My Pura Vida Party Bus Experience with Godsmack at the Rockstar UPROAR Festival

A special Thank You to Daddy & Co. for providing a product to facilitate my review! When it comes to having a baby, everyone gets so excited to get gift for mommy and baby…but what about daddy? Daddy gets forgotten half the time, but one company has gone out of their way to make dad feel like a part of the big day too! Daddy & Company® is the offspring of Robert Nickell, who fathered his first four children more than 20 years ago. Daddy & Company® was conceived when Robert, who remarried in 2007, discovered he was about to be a father all over again in 2009! Not wanting to endure the pains of wearing uncomfortable street clothes while comforting his laboring wife, Robert hatched the idea of creating doctor-like scrubs for himself. It seemed a natural thing for him to do — since Robert is a pharmacist by profession. To eliminate the confusion between “who’s the doctor” and “who’s the daddy,” Robert fashioned the concept of “I’m The Daddy®” medical scrubs. We were sent the Daddy Swag Gift Set and hubby was so excited and even more so with everything that I pulled out of the box that it comes in! The box set includes an assortment of great gifts just for Daddy… • DaddyScrubs – Edgy, Navy • I’m the Daddy Tee – White Edgy • I’m the Daddy Hat – Navy • I’m the Daddy coffee mug This set retails for $89.95 and is well worth it! I’m so glad that there is finally a company taking dad into consideration! Daddy & Co. has a variety of gifts…including other gift sets, a variety of apparel, home & office and more! I highly recommend surprising the new daddy in your life with a little gift of his own, especially the scrubs! So cute that he can be in the delivery room in his “I’m The Daddy” scrubs! The scrubs come in three colors..Navy, Green and Khaki. They are made of 65% polyester, 35% cotton and fit a little snug ( I got hubby a 2x his normal size and it was a little snug around the chest area ). The tee shirt is made of 100% cotton and fit true to size. The hat and tee have been worn multiple times and makes him proud every time he puts it on. He uses his “I’m the Daddy” mug with his coffee every morning and uses his pens at work. This has been such a great gift set that last long past the hospital stay!
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links with fund the Mom of 4 Boys blog. I have received a product(s) for review purposes only, however I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. Daddy & Co. has not influenced the editorial nature of this post, and No other compensation was received. Please see our disclosure policy for more information.

Mindfulness refers to the practice of always focusing on the present moment. It’s about allowing the mind to be completely attentive to what is currently happening (as opposed to worrying about the past or future.) Mindfulness isn’t abstract, yet it is often easier said than done. Meditation can allow us to practice mindfulness; for example, focused meditation can involve focusing only on our breathing. When we focus on the breath, and allow everything else to clear from our minds, we are permitting ourselves to be fully present and free of wandering thoughts.
To practice mindfulness in your day-to-day, it’s about being purposeful and taking things slowly. You might like to set a positive intention for the day, whether it’s walking the scenic route to work or eating only healthy foods. There are plenty of books on mindfulness which can help you to learn more.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has been a stress-reducing practice for centuries; the practice uses essential oils to boost our health. You can either inhale the oils, add them to a bath or mix them with a carrier oil and apply to the skin. Suitable carrier oils include both coconut oil and jojoba oil. Whichever way you choose to use essential oils, there are many benefits to be accessed. Lavender oil, for example, is often praised for its ability to ease stress and anxiety. Lavender also has antibacterial properties which can help to heal wounds. Chamomile oil is an excellent choice for those who struggle with insomnia, while ylang ylang helps to boost one’s mood.
Thai massage
A Thai massage is largely based on healing practices that began in India. There are many health benefits, one of which is relaxation. During a Thai massage, your masseuse will use stretches and apply pressure gently to help your body to heal and relax. One study in Healthline reports that massages have been proven to reduce stress levels significantly. Thai massages can also help to lift your energy levels and improve circulation. With an indulgent massage or two, you’ll soon boost your wellness levels.
Breathing techniques
During times of stress, never underestimate the power of deep breathing! Finding workable breathing techniques are particularly crucial for those who suffer from anxiety. One great breathing technique for reducing stress, commonly used in yoga, is ‘three-part breath.’ The chest, the diaphragm and the abdomen are the three parts used. Firstly you inhale to fill your lungs entirely; it’s important to breathe into every inch of your rib cage, stomach and upper chest. Secondly, you completely exhale. Three-part breath is about breathing fully so that we are no longer restricting oxygen from our blood vessels.

