Ford-ology: Event: Back To School Moms Night Out

Last month, I had the opportunity to host the first annual, Back To School Mom's night out event. As a family lifestyle influencer, I have this beautiful platform that I've always looked at doing more with, and an intimate motherhood, community event seemed like the perfect way to share a message.
Sure, it's fun to share travel tips, family friendly activities, recipes and of course cute photos of my adorable children, however, being a voice a in the community, a cheerleader to encourage unity, love and support among women, has always been the direction my heart strings pull. I have felt a responsibility to LOVE everyone, which I'll be the FIRST to admit is pretty darn hard sometimes, and to see past their imperfections, difference and struggles to see them as a higher power sees them, equal.
As I've grown, I've experienced heartache, loss, judgment and pain sometimes that felt unbearable and would lead to my certain demise. However, each time I had one of these life changing experiences, it taught me more about the type of wife, mother, daughter, WOMAN and human being I want to be. The type of example I want to set for my daughter, and to any person that ever crosses my path. (Setting my self standard pretty high, I know)
The idea for a Mom's Night Out first came about as I prepared to send my first child to Kindergarten this fall. I knew I was going to need support and words of encouragement from mama's who had already been through that "first child goes to school" tearful day. I thought; an intimate party set in a private backyard in the cool summer evening, dinner, drinks and a guest speaker, would be the ideal environment for a conversation that I wanted to have about the upcoming school year. After weeks and weeks of planning, support from local businesses, encouragement from mama's throughout the community and a heartfelt desire to make a night for these women they wouldn't soon forget, the event came and went.
AND. IT. WAS. PERFECT.

I feel blessed to have been surrounded by many incredible women, who shared similar goals and dreams, but were also able to share their different types of motherhood lovingly and in supporting enviornment. The evening was full of laughter, getting to know new friends, eating a delicious dinner, sharing ideas and love for each other and hearing uplifting and inspiring thoughts from the wonderful Kim Christenson from Talk To Wordy To Me. Kim, a journalist and writer by trade, was our speaker of the evening and her thoughts on Mindfulness Motherhood touched each one of us as we listened and felt motivated to better ourselves which in turn betters our family and those we interact with. Kim taught us that we shouldn't be just surviving, but THRIVING. I love how she said to quiet the distractions and that we can control the weather in our homes. She also said to stop apologizing, let go of perfection and normalize mistakes! Some of my biggest take aways from her message were, "It start with ME, and how I feel INSIDE", that I shouldn't let my dreams die, just because I'm a Mom, that I should start talking back to those nasty thoughts I have about myself, my body, my home etc... and to make a Happy List, a simple list of your favorite things, activities and experiences that bring you joy. I've linked Kim's blog and social media accounts because if you're ever in need of pick me up, a little encouragement or just having a down day (which WE ALL HAVE), Kim's thoughts are a place for you to go, read, be inspired and reassured that you are enough. This event would not have been possible without our incredible sponsors and collaborators. I am so grateful to each of them for their support and donations to make this evening special for these women. It's with companies and people like these that encourage and support women, small businesses and events that uplift and inspire, that we are able to build a community of happy, confident, loving and strong women.
Thank you again to each of them.
Dinner provided by: Mt. Vista Catering Co. - @mt.vistacatering Tables/Chairs/Linens: Excel Rental Decor: Utah DIY Weddings - @utahdiyweddings Photography: Jessica Katherine Photography - @jessicakatherinphoto Designs - Breezy + Co. Custom Design