Extraordinary Moms Podcast

In keeping with the foster care theme, I'm speaking with Stephanie Nelson, an extraordinary mom who has provided a home for several foster care children over the years, and now she is in the process of adopting her current foster child! This interview will give you better insight into the foster care world, what it's like to have a child reunified and say goodbye, and what she's learned through being involved in this community. Stephanie is an incredible person and I'm so honored that she shared her journey on the show! Show Notes:  Follow Steph on Instagram Respite Care info Foster Care info in Sacramento (where Stephanie lives) This show is Sponsored by... Bioclarity is my new favorite skincare regime. With a three step process that hydrates and restores my skin, I am absolutely loving this system. This would make another great gift for yourself or someone you love! You can get your first month for just $9.95 when you go to www.bioclarity.com and enter code EMP. Connect with Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email: jessica@extraordinarymomspodcast.com

Today, my conversation is with the incredible woman behind Austin Angels, Susan Ramirez. I can't believe she's on the show! Susan saw a need in the foster care community for additional support for the families who take in foster children. So, she took her drive and experience from her corporate job and put all her energy into founding this incredible nonprofit. Now she helps hundreds of kids to feel love and build their skills and confidence, so that they can lessen the stats of kids exiting the program at 18. We also talk about her own motherhood journey and it's just incredible. You may not feel called to foster a child, but there is so much we can do to support families that do! Show Notes:  Check out Austin Angels and support them or any of their chapters throughout the nation Follow Susan on Instagram This Show is Sponsored by: Want an easy way to update your prescription and order contacts online? Simple Contacts is your one stop shop for quality and convenience. And they are so kind to give our listeners $30 off their first order of lenses using the following codes: URL: simplecontacts.com/extraordinary PROMO: EXTRAORDINARY and... Want a way to preserve your family's memories? Want the perfect, sentimal gift for Mother's Day? Check out Storyworth.com. Storyworth sends you or your loved one a weekly email with a prompt. Once their answers to meaningful questions are compiled over the year, they will then end up with a beautifully bound book. You can get $20 off by going to Storyworth.com/EMP/ Connect with Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email: jessica@extraordinarymomspodcast.com

I know, not the most fun topic to cover. But since our kids are getting older and my husband is an attorney assigned to the victims of sexual assault/abuse, we have really gotten more serious about how to protect our kids against this very common occurrence. So I'm sharing specifics about sexual abuse, common signs of offenders, kids who are at risk, and the boundaries we have in place to help protect our kids. Just because you don't talk about this issue doesn't mean your family is not at risk. In fact, it probably means you are more at risk if you are not considering the possibilities and creating plans to help mitigate risky situations. Let me know what you think and what your rules are. Show Notes:  Boys Scouts of America Youth Protection Training Signs your child has been abused This Show is Sponsored by... Bioclarity is my new favorite skincare regime. With a three-step process that hydrates and restores my skin, I am absolutely loving this system. This would make another great gift for yourself or someone you love! You can get your first month for just $9.95 when you go to www.bioclarity.com and enter code EMP. Connect with Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email: jessica@extraordinarymomspodcast.com

Today my guest is the truly extraordinary, Michelle Kaley. Her friend reached out to me to tell me some of her story and I knew she would be a guest like no other. Michelle is a mom of four, a dance teacher and studio owner, a light in her community, and two years ago she began her fight with cancer. A few weeks ago, she received some devastating news that her time left here on earth is short, and she was kind enough to spend an hour with me to share about her motherhood journey, what her cancer journey has looked like, what her life's purpose has been, and what she wants to tell her kids and husband. Sorry for all the sobbing by me at the end! Also, I didn't do a closing to the show because it felt weird. Instead, I included a recording of a song I did for Michelle. Since we spoke, I couldn't get the song, "It is Well with My Soul" out of my head. The lyrics of this song have never felt more true, and so I recorded it (in my garage) with a prayer in my heart for Michelle and her incredible family. I pray we can all have the peace of. knowing that the Lord is on our side, and every day is a gift. So much love to you, Michelle.   Show Notes:  Follow her journey on Instagram or on her website Connect with Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email: jessica@extraordinarymomspodcast.com

