{I want to be open}

In two days I leave for the Influence Conference and in so many ways I don't feel ready.

I'm nervous about being away from the boys for three days. It will be the longest I've been away from them ever and it is already stirring up tears when I think about it. I know they will be in good hands because Dan is an amazing father and fills in my gaps better than I fill in his, but I'm still going to have a hard time with it. I just want them to be OK and to not freak out. Tears on my end will happen no matter what.

I'm nervous about meeting so many women that {if I can be honest}, I'm totally intimidated by. I may seem like I have it all together, but put me in a room full of women and every one of my insecurities comes out of hiding, screaming in my ears. Whew...they are sneaky little things! 

I'm worried about what to wear especially because I know the room is going to be full of SO many adorably dressed and accessorized ladies. I'm doing my best to keep reminding myself why I'm going. To grow as a writer and to learn how to better tell my story. To be inspired by the amazing people I will meet. To learn how my little corner of the virtual world here can help others. 

I'm praying that I can be inspired instead of intimidated. 

Reminding myself that there is an infinite amount of awesome to go around. 

I'm praying that I can let go of my nerves and just be open to new friendships, to new growth, to the amazing things that will be placed before me. 

I want to be open. 

Oh yes...and I need to PACK!

Are you going to Influence? I would love to meet up and be inspired by you!

{Influence Conference...I'm going!}

I'm going to my first blogging conference in two weeks.

TWO.WEEKS!

The Influence Conference is in Indianapolis the last weekend of September and I'm going to be there. It still seems surreal to be saying that. 

I'm excited, nervous, anxious...in some ways I feel like a high schooler again because there are going to be so many wonderful women there that I can't wait to meet. I'm going to be rooming with three lovely ladies...Hannah, Courtney and Elise. I can't even remember the last time I had a "slumber party"...it is all going to be so much fun and yes, a tad out of my comfort zone. 

My "one little word" for this year has been GROW, and the opportunity to attend The Influence Conference is, I'm hoping, going to be one of my biggest growth opportunities this year. 

I just realized that I wore my one little word pendant today and it inspired my post...

Talk about God working in little ways. :)

The lovely ladies organizing the conference are hosting a link-up today for everyone, asking us to share the 2 things we are going to be bringing to the conference, and 2 things we are looking forward to about the conference. 

I'll of course be bringing way more than 2 things and I'm looking forward to SO much, but here are my top picks...

BRINGING:

1. My sketchbook and markers {they have become my extra appendages these days}
2. Coffee {duh}

LOOKING FORWARD TO:

1. Meeting more women than I can name or count...my roomies, the speakers and as many others as I can make it around to chatting with. {oh and Jeff Goins...can't leave him out!}
2. Seeing how God works through me while I'm there. I love waking up each day to see what surprises He has in store for me, and I know that this conference is going to be overflowing with blessings.

And now I just need to plan my outfits, find a cute business card holder, make gifts for my roomies....and prepare room in my mind and my heart to grow. 

Are you coming? I would love to "meet" you in the comments!

Linking up with the Influence Network

{hello monday}

I was so happy this morning to wake up and feel like I had a sufficient weekend. Quality time with the boys was much needed. After working the whole weekend after their first week of school we were all aching for time together. 

So yesterday morning we snuggled...

And we visited the homeland...

where I tried on some cute dresses to wear to the Influence Conference ...

{Yes I'm going! I need to do a post on this!}

This one ^^^ was the winner...it is so cute!

And before Ben could go to sleep last night he asked me to sit and rock him. The older he gets the more willing I am to say yes to this. School has been a big adjustment for him and I know feeling the safety of my arms helps him feel secure. And it doesn't hurt me either. ;)

And finally after the boys were in bed I was reunited with Jillian...

I've been a bit unhappy with my body {specifically my everlasting baby belly} lately, so I decided I have to do something about it. The last time I did the 30 Day Shred I lost 10 pounds, and that was only doing level 1 for 20 or so days, so I know that it works. 

I'm also trying to watch my calories...drinking smoothies for breakfast, snacking on healthier things like almonds and dried fruit. {OK...I did sneak in a few Starbursts today...can't take away this girl's sweet tooth completely.}

I actually felt ready to say hello to Monday today and for that I'm grateful.

I've also had another blogger and her family in my thoughts quite a bit. Diana from Hormonal Imbalances is facing an unthinkable situation with her newborn son, Kaden. You can find out more on this Facebook page. Today at lunch I had these Sara Bareilles lyrics stuck in my head and decided to doodle them with her sweet Kaden in mind...

If you have a moment could you pray for them? For healing for Kaden and peace for their family, in whatever form that will need to look like?

What are you saying hello to today?

Linking up with..

Blair
Lisa

{influential women link-up}

I'm really excited today to be linking up with the ladies over at the Influence Network for the Influential Women link-up!

I recently joined this inspiring group of women, and really hope that I'll be able to join them this fall for the Influence Conference. The purpose of this link-up is for the women in the network to get to know each other better, by sharing a favorite photo of ourselves that we love, three get-to-know-me things, and something we've learned from being a part of the network.

So here we go...

And one thing I've learned from the network so far?

For me, it is really refreshing and to see a group of women who are encouraging each other instead of judging...pushing each other to improve themselves and live better lives. Women can so easily fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to each other and finding ways to compete, so I'm very excited to have found this network of ladies that does just the opposite!

If you are interested in learning more about the Influence Network, go here!