Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Blissdom 2013

So I decided to wait a few days after BlissDom to do my recap.  I wanted to let the experience digest and give a true and honest review.

I drove up with Meredith on Thursday, it was an easy drive only about 4 or so hours which I was expecting it to be more like 5.  To start with the Gaylord Texan was incredible.  The staff were fantastic and the lady at the desk upgraded our room because she wanted us to have a good view and the original room we had she said was not the best view.  Throughout the weekend the staff were all pretty great and made the stay very enjoyable.

After we registered we checked out the Handmade Market place and found these super cute bracelets from Thread

After browsing around and meeting some bloggers I had never met, April, who owns PolkadotPosies took a group of us to dinner which was incredibly sweet of her.  It was nice to have dinner and talk with some great women some of whom I had talked to on twitter a lot and others I had never met.

We then headed to the Newcomers meet and greet which was so so.  It made me realize I am an introvert because while I thought I would have no trouble approaching people I was so wrong.  I felt like a deer in headlights.  I noticed a few people I recognized and talked to on twitter/IG/Blogworld but for some reason was so afraid to approach them.  What if it was awkward or they didn't like me.  I warmed up and after a few people approached me it wasn't so scary.  I hope I didn't come off as stuck up or snobby to anyone.
Duck Tape dress like on the Project Runway Challenge.

Friday and Saturday was a mix of attending sessions, mingling and socializing.  

The opening keynote by Scott Stratten was incredible!! He gave us a copy of his new book and I cant wait to start reading it.  

The sessions were a bit underwhelming.  I think I just went to the wrong sessions.  The sessions I attended most of which were not applicable to me or what I want to do with this blog.  I chose which ones to attend based on the description but if  ever go back I think I will choose a little differently.  

I did attend one session by Megan Jordan about focus. This is something I have a major issue with and she talked a lot about not multitasking and being distracted by social media and blogging.  We need to set limits, build boundaries...both things I need to focus more on.  She was right on when she said not to open email/twitter/IG first thing in the morning.  I do this far to much I find myself with my phone in my face before my feet hit the floor scrolling through twitter and the like.  This is horrible, I NEED to stop this.  For me, God needs to be the first thing I focus my attention on first thing. It was a reality check!  She said something else that struck a chord she said we will end up "one more second"-ing our child's life away and before we realize it they are all grown up and we missed out on so much because we needed "one more second" for something so trivial as social media.  I definitely need to work on this balance.

Jon Acuff did the closing keynote and he did not disappoint!! I had heard so many good things about him and I love reading his blog so I was so excited to hear him speak in person! He gave us a special copy of his book that will come out in April and I really cant wait to read it.  One thing he said that really rang true for me was You can't compare your starting line to someone elses middle.  I do this way too much and it leaves me feeling down on myself but success doesn't happen overnight and it takes work.  I cant compare myself to someone who has been doing something so much longer than me and expect to be where they are be it work, blogging, parenting, etc.

In general I had a great time! I met some fantastic women.  There has been a lot of buzz about how horrible Blissdom was and how cliquey it was yadda yadda.  Its a conference full of women what do you expect, some women are catty.  I never really felt rejected by anyone.  There were some people I met whom I have talked to on twitter a lot and now we aren't just online friends but in real life friends.  I skipped out on some sessions to chat and hang out which I think was a great decision!  I met some ladies who I had not known prior and I couldn't be happier for our new friendships.  

I think there wasn't so much an issue with cliques but rather you find the group of women you connect with and are comfortable with and thats who you want to hang with.  There were definitely some people who I "knew" online and "talked to on twitter" that were NOT what I expected in real life.  It was as is if they acted as though they were too good for little ol me with the not so huge blog.  I didn't let it get to me, maybe it was THEIR insecurities causing them to act in that way.  I don't know maybe their heads were just too big for them to handle I don't know. 

 In all I had a great time I loved getting to know my roomie better and meeting the women I got to meet.  Will I go back...maybe.  I think it would depend on who is going and my life circumstances at the time.  It felt more like a girls weekend than a conference which is ok, Im always down for a fun girls weekend!!





