I think I’m going to put this in my sidebar:
I must get asked twice a day if I’m going. It seems like everyone is expecting that I will. And why not? I mean, it’s in Chicago, which is a quick, cheap non-stop flight from Philly, and I have wanted to go for three years now. And I clearly enjoy the conference scene. So why on earth wouldn’t I go?
Well, I got this email from Lysa TerKeurst a few months ago, asking me to give her a call. Yes, THE Lysa TerKeurst. I KNOW! She is an absolute doll. I met her last summer at the She Speaks Conference I attended. Well, lo and behold she wanted to talk to me about speaking on the topic of blog giveaways at the She Speaks Conference THIS summer. ME! Squeeee! It didn’t take me long to say yes. I wanted to make sure to get my name on the conference schedule before she figured out that there are probably 10 or 1000 other bloggers more qualified to speak at her conference. Therefore I have THIS button in my sidebar:
But this is the clincher. She Speaks is the weekend immediately following BlogHer. So. That pretty much squelched any possibility of going. Even if I got some super-duper sponsorship that would pay my entire way and all my meals and expenses (and I don’t see that happening, but it’s fun to dream), I don’t think I could justify two weekends in a row away from my family. And besides that, it took me a week to recover from Blissdom. I want to be sure that I’m fresh for my speaking engagement (did I just say MY speaking engagement?? Omyword, someone pass the Ativan) and I don’t see how I could be in top form so soon after BlogHer.
All that said, I’m not totally ruling it out, but honestly, someone would REALLY have to make it worth my while. And generally sponsorships don’t come knocking down your door.
So. I’m a little bit bummed, but I expect that I will be so anxious about the She Speaks conference and so busy preparing for that, that I will hardly notice all the fun going on at BlogHer without me. Hopefully. 
Oh my word. Seriously??? If there’s one conference I want to go to most of all, it’s She Speaks. If it wasn’t for the plane ticket needed to get from one coast to the other AND the conference fee, I’d be registered in a heartbeat. I’m hoping… praying, actually… that it’ll work out. I am THRILLED for you–you just gave me double reason to want to be there.
That is wonderful! Such a wonderful honor. I am so happy for you.
Congrats on your speaking gig! That is awesome!
That’s very exciting. Congrats! I was hoping to meet you at BlogHer, but I think your gut reaction is a wise one. I find it does take several days to settle back in to family life, catch up on sleep and just get organized again. And you want to be fresh for your big gig. Good luck!
You’ll definitely be missed but that is SO cool that you are speaking at She Speaks. Congrats!!
Lysa is much more exciting anyway! That’s awesome!
Aw, so totally bummed but so totally understand. Also, it’s not over till it’s over…
When one door closes another one opens. Congrats! I think you’ll make the best of the experience.
That’s awesome that you are going to speak!
She did ask the perfect person to go and speak at She Speaks! I can’t think of anyone more qualified that you! Congrats! And go knock em’ dead!
Oh, you are going to be great! Can’t wait to see you there!
Woo hoo! What an honor!! I can’t wait to read your recap!!!
Congrats on the speaking engagement at SheSpeaks. I’m still undecided on BlogHer. I should have gone last year when it was much closer in San Fran. Chicago is for me from Southern California.
I also should have gone to Blissdom. I’m totally regretting that one too..
I was wondering if you were going, and now I don’t have to ask.
I really, really want to attend a conference this summer, but chances are slim I will make it. If I travel anywhere it should be to CA for my cousin’s wedding. But I’m not giving up yet. Now I just have to figure out which one I really want to go to, and accept the fact that I can’t meet everyone I want to meet, and then get on with life. 
Well, I’ll know whether I’m going to BlogHer after the 23rd! Congrats on the speaking opportunity, that’s huge. If you do get to BlogHer I definitely want to meet you!
Congratulations!! I’d love to go to both of those as well. Sadly, no one is beating down my door with a sponsorship either.
I think that would be the only way to convince my hubby that him keeping 4 kids for a weekend by himself was a good idea. 