American Mothers Inc. National Convention

A MOTHER'S GARDEN

American Mothers Inc. 74th National Convention

April 22-25, 2009

Portland, Oregon
I had the privilege to attend the national convention, representing Oregon as the 2009 Mother of the Year. It was an inspiring and fun filled three days.

One of the most challenging days for me personally was Friday. That was the day the each state mother gave her three minute speech on the topic: The Home is a Garden: How I Have Reaped What I Have Sown. It was so nice to have the support of family members in the audience! (See a copy of my speech on another area of this blog.)

The convention - Organized and hosted by our own Oregon Chapter was outstanding. The attention to detail and quality events provided all participants with worthwhile experiencs, important new knowledge and many happy memories. Each meal was beautifully presented and delicious.

The table setting were stunning and included lovely centerpieces that supported the themes, handouts for participants, printed menus, and attention to every detail.

Saturday evening, the Gala Dinner was especially grand, with a color theme of black and red, beautiful red roses at each table and black table linens. Each participant receive a candy rose made from chocolate kisses and a cut glass heart.

For me, the highlight of the convention was the wonderful women I met and the new friends I made. Karen Schiessl (right) and I even squeezed in a trip to Powell's Books and Deseret Book. Mary Beth Scow (below) is from my home state of Nevada.

We often sat alphabetically, so I got to know Iren Cosilow from Oklahoma (standing below) and Virgen Camacho (left below) from Puerto Rico. Virgen had limited Enlish, but we enjoyed trying to communicate.

Myrna Condie ( below center) and I shared lunch one day when the hotel ran out of food. We became fast friends. She shared flowers with me at the end of the convention that she couldn't take home with her on the airplane.

The Gala Dinner was full of formality and wonderful entertainment. Each mother of the year was escorted into the Colenel Lindburg Room by a member of the United States Marine Corps.

My heartfelf thanks go out to each member of our state organization that worked on the convention. This was a wonderful introduction to American Mothers, Inc. for me!