No post would be complete without a little food porn:

eggplant appetizer of some sort...was delicious!

my dinner at the italian restaurant in the hotel...sooo good, maybe its
because we hardly got fed during the day but the dinner was so good!

a fun little drink from go-go squeeze



Thursday, March 21, 2013

Headed to Blissdom 2013

I can not believe I am headed to a blog conference TODAY!! Blissdom '13 here I come!! I cant believe I am going. Period. I am rooming with Meredith and I couldn't be more excited about this arrangement.
I had seen people in previous years talk about Blissdom and it looked like so much fun so I thought this year would be the year I would step out of my norm and do something different.  I love this blog and the community of awesome women it has connected me with and I look foreword to learning more about the whole blogging world and how to better myself and this ol' blog!

I have read countless posts on what to pack and how to prepare and yet I still don't feel ready! I feel like I will be super awkward but I am not going to let my insecurities get the best of me.  I am going to go, meet some awesome people old blogging friends who I will finally get to meet in person as well as some cool new friends.  It seems like they have some pretty fun stuff planned as well as some awesome and inspiring speakers lined up, trying to decide which sessions to attend is not going to be easy!

If your stopping by for the first time I thought I would do a little introduction to myself:



Ive been married to the hubby my college sweetheart for 3 years and we dated for 7 years prior to that.  We have a little boy L who is almost 2 and the light of our life, he is so funny and outgoing and is the sweetest boy I know.  I love watching him learn new things every day.


We like to be silly sometimes

I went to college in San Antonio, I started at UTSA, then went to the University of Texas San Antonio Health Science Center for nursing school. I am a nurse and I work night shift so I can be home with L during the day.  It lends to a crazy schedule with little sleep at times but I wouldn't have it any other way! I love my job and think its such a blessing to have found a job thats so rewarding.


I love to run half marathons, go shopping and spend way more money than I should, I love to cook and I try to bake though its a running joke around here when I do try to bake...9 times out of 10 it doesn't turn out well!

an oldie but a goodie...one of my faves :)

I am saved by Christ and wouldn't be where I am today without his grace.
I grew up military and loved the opportunity to travel the world and meet some amazing people.
I love bright colors, classic looks, all things with a monogram and anything sweet.  My sweet tooth is out of control! Thank God for good genes or I may weigh a half ton! 


I strive to keep a clean house, though I'm learning to let go and just be. If I find something I am passionate about or product I love I MUST tell everyone I know! Reading is a hobby I wish I had more time for.

I love him so much I can't stand it!!!

So there you have it a few tidbits about me.  Welcome to the ol' blog Im so happy to have you!!

All Professional photos compliments of Kelliane Barron Photography

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Rodeo Fun

A few weeks ago we took L to see the rodeo.  We really wanted to go last year but him being not even 1 last year I figured the hassle of it all wasn't worth the benefit because he wouldn't have even cared.  This year though we thought he would really enjoy seeing all the animals!

 I love this picture :)

We parked and took the tram to the rodeo which was the best parking option, we went late afternoon and the trams came pretty frequent and had a place for us to put the stroller.




Once we were there, we decided to grab something to eat.  I had always heard about all the fried goodness and decided this was the time I would try it out! I had the fried oatmeal cream pie.  It was AMAZING!! I really could have eaten about 10 of them!!

Then we headed in to check out the animals and the exhibits.

Ford Atlas


We soon found out about L's love of trucks...he was beside himself over the trucks! By the time I could get my camera out he had regained some composure, but he was doing the pointer dog point which is his new thing if he is excited and just couldn't stop telling us all about something (we couldn't understand him)!  Ever since this day any truck that crosses his path is cause for a pause in his world and he will tell us all about the truck he sees!




Then we headed in to the petting zoo.  L was not having it...He would not let me put him down and when I tried he would grip tighter.  I mean to put it in perspective some of these animals would be like you or I being face to face with something bigger than us with no barrier, although he wasn't too sure about the little animals either.  He loved them from a distance. The chicks and bunnies were his favorite because they were in a cage :)


We had such a great time seeing everything and I cant wait to take him back next year when he is a little older!  It was so nice just to have an afternoon of fun family time!

