This year has been filled with some major health, financial, and personal challenges but there have a lot of highlights and accomplishments throughout the year that I want to focus on! As many of you know, I battled an early stage of breast cancer for the second time in 7 years, and had a partial mastectomy, reconstruction, and radiation over the summer. At this moment, I am cancer free but it still plays a significant role in my life – and always will. Throughout this experience, I partnered with Susan G Komen all year long to raise awareness, knowledge, and education about the disease and the organization and how others can get involved in the fight against breast cancer, too. There is so much more I planned to accomplish this year but my breast cancer journey and everyday responsibilities of motherhood took priority and many goals and dreams were put on a temporary hold. But I am greatly looking forward to putting this past year behind me and slaying it in 2020!
1 – Statistically, I increased my following by almost 20% this year! My engagement also increased by over 33%! My blog subscribers increased by 45% – almost doubling my subscribers since last year! And my overall monthly blog viewership increased by over 20% since last year! This is also the first year I made a legitimate earning from my blog/brand and more than tripled my income from last year and hit my personal financial goal for the year!
2 – In February, I hosted a Parenting Workshop titled “How to Utilize Play for Positive Behavior and a Peaceful Home” at Babies in Bloom in San Diego! The event was sponsored by North States with giveaway items donated by Crane, Tubby Todd, Lillebaby, wanu water, This Bar Saves Lives, and Plum & Sparrow.
3 – In June I hosted “Dr. Kim’s Play Zone” at the So Cal Moms Great Big Family Play Day in Los Angeles!
4 – I was invited to be on local television on KFMB Morning Extra on the CW San Diego talking about “How to Teach Children Gratitude” which was a rewarding experience to be back on the show!
5 – I was invited to speak at various conferences and or workshops including the Pinners Conference:
The Bibs and Bellies 3rd Annual Pregnancy and Parenting Expo:
and the Moms on Maternity luncheon speaking on “How to Handle the Stressful Moments of Motherhood”:
6 – In September I was invited to my first ever Disney Social Media Celebration conference! This was definitely a pinch me moment and a huge honor for me!
7 – This year I was able to work with Disneyland on multiple partnerships! I kicked off the year in January attending a Girl’s Night Out for Disneyland’s Lunar New Year hosted by my friend Erin Ziering.
I was then invited to attend a sneak peek of the new Disney Princess Breakfast at Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa in March.
In May, I was invited to be one of the first to meet the new Fancy Nancy character at Disney California Adventure. We even got to see our friend Robin Glasser again, the illustrator, where she signed my daughter’s book!
In June, I was invited to be one of the first to ride the Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind ride in DCA, but I had surgery earlier that week and couldn’t attend. But as soon as I was well enough, I went on the ride and it was so fun!
Lastly, I was invited to attend the Disneyland Holiday Open House in November! It was at this event that I started doing video content for Disneyland! We were able to get a sneak peek at all things Holiday at Disneyland including all of the festive spirited food! To see the videos I created, head to my YouTube page here and here! And to read more about the holidays at Disneyland and for a sample itinerary so you don’t miss anything holidays click here! And for my Top 5 Tips for visiting Disneyland on busy or rainy days during the holidays, click here!
8 – I was invited to the Frozen 2 Red Carpet World Premiere!
9 – I was invited to travel to South Carolina to work on a major parenting and safety campaign with Michelin and Graco! Read Part 1 of my experience here – and Part 2 of my experience including car safety tips here!
10 – I was able to work with my favorite company, Disney, on other major collaborations including Disney on Ice (where my daughter was picked to actually be in one segment of the show):
I also attended a press junket for Ralph Breaks the Internet at Disney Animation!
And attend the press junket for the Mary Poppins Returns at Disney Studios:
And see advanced special media screenings of the live action Aladdin, Toy Story 4, and the live action The Lion King!
In October, I was invited to the Play Osmo Frozen 2 launch party:
and I was invited to the Dole Blogger Summit where I was one of the first to test brand new recipes inspired by Disney’s Frozen 2!
In November, I was invited to attend The Little Mermaid LIVE screening at Disney Studios!
I was also invited to The Disney Channel to see a special sneak peek of Big City Green’s Christmas episode with a meet and greet with the creators! This was special because earlier in the year, I was invited to a similar event for the premiere of TOTS on Disney Junior but couldn’t attend.
Lastly, I was invited to attend a Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker event at my local Disney Store! This was so fun because I am a HUGE Star Wars fan!! I was also invited to attend a Disney Plus event to meet Jeff Goldblum but was unfortunately unable to attend.
11 – My family and I were able to do what we love most and travel to many places including Catalina Island:
Four Seasons Westlake Village:
and Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa, which included a visit to SkyPark Santa’s Village:
12 – I started my own hashtag #PutYourMediaAwayAndPlay and will be doing more with it in 2020!
13 – I wrote an article for the TODAY Show Parenting Team titled “Diagnosed Twice: What I’ve Learned on My Breast Cancer Journey”
14 – I walked in my first ever CHOC Walk in the Park to raise money and awareness for CHOC Children’s Hospital of Anaheim. I was at Disneyland at 5:00am when it was still dark and closed to be part of the media group that was let into the park first with a front row seat to the opening ceremony. Then I walked with over 14,000 others throughout Disneyland and meet some rare Disney characters along the way. The event raised over $2 million dollars! I even was invited to a pre-event beforehand in Downtown Disney!
15 – I was invited to speak on the Blossoming Mommy and Baby Podcast on “When Momma is Outnumbered” where I spoke on motherhood, healthy relationships, setting social media boundaries, and more!
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT THIS YEAR! STAY TUNED FOR SOME NEW AND EXCITING THINGS IN 2020!!!
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