(Sorry, I couldn’t help myself)

Yep! That would be me. A 37-year-old woman who thought for sure by now I’d have my shit together, but if anything, I feel less accomplished now than I did 10 years ago before I had my children.

Ack! Don’t get me wrong. My greatest accomplishments will always be my beautiful boys. I always dreamed of being a mom. I wouldn’t take it for granted for all the money in the world. In so very many ways, they are the only source of constant joy in my life.

(The boys at the VGKvsNSH game. While the Knights lost, my Knights had the time of their lives – mostly…)

What I mean is I had no idea that I’d want more while at the same time have NO IDEA what that means or how to achieve it. Just an internal discomfort that tells me something is missing.

I started this blog 9 years ago in an effort to keep my long-distance family and deployed husband informed on what our lives were like. I never dreamed it would turn into a source of income for my family. The problem is the more my blog grew, the less genuine I began to feel. Suddenly what brought me immense joy was just another deadline stacking up in my incredibly messy life.

So I ghosted you.

via GIPHY

(Squirrel moment… if you haven’t watched YOU on Netflix yet… do it!! Penn Badgley is SOOO creepy in it. To the point where I fear he’s forever going to be typecast as the go-to creeper dude.)

I was afraid to share how terrible I was feeling internally. I didn’t know how to write my story, my life without it sounding too real, too fake, too braggart, to whiny. I was so worried what everyone else would be thinking that it consumed me and took the joy away from writing.

Now, don’t get it wrong – that is really just skimming the surface on what was going on behind the blog, behind the mask I put on for everyone around me, and behind the weight of hiding my sadness from anyone who would look too closely.

My anxiety was a key player in all of this, even before I knew what I was feeling was anxiety. Oh, and since I have now mentioned both in this post – My name is Emily and I have anxiety and depression.

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(PS If you have been hiding these illnesses from others – saying it aloud to yourself can lift a huge weight.)*

I’ve struggled w depression & anxiety for 10 yrs. None harder than the past 2. Hope finally came when I started sharing w the fam & friends I hid it from for years. Today, after following #BeIlLetsTalk I’ve decided to open up online too. I’m not alone. You aren’t either.

— Emily Knight (@OurKnightLife) January 31, 2019

Which brings me to the title of this post. Don’t call it a comeback… I don’t know that it is yet. However, my desire to write is burning a little whole inside me. In fact, my phone is full of notes on article ideas and blog posts.

Let’s just hope my comeback doesn’t go the way of “Insert any cliché 90s celebrity here”.

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*Real Life Disclosure

I am not a doctor, specialist, mentalist, or anything other than a woman, mom, wife, sister, and friend living with mental illness. It’s okay to not be okay. It’s also okay to ask for help. If you or anyone you know needs help please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 – this is available 24 hours a day. You can also go to their website and chat online any time of day. https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Don’t Call It A Comeback – I’ve Been Here For Years. #GuessWhosBack
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The Little Prince is an enchanting theatrical production for all ages. In this unique take on the classic tale, audience members young and old are invited to experience the wonderment of childhood as The Little Prince transports them to exotic worlds and introduces them to whimsical characters. Meet a bombastic king, a talking rose and a cheerful fox who is eager to be domesticated. Through the eyes of The Little Prince, audience members gain unique insights into love, loss and laughter.

This live show based on the classic book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Swazzle’s magical production utilizes handcrafted puppets, live actors, original music and innovative projection techniques to bring this heartwarming story to life. A renowned puppet production company, Swazzle has constructed elaborate custom puppets for film, TV and stage, including the “Pee Wee Herman Show on Broadway.” Its signature theater productions have been presented at venues across the U.S.

The Little Price is a one night only engagement on March 1st with tickets starting at just $14.95!

BUY TICKETS
Learn more about The Little Prince, view an extensive list of additional upcoming shows and headliners, and to purchase tickets, please visit The Smith Center website!

WIN TICKETS
The Smith Center is generously giving one lucky Our Knight Life reader a pair of tickets to see The Little Prince on March 1st at 6:30pm. The Giveaway will end on 2/10. Winner will be notified via email.

To Enter:
Comment below letting me know why you want to go see The Little Prince.

Extra Entry
Tweet or share this post on social media. Please leave the link to your social share in the comments below.

Win a pair of tickets to see The Little Prince @SmithCenterLV for the Performing Arts in #LasVegas
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I was provided tickets in exchange for this post. All opinions are honest and my own.

