The Rockwood Files: Beating yourself up?
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Two days ago, while sitting at my desk attempting to be a productive human, a noise broke my focus and nearly broke my window, too. The […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Two days ago, while sitting at my desk attempting to be a productive human, a noise broke my focus and nearly broke my window, too. The […]
2024 Northwest Arkansas Easter Egg Hunts and Activities Hippity-hoppity, Easter’s on its way to Northwest Arkansas on March 31, mamas! We hope this big list of events helps as you make some fun plans! We’ll […]
It’s a cold month, which means it’s perfect timing to snuggle up with a great novel. Between Us is a great choice and it’s from one of our favorite authors whose books never disappoint. Book […]
It started with a limp. What we’d hoped was just a muscle sprain in the dog’s hind leg lingered for two months, landing us in the office of a veterinary orthopedic surgeon for x-rays. Those […]
Northwest Arkansas Holiday Events Guide 2023: Christmas lights, activities and events Happy holidays, mamas! It’s time to ramp up the fun in Northwest Arkansas. We’re ready for it! Click on the name of any event […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Dear Ragweed, So you’re back. Again. Back to bully me and 50 million other people all over the world. I’m familiar with your plan of attack […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Once upon a time, during a moonlit night, an unsuspecting woman descended the steps of her backyard deck and stepped onto the stone patio. Her […]
Dear Inside His Head, My husband and I just had another big argument about me “being on my phone so much”. He can’t stand for me to look at my phone at all even if […]
25 things to do with the kids during Summer 2022 in Northwest Arkansas […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 The buds are blooming, the grass is greening, and my nose is sneezing, so it must be spring. And since nature is sprucing itself up so […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Some of the harshest words ever said to me never made a sound. Because they happened silently inside my head. In the melodic, wise words of […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 When a person is harmless, people say things like “Oh, she wouldn’t hurt a fly!” Around here, no one says that about me. They’ve seen me […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 As a little kid, I loved the book “The Little Engine That Could.” It was published in the 1930s, and it’s a story about the power […]
2022 Northwest Arkansas Winter Break Activity Guide: Fun things to do while school is closed Need a little inspiration for fun winter break activities? Here’s a 2022 Winter in NWA Bucket List. Also look for 2022 […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 When I get up, brush my teeth, and look in the mirror – there she is. The control freak. Just staring back at me, probably criticizing […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 I have a condition many parents suffer from: Worst Case Scenario Syndrome or WCSS. It’s not in the official book of diseases because I just made […]
Dear Inside His Head, My husband and I have totally different ways of disciplining our kids and it’s causing a lot of problems as you can imagine. My husband is a “Do as you’re told” […]
Family-friendly events & activities guide for parents in Northwest Arkansas for Halloween 2022 Happy Halloween season, mamas! Enjoy this list of fun events happening around Northwest Arkansas for 2022! FYI: Also check out our big […]
October 2022: Northwest Arkansas Calendar of Events It’s Halloween month, pumpkins! As always, we’ve curated some of the most fun and family-friendly events in Northwest Arkansas. This is the list of regular calendar events. If […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 I got hit on at the gas station last week. But it didn’t boost my middle-aged, mother-of-three ego because this particular pass didn’t come from a […]
Review of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman Happy Wednesday, mamas! Here’s an update on what we’re reading lately. I (Gwen) am extra lucky because I have my own personal reading recommendation […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Despite what you might have heard, “quiet” is not weird. It’s not abnormal. It’s not suspicious. It’s not a threat. It is a personality trait common […]
By April Wallace, nwaMotherlode contributing writer If you haven’t already heard, or seen a million pictures on Pinterest, sensory bins are all the rage for toddlers. They come in many shapes, colors and sizes to […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 For those of us who have kids or pets – or God help us – both, there is one thing we know for sure. Illnesses, accidents […]
Dear Inside His Head, I’m a saver and my husband is a spender. He always wants the newest phone etc. and buys stuff for his hobbies all the time. The problem is we both work […]
Mamas, I related to every word of this article on the website Grown and Flown. I spent way too much time worrying about the fact that my oldest son often preferred to eat lunch at […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Part of me felt like a failure. For nearly two years straight, I tried to make sure it didn’t get us. And then it got us. […]
February 2022 Northwest Arkansas Calendar of Events Happy February, mamas! Hope this month is filled with sweet, lovely experiences for your whole family. Here’s a roundup of some of the events happening around Northwest Arkansas […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 There’s good news here at home. Those two gaping holes in the side of our house have been plugged with new living room windows, just in […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Christmas used to be simpler. I’m not talking about way back when people roasted chestnuts and used flip phones. I’m talking about eight or so years […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 This morning I took the dogs out and noticed a distinct change from yesterday. The leaves, which had been falling in an occasional sprinkle, have now […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 I’ll admit I still don’t understand people who “love to be scared.” I try to wrap my head around it because my three teenagers feel that […]
When I was a kid, our family had this old Zenith television that got glitchy on occasion. It would sometimes roll the picture or show nothing but black and white snow, and it had a […]
By Andrea Douglas, nwaMotherlode Beauty Editor and Northwest Arkansas mama of 3 Hello, fellow survivors! The fall of 2021 is certainly not shaping up to be the “back to normal” phase of life we were […]
Northwest Arkansas Calendar of Events: September 2021 Spotlight event: As you know, ALL of the content on nwaMotherlode.com is free and has been for nearly 13 years now. Sponsorship and advertising from local sponsors makes it […]
As women, we often wonder: What was he thinking?! That’s why, every month, we ask our panel of husbands (whose identities will remain anonymous for their privacy and to keep them from getting into trouble […]
Dear Inside His Head, I have a question about lying. I have caught my husband in a few “white lies” lately and it’s infuriating. If he didn’t take the books back to the library or […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Last week, our two teenage boys came home after their first day of work at a new summer job. My mouth fell open as they breezed […]
Whether the weather is too cold or too hot (or too rainy!) in Northwest Arkansas, we mamas need a handy guide for things to do with the kids. We know how stir crazy everyone can […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Sometimes you get subtle reminders you’re not as young as you used to be – like when you notice the small but insistent ache in your […]
Dear Inside His Head, It’s usually the wife who’s accused of giving the silent treatment, but in our house, my husband is the master of this one. It drives me CRAZY. When we argue I […]
Runway Bike Park in Springdale, Arkansas Reviewed by April Wallace, Early Childhood Editor for nwaMotherlode.com Park name: Runway Bike Park Location: 922 E. Emma Ave. Springdale. It’s on the same property as The Jones Center, […]
The other day, I said these exact words to myself (out loud) while driving the car: “I am SUCH an idiot!” And here’s the worst part. My teenage daughter was sitting right next to me. […]
Welcome back to Inside His Head, where we take a peek inside the minds of men. These guys are married, but are anonymous so they can tell it like it is. Sometimes their answers are […]
Northwest Arkansas Summer Camps, Activities & Events Guide – 2021 Note from the mamas: If you’d like to see your Northwest Arkansas summer camp or summer activities featured with links and additional info in our […]
