Lucy was so darn good on the airplane I wanted to cry. I was carrying my regular stuff: camera, purse, computer and suitcase plus Lucy's suitcase, backpack, and car seat so I was crossing my fingers she wouldn't throw a fit and sprawl out on the floor until I picked her up (you never know with Miss Lu).
My nephew Ashton took care of Lucy while we were all at the retreat (with a little help from his Dad) and man oh man, Lucy got spoiled even more than she already is. That Ashton is one heck of a babysitter (Thanks, Ashie!).
Ok, so on to the retreat.
Those two days were filled to the brim with inspiration. My sister Saren and her awesome friend April did SO much to make those days meaningful for all of us thirty-three Mothers in attendance.
Their friend Allyson (on the left below) also helped a ton to put things together and did a really great presentation on "Being Enough."
We were all well-fed not only from the support from one-another (everyone contributed so much in comments and discussions), but also from the healthy food at the Red Mountain Spa.
My Mom, sister and I did a little presentation on "Family Systems" one of the mornings. (We talked about having a family economy, family traditions, and a family legal system...I'll have to do a blog post about this soon.)
One great surprise of the trip was that my very, very best friend from elementary school showed up (on the far right below). We "broke up" for some crazy reason in fifth grade and went our separate ways and I'm SO glad the retreat (and her friend in the middle below, now mine too...thanks Valerie!) got us reunited after all those years.
Like I said back here at the other Motherhood Retreat I attended, there's no "instruction manual" for mothers. We just have to figure it out as we go. And sometimes that is tough. Sometimes it's overwhelming. Sometimes it makes you just want to cry. And there is something so comforting about having other mothers who are also "in the trenches" offer ideas and support.
One of my favorite quotes from the retreat was this new quote I hadn't heard before that someone gave from my favorite Anna Quindlen: "The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself."
Love that.
And April did an awesome job explaining the "Mind Organization for Moms" concept, and I've started implementing it more this week:
And I have to say that three of the moms who have started their own Learning Circles gave such powerful testimonials about how this simple thing has literally changed their lives. (Learning Circles are kind of like book clubs but with a thought-provoking article about Motherhood as the discussion topic instead of a book.)
Thank you, thank you, Saren and April for such a great weekend.
We bid goodbye to Saren's family who Lucy had had SO much fun with:
With that, I was on my way to D.C. for some grand adventures...
I LOVE that pictures of Lucy working the Ipod! (You can tell she has older siblings!)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to go to the next retreat.
And please post the family systems/economy post soon...I need some new ideas around here.
Glad you had a great time.
Yay for Ipods!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had fun at the retreat. look forward to your economy post soon :)
I love the photos of the canyon and the sunset.
Oh, Shawni!
ReplyDeleteI loved every second of being there with all those amazing moms. I came home so excited to get some things rolling. (We had our first Family Law Mtg on Monday - pretty hilarious.)
I've kept in touch with several of the mom's and we all agree - we need an annual reunion! :) Amazing how connected you feel after only a few days together.
I have already thanked Saren, April, & Allyson - and I want to thank you too. You inspire me to be the mom I always wanted to be.
Thank you so much.
While looking at all these great pictures, I kept thinking..I should have been there!! Next time. I ordered the M.O.M...a few weeks ago and need to get going with that. Beautiful photos...
ReplyDeleteMan we had so much fun!!!those women were amazing! Such great ideas came them and it was such a bonding experience!
ReplyDeleteWe LOVED having Lucy! What a delight! She is amazing!
Hope you didn't take all those fabulous pictures WHILE you were driving but I think you were. I love that drive almost more than anywhere in the world too. Such a feast for the eyes!
Love you!
gorgeous pictures!
ReplyDeleteI love how close your family is!
it's awesome! I have 6 siblings myself, but 5 of them are brothers, so they don't care to talk on the phone all that much! LOL!
tara
wow what great photos - big question when are you coming down under to your workshop down here! Just kidding but gosh that is something I need as our family grows faster than I can keep up with!
ReplyDeletewell done on a great weekend and I love the photos on your drive! how amazing is it all!
Corrie:)
Thanks for all those great pictures, Shawni! You added so much to the Retreat. It was wonderful to have you there. I've been writing letters all over my children's fingers, doing secret handshakes, and coming up with new, creative ways to deal with the chaos. You're an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHi Shawni! I just started following your blog and I love it!
ReplyDeleteI have 3 girls of my own: 5, 4, and 18 months. I was curious about where you get clothes for your older girls. My 5 year old is super tall and the only clothes that fit her are the ones whose sizes go up to those for 13 or 14 year olds. I don't want her looking like a 5 year old teenager. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Love that drive!! Oh wow, you are making me miss the West. Good thing I'll be out there next week!
ReplyDeleteI am in awe that you could take those pictures while driving back to Vegas. It was all I could do to keep on the road while oohing and aahing over the scenery.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI just started following your blog. I've read your mom's book "A Joyful Mother of Children" and plan to read your and her book "A Mother's Book of Secrets" shortly. I'm so bummed I just missed this retreat, this is something I would eat up! And I live just outside of Vegas. Are these retreats yearly? I would love to go to one!!! You don't know how sad I am that I missed it!
I accessed this blog from your mom and dad's Deseret News blog about Amy Chua's article. Very interesting. You are right on with our kids needing the balance. And your Anna Quindlen quote gave me chills. It is going up on my email signature today! Oh and totally agree on your drive back to Vegas. Reminds me of my drive to Hurricane from Salt Lake. I had flown in to SLC with my daughter and driven her up to BYUI for her freshman college year. Drove back to SLC, stayed over with a friend at Thanksgiving Point and then drove to my sister's in Hurricane. Great time to be with myself, ponder, pray, whatever on that great desert drive. Love the desert! Trying to take pictures while driving, not so fun and too blurry in spots but still got a few good ones. Then after a short visit, drove back to SLC and flew back to green North Carolina. Thanks Shawni!
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