It’s the start of a new year, and like many people I have continued my commitment to eating healthy. The thing is, when you are working full time, raising kids, and running a household it isn’t always easy to stick to your guns and eat good for you foods. It might seem easier to give into temptation and eat whatever is fast and quick, but with a little planning, you can stick to your resolutions.

The America Heart Association estimates that people under the age of 50 consume less than 1/2 the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables. They also estimate “that if Americans ate the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables every day, approximately 39,900 deaths would be prevented from cardiovascular diseases, stroke and diabetes and $7.6 billion in medical costs could be saved annually.” (source) I don’t know about you, but that seems like a mighty good reason to add another cup of vegetable to my diet.

SUBWAY and the American Heart Association have teamed up to create the +color initiative which focuses on the positive impact adding color via fruits and vegetables has on your diet. Despite what we trick ourselves into thinking, adding more color to your diet even when you are busy is easier than you know!

1. Keep Fresh Fruits and Veggies on Hand. I love making sure I have berries (both frozen and fresh) in my fridge at all times. This makes it really simple to make colorful breakfasts like my favorite rainbow acai bowl or these delicious zucchini breakfast muffins. Having fresh cut peppers, celery, and carrots makes it easy to have a quick snack, or a fast dinner by making a vegetable stir-fry.
   
2. Eat More Salad! Salads are anything but boring these days! There are so many ideas and recipes out there it makes eating more vegetables really enjoyable! I love making a big batch of salad for 3 days worth of lunches. My current favorite is chopped broccoli with cabbage, tomatoes, olives, cheese, and garbanzo beans. I leave the tomatoes and salad dressing off of it until I am ready to eat it. Another favorite in my household is the BLT salad. Which is pretty much a BLT in a bowl! Both my boys love helping in the kitchen and picking out what goes on our lunchtime salads.  And when we are out and in a pinch we check out SUBWAY! The double chicken chopped salad is a huge hit and current favorite of mine.
   
3. Bulk Up Your Sandwich! There are some days that no matter what, it’s just easier to stop somewhere and grab dinner. My family loves SUBWAY, and I love that it’s super easy to create a very filling meal loaded with fresh vegetables. Just like they enjoy helping in the kitchen, my boys get a real kick out of ordering for themselves and picking out what goes on their sandwiches. Currently, their favorite add-ons include lettuce, bell peppers, pickles, cucumbers, and olives. SUBWAY has millions of handcrafted sandwich combinations to create your own custom sandwich or salad, which can offer up at least two extra servings of vegetables to your diet. Which is over 40% of the American Heart Association’s daily recommendation! With ten varieties of fresh vegetables, we have to try really hard not to walk out with a super colorful sandwich creation!

So as you work towards a healthier 2017, make sure you are incorporating one more cup of fresh vegetables and fruit into your diet. It’s a small change that can really make a big difference in your overall health!

What is your favorite way to add more color to your diet?

Make sure you stop by your local SUBWAY and make your subs colorful each time you go! Don’t be afraid to post your images across your social network to raise awareness about +color. Tag @SUBWAY / @OfficialSubway and @American_Heart and make sure to use the #addcolor hashtag!

To start, we are always amazed by the movie display on the way into the theater. Its picture is better than 1/2 of the movie theaters I’ve been to, and it’s not even the real screen! It really sets the mood for the movie you are about to go see!

I have to tell you, I have real love for the assigned seating and luxury recliner seats.

They really make the movie going experience so much better for everyone. No more worrying about finding your perfect seats, or who will sit where. With a kids movie, the bigger seats are perfect for little ones who like to wiggle a lot during the show.

My favorite thing about seeing new movies in Dolby Cinema is the amazing quality of the picture and sound. The picture is extremely crisp bring the movie characters to life, and the surround sound is a neat added bonus! I really feel spoiled when we go to the movies here, anything else just doesn’t live up to the Dolby Cinema experience anymore!

Movie Review

So what did we think of the movie? We all LOVED it! This coming of age story was so well written and magical, it was hard not to fall in love with each character in the movie.

My boys both decided their favorites were the Kakamoras who are a coconut-covered gang of silly pirates. They were super cute, and while they were one of the “bad guys” it was hard not to love them! My youngest also adored Pua the pig who acted more like a dog.

My favorite character was a toss up between Moana and her Gramma Tala.

I loved the relationship they had in the movie, generations of strong women empowering the future generations to be confident and chase their dreams. Gramma Tala’s spiritual form was truly magical. Moana’s journey to become the leader of her people was a wonderful and empowering tale. I loved how she was so relatable.

