When the seven of us signed up for BlogHer our goals were to meet each other and to learn more about blogging so that we could bring that back to our blogs and to GIMH. We not only accomplished that we but we also learned that we were fast friends. There was an instant bond between us, hugs that were held far longer than expected and an uncanny comfort that allowed us to share our deepest sentiments.

The conference itself was not all we expected it to be. In fact, we probably won’t go back because we weren’t happy with the sessions or the amount of branding (although we love that we were able to work with our fabulous sponsors). We know that branding is important (duh). It was just overwhelming.

So, what did we learn, you ask?

We learned that we want change.

• We want to change the adoption community through blogging.
• We want to build a better future for our children, our adopted children, our adoptees, our future birth parents by blogging. We want to open birth records.
• We want the media to know that they need to get adoption right (hello Orphan, the Movie or Despicable Me?)
• We want to work to end corruption in International Adoption (yes, big task).
• We want agencies to understand that birth mothers are not just a vessel.

The hard part is figuring out how to do all of that.

from left to right: Christine from welcome to my brain, Marcie from Grown In My Heart, Carrissa (above) from My Everyday Miracles, Claudia (below) from Musings of the Lame, Judy from The International Mom Blog, Kristen from Rage Against the Minivan and Michelle from Gotcha Baby (and yes, the ever-camera-shy,Tonggu Momma )

Here are the five winners (my oldest chose them randomly)

Maggie Smith

Zipporah Sandler

Danielle

PCOS Chick

Bekah

Please meet us at 4 pm outside Social Luxe to get your bags…and please email me ( or comment) to indicate you got this message!

If you are an avid reader of GIMH then you know that there are 7 of us (YES, 7) headed to New York next week and we would LOVE to 1. Meet you and 2. shower you with totally fabulous gifts. Why? Because you actually take time out of your busy day to read our drivel (okay, my drivel…the other 6 writers are awesome).

So, if you are hoppin’ the next plane to a social woman’s HEA’ VAN  leave a comment here to win these 25 prizes (YES, I SAID 25).

Read More:
Comment Here or at GIMH Reviews:

But, I also had to have a sponsor. You know, food, adoption, readoption. It adds up.

So, I pounded the emails and am lucky enough tonight to announce THREE sponsors.

Read More…

Please read her post!

All I really need to know I learned on the Internet…

Play Fair: If you play on the Internet be prepared for the bullies…but don’t be one.

Don’t hit: You can’t physically hit on the web but you can slap someone with words. Goes back to the saying if you can’t say something nice don’t say it at all…I struggle with this most.

Don’t take things that aren’t yours: ever heard of copyrights?

Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody: or when someone else is hurting. Read, listen, and be involved with other’s lives. Being a blogger means being a friend. You can’t live a self-centered life online.

Live a balanced life: Being a mom and a (wannabe) freelance writer can be tough. So, I turn off the phone at the playground, go on date nights, and even do laundry sometimes (um, sometimes).

Take a nap every afternoon: Essential

Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you: but never while you are working at your keyboard. Cookie crumbs get stuck under keys and milk, well milk…

It’s best to hold (hastag) hands and stick together: Some of my best friends are online (and some I have never even met). But, we stick together because of our common interests and our friendships.

Ultimately, I know that I’ve “grown” up since I started blogging. You all have taught me that being a good person is better than wealth or fame, that work can wait, and that family is really the most important thing in the world.

Big. Huge. Unprecedented for GIMH.

Yes. We submitted a proposal for a Room of Your Own at BlogHer 2010.

But, you won’t get to see us all (Marcie Pickelsimer, Claudia Corrigan D’Arcy, Carissa Haning, Judy Miller, Melanie Recoy, Michelle McNally, Tonggumomma and Stacey Conner) in a room together unless you go vote for us as an attendee.

We would LOVE to see you ALL there!

Admittedly, we are not a Ford family(my parents are)…I have always had Honda’s because well, I just love Honda’s. Hubby has always driven company Fords though and they are stripped down company cars (run great but no extras, right?). I can certainly tell you what I would love to change about those. And Ford is going to let me tell them.

50 + bloggin’ women will get to test drive the Fusion, tour the Ford Plant, and get to try the new Active Park Assist (good thing because I still can’t parallel park).

So tell me, what do you want in a car? I will be participating in a roundtable with Ford staff and can ask questions or pass along comments.

Follow the discussion on Twitter using hashtag #FordBlogHer.