MomCon 2013

Each year, MOPS International has a conference, also known as MomCon. This weekend, three of us flew out to Kansas City, Missouri to represent our group and soak up some momma love and great information. We joined 3,500 moms, just like us from all over the world! Our flight was delayed on Thursday but we rushed just in time to catch Kathi Lipp teaching us to get organized. We had time to explore a bit and found a great Mexican place for dinner. We raced back (up hill) for the opening session with Elisa Morgan and Ken Davis. There was lots of nodding in agreement, chuckles and tears as we heard Elisa's 'beautiful mess' of motherhood. I got a full night of sleep (HUGE for me) and we hit the ground running enjoying the cool, MO weather! The first session was with Beth Moore and Alexandra Kuykendall (author of this year's theme book, The Artist's Daughter). We met up with our fellow FL pals during lunch and hit up the Marketplace (tried to win a Kindle). That afternoon we split up for our position sessions: mentor, coordinator and finance. It was nice to meet other leaders in our positions and exchange ideas! Later I went to a session on 25 Ways to Significantly Cut Your Grocery Bill. Here are a few links I picked up from that session: Buy in bulk, Use a crockpot, order groceries online, make your own cleaners and don't throw out leftovers. After a great session with Lysa Terkeurst we hopped in a cab to check out the #1 BBQ place in Kansas City, Oklahoma Joe's.

Waiting in line to fill our bellies with yummy BBQ!

We came back and checked out the 'late night activity', Theater Off the Cuff, an improve group. They were okay. We dipped out early for more sleep! Saturday's morning session blew us all away! Jen Hatmaker gave an amazing talk about owning up to your parenting. It's one thing to tell your kids to live the right away, but what really works is showing them. Wow. Amazing woman! Afterwards we were able to meet her and thank her for her message.

 

We split up again to cover the afternoon workshops: More Momma, Less Drama, No Ordinary Marriage, Searching for What And Who Defines Me,  and my favorite, What's Draining Your Energy (Do, Delegate, Dump, Detach and Discern to eliminate energy drainers in your life). One last session from Kathi Lipp

 

and we went back to get ready for the Mom Prom! Think circa 1973 (MOPS 40th Anniversary), dinner and dancing! Awesome!

Some of us slept in on Sunday and flew back to the home front. Let me tell you, it was tough getting away. There was really a TEAM of people who helped take care of my life here so I could dip out. And it was totally worth it! I feel refreshed and rejuvenated...and my husband will get over it by the end of the week :-)