Of course, Dwayne Johnson was a true delight too as his Demi-God character searches to find the balance between humility and hero.

There was a small amount of intense scenes in the movie involving a death and a lava monster. However, both areas were handled beautifully so as not to be too sad or too scary for the younger viewers. My three-year-old did great and had no issues whatsoever with this movie. I highly recommend it as a must-see for the whole family!

Find your local Dolby Cinema AMC Prime experience here, and enjoy Disney’s Moana the way it was meant to be watched!

Follow and Connect with Disney’s Moana on Facebook & Twitter

From the minute my family and I saw the trailer to Disney’s Moana I knew it was going to be an opening weekend family date! When it came to deciding where to watch this movie and its brilliant animation I knew the answer was in Dolby Cinema the AMC Prime here in Las Vegas. How could it not be after our amazing viewing experiences watching The Jungle Book, Finding Dory, and Dr. Strange!

I have now watched several movies in Dolby Cinema at our local AMC Prime movie theater I knew there was no better way to  experience the colors, music, and story of Disney’s Moana! This theater was designed to give movie-goers the best viewing experience possible. The plush recliner seating, amazing visual Dolby technology, and enhanced sound makes it our favorite way to catch a movie we have all been waiting to see. True with Disney movies we are pretty much guaranteed to love the movie, but Dolby Cinema makes the best movies even better.

Moana will be playing in Dolby Cinema nationwide starting November 23rd! Check out this full list to see if there is a showing near you! My boys and I are super excited to see it in Las Vegas at the AMC TownSquare 18 this weekend.

And since it’s Thanksgiving weekend, we might just top our day off with a little shopping and a visit with the guy in the big red suit!

Disney’s Moana Opens NationWide November 23rd!!

Watch Disney’s MOANA in Dolby Cinema with AMC Prime! #Moana #DolbyCinema #shareAMC
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Follow and Connect with Disney’s Moana on Facebook & Twitter

Paper Trax are a paper based race track which attach to your walls for hours of fun! The Paper Trax are completely recyclable and attach harmlessly to your walls using 3M Command Strips. The Trax come in a box of 10 track sections PLUS the box they come in can be made into an extra track! The tracks were very easy to put together. There are instructions printed on EACH piece of track! A couple simple folds, insert tabs into slots,  and push the tabs in. Hannah (3 years old) was able to help me even!

Additionally, these are not just boring printed paper. The Speedway Super Track is shown and it has words printed on the wall, race cars printed on the side, and best of all tire tracks on the road surface! The tracks have a lip so the cars will stay on the tracks on the walls. They all have tapered ends on the track to overlap nicely with the next piece, while not slowing down the cars.  The box also includes all of the 3M Command Strips necessary to attach the tracks to the walls. (Note: please test so you don’t remove paint etc!) I was able to easily attach and even move a couple of the tracks. You can’t see the 3M Command Strips! There is a lip on the track which goes against the wall – so that all those colored matchbox cars don’t scratch up the wall!

The Paper Trax can be configured in many different ways to incorporate jumps or crashes! My kids are a little on the shorter side so we didn’t go too crazy with our track design, however I am planning on buying some new 3M Command Strips in a couple months and updating the configuration! The kids loved racing their cars from both ends and seeing if they could crash! The loved having ‘jumps’ in the track and cracked up if a car didn’t make the jump! This is definitely and activity that they will play for longer than 5 minutes. I seriously appreciate that!

Paper Trax also have a Dino edition & a Corner Track pack if you are using in a room and want to go around a corner! If you have kids or grandkids who LOVE race cars – this needs to be on their Christmas list! This product has moved to the top of my toy list for these kids!

Where do your kids race cars in your house?

I was provided this product for this review and affiliate links are used in this post. However, all opinions are my own. As mothers, we wouldn’t share a product for your family we don’t use for our own. 

This weekend I took my 7.5 year old to his first Marvel movie in the theater. We were lucky to see Doctor Strange in Dobly Cinema at the Town Square 18 AMC here in Las Vegas at it was so amazing. Walking into the theater we were greeted by a brilliant preview of the movie in the entry to the theater. My son said “WOW”! I think he summed that up really well!

We were running a little bit behind and so I wanted us to get to our seats quickly so that I could run back out for some snacks. The hallways are nice and wide and the aisles and seat numbers are really well marked. We quickly found our luxury recliner seats and my son got comfortable really quickly. I love that we were able to put the arm rest between our two seats up and snuggle under a blanket together the whole movie. I love the bigger seats even if you aren’t reclining or snuggling with the person next to you because it gives you the right amount of room to shift through the movie without disturbing the people around you as well.

