Allume Newbie Link Up

I'm linking up with Amy Bennett over at Permission to Peruse with other Allume newbies to share our thoughts/fears/etc. about our first times attending a blogging conference. (Not familiar with Allume? Click the image at the top of this post to go to their site!)

Today's Post Instructions:

Do a general intro post—the elevator pitch about you and your blog.
List the Top 5 things you’re hoping to gain from Allume.
List the Top 5 things you’re freaking out about

Ok, here goes:

About Me

My name is Crystal, I'm married to my high school sweetheart Matt, we have an 11 month old daughter, Madison, who makes me laugh more than anyone I've ever met. Except maybe her daddy. I write because God gives me words and He didn't bless me with a voice to sing them :) So they end up here on my blog. I don't have a "niche" - I just write about life. I co-lead an (in)courage community group for new & expectant moms and I'm a regular contributor to Allume. My dream job is to be a social media manager for (in)courage or Dayspring (ahem...Lisa Jo is my hero...ahem...). I currently work in marketing and am blessed to have a job that allows me to be creative and gives me the flexibility to be with my family when I need to be there. 

Top 5 Hopes
1. New friends!
2. Photography tips
3. Encouragement
4. A stitch in my side from laughing too much
5. Sleep!

Top 5 Worries
1. Being too shy to talk to my blog heroes (Lisa Jo, Jessica, Gussy, Ann, Stacey etc.)
2. Not getting enough sleep & being grumpy
3. Missing out on something
4. Being homesick! I'm going to miss my family (and I'm only going to be 45 minutes away!)
5. Feeling like I don't belong

Ugh! Sounds like I'm going to high school all over again! Who will I sit with at lunch? Blah. I'm almost 30, you'd think I would be over so much of that. In the end though, I'm so excited to go :) I know it's where God wants me and I know that time away from my family getting to know some of the amazing women I've met online will make me a better wife & mom. Plus, hubs & Madi are picking me up Sunday and it's our 6 year wedding anniversary! I'll have lots to look forward to :)