My First Blog Conference Experience (Heaven at Haven?)

I knew I'd probably start to get comments, emails, and messages about the Haven Conference {blog conference for DIY and home bloggers} in Atlanta last week. My trip had highs and lows, but the conference itself was flat-out amazing. I may do a conference recap another day, but I wanted to tell you about what inspired me from a first time blog conference attendee viewpoint.

(Clockwise from Top Left: Melissa from 320 Sycamore, Me, Kristin from Favorite Paint Colors...Me and Julia from Hooked on Houses...The Nester and Me...Me and Michelle from Ten June...Me, Cindy from Living on the Bliss, Marian from Miss Mustard Seed, and Kate from Centsational Girl)

So...was it Heaven at Haven? Read and see...

I should begin by saying that the only truly negative thing that happened to me was not at all related to Haven, but it overshadowed my first day. I spent most of Thursday on the phone with my husband, trying to find out if my oldest (Natalie) had appendicitis or not. By 9 pm, it was ruled out (the doc had been ready to operate!), and she was diagnosed with a very aggressive virus. 

It turned out that although I spent much of that first day at Haven wrapped in a cloak of worry, the situation was used to point me towards inspiration. All day long, bloggers approached me to get updates on Natalie, let me know they were praying for her, and to see how I was doing. They sent Tweets, left messages on my Facebook, gave me hugs, and let me know it was okay to shed a few tears at the lunch table. 

I was truly inspired by the kindness of women I had only ever met through reading their words on a computer screen. Ladies took time out of their conference experience to encourage me!

Knowing my daughter was fine by Friday morning freed my nerves enough to be able to enjoy the remainder of the conference. I was ready to learn and to be open to new kinds of inspiration.

I was inspired by the dedication and hard work of the women who planned, organized, and executed the conference. Rhoda, Chris, Kate, Beth, Sarah, Traci, Kristi, Marian, Layla, and Kristin, you did a wonderful job. It was such a pleasure to meet each of you! I am constantly in awe of your collective talent, and humbled that any of you would know who I am!

I was inspired by the friendliness and creativity of the other attendees. I was fully prepared to feel like a twelve year old on the first day of seventh grade, but friendly smiles and kind words put us all at ease. (If we took a pic together, please email me a copy!)

I was inspired by the knowledge of the speakers. My favorite sessions were "Photography and Styling" and "I Like Big Blogs." John and Sherry from Young House Love gave a keynote speech that was both hilarious and insightful. They were also very approachable...I got to meet John and Burger as I explored the vendor area.

In short, how could I be surrounded by such talent, creativity, and kindness, and not be inspired?

My most sincere thanks go out to all of you who took the time to ask how my girl at home was doing. Thank you for understanding, and for your encouragement. Your friendliness didn't make me feel as if I was depending on "the kindness of strangers."

I'm home in Virginia now with a bit of a brain overload. So many new things to think about and so many new friends to keep up with. And when I say "keep up with," I don't mean in competition. I came home from Haven with a desire to be a better wife, mother, homemaker, blogger...but not to worry about comparing with everyone else. 

I'm looking forward to a year of continued inspiration from these new friends. So when Haven 2013 rolls around, I'll be ready!

Linked to Southern Hospitality