Well, we’ve been so busy with the Summer of Joy around here that I haven’t had a chance to say that I am going to a a blogging conference next week, y’all! Most of me is super excited about the Declare Conference for Christian bloggers ‘“ next weekend (not tomorrow…I mean NEXT weekend) ‘“ in Big D. My first Declare conference. My first time in Big D. My first time volunteering at a conference. So thankful that I have already “met’ so many other sweet ladies already online! But, there is the leetle teensy part of me that wants to sink down in the coach pillows (otherwise known as my “home office”) and watch an American Ninja Warrior marathon and make pretty Pinteresty images and eat Blue Bell Rocky Road. Or Homemade Vanilla with Strawberries. Do you ever have a hard time finding your big girl pants when you have to do something brave? Because I do. This week. And the wonderful organizers of the Declare conference are putting out these sweet and encouraging posts on their blog. But they know that we writers always enjoy life a bit more when we get to write about it…so they gave us an assignment to help us break the ice and not take ourselves too seriously. And so here goes:
4 THINGS ABOUT ME
- I lived in Spain for 3 years as a small child. Thanks USMC for my time abroad ‘“ too bad I don’t remember much of it!
- If we go out to dinner, I’d rather have a appetizer than a dessert
- My husband is a dentist in the Air Force. And before the kiddos I was a Dental Hygiene instructor at LSU Dental School in New Orleans. And yes, I did teach my hubby the dental hygiene stuff. And no, He never listened to my advice in the dental hygiene clinic. And no, I didn’t meet him when he was in school…he put me through dental hygiene school and then I put him through dental school.
- I love being a mom of older kiddos (9 and 11). I wish I could go back and visit those sweet little babies and smell their sweet little baby smell and just hold them…and then *pop* right back to now, because my big kids make jokes that crack me up and invent amazing Lego creations that would impress all of you and remember so much interesting stuff from the history channel. I love being with my big kids.
4 OF MY ENDEARING QUIRKS
- My husband can tickle me from across the room just by acting like he is going to tickle me.
- If he actually makes the mistake of tickling me, then an involuntary movement is bound to occur, which my husband lovingly calls “the donkey kick”…I really can’t help it y’all. But it does come in handy when the tickling begins.
- I can’t think straight when there is clutter…but as soon as I get everything put away, the family leaves a Hansel and Gretel trail of junk around the house. It is a never-ending battle. Then I struggle to cook, speak, write…until we get the chaos down to a dull roar.
- I love to sing in the car. LOUD.
4 THINGS ABOUT MY BLOG & WRITING
- I am long-winded. In person and on the blog. It is what it is.
- I have many stories that I will never tell. Stories that made me who I am. Stories that would hurt other people, because the truth about them is that they hurt me. I don’t like to name names when it is bad stuff. I tell the truth. Always. But God has never prompted me to write something about a person that would destroy them.
- I love to write about God’s Word. I learn about the Word when I write about it. God has given me a gift. The gift is not that I am a great writer…it is that I feel more connected to His Word when I am writing, than at almost any other time.
- I think about quitting the blog and writing in general about every week. I think: how crazy is it to think that anyone else would be interested in what I think? And, is it fair to spend so much time on what has amounted to a very expensive hobby? And, what? Me, a writer? Am I crazy? And just when I am about it give up, then I get a comment here, or a Pin there, or an email from someone and it comes at just the right time. And it feels like encouragement from the Lord, the One Person I am always writing for…like He is saying, “Keep it up, this is the part I wrote for you.”
4 OF MY FAVORITE THINGS
- Eating outdoors at a restaurant. It always makes me feel like we are on vacation. Wish we could do it more. But I can’t abide bugs and heat.
- Spending fun time with friends and family. This is one of the things I really love about homeschooling.
- My funny relatives. My husband cracks me up. My Dad cracks me up. My sister cracks me up. Husband’s brother cracks me up. These people are smart and funny. What a blessing.
- Amazon Prime. Y’all. How did we function before Amazon Prime? I am keeping UPS in business. Oh, and I love Zappos too. Shopping? Ain’t nobody got time for that.
I will be leaving Wednesday, and before then I need to send my eBook to the proofreader and begin to assemble my “launch team” for a….wait for it…September Book Launch!!! And I am planning to write some posts on the Bucket List project…and play with the kids and hang out with dear friends and spend some QT with my hubby. Please pray that there is very little clutter or I won’t get any of it done!
I am laughing about the “donkey kick.” So funny! 🙂 I enjoyed getting to know you a bit a Declare.
Yep, we’ve got the clutter thing going on, Britta. It seems like we can’t think as well, huh? Looking forward to meeting you at Declare.