Jessica Lamb is back to answer some specific questions related to behavior for both children with special needs and typical children. Here's what we are covering today: * We've all had that situation when we are out in public with our kids and they notice someone with a visible difference, or maybe they notice that another child is acting differently than they would expect. That may result in staring or they may ask a question that we don't know how to respond to, or that is uncomfortable or insensitive. Help the mom listening who wants to learn how to handle that type of situation. And for the mom listening who has a child with a disability, what their role is. * My child hits. How do I address this behavioral issue at different ages? * Timeouts... do they work? Can you use them effectively? What can you do instead? Show Notes: Website: skiptomyluca.com Instagram: Instagram.com/skiptomyluca Connect with Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email: jessica@extraordinarymomspodcast.com

Jessica Lamb is better known online as Skip to my Luca, where she shares all about her family, her son Luca's special needs, and tips for parents with children with Special needs. She is a Special Ed teacher and overall extraordinary human being. Today we are chatting specifically about her motherhood journey and perspective on parenting a child with special needs, but she's coming back to specifically answer any questions you have. So leave them in the comments! Show Notes: Website: skiptomyluca.com Instagram: Instagram.com/skiptomyluca Connect with Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email: jessica@extraordinarymomspodcast.com This Show is Sponsored by: Sun Basket delivers delicious meal kits right to your door, making healthy cooking easy! They have 18 different weekly recipes to choose from, catering to lots of different dietary needs, and they all come together in just 30 minutes! Podcast listeners can get a special deal of $35 off your first box when you go to www.sunbasket.com/EMP/ and... We love RXBars at our house. Especially my kids! This is a great way for me to provide them an easy snack on the go and not feel bad about the ingredients! Parker loves the Chocolate Chip and Jackson loves the Apple Cinnamon. RXBar is my new favorite go-to breakfast, snack or lunch accessory. Check them out at Target, or you can get 25% off your purchase if you order on their site: Go to: RXBAR.com/emp PROMO: EMP

Julie Tobi is the founder of the Birth Journal, a memory keeping book for you to record your personal birth experience. Today we are chatting about her own birth experience, why she decided to create this product, and what she has learned from other people about their birth experiences. Heather Nash Photography http://heathernashphotography.com/ and @heathernashphoto Show Notes: Check out: thebirthjournal.com @thebirthjournal on Instagram Connect with Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email: jessica@extraordinarymomspodcast.com

Rachel Nielson is my totally amazing guest today. She is the host of 3 in 30 Podcast, she has two darling kiddos, and she's faced a lot of challenges in her life that have gotten her to where she is today. Losing her mom in her teens, pursuing adoption and IVF (at the same time!), and processing through all if it through writing... today we're chatting about it all! She's extraordinary and I know you're going to want to whip out your journal after you listen! Show Notes:  Rachel's Website: 3in30podcast.com Rachel's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3in30podcast/ Episodes from her show: Three Messages of Hope for the Darkest Times (about Katie's passing and the ups and downs of adoption) How to Stop Being Mean to Yourself: Three of the Best Tools I Learned in Counseling (I read my Eating Disorder narrative therapy) Articles from Power of Moms: Worth Fighting For (about my mom's battle with cancer) The Surprising Way I Confronted My Eating Disorder (full transcript of my narrative therapy) Connect with Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email: jessica@extraordinarymomspodcast.com This Show is Sponsored by: Molekule Air Purifier is helping people breathe easier, cleaner air. If you struggle with asthma or allergies, you definitely want to check out this one of kind of purifier.  Go to molekule.com and enter EMP at checkout for $75 off your first order.

Rachel Nielson is my totally amazing guest today. She is the host of 3 in 30 Podcast, she has two darling kiddos, and she's faced a lot of challenges in her life that have gotten her to where she is today. Losing her mom in her teens, pursuing adoption and IVF (at the same time!), and processing through all if it through writing... today we're chatting about it all! She's extraordinary and I know you're going to want to whip out your journal after you listen! Show Notes:  Rachel's Website: 3in30podcast.com Rachel's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3in30podcast/ Episodes from her show: Three Messages of Hope for the Darkest Times (about Katie's passing and the ups and downs of adoption) How to Stop Being Mean to Yourself: Three of the Best Tools I Learned in Counseling (I read my Eating Disorder narrative therapy) Articles from Power of Moms: Worth Fighting For (about my mom's battle with cancer) The Surprising Way I Confronted My Eating Disorder (full transcript of my narrative therapy) Connect with Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email: jessica@extraordinarymomspodcast.com This Show is Sponsored by: Molekule Air Purifier is helping people breathe easier, cleaner air. If you struggle with asthma or allergies, you definitely want to check out this one of kind of purifier.  Go to molekule.com and enter EMP at checkout for $75 off your first order.

Happy Mother's Day! Today I'm sharing 5 mindset shifts that I've made that have helped me really enjoy and thrive in motherhood so much more than I did in my early days. These might apply to you, or you might consider some of your own and I'd love to hear from you. How have you changed the way you THINK about motherhood in order to enjoy it more? Connect with Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email: jessica@extraordinarymomspodcast.com

Happy Mother's Day! Today I'm sharing 5 mindset shifts that I've made that have helped me really enjoy and thrive in motherhood so much more than I did in my early days. These might apply to you, or you might consider some of your own and I'd love to hear from you. How have you changed the way you THINK about motherhood in order to enjoy it more? Connect with Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email: jessica@extraordinarymomspodcast.com

Crystal Sparks is an extraordinary mom of two kids, a pastor, and a friend to everyone she meets. Today we are talking about keeping the faith, even in the face of trials. After a miscarriage, her son's health concerns, and just life in general, we chat about how we can turn to God to trust that He will see us through every challenge. It's a message of hope for all and I can't wait for you to listen in. Show Notes: Instagram: crystal_sparks YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW-QxE-upg6RvW_Q29kv4KA?view_as=subscriber My book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0999538306?ie=UTF8 This show is sponsored by: You want to give you Mom or someone you love a gift THEY'LL love for this Mother's Day? How about 24 multicolored roses with a free vase for just $29.99? Go to www.1800flowers.com and click on the radio microphone and enter code EMP for that special, limited time deal. and Looking for a new, affordable mattress delivered right to your door? Try Casper! You can get $50 off select mattress styles when you go to www.casper.com/emp and enter code EMP.  Get yourself a great night's sleep with their 100 night risk-free guarantee! Connect with Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email: jessica@extraordinarymomspodcast.com

Crystal Sparks is an extraordinary mom of two kids, a pastor, and a friend to everyone she meets. Today we are talking about keeping the faith, even in the face of trials. After a miscarriage, her son's health concerns, and just life in general, we chat about how we can turn to God to trust that He will see us through every challenge. It's a message of hope for all and I can't wait for you to listen in. Show Notes: Instagram: crystal_sparks YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW-QxE-upg6RvW_Q29kv4KA?view_as=subscriber My book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0999538306?ie=UTF8 This show is sponsored by: You want to give you Mom or someone you love a gift THEY'LL love for this Mother's Day? How about 24 multicolored roses with a free vase for just $29.99? Go to www.1800flowers.com and click on the radio microphone and enter code EMP for that special, limited time deal. and Looking for a new, affordable mattress delivered right to your door? Try Casper! You can get $50 off select mattress styles when you go to www.casper.com/emp and enter code EMP.  Get yourself a great night's sleep with their 100 night risk-free guarantee! Connect with Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email: jessica@extraordinarymomspodcast.com

Need a meaningful gift for someone you love this Mother's Day? Send them a copy of Andrea Williams' new book, "You've Got This Mama!" (and don't forget to pick up a copy for yourself. Thoughtfully written, cleverly illustrated, and beautifully hand-lettered, this book is perfect for a mom at any stage. Today I'm chatting with Andrea about how this book came to be and what she would tell her 70-year old self:) Show Notes: Check out Tubby Todd Bath Products and get a copy of the book on www.tubbytodd.com Follow them on Instagram Connect with Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email: jessica@extraordinarymomspodcast.com

Need a meaningful gift for someone you love this Mother's Day? Send them a copy of Andrea Williams' new book, "You've Got This Mama!" (and don't forget to pick up a copy for yourself. Thoughtfully written, cleverly illustrated, and beautifully hand-lettered, this book is perfect for a mom at any stage. Today I'm chatting with Andrea about how this book came to be and what she would tell her 70-year old self:) Show Notes: Check out Tubby Todd Bath Products and get a copy of the book on www.tubbytodd.com Follow them on Instagram Connect with Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email: jessica@extraordinarymomspodcast.com