The Movie Review

Even those who aren’t fully up to date on the Marvel Comics world have likely heard of Doctor Stephen Strange, but it is true that he likely didn’t have the cultural appeal of say a Hulk or a Captain America so an average fan might not know his full back story. Marvel did a wonderful job explaining Stephen Strange’s origin story, and new fans will discover how a once prominent neurosurgeon turned into a sorcerer.

For an origin story, I thought that The film is well paced throughout and even paves the way for Doctor Strange to become a key figure in future Marvel Studio movies. While I was told by my sister in law that this connection varies from the comics, we both understood that it was the easiest way to make it work for the movie.

This film is visually stunning! Marvel was able to create a power that transcends time, space, and even dimension and share it in a completely thrilling and actually beautiful way. My sister in law pointed out to me, and I think she really nailed it on the head – the effects used to represent this is something similar to taking Inception and mixing in a bit of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. What is even more amazing is that the audience will not only enjoy the effects, but it really was done in a way that allowed them to believe in the powers shown on the screen and see how these alternate realities just might exist. Seeing it in Dolby Cinema only enhanced the visual believability of the movie.

 Is Doctor Strange okay for Kids?

Doctor Strange plays on much the same level as the other Marvel films. If you have had no issue letting your child see any of the other Marvel films, then you should not have an issue with this movie, but I also agree with the PG 13 rating. The storyline is specific to adult issues, which a younger viewer may become bored with, but the effects are definitely enough to keep them entertained. There is a very intense, but well-shot beheading in the first few minutes of the movie, so if you are taking young children it that will be the worst of anything they will see. (Not a spoiler I can assure you). As an audience, we watch the moments right up until the actual beheading, but the camera diverts away to see it show as a shadow instead of it actually it taking place directly on seen.

We both loved this movie. The cinematic effects, the story line, and the humor typical of a Marvel movie really me over. Being honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect with Doctor Strange, but by now I think I just have to trust that Marvel Studios know what they are doing. I’m so glad I got to enjoy a mommy-son date night to the movies in Dolby Cinema. I can’t wait to watch many more movies in this stunning AMC theater. Find a Dolby Cinema at AMC theater near you!

We were provided compensation and tickets to this event in exchange for our honest review of the theater and movie. 

Did you know that Costco hosts a Mom Hour? As a mom of two I love shopping at Costco to help stock up on everything we need, and some things I didn’t know I needed but turn out to find their way into our cart. Buying in bulk is a great way to save for our family, and keep from having to run to the store all the time for things we use everyday! Did you know that they are hosting a “Mom Hour” just for us Moms… (Well, actually anyone is welcome at this event – Moms, Dads, Moms to be, Grandparents, Siblings/Kids, etc!)

The Costco Mom Hour 2016 will take place on Friday, November 4, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. Come to enjoy breakfast, swag, samples, and giveaways. (Yes! Giveaways!!)  

Now you might be thinking…  isn’t 9:00 a.m. is earlier than Costco usually opens? Well you’d be right? This event is just for local moms – head to Costco Friday morning and beat the crowds and shop at this exclusive event! Just don’t forget to CLICK HERE to see if your city is participating in this event!

One of the things I love to buy is the  Premier Protein is available at Costco.  Their shakes come in chocolate or vanilla and are perfect for busy moms like me and you!  Confession – I used to skip meals all the time. I’d forget and then remember when it wasn’t something I could remedy. I’d end up Hangry and waiting until my next meal. This doesnt’ work. It’s so important to fuel our body, but sometimes it’s challenging to find time to do so.  Keeping Premier Protein hormone free skakes in my fridge for a grab-and-go protein packed is the perfect solution. Here are some of the reasons why I love it!

• 30 grams of protein, including all of the essential amino acids.
• 24 vitamins and minerals.
• An excellent source of calcium.
• Just 160 calories.
• Low in fat and only one gram of sugar.

That’s a lot to love right? If you have extra time in the morning or at lunch and want to “shake things up” a bit more, check out this delicious Berry Chocolate Shake! It’s SO good, and so easy to make!

Chocolate Berry Shake

DO NOT MISS the @Costco Mom Hour 2016 on 11/4 #PremierProtein #FitFluential #Costco
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What do you love stocking up at Costco with? I’d love to hear your favorites – let me know in the comments below!

