My First Trip Without Boo Boo

On Tuesday, August 10, I boarded a plane that took me far, far away from my sweetest blessing. I cried as I watched the car he was in drive away...didn't know if my heart could stand it. However, I was so grateful to know that I was leaving him in the incredibly loving, able, and attentive hands of his Grandmommy, Popster and Aunt Candace...and they were SO excited to spend so much quality time with their favorite little Buddy, this all brought me great comfort:)

I somehow pulled myself together as I walked to my departure gate, as it was:

to Phoenix, Arizona for the Heritage Makers 2010 Reunion! I really and truly had pretty much the best time ever! Any of my peeps on my team who weren't able to make it this year really should try and go next year! I learned so much and just hated that anyone had to miss out on it! It was just...there are no other words to describe it other than AMAZING! I stepped back several times while I was there and thought to myself how I couldn't believe I was there. Less than five months ago I had never even heard of Heritage Makers, and there I was now being a part of this wonderful experience with SO many fabulous women from all over the country (and Canada) who were all just. so. nice! I literally could not believe how much fun I was having. I really couldn't. It was like a dream. It really was. Every minute was just packed with awesomeness.

Here I am with our team members who were able to make it out to AZ. This was such a fun group and I really had a blast getting to know each of them. Our team theme was "WILD" :) "Women Inspiring Leadership Daily"

Here I am (very late at night, mind you!) after having won this super cute leather purse for participating in a game called "Junk in the Trunk" on stage in front of 1000+ people...yeah, let's hope that video doesn't make it to Youtube! My dreams of running for US President might be over if it does. HA! Just kidding;) But it really was so much fun! I didn't win (I know you're shocked I lost with the title of that game being what it was)...but HM is really nice and they gave even those who lost a consolation prize. Never felt so good to be a loser! haha;)

Here I am (again, very late at night!) after the awards banquet on Friday night. I really had a blast! See the video below: I rank advanced to Director last month -- thanks to my AWESOME team!-- and therefore got to walk across the stage to accept an award from the HM's President and CEO.

haha! but it's kind of embarrassing because my sweet friend who took the video decided to just keep on recording so I was like..."ladeedadeeda, the camera is still recording...what should I do?" hahaha! Sweet Wendee from Nashville took the video. She is the teeniest, tiniest, most beautiful little lady with the biggest heart in Tennessee, I'm sure!

Here I am with muh girl Nykelle. She is my upline Director and ever since we first met at Time Out for Women we just have loved each other so much. She was my roommate in Phoenix so we stayed up til the wee hours of the morning (even later than we had already stayed up because our whole team loved to stay up and chat!) and just talked & laughed & talked. I really love her a lot. She is such a beautiful person on the inside and out and such an inspiration in so many aspects. I am blessed to call her my friend. She tells me the reason she likes me so much is because we are just alike, and I take that as a very sweet compliment!

Here are a few members of my team right after the awards banquet with the HM President Doug Cloward and CEO Chris Lee. I felt so blessed to be a part of such an amazing organization that does so much good (more on that later). Again, it was kind of all surreal that I was there though!

REUNITED! I walked out to the pick up area at the SLC airport and found this sweet hunk of burning love waiting for me, along with another one (who took this picture)! Oh my goodness...I missed him so much. There were a few near breakdowns (on my part) while I was away from him, but somehow I survived. I have barely been able to relinquish my arms from around his tiny little baby body since this moment. We are currently in Utah on family vacation and are just having a blast. It has been a whirlwind past several days but they have truly been amazing days!