'Bachelorette' Trista Sutter talks new book and motherhood

"The Bachelorette" alum Trista Sutter has had an eventful year so far. She renewed her wedding vows to her husband Ryan in January which resulted in an ABC prime time special -- and she released her new book "Happily Ever After, The Life Changing Power of a Grateful Heart" (Perseus Books Group; $24.99).

This spring, the mom of two has partnered with Colgate to help spread the word about the "Champions for Kids SIMPLE Giving" campaign. Celebrity Baby Scoop caught up with Sutter to talk about her involvement and what life is currently like raising her children Max and Blakesly.

Q. Could you tell us about your partnership with Colgate’s "Champions for Kids SIMPLE Giving Campaign" through Walmart? How and why did you want to be involved?

I got involved because I’m a former pediatric physical therapist and a mom of two, so children’s health has always been a priority to me. Colgate is partnering with Champions for Kids and I am partnering with both of them to help raise attention and awareness around a cause that’s extremely common, but very preventable. I’m excited about giving back and being a part of raising awareness for this issue.

Colgate will donate $100,000 worth of oral care products to school districts and kids in need who don’t normally have access to proper dental care or dental products. It was interesting to find out that nearly 51 million school hours are missed each year because students don’t have access to proper dental products to take care of dental health. We want to encourage people to get behind the initiative as well by shopping at the Walmart stores listed on our website at championforkids.org/simplegiving. Shoppers can purchase toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other oral care products that will be donated to school districts across Walmart’s Central Business Unit. I am excited about putting a happy bright smile on every student’s face.

Q. What are Max and Blakesly looking forward to doing this summer?

I’ve signed them up for lots of little summer camps. Max will go to basketball camp
and also attend a camp called Camp Invention, where they focus on science-related stuff. Blakesly will go to dance camp and she is also looking forward to going to fairy camp, where they build tiny fairy houses by one of our local rivers. They’re really excited to do all of those things.

Q. What kinds of things do you like to do as a family over spring break?

Well, this year we will travel to California to be a part of our niece’s baby dedication
ceremony. We get to travel and spend time with family who are coming from Germany, so I’m really looking forward to it.

Q. Your family seems like you all have such a strong bond with one another. Is that something you work at?

Oh gosh, yeah. Spending quality time together is important to us. I make a point to ensure my kids know they are a priority in my life and that my husband is a priority in my life. My relationship with Ryan is the foundation of our family. So, yeah, we do have a strong family bond, but it takes effort and time to create it.

Q. How did becoming a mom change your relationship with Ryan?

Well, number one, it has decreased the amount of time I can spend with him. That’s because our kids demand a little bit more time from each of us. So, it’s changed in that way. But, honestly, our relationship has grown so much; I respect him so much more because he is such a wonderful father. Our relationship continues to thrive because we bond over our children and we both respect each other as parents.

Q. Mother’s Day is just around the corner. What is your favorite way to spend the day?

This year, my favorite way will be watching my daughter at her first dance recital
over Mother’s Day weekend. I can’t wait. She is so proud of her dance class and what she’s able to do and she just thoroughly loves it. We have an event called "Dance TV" through the Vail International Dance Festival. Each year they teach master classes with some of the people from "So You Think You Can Dance." Allison Holker, Twitch and Alice Long were there one year and we took a class. She turned to me and said, "Mommy when is everyone else going to leave
because I want the stage." It is in her bones -- she wants to perform and she wants to dance. I’m so excited to see her at her first recital!

Q. What kind of feedback have you gotten on your book, "Happily Ever After?" What have your readers found most helpful?

I’ve gotten great feedback! People are really embracing it, reaching out to me on
social media, and thanking me. They have shared how my book has helped them get through really difficult times in their lives, like losing a job or coping with the death of a loved one. Honestly, if it touched just one person, then it means it was a success. So to me, it was a success.

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