Name: Britney Yvonne Schrag

Your daughter’s name and age? Mia Bella Schrag (She turned 3 on February 28th!)

Tell us about work: I was a Head Start teacher for 5 years… It is an amazing program that goes beyond the education of the enrolled child, to helping the entire family learn how to become successful as a whole… Most people just assume it is a preschool or childcare, but there is a lot more to it.

Right now I am super part-time at the Fayetteville Athletic Club’s Kid’s Fit Fun Factory. You will usually see me with a little one on my hip or playing in the nursery. And the best part is my toddler is right there with me! It is a really fun childcare facility with a huge gym, toy area, and a giant maze-tunnel-slide area. The maze is Bella’s favorite!

OK, tell us about this picture: My husband, Brad, was a ladybug, Bella a garden fairy, and I was a flower. That’s what happens when a toddler picks the costumes

Where were you born and raised? Born-Santa Cruz, CA… Raised-Mostly in the Hot Springs, AR area…. I went to Lake Hamilton Schools.

Last song you sang along with? Good Good End, by Waterdeep

Favorite vacation location? During my first trimester with Bella, my husband and I took a driving & camping trip up to Detroit (camped outside Detroit-SCARY) then went over to Toronto, Canada, and to Niagra Falls. I’m always hesitant to go to touristy places because most are all hype…. Not so with Niagra, everyone should go to Niagra Falls, it is beyond words and pictures. We had the best Indian food ever, in Toronto. It is an amazing, clean, cultural town…..

Favorite restaurant in NWA? We love to eat out and there are a ton of great restaurants in NWA…. Pizza-Damgoode Pies,  Italian-Pesto Cafe, American-Marketplace, Greek-Kosmos…. Breakfast-Chicken Biscuit from Chick-fil-a…

Favorite chick flick? “UP!”…. There were some tears during that movie…..

Is there a character on a television show that reminds you of yourself? “Red” from Fraggle Rock

What’s something that makes you cringe? Seeing people with mental illnesses not getting the help they need from the health care system and families/friends not know how to help….and snakes…. and snot…..

Where did you first lay eyes on your husband? Our first year at the University of Kansas. He walked into our English class with shorts on. It was below freezing and snowing outside!

Was it love at first sight? My eyes are opened to new things every day. That first day no…. but the first time I really saw HIM, yes it was love at first sight

What are your favorite parenting moments? The Aha! moments…. both hers and mine She recently learned a trick for getting her jacket on the right way. She’s been performing for everyone we see. Like a little magician….

What’s your favorite way to get your daughter laughing again after a hard day? She is super ticklish… and loves to be startled…. Soo there are a great many ways to get her laughing.

What is a tradition you hope to pass on to your daughter? To show God’s love to people in everything she does…. and to eat the first black olive at Thanksgiving!

A meal you make over and over for her? Chicken Tortilla Soup…Here is the recipe!

Your most-loved hobbies? Anything Challenging and Creative…. In the past couple years, I’ve learned how to Silk Screen T-shirts, make paper, plant a garden, Scrapbook, Sew… And recently bake homemade breads and cakes from scratch!  There have been successes and failures in each project, but that is part of what I love!

Your idea of a relaxing day? A day and space where I can lay out all my materials for a big new challenging crafty/art project…. and just work on it with no other distractions, get lost in the project.

One word to sum me up … Feisty (with a heart full of love)

Your full name: Elizabeth Horton Tarver (I go by Elyse, I just “decided” one day a long time ago to do that. My parents weren’t exactly thrilled with the name change and still call me Elizabeth!)

Your son’s name and age: Jackson, 2 years 9 months

Where are you originally from? Tulsa, Oklahoma

What does your favorite outfit say about you? That I like classic simplicity with a little bit of zing!! (Black cowlneck sweater, dark washed jeans, and the trendiest pointiest-toed heels I can find! I love shoes!)

If you cooked for me, what meal would you make? My mom’s recipe for Chicken and Noodles. If I had to choose a last meal, this would be it. Ultimate comfort food, and easy. You should come over some time!

What is one of the funniest things that’s happened to you as a mom? My five year old nephew taught my son the “F” word.. Well, not THE “F” word but the one that involves passing gas. There is nothing like being at a nice restaurant while your son announces to all “MOMMY FARTED!!” as loud as he can. I swear, it was the ketchup bottle!! Of course, when he saw the big laugh he got out of that, he had to go around the table and accuse EVERYONE of doing it, including his grandparents! I think we all were cracking up over that one. Thankfully, he has forgotten that word for now, though I’m sure it will appear again, probably at Church!

