The Luckiest Mom

It's a dream of mine to start my own podcast someday.  I'm a firm believer that everyone has a story to share and someone, somewhere, might hear something from your story and it will help, encourage or inspire them in their journey of life. My sweet friend Reagan, a mother to three beautiful children and voice behind the inspiring The Luckiest Mom podcast, helped make that dream of mine come true for a day when she invited me to be a guest on her show.

The Luckiest Mom is a podcast with a daily message of inspiration, support and encouragement created to cultivate confidence and remind moms that they are the luckiest. 
Be sure to head over to The Luckiest Mom and follow Reagan's Instagram and Podcast for some daily inspirational messages.  Today, I thought I'd share a few details from my interview on The Luckiest Mom. You can also listen to my interview here. Episode 183. 

Reagan asked me a few questions about motherhood and it was my honor to share an insight to what my journey of motherhood has been like. 
Question #1. What makes you The Luckiest Mom?  "I am The Luckiest Mom because being a mom has taught me to live my most truthful life."  What do I mean by living a truthful life?  We are living in a time where lies, keeping up with the Jones' and living outside your means is becoming the norm.  Not being truthful to yourself, your situation, your finances, your beliefs, will do more damage than good to relationships, accomplishments and goals.  It's important to be truthful as mother because it's our responsibility to teach our children to live truthfully, to be honest and to give something to society.
Question #2. How did your life lead you to be a mom?  I've always wanted to be a mom. I am the oldest of 5 children and 24 grandchildren so my maternal instincts have been second nature since I was very young.  My husband and I (mostly me) knew that we wanted to have children right away.  We got pregnant with our first son 6 months after we were married and he was born on June 22nd, 2012. Hunters arrival was an extra special occasion as he came (3 and half weeks early) the day before the second anniversary of my brothers death.  My brother Hunter unexpectedly passed away at 18 in 2010. I had prepared my whole life to be a mom and I welcomed this sweet baby on such a tender anniversary with greater appreciation for eternal families and a mindful Father in Heaven. 
Question #3. Was there any point after you became a first time mom that you were so overwhelmed that you felt you couldn't continue?  I'm sure there were a lot of those moments.  After my mom went home to California and my husband went back to work, those first few days were a little overwhelming.  Not because I didn't think I couldn't do it, but because this perfect picture I had envisioned in my mind about what motherhood was going to be like wasn't applicable for us. Hunter had an oxygen tank and heart monitor so getting him all dressed up to tote and show off around town was something we couldn't do.  I was so excited to show the world I was a mom and I made this adorable baby and we were stuck.  I knew that I was going to have incredible moments as a mother but my fantasy that it would be rainbows and picture perfect days all the time, quickly faded.  It absolutely changed my perspective of what motherhood was going to be like.
Question #4. How is it being a mom of 3 kids? It was the hardest adjustment to go from two kids to three. My first two kids were such good babies; great sleepers, eaters and social butterflies.  Little Henry has been a huge adjustment with many sleepless nights, stomach issues and a strong attachment to mama.  Thankfully my two older children are in school and are pretty self reliant to get themselves dressed, get a snack and play together, so I am able to give Henry the extra attention he has needed.  It's been a ride of a year! 
Question #5. Who has been a strong example of motherhood to you?  My mother.  I feel so blessed to have my mom. My mom is one of my best friends and I feel so grateful to have her.  My mom has this unique ability to make life special and the little things magical.  She's taught us to see how wonderful the world is.   Watching her continue to live and love after my brother passed away was such an inspiration to me. The strength she had to carry on, to continue to love everyone around her and her husband and herself, was the greatest example of faith, hope and love I've ever witnessed.  She's always been the example of what a mother should be. 
Question #6. Are there things that you have done, that your mom did for you, for your own children? My mom was our biggest cheerleader.  I remember her being the most encouraging and positive person when we were growing up.  She did everything she could to let us know we were special and great!  So, with my own children, I have tried to focus on the positive, and teaching and encouragement. I try everyday to make my children feel special and feel that they are loved.  We do a lot of daily affirmations with our children.  Throughout each day, we try to point out the good choices they are making.  We are letting them know we are proud of them, that they are beautiful, they are special, they are kind and important. We use their names when we are speaking to them so they feel the directness of sincerity in our words. 

