Betsy's Family Blog: AMI National Convention in Salt Lake City

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

AMI National Convention in Salt Lake City

On Thursday, April 28, 2011 I flew out early in the morning bound for Salt Lake City to attend the 76th annual National American Mothers, Inc. Convention. I really enjoy attending these conventions and feel so inspired to come back and be a better mom. I also serve on the National Board so I had to be there for business meetings.

On the first night, the whole group boarded buses that took us on a tour of SLC and then up to Heritage Place where we experienced first hand what it would have been like to be an early settler in Utah. Here is the monument entitled "This is the Right Place," which are the words Bringham Young proclaimed upon seeing the Salt Lake Valley below. We had a lovely pulled pork barbecue dinner, a train tour of the early settlements and good old fashion line dancing and singing entertainment this first night.

Betsy with Vivian Dibb and Karla Cox

Betsy with Kimberley Shelton and Rene Donifon

Sara Cunningham, YM 2010 from Utah lead us in the Country Line Dance. She is very dear to my heart!!!

Kathy DeLone, Betsy Lowe and Lisa Phillips

The next morning at the Tapestry Breakfast, I am treated to the biggest surprise of the convention, Lisa Phillips the NC Mother of Young Children and the 1996 National Mother of Young Children (my year) was there at the tapestry breakfast. Oh My Gosh!!! I was so excited to see her. We've kept in touch through email and Christmas letters, but the distance has kept us from seeing each other. Lisa was the mother of 6 back then, and now is the mother of 8 including a beautiful 1 year old baby. She is amazing. I was also so blessed to see my other "long time" good friend from AMI, Kathy DeLone from Arkansas. She was named the 1997 National Young Mother - the year following Lisa. I was in Arizona at the National Convention when she was named Young Mother. I'm so glad we've stayed strong and true to this organization. There is no better job than that of a mother, and no better organization to stand up for the roll of motherhood in society!

RuthAnn Sullivan and Betsy

After the tapestry breakfast we were treated to hear the Young Mother speeches. RuthAnn Sullivan is the Kentucky Young Mother. She is a dear friend (and my previous Visiting Teacher). She was blessed to have her whole family here to see and hear her do such an outstanding job sharing her thoughts! RuthAnn was so composed and shared such a powerful message.

Following the Young Mother
speeches we immediately went into the ballroom for the Awards Luncheon.

Betsy Lowe, National Literacy Chairperson, Connell Branan, 1st VP and President Elect, Irene Costilow, Area 5 Coordinator, and Sheri Calstrom 2010 National Young Mother

Betsy and Sheri Carlstrom at the head table

Dianne Calister, Sheri Carlstrom and I sat at the head table along with (not seen) Judith Joe and Ellen Ralph. It was my pleasure to announce the winners of the National 5th Grade Essay contest. 1st place - Andrea Perez of Oklahoma, 2nd place - Morgan Jemtrud of Kentucky, and 3rd place - Brynne Stevens of Utah.

Betsy presenting the National 5th Grade Essay Awards

Just before the luncheon began, I introduced myself to the 3rd place winners family, Brynne Stevens. Since they were from Utah they were able to be in attendance. It was to my huge surprise and delight to find out that the mother of the essay contestant was once a young women in the Dulles Branch back in Virginia, where Mark and I served a 23 month mission in a Southeast Asian branch. Choa was a Laurel and heading off to college the first year we started serving in that branch. What a thrill and joy to, not only see her as a grown women and mother, but to be able to honor her for her daughter's essay. WOW!!!

Betsy with Choa, Brynne and Willie Stevens of Utah
Brynne is the 3rd place winner in the 5th Grade Essay Contest

Betsy Lowe with Susan Hill

After the luncheon we were so blessed to hear the Mother of the Year speeches. People that don't even attend the convention come to hear these speeches. Mrs. Susan Hill of Louisville represented Kentucky, and gave such a heartfelt touching talk. She, like RuthAnn had her husband and one of their children, John in the audience. How wonderful to have their support. John has just graduated from BYU and will be heading to Boston soon. What a treat for him to see his mother honored as the Kentucky Mother of the Year!

The Keynote speaker for the evening was Dr. John Gray, author of "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus". I was in stitches laughing at some of his comments - mainly because they were so true. It was hilarious. Following his remarks we had a beautiful performance from the Academy of Dance. These girls were amazing!

to be continued ...

That night Shawnalee Eyre Pothier of Arizona was named National Young Mother of the Year. I didn't realize it until that evening, but it was her parents' (Linda and Richard Eyre) books Teaching Children Joy, Teaching Children Responsibility and Teaching Children Charity that have made a huge impact on my mothering. I loved reading their stories.

Betsy with Joan Braitch from Washington DC. Joan and I roomed together at the Waldorf Astoria. We had a wonderful time together.

The next day started with the Honors and Memorial Breakfast, a quick National Board meeting followed by the General Business Meeting and morning workshops. We had a lovely lunch in which our Keynote speaker was John Bytheway. He gave an inspiring presentation P.A.R.E.N.T.S.

Betsy with Lila Shoemaker, Jean Pryor and Sondra Anderson.
All whom she met serving over the years on the National Board

Betsy with John Bytheway

After the luncheon we had more workshops and time to relax and prepare for the Big Event … the Mother of the Year Gala. I love going to the Gala and applauding all the amazing women that are such shining examples of motherhood. Each will say, "no, not me" but it's true - they are all so amazing!!! I also love the chance I have to be with friends - friends I only have the chance to see 1-4 times a year.