This is the same Essentials carrier that was released last year but now there are many print options! This is the Boardwalk print in the Original and comes in at $89.99. For the last year the essentials has been my go-to carrier for errands. It packs down very small and is easy to put either of my kids up. listened to all the feedback from customers on the Essentials and they not only added new prints – but they added an option for an All Seasons Essentials! It has a zip down panel just like the All Seasons.

This photo from the top left going clockwise shows: The Original Anchors Away, Original Lily Pond, All Seasons Fall in Fern, All Seasons Boardwalk.

The mesh is the same great mesh which is in the COMPLETE carrier to keep your baby cool on those hot summer days. The Essentials still has the spacious front pocket, perfect fit adjusters, a large cotton hood to cover sleeping baby, and 4 wearing positions. (Infant with the insert – Now available, Front, Back and Hip).

(baby in photo courtesy of Traci @ Diaper Bag Confessions)

One of the things I really love about is their hard work to develop something which is well designed, easy to use, and will last. The infant insert for the Essentials comes in at $24.99 and is perfect supporting the smaller babies. It offers neck support and proper hip positioning. Additionally, once baby has good neck control, you can use just the pillow until they can fit the seat on the Essentials. The pillow can be purchased separately for $11.99.

All-in-all the is one of my top choices for our daily errands and even better in some beautiful prints and a cooler All Seasons version!

Tell me – Which print do you like the best? 

I am a LILLEbaby ambassador and this post contains affiliate links. However, all opinions are my own. As mothers we wouldn’t share a product for your family we don’t use for our own. #LILLElove.

Marvel’s Doctor Strange is coming to theaters on November 4th, and I am so excited to take my oldest son to see it in Dolby Cinemas at AMC! We are a huge Marvel loving family and have seen all the movies so far. This will be his first Marvel movie that he gets to see in the theater and I’m glad he’s getting to see it in an environment designed for the best movie experience possible!

Seeing Doctor Strange in Dolby Cinema at AMC is a unique experience that combines the most powerful image and sound technologies with spacious, reserved recliners.

We will get to see all the spectacular imaging and vibrant colors. Hear sound that moves all around us. And feel true comfort in recliners that pulsate with the action.

Check this complete listing of you know where else you see Marvel’s Doctor Strange all participating Dolby Cinema at AMC locations!

Arizona

• AMC Desert Ridge 18
• AMC Mesa Grand 24

California

• AMC Burbank 16
• AMC Century City 15
• AMC Del Amo 18
• AMC Newpark 12
• AMC Norwalk 20
• AMC Orange 30

Colorado

• AMC Flatiron Crossing 14

Washington, DC

• AMC Loews Georgetown 14

Florida

• AMC Aventura 24
• AMC Tallahassee Mall 20
• AMC Altamonte Mall 18

Georgia

• AMC North Point Mall 12
• AMC Southlake 24

Illinois

• AMC Hawthorn 12
• AMC Loews Crestwood 18

Kansas

• AMC Town Center 20

Louisiana

• AMC Elmwood Palace 20

Missouri

• AMC BarryWoods 24

Nevada

• AMC Townsquare 18

New Jersey

• AMC Garden State 16

New York

• AMC Empire 25

Ohio

• AMC West Chester 18

Texas

• AMC Deerbrook 24
• AMC Northpark 15
• AMC Village on the Parkway 9
• AMC Willowbrook 24

Virginia

• AMC Hampton Towne Centre 24
• AMC Tysons Corner 16

Washington

• AMC River Park Square 20

GIVEAWAY

I’m giving away TWO Family Four Packs to join me at the Dolby Cinema at AMC TownSquare 18 on Saturday, November 5th! If you are in the area and can be at the TownSquare 18 AMC for the first/second showing that morning, (time tbd) be sure to enter!

To ENTER:

1. Leave a comment below with why you or your family is excited to see Doctor Strange
2. For an additional entry tweet the below message and come back commenting with the URL to your social share!

Enter to #WIN a 4pack of tix to see @DrStrange in #LasVegas #DoctorStrange #DolbyCinema #shareAMC @OurKnightLife 
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(If you don’t have twitter you can share on any social media and leave your URL. Please make sure your share is public so I can see it. – Entries will be checked.)

Winner must respond within 24 hours or a new winner will be selected. Giveaway ends 11/3 at 11:59pm PST.

Join Strange on his dangerous, mystifying and totally mind-bending journey when Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange” opens in U.S. theaters on November 4, 2016.