I have a passion for learning and writing. Those were the two things that started me on this blogging journey 7 years ago. Eventually I landed a freelance job because of the blog and it has been hard finding a balance between writing for me, writing for work, and family time.

My husband and I lost a baby last year when I just had gotten into the second trimester and had finally felt relief. If you haven’t followed my journey, this was my 8th loss. So I was pretty devastated. We got pregnant right after the loss and now I have a beautiful 5 month old baby girl to complete our family. But I never gave myself time to grieve. I was paranoid my whole pregnancy. After baby girl got here, I was a mess. It doesn’t help having a three year old in the mix!

I have an amazing OB who took one look at me and suggested I go on meds and that was the best thing I could have done for my family. I am slowly feeling like myself again and am ready to jump back in to writing for me. But I’m still searching for my balance between work, family and friends, and me. It’s funny how moms put themselves at the bottom of the totem pole and do what is best for everyone else.

I’m not sure what direction Mkokopelli is going to take this year. I will still offer reviews, hopefully will have a few investigative writing essays/ natural parent articles, and I am going to begin to share more of my crazy world with an Aspie girl, a smart & wild 3 yr old and an infant. Hope you stick around for the journey!

I was so excited to try the new Stonyfield Grassfed Yogurt! We try and buy as many grassfed animal products as possible for the simple fact cows were meant to eat grass and not grain. When eating meat or drinking milk, I can taste a difference in grassfed vs grain fed. Scientist say human breastmilk changes tastes with the foods you eat, so why would this be any different for animals?

Farmer Tim Joseph, founder of Maple Hill Creamery- one of the grassfed dairy sources for Stonyfield said that, “Livestock evolved to eat grass, and when you shift to grass and grain, or just grain, you change the balance of healthy elements in the milk; it alters the Omega-3s and what makes the products healthy.” Grassfed dairy has higher Omega-3’s.

Stonyfield Grassfed comes in 4 flavors including Strawberry, Vanilla, Blueberry, and Plain.

*I am part of the Stonyfield YoGetters group of bloggers and receive compensation and products as part of the program. My opinion is not influenced in any way

Stonyfield partnered with OXO Tot for a fun way to feed your baby or toddler delicious organic yogurt! OXO Tot sent us some great feeding products including their Easy Grip Fork & Spoon, a Divided Plate with removable ring, Twist Top Water Bottle, Flippy Snack Cup, Roll Up Bib, Baby Blocks, and Grape Cutter!

I have to say my absolute favorite is the OXO Tot Grape Cutter. Grapes are a perfect fruity treat for little ones but are a pain to cut. So we usually avoid them. The Oxo Tot Grape Cutter allows you to place a grape in the tool and it cuts it into quarters.

                       

*I am part of the Stonyfield YoGetters group of bloggers and receive compensation and products as part of the program. My opinion is not influenced in any way.

It is LEGO KidsFest weekend and my kids were stoked to attend! They had a blast playing with the millions of LEGO bricks in each of the stations:

• LEGO Model Museum: life-sized models made entirely from LEGO bricks 
•  LEGO Master Builders: live demonstrations and activities from the crew who get paid to play 
• Race Ramps: build a custom car, then race it down the ramp against friends and family 
•  LEGO Star Wars: build and display a Star Wars model 
• LEGO Disney Princess: create a princess scene to add to a LEGO story book 
•  LEGO Super Heroes: pose with a life-sized Spiderman model and more 
• LEGO DUPLO: younger visitors can explore imagination through building 
• LEGO Retail: purchase LEGO merchandise and official KidsFest tour goods 
• LEGO Friends: build for the five empowered friends from Heartlake City 
•  LEGO Ninjago: spin the way to being a Spinjitzu member 
•  LEGO Mindstorms: build and program robots and snakes 
•  LEGO Technic: get hands-on with the cool, realistic vehicles at the booth Creation Nation: build your own creation to add to a custom map of the U.S. Brick Pile: a gigantic pile full of LEGO bricks for creative play and enjoyment 
• Monochromatic Builds: bricks of a single color foster group creativity

It was a bit overwhelming, but they had a blast building- especially in the huge LEGO brick pile!

Five sessions – all identical and 4 1/2 half hours in length – are held at each tour stop. LEGO KidsFest tickets can be purchased at http://www.LEGOkidsfest.com. Tickets are $19 for the Friday and Sunday afternoon sessions, and $22 for both sessions on Saturday and the Sunday morning session. On tour since 2009, previous LEGO KidsFest tour stops have included major cities such as Chicago, Boston, Dallas, Atlanta, San Jose, Cleveland, Richmond, Phoenix, Portland and more.