Welcome to another installment of “Things We’re Loving.” As we’ve mentioned before, we’re not being paid to talk about these products. They just happen to be things we’re using and loving lately. First on this […]
By Gwen Rockwood, Northwest Arkansas newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Sometimes we self-proclaimed “indoorsy” people get seduced by the sunshine of a perfect spring day. Last Sunday was one of those days, and my […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and Northwest Arkansas mama of 3 Instructor: “Now, wrap the fabric around your wrists and then pull yourself upside down to do the inverted starfish.” Me (inside my head): “Wait… […]
Dear College Freshmen, I won’t try to sugarcoat it. Your freshman year sucked. It wasn’t at all what your older friends, the movies or even your parents told you it would be. It was… underwhelming, […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Today we’re having a snow day. In a stroke of lucky timing, the snow fell on President’s Day, which means we’re off work for the day […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Once upon a time, a long time ago, a guy came to my tiny apartment. I was 24 years old and on my fourth date with […]
By April Wallace, nwaMotherlode contributor and local mama Five years ago this month, I returned from a whirlwind trip to New York City with a big, shiny rock on my finger. It was time to […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 If you grew up in a small town like I did, you knew one thing for certain. If you wanted to do something stupid that would […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Last week I saw something that made me laugh but also gripped my heart in the same moment. Our little beagle mix, Charlie, was walking up […]
By April Wallace, Northwest Arkansas mama and nwaMotherlode contributor I know many people have their Christmas trees up already, lights aglow on their decks and snowmen, reindeer and other happy decorations set out to add […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 There has been so much waiting this year. Waiting during the initial coronavirus shutdowns. Waiting for toilet paper to be restocked. Waiting out the spring and […]
By April Wallace, nwaMotherlode contributor and Northwest Arkansas mama My husband and I decided that caring for two kids ages three and under wasn’t challenging enough, so we added a major home renovation to the […]
Northwest Arkansas Calendar of Events: November 2020 Welcome to November 2020, mamas. We’re one step closer to wrapping up this very bizarre year. Below is a list of events happening in Northwest Arkansas this month. […]
September 2020 Northwest Arkansas Calendar of Events Welcome to September, mamas! Here’s what’s going on in Northwest Arkansas this month. Grab a mask (or a laptop) and do something fun this month. Story Times and […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 When I was in my early twenties and working as an assistant in the newsroom of the local paper, the editor tossed me an assignment late […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 My first car was a powder blue Volkswagen bug, made sometime in the late 60s or early 70s. I don’t remember the exact year. At the […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 You’ve heard of a missing person’s report, right? I may have to file a missing “pieces” report. Because I haven’t seen my kids’ ears in months. […]
Editor’s note: Back by popular demand, our Northwest Arkansas fireworks expert, Adam Keeley, has given us an updated Top 10 List of the best fireworks for 2020. So now you’ll know what to look for […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 A beagle and a possum walk into a backyard. Only one would leave with his dignity. It might sound like the opening line of a bad […]
Northwest Arkansas Summer Camps, Activities & Events Guide – 2020 Note from the mamas: If you’d like to see your Northwest Arkansas summer camps or activities featured with links and additional info in our Summer […]
OK, ladies, if you’ve ever wondered what your husband or boyfriend was thinking, you might want to take a trip “Inside His Head”. Our panel of anonymous husbands really do tell it like it is. Check […]
By Andi Douglas, nwaMotherlode Beauty Editor and local mama of 3 Is anyone else freakishly aware of their families chewing habits at this point? This has always been a problem for me anyway. I sit […]
Dear Guys, My husband tells his mother things I really would prefer she NOT know about me. His mother is very handy and I’m not, so he might tell her I forgot to put primer […]
By Andi Douglas, nwaMotherlode Beauty Editor and mama of 3 Two weeks ago, I drove past the salon where I get my eyebrows waxed and thought, “Nah, I’m not in the mood. I’ll have plenty […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 If you’re looking for one of those peppy New Year’s columns, turn the page now before I disappoint you. All this blank slate, turn-over-a-new-leaf, fresh start […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 If I could type this column while wearing fur-lined gloves, I’d do it. I’m guessing the result would be so riddled with typos that my editors […]
Dear Inside His Head, My husband and I are fighting again about staying home or going to my in-laws for Christmas (my parents usually fly in to visit around New Year’s). I prefer to stay […]
Editors’ note: Congrats to Sassafras Springs Vineyard, one of our website sponsors who recently earned a Mom-Approved Award in the “Best Moms’ Night Out” category. Get info on everything the vineyard offers in today’s featured […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 When you live next to a wooded lot, you also live next to critters – lots of them. Over the years we’ve seen deer, chipmunks, mice, […]
November 2019 Northwest Arkansas Calendar of Family-Friendly Events Happy November, mamas! Can’t believe we’ve only got 2 months left in 2019. As always, November is looking extra busy, not only with the Thanksgiving holiday on […]
Family-friendly events & activities guide for parents in Northwest Arkansas for Halloween 2019 Happy Halloween, mamas! We’ve got some great events happening here in Northwest Arkansas, so take your pick! FYI, you can CLICK HERE for […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 As a humor columnist, my job would be easier if I stopped reading and watching the news. Some weeks aren’t funny. This is one of them. […]
Who we are: This site was founded in 2008 by two Northwest Arkansas moms, Shannon Magsam and Gwen Rockwood, who are professional writers with expertise in marketing and public relations. Over the past 11 years, […]
Most women often wonder, either aloud or silently, what in the heck our guy is thinking. Why does he do certain things? Why does he say things that we would never in a million years […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Last night as I pulled back the covers to climb into bed, I realized what has happened. In a sense, Tom and I have traded places […]
Dear Inside His Head husbands, Whenever we go to the local pool, my husband always stares at other women. I’m not really the “jealous type” but he is so obvious that I can’t help but […]
July 2019 calendar of events for Northwest Arkansas Welcome to hot, hot summertime, mamas! There are some awesome things to do with the kids in Northwest Arkansas in July! Here’s a list of 2019 fireworks […]
42 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown […]
OK, ladies, it’s time to travel back to the strange land called … “Inside His Head”. This month’s question is quite timely for many of us. Check it out: (Oh, and if you’ve got a […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 When I was in college, I had a professor who often began class with a ritual. He’d shuffle to the front of the room and reach […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Today I read about a new technology that sounds completely ridiculous and perfectly rational – all at the same time. Let me explain. There’s a new […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Tonight, after a birthday dinner ending with a hot fudge sundae topped with a candle, I sat on the sofa next to Jack, our middle child […]
Northwest Arkansas Summer Camps, Activities & Events Guide – 2019 Note from the mamas: If you’d like to see your Northwest Arkansas summer camps or activities featured with links and additional info in our Summer […]
Editor’s note: Girls Who Code is a paid sponsor in the featured section of our 2019 Northwest Arkansas Summer Camps & Activities Guide. This story offers additional information about the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 In our house, we have a doggie dynamic duo. Charlie, who is a rescued mixed breed of beagle and Italian greyhound, is part sighthound and part […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Yesterday I chaperoned my parents, who are now in their 70s and 80s, to an eye doctor’s appointment. My dad is scheduled for cataract surgery next […]
