Women's Conference with Bryn

May 2-6, 2023

I finally made it to Women's Conference at BYU.  I have been eyeing it the past seven years, because with my kids a bit older, I knew it was doable.  However, even though my fam was old enough to leave for a few days, we always had conflicts in May. (State gymnastics meets, Prom, Black Magic etc...)  

In 2020, I looked at the schedule and realized it would work!  It was Brinley's Freshman year at BYU, and we both signed up.  And then Covid hit, and the was world cancelled.

Well, Bryn and I signed up for BYU Women's Conference once again, and it worked out this year.  We had an awesome time being together.  We rented a little VRBO that wasn't far from BYU campus.  It was fun to have our own little place.  It made it feel like more of a vacation.  

I flew in on Tuesday, and sadly I had a terrible migraine for the majority of the day.  It was not a fun way to travel.  I was so sick I even had a first: I threw up on the flight.  Ugh.  

Luckily, by the time my flight landed, and Brinley picked me up, I was beginning to think I might live.  We were able to get a bite to eat and stop by the Asics store for some shoes before heading to Provo and our VRBO.  

Bryn had a sealing and a wedding luncheon the next day, so most of Wednesday we did our own thing.  I went to the BYU bookstore to browse, and I found a new dress.  I stoopped by Great Harvest Bread and Swig (cookies.)  I took a nap, went to some shops downtown and bravely tried Indian food.

Wednesday night the Women's Conference kicked off with some beautiful musical numbers and excellent speakers.

We ran into Erin & Amy Wednesday night.  It was fun to visit for a bit.  Brinley is good friends with three of Erin's kiddos.  Bryn, Erin Smith, me, Amy Hernandez 

Thursday, we had a full day of classes.  Brinley and I chose to go to some together and split up for other ones.  I had a marriage communications class I really wanted to attend because I am teaching the Strengthening Marriage class in part of our stake right now.  (Plus, what marriage can't benefit from better communication, right?)  

They had these really cute picture opportunities in the different buildings that they had classes.

We took a little break for dinner and a rest and then headed back up for the musical concert that evening.  There were several church artists who shared their talents.  We both really enjoyed the music and afterwards we met up with my friend Marci Goodman and her friend Heather.  We just visited in the Marriott foyer, and it was really fun.  I serve with Marci in the stake RS presidency, and I was really glad she was able to meet my sweet Bryn.  Also, Heather and I realized that our parents were friends from a brief time when her dad worked as the gymnastics coach at Odessa College.  I remember taking gymnastics at OC when her dad was there. (Cool facts: her dad was a gymnast in the 1976 Olympics, later coached gymnastics at BYU, and much later decided to be a OBGYN.)

Heather, Marci, me and Brinley Kate

So many women!  Over 12,000 attendees and over 150 presenters.

We had between 10,000-12,000 steps a day plus several flights of stairs recorded on our phones.  As a BYU student plus living off campus, Brinley is used to that many steps. (I am not, but I did enjoy walking that much.  BYU in the spring is gorgeous.)  Bryn did twist her ankle pretty badly at v-ball a couple of weeks ago, so that many steps definitely made her "cankle" swell.  She would elevate it and ice it when we got home in the evenings.

I ran into our sweet friend Marla Burdette.  She and her family used to live in Odessa up until I was in high school.  I have memories of them from my elementary years on up.  She and Mike have made a point to visit Odessa fairly often over the years too.  When she saw me, she burst into tears.  She loves my mom dearly and was so glad to hear in person a little more about how she was doing.

Bryn and I got loaded crepes!  Strawberries, bananas, whip cream, nutella all wrapped in a crepe.  Delish!  We also had Kupbop during the break.  (Korean food)

Parking was a little tricky.  There was just not enough room on campus for all the students, professors, camps, track meets, plus the 12,000 ladies at Women's Conference.  One day we found a spot just off campus past the MTC.  It made us think of Parker and so we snapped this picture with the dorms behind us and sent it his way.  (Fun fact, Brinley did not go to the MTC because she went out a few months after Covid hit.  Parker barely made it.  He went out the 2nd month it was reopened.)

By Friday we were getting "classed" out.  We made it until about 1:30, and we admitted to each other we were ready to call it a day.  She had a job interview she wanted to prep for, and I was able to grab a spot for an endowment session at the Provo City Center temple.

The craziest part of the temple trip for me was just how convenient it is to go.  At home we go to the Lubbock Texas temple which is 2.5 hours from my house.  It takes a good 8 hours to attend the temple. When my Friday afternoon/Saturday morning opened up enough that I thought I could squeeze a session in before heading home, I checked availability at 5 temples in the area.  FIVE!!!  (Provo, Provo City Center, Draper, Jordan River, and Mt. Timpanogas)  They were all full for endowments and invitatories.  However, I noticed there was an opening at the Provo City Cener temple in 30 minutes.  

Thirty minutes!  I didn't have a car.  I didn't have temple clothes.  I fast walked two blocks over, checked out clothes and was in the session with plenty of time to spare.  Mindblowing!

The temple grounds were beautiful.  I was taking pictures of the flowers for my friend, Alma, but I wish I took a few more with the trees included.

Just a few other things Brinley and I were able to fit in to our busy week: Great Harvest Bread (twice for me), Chip Cookies (one block from our VRBO), dress shopping, BYU bookstore (just me), Costa Vida, Netflix, thrift shopping, Deseret Book, Minky Coutoure (blanket store,)  and a Walmart trip to restock her with some things she needed at the apartment.  Whew!

We had so much fun together.  Women's Conference just kind of gave us the excuse to enjoy each other.  Right before she took me to the airport, she gave me the SWEETEST Mother's Day present.  It was a little book that had prompts to fill in about the things she loves/appreciates about me.  What's not to love about that gift?!  It really made my day.  I will post more about that in the future...hopefully.