You are so cute I love this list. I love the part of Spain we have a life plan that includes taking our girls to Spain for 2 years during junior high to do Spanish immersion and homeschool. We shall see.
Try to join us for the food truck Thursday night. Now that’s Dallas.
To put your mind at ease. Most Dallasites don’t have Texan accent or wear boots this time of year. It’s too darn hot. The fashionistas might rock the boots with the short skirt then every now and again.
See you in a few days.
Amber
http://homeonthesiliconprairie.com/2014/08/01/grab-a-drink-and-lets-chat/
I know I will love trying out the food truck – we have watched food truck shows on Food Network. I think I am bringing jeans and flip flops…the two times I went to SheSpeaks I got gussied up in “business casual” which really stressed me out because I am a homeschool momma and don’t wear blazers…ever. The tricky part is the chilliness of the hotel…will my piggies get cold if I wear flip flops??
Appetizers – yes. Clutter – YIKES! I so need to clear it out in order to think, yet I struggle to keep it under control. So with you on that one. 🙂 And dear Britta – yes, keep writing as the Lord leads you! Looking forward to meeting you soon in the Big D!
Thank you for the encouragement!! I am getting nervous about the trip!! Eeek! 😉
Go Tigers!!! I grew up going to LSU games.
It was fun visiting your blog and learning a bit about you. I look forward to personally meeting you in a few short days.
Blessings,
Cherie
http://thewerners.org/2014/08/01/factoids-about-me-as-i-prepare-for-declare/
I want to hear more about your time in Louisiana! 🙂
Yes! This – “The gift is not that I am a great writer‘¦it is that I feel more connected to His Word when I am writing, than at almost any other time.”
I can so relate! Can’t wait to meet you at Declare! And congratulations on the impending book launch. That’s really exciting!
Looking forward to meeting you too! It was fun visiting your website – loved your post about the Encouragement station!
Hi Britta! Wanted to stop by and return the visit. I am jealous of your time in Spain! I have yet to go to Europe but it’s on my bucket list. 😉
I, too, would rather order an appetizer than dessert…especially if it has anything to do with stuffed mushrooms or shrimp. Yum!
And I completely share in your love of Amazon Prime. I have absolutely no idea how I got along without it – especially for diapers and health food items that I need to buy in bulk (aka, coconut amines and dairy free chocolate chips). 😉
Excited to meet you next week! Safe travels.
Sounds like Paleo or Whole30??? We have dabbled in that. Sounds like we have lots in common! Can’t wait to meet you 🙂
I love hearing that you enjoy your older kids. I get nervous when I think of life with teenagers and always appreciate stories that aren’t from a war zone. And I TOTALLY get the need to declutter before working. I am that way too. I so look forward to meeting you!
Emily
Hey Emily! I can’t wait to work with you in hospitality! I am interested in seeing your artwork too – are you bringing extras?
Love learning more about you! And I cannot read “I do declare” without my best southern accent saying it in my head 😉
Me too! Like Scarlett in Gone with the Wind…Well, I do declare! Figured it was apropos since I am going to Dallas. Though a Georgia accent is different than a Texas accent…
Hi Britta, What a great list. I really enjoyed getting a peek into your life before we meet next week. I too am ticklish from across the room and messes make me insane but I often have to take deep breaths and try to ignore them to get anything done. See you next week! Blessings, Kristin
Can’t wait to meet you Kristin! Thank you for stopping by 🙂
I think I’ve found another kindred spirit! I love appetizers, can’t abide clutter, and am also an expansive writer (I prefer that to “long-winded” lol). And as for Amazon Prime — you’re so right. I don’t know what I would do without it. Looking forward to meeting you at Declare!
Yes – you are quite the wordsmith! 😉 I can’t believe it is almost here! It will be great to meet you there!!
Nice to meet you! From one long-winded person to another. 🙂
Britta, you need to add your 4 favorites 🙂 grab those ‘big girl pants’ and get on down here to big D next week! I’ll be nervous and excited right beside you. Can’t wait to meet you!
I linked up my 4×4 here: http://kimstewartinspired.com/2014/08/01/declare-conference/. Have a great day! Kim
Yes! I copied and pasted the list and then realized I missed it…kept wondering why it was 4×3… Sheesh! It is corrected now – come back and see me! 🙂
Yes – Amazon Prime – another of my faves too 🙂
So fun to get to know you! I too love appetizers more that dessert and think much more clearly when the clutter is cleaned up. Looking forward to meeting you this next week.
Amy – do you like making appetizers too? I know you blog about food. Can’t wait to meet you!:)