me so much about you is your commitment. You’re committed to work, your family, your husband, and your blog readers. I watch your stories and think, “She lives for everyone she loves!” But what do you do for yourself? What does “me time” look like for a corporate-working, blogging, mom of 4?

 

T: I get so much joy connecting with my community. Exchanging conversations and supporting each other. Yes, I know like many moms most of our day is consumed with all things our children. Not to mention, also prioritizing my husband. I won’t even pretend to act like there is much time for myself. However, I make it a point to carve out even 15 minutes for myself. The more I pour into myself, the more I am able to pour into others. I love taking time out and just having a good facial/spa day. Also, call me crazy but I love running. It is very therapeutic, so I am slowly easing into running and getting back in shape.

 

K: With your corporate job and your full-time blog job, what do you find to be most demanding? Blogging never shuts off and I’m so amazed at how you seamlessly do both.

 

T: Hands down blogging is the most demanding. My blog started off as a hobby and grew into this full-time small business. I never anticipated it, so still adjusting and learning how to be an entrepreneur. Definitely isn’t easy, and owning your own business it can sometimes be hard knowing when to shut down. Although this is the most demanding, it is also the most rewarding.

 

K: Now let’s talk about your boys. FOUR boys. Give me all the wisdom for raising a son that turns into a man.

 

T: Being a boy mom is a blessing, but also can be unnerving. All of them are so rowdy and rough. I’ve learned over the years to allow my boys to be boys. That is the only way they will grow into men. I give my boys a lot of affection, we are a very affectionate family.. I know often some men aren’t affectionate. Not in this house. I always tell my boys it is ok to show love and be loved. Additionally, I encourage my boys to talk out their emotions, so they are always expressive with their feelings. My hope is later in life this will create men that love hard and won’t be afraid to share it. I show them how to have a serving spirit, but also be a leader.

 

In general, I stress with all of my children that the world is so much bigger than our wants and our own needs. We teach them to be servants of the Lord, and always find ways to help others. It isn’t always easy but I think we are raising 4 awesome young men.

 

K: I love your story with Rick and how faithful God was in your journey! Do you mind sharing it with my readers?

 

T: Of course! Our story is definitely that of redemption. We met in college, and we instantly felt drawn to each other. We started dating and soon loved hard. After some time I became pregnant with Cameron. I was 20 at the time and trying to navigate being a young mom, not married, and to be honest not in a great relationship. Rick was still trying to be the big man on campus, and I was navigating trying to find my way. After a while, we realized that even though we had a young baby together that it was best for us to separate. It was tough because at that time I thought I was throwing away my idea of having a family. Along with how Cameron’s life would look. Ultimately, we felt it was the best decision for Cameron. During our time apart we focused on improving ourselves. Getting more rooted in the word. At that time I wasn’t sure if we ever would reconnect, but we wanted to be the best parents we could to Cameron. We attended counseling to help with our communication with one another. After about almost 2 years God found it fit for us to get back together. We took it slow so we could build a strong foundation. We then got married, moved to Texas, and had 3 more boys!

 

Our journey is far from a fairytale, but it’s ours so that makes it so special to me. Sometimes you go through these tough seasons not knowing what the other side looks like. All the while God is preparing you for the path He sees best for you.

 

K: The BLM movement really picked up right before you and I gave birth. It wasn’t lost on me that you will have to face issues with your sons that I won’t. What does that look like for you? What are hard conversations you and your husband, Rick, have to have with your boys? Have you had to have those conversations with your oldest son, Cameron? He is going into 7^th grade, correct?

 

T: BLM movement is a movement that should be important to all Americans not just African-Americans. It will take more than African-Americans to make a shift.

 

I grew up in a melting pot of a community, where I am grateful to have friends of all different races. My boys grow up in a similar community. I teach my boys to be proud of the skin they are in and not conform just because they may be the minority. I want my boys to love who they are, but being who they are does come with challenges and fears.

 

We are very honest with our boys of the current events and the racial injustices. We have to discuss those tough conversations. How to handle themselves around police, and what not to do. We don’t want our boys to live in fear, but we do want them to be aware of the risks there are for simply just being African-American.

 

Cameron being in 7th grade this year and truly becoming a young man we go in-depth with him a lot further about the current events. For him, he is just trying to understand why these things are happening. It’s sad, but we find comfort in knowing that God is always in control. I am confident God will bring unity out of all of this.

 

K: What is something that you would tell this generation of mothers as we raise the next generation to use their voice when they see any injustice?

 

T: To teach their children TO see color and to know that we all were created equal. This may be cliche but to treat others as you would want to be treated. If you see your peers mistreating someone else based the color of their skin to speak up and out. Being silent about racism is being compliant. 

 

K: Speaking of raising the next generation, what are values that you and Rick hope to instill in your boys?

 

T: To continuously seek the Lord first. To always put family first. Be the voice in the society to stand up for what you believe in.

 

K: You all share so much family, and I watch your stories thinking, “We would be the best of friends with them!” Tell my readers what else they can expect from you in terms of content on your blog?

 

T: I truly do consider my community as my friends. We laugh, support each other, and exchange advice. I will continue to share our home build and even more home decor as we move in. Attainable style and family life. I love having a positive space and sharing our life as real as it gets.

 

K: Taryn, thank you so much for your willingness to chat on my blog today. I truly don’t think I know anyone with more on their plate than you, so I’m grateful for you taking the time. Let my readers know all the ways they can follow you.

 

T: I am so grateful for you Katey and all the advice you have given myself and readers over the years. I hope all that are reading along will follow me on Instagram @tarynnewton. Along with keeping up with our family’s adventures on our Youtube channel Newton Family Vlog.

 

Thank you so much, Taryn! Y’all, you must follow her. Her Insta Stories with her husband will have you cracking up and she is moving into her dream home, which is absolutely stunning. I am so grateful for her helping me kick off this series when she has 800 other things on her to-do list. She is amazing. You can read her blog here and let me know anyone you’d like interviewed next! AND DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!