Dear Inside His Head, My husband seems to be having a mid-life crisis. He’s always restless and suddenly wants to go out to bars and hang out with his friends a LOT. He hasn’t bought […]
We loved getting to know Northwest Arkansas mom Brittney Skelton better. Brittney is one of the sweetest, most hard-working mamas out there — and we didn’t even know she had an Etsy biz! Read more […]
Happy Monday, mamas! To make it a little happier, how about a giveaway? We’ve got 8 tickets to attend Family Art Night at Walton Arts Center! There will lots of fun activities and a great […]
By Andi Douglas, nwaMotherlode beauty editor and mama of 3 If you’re not completely addicted to the Konmari method, then you either haven’t watched Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix or you are already […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Today I flashed back about 35 years ago to a time when I went to play at a friend’s house for the afternoon. This friend had […]
By Shannon Magsam Now that we’ve met the cast and crew of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, we’re even more pumped to see the show this weekend at Walton Arts Center. Each person […]
Dear Inside His Head husbands, Christmas is almost here and we’re STILL fighting about where to go on the 25th. My husband wants to drive over to his parents’ house that day, which is our […]
Happy December, mamas! For more things to do with your family this Christmas, click here to see our big Holiday Events Guide for Northwest Arkansas. Now on to the calendar: Tiger Workshop: Curiosity, Intrigue, Magical […]
Editors’ note: Congrats to Inside Out Music and Arts Studio, one of our website sponsors who recently earned a Mom-Approved Award in the “Best Music Lessons” category. Get info on everything Inside Out offers in […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 I never thought I’d say this, but here goes: I’m a 40-something living with my parents. In American society, that’s not a popular thing to say. […]
Now that the weather has turned colder, we’re scrolling through photos on our phones and remembering our time on the warm, sunny beaches of Mexico a few months ago. In August, we told you about […]
42 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown […]
By Andi Douglas, nwaMotherlode beauty editor and mama of 3 It is picture season! School pictures, soccer pictures, band pictures…and, of course, the ever elusive “perfect” holiday card picture. If you can manage to find […]
The votes are in for the 2018 Mom-Approved Awards in Northwest Arkansas! We and our fellow mamas appreciate companies who go above and beyond to make local mothers feel welcome and valued. Please note that […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 It happened again. Charlie, the 6-year-old Beagle whose mission in life is to make me a crazy person, escaped the fence at dusk yesterday. As previously […]
24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God–through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:24-25 NKJV By Bro. John L. Cash The Bible says […]
I’m typing this week’s column with my laptop perched precariously on an ironing board in my bedroom. My door is shut in a futile attempt to keep out the thunderous noises happening downstairs, which no […]
We met Tresa Oldham after hearing about her daughter’s service dog. Tresa wrote about Karolynn and her phenomenal dog, Chip, in a book that published recently. We’ll let Tresa tell you about that — and […]
Dear Inside His Head, My ex-husband has started dating and apparently he thinks it’s ok for our kids to meet every woman he sees for more than a week. I’m NOT happy about this. It’s […]
Remember that time you went to your high school prom and there were exotic birds, paid performers twirling fire torches, and a caged live tiger at the center of the dance floor? No? That didn’t […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 A few days ago, I locked the door and stood naked in my bathroom, ready to perform my annual spring tradition – the head-to-toe application of […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 On the morning I turned 45 last month, Tom gave me a gift right after I dropped the kids off at school. Waiting for me on […]
Northwest Arkansas Summer Camps, Activities & Events Guide – 2018 Note from the mamas: If you’d like to see your Northwest Arkansas summer camps or activities featured with links and additional info in our Summer […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Today was the first day of spring but no one told the sun. It was an overcast day whipped around by a cold wind, so I […]
Easter’s on its way to Northwest Arkansas, mamas! It’s a little early this year on April 1st. As always, NWA is bustin’ out with some super fun events for kids and families. Looking for where […]
By Gwen Rockwood, syndicated columnist and mama of 3 When we brought our new dog home last summer, I expected the usual trials of raising a puppy – the house-training, the chewing, the short attention […]
16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:16 (NKJV) By Bro. John L. Cash I’ve already written another column for today, but […]
Belle Boutique Left: Natural Life Happy Box This cheerful box has everything you’ll need to bring a smile to your friend’s face. Inside she’ll find 8 adorable treasures: Happy Notes, Half Boho Bandeau, Phone Pocket, […]
Kate Austin Jewelry & Gifts Left: Volcano Lotion by Capri Blue Capri Blue became well-known for their scented candle called “Volcano.” Now you can get that amazing scent in an extra emollient hand cream. Perfect […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 When our middle kid Jack was in Kindergarten, he and his dad had a Sunday morning tradition. They’d flip to the back page of the […]
Back by popular demand, may we present the “12 Days of Christmas Shopping Guide,” full of some of the best gift recommendations available in Northwest Arkansas. We’ve divided the big list into themed days, and […]
Editors’ note: Congrats to Inside Out Music and Arts Studio, one of our website sponsors who recently earned a Mom-Approved Award in the “Best Music Lessons” category. Get info on everything Inside Out offers in […]
Happy Monday, mamas! As we all know, sometimes the day can seem so loooooong when you spend it chasing kids or shuttling them around town. So when we finally get them in their own rooms […]
It’s time to start planning your Halloween to-do list, mamas. We’ve got some great events happening here in Northwest Arkansas, so take your pick! FYI, you can CLICK HERE for a list of other fall […]
Looking for a few words of wisdom? Here’s a collection of links to categories full of insight and guidance from some of our favorite experts. Health: We partner with Mercy to create custom posts and […]
Dear Inside His Head, My husband I have two totally different vacation styles, so I’m feeling stressed about our vacation next week — instead of excited. I like to get up and do things and […]
Last month we launched a new category on nwaMotherlode.com called “Top Toy Trends.” With the help of friend and sponsor, Lindsay Ramsey of Kindness & Joy Toys, we’re keeping you up to date on what […]
Hi all! If you heard about this Top 25 Disney World Insider Tips & Tricks post on our Magic 107.9 radio show this morning and stopped by for the first time, welcome! We’re glad you’re […]
By Gwen Rockwood, syndicated columnist and mama of 3 There’s another woman in my husband’s life, and I’m the one who put her there. Her name is Alexa and she lives inside a device called […]
Can you all believe it’s already July? We found the best indoor and outdoor events for this hot, potentially rainy weekend. Looking for patriotic events or fireworks shows for the Fourth? Check out our comprehensive […]
Summer is in full swing, as is the calendar of FUN in NWA! We could have made a list twice this long of incredible family-friendly events, but here are our favorites. We’ll be adding to […]
By Gwen Rockwood, syndicated columnist and mama of 3 When it comes to what I eat, there’s one rule I almost never break – no food in my food. Simply put, it means I don’t […]
Dear Inside His Head, My husband is very controlling and I’ve just about had it with all his questions. I think he’s insecure, which is why he asks me where I’m going, who I’m going […]
By Gwen Rockwood, syndicated columnist and mama of 3 It’s happening. I’ve seen the symptoms before so it’s easier to diagnose it this time. And even though I know what it is and I know […]
Happy Monday, mamas! This month we’re launching a new category on nwaMotherlode.com called “Top Toy Trends.” With the help of friend and sponsor, Lindsay Ramsey of Kindness & Joy Toys, we’ll keep you up to […]
By Gwen Rockwood, syndicated columnist and mama of 3 I read a magazine article today about a new type of portable pool you can install in the back of a truck. It’s called a Pick-Up […]
