TOFW St. George

After a year of looking forward to it, months of counting down, and endless hours of waiting, I FINALLY got to go to this year's Time Out for Women in St. George. With no exaggeration whatsoever, this annual event really is something I look forward to all year long. This year I was there with my aunt Lisa, who I have idolized since my childhood, my sister Jamie and her baby Jade (who I got to hold,) my mom (who is a perfect person to attend an event like this with,) and my BFF Brandi, who I can't really imagine Time Out without. She's my fellow groupie and enthusiastic attendee.

This shot of our group was taken when it was all over and we realized we didn't have a picture of all of us together.
And this, of course, is a picture of me, Brandi, and our other sister Hilary Weeks. We go to Time Out to hear from, be inspired by, and get a picture with her. Time Out isn't really Time Out without Hilary.
Oh, and here I am with Hilary again. This time with my family.
This is Brandi and I with Mariama Kallon. If you are one of the many faithful readers of my blog (what? you're not?) then you will think this picture looks exactly like the one we took a year ago in Portland. That's because it is. We met Mariama for the first time there last November and we were so excited that she was in St. George this year. Her story is heartbreaking, hope filled, and inspiring.
This is us with Emily Freeman. Emily was not scheduled to be there but took the place of another presenter who couldn't make it. We were thrilled to hear from her. She is one of the most amazing speakers I have ever heard. Her life is evidence of her testimony.

All week long as kids were fighting and dishes were piling up, I kept thinking, "Just get me to Friday. I can make it to Friday." When Friday finally came, I threw my stuff in an overnight bag, jumped in the car with my sister and we were off. Whew! I was so ready to eat an entire meal without having to clean up messes, refill drinks, or settle arguments. Ready to eat a meal that I did not prepare and did not have to clean up. I was salivating at the thought of sitting and listening and being with the women in my family (since Brandi counts as my family) for an entire day. I was intent on pondering and reflecting and considering what was really important. By the time it was over I was thinking, "I miss my beautiful children! I want to be with my husband! I have the most amazing life!" And that, my friends, is what Time Out is all about. Next year: Richfield!