Refreshing!

I had the opportunity to attend the Challenge of Children Conference in Holland today. I've heard wonderful things about this conference, but have never attended. I left the house a little after 8am this am to enjoy (almost) the whole morning/afternoon to myself! Tim and I were able to have a lunch date at 8th Street Grille in Holland http://www.8thstreetgrille.com/index.htm (highly recommended!). After enjoying a RELAXING lunch (with adult conversation and no disciplining of children required:) we picked up lattes and strolled down 8th street. I even had enough time to capture some of the many beautiful tulips with my camera. It was enlightening and refreshing to get away from the munchkins for the afternoon and listen to parenting enthusiasts. I left the last breakout session on Grace Based Parenting with a very encouraging quote from Philip Yancey, "There is nothing you can do to make God love you more......and there is nothing you can do to make God love you less." How reassuring it is to know that we have received this undeserved gift of grace from above! God is good!!!