The Nighttime Struggle.... #Giveaway

After potty training your children, you hope that you no longer have to worry about soiled clothing and accidents... unfortunately this isn't always the case. I do have to say, so far I feel pretty luck- we've only had two children with issues staying dry at night.... but they also have really struggled with this.

I know I'm not alone, and neither are my kids. Night time accidents are definitely still an issue for many kids. According to About.com 15% of children still wet the bed at age 5, 7-10% of children still wet the bed at age 7, and about 3% of children still wet the bed at age 10. 

So, what can you do about it? For a lot of kids it's something they have to grow out of, but there are helpful methods out there to improve the night time experience. I was sent one of those products a few months ago to try out on our two boys who were still struggling with staying dry through the night. 

More Than You'd Expect

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Aflac. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

How much does an illness or injury cost you? Well, if you've never had the unfortunate experience of a serious illness or injury, then you may not realize that insurance doesn't always cover every expense that is incurred due to that injury or illness. 

So what costs could you be left with? 

Well, we've learned the hard way...several times. Let's just say my husband is a tad bit accident prone. He's broke his arm, cut open his leg, and he's had two back surgeries  He's not the only one with medical costs, though... I've had major kidney issues for the last three years and hospitalized numerous times. And of course, Luke was in the NICU for 12 days last year. All of these incidents have left surprise bills for us. 

A major cost factor is loss of work. Normal health insurance won't cover your rent or mortgage.... and how about food? I mean, you'll have to eat that month, too. There's also co-pays and travel costs. It all adds up, and you'd be amazed by how much.

The Aflac Real Cost calculator can help you see how much it could cost you.  I checked out the calculator and had it estimate how much it would cost if I were to have a heart attack. The results were astonishing.

Over $27,000!  Wow.  When I clicked "How Aflac Can Help" I saw that Aflac could possibly save me $13,000. 

The data presented in these images and the Aflac Real Cost calculator is for illustrative purposes only. The Aflac policy payout values are averages; and are not guarantees of an amount to be paid for the listed conditions. Aflac payout data shown is based on historical claims over a 10-year period, across all product plans in force at the time. The values represent the average amount of claims paid to a policyholder with the condition over the time frame (2000-2010). Aflac policies are not available in all states and may vary by state and plan level. Benefits payable are determined at time of claim.

I personally think the shot-term disability would be the biggest difference for my family. That is where we would struggle the most, and the quickest. Payment plans can usually be made with hospital bills...but mortgage bills, fuel for follow up visits, and groceries can't be put off. 

Try the Real Cost Calculator and let me know if anything surprises you!

Have you ever had a major medical issue? Did you find that there were costs involved that you didn't expect?

Movie Magic with Magisto! #MagistoMoms

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Magisto. I received a promotional code for premium features to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating

I love sharing photos and videos with my family and friends... my smartphone is nearly always with me, and I have found that it really chronicles my daily happenings and that of my children. 

My videos are always rough... I hate editing them. I dislike it because I'm not really all that good at it, honestly. Magisto is a smartphone app (available on iPhones and Android systems), that uses artificial intelligence to create the perfect video. 

I have to say, I was was doubtful when I started the process. I picked 5 photos and 3 videos (you can pick up to 5 photos and 16 videos or 25 minutes of video play), picked my theme and music...then Magisto did the rest. It took a while for them to compile the video (I'd say about 15 minutes, maybe a little less), but I received an email when it was ready. Here's my video!

I love how it turned out... the only thing I didn't like was the shadow that was on Nolyn's eye. It wasn't like that in the original video, and the Magisto video made him look like he had an eye patch! But overall, it was amazing to see everything put together so nicely. 

You can get the Magisto app:

iPhone app: http://bit.ly/RzXtcp

Android app: http://bit.ly/On2nGz

Web: http://magisto.com

Magisto is also offering some awesome prizes for those who make a video and enter the video by using the #MagistoMoms hashtag in their video's title. Keep reading for more info (and a special promotional code for free downloads further down)!

Magisto has teamed up with multi-platinum selling recording artist and seven-time Grammy nominee Joan Osborne to celebrate Mother’s Day with a new form of music discovery that brings together powerful user-generated video production technology and musical artistry. Joan’s new song “Born To See You Through”, which celebrates her role as a mother, will be featured as a musical selection in the Mother’s Day challenge when participants create their movies that tell “Why I love being a Mom” or “Why I love my Mom.”

From now until May 13, 2013, all Magisto-created movies that include the hashtag #MagistoMoms in their title will be entered to win special prizes! Videos will be shared and available for viewing on a Mother’s Day-themed social scrapbook that will be hosted on the Magisto website. The users whose Movies get the most Likes on Magisto will win the following prizes:

• Grand Prize: Samsung Galaxy Note Tablet
• Second Place: Joan Osborne's new CD + handwritten lyrics to 'Born to See You Through'
• Runners up: 50 runners up will receive 1-year Magisto Pro upgrades

Magisto's Mother's Day challenge coincides with the first annual Mother's Day benefit concert hosted by Osborne with special guests Ollabelle and Elizabeth Mitchell at NYC's City Winery on May 12th. This concert will help benefit these two charities: Somaly Mam Foundation and Save the Children.

 The Magisto team will be at the concert to create and share videos of the special evening and the company will make a donation to the two charities. Osborne’s song will be available for listening on the Magisto site and available for digital sale at www.joanosborne.com with proceeds going to both charitable organizations.  You can watch the Magisto Joan Osborne created here: http://www.magisto.com/video/agZCZwJSS2IKDUBl

So, I dare you to try it... see what Magisto's magic can do for your video! Use the code: MomsRule to receive 3 free downloads. This code is good until the end of May (2013) so be sure to get working on those videos now! 

I'd love to see your videos... if you are willing to share, leave a comment with a link to yours!

What I'd Like for Mother's Day. #SocialBlackout sponsored:

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for MetLife. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

I know a lot of Moms may want flowers, or chocolate, or cards... but all I want is to spend some nice quality time with my family. This is a sponsored post... but really, this is the gift that I want most. I just want a nice day with my family. I'd love to go out as a family and do something fun. That undivided attention with my entire family is something that doesn't happen often here. Sure, it's kind of crazy to get everyone out and about and make sure that we are all in a positive mood, but when it happens- it is glorious. Those days are the days that memories are made! I'm not sure if my family has anything planned for me, yet, but I would definitely enjoy a peaceful day with them. 

MetLife also realizes that all too often we do too much multitasking. Even when we are out with friends and family- you can often find people on their phones updating Facebook and Twitter. Growing up, social media and our always-connected gadgets did not exist. As children we read books, played outside and entertained ourselves until dinnertime. Now it seems we can't go anywhere without checking our social media sites. The thought of leaving home disconnected, without our smartphones, brings on a wave of panic (especially for the social media savvy)!

It's okay to stay connected...but how about giving Mom your undivided attention this Mother's Day and  vow to participate in the #SocialBlackout event. It's the easiest even to join in on... just don't show up! This Mother's Day, MetLife challenges us to take part in their #SocialBlackout movement, giving us Moms everywhere the undivided attention we deserve. Rather than sharing photos on Instagram and updating Facebook, on May 12th MetLife wants everyone to log off from social media and spend quality time with Mom.

Walking with Attitude- Wordless Wednesday

Miss Annabelle putting on the sass: