Giving Thanks

I am getting ready to board a plane on Wednesday evening for the first time in 15 years.  It would be awful of me to leave without recognizing a handful of people. I am only where I am today through hard work and support from some people I hold very dear to my heart.

My Husband

My husband is my Number One supporter. He is letting me fly to Atlanta and leave him with all four children. He is willing to remote in at work so that we don't have to find a sitter while I am gone. He has worked INSANE hours for me to be able to be at home with the children and push my writing & blogging. He has helped me hone my dreams and boosted me back up when I felt like I couldn't continue. He has listened to my frustrations and offered me advice. He has listened to me chatter about excitement and simply smiled knowing that I am doing what I love.

Three Fellow Bloggers

There are three wonderful ladies up here in the KC Metro that have offered me support and advice over the years. 10 years ago, Kristin from Dine & Dish and I became friends through Johnson County FLYladies and stayed friends ever since. I have watched her start the blog and just watched it blossom. It is immense inspiration for me, even though I am not a food blogger. She does it with active children and I know that I can as well! Candy from Mommypalooza & KCMetromoms is another dear friend of mine. Birdcage Media is actually the name SHE came up with and I fell in love. She has been a huge source of support over the past seven years and I love following her family. Finally, Kerrie from The Kerrie Show and I have not been friends for long, only two or three years. However, she has shown me how it is possible to have a large family, home school, and still run a business. She offers support and is a sounding block. I am so thankful for all three of these ladies!

A Few Coworkers

While I do not work in an office, there are a few people whom I worked with through agencies and then developed friendships. However, I must start with Christina. She was the one who talked to me about her love for writing and how she thought I would be great for a specific job. She was right. I fell in love with it. While the project dissolved, my passion for writing has not, and I love ghostwriting for clients. Victoria is the face behind Giveaways 4 Moms and has also been super supportive. We met through another project and I later found out she was a blogger (which is why she falls in this category). Finally, my dear friend, Amber. I would not even be going on this trip without her. We are splitting the cost of the hotel and she is my chauffeur. We talk daily about clients, gigs, and so much more. She truly is my partner in crime and I cannot WAIT to hook up with her in a few days.

My BFFs

I have to admit, I do have a few BFFs. While I have more than a handful supportive friends, there have been a few people who have just been there through everything. Not only have they been by my side, but they have also provided me some side jobs to help fund this trip, and I am truly grateful. My friend of seven years, Andrew, will likely NOT be reading this post because he does not do social media, but he needs to be mentioned. He has been a babysitter, a travel companion, a friend, and a confidant. Finally, my friend Margaret. We have only known each other for a few years, but we have shared so much. Our friendship started with her nourishing my little Monkey, but it has blossomed into much more. She lets me share my dreams and is helping me to fulfill them.

Just a few other shout outs:

Rebekah B.

Stephannie S.

Taya E.

My March Moms!!

Heather S.

Maggie Y.

So ... to each of you ... thank you.

There are several others that have helped me on this journey. I hope they are not offended when they are not mentioned here. I do so love everyone in my life, and I feel that I am so blessed by having people who care about me and my family ... and want nothing more than to see us succeed.