Women's Conference, Day 2 (and More)

I'm getting a ton done in my home, but the blog is being neglected.
It is interesting to me how much attending Women's conference helped me realign my priorities...

Day 2 (Friday)
This morning started out with a dramatized program talking about the theme for Women's Conference this year "For Such A Time As This" (based on the story of Esther in the Old Testament).
It was a powerful testimony of the importance of our lives and the things that we do every day.
I then headed to the mini-sessions, fully intending on missing the middle one so that I could guarantee myself a spot in two of the sessions I had chosen to go to Women's Conference for.
First, I attended "What Would Thou Have Me Say and Do Today?"...
It was good, but not quite what I had hoped for in giving specific direction on how to discover what the Lord would have us do daily.
There were a lot of general thoughts given...and it was inspirational...just not as specific as I would have liked.
I took the shuttle down to the Museum of Art after that session to see the art exhibit "Beholding Salvation" focused on the life of Christ.
It was beautifully done...I was glad it had been recommended to me to see.
(I did purposefully avoid the tour group and guide though!)
After seeing the Life of Christ depicted in different artistic mediums, I headed out to Jamba Juice :) and got a supplemental smoothie to bulk up my lunch! (Peach...yum!)
I enjoyed the sunshine on a bench outside, and put my feet up for a little while (ahhh....that felt good!), ate my sandwich and drank my smoothie.
Shortly thereafter, I headed to the last mini-class of the day, "The Power of Well-Chosen Words"...I was grateful to get in with no problems whatsoever!
I headed back to the shuttle lines (I had walked everywhere on Thursday, but my feet and body at this point was protesting the effort I was making it exert at 28 weeks pregnant!) and made it back to the Marriot Center for the closing session with Brother and Sister Holland.
This was my second favorite session...the story that the Hollands told about Sis. Holland's great-grandmother was very powerful...and again highlighted the difference one person can make.
(This session will be rebroadcast on the 19th of May...on BYUtv and at your local wardhouse...)

If there is any way possible, catch the rebroadcast of the Women's Conference on the 18th and 19th (from 2-6pm and 6-10pm).
Even if you can have it recorded for you and then watch it a talk at a time, your life will be powerfully enriched for putting forth the effort to watch and implement the teachings that were given to us there.

I headed right out from that closing session, just sure I would make it home in good time...however, traffic was AWFUL...and after about 30 minutes, I headed off of University Parkway (the main street to the freeway from BYU), and did a decent job finding my way around some side streets to avoid a stalled parkway.
I did just a little shopping and headed back to my mom's house.
I had a brother and sister in law and neice stop by for a visit (Thanks Keith, Gloria and Isabella!), and then ate a late dinner.

The next morning my friends and I headed up to Salt Lake City to attend another temple session.
It was packed full...and yet was another beautiful experience.
Afterward, we ate lunch at The Garden restaurant atop the Joseph Smith Memorial Bldg., and headed down to the Distribution center.

We finished our shopping there and headed out for Park City...for some outlet shopping.
It was nice to be in control enough of my finances (thanks Dave Ramsey!!) to know what was reasonable to spend...and I did not feel like I was at all out of control.
I picked up some shirts for Sam, and some back to school shirts and pants for Bekah and Emily.
Other than that, it was just fun to hang out and window shop!
I was exhausted by that evening, but wouldn't have wanted to miss out on the day.

Early Sunday morning we headed home, making excellent time...(about 12 hours), and getting home before the kids went to bed.

Really, a lovely trip...
Don't know that I would repeat it again so pregnant...but once I am finished having children, I'll be asking to go again...and I won't be dismissing the rebroadcast that happens yearly like I have in the past!