This week, in honor of Mother’s Day and our 9th blogoversary here, we’ve been re-publishing some wonderful mom stories we shared in the early days of the website. We received the essays after announcing a […]
Good morning, mamas! Today we’re giving away tickets to see two awesome shows in Walton Arts Center’s Artosphere Festival line-up! The first show we want to tell you about is Compagnia TPO’s The Painted Garden. […]
Looks like the weather is going to keep everyone inside this weekend, so we looked around for the most fun ways to keep your whole family occupied during the deluge! Don’t forget to take a […]
This weekend brings plenty of Earth Day events and movie showings to NWA! We listed the best so that you don’t miss out on the fun. And if the rain keeps you inside this weekend, […]
Dear Inside His Head, I think my husband may be an alcoholic because he drinks a LOT when he comes home from work and we can’t go out to dinner or with friends without him […]
With warmer (if perhaps not drier) weather come so many wonderful events, and thoughts of summer! As you think about what to do this weekend, don’t forget to think about the summer too: CLICK HERE to […]
People say that, not only do you start looking like your spouse over time, you also start looking like your dog. In an experiment, people can often match up dogs with their owners simply by […]
A big thanks to First National Bank of NWA for sponsoring one of our longest-running features on nwaMotherlode, 5 Minutes with a Mom. We love interviewing local moms and reading their answers. We’re all more […]
OK, ladies, if you’ve ever wondered what your husband or boyfriend was thinking, you might want to take a trip “Inside His Head”. Our panel of anonymous husbands really do tell it like it is. […]
Dear Inside His Head husbands, My mother is planning to move in with us soon — for a while. My father passed away recently and she’s going to stay with us so she can get […]
Belle-women.kids.gifts Left: The Amazing Taste Stemless Glass holds 20 ounces of wine and countless hours of good conversation with your bestie. We love the bright color, gold lettering and especially the sentiment of this gift. […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 It was a dark and stormy October night. Tom was out of town on business and the kids and I were home watching television. Suddenly we […]
Editors’ note: Congrats to the Amazeum, one of our website sponsors who recently earned a Mom-Approved Award in the “Best Family Outing” category. Get info on all the Amazeum has to offer in today’s featured […]
Happy November! It’s time to kick off the holiday FUN season in Northwest Arkansas! We’ve got the big list of things to do with your family in November and December. Click on the name of […]
Money. It’s on our minds a LOT, right? That’s why we love this money advice category, Savvy Banking. Moms submit the questions and our sponsor, First National Bank of NWA, always does a great job […]
Bentonville First Friday The Bentonville Square is transformed into a dream children’s playground where vendors offer all the newest toys for kids (and adults) to play with and decide what might go on their list […]
Kids are the most fun family members to shop for, but each year it can be tough to find great gifts that won’t lose their appeal too quickly or break before New Year’s Day. For […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 When the staff at my nearest Chick-fil-A started calling me by name, I knew I’d probably crossed the line from “frequent guest” into “tea addict” or […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 I walked into a children’s museum recently and saw something that made me instantly happy. On one wall was a giant version of one of the […]
Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to sign up for some free passes to play laser tag at the coolest outdoor (or indoor, if you prefer!) tactical laser tag operation in Northwest […]
Just hearing the words Washington County Fair makes us all giddy inside! The fair is our family’s annual tradition, not to be missed. From the animals to the fair food (caramel apples! corn dogs! lemonade! […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 It happened – the rarest of family vacation experiences. It has never happened before and may never happen again, which is why I must document it […]
If your kids are like ours (or maybe you’re into it, too!), all they’ve talked about this week is Pokemon GO. Our teenagers have emerged from their bedrooms, blinking in the bright sunlight. They’re definitely […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Just when I thought the machines had truly taken over and that kids’ attention spans had shrunk down to the time it takes to download an […]
Dear Inside His Head, I took my 12-year-old daughter swimsuit shopping today and she modeled it for her dad when he got home from work (she really loves it). My husband later told me that […]
The Wilson Park Pool in Fayetteville opened recently and features programming all summer long. The Dive-In Movies series, sponsored by the Fayetteville Firefighters Association, kicks off this Friday, June 10, with the animated movie, “Tangled.” […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 After you become part of a couple or get married, “you” become a “we,” and “we” is a powerful pronoun. Couples begin many of their sentences […]
Strawberry Pic-nic, Dickey Farms Bring your picnic baskets, lawn chairs and instruments. Sunday, May 1st, beginning at 11 a.m.. They will be giving away free strawberry shortcake. Bring your own lunch and stay as long […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Chocolate chip cookies, the Slinky, Play-Doh, Post-It notes, and potato chips. The one thing they all have in common is this: They’re losers. Big fat mistakes. […]
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. ~ James 2:26 (NKJV) By Bro. John L. Cash Every summer I am the dean of a week […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Surprised. That’s how I look in my new driver’s license picture. I laughed when the woman at the DMV handed me the new card because that […]
Dear Inside His Head, The weather is getting warmer and my husband is starting to talk about camping out. He loves to camp in tents, but I’m more of a cabin camper. He feels like […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 My husband Tom once accused me of being unromantic. As much as I hate to admit it, I think he might be right. It’s ironic, too, […]
Dear Inside His Head, Unfortunately, it seems I have become the “enforcer” in our family and my husband is the “fun dad”. I get tired of being the bad cop, while my husbands gets to […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 All I wanted was a new paint color. That’s it. But that one little wish pushed over the first domino in a long line of chore-related […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Don’t tell my Beagle, but I’ve fallen in puppy love. My friend Shannon and her family just adopted an 8-week-old puppy from a local shelter, and […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Something about New Year’s resolutions has always stirred up a stubborn resentment in me. My inner toddler stomps her feet and yells, “No! I won’t do […]
Motherlode’s once-a-month feature, “Inside His Head” is written by an anonymous panel of husbands who give us the no-holds-barred truth about how guys really think. They’ve discussed gift-giving holidays, a few extra pounds (on their […]
By Shannon Magsam, Ladybug’s mama What is it about my new front porch? While looking for houses over the summer, I went to a house with a beautiful front porch. I didn’t realize how much […]
Dear Inside His Head, My husband of 7 years looks to me when he’s home from work and weekends for all his companionship and company. He literally has no friends. His one and only boyhood […]
Dear Inside His Head, I’m married to a great man who’s also a great dad, but I feel frustrated by his lack of romance. He says he’s “not very romantic” but I remember that he […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Charlie Brown and I have something in common. We’re both in love with and completely exasperated by a beagle. My fondness for Snoopy was one of […]
Dear Inside His Head, My husband and I totally disagree about when our daughter can wear makeup or the types of events she can attend with her friends (NOT dating). He wants her to stay […]
11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 My mom taught me not to brag, but I’ll make an exception this one time. Because after my last few trips to the grocery store, I’ve […]
In a recent giveaway we asked Northwest Arkansas mamas to tell us about a note-worthy “daring act” one of their kids has ever performed — unintentionally or not. In case you missed those priceless comments, […]
If you’ve ever wondered, “What was he THINKING?!” you’ll love this monthly feature. Here we go where women fear to tread — Inside His Head. Find out what men are thinking, delivered straight from the […]
So many times we visit other states and countries, but forget about the great options in our own backyard. So we’re plugging Little Rock into our GPS today. Specifically, we’re focusing on the downtown/Argenta section […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Well, that was a first. I just finished a conversation with my husband and there was 30,000 feet of vertical space between us at the time. […]
We hope you’re enjoying our new series, Outings under $20! This is the second installment of the series. Click here for the first outing recommendation (Lawrence Plaza Splash Pad/Friday Flicks). For this Outings under $20, […]
We really appreciate the dads who answer questions for us here on Inside His Head. Guys, you’ve helped us gain insight into how dudes think and have offered some great advice to women in Northwest […]
By Shannon Magsam, Ladybug’s mama and John’s wife We got a question from a mom recently (she sent it to the anonymous panel of our husbands who answer questions for our Motherlode feature, Inside His […]
Mamas, we’ve been doing some serious spring cleaning here on the website. We just celebrated our 7th “Blogoversary,” which means we’ve been publishing DAILY on this website for seven whole years. (Just to put this […]
Dear Inside His Head husbands, I know this is a problem, so I really want some help. I feel “bored” in my marriage and even when I try to do something new or suggest a […]
By Shannon Magsam I have a friend who may have thyroid cancer and I’m more than freaked out about it, but praying that she gets the help she needs, has surgery and gets the all-clear […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 The world that exists inside your own head is a much kinder, gentler world than the one outside. I know this because, inside my head, I’m […]
Can we start out by saying that we think the world of the owner at James + James? We first met James Smith when he was shooting video Christmas cards for families and then we […]
We had a great time yesterday visiting the new Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, which officially opens on Tuesday at 4116 N. College Ave. in Fayetteville. There are 93 Natural Grocers stores in 15 states, […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Tom did something shocking the other day. He came home from the store with a few things I’d asked him to pick up before the snowstorm […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 It happened again yesterday. I went to the store for “just a few things.” An hour and more than a hundred dollars later, I pushed an […]
Dear Inside His Head guys, My husband needs to lose weight. His BMI is 32, he has sleep apnea (snores some even with the CPAP), is on two medications to control high blood pressure and […]
By Shannon Magsam, Ladybug’s mama That headline is a joke, of course. I’d never hurt my kid – and neither would you — but sometimes my preshus snowflake can give me a certain look or […]
If you’re ready to truly see a world of wonderment and fantasy, Slava’s Snowshow will take you there. A bed becomes a boat in a storm-tossed sea; a woman is wrapped in cellophane and becomes […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 It pains me to say this, but it’s true: The people who live up North are tougher. There, I said it. It’s hard to admit because […]
Winter Break Wonders Date: Various dates in late December through Jan. 4 Time: Varies Location: Crystal Bridges Museum of Art More info: Click here Meet the Doctor: An Introduction to Doctor Who (Springdale Public Library) […]
December 1st Rogers Christmas Parade A community event featuring floats, marching bands, and walking units. Nearly 100 floats, marching bands, decorated cars, scouts, dogs, choirs and kids take part every year — each covered with […]
Dear Andi, My lips are chapped, my skin is dry and itchy, and it’s only the beginning of winter! What do you recommend for these problems? A: It seems like we went from summer to […]
Welcome back to Motherlode’s once-a-month feature, “Inside His Head” which is written by an anonymous panel of husbands. If you’ve got a question for our outspoken guys, just send it to mamas@nwaMotherlode.com and it may […]
Dear Inside His Head, My husband doesn’t seem to be able to say no to our kids. They’ll go to him rather than me when we’re shopping (for example) because they know he’ll let them […]
We have so much fun with our radio show, Mamas on Magic, which runs every weekday at 7:45 a.m. over at Magic 107.9. We recently talked about the “Mom Brain” during one of our 90-second […]
Dear Inside His Head husbands, My husband had an affair about a year ago and I just found out in a roundabout way through a friend. When I asked him about it, he admitted it […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 I tossed a new book into the beach bag and headed out the door with the kids to swim team practice. We both dove in – […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 My mom taught me not to brag, but I’ll make an exception this one time. Because after my last few trips to the grocery store, I’ve […]
Modern Mission Outdoor Laser Tag has added something new to its name: Indoor Battlefield. We took a little tour of Modern Mission’s new indoor facility this week and have news to report back to our […]
Dear Inside His Head, My husband and I are leaving on a big trip soon without the kids. The problem is, we can’t agree on which relatives would take our kids if something happened to […]
Wow, we can’t believe the NWA Mom Prom is tomorrow night! Our site host was having some technical difficulties yesterday, but we have a FEW tickets left if you want to join the prom party! […]
Welcome back to Inside His Head, a monthly feature on nwaMotherlode which offers women an opportunity to take a little spin inside the minds of men. From time to time, all women ask themselves this […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Tom did something shocking the other day. He came home from the store with a few things I’d asked him to pick up before the next […]
Dear Inside His Head, My husband doesn’t have any friends he likes to do things with, so he wants to do everything with me. I love hanging out with him, but I don’t like it […]
3 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:3 (NKJV) […]
Dear Inside His Head, Valentine’s Day is coming up and I know I shouldn’t care about whether I receive something — or what it is — but I do. I would appreciate a modest gift […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 ‘Twas the day before Christmas when I got a splinter in my eye that nearly ruined everything. I was 7 years old and all set to […]
Thanks to Debi Pfitzenmaier of San Antonio Busy Kids for sharing her thoughts about her hometown of San Antonio. This great city review is making us want to visit SA — ASAP! When I’m in […]
The Lewis’ and their four kids are grateful this Thanksgiving week for friends, family — and that brand new FRIDGE! Tamara Lewis won the Big Chill Giveaway from Metro Appliances & More and it will […]
Like so many women (and a few men, too), I don’t like getting my picture made. It’s ironic, too, because I love photography and the way pictures tell a story or capture a mood. So […]
Dear Inside His Head, My husband is constantly in a bad mood and I can’t figure out what’s wrong. I have tried to give him more attention and to cheer him up, but it just […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 A wonderful thing happened yesterday. While my 6-year-old daughter tapped her way through dance class, I got a much needed dose of “baby.” One of the […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Last weekend I only had one little chore on my “to do” list. It said, “Clean a cabinet.” I’ve been systematically working my way through each […]
Dear Inside His Head, My husband had what I would call an “emotional relationship” with a co-worker last year, but he has since taken a new job and we are working on our marriage. He […]
We were recently approached by the company BooginHead about reviewing some of their fun products, the Squeez’Ems pouches, PaciGrip and PaciPouch. The customizable pacis and PaciGrips are apparently all the rage, even among royalty. People […]
There’s one main reason why we mama types don’t go to the spa as often as we need to. It all comes down to the old “wants versus needs” argument. You probably know it well […]
Happy Monday, mamas! We hope your week is off to a good start. This week during our Mamas on Magic 107.9 segments, we’re talking about some of the articles that have received the most clicks, […]
By Andi Douglas, nwaMotherlode.com beauty editor Recently, I discovered a list of yummy foods that will help me get glowing skin while stuffing my face. The experts at www.lifescript.com published a list of 10 complexion-boosting […]