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Thank you again Reagan for having me on your channel.  It was so great to be apart of what you're doing and I think your daily messages are helping moms everywhere. Don't forget readers to head over to Reagan's podcast and remember that  You are The Luckiest Mom. 

Wink Naturals and a Giveaway!

This week, I am excited to FINALLY be able to share with you a mommy must have product from a brand that we have been using daily for a few weeks now and have been loving. 

If you follow my social media accounts (which I hope you all do) then you know that my little Henry Hugglemonster has been quiet the teether, 8 teeth by 10 months, and it has led to countless sleepless and painful nights for the poor guy... and mommy.  After two rounds of ear infections we were finally able to put these two products that Wink Naturals had sent us to the test. 

We had been on the search for a good natural and drug free teething gel after months of painful teething with our little guy and I was so impressed by what  Wink Naturals Cool Gum Teething gel offered.  The Cool Gum Teething gel gently cools and soothes tender gums without the risk of exposure to any added preservatives. Winks natural formula, with no added drugs or medicine, made it the safest option for our little one.  I had never thought to put a teething gel in the fridge, DUH, and when Wink Naturals suggested I store their teething gel in the fridge I was blown away by the results.  Henry loved the added instant cooling relief and it seemed to work for hours before we had to reapply. 

Along with making little Henry's mouth comfortable, we started to get into a more strict bedtime routine in hopes to calm and soothe him for a good nights rest despite his pain. As part of our new bedtime routine we started using Wink Naturals Pure Sleep and Breathe chest rub.  Pure Sleep and Breathe is also made of natural oils like lavender and eucalyptus radiata, as well as premium quality coconut oil and Shea butter so it's safe for baby's skin.  I love how the calming smell and soothing rub promoted peaceful sleep for little Henry and also acted as a natural decongestant for any runny nose congestion he had while teething. Henry and I both looked forward to a soothing aromatic rub before bedtime and naps.  I have also even been using it on my older two kiddos. Both Hunter and Hayden seem to catch any little throat irritant that's floating in the universe and between preschool, kindergarten, daycare, church and play times, it feels like we have had weekly congestion.  The kids have loved the Pure Sleep and Breathe as a part of their nighttime routine as well and agree it smells so much better than the other decongestant rubs we've used in the past.

Wink Naturals is a company based right here out of Utah and the founder was also a co-founder in one of our absolute favorite natural medicines, Zarbee's.  (Wink Naturals isn't affiliated with Zarbee's) Wink Naturals was created to combat the sleep epidemic that is prevalent in every home. Wink Naturals not only offers sleep and teething solutions, but also natural solutions like Bum Balm, Llama Lotion and even sleep help for adults. 
Wink Naturals even has their own blog where they give TONS of awesome advice on sleep, healthy living, motherhood and share recipes!  It has absolutely become a favorite read of mine. Head over and check out the blog here.
We love Wink Naturals so much that FordOlogy is giving one lucky reader the chance to win a Wink Naturals product of their choice.  Giveaway Rules. 1. Be sure you're following Wink Naturals Instagram. 2. Be sure to be following FordOlogy Blog on Instagram.  3. Then head to Wink Naturals website HERE and comment which product you would choose if you won! 
Giveaway Ends November 17th.  Winner will be announced November 18th. ___________
Thank you so much to Wink Naturals for sending us these incredible products. We have absolutely loved using them. Now only if you had a natural solution to baby Henry's gas problem ;)

*Wink Naturals sent us these products for review. All options are our own.*