Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Digital Media Academy + $75 off summer camps!


Do you have or know kids that love anything to do with digital media? Then this could be the perfect camp for them! 

Founded at Stanford University, Digital Media Academy is ranked as one of the ten best summer camps in the world! Kids and teens learn computer programming, app development, 3D modeling, robotics, graphic design, filmmaking, and much more. DMA summer camps are one or multiple week experiences taught by industry experts and tech professionals. Campers get hands-on experience creating projects using the latest hardware and software from Apple, Canon, Adobe, and more. 

Digital Media Academy is also proud to introduce Made by Girls, a new program dedicated to empowering girls and closing the gender gap in the tech industry.




Save $75 off summer camps at Digital Media Academy with code TECHSUMMER at www.DigitalMediaAcademy.org. Sign up for multiple weeks and save big! Campers save $125 for each additional course they register for. Register by May 31 to #CreateTheNext best-selling app this summer!




Give your teen a pre-collegiate experience or build a child's confidence through project-based learning. Learn at some of the most prestigous colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Canada. Camps start at age 6!

Head to www.DigitalMediaAcademy.org to find camps in 11 states + Canada. PA locations include Philadelphia and Bryn Mawr.




Questions? Call 1(866)656-3342 to speak with a Guest Service Representative or email info@digitalmediaacademy.org and mention the US Family Guide Special Offer

#CreateTheNext this summer at Digital Media Academy!





The DMA Experience from Digital Media Academy on Vimeo.

This post sponsored by U.S. Family & Digital Media Academy. 

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Northwood for Moms

It can be very challenging to get by on one income these days and it seems like many moms I know have some kind of side business in the works. Many moms want the flexibility to be home with their children, but still find ways to bring in a little extra income. Moms are awesome multi-taskers, so whether they are a blogger, have an etsy shop, teach a class or sell some type of product, moms know how to make it happen!

I was recently invited to be a part of an event called Northwood for Moms, sponsored by Northwood Realty. They brought together some of their wonderful mom real estate agents, along with The Motherhood and many local bloggers. That was a LOT of passion and drive in one room, I tell ya. :)


We had a lot of discussion around what gives us the energy to pursue our passions as well as how we all strive to balance work + family. I have never considered being a real estate agent, but if I ever needed a full time job, it is definitely something I would put at the top of my list as an option! The Northwood mom real estate agents all shared the great benefits they experience in their job. The top two reasons they all agreed that it was the best job EVER? Flexibility + the sky is the limit on your salary! Several of these Northwood moms had special needs children and they couldn't say enough about how thankful they were to have the option of scheduling their hours around any of their kids appointments or activities.  


 Tom Hosack, president of Northwood Realty, has gone out of his way to make his company a great place for moms to work. My favorite quote of the night from him, "it's a mom's world!" He knows that moms make amazing real estate agents and he makes sure his company is a place they want to work. This is certainly not the case for many companies! Some moms in attendance, who are employed other places, certainly attested to the difference.


This mother-daughter team was dynamic! Celeste grew up with her mom working as a real estate agent and remembers waiting in the car doing homework during showings or helping at open houses. Now her mom is retired, but Celeste continues in her footsteps as a real estate agent of her own. What a great benefit to have so many years of advice and experience to learn from her mom!


Are you considering a career path or a working option that gives you flexibility for your family? Watch this video below, I met each of these ladies and they really are fantastic! Then head to Northwood for Moms to see how it might be a great fit for you!




This post sponsored by Northwood for Moms. However, all opinions remain my own. Photos used by permission courtesy of  Apple Box Studios. 

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Saying Hello and Goodbye

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month and I can't let it go by without sharing a little of our story and encouraging others to consider taking this step for their family. I love this quote that I recently saw from a fellow foster mama....When people say the "I'd get too attached" thing to me, I usually say, yes, that's how you know you'd make a good foster parent. If it breaks my heart when they leave, that's how I know I loved them well.