PLEASE NOTE: The Tinkering Studio (which had a sampling of the museum’s exhibits) is NOT open for regular visiting hours. There may be future events scheduled for the Tinkering Studio, so keep an eye on […]
Fireworks/Independence Day Events in Northwest Arkansas! 6th Annual Fireworks at the Crosses Date: Sunday, June 30 Time: 5-10 p.m. Location: The Cross Church at Pinnacle More info: Click here Bella Vista Independence Day Fireworks Date: […]
By Andi Douglas, nwaMotherlode.com beauty editor Is your makeup making you sick? Or the cause of the mystery pimple that just popped up? Unfortunately, that just might be the case. Here are a few tricks […]
Have you ever wondered, or said aloud: “What was he THINKING?!” Well, so have we! That’s why we started this feature on Motherlode — to find out what men are thinking, delivered straight from the […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 I’m beginning to question that old saying about how we all “put our pants on one leg at a time.” Because lately, I’m noticing plenty of […]
Grab your little girls and head out this weekend to one of the Barbie Cross-Country Experience events! I took my 6-year-old daughter Kate to one today in Rogers, and she had a blast. It’s totally […]
Guest post by Shawnna at Small Talk Mama If your kids are already out of school and you’re looking for something fun to do together, we have a super cute idea to share today via […]
We all have those days when the idea of making dinner (again?) just makes us tired. Or we’ve been running around all day and the family gets home late and everybody is hungry right now. […]
By Shannon Magsam On the 3-hour drive to my parents’ house to celebrate Mother’s Day last Friday night, my husband, Ladybug and I were chatting happily. Suddenly, we noticed a car was speeding up the […]
Dear Denise, My neighbor’s dog is constantly coming into my yard and causing my dog to bark like crazy from inside the house. It drives me nuts. I like my neighbor and his dog, but […]
Want to help us plan the playlist for the NWA Mom Prom on May 4th? You do? Fabulous! We’ll even reward you for helping. Share your favorite dance song for a chance to win a […]
You may have heard about a little event we’re throwing on May 4th called the NWA Mom Prom. Well, as you know, it’s a women-only event, but there will be a few two-dimensional men stopping […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 When you give birth to your second child (or third or fourth or fifth), the nice people at the hospital usually give you a little gift […]
Ever wondered what goes on inside the male mind? Have no idea what your husband is thinking sometimes? Yep, we get it. That’s why we asked three local husbands to tell us what goes on […]
By Dr. Cheryl Hull, dermatologist and owner of Hull Dermatology Most women are concerned about the visibility of their facial pores. There are three main things that cause pores to enlarge: genetics, age and sun […]
Dear Inside His Head, I found a questionable email from my husband’s female co-worker when I was on his account the other day. I was looking for a deal coupon to print out, but couldn’t […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 One of the surest signs of aging is the ability to get hurt in bed – even when all you’ve done is G-rated sleep. I […]
Want a family pet but not quite ready for dog hair on the sofa or the challenges of keeping a litter box cleaned?We get it. Click the blue bar below to hear about the low […]
Well, it’s officially 2013 and we want to be among the first to wish you a Happy New Year! We hope the year is off to a good start and you’re able to spend the […]
Dear Santa, By now you’ve probably received letters from my kids. Don’t worry about the length of their wish lists. I’ve told them not to expect everything on the list to show up under the […]
By Jade Stone Well a few weeks has passed and now it’s early December! I’m not sure where November went but it is definitely gone! We were able to find out what the new baby […]
Happy Friday, mamas! Are you heading out to do a little holiday shopping this weekend? We know how hard it is to not get caught up in the Christmas rush and end up spending too […]
Dear Inside His Head guys, This might sound rude, but my husband is obsessed with not spending money. With Christmas coming up, I can already feel my blood pressure going up. I’ll want to spend […]
Happy Thanksgiving, mamas! Today in our Mamas on Magic 107.9 segment, we gave a big shout-out to family and friends we’re thankful for and that includes this amazing community of women here at Motherlode. We […]
With Thanksgiving comes thoughts of food. Lots and lots of food! That has us reading books about food. And these all have lots of great recipes to try. The Kitchen Counter Cooking School: How a […]
Dear Guys, Sometimes I really feel that my husband favors one of our daughters over the other. He seems to prefer our oldest. Our younger child doesn’t seem to notice, but I know she will […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Here’s an ugly secret mothers try to deny, even to ourselves: Sometimes we buy our daughters a few extra things we probably shouldn’t. Is it because […]
Hi guys. My husband hates how much time I spend on Facebook. He’s not on there so he doesn’t get how much fun it can be to catch up with people and see what’s going […]
Shannon Magsam and Gwen Rockwood are the lead bloggers and co-founders of nwaMotherlode.com. To read more about them, head over to the “About the Mamas” page by clicking here. But first, check out this page […]
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NKJV) “The Missing Information By Bro. John L. […]
Dear Inside His Head husbands, Whenever we go to the local pool, my husband always stares at other women. I’m not really the “jealous type” but he is so obvious that I can’t help but […]
By Shannon Magsam Gwen asked me this week whether my husband and I had fun on our few days of “alone time” during vacation. I told her yes and then said something I suddenly realized […]
2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of […]
It’s vacay time! Do you know where you’re headed? We thought it would be fun to enlist the help of fellow mamas across the blogosphere to give us the low-down on their hometowns — places […]
By Shannon Magsam Do you ever get to the end of summer and realize you never did all that stuff you planned to do? The stuff you wanted to do? And then do you try […]
When we ask moms about their favorite Motherlode features, they often mention “Inside His Head”. It’s just downright interesting (and often entertaining) to see what’s going on in there because heavens know we’re often stumped. […]
Note from the mamas: Congratulations to April Parkhurst-Harp, winner of this giveaway! We’ve got one word for you, mamas: DAUGHTRY. And here are a few more words: Four free tickets to see Chris Daughtry live […]
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV) By Bro. John L. Cash, “Country Preacher Dad” I try not to give unsolicited […]
Dear Inside His Head, My question is about pets. My kids (5 and 7) have been dying to get a new puppy or kitten, but my husband is not a fan of the idea. Any […]
OK, ladies, it’s time to travel back to that strange land that we (sometimes) just don’t understand … “Inside His Head”. Inside His Head has become very popular with the mamas, since women have a […]
Mamas, we know you work hard every day and usually put yourself last on the list. We KNOW you deserve some pampering. That’s why we brought back the Spa Girl Giveaway. And this week’s package […]
We mamas do love pictures, especially the cute ones of our kids. So it’s especially annoying when what should have been a really great picture turns out to be not-so-great because there wasn’t enough light […]
By Haley Villines Teaching kids to be independent is one of the hardest parts of our jobs as parents. We want our children to grow and learn, but there’s always that small part of us […]
By Shannon Magsam I don’t really like the word resolutions. So at the beginning of a new year, I prefer to set “goals” instead. Instead of a bunch of random ideas, I plan one or […]
By Shannon Magsam, Ladybug’s mama I got a horse! I got a horse! I mean, my daughter got a horse. My parents actually went out and bought the grandkids a horse. Unfortunately, they live 2 […]
Welcome back to Inside His Head, a monthly feature on nwaMotherlode which offers women an opportunity to take a little spin inside the minds of men. This month we wanted to ask our anonymous panel […]
By Jade Stone I hope this finds your holiday season running smoothly. I don’t know about you, but sometimes it feels like every year it becomes more and more stressful. But this year, I was […]
Dear Inside His Head husbands, My 5-year-old son has moved away from Thomas the Tank Engine toys to wanting toy soldiers and plastic guns. I’m not really comfortable with him having “weapons” even if they […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 When I was growing up, our little church congregation sang a handful of favorite hymns over and over again. And the one that replays in my […]
