The Business Boutique experience

We all are bombarded with conference choices right and left; Mommy conferences, blogging conferences, life balance training, church weekend retreats. They all sound lovely and I'm one of the many who would like to attend everyone of them, but let's be honest. Spending the time, money and effort to attend is just plain daunting sometimes! Unfortunately, it has been difficult enough that 6 years has flown by, since I've taken a weekend to invest in myself. What?!
Well, how many years has it been for you? How long has it been since you've let your self dream, not just the small stuff, but the big, scary, exciting dreams? Do you find it hard which part of your life to nourish? Spirit, soul or body?
Fall 2015, was the first I heard Dave Ramsey speak of this conference designed for the woman/mom entrepreneur. It was so intriguing and up until the day before it started (true story) I really tried to figure out who I could just hop in the car and run away, I mean, drive to Nashville, even inviting myself to sleep on the floor of an acquaintance who lives near the venue. There was something about it that seem to resinate with my gut, but then I resolved it was most likely just another conference to get me excited about what my life was not going to be able to look like.
You know what I mean, we who are in the day to day grind. Beautiful little faces to engage with, toilets to clean, mounds of laundry to put away (not my strength), and strong(willed) minds to fill with foundational math facts. Of course, that barely scratches the surface for most of us. None of this negates the blessings, truly that fact we have children, indoor plumbing and at least clean water to wash our clothing, means we are abundantly rich. In spite of it all, to whom much is given, much is required. We have seeds of hopes planted in us and as we learn from what life needs to teach us, we can't help but wonder if there is 'something more'.
This is the year. 2016 is the year for you, for me, for our dreams to get nurished, inspired, refined and even defined. The Business Boutique conference refueled and affirmed my spirit, dreams, passions; as well as 1600 other like-minded women. It was powerful, y'all. The expectation was high, but it was met and surpassed in surprising and longed-for ways. Incredible women filled the speaking platform, not just giving inspirational words, but giving actual tools, and resources to go achieve whatever mountain we needed to climb. Every page of the conference workbook was filled in and today was spent go back over just to help digest the bulk and it will be my go-to as big changes happen these next few months.
GO! Yes, there is still a chance during the fall of 2016 to attend the best place to spend your hard earned money, vacation or whatever sacrifice you need to make to be a part of this movement. It sure would be fun to experience this together!

Christine Caine delivered the powerhouse finale Friday evening

Do you detest groupies? I totally did until I became one, once I realized the speakers would actually take a minute to talk to you!  Annie F. Downs was the Emcee for the weekend and she was HILARIOUS!

Christy Wright was fantastic. Got to admit I'm jealous about how cute she looks pregers, but she had some great content. Why wasn't I that smart at her age? Did I mention I convinced my mother-in-law to attend with me?! It goest to show, no matter what stage you are in life, this conference is for you! 

Time

Family picture by Heather

You may of noticed my two year absence, but most likely it is limited to an audience of about 5 or less. That's ok. Who knew the blog fad would last this long and be such a central piece of many of our lives. Ha! Obviously, I am a slow learner.
Regardless of the millions of blogs out there, I decided I should keep this piece of web real estate and do something with it. What exactly; I am not sure. Waiting is sometimes sitting and resting, but there are often lots that we should/can do as we wait. Hmmm, I think I wrote a post on that subject before.
Much has happened in two years, most that could be summed up in pictures and a few words. If you have young children you've heard many times; 'The days are long, but the years are short' and oh. my. that is true. These last two years have been very different though, as the kids have grown into such a fun and more 'manageable' stage. For the first few years, it was all about surviving, but the last two years we've finally begun to thrive. Part of that was learning to be more intentional and realizing I needed to because the time was precious. So, as I've been learning how to do this, some of what I enjoyed went on the back burner, but now it is time.
Many prayers, questions, books, loads of laundry and thousands of meals later I come back to this. A little place that may never amount to anything, but might bring me some joy. A time to write outside my personal journal; to someone, even if it is just one.
I'm fairly certain, it won't be everyday, but I hope once a week. I might talk about some of those stellar books I've read or maybe just share about the birthday celebration we've had. Who knows, I might delve into the deeper issues of the day, but mostly it will be as I 'feel' led. Feelings aren't truth, but sometimes they can steer us in the right direction.
On that note, I will leave you with this. Our pastor's wife spoke for our quarterly 'Girls Night' and shared a fantastic word on "Faith or Feelings?". The link will take you to a list of podcasts that can be opened in iTunes for easy listening. (it's free!)
Love all who took the time to read this!!