One of the worst? It’s actually one of the worst and one of the best. We adopted Jackson at birth. His incredible birth mother had 10 days to change her mind. I remember holding him the first night we brought him home from the hospital and looking into his eyes, praying as hard as I had ever prayed that he would be our son forever. The thought that he could have been taken from me at any second during those ten days, along with knowing that a young girl who I loved dearly was grieving the loss of her child, made me an absolute wreck during those 10 days. It was a very tough time, but so incredibly worth it.

What are your favorite hobbies? I’m into hard core couponing, which sounds so dorky, but it’s fun and much needed these days! My personal best is when I saved $31 at Walmart, though the people behind me in line were not exactly appreciative of my endeavor.

Which song best fits your life right now? I’ll kick it back to old school 1990’s:”Hand in my Pocket” by Alanis Morrisette. Life is all about balance, something I am still learning to do everyday!

What’s something you’re really looking forward to? I’m in a local mom’s club that literally keeps me sane. We go out a few times a month for “Mom’s Only” dinners. There is one next week, I’m already trying to figure out what to wear! Great gals, great conversation and the best part…no kids OR husbands to entertain during dinner!

Something you’d like to forget? We did years and years of fertility treatments before deciding to adopt. Synthetic hormones made me insane. Every month we would find out we were not pregnant, and every month my heart would break a little more. I had a lot of guilt because I couldn’t give my husband a biological child. When I look at Jackson now, I wouldn’t change a thing, and I know my husband  feels the same way. DNA does not matter at all when it comes to love- Jackson is every bit a part of us, as we are of him.

How do you like to relax? I grab a trashy celebrity gossip magazine, run a hot bath with tons of bubbles, settle in and get caught up in the lives of Brangelina and see what celebrity fashions are in style; you know, important stuff!

What’s your favorite place in NWA to hang out with Jackson? When it is nice outside, I love the Pinnacle Mall playground. I usually rent him a car stroller there, do a little retail therapy, let him play for a bit, split a sundae at Dairy Queen, and finish the day with a carousel ride. It doesn’t get any better than that!

What’s your go-to NWA date night activity? Dinner anywhere that doesn’t hand out crayons and coloring placemats. We really like to try to find new lesser known places to try. We will sometimes try to see a movie that doesn’t involve talking animals or cartoon vehicles in it as well.

If a genie granted you three wishes,what would they be? Perfect health for those I love, I would love to adopt another child again soon, and financial security for the rest of our lives.

Best advice you received about motherhood? Listen to your intuition, and ignore everyone who tries to give you unsolicited advice.

One word to sum me up … Lively

Name: Nuvia Swanson

Daughter’s name and age: Jada, 6 years old

Where do you live in NWA? Lowell

Where were you born and raised? I was born El Salvador, moved to Los Angeles, CA when I was 6yrs old then moved to Rogers, AR when I was 16 yrs old. Junior year in High School, hated every bit of it. But my parents felt this was a much better place to raise us 3 kids. I have a younger sister (Leslie) lives in Texas and younger brother (Geoff) lives in Rogers.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? As of right now, only place is NWA.

Your favorite vacation spot? St Thomas USVI. It’s very beautiful there. We were there just last summer, my fav island was St John.

If you went back to college what would you study? I would definitely go into the medical field.

What’s your work background and current occupation? Banking is all I know. I was blessed to go into banking while still in high school and haven’t done anything different. I am currently employed by a wonderful company here in NW Arkansas and have been with them since May 1998.

If you had a whole weekend to yourself what would you do? Shopping. Shopping is my weakness.

What are some of your favorite things to do with Jada? Shop, cuddle, play with Barbie dolls

How did you tell your husband about being pregnant with baby No. 2? We had been trying for 8 months and so when I was about 5 days late, I took a pregnancy test at home. After so many negative results, this time I had not gotten my hopes up. So when it said “pregnant” I could not believe it. I ran across the house with the stick in my hand and showed it to him with little hesitation. I will find out the sex of the baby in May or June. I am currently 8 wks along.

What traditions do you hope to pass on to your children? Always celebrate birthdays with a cake & candles.

What’s a make-up essential you couldn’t live without? Mascara.

What would you do with the unexpected gift of lots of cash? Even though I love to shop, believe it or not, that would not be my first thing. I would try to be a blessing. Give unto others, as I give unto you. (sound familiar?)

