Vegas...Yeah Baby!

Whew! This past week has been a blur! My trip to Vegas was so ridiculously AWESOME, I don't even know where to begin...sooooo I'll start with this cute linky party created by Deirdre over at A Burst of First! Click on the picture to visit her blog and link up!

I was just telling a friend how I am slowly, but surely learning how to say "Your will Lord, not mine," and how to be patient. I am realizing now, as I get older, that what is meant for me is for me and will be made available to me at the appropriate time, when God believes it is in my best interest to have it. If it is really something I'm supposed to have at the time, it will just fall into place and I will not have to jump through hoops, do unethical, immoral things, or place myself in an uncomfortable situation to get it. What does this have to do with Vegas? Let me explain.

I wasn't originally supposed to go to Vegas. An ex-coworker of mine was supposed to go for the SDE Conference that was being held there, but she decided to leave the district so she had to find someone to take her place. The first person she asked couldn't go and so she then thought of me. Of course I said yes at first, but by this time the flights had become too expensive for me, and so I had to call our secretary and tell her I couldn't attend. I was a little saddened because I really needed to get away for a while, but I didn't put myself in debt for the trip; I accepted that this just wasn't a good time and let it go. A week later, our secretary called and said "We're paying for everything. All you need is fun money and to be at the airport on time." SAY WHAAAAAT?! Just tell me what airport to be at!

Now, I was originally only going to Vegas to attend the SDE Differentiated Instruction Conference, however, the first annual TPT Conference was the same week, the city was being taken over by bloggers who were holding meet ups that week, aaaaand...wait for it...all of the events were happening in the beautiful Venetian hotel where I was staying! Since I am a new blogger and fairly new TPT seller trying to build my brand and get my name out there, this was PERFECT timing! I couldn't attend the actual TPT conference because of the other conference I had to attend, but I would have a chance to meet and network with other bloggers...which I never dreamed I'd actually get to do! Lucky? I think not. Favor from God? Yes! It was meant for me to be in Vegas and God made sure I got there. He's such an awesome God!

I met so many great people and made a new life-long friend, Julie Herrmann, who actually attended the TPT conference and has been helping me get my blog and TPT life together since we returned from Vegas. She's SUPER! Click on the button below to stop by and visit her!

I can't wait until TPT 2015! I may have missed the first conference, but I will definitely be in attendance for the second (God willing), and you should too! Hope to see you there!

Here are some pics from the trip!

My view from the hotel wasn't that great, 

but my view of the Nevada mountains from the plane was beautiful!

Wednesday night Teacher/Blogger Meet Up hosted by What the Teacher Wants

This was what it looked like at the start of the event. The room was completely full by the end of the event. It was a great networking experience!

L to R: Emma, Julie, Me, & Charlotte...so glad I met these ladies!

Leslie from First Grade Frenzy...this lady is one of the sweetest and most humble people I've ever met! She actually recognized me and made me feel special...total sweetie pie!

Deedee from Mrs. Wills' Kindergarten and I. This lady is hilarious! She was almost blinded by camera flashes, but she smiled and posed on all night! LOL

Blogger Meet Up Goodie Bag...woohoo!

Pat Pavelka from Pat Pavelka's Place and I. 

Pat is a well known author and literacy genius! 

It wasn't all business though....

Fun at Madame Toussad's Wax Museum

CSI Experience with my co-worker and AP (my AP is the one being arrested) LOL

On the Strip

Until next time....

Happy Blogging!