This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
Harvey, who knew a week ago how that name would change our lives & the lives of the people in our community forever. Just a week and a half ago we were hearing that name, the name of a depression that was coming across the Yucatan and into the gulf. We were planning on riding out the wind and rain, so we hit the store and stocked up on some water, bread, peanut butter and some burgers and hot dogs to grill if the electricity happens to go out. It wasn’t until Thursday that everything started to change for us.
photo credit: NOAA
My husband decided that it would be best if I took the kids up to my moms in Austin, but I still didn’t see the point and didn’t want to go. So I slowly started packing thinking I would either leave that night when it cooled down or the next morning. Then they announced it was going to be a CAT 3, and I was for sure taking the kids. Not long after that, we got the mandatory evac order from the city. I ran outside where my husband was cleaning out his truck to tell him, we are ordered to leave. The look on his face was panic & confusion. We all rushed to pack some clothes to get us through the weekend & moved electronics and such upstairs. Threw a few things onto our bed and some stuff into totes & bathtubs just to ride out in case of flood. It took about an hour and a half to two hours for us to grab what we could and leave. Before we left I stood there looking at our home with everything we’ve worked so hard to have, and asked my husband how are we supposed to pack up our life? Do you think Binx (our outside kitty) will be okay? Before you jump down my throat…while he is a loving kitty he does not like being indoors, trapped or picked up, I had no way of securing him. I gave him some food and a kiss before we left praying he would keep safe.
We started our drive up to Austin trying not to take the main highway out to avoid the miles of traffic. But we still ended up in lines of RV’s fleeing the storm. It took us about 4-5 hours to get to my moms. You would think I would be relieved, but it wasn’t like a normal visit where you know you’re on vacation, the feeling was majorly different. We sat there on our phones cruising Facebook to keep up to date on our little town. It was hard to settle down for the night…but we knew that we had to get some rest. The boys all had pallets out in the living room with their cousin & myself and my husband slept in my nephews’ room.
We got up Friday morning already exhausted both physically and mentally with no clue as to what was about to happen. We watched the news and Facebook feeds throughout the day anticipating landfall and wondering what would be of our town and our home. Then it came…the announcement that it would be a CAT 4 at landfall. Our hearts sank. You never want to hear those word especially when your home is in the direct path and you have friends that didn’t evacuate.
I just couldn’t
I still can’t
We sat here safe, watching our home get hit by a CAT 4 hurricane on TV. I can still see the radar with the eye hitting Rockport and our town just to the left getting hit by the eye and the most severe colors on the radar.
It was so surreal
Then the images and videos start rolling onto social media and the news. The winds whirling roofs getting ripped off. Then the first responders losing connection with the outside world…
All is quiet
How am I supposed to sleep wondering, worrying, praying everyone is safe?
We woke up fairly early & pretty groggy running to our phones and the news. Was there anything left? Is everyone who stayed okay? Word from our friends, they were lucky…they were all in Corpus Christi which didn’t get the brunt of the storm. Then came a response of the news announcing the first responders made it through the night.
Then came the photos…
First there were photos from Corpus Christi of downed fences & trees. Then Rockport of the complete devastation. With my kids close, I had to hold back the tears and try to stay strong. What about our town? Was it okay? Then we hear that it was hit pretty hard and responders from around the area couldn’t reach it due to flooding & downed major power lines in the roads. We marked ourselves safe on Facebook and started to scroll all the comments in the feed. People looking for people who stayed. Needing search & rescue, asking if someone can go check on their property. So many people, scared, uncertain of their future.
Slowly throughout the weekend photos and answers were starting to trickle in. So many businesses and homes were gone…just gone. So many lives changed. Most lost everything. Our schools announce there will be a two-week delay in starting school & AEP estimates 2-4 weeks before they can restore power to our area. No power, No water, No sewage, No cell towers. Our expectations of a weekend evacuation weren’t even close to reality.
As the week has gone on, we still haven’t been able to return to check out our home. Images from our schools come in pretty damaged by water and the wind, but not completely gone…neither is our districts hope and love for our community. Our district had initially canceled football season due to the damage to the field and locker rooms, but they came back and decided it would be better for morale if the boy got to play…the season will be on once school starts. My sons’ phone was lighting up with the excitement in their messenger chat. It brought some hope and excitement to those boys.
There were some commenting on the announcement on Facebook “yeah, that’s what our priorities should be” …
for you sir…yes, yes it is!
Our boys, our community need to have some normalcy in their lives. They live for their teammates, their brothers & the game. I’ve very happy they will have that after all they have been through.
There are so many rushing in to help our little communities. Giving hot food, water & hope. To them, there aren’t enough words to say how thankful we are for you.
I heard yesterday that Aransas County schools (Rockport-Folton) will not be opening this year and that the students are to enroll where they evacuated to. This made me very sad for those students. I hope some of them join APISD so they can stay close to their community and let us show them how we care.
My heart breaks for every community affected by Hurricane Harvey. So many communities devastated, so many lives changed forever. Even if they weren’t hit directly by the storm, they were flooded out like Houston or changed just by taking in evacuees. I’ve seen so much love and heart comes out this past week. So many people want to help their fellow man.
I will be returning to my own home town tomorrow to assess the damages to our own home to get an idea of when we can return. I’m not sure if my strength will hold up as we drive through our town. We continue to ask for your prayers and assistance. If you can donate your time our towns desperately need volunteers to help clean up debris.