We don’t like to shout but we think this next statement is worthy of all caps, so here goes: WE’RE GIVING AWAY A NEW FRENCH DOOR REFRIGERATOR COURTESY OF METRO APPLIANCES & MORE — JUST […]
Dear Inside His Head guys, My family (parents, siblings, nieces, nephews) as a whole drives my husband nuts and it’s getting close to that time of year when we’re all together a lot. He’s not […]
By Carrie Perrien Smith Now that the dust has settled on back-to-school season, you’ve had a chance to breathe. Maybe you just sent your last child off to college or you just reflected on those […]
October 2011! First Fridays – Bentonville Activities, food and live music for the whole family! Held on the Bentonville square March through November. Date: Fridays *October’s event is a special Oktoberfest* Time: 11:30am – 1pm […]
Dear Guys, My husband tells his mother things I really would prefer she NOT know about me. His mother is very handy and I’m not, so he might tell her I forgot to put primer […]
5 ¶ Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Colossians 4:5 (NKJV) By Bro. John L. Cash, “Country Preacher Dad” Today, something wonderful is happening. It’s something I’ve looked forward to […]
Dear Husbands, It’s almost time for football season to start and from experience I know that my husband will soon be so engrossed in all the games that the kids and I will feel nonexistent. […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 A calm settled over the house this morning at 7:45 a.m. It hasn’t been this quiet here since early June. I can hear the hum of […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Tucked deep inside the human brain is a part of the anatomy yet to be officially documented by modern science. It’s a small, round filter – […]
Guys, My husband is on his phone constantly. He’s talking, texting or reading while we’re eating dinner or trying to enjoy time with the kids. It drives me crazy. I’ve told him it’s rude, but […]
Dear Mother Nature, Clearly, something is bothering you. Why don’t we just talk about it? Keeping your feelings bottled up like this isn’t healthy, you know, and when you get steamed, the rest of us […]
By Jade Stone I hope you all had an amazing Fourth of July with your families. I know I did! As you may already know or at least suspect, I come from a long line […]
Dear Inside His Head, My husband wants to go on an expensive vacation this summer, but I don’t think we should spend the money (it would set us back on our financial goals). I’d like […]
Editor’s note: Several months ago, we found out that one of our very own Motherlode mamas was setting sail on Disney’s newest cruise ship called “Disney Dream,” which made its debut early this year. So […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 At some point, almost everyone has to go through all the stuff they acquired during childhood. Some people do it before they leave for college. Some […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 As reported in an earlier column, we had to say goodbye to one of our dogs recently who was so ill that we made the tough […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 I pulled up to the computer keyboard today feeling refreshed after a relaxing Mother’s Day weekend. This year I received – in order of importance – […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Today Tom and I faced the moment we’ve both dreaded for weeks now. We took our sweet blonde dog, Holly, to the vet’s office, and we […]
Dear Dads, I have two children (7 girl and 5 boy) and I’m dating a man that I could imagine marrying. He’s kind and considerate, but he sometimes seems overwhelmed by my kids. Is this […]
By Jade Stone Have you ever had one of those weeks where everything that could go wrong did and there seemed to be no end to the onslaught of impending deadlines at work, and yet […]
Guys, My husband has started drinking two or three beers every day after work. It’s really starting to bother me. He drinks even more on the weekends. I think it has to do with work […]
Hello Denise, I would like your recommendation(s) for a pet for our family. Specifically, we would like to get our 6-year-old son a puppy; he is an only child. We want this to be our […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 A few days ago I did something I don’t normally do. I took two of our three kids out shopping. Typically I arrange to shop solo […]
Dear Guys, My husband is what I’d call a cheapskate. For example, I love to go out to dinner, but he always wants to eat at home because it’s “cheaper”. He also complains when I […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Tom did something shocking the other day. He came home from the store with a few things I’d asked him to pick up before the snowstorm […]
¶ Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 We thought it was over. Three months ago, I wrote about a squirrel invasion in our garage and the two-week battle my husband waged against them […]
Did you think the third day of the cleanse was the hardest? I did! On Wednesday I got my hair cut. That usually means a Dr. Pepper while I have my tresses trimmed. Heavenly. Except […]
Welcome to www.nwaMotherlode.com, an “online getaway” for Northwest Arkansas mamas. Created by two local mothers who are also professional writers, this site combines your favorite features from women’s magazines with the interactivity of the Internet. […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 If you’re looking for one of those peppy New Year’s blog posts, click to a new page now before I disappoint you. I just don’t have […]
Believe it or not, your washing machine might smell weird because you’re using too much soap! Our friends at Metro Appliances & More recently sent us an article about what actually causes bad smells to […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 ‘Twas the day before Christmas when I got a splinter in my eye that nearly ruined everything. I was 7 years old and all set to […]
Dear Inside His Head husbands, My husband and I used to flirt a lot, especially when we would go to parties or events. We just went to a holiday party and I noticed he didn’t […]
By Jade Stone I bet, no matter where you are, or what you are doing, you are merely a stone’s throw away from hearing Christmas carols float through the air and seeing the flair of […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Today I slipped on a jacket I hadn’t worn in a long time. I walked outside and shivered when I felt how cold the wind was, […]
Dear Inside His Head guys, My husband always buys me lingerie for Christmas. It’s never the right size and is always a little too risque for me. I feel like this is a present for […]
With Halloween coming up, we started wondering: “what scares guys the most?” Typically, guys don’t “seem” to worry but we know they do. So we asked the anonymous panel of Inside His Head husbands […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 When 6-year-old Jack told me he wanted to sign up for soccer this fall, I knew there’d be trouble. Not for Jack, though. He’s one of […]
If you’ve ever wondered “What in the heck was he thinking?” then you should definitely turn on your radio and listen to the discussion on Magic 107.9 this morning. We’ll be there talking with radio […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Here’s an ugly little secret we mothers try to deny, even to ourselves: Sometimes we buy our daughters a few extra things we probably shouldn’t. Is […]
Time for another installment of “Inside His Head”! This month’s question is about husbands, money and the toys they still enjoy. If you’ve got a question for our anonymous panel of husbands, send it to […]
Dear dads, I’m pregnant with my first baby and my husband really doesn’t seem excited. I’m having a hard time with his reaction. We discussed having kids when we were dating, so that’s not […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 When you’re a mother of three with a little experience under your belt, you should really know better. But last night I made a classic rookie […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Most men don’t fully understand this, but sometimes a woman walks into a room in her house and knows, with certainty, that something has GOT to […]
Dear Inside His Head husbands, Whenever we go to the local pool, my husband always stares at other women. I’m not really the “jealous type” but he is so obvious that I can’t help […]
By Jade Stone As many of you know, I grew up military in a mostly blended family with my mom, stepdad, and brother. Though my “real dad” lived far away in Ft Bragg, NC, […]
