Growing up I always loved writing. I had dreams to someday be an author and I have vivid memories of myself sitting in front of our old school Apple computer making up creative stories. I remember when my friend, Rachael, started blogging and I thought it was SUCH a great way to keep track of all of my experiences when I became pregnant with my first baby in August, 2008.
So 10 years ago today I started this blog. 10 YEARS guys. That’s an entire decade that I’ve been sharing all of our life moments with you all! 🙂 (Just for fun…here’s my VERY first post!)
What started as a personal journal of sorts that only a handful of people even knew about, let alone read, has really evolved into so much more. While the blog has grown and changed over the years, I always keep my main purpose for blogging the same as it’s always been: a gift for my children to someday have so they can remember all of our family moments together.
Along with our personal moments I have loved this avenue for sharing my perspective on parenting and on life as a mom. I remember feeling very lonely when Kye was born and it means the WORLD to me when readers reach out and let me know how my little corner of the world has helped them feel less alone or has given them guidance in an area where they needed it.
I also love that blogging has connected me with people. Readers who I may never meet and ones who have become in-life real best friends. I know there is a lot of negative when it comes to social media and the online community but the negative parts I’ve experienced from putting myself out here like I have cannot come CLOSE to comparing to the incredible blessings I’ve received. Prayers when we’ve needed them most, support when I’ve struggled, advice when I’ve needed it, and encouraging reminders that sharing our lives on this platform has truly helped others along their paths.
A decade worth of blogging is something worth CELEBRATING. I’ve thought on this for a long time and decided that I really wanted to do something BIG to thank all of you for being here with me over the last 10 years of my life. A thank you for supporting me, growing up with me, and sharing your lives with me too.
While my journey of parenting has always been the main focus of the blog, my enjoyment of visiting Disney World has become a large focus as well and is something I LOVE. Zach and I recently purchased a home only a few miles from Disney World and decided we wanted to really use our home to be able to bless a family with a stay!
In celebration of my 10 year blogging anniversary we’re giving away a 5 day – 4 night stay in our Disney Rental Home! Along with $200 in Disney Gift Cards to help make your Disney trip even more magical 🙂
You can learn all the details about our Disney Vacation Home here!
The house has 6 bedrooms, 4.5 baths. It has a heated pool, spa, and a full game room (with ping pong, pool, air hockey and basketball). The kitchen is fully stocked with everything and anything you might need to cook and the home is located close to TONS of great restaurant spots if you’d rather eat out 😉
The house is located 3 miles from the Disney World theme parks in Emerald Island Resort but is also close to a TON of other stuff to do as well. So even if you’re not looking to visit Disney…it’s still a very convenient place to stay!
We will be covering ALL costs associated with the stay, including pool heat if desired. If the winner would like to add on additional days we will offer those at a discounted rate as well.
Travel must take place in 2019. Booking is based on availability and black out dates for holiday seasons do apply.
Can’t make the trip to use the house? The $200 Disney Gift Cards will still be shipped to the winner and can be substituted for Amazon or Target if desired.
This giveaway is open to US Residents only and you must be over 18 years old to enter. The giveaway ends on Monday August 13th at 11:59 EST. A winner will be chosen by random and contacted via email!
I am SO excited about this giveaway. Our family LOVES Disney and when we purchased this home we have really made it a goal to make it affordable to families in hopes of helping people cut costs to be able to visit Disney. It makes me so happy to think about a sweet family getting to use the house at no cost and having that spending money to make their trip extra special!
Ready to enter? There are TONS of ways to get bonus entries too so be sure to check out all the options:
Want to go ahead and secure your travel plans? We offer a discount to friends, family and blog readers who want to stay at Hidden Mickey Hideaway (yes, we named our vacation rental house ha!).
You can find out info on the home, date availability and our discount on the rates here!
Words cannot begin to describe just how much all of you mean to me. That may sound silly but it’s so true. Blogging has become a huge part of my life and a huge source of joy too. Thank you to each and every one of you! I am so excited to see what the next decade brings. There are some exciting changes in the works and I look forward to continuing to grow together!
Can’t wait to see who WINS!!!
My work has been featured on Love What Matters, Today Parenting and Babywise.Life. I'm also honored to be a member of the Babywise Friendly Blog Network.
