Mackenzie Newland

This mom is learning that toddlers are their own people with strong opinions, and that some days, you just have to slow down and laugh.

Family comes first.

All families are unique. Tell us about yours.

Our family is small but full of heart. My husband, James, is a stay-at-home dad and truly my biggest supporter. When I became pregnant during my master’s program, he was the one who encouraged me to keep going and make my dream a reality. James is also a huge car enthusiast and can happily spend hours talking about engines and restoration projects.

We have one son, Everest, who is two and a half. He is sweet, incredibly smart, full of life and a little shy at first. He loves visiting the Gilbert House and the zoo, and he’s absolutely fascinated by animals. Watching him explore the world with such curiosity is one of our greatest joys.

Every family has its own traditions, rituals or inside jokes. What are some of yours?

Every Mother’s Day we go to the Oregon Garden and spend the day walking around together. It’s some-

thing simple, but it’s become really special to us. And in our house, if someone is sick, it automatically means ordering Sing Fay in Monmouth.

Tell us about one of your proudest mom moments.

One of my proudest mom moments has been watching Everest find his voice in his own way. Talking hasn’t come easily for him, so every time he learns a new word we celebrate it like a huge milestone. Recently we’ve been working on ASL together, and seeing him start to sign “more” to communicate has been incredibly special.

Now tell us about one of your most humbling mom moments.

Everest has definitely humbled me in the best way, and in more ways than one. One moment that stands out was trying to leave the toy aisle at Goodwill while he had very different plans. In that moment I realized toddlers are their own people with very strong opinions. It reminded me to slow down, be patient and sometimes just laugh at the situation.

What is the most surprising thing you have found wedged between the sofa cushions?

Shoe polish. The weird part is I have never bought shoe polish in my life, so where it came from is still a mystery.

What is something you swore you would never do before kids that you now do (skip showers, go to a drive through coffee in your pjs, etc.)?

Multiple popsicles in one day and some truly creative outfit choices. Everest has been known to wear a fireman shirt, Bluey pants and dinosaur rain boots all at once. I used to think outfits had to make sense, but now if he’s happy and dressed…I consider that a success.

You know you’re a mom when you hear yourself say…

“Where’s your diaper?”

No one works harder than mom.

We know that being a mom is a full-time job. How do you balance (or not) motherhood, activities, work, volunteering, household responsibilities, and life in general? What sometimes falls through the cracks?

I’m not sure it ever truly balances. Some weeks I feel like a super mom and everything seems to be working, and other weeks I feel like I’m falling a little short. It’s definitely a work in progress. I’ve learned to give myself some grace and remember that every week looks a little different. The thing that most often falls through the cracks is having a perfectly clean house or getting everything done right on time, and I’ve come to accept that’s okay.

Tell us about your work or volunteerism outside of the home.

Outside of the home, I spend a lot of my time working in and supporting the Polk County community. I am the founder and executive director of The Reading Nest, a nonprofit free mobile book service focused on increasing access to books and literacy resources for rural and underserved communities. Through this work, we bring free books and educational resources directly to families across our area.

I also am the new executive director of the Polk Adolescent Day Treatment Center, supporting youth and families in our community. In addition, I run a nonprofit consulting business, Newlands Nonprofit Network, where I help organizations with fundraising strategies and the essential building blocks they need to grow and succeed.

Beyond my work, I stay involved locally by serving as vice president of the Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce Board and as a board member for Polk Community Development Corporation. Community work has always been important to me, and I feel really grateful to be part of efforts that support the place where my family lives and grows.

Tell us about a recent achievement you’re proud of, or a personal passion or talent.

A recent achievement I’m really proud of is that The Reading Nest was able to purchase our bus for our future bookmobile. This project has been something we’ve been working very hard toward, and it will allow us to bring free books and literacy resources directly to rural communities in Polk and Marion Counties. Being able to take this step forward feels really meaningful.

Do you have a goal you’d like to accomplish within the next five years? Within the next five years, one of my biggest goals is to establish a consistent monthly route for The Reading Nest book bus. The vision is to regularly visit rural communities and make sure families know when and where they can access free books and resources. Creating something reliable and sustainable like that would be a huge step in making literacy support more accessible across our region.

If mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy.

Tell us about your upbringing. How did it shape the mother you are today?

I grew up here in Polk County, and being part of a close-knit community shaped a lot of who I am today. When you grow up somewhere like this, you learn how important it is to show up for people and support one another. That sense of community is something I hope to pass on to my son.

I also grew up on a farm with a blue collar working family, which meant work ethic was just part of everyday life. It taught me persistence and responsibility at a young age. I think those experiences influence the kind of mom I try to be. I want to be someone who stays grounded, keeps going when things are hard, and who also raises a child who values both community and work ethic.

What do you think is the most important life skill or value your parents taught you?

