Ever gave a really bad awards speech? Welp, now I have. Here’s The Worst Acceptance Speech Ever & What I Wish I Had Said. #FLBlogCon

The Worst Acceptance Speech Ever & What I Wish I Had Said

photo credit: Kim Vij of theeducatorsspinonit.com

Every person has that dream Academy Award Speech they want to give. In my mind, I had everything planned out from the dress I would wear, to the “complete shock” face when my name is called, to the tears I would cry as they handed me the beautiful and heavy trophy. And then I would wake up.

But yesterday, it was a moment about as close as I would ever get to an Oscar. Best Parenting Blog award was up for grabs, and I was in complete denial that I could possibly win. I don’t win awards. I was never the “popular” person. I was never the sporty girl. The only trophies in my possession were from nerdy things like good grades.

And as I stood there and planned out my exit strategy (in all honesty, I had to pee SO badly), my friends held me hostage as I heard my blog name butchered over the microphone. Wait, there must have been some mistake. That wasn’t my blog called, right? But as I got pushed forward, I had about a million neurons firing as I gingerly walked towards the stage. Saying a prayer to not trip and fall in front of a huge group of people, I held a small yet powerful little trophy in my hand. And then the introvert in me did it’s worst as my mouth gaped open, and my mind went blank.

Want to hear the worst acceptance speech ever?

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Coughing, sneezing, runny nose? It must be that time of year again! Is it a Child Cold or Allergies? How to Tell the Difference when your child is sick! This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Child Cold or Allergies? How to Tell the Difference

Do you know how can I tell when my kids are settled into the school year? ALL of the tissue boxes come out of the closet.

And you get a tissue! And you get a tissue! And you’re so special – you get the double layer tissue!

A sneezy boy here, a boogery nose girl there, and a mom on-call 24/7. Fall is in the air…literally. How can you tell if your coughing, sneezing, runny nose child is coming home from school with a cold or allergies? Yeah, I’m with ya. Here’s how to tell the difference between a child cold or allergies. And of course, get tips to help your little one feel better sooner.

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Make meal time awesome with these 75+ Family Dinner Conversation Starters + Easy Meal Idea. This post is sponsored by Milford Valley. All family-loving opinions are my own.

75+ Family Dinner Conversation Starters + Easy Meal Idea

I thrive on family time. There’s not a day that goes by where we don’t have family dinner at the core of our daily routine. In fact, the days we don’t have family dinner, I feel there’s a part of me that’s missing. In today’s fast paced society, that family time is less and less. Technology and social media replace laughter and actual eye contact. But even on the busiest school nights, we are trying hard to make the time to be together. Because we only have so many more years with our kids around the dinner table, right? Set down those phones and turn of the TV. Instead, grab these 75+ Family Dinner Conversation Starters + a delicious and easy meal idea with Milford Valley Stuffed Chicken Minis.

Laughter around the dinner table and good food in under 30 minutes? Heck, yes.

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This time of year always makes me teary as a mom. Grab your $50 Florida Prepaid Back-to-School Promo Code, because they grow up too fast. This post is sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Board as a my role as Believer Blogger. All opinions are my own. #StartingIsBelieving

Florida Prepaid Back-to-School Promo Code | Because They Grow Up Too Fast

(Alternate blog post title: If you give a kindergartner red lipstick…) Dressed to impress, that seems to be my 5-year old’s motto these days. As we pick out her school outfit every night, she reminds me to not forget a “cute accessory” for her hair. “It HAS to match my dress, Mommy.” I catch her posing in front of the mirror as she fluffs her hair and pouts her lips.

She’s growing up – fast, too fast. 

Back-to-school reminds me how fast time flies. Wasn’t this little lady just in diapers yesterday? Kindergarten today, college tomorrow – it’s hard to believe how much has changed. Back-to-school reminds me how precious these years are, and how even more important it is that we are ready for the years ahead. Bright futures, careers, dreams, goals – they’re all happening as fast as these kindergarten days are flashing before me. That’s why a $50 Florida Prepaid Back-to-School Promo Code can mean so much to parents. Grab your Florida Prepaid back-to-school savings now, before they grow up too fast.

***2019 Update: Use code RAIS19 at checkout through 3/4/19 for $50 off.

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Want your children to stay healthy this school year? Grab your Back-to-School Health Tips for Kids at Every Grade Level – full guide for kids of all ages! This is a sponsored post. All healthy opinions are my own.

Back-to-School Health Tips for Kids at Every Grade Level

I know, I know – but it’s that time where we talk about the “C” and “F” words again.

No…not those ones.

Cold and flu, my fellow parents. Cold and Flu. Back-to-School means back to germs – and with two kids in full time elementary school, that’s twice the amount of germs attacking my family. The odds are against me. No bueno. So how do we keep everyone in the family healthy this school season? Check out these back-to-school health tips for kids at every grade level. So whether you have a preschooler, elementary age or middle schooler in the house, you’re prepared to keep your little ones healthy all school season long.

Bonus: you also get to see how my daughter likes to “quaff” in the mornings. 5 going on 15? Yeah, I think so.

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This post is sponsored, and paid for, by SunTrust. All opinions are my own. It’s never too early to plan for the holidays! Grab your Best Holiday Planning Tips for a Stress-Free Season + FREE Budget Worksheet. 

Best Holiday Planning Tips for a Stress-Free Season + FREE Budget Worksheet

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. It’s the time when I pull out my ugly Christmas sweater, play those catchy tunes, and sit down with my extensive holiday spreadsheet. Can you smell the OCD Type-A planning in the air? Forget Christmas in July. It’s Holiday Planning August. In case you’re looking for a stress-free holiday season too (pick me, pick me!), today I’m sharing my best holiday planning tips to get a jump start on everything merry. Plus grab a FREE budget worksheet – including full guide, calculator and itemized list too to help give you financial confidence this holiday season.

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Watching my youngest child leave for school today brought on a mess of emotions. I’m Grieving Kindergarten, Now What Do I Do? 

I’m Grieving Kindergarten, Now What Do I Do?

I lost my job today, and I’m heartbroken. My job, my identity, my mission, my purpose, my very familiar and comfortable routine, all gone in an instant. After almost 10-years of being a mom, I’ve lost my sense of self. My youngest child just left for kindergarten today, and I can’t cope. The emotions are so unbearable at times – I’m scolding, laughing and crying all at the same time. I’m grieving kindergarten. Now what do I do?

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