You know those experiences that are just so great that you don’t really know how to put it into words? Yeah, that is how I feel about the Women of Faith weekend. But, I’ll try. I hadn’t been able to spend this much time with my Mimi in what seems like forever and it was a really sweet time.

We left town later than I had anticipated Friday morning (poor Will had a fever) so we got to Atlanta about lunch time and in the middle of the “day” sessions. So, we went to IKEA. No trip to Atlanta is complete without a trip to IKEA!

Mimi had heard about but never been to the store wonder. We looked at everything but I walked out only buying some plastic bowls for Will – the kid likes to eat everything out of a bowl.

After our IKEA adventure we had a couple of hours to kill before we could meet Zach. (Bill’s cousin graciously allowed us to stay in his condo for the night.) So, we did what anybody on “vacation” would do – we went to the movies! We saw “The Help” and it was really good.

Finally, after all that fun it was time for Women of Faith: Imagine

Our seats were AWESOME! We were about 15 rows from the stage – although it looks farther than it actually was in my picture.

The weekend was packed full of great speakers who were funny, encouraging, and challenging. The Atlanta line-up included: Lisa Harper, Sheila Walsh, Luci Swindoll, Angie Harper, Nicole Johnson & Laura Story. I could tell you a billion stories about what each speaker shared but I’ll limit it to what I learned.

Basically, our God is bigger than we can ever IMAGINE. Most of the speakers have lived through and overcome horrible things from being admitted to a psychiatric facility to losing a newborn baby. Tragedies that could have defeated them without the power of Christ living in them. And they could stand and say that God is good, God is faithful & God is love.

A few things I took away from the weekend:

• When looking at the story of Jesus and the Adulterous Woman there is something for everyone to take away. Some people need to step out of the circle of shame while others need to put down the rocks of self-righteousness.
• Sometimes God tells us that we have to walk right into our biggest fear- but we don’t have to go alone Christ is right beside us.
• In these situations we may beg God to get us out! But sometimes his response is – I’m not going to get you out but I’m going to sit here with you.
• God takes our life – as messed up and broken as it is – and turns it into a beautiful piece of art

These brief points may turn into future posts as I process them more! It’s hard to wrap my mind around everything that I learned!

We had such a wonderful time and I would encourage any woman of any age to attend if you get the opportunity!

*** Disclaimer: I was provided 2 free tickets to the Women of Faith event through BookSneeze, a division of Thomas Nelson. In return, I blogged about the event. All opinions are mine and true!***

Two weeks ago Will had “spring break” at CCC and it was at the same time as Hamilton County’s so we headed out on our 3rd annual Chattanooga/Atlanta vacation. We stayed 9 days – and it took me 9 days to recuperate!

The first weekend Will spent with Nonny and PawPaw. He had so much fun. The first thing he said to me when I went to pick him up was,”Daddy Bill got my nose!” And now at the park we have to swing him like “PawPaw and Daddy Bill does.”

We spent 3 days in Atlanta with Honey and Dana. It was a fun time with lots of shopping and some good eating at Maggiano’s. Funny story: We had to valet park at Maggiano’s because there weren’t any parking spaces and when we were ready to leave a huge private party (like 50 people) who had all valet parked were waiting to get their cars. Well, we didn’t want to wait FOREVER to get our car so I got Thomas in his carrier and took Will by the hand and politely wiggled our way to the front. Once at the front someone kindly said, let the lady with the kids go first. I knew these boys would come in handy some day

We spent one morning at the Atlanta Children’s Museum and Will had such a great time playing, playing, playing!

Grocery shopping was Will’s favorite part!

We built things and Will tore them down.

Will painted “rainbows and beanstalks” on the wall.

Will and Thomas played the drums in Timbuktu.

Thomas really got his money’s worth

And of course, we ended the trip at IKEA.

Eating breakfast in bed.

Acting silly with Didi.

I will use any excuse to continue having “spring break!” It really helps that my Mom and sister are both teachers and I can use their break as an excuse. Bill asked me a few weeks ago “Amber, on what planet do you still have spring break?!?” I quickly replied that I “homeschool” Will  and even homeschoolers get a spring break!

Last Monday and Tuesday we (me, Will, Honey & Dana) loaded up and went to Atlanta. We went to shop and eat! We shopped at IKEA, Atlantic Station and the outlets in Dawsonville. Monday night we picked up my cousin Kalah, from Kennesaw State University, and ate a HUMONGOUS dinner at Maggiano’s. It was SO yummy! Kalah took back 6 (at least) boxes of left over food. After dinner we went swimming in the hotel hot tub! The pool was chilly and the hot tub was a little warmer but not too hot.

Unfortunately most of the pictures from Atlanta are not on my camera! I will have to get them the next time we’re in Chattanooga. This is the one picture I do have – does anyone think that Will with his blue eyes and blond hair favors Dana?!?!

On Wednesday we had a relaxing day hanging out at my parents house.  My Dad took Will to breakfast at Cracker Barrel and to “work” for a few hours. I am pretty sure “work” could be defined as taking Will to see everybody my Dad knows! Those two are obsessed with each other. Wednesday afternoon we played outside since it has been so beautiful lately.

Will “helped” Honey with the water hose while she tended to her rose bushes.

Will going for a ride in the Radio Flyer.

Will “helped” Papa plow up his garden.

Will spent Thursday and Friday at my parents house too! I went BACK to Atlanta with our church’s youth group for a fun filled day of Six Flags Now, we’re back to reality and deprogramming adjusting to being back at home!

This past week, Will and I spend a few days in Atlanta with Dana and Honey. We had a great time! We went to the Georgia Aquarium and that was a lot of fun. Will liked looking at the fish swimming by – especially the ones that were swimming in the ceiling. We also ate some good food at Legal Seafood and Maggiano’s. We stayed at the Omni Hotel which was very nice but we had to change rooms because our TV didn’t work. We already had the pack n play set up for Will so I just rolled him in it from the north tower to the south tower! We also did a little shopping in Buckhead and Dawsonville. Ok, by a little, I mean I spent all of my Christmas money But, there was a Pottery Barn Outlet! Pictures coming soon!