Joel and I were selected to present at the Catholic New Media Conference (CNMC) in Dallas/Arlington, Texas later this summer. Honored and excited, a nod and hat-tip like this gives us great motivation to keep up this crazy thing we call evangelization.
This year’s conference is stronger than ever as CNMC joins forces with the Catholic Marketing Network and the Catholic Writers Guild. The first ever International Bloggers Summit will be part of this year’s CNMC and that’s when we present Starting a Blog Without a Clue: 10 Basic Things We Learned in our First Two Years of Blogging. We will candidly share our reflections and make great fun of ourselves and the mistakes we’ve made. For more info on the conference, click here.
Now is probably a good time to fill you in on a little secret: we are in the process of overhauling our website. We are working with Dorian Speed who is also presenting during the conference. She blogs at Scrutinies.net — check out her latest sewing project here — she repurposed her wedding dress into her daughter’s First Communion dress (#Beautiful #ProficientSewingSkills #MomOfTheYear #Overachiever). Her web design company is Convolare.
We are actually considering making the trip to Texas into a family vacation. Texas in August … are we insane?
Des Moines to Dallas = 745 miles, door to door. That’s 12.2 hours by vehicle according to Google Maps (15+ hours once you factor in the stops). Looks like we can get decent airfare so we just might bite the bullet, pull some money out of savings, and fly the family there.
Now to just figure out what to do with the kiddos during the conference. We are exploring leaving them with friends of a friend while we are conferencing. We’ve been trying to come up with Dallas connections, but most of our Texas friends live in Houston or Austin. Any ideas? Float them my way, please!
So I’ve mentioned here before that being tested for Diabetes at my postpartum check-up two months ago has really kicked my rear into gear. I know his training style is up for debate, but I really like Bob Harper from NBC’s The Biggest Loser. I’ve worked my way through his new book The Skinny Rules. I love rules. I’m a rule-follower and a rule-maker. And Bob’s 20 get-skinny rules are already working well. But the one I’m going to struggle with most is: “Let me be blunt: if you don’t start eating fish, you’re going to get fat again.” Saints Peter and Andrew, patrons of fishermen, and Saint Lawrence, patron of chefs, pray for me!
Earlier this week my mom and I presented the second annual Leonard Underhill Memorial Scholarship to two very deserving high school seniors graduating from my alma mater. It is an honor for our family to carry on my dad’s name through this scholarship.
Brooke, me, Mom, Nathan
Speaking of awards and giveaways, just remembered I have neglected to announce the winners of a couple giveaways we hosted here at the blog. The big prize package I touted at the Behold Conference in March went to Stacey from Springfield, Illinois.
We also have a winner of the book The Infertility Companion for Catholics, but in respect for her privacy, I will keep her name anonymous. Please pray for her? She is seeking information and answers to her infertility struggles.
And finally, here’s my Friday Funny. My sister was looking through pictures of Baby Jude and felt a strong resemblance between him and me. So I snapped this picture of him with one of my baby pictures to compare and contrast. I love the look on his face: Who IS this person?
Have a great weekend! For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!
So good to get all your news; makes us feel like part of the family. Wish we could do the babysitting for you in TX… alas…
And about giveaways, we were gifted with a number of copies of 33 DAYS TO MORNING GLORY — the best-selling book by Fr. Michael Gaitley on the Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary. If interested in entering, send an email with 33 DAYS as subject to [email protected] Blessings. dt
Deacon Tom – I was really hoping you and Dee would be in attendance at this year’s CNMC. Darn it. Thanks for the info on Fr. Gaitley’s book. I will enter. Godspeed!
Congrats on being presenters at the conference! i read your blog frequently but rarely comment.
You folks surely have 2 WAY cute children. You are much blessed — thanks for sharing your many gifts with us all.
Howdy Tom. Thanks for dropping by and commenting. We don’t get a large amounts of comments here, but we know folks are reading. And we know we are reaching the Des Moines audience, which has always been our #1 goal – to evangelize in our “backyard.”
Thanks for your support. We enjoy your friendship!
I’m so, so, so, so happy for you guys! Wow. Such a great time in your lives. And I’ll admit that I may be a teeeeeeensy bit jealous that you get to go to Dallas! Yes, August weather will be likened unto the depths of hell, but you’ll have a great time anyway :)
I don’t know if they’re open in the summer, but you could try the campus ministry or student life office at UD and see about any responsible, Catholic college students who are local who would be available to wrangle your kids for you? Just thinking out loud…
Thanks, Dweej! Wish you could be there, too! Now that it’s all in motion, trying to not freak out about the details — mostly travel arrangements. Great idea with UD. I will try to make some connections.
Congratulations! Put me in your trunk and I’ll manage the kids while you present, plus help with them throughout. Think I’m kidding? I’d really love to go in any event and would be happy to help on any front. Serious.
Let’s chat!! Maybe we can get together soon? When’s school out?
Im bringing Douglas even though he may be tagging along during the presentation. Maybe the Warners could recommend a local area sitter and we could have that person at the hotel during each of our presentations. ??
Great idea, Shelly! Really great idea. Do you want me to connect with them?