Welcome to Making Mommas — Where Family Comes First

Hey there, and welcome to Making Mommas.

I’m Shannon, a mom who believes the most important work we’ll ever do happens right inside our homes. Somewhere between busy schedules, growing kids, and the everyday chaos of family life, I realized how easy it is to get caught up in doing everything — and how important it is to slow down and focus on what truly matters.

Making Mommas is a place for moms who want to build strong families, create meaningful traditions, and enjoy the little moments that make childhood special. Around here you’ll find simple activities, family traditions, practical tools, and everyday ideas that help bring more connection, laughter, and love into your home.

Because at the end of the day, motherhood isn’t about doing everything perfectly — it’s about raising kids, strengthening relationships, and building a family life you truly love.

Because the strongest families are built in the small, everyday moments.

How Making Mommas Came to Be

Before I was a blogger, I was a social worker.

When my twins were born, I made the decision to stay home with my kids. I loved being a mom, but like a lot of families, we still needed to make things work financially. I started looking for ways I could earn money from home while raising my boys.

That’s when my dad suggested something I had never really thought about before.

“Why don’t you start a blog?”

So in 2015, I did.

At first, my goal was simple. I wanted to create a place where moms could encourage each other and learn how to become better mothers. I believed then—and still believe today—that motherhood is one of the most important jobs we will ever have.

But like most things in life, the journey wasn’t exactly straightforward.

It took years before I ever made a dime from blogging. In fact, during those early years I made far more money freelancing than I ever did from my blog. Meanwhile, my kids were growing up, our family life was changing, and my own interests in motherhood kept evolving too.

And honestly… the blog changed along with it.

Over the years Making Mommas has been a lot of different things. At one point I wrote about blogging. At another point I focused on schedules and routines. Later it became more about life as a stay-at-home mom.

If I’m being honest, it’s shifted more times than I can count.

Then about a year ago, I started something new: Hill River Homestead.

That blog became the home for my recipes, homestead cooking, and money-saving ideas. As Hill River began to grow, I realized something important.

The two blogs weren’t really separate stories.

They were both pieces of the same life.

Hill River reflects our home life—cooking, simple living, and the rhythms of family life. Making Mommas reflects the heart behind it—motherhood, family, connection, and the work of building a strong home.

So instead of keeping them separate, I decided to bring them together under the Hill River umbrella.

And that’s where Making Mommas is today.

This space is still growing and evolving, just like motherhood itself. But the heart of it is simple: encouraging moms, strengthening families, and remembering that the most important work we do happens right inside our homes. ❤️

What I Believe

At Making Mommas, I believe strong families are the foundation of everything. When families are strong, communities are strong—and the world changes from the inside out.

✝️ God First, Then Family – Our priorities matter. Faith comes first, followed by our marriage, then our children. Everything else in life should fall somewhere after that.

❤️ Connection is Everything – The moments we share around the dinner table, during family traditions, and in everyday life are what shape our children and strengthen our relationships.

🌿 Families Need Margin – Modern life pushes families to do more, schedule more, and run faster. I believe many families are stretched far too thin. Kids don’t need endless activities—they need time at home with the people who love them most.

🏡 A Loving Home Shapes a Child’s Life – The way we love our families matters more than we often realize. A strong, loving home builds confidence, identity, and security in our children that lasts long into adulthood.

✨ Motherhood is a Calling – Being a mom isn’t small work. It is one of the most important callings we will ever have—raising children, shaping hearts, and building the next generation.

You’ll see a quote around here often because I truly believe it:

“If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.”

And that’s exactly what Making Mommas is about.

How We Can Help You

Here at Making Mommas, our goal is simple: to encourage moms and strengthen families. Here are a few ways we can help.

• Strengthen Your Family – Ideas, encouragement, and inspiration for building strong relationships, meaningful traditions, and a home filled with love.

• Enjoy Everyday Mom Life – Simple activities, seasonal ideas, and family traditions that help you connect with your kids and create lasting memories together.

• Bring More Peace to Your Days – Practical tools, routines, and printable planners that help you stay organized and manage your home with less stress.

• Slow Down and Focus on What Matters – Encouragement to step away from the pressure of modern busyness and create more space for time with your family.

• Create a Home That Feels Good to Live In – Simple ideas for building a home life centered around love, connection, and strong family values.

Join the Making Mommas Community

Motherhood can feel overwhelming sometimes, but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

Here at Making Mommas, we’re building a community of moms who want to slow down, strengthen their families, and focus on what truly matters at home.

When you join, you’ll get encouragement, helpful ideas, and access to practical tools designed to make family life a little simpler and a lot more meaningful.

Fun Facts About Me

Life at our house is rarely quiet, rarely perfectly organized, and almost always a little chaotic—but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Here are a few random things about me:

• I text with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. My kids say that’s how they’d know immediately if someone stole my phone and tried to text as me.

• Scott loves to tease me about my singing. I cannot carry a tune to save my life… even though it sounds absolutely perfect in my own head.

• My kids roll their eyes at me all the time. Apparently moms are not allowed to use their slang. When I try, they immediately say, “Stooooppp. Just stooooppp.”

• Peanut butter bars are my guilty pleasure. If they’re in the house, I will find them.

• I always think I’m making “just enough food,” and somehow end up cooking enough to feed an army.

• I have to clean the house before leaving for a trip… and then clean it again when we get home. Even though no one was here to make the mess.

• I used to try to keep the house perfectly organized. Now I’ve accepted that I’ll probably organize again when the kids move out.

• I genuinely don’t understand why it’s so hard to line up your shoes by the door. Apparently this is a mystery my children will never solve.

• Scott and I regularly argue about how to load the dishwasher. Sometimes I secretly unload it and reload it the “right” way.

• I buy far too many notebooks. I’m convinced someday I’ll use all of them.

• If I say “five minutes,” my kids automatically assume it means at least fifteen.

It’s the simple, everyday moments that make family life so special, and I’m so glad you’re here to be part of it.

Join the Making Mommas Community

I’m so glad you’re here! Whether you’re in the middle of busy mom life or just looking for a little inspiration for your family, you’re always welcome here.

• Explore the Printable Library – Get access to helpful planners, routines, and tools designed to make mom life a little simpler.

• Find Ideas for Family Life – Discover activities, traditions, and simple ways to connect with your kids and strengthen your family.

• Follow Along on Pinterest – Save ideas for family activities, seasonal traditions, and everyday mom life.

Welcome to Making Mommas — Where Family Comes First

How Making Mommas Came to Be

What I Believe

How We Can Help You

Join the Making Mommas Community

Fun Facts About Me

Join the Making Mommas Community

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Welcome to Making Mommas — Where Family Comes First

How Making Mommas Came to Be

What I Believe

How We Can Help You

Join the Making Mommas Community

Fun Facts About Me

Join the Making Mommas Community

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