What are your favorite hobbies? Scrapbooking, reading magazines, watching movies.

What was the best parenting advice you received? Cherish every moment whether it be good or bad.

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would a good title be? Against all Odds.

One word to sum me up … Grateful.

Name: Ambre Brewster

Child(ren)’s names and ages:  Kurtis “Owen”- 2.5 years and Addyson- 8 months

Where are you originally from? Born in Mississauga Ontario but grew up in Joplin, MO

Do you have any New Year’s Resolutions? I want to try to not eat out as much! I also want to try to go to a cash system instead of a “use your credit card and pay it off every month” system.

What does your favorite outfit say about you? I’m a tired mom of two!!!  It is my comfy, fleece pants with a matching vest (that is used to cover up the most recent stain either my son, daughter, or myself has gotten on my shirt).

What is one of the funniest things that’s happened to you as a mom? We took Owen, who was bald with very fair skin, to Singapore and we went to the zoo. While we were there we were followed by a group of tourists. We couldn’t figure out why they were following us until one of them got the courage to ask us if they could take a picture with our baby! It was amazing to us how many people wanted their picture with him! We laugh that he was more photographed than the animals there!

One of the worst? When Owen was a couple of months old he was bit on the head by an older kid.  This was his first injury of any kind. I think I cried more than he did!

What are your favorite hobbies? Does watching Reality TV count as a hobby???? If so, count me in!!! I also like to blog, cheer for the Razorbacks, and travel! (Check out Ambre’s blog here: )

Something you’re really looking forward to: As cheesy as it sounds, I look forward to each new day with my kids!!  What funny thing is Owen going to say or what new “trick” is Addyson going to learn?  We will be traveling with my husband to Baharain in Febuary. Should be an interesting trip with the kids! I’m looking forward to visiting a Middle Eastern country but am not looking forward to the 17 hours of flying with 2 very active kids!

Tell us about a day in the life of Ambre: 60% of the year, I am a single mom to 2 kids and 2 dogs.  This means waking up early (6 a.m. unless I’m lucky enough to sleep until 7:15). Twice a week Owen goes to Mt. Comfort Church of Christ’s Sonshine School from 9-1. These days I get to bond with Addyson and get errands done. I really try to avoid going to the store with both kids by myself if I can! After naps, we all play in the den. We love to dance as a family! We turn on the music as loud as we can and dance in a circle (sometimes we’ll grab an instrument or two). Then it is dinner and bed by 7:30 for the kids and usually I’m not far behind (unless I have Survivor or Amazing Race waiting for me on the DVR!!!)!!!

When my husband is home life is very different!! He gets up with the kids so I can stay in bed! Even if I can’t go back to sleep, I enjoy just laying in bed and watching the Today Show!

We keep pretty busy with activities through the MOMS Club of Fayetteville where I’m the Vice President!  Life in the Brewster home is busy and crazy but a lot of fun!!!

My favorite moments are: When my son comes up and gives me a BIG squeeze or my daughter leans in and gives me a big slobbery kiss! I love to sit on the couch snuggled up to my husband and watch the kids play. When I was pregnant with Addyson I was so afraid of how it was going to affect Owen and watching them play I love to see how all of my worries were for nothing! He loves to make her laugh and she loves to laugh at him! We are so blessed!

How do you like to unwind? With a beverage of choice in front of one of my favorite shows!

What’s your favorite place in NWA to hang out with the kids? Chick-fil-a is a favorite place for us!  They are so kid friendly, it is good food, and the kids can play while the adults talk! Also, any Razorback event is a lot of fun with the kids!

Favorite NWA date night activity? We like to go to JJ’s and listen to the music and play touchscreen!

Best advice you received as a mom? To enjoy each phase and never wish away the stage your child is in (It is great she is sitting, but I can’t wait until she is crawling. It is great she is crawling, but I can’t wait until she is walking). This has really helped me enjoy each stage for exactly what it is!

Something that has surprised you about motherhood? I didn’t know being the mom of 2 was going to be twice as much work! In order to convince my husband that we were ready for another baby, I told him, “I’m already making lunch what for one, it won’t be that big of a deal to make it for two”. Well I didn’t think about bathing 2, or putting 2 to bed at the same time, or dressing 2 versus 1!  I wouldn’t trade it for anything I just hope my family and friends understand when I forget their birthday or show up 15 minutes late to something! : )

One word to sum me up …  busy