This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending Bloggy Boot Camp in Chicago. I was really excited to go but then when Friday afternoon came around, I was a little nervous about leaving the girls for the weekend. Granted, I was leaving them with their father, my husband of 12 years, and their grandparents but it’s been just the 3 of us 24/7 for the past year and a half. I’ve only left them over night once, for less than 24 hours. It was hard. This was harder.

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As I kissed their little faces and they hugged my neck, like it was the last time they’d ever see me, my heart began to break and my eyes began to fill with tears. We parted ways at the school. I drove in one direction. The Big Guy and my girls drove in the opposite. I’m not going to lie, it took everything in my being to not turn around.I drove slowly, my head spinning with things that I needed to call and tell my husband and I cried silently beneath my giant sunglasses. I called my husband to remind him to be patient and kind in my absence; to be understanding and extra attentive. I reminded him to make sure they ate fruits and vegetables with their meals ( I wouldn’t want them to develop a case of scurvy while I was gone, would I?). I reminded him to kiss them goodnight for me and tell them that I love them ( I wouldn’t want them to forget how very much they meant to me, would I?) I told him to make sure they did something fun together and to make sure that they didn’t miss me too much. ( Or was I afraid they would miss me too little?) My husband “yes, yes”d me and assured me that they would all be alive and well when I returned. I was satisfied…sorta. Until my 4 year old Skyped me late that night to watch her cry herself to sleep.Saddest.Thing.EVER!

Bloggy Boot Camp Here I Come

Saturday, I headed into the city. I was a little nervous because I wasn’t sure what to expect and it was my very first blogging conference. Almost immediately, I spotted a friendly face in Alexandra  @GDRPEmpress who, by the way, is as kind and gracious in person as she is on Twitter. It’s not a persona, she is the real deal genuine article. We exchanged hugs and sighs of relief. She then introduced me to Tracy @Chimomwriter who is not only a talented writer, but is friendly, kind and felt like an old friend after only a few minutes of talking to her. The sessions were great. I found comfort in the validation of the choices that I have made thus far with my blog, which is always fabulous to hear. I was also given a lot to think about as to where I wanted my blog to go, what I wanted my brand to be and who I am as a blogger. All in all, it was a wonderful conference put on by the @SITSGirls. I would recommend it to anyone who blogs. It’s intimate, professional and fosters networking and sharing of ideas. I could feel the sisterhood in the support. It was amazing. It all culminated in great conversation, crazy photo booth pics and a delicious wine tasting sponsored by Mirassou. Can I just say I LOVE their Pinot Grigio.

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Bloggy Boot Camp Rocked

After all was said and done, I had left my girls with a heavy heart but thanks to Bloggy Boot Camp I had some much needed time to focus on me and I got to meet a lot of really wonderful, passionate women in the process. As I drove home on Sunday, I was in a hurry to hold my little girls in my arms. I made the three hour drive in about two and a half (Shhh, don’t tell my husband). I was greeted in the drive by two of the cutest little girls a Mommy could ever want ( in matching outfits, no less). As they screamed my name “MOMMY!!!” and ran to wrap their little arms around my neck and cover me in kisses, I knew the best part of going away was coming home.They led me into the house, where streamers and balloons were hung, a poster saying “Welgum Home MOME!”, my favorite dinner on the stove and a cake with a giant heart on it awaited me. The Big Guy gave me a kiss and although it was nice to have the quiet moments alone in Chicago, I wanted to marinate in the happy chaos that is my everyday.

Bloggy Boot Camp Chicago #BBCCHI

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