Time out for Women-Spokane 2008

This year I had the opportunity to attend TOFW in Spokane, Wa. I usually love to go to Women's Conference at BYU, but since it was not convenient for me to go this year, I got some ladies together from my ward and we hit Spokane for a GIRL'S WEEKEND!! I love girl's weekends. I always love to get away and get rejuvinated for a few days. It helps me to be a better mom and person. So, we headed off Friday morning to Spokane and did a temple session on our way. After the temple we went to Chili's, which is a big thing when you live in a small town with limited dining options. Then we went to our hotel to change and get cleaned up and ready for our evening of spiritual upliftment. And boy oh boy was it uplifting alright!! TOFW is a night and a day of LDS performers(musical/singing) and speakers. The first group that performed Friday evening was a group called Mercy River. They were really great harmonizers and I liked most of their music. However, the first song they sang was a very contemporary christian type song and so they got everyone up on their feet dancing and clapping and singing. Not that there is anything wrong with this, but it is totally out of MY COMFORT ZONE!! I started to freak out a little and wondered if I had walked into some baptist christian revival. People were waving their arms and dancing and I just sat there with tears of laughter rolling down my cheeks. It got a little better when they sang some hymns and primary songs. Then the announcer lady made us all turn to our neighbors and get to know them and I was really not feeling comfortable at this point. Luckily, the HIP HOP CHRISTIANY singing and "FORCED" mingling ended and the speakers began. They were good and more my sort of thing. However, after the speakers Micheal McClain came on the stage and it all started again. I have never seen him live before and it was pretty entertaining....not in a good way!!! He was the biggest spaz on stage. He was dancing and joking and just being way over the top. Some of his jokes seemed slightly sacreligious. Again, I was laughing so hard I was crying. At one point he started waving his arms to get the audience involved and I cringed at the thought of everyone waving their arms to the heavens. Anyways, it was quite entertaining and I felt pretty embarrassed for the guy. Needless to say, we left early and went and got icecream.
I was a little nervous about Saturday, but it turned out to be wonderful. Hillary Weeks performed and the speakers were very uplifting and funny and the spirit was really strong. It was definitely more my style. So, I will probably choose to attend again in the future, however, maybe avoid any Micheal McClean appearances. Below are some pics of the ladies I went with!!
Hey, Audrey the lady in the middle(her name is Kathy) reminds me of you in so many ways. It was strange....in a good way!!!

So, the bags are FREE!! Again, out of my comfort zone to sport the same bag as 2000 other people, but hey we took a pic anyway just for fun!!
Friday night with me, Kathy, Kendra, Brooke!!
Saturday afternoon with Ricki, Kathy, Brooke, Me, Kendra. You can see my pooch, you shouldn't have to look very close either!!