One of the most important things my parents taught me was resourcefulness. Growing up, you learned to figure things out, make do with what you had, and keep moving forward.

What is something you will NEVER do again?

Take a full night of sleep for granted.

What is the quality you like most about yourself?

One quality I value about myself is how much I care about the people around me. I’ve always been someone who loves my community and my family deeply. I’ve often been told that I wear my heart on my sleeve, and while that can make you a little vulnerable sometimes, it also means I show up fully for the people and causes that matter to me.

If you could instantly have one new skill (i.e. foreign language, musical talent, eyes in the back of your head, etc.), what would it be?

I would love to be able to understand any written language. There’s so much knowledge and so many stories in the world, and it would be amazing to access them all. And if we’re talking full superpower mode, I’d probably choose a few extra arms so I could get everything done at once.

If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, in which event would you win a gold medal?

Probably reading. I could happily spend hours with a good book and not even notice the time passing — I will peel my eyes away and it will be two in the morning. Although my husband would probably argue that my real gold medal event would be watching Grey’s Anatomy.

Name one thing that is part of your daily routine that you just can’t live without.

I really can’t decompress without my daily Everest snuggle time when I get home from work. That’s the moment my day resets. And of course, my three emotional support drinks: one for caffeine, one for hydration, and one just for vibes.

It’s Saturday afternoon and you suddenly find yourself at home alone for a few hours (we know,

it never happens). What do you do?

I would probably head to a cute coffee shop like The Sippery or Sonny’s Coffee and Plants, bring a good book, and order a drink and a sweet treat. Sitting somewhere cozy with a little quiet time and a book sounds like a pretty perfect few hours to me.

What keeps you up at night (apart from kids, of course)?

Reading too late into the night. I’ll tell myself I’m only going to read one more chapter, and before I know it, it’s 2 a.m.

What is your least/most favorite household chore?

My least favorite chore is definitely doing the dishes. They just seem to pile up endlessly. My favorite is actually cleaning the bathroom.

What’s your guilty pleasure? (dark chocolate hidden in the pantry, TJ Maxx, daily latte habit?)

Ice cream. I have a major sweet tooth and feel like my day isn’t complete without it. It doesn’t matter what the weather is, I could happily have ice cream every day.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I recently discovered Portland Leather, and now I feel like I can’t live without their bags. What started as one purse has quickly turned into a purse, tote, caddy, wallet and more situation.

Listen to mom.

Is motherhood what you expected? What surprised you the most?

Motherhood has been both what I expected and completely different at the same time. I knew it would be meaningful and full of love, but I didn’t realize how much it would change the way I see the world. What surprised me most is how much joy can come from the small, everyday moments.

What’s the best advice you’ve received from another mom?

My son had stomach issues his first year of life and sometimes getting him to eat was challenging. A mom I know told me that “fed is best” and this rang in my head every time we had a rough day.

What advice would you give your younger mom self? What do you wish you knew then that you know now?

I would tell my younger mom self to give yourself more grace. It’s easy to feel like you have to get everything right, but the truth is you’re learning alongside your child. The most important thing isn’t perfection, but doing your best every day.

What message would you like to share with other moms? Remember to tell it like it is.

Motherhood is the best thing that has ever happened to me and likely the best thing that ever will. But I’ve also learned that being a mom doesn’t mean it’s the only part of who you are. Some women thrive as stay-at-home moms, and that’s wonderful. For others, like me, we also thrive in our work, volunteering, and being involved in our communities.

Moms are so many things at once. We are women who run businesses, volunteer and work fulltime, but we’re also the same women baking cookies with little helper hands and having tickle fights on the living room floor. There isn’t one right way to be a mom, and I think that’s something worth celebrating.

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MOM’s favorite…

Tell us about your favorite…

…family game: Hide & Seek

…words to live by: To have a village you must be a villager.

…place to find some peace & quiet: Drives to the coast

…binge-worthy TV: Grey’s Anatomy & Bridgerton

…inspirational quote: “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception. — Ruth Bader Ginsburg

…time-saving app or digital tool: Google Calendar

…parenting book or philosophy: The Whole Brain Child

MOMs love local…

We love locally owned businesses, restaurants, places and organizations. Share your favorite…

…shop to pick up a gift for friend: Quimby’s Books

…coffee spot: Bugles Espresso

…restaurant to take the kids: Habebah

…restaurants for a date night: Golden Hop Saloon

…take-out, food truck or quick bite: Dandy Burger

…meetup spot for happy hour: Dry Town Tap Station

…local park where kids can let off steam: Monmouth Main Street Park

…event in your community: Cultural Harvest Collective’s BIPOC Farmers Market in Monmouth

…other local places you love: Sonny’s Coffee and Plants, Spectrum Artworx, Main Street Tattoo