1.) Driving around in my Penguin Pajamas. Say what?!
{You can read about some of my adventures just to get Relevant and getting stuck in the elevator for over an hour here Counting the Joy on the Road to Relevant 2011.}
Needless to say after all that hullabaloo Liam was overstimulated at bedtime. Bedtime being 3 a.m., once Heather, Jenn and I finally simmered down. An hour and a half later my sweet co-sleeping, breast-feeding-on-demand baby was awake, wide awake.
At 4:30 a.m. instead of dreaming of the conference about to start in a few hours, I was confronted with a baby who was clapping in my face. Oh, and he was signing too. And saying sweet things like “Momma-ma.” The added pressure was we were sharing a room with Heather, Jenn and some of their children. I sat on the floor with Liam, tried to set up his pack and play in the dark {I don’t know what I was thinking with that one.} And by 5:30 a.m., nearly in tears and in my full fledged penguin flannel pajamas, Liam and I left the hotel.
Did I tell you it was also raining? Yup. So I go driving around Harrisburg PA, trying to get my baby to sleep. I prayed that the Lord would help me not get in a car accident, you know, with the PJ’s on an everything. Needless to say my bed head collected many strange looks at the Mcdonalds drive thru. Back at the hotel parking lot around 7 a.m. I had another realization. Repair trucks where showing up and workers we’re hanging out in the back entrance that I needed to go through. They were the elevator repair men! I tried to think of creative ways to get back into the hotel without being seen, but there were none. I had to just load my baby up in the stroller and make a break for the entrance. Don’t worry though, I held my head high as I walked through the lobby, rain soaked and PJ clad.
2.) Partnering with OneVerse as a OneVerse Blogger. One Verse is working with all it’s might to end Bible poverty world wide. I will be sharing more on this. Everyone in the world needs a Bible in their language. I’m thrilled to be apart of their team.
3.) Meeting and lounging around with Sally Clarkson. It’s not everyday that I get to sit on the couch and eat cupcakes with Sally, or eat lunch at the same table with her. But at Relevant she was completely accessible and she poured into anyone she was near. Here we are at her book signing.
4.)The atmosphere. This is when I wish I had a better camera or some mad photography skills like Darcy. Seriously, everywhere I went there was a table center piece, beautiful decor and sweet music.
5.)Lots of freebies. The Relevant Conference lavished the freebie love on us. Here is a picture of the contents of one massive welcome bag. I ended up coming home with about 3 bags this full. I’m sharing the love, don’t worry. {JoAnn, I have a bag with your name on it! 
}
6.) Liam. He was such a good boy. I really enjoyed him. He made many friends. Here’s another cute picture of him from when we were stuck in the elevator. He’s now known as the “Relevator Baby.” He DID sleep like a baby the next three nights. Every night about 9 p.m. I put Liam on the floor to crawl until midnight. That is my new baby traveling secret. He was ready to snuggle and nurse after 3 hours of floor time. It was also good for building up his immunity.
Liam joyfully played with empty water bottles, or with ladies shoes, while we were stuck in the elevator.
Liam traveled in style in the overloaded sit-and-stand stroller. I had my baby, my purse and my laptop everywhere I went.
7.) The treats! Coffee, cupcakes and goodies, oh my! Everywhere we turned there was a goodie to be had. Check out the coffee bar and cupcakes from the Incourge Beach Lounge. Every afternoon Liam and I had a cupcake party.
8.) Meeting Ann Voskamp. God totally gave me a desire of my heart with this one. I stood a few feet away from Ann in her “Upside Down” blogging session. I wanted to meet her then but she was quickly surrounded when the session was over. I did not want to bombard her. I prayed I would have an opportunity to meet her, but not like a crazed fan. Believe me, I am a crazed fan…I just didn’t want to look like one.
I didn’t even attempt to go to her book signing. I felt like it would be another pressing event. However, about an hour after the book signing started my friend Jenn @DazeofAdventure came and found Liam and I. She said, “Hey, let’s go get Ann to sign our books. I need to hug her neck anyway.” Jenn is a good chick to hang with. She can usually slip us into the right place at the right time. We walked into the book signing room and there sat little wispy Ann. Even without her “fanciful e” she sat there so cute {told ya’-crazed fan here, trying to act cool.} Jenn said, “Hey Ann, this is my friend.” Ann looks up from her signing table all cheery blue-eyed beautiful.
I sat my 3-copies of One Thousand Gifts down on her table. {Please note at this point I realize that my baby stinks to high heaven. He was obviously a little excited about meeting Ann too.} Ann asked me my name, “Jamerrill” I said. Ann said “Oh, that name. I know that name. I’ve seen that name online.” Before I could say, “what,” Fanciful Ann was already holding my hand and praying for me. She signed my books for my mom and my aunt. As she signed she prayed over each book too-just like Ann Voskamp would. Jenn took a picture, which is forthcoming since Daze of Adventure is traveling on her DC tour. Ann and I joked about writing and homeschooling in farm houses, and stinking babies. It was wonderful. God certainly gave me a desire of my heart.