You can read more about our family on my About Me page. Also be sure to follow along with me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!
- Effective Parenting Tips to Discipline a 5 Year Old Child - September 24, 2024
- Happy 9th Birthday to My Daughter – Letter to Tess from Mom - August 26, 2024
- The Best Travel High Chair for Baby and Toddler - July 11, 2024
So generous of you and your family! And hope to still be reading your blog 10 years from now!
I have read your blog for a little over 9 years.. I love reading your post of your birth stories.. They warm my heart so much. I love seeing your pictures of your family as it has grown!! I found your blog thru a mutual friend.. You two went to high school together and she shared it one day.. After a little reading I found out I was just 2 years or so ahead of you in the same school
I found your blog through Pinterest on a post about packing your hospital bag 5 years ago when I was pregnant with my first child. I appreciated the reinforcement of a scheduled baby. I've been more relaxed, but emphasized sleep for my children over activities
What an amazing giveaway! I found your blog maybe 6 years ago through my friend Sabrina. I love reading about your Disney experiences as I quite love Disney myself! Thank you for always being you, being authentic, and for putting Jesus first in all things. I love seeing how He is working in yours and your family’s lives! You are a breath of fresh air in a world that is filled with so much negativity.
I actually left a hefty comment in the other comment box but hello to this comment section as well.
Your blog is one of my favorites! I love that you "keep it real", enjoy traveling with your family (and make time to just travel with Zach), and your love of Disney (I'm a huge Disney fan as well). I've been reading since you blogged about your Italy trip – I think I found you through a travel related link-up? Thanks for sharing your life with us!
I found your blog when my third daughter was born through a search I did on Babywise. She was my first child to do Babywise, so I loved all the helpful stuff/tips I found on your blog for that. And then I just loved reading about your family, Disney, etc, so I just kept reading for the last 5 years!
Love the babywise tips!
I found the blog shortly after we had our first child 5 years ago. It really helped me see what was normal and what was not as a new mom.
Who wouldn't love this prize?!!! I just found your blog when searching for Disney stuff! I've never been here before.
I found your blog when I was pregnant with our son (and only) whose due date is Britt's bday. I love reading all your posts. It's refreshing how relatable you and your family are!
I found your blog through Britt's birth story when I was pregnant with my first daughter and was looking up medication free childbirth. I have been following ever since so for about 4 years now. You also inspired me to start my own blog and I've been blogging for about 4 years now about our family.
Share a link here to your blog! I'd love to check it out and others may as well 🙂
I honestly don’t remember how I came across your blog but it is a highlight for me. I have loved reading about your family. Your adoption journey with Spear has touched my heart. You and your family are being so generous with this giveaway. I hope to win and be able to take my current two month old and my niece to Disney.
Congratulations on making it 10 years in the blogging world! What an accomplishment! I love that you are a Disney kindred spirit!
Congratulations!! Another Georgian here. I first found your blog looking into Advocare. I think that was long before Kye started school. We love Disney too! Were cruising next summer so this would be awesome while were close by!!! Just love how genuine you are and your sweet family!
I discovered your blog through a Kelly's Korner share your blog link up almost 3 years ago and was immediately drawn to your family's love of Disney. My family had just gone to Disney world a few months prior, and while we had gone a few times when I was growing up, that particular trip was the most magical, and we became officially hooked. I've been 9ish times since then and we leave again in 22 days!! 🙂 I love reading all your family monthly recaps and about your trips to Disney…duh!
Oh, and I blog (when I find time) at https://magicalwdwvacations.com/!
I am a new reader of your blog. I like your travel posts. We love to travel and we take our kids everywhere.
I'm a new reader! I'm a mom of two boys and love your posts! Looking forward to following along.
I've been reading like 6 years, found you through your other blog on a post about "magic baby food" lol. I love your movie nights! It's inspired me, and these nights as now my kids favorites!
I've been reading your blog for over 4 years now. Beautiful family! I enjoy reading your blog!
Wow! What a giveaway! I have been interested in watching your family grow from afar. We have four kiddos with our youngest being our foster daughter. The transition from 3 to 4 kids has kicked my tail! It's nice to hear I'm not alone in the good and hard moments.