Lindsey Rietzsch watched quietly as her 3-year-old son Gabe practiced his newly learned skill — brushing his teeth on his own. "He was so proud that his teeth were clean and I was too," she recalls. Then Lindsey noticed the empty tube of toothpaste and in one glance at the window, she discovered Gabe's artwork — a minty masterpiece.

"It's moments like those that bring a smile to my face, and I can't help but laugh," says Lindsey, who also has a 16-month-old daughter named Paisley. "I record these moments in the kids' journals so that I can give them a hard time when they're older."

Humor and laughter are traits Lindsey hopes to pass on to her children. "If they can learn to laugh at life's many misfortunes they will deal better with life's challenges," she says. Lindsey believes in the basics of being a good person and teaches her children simple truths such as treating others how you would like to be treated, always standing up for what you know is right, doing the right thing even when no one is watching and loving yourself. She asks: "If you can't love yourself, how can you expect others to?"

On any given day, you might catch Lindsey perched on a glider chair pretending it is a pirate ship rocking on the ocean waves, singing pirate songs, trying to escape the great white shark (their Russell Terrier, Mitzie). But fast-forward an hour or so to preschool and naptime, and you might catch this same woman on a phone call with a national radio station being interviewed about the book she authored last year, How to Date your Spouse.

Not only is the young mother a well-known book author, she has also started and owns several small businesses, is a motivational speaker, Web developer, counselor, mentor, blogger and, believe it or not, a song writer and music composer. Lindsey's husband, Manuel, who nominated her for this award, says, "Lindsey has found the fine balance between these roles while eing a great mother and fantastic wife." In return, Lindsey says, "I would not be able to do what I do without Manuel. He is a very supportive husband."

Lindsey and Manuel juggle the responsibilities of parenthood so both of them can be there for the children and advance their professional pursuits. Lindsey calls it a "careful balancing act." She says there have been many times she has canceled flights, TV appearances or interviews because it was taking a toll on her family. "My husband and children will always come before my profession and as long as they know and feel that, then I know I am doing a good job at balancing the two."

Although Lindsey receives plenty of attention for her professional endeavors, that isn't what she finds most fulfilling. It's the 6 a.m. giggles coming from her daughter's crib, counting with Froot Loops, pretending the vacuum is a hungry monster and a kiss and bandage to fix any hurt. But what is the Wasatch Woman of the Year Motherhood honoree's favorite aspect of being a mom? "When I get an unexpected hug from behind or a little tug at my shirt and a slobbery kiss," says Lindsey. "It makes all the hard times and challenges worth it, just for those special little moments."

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