Convention Report

I'm so behind on posting, that I almost can't remember where to pick up--but I do want to report on the American Mothers convention. I wish I were better at recapturing details, but this will be just some highlights of my thoughts.

First, I have to say that it was truly a wonderful experience. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity and experience. Without a doubt, the highlight of the AMI experience was the amazing connection to the other young mothers. We started meeting as a group on the first afternoon of the conference. Right from the beginning we had a great time. I wish I could put into words how and why this group of women was so extraordinary--but I'm just having a hard time. The thing is that they were each totally wonderfully ordinary--but exactly the type of women that had I met in any other forum I would have been drawn to them anyway. There was this supposed premise of a competetion--one of us would be selected as the National Young Mother. But I have actually never been in a more non-competative environement. I think it was because although we each did accept the nomination and opportunity to be the Young Mother, it was not a personal issue for any of us. Each woman there believed deeply in the role of mothers in society and felt a desire around making a difference. It was such a wonderful dynamic--there was no pretense or competition, there was no sense of being judged or sized up--and no need to be superficial or guarded. Although we spent three days together, I still don't know some basic things about these ladies--but in all the important ways, I know them on such a personal level. I'm sure this doesn't make sense to anybody else but me, but for now, it's the best way I have to record my feelings. The fun thing is that we have set up a blog that we use to keep up with each other and have been able to continue this connection and support system. Amy--Iowa, Me & Tanya--Nebraska

Maria--Oregon, Ingrid--Utah



Stacy--Idaho, Gretchen--Illinois, Renee--Indiana



Caron--Arizona, Cindy--Georgia & Jeanine--Hawaii

Teresa--Nevada, Kimberley--New Hampshire (our National YM!), Kelly--OklahomaThis is all of us right after we finished our speeches. All of the speeches were so awesome. It actually helped to not be so nervous because I really enjoyed hearing what everybody else said. Eventually all the speeches will be posted on the American Mother's website and would be so worth reading!

On our outing the afternoon after our speeches--we went to tour the capital building and the Governor's Mansion.The Young Mother Banquet--Reed got to walk me in, but then I had to sit at a table up front. We had the funniest speaker for this banquet. No way to recapture it, but I was thinking I was going to need my inhaler!Another of our group shots. We had professional shots taken this night and that one is much better.

The other awesome thing about convention was all the support of my family (and friends here since I got back). My mom and dad and my grandma and grandpa all came from Utah. Reed's mom drove up to be with us too. It was so special--and even more since there really wasn't a ton for them to do, but they were so supportive of me. And although I don't have a photo--my sister Michelle was almost the biggest supporter--she came and stayed with my kids for 5 days so I could do this.

There really is so much more I could post--but overall, I count this experience as one of the greatest gifts I've ever been given. I'm far from a perfect mother, but what a gift to have this time to really focus on what and how I feel about my role as a mother.