Minnesota Catholic Home Education Conference (The 2008 Edition)

Subtitled: Yeah, we homeschool. Ya wanna make something of it?

If you have ever attended a homeschooling conference, especially one of this size, you will nod your head at the following adjectives: edifying, fun, inspirational and overwhelming. Do I look a little giddy in the following photos? Well, that is why.

That and the caffeine, of course.

Here, then, is a photo-documentary of the whirlwind that has been the last 24 hours. Indulge me, please.

First on the agenda was a fireside chat for bloggers. Was that ever a hoot! One person remarked that it was just like blogging only we did it out loud and with lots of volume.

Here’s a shot of Ana, our effervescent hostess, and on the left, one of the sharpest, sassiest redheads you’re ever likely to meet.

Did I mention we had lots of fun? Seriously, you should been there and too bad for you if you weren’t because your name came up once or twice.

I’m kidding.

Here we are in all our giddy glory. A $500 Amazon coupon to the first person who can correctly identify these bloggers:

Again, I’m kidding. I’m so mean that way! From left to right we are: Mary, Me, Tracy, Ana, Jamie, and Erin. (Not included in this photo but pictured at the top of this post is our much loved Laura the Crazy Mama.)

Speaking of Jamie, I will tell you that she is one of the funnest roommates I have ever had. She and her dear friends were brave enough to invite me to stay overnight on campus with them, and I will tell you, we Catholic homeschooling moms really know how to whoop it up.

Let’s just say that I was not in bed by 9:00 p.m. Aren’t I a bad girl?

Catholic home education conferences are not just about the late night parties, however. There are also quality key note speakers to harass.

“Does that lady with the camera know who I am?”

“Security!”

In all fairness to our beloved Fr. Pacwa, here is the actual conversation:

Me: Could I take your photo, Father?

Him: I don’t know! Do you got a camera?

From there I went on in search of a fresh victim. Seton’s Ginny Seuffert seemed a likely candidate, but being from New York and all, she held her own.

You know why the woman in the poster behind us is smirking? It’s because she just took all my money and my oldest son’s birthright to boot.

Finally, being a totally shameless blogging opportunist, I could not resist asking for one more photo of me and the man behind that voice.

Storyteller Jim Weiss and Some Shameless Opportunist

What do you think? Have we changed much since last year? Obviously I haven’t purchased a new sweater since then. I also see that I am scrunching up my nose in the cheeky way I do when I am too tired to smile naturally. It has been a good day but a long day…

…and therefore the real reporting can wait ‘til later.

Ad Jesum per Mariam,

PS. Oh, and a happy (belated) Feast of the Visitation! We were treated to Mass before the conference began this morning, and was it ever lovely.