Seventeen years ago I found myself thinking back to the teaching conferences I experienced while finishing up my music education degree at Butler University. I always returned home from those “continuing education” events with fresh vision and new ideas for the classroom.
But at that time in my life, I didn’t need teaching conferences. I was knee deep in motherhood (and diapers, and dishes, and toys, and clutter!) I needed a mothering conference! Something to remind me of how to keep my marriage a priority. Something to provide practical strategies for everyday parenting challenges. Something that would help me know how to take care of myself in the midst of taking care of my family. Something that would refresh my spirit and give me the vision and excitement to continue on.
After searching for a moms conference and finding nothing, I presented the challenge to my moms group to create such an event. We never expected what God would do.
Now 17 years later, the Hearts at Home National Conference hosts anywhere from 4,000 to 6,000 moms on the Illinois State University Campus in Normal, IL. My husband swears that at the end of that weekend, there’s not an ounce of chocolate left in town!
This year’s event is scheduled for March 12-13, 2010. It’s a one day conference offered two days in a row (you choose whether to attend Friday or Saturday). There’s also an optional Moms Night Out Friday night as well as a two-day option that allows you to take 8 workshops instead of 4.
Registration is open NOW. Cost is $85. You’ll need to register by February 10 in order to get a lunch included in your registration. Workshops are assigned based upon registration date…so the earlier the better!
We have women that carpool from all over the U.S. And there are some that hop on a plane in order to attend.
You can find all the info you need by clicking here!
I’ll be there and I’d love to meet you!
Will you be there?
I'm going as a volunteer this year and can't wait! My twins are 8 now, and when they were babies and toddlers, this conference was a lifeline to me. I remember my first year at Hearts at Home — the babies had just turned one — and I just sat and wept with joy. I wasn't alone!! That was a first step for me to really begin to reach out to other moms on this journey of motherhood.
Thanks for all you do, Jill. You make a difference.
YES I WILL! We've been coming from Pittsboro, IN for 6 years. Can't wait!
wishing you would come back out west to California again!! Mom's Day Out was amazing in San Diego!!
After coming for the first time last year, I wouldn't miss it! Can't wait!!
Ronel,
I wish we were coming to California again, too! I miss seeing you wonderful California moms!
Yahoo! I'll be there!