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Bloglovin

My beloved Google Reader is going bye bye and I have explored some options for blog reading.

You can follow me on Bloglovin here:
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I do love Bloglovin I have also checked out Feedly which is an easy way to not have to refollow all the blogs you have on your google reader.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Busy Busy

Things are super super busy around here lately and this ol' blog has collected some dust this week. Im working a fast and furious stretch of days until next thursday when I will be off for 11 glorious days for a little stay-cation and then BLISSDOM(!!!) which I am so super excited about (maybe a little too much?)!!!

Anyhow I didn't want to leave you high and dry over the next few days when I may not have time to post much so here are some of my favorite iPhone pics as of late

Me and my sweet boy at his first rodeo experience, He was so so excited!!
 The world stops when an airplane flys over!!


This weather here has been gorgeous here lately!!


His new favorite game...peek a boo!!!



Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Birthday Pretties


My Birthday is coming up here in 23 days! I love birthdays and even more I love gifts, giving and receiving.  Being that its my birthday month I thought I would compile my wish list...I feel like birthdays are the one time of year its all about you so I thought I would put together some things Ive been eyeing recently!


Monday, March 4, 2013

Running Therapy

I am a runner, granted I may have taken a few breaks and a long hiatus here and there, I still consider myself a runner.  I am coming off one of those aforementioned hiatuses seeing as how I have a race coming up in 8 weeks now.

8 weeks!! EEEP I am so excited about this one! Its the Nike Women's Half Marathon in Washington DC, I was selected as part of a lottery, of which I was declined last year for the same race in San Francisco. I heard they were going to be starting a race in DC and just new this was my time to be chosen.  I have dreamed of doing a Nike Women's Race for YEARS! Well, my mom, grandma, myself and a friend from work signed up for the lottery as a group and alas...we were chosen!

Im not gonna lie, the Tiffany's Necklace thats waiting at the finish line is all the motivation I need!! Its also pretty cool that I'll get a personal running tour of all the cool things in DC during the race.

All this to say that I decided I really needed to start running if I am going to survive this race.

I printed my training schedule, got out my new favorite running shoes and dusted off the BOB.  Being that we have such an odd schedule at our house I basically do all my training with L in the stroller, it makes for some good resistance training!
He thinks his momma is CRAZY for dragging him out of bed to go run in the cold
I have found that since I have been running more this past week, its almost a form of free therapy.

Running clears my head, I pray, think through the issues weighing on my heart, and recap or plan the day.  I never run with music if L is with me so I can hear him and also whats going on around me so this allows the perfect opportunity to connect with myself.  I do bust out the jams though if I am by myself which I usually try to plan my long runs for when I am on my own.



I have also found I am a happy person, the little things in life which previously would nag my brain to the core have just been able to be brushed of.  I am also more productive on the days I run.  Its an energy boost for sure! If I run in the evening it takes me a LONG time to wind down and I often end up going to bed super late.  This is why I prefer to run early in the day.

The runners high thats always spoken of...its real, I was a doubter prior to being a runner but it really is real.  The first few miles of my runs are usually tough, my legs are tight and my breathing isn't in sync.  Once I get past usually the 2 sometimes 3 mile mark though its like Im on autopilot and I just run and nothing hurts and my breathing is rhythmic and in sync and its so therapeutic.

This is why I love to run.
Yeah most days the act of getting out the door is tough but 9 times out of 10 once I'm out I don't regret it.




Friday, March 1, 2013

10,000 Reasons

I have been LOVING this song lately and reading the lyrics it is oh so true, this is one I like to turn up in the car and just sing with my whole heart, I'm sure its a good show for those driving around me!!  

Im going to leave it at that...Enjoy



10,000 Reasons 
by
Matt Redman

(Chorus)
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes


Chorus

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

Chorus

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

(Chorus x2)

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name


I'm Katie a 27 year old mommy and wife. Welcome to my blog where I will chronicle the happenings of my life as I find the balance between being both SAHM by day and CVICU nurse by night.

I love Jesus and strive to be more like Christ every day. Running, reading, and cooking are some of my favorite past-times. I love photography but I am no pro, but it helps I have such a cute subject to practice on!!


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