Women's Conference

This was my first year going to Women's Conference at BYU. I decided I would be gone too long to leave Ashlyn at home, but I was really hesitant to drive with her. She is not a huge fan of her car seat and unlike most toddlers, she doesn't sleep in the car! I had waited too long to book a flight and my extremely optimistic sister, who was driving with her daughter , Brynne, convinced me it would be okay and to drive with her.

My beautiful sister, Jen, reading a book on our drive

Me

It was a long drive. We brought movies, snacks, books and Jessica! Ashlyn was so high maintenance!!! We stopped at a play place to get the wiggles out!

Ashlyn, Brynne, and Jessica

Ashlyn

The drive was brutal, but we finally got there! We stayed at my aunt Diane's house and went to Women's Conference the next day. The kids went to Janelle's (my other sister) house and played with a babysitter and their cousins.

Rachel (a friend), my mom DaNae, aunt Diane, sister Janelle, sister Jen and Me

We decided we needed a picture with my mom and the sisters...

I was totally in awe of how many women were there!!!

Being in Provo brought back so many memories for me. I hadn't been on the BYU campus for

years! I ran into an old friend who I knew when I lived in Wyview. We were in between classes and didn't have time to catch up. but again, so many memories came back to me. I loved my years in Provo.

We ran into Sue Reese who was a friend of my mom's when we were little. I remember our families getting together every Sunday to have breakfast for dinner! It was the best!

Sue and DaNae

I also got to see one of my favorite people in the whole world! Heather!

Heather and Tara

Heather is one of those friends that it doesn't matter how long it has been since you have seen them, it feels just like yesterday when you do. She honestly came as an answer to a prayer when I was in high school. I had been dating a guy who was leaving on his mission and I wasn't sure how I was going to do without him. He was my best friend and for years, the only person that I felt really knew me. To this day, I still feel like I owe so much of who I am to him.

The night before he left, I had prayed for so many things. I had prayed for strength to get through the next few years, and strength to not lean on him even though he was far away. He needed to be a missionary. I had lots of friends that I hung out with, but I prayed for a friend who could fill that spot. Someone who could know me and love me and inspire me to do and be better. Someone to laugh with and cry to.

The next morning at the airport, we had said goodbye and the plane was starting to board and in ran Heather, wet hair and all! She said she just felt like she should be there. We ditched first period and went to get some breakfast. I was still trying to hold back the tears when she said we should just park in the handicap spot and tell the officer if we got a ticket that we were handicapped today because of my broken heart. I laughed and I knew she came for me.

Somehow, one the second day of Women's Conference, we all ended up in similar colors! It was kind of funny and totally not planned, but picture worthy!

Aunt Diane, Cousin Tawna, Me, Jen, Janelle, DaNae

Just for fun...

We decided we needed a sisters picture...
Tara, Jen and Janelle

Then, Janelle decided we needed a sassy sister picture, which led to this...

I swear I have the best sisters on the planet! Seriously. I learn so much from them everyday. I'm not sure if it is possible, but I think I love Jen even more after this last trip. She was so amazingly patient with Ashlyn and with me. My sisters are awesome! They have been there for me. They've cried with me and laughed with me (and at me!). I look up to them in so many ways (and they are both taller than me!)