We did it. We nailed the parenting thing. We had a beautiful little boy and a gorgeous little girl born 2 years and 7 days apart. Our happy American family was complete. But then it wasn’t.  We knew that God’s call on our heart to help children was clear and so we became certified for foster care. Our family went from 2 kids to 5 kids under 5 overnight. And thus began the journey that would change us forever. During the 5 weeks that they were with us we changed 5 kids into 3 different rooms trying to see who would not keep each other up at night, who would not bounce everyone awake at 6am, and what would keep us the most sane in a small house. We fell in love quickly. We got a glimpse of families who loved their children and were heart broken to be parted from them. We learned that foster care did not just bring us new children, it brought an entire family dynamic to learn about and nurture. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins..…it affects so many. With breaking hearts, we said we don’t know if we can do it again, listening to their sobs as they got in the car and drove away for the last time. Maybe it is too hard, maybe we’re too weak. It feels more comfortable to have smaller grocery bills, put on fewer shoes, and have less chaos. So we took a little while for our hearts to heal and our bodies to rest and we answered the call once again. “Yes,” you say? “In 45 minutes you will be receiving a 2 year old boy and his 4 day old brother who is still detoxing from drugs in his system.” Goodbye last night’s blissful sleep, hello newborn world. We saw the bruises on his arms and the shaking of his hands. We knew he was child #9 and we prayed for his mother to be rescued from the addiction that held her so tight that she had to choose drugs over these precious lives. 3 short days and off to court they went, only to be sent to live with a relative. Barely time to blink and no time to say goodbye. We pray they are loved and cared for wherever they are.  A little more time to regroup and the call comes again. An 11 month old girl and her 23 month old brother. The most trauma affected little ones that we had encountered. We barely knew what raising trauma-based children looked like and we were in for a crash course. We decided right away that our girl was either going to be a tuba player or an Olympic swimmer. How else could she possibly have the capacity to scream at the top of her lungs for hours at a time? Hours upon hours the screaming went on. We had to introduce formula, then pureed foods, then solids. Her brother spoke and understood almost nothing although he was just shy of 2 years old.  On the streets we heard the comments “you’re amazing, you’re wonderful, I could never do it” and my look became a blank stare as I thought I’m barely holding it together. I’m certainly less than amazing, and I don’t know how I’m going to make it through another day. But 5 weeks went by and suddenly the screaming lessened.  She began to smile.  We began to breathe again. She figured out what being tickled was and we discovered the best giggle we have ever heard in our lives. It literally stops people in their tracks, it’s that good. Our little buddy began to talk and hug and sing. He knows the words to every song he listens to regularly. And by something completely unforeseen by us, 22 months went by and we are now in the process of adoption. Foster care is hard, we would never try to cover that up. But do you know what foster care isn’t about? It’s not about us. It’s about children. Children who are in desperate need of love, patience and care during both their good and most unlovable moments. Are we special or significant? Not at all. We are simply evidence of people living one step at a time in grace and praying that others will take this step as well.


Monday, May 11, 2015

Digital Media Academy + $75 off summer camps!


Do you have or know kids that love anything to do with digital media? Then this could be the perfect camp for them! 

Founded at Stanford University, Digital Media Academy is ranked as one of the ten best summer camps in the world! Kids and teens learn computer programming, app development, 3D modeling, robotics, graphic design, filmmaking, and much more. DMA summer camps are one or multiple week experiences taught by industry experts and tech professionals. Campers get hands-on experience creating projects using the latest hardware and software from Apple, Canon, Adobe, and more. 

Digital Media Academy is also proud to introduce Made by Girls, a new program dedicated to empowering girls and closing the gender gap in the tech industry.




Save $75 off summer camps at Digital Media Academy with code TECHSUMMER at www.DigitalMediaAcademy.org. Sign up for multiple weeks and save big! Campers save $125 for each additional course they register for. Register by May 31 to #CreateTheNext best-selling app this summer!




Give your teen a pre-collegiate experience or build a child's confidence through project-based learning. Learn at some of the most prestigous colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Canada. Camps start at age 6!

Head to www.DigitalMediaAcademy.org to find camps in 11 states + Canada. PA locations include Philadelphia and Bryn Mawr.




Questions? Call 1(866)656-3342 to speak with a Guest Service Representative or email info@digitalmediaacademy.org and mention the US Family Guide Special Offer

#CreateTheNext this summer at Digital Media Academy!





The DMA Experience from Digital Media Academy on Vimeo.

This post sponsored by U.S. Family & Digital Media Academy. 

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

New Day added: #SlidetheCity!

** UPDATE ** NEW Day being added, Sunday June 7, 2015! Tickets go on sale this Wednesday, May 6. Don't delay -- Saturday is SOLD OUT, Mark your calendar for this Wednesday and get your tickets here! 

 

People are always coming up with new & exciting venues for fun, aren't they? Slide the City is an awesome 1,000 foot slip and slide that will be in Pittsburgh for one day only! I can't wait to check it out.  Turning hills into water-sliding thrills is the goal of the event, which was created in an effort to get people outside, having fun, and connecting with their community.


Slide the City Pittsburgh: Saturday June 6th, 2015
Location: South Park – Allegheny County 
Registration Opens: April 22nd, 2015 10am Eastern Time
Go here to register: 


Participants in Slide the City will ride inflatables down a 1,000-ft. slip and slide. This one-of-a-kind experience will help people “slide into summer.” The first event of its kind, Slide the City has seen massive growth since it started in 2014. This original concept went viral when the video was released, and this year promises to be bigger, better, and wetter. “This will be one of the highlights of your year,” said Slide The City Founder, T.R. Gourley “Get ready for the slide of your life!”

Each rider can purchase a one ride pass, three ride pass, or all-day pass. With over 150 events in the US and Canada, and more than 20 international locations beginning with Japan and Australia as early as March, water slide enthusiasts are sure to find a Slide the City event nearby.

All are welcome to slide into fun. Visit www.slidethecity.com for more information about Slide the City dates and locations or checkout what fans have to share on Facebook at www.facebook.com/slidethecity.


Best Rates - Early Bird Registration begins Wednesday, April 22, 2015!
Prices begin at $15, $30, & $50 for early bird. 

