One Week ‘Til I’m Gonna Get My “Bliss” On!

 

I cannot believe that in one week, I am going to be on my way to Nashville, TN for the Blissdom Conference!

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This is my third year going.  Can you believe that?!

The first year, I was an absolute bundle of nerves.  My sister went with me, but didn’t attend Blissdom.  She hung out in the gorgeous Opryland hotel while I star-gazed at all of my favorite home bloggers.

I got to meet Sarah for the first time.

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This picture cracks me up because I basically walked up to her and said, “I love your blog.  Can I take a picture with you?”  Yep.  I was star struck.  I had to prove to my sons that I actually met “Thrifty Décor Chick” since they heard me talk about her a gazillion times a day!

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Who would have known that a couple years later that Sarah would be one of my bestest besties in the world?!  I love her to pieces!  She is such a blog blessing!

I also got to meet these beautiful ladies for the first time two years ago…

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Rhoda and Layla!

Blissdom ‘10

 

Rhoda was my “angel” at that conference.  She took me under her wing and introduced me to so many amazing people!  I am forever grateful to Rhoda for being so kind and gracious to me that year.  THANK YOU, Rhoda!

And this is where my friendship with Layla began.  Cannot even put into words what a blessing she is in my life now!  I love you, Lay!

 

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Blissdom ‘11

I remember taking this picture with other home bloggers two years ago and kept thinking I should step out of the picture.  I knew that people would see this picture and say, “who is that girl on the top right?”  My blog was still so new, and I only had a few hundred followers. 

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But I can tell you this for sure….NONE of these ladies ever made me feel like a “lesser blogger.”  They made me feel so welcome.  I learned more from these ladies that year than I did at the Blissdom conference!  That’s the truth!

LAST YEAR at Blissdom ‘11, there were a TON of “home” bloggers.  I could hardly contain my excitement!

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It was the first time I had ever met some of these ladies in real life! 

I even got to go thrifting in Nashville with some of them.  That was the best time EVER!

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There is no “awkward” stage when meeting a “home” blogger.  We instantly “get” each other, and we are never short for conversation!

Not this crew!

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My sister and I went to Blissdom together again last year, but this time, my sister had a ticket to the conference.  She had a great time connecting with bloggers in her niche too!

I don’t even have a picture of us together at that conference!

This year, my sister was planning on going to Blissdom ‘12, and I was going to just stay with her at the Opryland hotel because I didn’t really have the money for a ticket.  So it was going to be the exact opposite arrangement as our first year at Blissdom.

But my dad didn’t want me to miss out on the experience, so he secretly bought me a ticket.  That rascal! 

So now I get to go to Blissdom too this year!

I am really excited about the line up of speakers.  And I REALLY excited that they just announce that Rascal Flatts will be performing there on Saturday.

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GET. OUT. OF. HERE!

They are my son, Jonathan’s, favorite country group!

 

But most of all, I am most excited about meeting

a ton more of amazing bloggers!

 

ARE YOU GOING?!

 

I would love for you to link up below so I can “know” you before we meet next week.

17 Comments

  1. Traci~
    how wonderful that you will be attending along with sis!
    Daddy’s always know how to please their daughters don’t they?
    after all.. they were our first “hero”! (mine sure was!)
    so I shall live vicariously through you lucky ladies photos and blogs..
    until one day.. I too may join the fun!!
    have a wonderful time!
    warmest hugs..
    Loui♥

  2. Thanks for introducing yourself and allowing us to link up to introduce ourselves, too! This is my second Blissdom… I missed last year, but was there in 2010. I’m really looking forward to returning. :)

  3. Someday I will go to these ‘fun activities’ … want to go to ‘the now changed relevant one too’ someday.

  4. The antique store in the picture above is literally two minutes from my house–practically across the street! Hope you have a great time in my city next week–we love showing her off!

  5. So happy for you because I know how much you enjoy them. Tell Jonathan we are praying for him.
    I just love his voice. You are one blessed lady.

  6. Just found out about Blissdom and would love to attend next year! Thanks for posting the photos…I bet it’s so wonderful to meet such a great group of inspiring women!

  7. I would be willing to go as a luggage hauler/prayer support/keeper-out-of-trouble type person. Like a REALLY good caddy. ijs :)

  8. I’m so excited & nervous at the same time!! You have to be my “Rhoda” this year!! Hoping Blissdom will help me break out of my shell a little bit, so that when Haven rolls around, I will feel a little more at ease about the whole conference thing!! Can’t wait to see you!!

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