Last year I was unable to make the Edel Gathering in Austin.  But followed along in social media and my favorite blogs and enjoyed it immensely (even got the T-shirt, I was THAT in!).  This year worked out and with the Hubby’s blessing, I was able to attend.  It’s been a whirlwind few weeks with our girls gone, then returned, my sister and nephews visiting, Mom visiting, work interspersed with the daily shuffle and so on….so much that Edel 2015 really was on the back burner of my mind.  I apparently didn’t even tell my mom and sister.  WHAT?!?!?

Two days before we left,  I met my roommate for the first time over lunch and blessedly—we hit it off.  Because that could have been awkward.  Am I right?

We had a great drive up, managed to not get lost and checked into our room.  With a super view of the park and city.  And one queen bed.  Fortunately, the hotel was able to switch us to a room with a pullout an a King bed.  And a view of brick walls.  So.  Winning.

At some point the first night the water in the hotel got jacked up and by the a.m. the entire hotel was without running water.  Toilets, showers, etc, etc.  Did I mention it’s July?  In Charleston?  Right.

Thankfully, my washcloth was still cool and damp from my night shower and I could dab off before we made our way to find lunch in the park at the Farmer’s Market before our afternoon session of speakers.

So, here are my highlights for the weekend:

• Meeting my favorite social media people IN.  REAL.  LIFE.  And talking with them.  Selfies with them.  And NEW friends.
• So many pregnant bellies and babies.  Just beautiful.
• Adoration.  In the hotel.
• SoulCore workout.  With Rachel Balducci.  And the rosary.  And I was sore!!!!!
• Farmer’s Market.  And the Yardbirds lunch.  Oh.  My.  Deliciousness.
• Getting lost off the trolley in search of the Market.  These old homes.  I just.  Can’t even.
• Hallie Lord:  “Stop living in the wreckage of the future; His grace is in the here and now.
• Rachel Balducci:  “There’s not ONE way to do this motherhood thing.”  “Comparison is the thief of joy.” and a recommendation on Catherine Doherty’s Duty of the Moment:  The duty of the moment is what you should be doing at any given time, in whatever place God has put you. You may not have Christ in a homeless person at your door, but you may have a little child. If you have a child, your duty of the moment may be to change a dirty diaper. So you do it. But you don’t just change that diaper, you change it to the best of your ability, with great love for both God and that child…. There are all kinds of good Catholic things you can do, but whatever they are, you have to realize that there is always the duty of the moment to be done. And it must be done, because the duty of the moment is the duty of God. 
• Kelly Mantoan:  #kellyknows to 1. Own our vocation 2. Fill our time with doing little things with great love 3.  Take breaks to recharge–prayers, quiet time, girl’s night out, date night, etc 4. Find supportive community (see #3) 5. Don’t take ourselves so serious.  Be silly.  6.  Be prepared for when satan strikes because he will.  7.  Remember, we can always start our day over at any time.
• Dancing.  In heels.  On a packed dance floor.  Karaoke (not me, but so much participation they had to cut off the sign up sheet!)
• Chatting with LisaAnn Schmidt.  IN.  Real Life!!!
• Hugging Mary.  And Maria.  And Jen and Hallie and Haley and Christi and on and on and on.
• There were no strangers
• There were many hugs
• And selfies
• And much gratitude

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Charleston SC

Giving thanks.

One of the many lovely homes and this one actually left their gate open to enjoy the garden. From the street.

Farmer’s Market setting up

Internet to IRL. Loved spending time with these ladies.