A few weeks ago I attended the Blissom2010 Conference in Nashville Tennessee and the particular days that I was in conference also happened to be Thomas’ preschool homeschooling days. Because my immediate family are my biggest supporters of putting family first and my homeschooling efforts, Thomas’ godfather (my brother-in-law) came up to Nashville to take my place as his homeschooling teacher. This was an incredible gesture but not unusual because he is the greatest godfather ever.

Before we made the trip to Nashville, I emailed my brother-in-law the curriculum that Thomas and I had been working from so that he could add his own spin to teaching while reinforcing what he had already learned. Thomas also was introduced to new internet websites that we can now use for learning.  Also, since Thomas was having the opportunity to “learn on the road”, he was able to learn some geography about other places in TN particularly Nashville.

I believe the best education can be learned by actual experience and the more travel we do, the more education can be learned. If you are a home-schooler or not, when traveling to other cities or countries, how can you incorporate your travels into your curriculum?  Of what importance is it? And do you feel traveling makes a difference in the growth and development of your child?

Everyone knows that I am the wife of a Baptist minister but not everyone knows that I was raised Catholic all of my life. It was not until I met my husband 7 years ago that I ever considered changing denominations. For me, my relationship with God has always been personal but not as intimate as I wanted it to be. So, when I met my husband, it gave me more focus and incentive to explore that spiritual relationship more deeply.

Even though I have changed denominations, the traditions that I grew up with are still very much a part of me. This Wednesday will be Ash Wednesday which is the beginning of the Lenten Season which focuses on the death of Christ…..THE GREATEST SACRIFICE ANYONE HAS GIVEN TO HUMANKIND!

It has become tradition that Catholics fast on Ash Wednesday and then sacrifice meat on Fridays. But in addition to those sacrifices, I also “give up” something else for the season (which lasts until Easter). Whatever is given up should be something that is a “true” sacrifice to your lifestyle so that you can take your focus off of “that thing” and put the focus on the greatest sacrifice.

I have not decided what I will be forgoing for this Lenten season but I will be sacrificing something in order to gain more, spiritually, in the end. Sometimes pruning needs to take place in your life in order for new insights into the direction of your future to be revealed.

Whether you participate in the Lenten season or not, there are huge benefits in learning how to sacrifice in life. Why not “try” something new this year and see where true sacrifice can take you.

I just watched the new “We are the World” video this morning and it brought tears to my eyes. First, because it took my back to when I was sitting on my mother’s living room floor watching MTV and seeing the original video for the first time AND second, because the lyrics still resonate to this day.

Celine Dion brought it home in this video and I love the contribution from the rappers!!!

Don’t forget about Haiti….Don’t forget we are one people…..DON’T FORGET TO GIVE!!!

Last week, I had the great opportunity of attending Blissdom 2010 in Nashville. If you don’t already know, Blissdom is a conference that is geared toward women bloggers who want to learn more about their craft, how to turn blogging into a business and helps to build communities of women around specific agendas.

This was my first Blissdom conference and I can honestly say that I met some of the most creative, resourceful and motivated women in the country.  This conference also inspired us bloggers to do even more great work through the power of our words and the community of followers that we build.

The absolute best part of the conference, for me, was the opening key note speaker Kevin Carroll who set the tone of the conference by proclaiming that we MUST endulge our passion in life and PLAY as much as possible. If you have not heard of this fabulous man, then I ENCOURAGE you to find out all about him. His words resonated so heavily with everything that I am trying to do in life. Here are a sample of my tweets while I was listening to him speak:

Each day is a gift so how do you maximize each day!!! @kckatalyst #blissdom 12:21 PM Feb 5th from web

Live consciously!! Do you see that RED BALL!!! #blissdom 12:20 PM Feb 5th from web 

 “Speak UP”..A closed mouth don’t get fed…@kckatalyst you never know who is there to assist you! #blissdom 12:19 PM Feb 5th from web

My eyes are on continual “water patrol” because this man @kckatalyst is speaking to my spirit 

 One of his main points was to always keep yourself surrounded by ENCOURAGERS!!!  These are people who can see your vision and support you on your path to make it happen. Even though I met many fabulous women during the conference, I want to spotlight several who were true encouragers of me while I was there (and some had only met me for the first time) and have you check out their blog sites for further information on these dynamic women:

Renee J. Ross-Cutie Booty Cakes

Click Clack Mom-Amy

Tonia Sanders-The Chatty Momma

Mandy Roberson-Counting My Pennies and My Blessings

Melitsa Avila-Play Activities

I didn’t get a chance to take a picture with all of the ENCOURAGERS that I met, but I have to mention a few more who made an impact on me for just being themselves:

1.  Alli Worthington- www.blissfullydomestic.com 

2.  Barbara Jones- www.one2onenetwork.com 

3.  Danielle Smith- www.Extraordinarymommy.com

4.  Molly Thornberg- www.digitalmomblog.com

5.  Cooper Munroe- www.themotherhood.com

6.  www.lovefeasttable.com

7.  www.girlfriendology.com

8.  Jana Warnke- http://jana-sugarspicelife.blogspot.com

9.  Melissa Michaels- www.theinspiredroom.com

These ladies have great stories of life and a great passion to make a better world. They didn’t know me from Adam (Eve) but they were willing to listen to what I had to say and offer me encouraging words of support to continue to keep my dreams alive.

Thank you to Blissdom, Kevin Carroll, and to all my ENCOURAGERS for keeping me lifted up!!

And, last but not least,….MY PICTURE WITH HARRY CONNICK, JR. !!!!!