This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
Road to the Races, a nationwide tour inviting fans of #95 to gear up for the upcoming big-screen release of Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 3.” Fans will take part in a host of activities and get a sneak peek of the movie. Life-size, character look-alikes of five-time Piston-Cup champion Lightning McQueen, tech-savvy Cruz Ramirez and the sleek next-gen racer Jackson Storm will be rolling into town to celebrate “Cars 3” with local fans.
ACTIVITIES
Alamo Rent A CarSM is hosting a street art booth and will bring “Cars 3” to life with a giant coloring mural featuring Lightning McQueen and friends, along with a color pencil pack souvenir. Owned and operated by Enterprise Holdings, Alamo Rent A Car offers low rental rates and a hassle-free customer experience at the most popular travel destinations around the world.
Coppertone® is creating a racer pit crew that encourages visitors to take part in a tire-changing activity and photo-sharing opportunity. A leader in the sun care industry, Coppertone is made by Bayer HealthCare, LLC.
Crest® and Oral-B® celebrate the Road to the Races tour, providing fans with an opportunity to create a digital postcard with Lightning McQueen and get “Cars”-themed oral care products. Crest and Oral-B are the first step to enjoying a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Dole®, the leader in fresh, quality produce, invites visitors to fuel up and recharge their batteries, sample high-octane fruit and vegetable smoothies, collect “Cars 3”-inspired recipes and discover how Dole and Disney are working together to make healthy living fun and easy for families. To see more of Dole’s exciting promotions around summer family fun, visit www.dole.com/Cars3.
Mattel presents an interactive play area, which sends Lightning McQueen and other racers down the gravity drop and launches them into action in new play sets that feature locations from the movie. Also on display will be a collection of die cast racers from past and present. Mattel is the leading global childhood development and play company.
Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez (voice of Cristela Alonzo), with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage! Directed by Brian Fee (storyboard artist “Cars,” “Cars 2“), produced by Kevin Reher (“A Bug’s Life,” “La Luna” short) and co-produced by Andrea Warren (“LAVA” short).
“Cars 3” cruises into theaters on June 16, 2017

There are lots of new moms out there that are starting to try and get back into a regular fitness routine. Perhaps you were very active and fit before your pregnancy, continued to do light exercise during it, and now want to really get back to where you were before becoming pregnant.
It’s always a good idea to exercise and be fit after giving birth as this helps you feel good about yourself and combat some postpartum woes. However, before you jump straight back into the swing of things, there are some key things you need to know.
The Body Changes During & After Pregnancy
You don’t need a Ph.D. to know that the human body goes through extreme changes throughout pregnancy. Most women put on a lot of weight, and this can have an impact on your body in many ways. For starters, the added weight can put pressure on your joints, which means you may now have aches and pains in your hips, knees, and ankles – which you didn’t have beforehand. Secondly, if you check out MomsIntoFitness.com, you’ll see an article on diastasis, which essentially means your abdominal muscles can separate after giving birth. So, your body will be in a completely different state to what it was prior to your pregnancy.
What does this mean?
Realistically, this means you may be unable to do things that you used to do with ease. As such, you need to be careful on your first few weeks and months back exercising. Start off light, and work your way back to where you used to be. Furthermore, you may need to dedicate time to rehabilitation exercises, so you help correct things that went wrong thanks to pregnancy. This means doing things to stabilize and strengthen your joints, or working on getting rid of the back pain you developed while pregnant.
Another key thing that changes is your nutritional habits. Let’s face it, most people don’t eat particularly well during pregnancy. We have cravings for all sorts of things, which is usually what leads to the excessive weight gain. Now, if you want to get back into fitness, you need to get back into healthy eating as well. After nine months of weird eating habits and patterns, your body might not be used to healthy foods and more strict eating regimes.
Why does this matter?
Basically, you need to be careful not to flood your body full of things your body isn’t used to all at once. Otherwise, you’ll make yourself sick for a couple of days, which is not what you want when you have a young child! Again, this should be done gradually, ensuring you add more and more healthy foods into your diet until your digestive system can handle them again.
To conclude; you need to be aware of the bodily changes you go through when carrying a baby and giving birth. Jump throw your body into the fitness deep-end as you will struggle, fail to see results, fail to sustain this approach, and start feeling down. Instead, take it slow, take it easy, and work your way back over many months.