Smiling It Forward

Last week, I attended my very first Blogalicious conference in San Antonio.  I was invited to attended a special dinner hosted by TYLENOL^® with the special guest, Dra. Aliza Lifshitz – a renowned Latina physician, author and health commentator.  I was honored to be able to sit with the doctor and speak one-on-one with Dra. Aliza and ask her questions on how to keep my family healthy.  But before the dinner we were able to learn how Tylenol is supporting the Children's Health Fund and its mission of providing healthcare to children in need. 

What is the Children's Health Fund?

Children's Health Fund (CHF) is a non-profit organization that provides health care to children and families on mobile medical clinics throughout the United States.

We took a tour on one of the Children’s Health Fund Mobile Medical Unit, which serves as a “doctor’s office on wheels.”  These mobile units offer healthcare to kids and families, regardless of their ability to pay. 

How is Tylenol helping CHF?

My baby was sick this week.  It it broke my heart to see her in so much pain.  She kept grabbing at her ear.  In the middle of the night, I crawled out of bed and reached for some Tylenol.  The Tylenol helped with the pain and it made her suffering go away enough for her to finally get some rest.  The next day I took her to see her Pediatrician.  I called for an appointment and they were able to see me as a walk in.  But some parents, do not have this luxury.  They cannot afford to take their babies to the doctor.  The do not have Pediatricians or Family Doctors to call their own.  No child should have to suffer.  

 Join us, between now and November 30, 2014, TYLENOL® is inviting anyone 18 and older to upload a “smile” photo on the TYLENOL® Facebook page.  Each approved “smile” will trigger a $1 donation from TYLENOL® to Children’s Health Fund. 

Why I Want to Attend Be Blogalicious 2014?

**Disclosure-I am entering a giveaway for a free pass and hotel, here.  This post is part of my entry.  All opinions stated are my own.

Why do I want to attend Blogalicious?  Blogalicious' mission is to grow a community.  Since I started blogging I have met so many great people that have helped me get to where I am today in the blogging world.  It all actually started with a group of ladies I met in October 2008.  Well Blogalicious is a resource for women in social media.  They promote the sisterhood.  Since I started blogging I have had a great group of ladies that have included me in their sisterhood.  I can call them, write to them, and even hang out with them whenever needed online or offline.  When I started blogging, I was looking for someone who share my same problems, ideas, and situations.  It turned out I was not alone.  Blogging has been a great gift in my life.  I went from being a broken single mother to know an Independent Mami.  This is how I chose my blog name.  I hoped to one day help other ladies become Independent.  I use my blog to open up about my life as a mother, now a wife, and my struggles.  Part of the 3-fold Blogalicious objective is to uplift one another, and I love that.

I have attended conferences and have felt lost in a crowd.  When I attended a recent blog get-2-gether I asked around to see which conference everyone thought they had received the most value out off and Blogalicious was the conference to attend.

I want to attend Blogalicious for me.  Most of the year I spend on kid time, wife duties, house duties, and I really want to put me in my own schedule.  I have seen the agenda and I really think I could benefit from the following:

-Get Right Within: Learn to Manage the Emotional Ups and Downs That Affect Your Blog and Your Business 

There is so much going on in my life that has affected my blog.  I really want to learn how to manage. 


-Session: YouTube Is New Again! Get Comfy with Video


I am very shy even if you can't tell.  I sometimes hide behind the words on my blog.  When it comes to videos and YouTube, I need lots of help.

-Workshop: Be GREAT at Google+

Goggle + is so much of a change to me.  Sometimes I am not good with change, but I want to learn how to be better at goggle.


These were just some examples but the entire agenda is so full of amazing learning opportunities.  I feel I could benefit a lot from all the wonderful people attending as well.