My Story: Finding a Blogging Family {Part Three} + Giveaway

Earlier I was writing some snail mail cards to a few of my Project Dream friends and it occurred to me that this story of becoming a blogger and how I monetized my blog really isn't complete if I don't mention the amazing women/friends/fellow-bloggers/family who encourage and support me on a daily basis.

When I talked about how I monetized my blog (better than affiliate marketing, sponsorships, etc.), I introduced you to Project Dream International. If you go to the site or follow our Facebook page at all, you can see that we are clearly a fun group of women who mean business! What you might not realize is that we are all bloggers. It's how we all met!

If you have been on Pinterest at all lately or attended a blogging conference, I'm sure you've heard the blogging tribe buzz. The experts say it's crucial and for more reasons than just exposure. A blogging tribe supports you, give you ideas, picks you up when you're discouraged, helps cheer on accomplishments, and motivates you with the best training. Or at least that's what mine does.

We don't call ourselves a tribe, though. We're just Project Dream because dreams are our mission. We aren't limited to only 10 people and we don't have rules about keeping the size of our blogs near each other. Everyone is in different parts of the journey. And that's okay because we're not really a traditional tribe- we're family.

A few years ago I was feeling in a rut. My handful of good friends are ones I've had since middle school (or earlier) and the further I got into adulthood, the harder it became to make new ones. Enter Project Dream... not one of these women lives in the same state as I do, yet I talk to them on a weekly basis, texting, on Facebook, and through the cards that I sent out today. They are there for me in every aspect, not just blogging. They are amazing friends.

Well, I've gushed enough about how great they are. How about a fun look back at this last year? I had the opportunity to travel to Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas to meet up with them and attend some conferences. Meeting in person isn't a requirement- I was very blessed to have been able to.

Dallas- Me and Katie from Building a House of Love.

Dallas- Vicki, Mary, Erin, Katie, Me, and Claire and our friend Juan who we met in Los Angeles. He's awesome.

Chicago- Krysta, Me, Jenn, Bonnie, and Mary

 We actually stayed at Bonnie's house and this was my first time meeting my PDI friends in person. It was so much fun! Mary is actually laughing in this picture. She's a hoot. :)

One of the nights we went on a field trip to Trader Joe's. It was my first time and it was awesome! Of course we were in our pj's and cracking jokes with the few people left working there that late. Always a good time. :)

The Heasleys (how cool are they!? 12 kids!), Jenn, Susie, Krysta, Mary, Bonnie, Elisabeth, and Me

 Oh yeah, and we did attend a great conference and learned a lot besides which TJ yogurt I like best. Here is even more of the group... (ignore my awkward pose)

Funny thing- I can't find any pictures of me with the ladies in Los Angeles, but I know there must be some. Maybe we were just too busy laughing to remember pictures? That was a fun and funny weekend!

Most exciting for me about this walk down memory lane is that I get to see many of these women and meet even more at the Shaklee Global Conference in just a few days!!! I'm so excited to see them all again and do some in-person brainstorming and keep building our businesses and blogs. :)

Blogging friends who I will get to see again or meet in Nashville this week:

Ring Around the Rosies; My Other Shoe; Eyes on the Source; Happy, Healthy, and Domestic; Raising Daisies; Claire's Healthy Home; Beauty Blondie; Erin Branscom; Krysta Steen; Bonnie Donahue; Blissfully Ever After; Parents of a Dozen; The Home Tipster; Pearls, Paisley, and Petticoats

If you would like to be a part of this awesome group of women, go to Project Dream's website and sign up to learn more! No feeling nervous! :) We're all strangers at first, yet all looking for the same things out of life, which is part of why it's so easy to bond. We'd love to have you!

Okay, now GIVEAWAY TIME! :)

In celebration of my first time in Nashville I am giving away a gorgeous pair of earrings from Lauren Amos Designs. These are the same that the main character, Rayna James, from the TV show Nashville wore. I bought a pair for myself because I love them so much! lol.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'll be wearing these plenty while in Nashville. :) I can't wait! Good luck!!!