It’s hard to believe another girls’ trip has come and gone. We planned this almost immediately after last year’s trip to Nashville. Months of planning and anxiously counting down the days quickly came and passed and now we have fun memories and pictures to tide us over until next year’s trip to California. Thank goodness we also have Marco Polo – that keeps us connected in the best way possible. It allows us to be a part of one another’s lives so that when we do see one another in person it’s like we just picked up where we left off.
These ladies are an answered prayer!
I’d also like to say there are parts of me that feel a little uncomfortable about sharing our trip. Not that I am a private person by any means but more importantly I know what it feels like to struggle to find quality friendships. So, if you have found yourself in a place that feels lonely or bereft of a tribe of friends, please know you are not alone. I am that person who is in a crowded room or party and feels completely alone. I have found myself looking around at all the women chatting up a storm and thinking, “what am I doing here?” In fact I used to push myself to be out and about as a way to try and get over the uncomfortable feelings but what I have come to realize is that when I am feeling this way it’s okay and I don’t have to put myself in these situations. It’s better to stay home then be among 40 women who honestly have no interest in me, nor me in them.
You decide how happy you are – do not give anyone else that power!
But it drove me crazy for ages. I prayed for a good group of girlfriends. Specifically for girlfriends who liked not only me but one another. God answered my prayers in these ladies. I have friends here at home, but they aren’t friends with one another. In recent years some of the women I felt closest to no longer had time for me or moved away. That happens as our kids get older, it’s a shift I wasn’t prepared for and it left me thinking there was something wrong with me. 
Then I came to realize I am pretty darn awesome! Ha! Honestly I learned to stop taking things so personally. That because my friends had moved on and found their passion wasn’t because they didn’t like me, in other words, it’s not all about me. We had simply outgrown one another. Of course I’d still love and care for them but it was time to move on, so I did.
So please, if you are struggling like I did, know that I care about you and your circumstance. Feel free to email me privately if you’d like to vent, I get it, I do. Also know that I am sharing these photos so if you are thinking of getting away with friends or family to the Austin area maybe you’ll be inspired to do some of the things we did! Or, who know? Maybe you’ll invite some of your “internet friends” on a trip of your own?
The nice thing about saving this for a Friday is that my sweet friends have shared some updates of their own – check them out:Andrea’s post, Laura’s post, and Lisa’s post. We had a great time and shared so many memories. The kinds of things I’ll cherish forever. I think bar my favorite day was the one we spent in Waco. Doing the tour and visiting Magnolia. I loved shopping at The Domain and visiting the Erin Condren store – so pretty!
Today I am sharing this post with Narci, Erika, and Andrea! 
And don’t forget, there’s FABULOUS giveaway to enter just in time for Christmas shopping!
It’s time for a Christmas giveaway! Are you getting geared up for the shopping season? Do you need extra cash for Christmas?? Don’t we all!
We are so excited to be giving away $430 in cash prizes for you to use starting this Thanksgiving weekend.
Here are the prizes:
1 – $150 Amazon Gift Card
1 – $100 Target Gift Card
2 – $50 Walmart Gift Card
1 – $50 Kohls Gift Card
2 – $15 Starbucks Gift Cards
There will be 7 winners in this giveaway. Each winner will receive a gift card code to use either in the online store or in the actual store.
Now its time to meet our wonderful co-hosts who have made this giveaway possible.
Starting at the top row we have:
Tammy – My Life Abundant | Heather –The Super Mom Life | Carrie – Curly Crafty Mom | Audry – That Recipe & Munofore | Jodie – Jodie’s Touch of Style | Linda – A Labour of Life | Leslie – Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After | Trish – By Trish Sutton | Susan – Crafting A Family | Debi – Life Currents | Sinea – Ducks ‘n a Row | Gladys – Mom to Grandma | Meredith – The Mom of the Year | Kellyann Rohr – This Blonde’s Shopping Bag | Andrea – Living On Cloud Nine | Michelle – Our Crafty Mom | Kristin – White Arrows Home | Emily – Domestic Deadline | Kathleen – Our Hopeful Home | Jamie – As For Me and My Homestead & Coffee With Us 3 |Ahna – Ahna @ Hammers N Hugs | Lois – Walking on Sunshine Recipes | Christy – Ice Cream N Sticky Fingers | Donna – Blog by Donna | Beverly – Eclectic Red Barn | Lisa – Blogghetti | Erlene – My Pinterventures | Janelle – Num’s the Word |Tammy – Creative K Kids
Please stop by and say hi to these wonderful ladies and their blogs.
The giveaway will end at 11:59pm on November 27th on the day beforeThanksgiving. You will have 48 hours to respond to the email claiming the prize. If you respond right away, we will get you the gift card code promptly so that you can shop with it on Black Friday! If we don’t hear in 48 hours, we will have to choose another winner.
Open to anyone who can receive gift cards from Amazon, Target, Walmart, Kohls, and Starbucks