Make sure to bring your water buckets, floaties, and water guns (non-realistic of course), to squirt, spray, splash, and get all attending soaked.


FAQ's:

Is there an age or height limit?
All who are over 46 inches tall and over 5 years old are invited to slide, but remember if you're under 18 you'll need to get a sign off from your legal guardians.

Are there group rates available?
If you have a group with 20 or more participants send us an email.

What do you do to address water conservation?
Water conservation is also a priority at our events. We strive to have zero environmental impact on the community. The Slide was designed to have zero water loss, and it treats and recycles the water safely and efficiently throughout the day. When permitted, we donate the water back to the community. Methods of disposal include local reclamation centers, parks, golf courses and other places dependent upon local regulations.


Additional Information:
Instagram 

Facebook -  or http://www.slidethecity.com/events/pittsburgh/

Twitter - @slidethecity



This post sponsored by U.S. Family, all opinions remain my own. 

Monday, May 4, 2015

A chat with Dr. Amanda of Family Chiropractic


Last fall I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Amanda when we were both speaking at The Mom Con. I enjoyed hearing her talk on how passionate she is about incorporating healthy living along side her chiropractic business. Some people might not associate a chiropractic clinic with holistic health and wellness. But Dr. Amanda and her husband, Dr. Cotey, are true believers in not just fixing symptoms, but addressing lifestyle, diet, and whole body heath to help each person feel at their very best potential. (Read more of their story here.) That is a big reason they have a very special upcoming announcement as they change the name of their practice to simply Family Chiropractic. (formerly known as Jordan Family Chiropractic.)


Here are some questions I posed to Dr. Amanda about her practice:

1. What led you and your husband to start your chiropractic business?
Our purpose in life is to passionately restore family health and animate future generations, and what better way than through the chiropractic lifestyle. We've personally had life changing experiences all because complete strangers went out of their way to introduce us to a better way towards health that we had no idea even existed. We feel obligated and very proud to spread the message of health to our local community.

2. You are in the process of changing the name of your business, what do you hope the new name conveys to families?
We believe our new name and logo speak for themselves! Our practice members come to us because we continuously elevate their health, inspire self responsibility and help them take action through a rhythm of education, specific adjustments and nutritional support.

3. I recently heard about how chiropractic care can be an amazing resource for infants struggling with reflux. Can you share more about those benefits?
That is absolutely true! We are experts when it comes to the human body and we specialize with pediatrics and pregnant women. We see kids of all ages. Many of our practice members bring their kids in to be proactive with their health and to insure their children are functioning optimally. Typical issues that we see in newborns and children are colic, reflux, ear infections, bedwetting, growing pains, IBS, scoliosis, etc. The truth is, if a child is suffering from anything, they deserve the opportunity of experiencing chiropractic care.



4. What are some other ways families can benefit from Family Chiropractic?
The benefits are truly up to you. We have patients who truly need help with pain relief from chronic issues, headaches, migraines, etc. We also have patients who need help getting their body to function at a higher level due to cancer, autism, cerebral palsy, etc. Additionally we have patients who seek to be proactive about their health rather than waiting until there is a problem to deal with. This care is comparable to working out – we all know it will lead to a healthier happier life, but do we all put it as a priority and make time for it? Or do we wait until we are over weight, tired and miserable then wish for the magic quick fix? We believe your Health is your greatest assest and you are responsible for it.

5. Anything else that would be helpful for families to know about your business?
The most common statements we hear in our office are parents saying, “I never knew this was even an option.” “Why didn’t I hear about this sooner?” “I am so thankful Julie referred me to you, I had no idea you could help my family so much.” It is a our greatest pleasure to help restore your family’s health.


Would you like to learn more about Dr. Amanda's Family Chiropractic? Join them for an exciting FREE event + Launch party!

Thursday, May 14th, 6:30pm. 
Treesdale Community Center
1 Treesdale Cmns, Gibsonia, PA 15044
.
They were selected out of 500 chiropractors in North America to be featured in an extreme make over! There will be amazing food, provided by Oakmont country club, Tamari, Whole Foods and others! There will be the exciting announcement via a CEO of a multimillion dollar company as well as raffle prizes.  If anyone is interested in learning about how to take their health to another level they are more than welcome to attend, they will not be giving a lecture or trying to corner people. All attendees are able to enter into a free raffle. The grand prize is worth over $2400 which will be one free year of care! Children are able to attend, however, ideally they would love parents to be able to relax together and have a nice night out. There is no babysitting availability at the center.
RSVP is required to help with food availability. Register here.

Thank you, Dr. Amanda, for sharing with the Momtourage followers the wonderful resources Family Chiropractic can offer to families!

Dr. Amanda received her degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic. She and her husband have been in practice for 6 years and have two beautiful little girls who are 3 and 16 months.



9125 Marshall Road, Suite 101
Cranberry Twp, PA 16066
724-741-6080
info@JordanFamilyChiro.com


This post sponsored by Family Chiropractic, however all opinions remain my own.