You know that feeling when the stars align? That's how we're feeling now that we've partnered up with some of our favorite mamas from The Lucky Few Podcast. Heather, Micha, and Mercedes release a weekly podcast that take on conversations in the Down Syndrome Community. Stories, feelings, struggles, celebrations that we all need to hear about. 

Over the next few weeks we'll be sharing our conversations with the three gals who run the podcast—today it's our pleasure to introduce you to Mercedes Lara. 

Sheltered Co. : Hi Mercedes!! We're so happy to be talking to you. First, let's start with your kiddos—who all do you have under your roof? 

Mercedes : Sunflower 8, Rhodes 6, Shepard 4, Brave 19 months. Plus we have four pets our dog Juno 11years old, A california desert tortoise 10 months and two baby bunnies 5 months old.

Sheltered Co. : A full house! What's the best way for all of you to decompress together? 

Mercedes : Going to the beach or playing charades. 

Sheltered Co. : The beach is a lifesaver. Okay, but if you had a full 24 hours to yourself, what would you do?

Mercedes : Ooooh ok. First wake up around 8am to coffee and a delicious breakfast made by my husband. Shower, put on a really cute outfit, head to a thrift store (or like three thrift stores)! Treasure hunt for hours then head to my favorite nursery to buy at least three plants! By now I'm probably getting hungry so I'll call up my girlfriends and we'll eat a delicious lunch at a cute spot near the beach overlooking the water. We'll need to walk off the food and talk some more, so then we go on a gorgeous easy hike and talk for hours about social justice, our deepest darkest secrets, motherhood, marriage and faith. The sun is setting by now so I'll head home to kiss my kiddos and play a quick game with them. Then I'll change for a night out the husband followed by a hotel stay! Just the two of us. Oh and my husband would have arranged childcare and food for the kids ahead of time. So I get to go worry free and without lifting a finger!

Sheltered Co. : Never not giving this answer! This sounds absolutely perfect. Do you think there are any ways that motherhood has changed you in ways you didn't expect?

Mercedes : Yes! Not sure I can name just one....

A desire to build healthy daily routines in my life. So that I can model that for my children in hopes that they can build healthy daily routines in their own life that will help them to hopefully be mentally, emotionally and physically healthy.

Sheltered Co. : Yep. All of this. Okay, last question! Is there anything you've been working on recently that you can share with us? 

Mercedes : For the past year I've put into motion a project that I care so much about—Humanly! Humanly is a character buildning brand that focuses on healthy impactful conversations, personal stories and life experiences that hopefully build compassion, empathy and understanding of the human heart. Please check out humanly.tv . Its been difficult for me in this season of life to fully invest in my vision for this brand. But I'm being faithful to my family first and slowly step by step building a brand I'm proud of.

Sheltered Co. : Thank you so much, Mercedes!!! 

Be sure to subscribe and listen to The Lucky Few Podcast—you'll hear their hosts mention Sheltered Co. over the next few weeks :) Mercedes is lounging with our new Neptune Weighted Blanket, launching this Thursday, July 22nd at 9am pacific time.