Sample Disclosure: The opinions expressed above are honest, accurate, and not encouraged anyway by monetary donations. A sample free of charge was received from said company, as stated within the editorial.

We are sooo excited that LEGO KidsFest North Carolina is coming to Charlotte February 19-21! All of my kiddos are huge LEGO fans- so this is an exciting treat for the whole family- especially since there will be a Star Wars model!!

The LEGO KidsFest national tour stops at the Charlotte Convention Center bringing all of the creative hands-on, minds-on fun of LEGO building and experiences together in this three acre activity- and entertainment-packed family event. LEGO KidsFest is for children of all ages and builders of all skills and interests.

Here is what you can expect to see:

• Three Acres of Hands-On Educational Fun for All Ages 
• LEGO Model Museum: life-sized models made entirely from LEGO bricks 
• LEGO Master Builders: live demonstrations and activities from the crew who get paid to play 
• Race Ramps: build a custom car, then race it down the ramp against friends and family 
• LEGO Star Wars: build and display a Star Wars model  
• LEGO Disney Princess: create a princess scene to add to a LEGO story book  
• LEGO Super Heroes: pose with a life-sized Spiderman model and more  
• LEGO DUPLO: younger visitors can explore imagination through building  
• LEGO Retail: purchase LEGO merchandise and official KidsFest tour goods  
• LEGO Friends: build for the five empowered friends from Heartlake City  
• LEGO Ninjago: spin the way to being a Spinjitzu member  
• LEGO Mindstorms: build and program robots and snakes 
• LEGO Technic: get hands-on with the cool, realistic vehicles at the booth 
• Creation Nation: build your own creation to add to a custom map of the U.S. 
• Brick Pile: a gigantic pile full of LEGO bricks for creative play and enjoyment  
• Monochromatic Builds: bricks of a single color foster group creativity 

“Our 2016 LEGO KidsFest tour is going to delight both new and returning audiences,” said Vince Rubino, Events Manager for LEGO Systems, Inc. “We’ve still got some favorites on the show floor, like the Big Brick Pile, Creation Nation and the Race Ramps. There are also many new and unique activities designed for building, learning and fun.” Five sessions – all identical and 4 1/2 half hours in length – are held at each tour stop.

LEGO KidsFest tickets can be purchased at www.LEGOkidsfest.com. Tickets are $19 for the Friday and Sunday afternoon sessions, and $22 for both sessions on Saturday and the Sunday morning session.

GIVEAWAY:
One of MY followers will win (2) tickets to for the opening night session on Friday, Feb 19, 2016 (4-8:30pm). I encourage you to LIKE and Follow LEGOKidsFest on Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram for all the latest ticketing updates as this event has been selling out in prior cities. Must be 18 to enter, 1 entry per day allowed, random drawing by USFG!

Winner will be randomly chosen by USFG on Tues Jan 15 and announced on my Blog and notified via email.

http://www.usfamilyguide.com/LEGO_KidsFest/?blogid=2397

I love when you mix two brands that you love and come up with something so simple, yet amazing. Which is exactly what happened when I mixed Nature’s Path with Stonyfield yogurt. I have loved being a Stonyfield Yo-Getter for the last 4 years. I’ve had the chance to discover new brands plus try new things I wouldn’t have thought of on my own. Just like this month.

Nature’s Path sent us 2 yogurt toppers to try: Pumpkin Flax Granola and Qi’a Superfood – Chia, Buckwheat & Hemp Cereal Cranberry Vanilla. I’ve seen both at the store, but have never thought to purchase either. We love Nature’s Path oatmeal, cereal, waffles, toaster pastries, and granola bars, but I have to be honest and say when I read chia, buckwheat and hemp I assumed it was going to taste crunchy and super health-foody so I’ve avoided buying.

I topped Stonyfield’s Smooth & Creamy Whole Milk French Vanilla  with Qi’a Superfood Chia, Buckwheat & Hemp Cereal Cranberry Vanilla and it was pure divinity! The nutty sweet flavors mixed with the vanilla- it was like they were made for one another.

*I am part of the Stonyfield YoGetters group of bloggers and receive compensation and products as part of the program. My opinion is not influenced in any way.

I have always been a little bit photo obsessed- even before kids. I have loved hanging photos that I’ve captured since I was a pre-teen. So I have loved how far printing has come over the past 25 years. We have tons of canvases, regular prints, prints on wood, and a fridge full of photo magnets- but I have yet to try photos on metal. So when I had the chance to review AdoramaPix I was super excited to try a new medium.

AdoramaPix is a professional printing company that prints your digital photos on metal, canvas, acrylic, regular prints with over 400 frame and mat choices, photo mounts, in photo books, cards and more. They offer free shipping on orders over $39 (BIG plus for me!) and the turnaround time is amazing- so you still have time to order for the holidays!

