♪♫ I'm Goin' Through the Big D and Do Mean Dallas ♫♪

So I've been doing this little bloggy thing for about a year and a half now, and I kind of have a Cinderella story going on. You might have guessed, I'm a fan of the whole princess story thing so living that dream is kind of...well...a dream to me!

A little over 3 years ago, we made the move from Georgia to Texas and it was a HUGE step for our family. I wasn't going to work. We would be a one-income household and we would struggle so that I could stay at home with the babies. This was a tough but conscious decision. And we did struggle, and we gave up a LOT. A once 2-vehicle family was now a 1-vehicle family, and that in itself was a challenge. We muddled through, we grumbled about our poverty, we struggled. 

At times we were broken. I didn't share that with you then because it was too painful, but my family broke completely and we went through a separation. That is not the fairy tale that I wanted to live nor share. So I didn't. I suffered through it and somehow we made it through that rough spot and found our way back to our marriage and family. I'm glad. 

But back on topic we go. I was blogging, typing little ditties from my life. People were following along and seemed entertained but that wasn't paying the bills. Then...I got accepted into the most fabulous community! Social Fabric came in to my life and nothing has been the same since!

You see this community, owned and operated by an incredible Social Shopper Media Company, Collective Bias, has changed my world. I was a teeny tiny, brand new blogger but they saw potential and they took me in to the fold. They coached me, they gave me opportunities, they pumped me, and they helped me grow. They valued my content over numbers. They valued ME! The support group within this community is amazing and I have gained some true and lasting friendships through my association. I began "shopping" for them and telling you all about my experiences with some pretty awesome brands. And people listened. How incredible is that? I did this for a while and I was happy, and I had money coming in to help ease my family's burden. The entire burden no longer laid on B's shoulders alone (my prince had been carrying too much)!

I entrenched myself in this community and I gave them my all! And you know what? They appreciated me! They afforded me even more opportunities. They allowed ME to lead others (bless their little hearts) and run campaigns for them. I have been doing this lead gig for quite some time with various awesome brands and I dig it! I love working with others, and I love to talk, and that's exactly what I get to do in this role. I promote brands that I love through the meaningful words of bloggers that I adore. And if you can believe it, I get paid to do what I love. Yes, Cinderella story indeed!

And then, near the beginning of the year, I was afforded the opportunity to contract through a division of Collective Bias called cbSocially. I'm a contract worker on a long-term basis and I get to work with an incredible group of ladies. I feel so blessed to have found all of these people and I pinch myself often for fear that I'm asleep. But those pinches hurt so I know I am living my Cinderella dream. 

I'm helping to support my family, I'm at home with my babies, and I have a pretty steady income. What could be better than that you ask? Well, I'm here to tell you!

A couple of months ago, I got an email from one of the most beautiful women I know (but unfortunately, have never met in real life). Courtney Velasquez from Discovering Arkansas (who just so happens to be the VP of the Social Fabric Community) sent me a simple email. "Are you going to Bloggy Boot Camp in Dallas? Can I sponsor you?". Hello floor, I have fallen on you and I can't get up! My response: Can you? I can't believe you'd want to but I am honored and I accept with a huge smile on my face!

These people are sending me on a big adventure. I will be heading to Dallas this coming Friday for a tremendous learning experience. I will be networking and I will figure out how to make this little dot on the internet grow! 

If you're on the Twitter, you can follow my adventures by stalking the hashtag #BBCDal. If you aren't, you know I'll be pumping photos and updates to Facebook and I'll be sure to stop back by here when I get home to share all of the fun and details with y'all!

In the meantime, I have all of my sparkle notebooks, sparkle pens, sparkle pencils, and whatever other sparkles I can muster gathered to pack up for the trip. I'm not overly excited to be leaving B and the babies (note: I've never left them over night before and I'll miss them...wish us ALL luck) but I'm excited for the adventure!

And I just can't thank Courtney, Collective Bias, and Social Fabric enough for this opportunity. I'm honored, I'm excited, and I promise I won't embarrass you while I'm there (What? I can act like a grown up when I want to!). Oh wait, I forgot the most fabulous part of all...I get to meet Courtney...in real life! I'm not a hugger, but she better watch out because she's getting one from me this time!

Look out Dallas...Here I come!

Disclosure: Although I have received sponsorship for Bloggy Boot Camp Dallas, this post was not solicited. I am writing this from my heart to show my appreciation to Collective Bias, Courtney from Discovering Arkansas, and my Social Fabric family. All opinions are my own. And a special thanks to my own family for putting up with my long hours as I grow and build this new venture in my life! You rock B, Bug, and Bubby...without you, I am nothing!