Time for another installment of “Inside His Head”! This month’s question is about Father’s Day, which is Sunday, June 20. If you’ve got a question for our anonymous panel of husbands, send it to mamas@nwaMotherlode.com […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 When you give birth to your second child (or third or fourth or fifth), the nice people at the hospital usually give you a little gift […]
10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” ~ Psalm 51:10 (NKJV) By Bro. John L. Cash, “Country Preacher Dad” When you’ve been at a country church […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Three-year-old Kate had her annual check-up a few weeks ago. I expected a good report because she has been blessed with good health – good appetite, […]
Welcome back to nwaMotherlode’s once-a-month feature, “Inside His Head” which is written by an anonymous panel of husbands. If you’ve got a question for our outspoken guys, just send it to mamas@nwaMotherlode.com and it […]
By Dr. Cheryl Hull, dermatologist and owner of Hull Dermatology Most women are concerned about the visibility of their facial pores. There are three main things that cause pores to enlarge: genetics, age and sun […]
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NKJV) “The Missing Information By Bro. John L. […]
OK, mamas, admit it. Sometimes you just can’t figure out what’s going on “Inside His Head”. We’re here to help. This feature is all about what guys really think. If you’ve got a question for […]
You’ve probably noticed our big invitation to “Take the Video Tour!” at the very top of the website, complete with our cheesy grins. Have you watched the video? James at nwaFamily Video did a great […]
2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of […]
We wives really like to know what’s going on “Inside His Head”. So this feature is all about what guys really think. If you’ve got a question for our anonymous panel of husbands just […]
Welcome, girls. It’s that time of the month again — time to journey back “Inside His Head”. If you’ve got a question for our anonymous panel of husbands just send it to mamas@nwaMotherlode.com and it […]
Welcome back to Motherlode’s monthly feature, “Inside His Head” which is written by an anonymous panel of husbands. This month we’ve added a new guy to the mix for your continued edification into the male […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 I’ve got that familiar feeling of pre-trip anxiety today. I’m packing up what feels like our entire house for a short five-day trip to Minneapolis to […]
By Shannon Magsam, nwaMotherlode.com mom A college injury helped Dr. Kelley Hensley make up her mind about which medical field to pursue. She was studying pre-medicine at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Mo., […]
Hey guys, I really dislike my husband’s best friend. He comes over and treats our place like a frat house, stays too long and isn’t particularly friendly to me. What would you three think if […]
By Shannon Magsam, Ladybug’s faint-hearted mama I hate scary movies. I don’t like filling my mind with images I inevitably recall at inopportune moments –like when I’m walking out to my car in a dark […]
When we ask moms about their favorite Motherlode features, they often mention “Inside His Head”. It’s just downright interesting (and often entertaining) to see what’s going on in there because heavens know we’re often stumped. […]
Well, we’re headed into fall and winter, which means we’ll be spending way more time inside. And hanging out at home is sure to remind us of all the things we love about our house […]
Welcome back to Motherlode’s once-a-month feature, “Inside His Head” which is written by an anonymous panel of husbands. If you’ve got a question for our outspoken guys, just send it to mamas@nwaMotherlode.com and it may […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 It’s way too early on Monday morning, and here I sit, slumped over my keyboard staring bleary-eyed at the computer screen. This column is due to […]
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” 1 Corinthians 10:12 NASB By Bro. John L. Cash, “Country Preacher Dad” All the people I know who grew up shooting […]
So do men get a raw deal when it comes to misconceptions? Are they tired of the stereotypes? We gave our anonymous panel of local husbands a chance to set the record straight. Q: What’s […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 At some point, we all have to accept that there are some things we don’t do well. New mothers typically try to be Supermom for a […]
OK, this one’s a touchy subject, but inquiring moms want to know … about cheating. Our panel of husbands (whose identities will remain anonymous for their privacy) have stepped up to the plate to answer […]
By Rhonda Franz A group of moms from Northwest Arkansas offer up tips they use during the cooking process. From making flavorful stew to cooking potatoes to planning ahead, these ideas can help you make […]
Motherlode’s new, once-a-month feature, “Inside His Head” has become very popular with the mamas. We women have a million questions about why men do the things they do. Our panel of husbands (whose identities will […]
By Jackie Helton, the Music Mama It’s April, so it’s inevitable that we’ll have a few showers before spring’s flowers can emerge. When you’re stuck inside during a downpour, listen to this playlist we […]
Today marks the launch of a new feature on the website we’re calling “Inside His Head.” And guess who’s doing all the talking? MEN! Most women often wonder, either aloud or silently, what in the […]
By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 The kids and I were glued to the television last night as the six o’clock news played. A big ice storm had already begun to move […]
The ice storm messed up our original date for Girls Night Out, so this week we’re even more ready to get out of the house for dinner and a movie with the girls!! For those […]
By Gwen and Shannon, nwaMotherlode mamas For two women accustomed to reporting the news, it was quite a mental leap for us to actually be the news. Yes, the tables were turned and we were […]
By Shannon Magsam As soon as I got in the room with the boob-squashing machine, the delay tactics began. Along with that cute little gown that was really the size of a dickie (so I […]
“Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 (NKJV) By Bro. John L. Cash, “Country Preacher Dad” I got ambushed by Christmas this year. I just didn’t see him coming. I […]
It was a dark and stormy night. Well, actually it wasn’t. I wish it had been because that would’ve been a cool way to begin this Halloween story. But the truth is it was an […]
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of […]
“I hate you!” Ladybug announced and when I looked surprised by the outburst, she informed with me with a giggle: “It’s opposite day!” Um-kay. Thanks for the advance warning. Opposite Day is one of her […]
By Shannon Magsam, Ladybug’s mama December 2007: I sat on my 5-year-old daughter’s bed at 10:28 on a school night silently berating myself for letting her drink hot chocolate at Tim’s Pizza earlier. We had […]
By Gwen Rockwood, mama of 3 Three days ago I sat on the floor to play with our 18-month-old and noticed how she sometimes wrinkles up her nose when she thinks something is funny. “That […]
So, yeah. This infertility thing. I know there are people out there who would object to me being called an infertile because I do already have a child. But I’ve tried for almost two years […]
By Gwen RockwoodThis week I did an interview with Dr. John Huskins, a physician who performs several different types of cosmetic procedures at Mercy Health System in Rogers. I asked him the top 10 questions […]
Two weeks ago I had one of those moments of crisis when the only person I could really talk to, the only person I could fall apart with, was my mom. So I called her […]
A recent e-mail response I sent to an inquiring friend: “Yes, everything’s going well, except for the dead goldfish in my freezer. My husband tried to save it this morning by placing it in fresh […]
By Kassie Misiewicz Jan. 9, 2007: 6:30 p.m. — I’m at a TheatreSquared board meeting and I’m feeling some contractions. I know the minute I say something, everyone will freak out and think that I’m […]
I don’t believe in reincarnation. But if I did, I might think that legendary sports announcer Howard Cosell has returned to earth as my 6-year-old son. The sports bug sunk its teeth into Adam shortly […]
This morning I looked out the kitchen window and saw our dogs, Holly and E.J., lying on the deck in a patch of sunlight. Sprawled out alongside each other, the curve of their backs fit […]
Lessons learned in an unglamorous life Parenthood is not a glamorous sport. Often it can be downright humbling. Some days, it sneaks a toe over the line into “humiliating.” Last Sunday was one of those […]
I told myself it was pointless, that I was a hypochondriac, that I was torturing myself for no good reason. It was the eve of my first surgery ever – unless you count the c-section […]
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