9.)Hanging with my friends. I made several new friends and was able to spend large amounts of time with friends I’ve made online.
Liam made a lot of friends on this trip. I think his favorite was Nicole from Word of Mouth Musings.
My friend Denise from Denise in Bloom.
10.) The snow. We had almost a foot of snow. I did not allow myself to think about it, or how I would drive home. I enjoyed the days, stuck my fingers in my ears, and sang “la, la, la” anytime anyone asked me about the snow. Thankfully when it was time to drive home the roads were clear.
This is after the first hour of snow.
These are my Relevant memories for today. There is more to come, but I have to go be mommy and homeschool now. xoxo
Linking up to Top Ten Tuesday, Women Living Well and Works for Me Wednesday.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful post; makes me REALLY want to go next year! Driving in your jammies and attempting to sneak back into the hotel??? Sounds like something I would experience! (lol!). Glad you made it home safe and sound.
Good Cheryl, I’m glad that I’m not alone in the “driving-around-in-the-pj’s-world.” I tell you, I’m a class act.
I am so in awe at all the amazing posts I’ve read about this Relevant Conference. I’m a new blogger, so I’ve never heard of this – but WOW!
Sounds like you had an eventful time as “mom”, but an amazing time growing… I love reading your blog!!!
Bekah, this was Relevants second year and it was amazing. It was an easy conference to be a “mom” at. There were over thirty babies there, so I was not alone. Even though there was plenty of “business” everyone was baby friendly.
Bless you. Thanks for sharing. I never heard of Relevant before you said you were going. Now, I want to go too. Sounds wonderful.
Carol, you’d love it. If you’re going to go next year you need to get ready to buy your ticket as soon as they go on sale. Last year it was in March. Tickets sold out in a month. It is wonderful!
That being said, God can still make a way even after tickets sell out! http://www.holyspiritledhomeschooling.net/2011/07/god-can-make-way-relevant-2011-im-going/
I don’t think I’d be able to speak if I ever got to meet Ann hahahahaha! Like you, I’m a HUGE fan!
Sounds like you had a wonderful time!! I’ve wanted to go to each Relevant conference, but just haven’t been able to. Maybe next year …
Brandy, it would be wonderful to meet you at Relevant!
I was at Relevant last year and it was incredible! Didn’t go this year but stalked the tweets with some other gals
We’re going to have our own blog-linkup about what we learned …by stalking the #relevant11 hashtag 
I may just have to buy that early bird ticket for next year though!
Tracy, I bet the #relevant11 hashtag was full. I would suggest going after an early bird ticket for next year too! I heard last year those sold out in a minute!!!
You are so blessed! I live in the UK and would love to go to Relevant, but it’s just not possible. God really gave you grace to deal with your tricky moments with your gorgeous little boy! WHY do they always act up when we don’t want them to?! I have 6 (going on 7), so I know what it is like!
Drop by and visit at my blog sometime! Found you from the WLWW link up! Blessings. x
Jammerill,
I loved meeting you! You are so beautiful and loved seeing your sweet little Liam as well. Can’t wait to begin being a OneVerse blogger with you! Blessings friend!
Denise, I’m very excited about OneVerse and all God is doing in their ministry. It’s awesome that he’s using us to be apart of it!
Denise, I’m very excited about OneVerse and all God is doing in their ministry. It’s awesome that he’s using us to be apart of it!
It was so wonderful to meet you!
Looks like you had an amazing time and I cant wait to be there next, if the Lord is willing. I so wanted to go this year but it did not work out. Thanks for sharing your trip it makes me feel like I was there. Love Sonya
I love these memories! I’m so glad that you and my favorite Relevator baby are now friends!
And isn’t that just like Ann to be so precious? I have a memory like that of last year…so gracious it makes me tear up just thinking about her.
Heathahlee, it was so nice to meet you too! I’ll have to bring the “Relevator baby” back next year for a reunion.
Jamerrill I loved meeting you last weekend even if it was an hour long elevator ride. You are a gem! As gorgeous as your photos here and a super mama for keeping Liam so happy and content through everything. I have a new found respect for you! Give Liam a smooch for me, he is irresistible, such a happy babe!
HEY DONNA, (I love saying that) I can’t wait to SEE you again. I love your heart and your love for coffee!
What fun memories
I am {kind of} thankful that we all got stuck in the elevator the first night – instant friends and a bond!! I was very thankful to meet you and Liam 
Aurie, I’m thankful for the elevator entrapment too. Although I was praying that God had not called me home that night.
I hope to see you again at the 2:1 Conference {which Jesus will supernaturally provide sponsorship for us!}