There is an amazing photo of my husband and I after our wedding and I’ve had it printed on several mediums but none have really done the photo justice. The wood print we have (not from AdoramaPix) wasn’t vibrant enough so it lost the quality. We had a metal ornament (not from AdoramaPix) but it wasn’t sharp enough. It was ok in a paper print- but I wanted the image to be a piece of art. So I decided to give the AdoramaPix Metal Print a chance.

And I’m in love and can’t wait to order more!! I think the next time I will try a different metal finish to see the difference- though I do love the glossy white.

The ordering process is very easy. You choose your metal finish, choose your shape, upload your photo, choose the size and mount, then order. The shape selection is really cool!

I chose the glossy white 11X17 rectangle with a wall float mount that gives the photo a 3D look.

AdramamPix prices are very affordable for such high quality.

BrickSwag is the #1 box membership for LEGO fans. Each month includes official LEGO kits to build and keep, exclusive t-shirt, Build magazine, Funky Fig trading cards, and more surprises. This would make an EXCELLENT gift this holiday season, especially since it keeps on giving!

Over the next 3 months, I will be receiving the BrickSwag box and I can’t wait to share with you how E loves it!

Mission: To Inspire, Educate, and Entertain with LEGO bricks.

My readers receive 20% Off their BrickSwag subscription with this exclusive promo code: FAM20

OFFER EXPIRES: 11/20/2015

With 2 kiddos and 1 on the way it is easy to lose pieces of who you are. We (try!) to practice Attachment Parenting which one of the principles is balance. Self care is important to everyone in the family. Kind of like the saying- “happy wife, happy life-” It’s true. But when life starts to pile up, kids sometimes overshadow your personal needs/wants. That’s why I’m loving this month’s Stonyfield and prAna campaign- #JustBeYou.

Linea Pant

• Slub jersey knit 
• Denim detailing at back body 
• Drop waist detailing at front body 
• Flatlock seaming 
• Gusset for added comfort 
• Size Small = 32 (81.3cm) inseam 
• Fitted Flare leg 
• Low rise 
• 53% Hemp / 42% Organic Cotton / 5% Spandex 
• Imported

prAna inspires healthy, active, and free-spirited living. They use organic cotton, recycled wool, hemp and recycled polyester. prAna goes out of their way to make sure the impact they make on the world is mostly confined to their aesthetic. They use materials and partner with companies and factories that adhere to strict guidelines for safety and efficacy. You can find Women’s and Men’s clothing ranging from tops, bras, dresses, skirts, jackets, sweaters, hoodies, pants, vests and more!

Love what you see? Use the COUPON CODE: JBYF15MKOK Discount: 15% off at prAna.com Not valid on Gift Certificates or with any other offers Valid Nov 1 – Dec 15, 2015

Love the pants? Enter to win a Linea Pant from prAna- valued at $75!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

I have been a huge Shutterfly fan for the past 9 years, so when I found out they teamed up with Stonyfield, I was super excited! When I had my own photography company, I would use Shutterfly for printing because their quality was always amazing. Over the years, they have added to their photo gifts and decor and I have loved seeing all of the neat photo creations.

I love giving photo gifts for the holidays since they are personal and unique. I have loved seeing our photos printed on different materials- including wood, steel, glass, canvas, plastic, and other man-made materials. My mother-in-law loves getting Shutterfly ornaments of the kids and my mom loves getting her yearly coffee mug. We have made Shutterfly cutouts, mousepads, plaques, jewelry, plates, stickers, luggage tags, calendars, notebooks, stationary, tote bags, and more. I have recently started a magnet collection on our fridge. And we print photobooks at least 5-6 times a year.

Since I take a million photos, printing everything became an issue. I ran out of wall space for photo albums and I got tired of envelopes of photos filling up drawers and cabinets. So photobooks became our solution. Every 6 months, each child gets a book created for that 6 months of their life. This way, each child has their own book documenting all of the fun they had that year. I’ve done this for almost 9 years! For the first 2 years of their lives, I’ve taken weekly photos of the kids to document their changes- those have been my favorites. You can customize your Shutterfly books and choose your own backgrounds, layouts, stickers, borders, text boxes and more. It is the best digital scrapbook you can create and print. The only downside is that custom books can take a while to create- I spend at least 15+ hours on each book. Shutterfly does have an autofill feature, but I love being able to design our own books!

Want $20 off your next Shutterfly order? Pick up a 6 pack of Stonyfield YoBaby or YoTot and find your Shutterfly code on the only orange lid! This offer is only good for 1 per household.