DotMom- Part Two and a Book Giveaway!!!

If you missed my first post on DotMom 2013 in Chattanooga, TN– find it HERE. 

A group of seven of us left Thursday night, drove to Calhoun, GA and spent the night. We all piled (quite comfortably!) into two hotel rooms and got a good bit of rest as we didn’t have to leave nearly as early the next morning. Breakfast in the Hotel and then we were off to Chattanooga by 10:30AM.

My Breakfast of Champions. Hey, this may not look glamorous (or on 2nd thought, appetizing.) to you but I ate this partially hardened, heat lamp warmed cinnamon roll BY MYSELF. I drank this slightly weak but still hot and delicious cup of coffee, leisurely– while taking an inordinate amount of time getting ready. I changed my outfit several times, just because I could! I love my children (so much) but less than 18 hours into this weekend, and I was already on my way to being refreshed!

Here’s our group of seven amazing ladies! Oh, and notice our bags?! Those are Jute Freeset bags which Lifeway, (in)courage and Freeset provided for all conference attendees. More about Freeset later, but I was so happy to have something made by them!!!

Friday was a whirlwind of main sessions and break out sessions.

I was able to hear Angela Thomas speak on the topic,  52 Things Kids Need From a Mom and it was so encouraging! She has written a book by the same title, and I would love to add it to my list. Very practical, heartfelt suggestions. I was initially afraid I was about to hear a list of 52 MORE things I was not doing for my kids, but that was not at all her aim! She was so gracious and having been both a single mom of four children, and now a married mom of four teenagers, she was able to minister to every single person there.

Next we heard Jen Hatmaker speak on “Parenting the Kids We Have, Not the Kids We Were.” Again, it was not at all what I was expecting, but it truly challenged me in some large areas. But that’s kinda her thing. If you have ever listened to Jen and NOT been challenged.. you must have been sound asleep. 🙂

Later that night, we attended a “Late Night DotMom Bash” I say that loosely, because it began at 8:30 PM. Ha! Late night! But honestly, we were tired and ready to go by 9:30PM because that’s what happens with a room full of tired mamas!

Before we got too tired though, I was able to meet TWO of my very favorites, Melanie Shankle and Sophie Hudson— or Big Mama and Boo Mama! Though they have both blogged for years and have been the emcees of DotMom for awhile, they both recently published their first books! Both are amazing, both will make you both laugh and cry! Melanie‘s book, Sparkly Green Earrings was one book I would love to give to every single mother I know. If you haven’t read it, it’s a pretty light read and I’m sure you will appreciate her wit and spirit in writing. Sophie’s book, A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet is also hil-ar-ious. I’m pretty sure half of the stories in there about her “Southern” family either have happened in mine or they will before too long.

So can I just say something about both of these amazing ladies? After traveling from hours away, getting up heaven knows how early, and then being “ON” all day long– how they stood there so graciously and made every person feel welcome and appreciated is amazing to me. They were kind. They were generous with themselves. They were both exactly how I pictured they would be.

Oh, and because I was a tad star struck I got my picture with each of them! Oh, yes I did!!!!

Myself and Melanie Shankle, aka Big Mama

( Can we talk about how great she looks at 9:00PM at night?!  And that girl has got some fashion sense! Classy!!!)

And yes, I had to buy another copy of her book to have her sign it. Love!

And Here I am with the sweet (and adorable!!) Sophie Hudson aka Boo Mama

Now, because I had a copy of her book at home– I decided to get one signed for ONE of you!

Just sharing the Love!!!

So, without further ado– let’s do a GIVEAWAY!!!! And one of you can win this book which she signed for you!

Rules: Leave a Comment for an entry!

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Giveaway will go through two weeks from today, October 16th!!!!