Viva Las Vegas!!!

Two weeks ago, I went on a trip to Las Vegas for a business conference for my job.  I was so excited but also so nervous.  First off, I have NEVER flown before and this was no small trip!  Plus, leaving my babies behind and being almost 2,000 miles away made me very nervous.  I knew they would be in good hands with my parents but I have an issue with control.  Anybody else like that?

Fortunately, Michael was able to go with me.  It is a good thing cause I don't know who else's hand I would have squeezed so tight on the plane when we took off.  I actually left nail prints in his hand!  Well, we took off but I never realized a plane shook so much!  Scared me so much!  Thank you to everyone who I sent out my panicked text to requesting prayer when I was sitting in the airport.  Once we got up to about 30,000 feet I calmed down and was able to relax.  Michael kept trying to go to sleep cause he had worked the night before and he had only gotten 2 hours sleep before we had to get to the airport but he didn't get much.  I think he was too excited about our trip plus every time we hit turbulence I would grab his arm.

I finally started to enjoy flying and looking out the window.  Flying over the Mississippi River.

Flying over the beautiful Grand Canyon!

It was absolutely breath-taking!  How awesome is our God to give us such beauty to look at!  So amazing!

Once we landed, which the landing was rough.  I thought I was on a roller coaster and was going to throw up but we finally touched the ground and I was fine then.  Just so you know, I wasn't the only one.  It was pretty rough!

Anyways, when we landed is was ONLY 111 degrees outside!! We got to our hotel and were blown away by our room.

It was a very, very nice suite and we had an amazing view.

Our hotel was so huge we got lost.  Once we got there we had to go register for the trade show we were attending and then get ready for a reception we needed to go to.  It was very nice but once it was over we were exhausted and called it a day.

On Thursday and Friday, I had classes to go to and the trade show to go to also.  I learned alot.  We got to eat some great meals.  On Thursday night, our conference had a concert for all of us with Leeann Rimes.

She gave a great concert.  She is actually the first person that I have heard in concert that actually sounds like what we here on the radio.  She did a great job and was very personable.  She would stop and take pictures with people and seemed very down to earth.

Over those 2 days, we walked the strip to see the different hotels.

The Mirage

Inside Ceasar's Palace

Eifel Tower at Hotel Paris

We went up in the Eifel Tower, which was 1/2 the size of the actual one.  We went up 46 stories and we saw an amazing view.

You could see forever and the lights were beautiful!  We also got up at the top of the tower just in time to see the Fountains at the Bellagio.

We promised the kids that we would get them some M&M's at M&M World while we were there.  We decided to walk there.  We didn't realize it was that far and we were shocked at what we saw on the way.  When they say Sin City, they are not joking.  I was very uncomfortable and felt like just yuck trying to get to M&M World.  I have lived a very sheltered life and was blown away by the things I saw.  We made to M&M World and there is a whole other story once we got there but the kids got their M&M's.  We then went to Coke World and Michael tasted all the different flavors from around the world.  Pretty neat but I was ready to get back in the safety of our hotel so we grabbed a bus and got back to our "home" away from home.

Saturday morning, we got up and went on a Pink Jeep Tour to Hoover Dam.

I have to admit, this was my favorite thing of our whole trip.  I like historical landmark type stuff and this was right up mine and Michael's alley.  No big crowds and no other stuff, just lots of open space with beautiful Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam.

Beautiful!  It was hot so I am so glad we took the morning tour.

On our way back, we were looking through the desert and our driver took us by this park with lots of Big Horn Sheep.  Michael just loved it!

Of course, in his mind he was already dreaming of a hunting trip to come back out here to get one of these.  It was a great day!  We came back and collapsed from exhaustion.  We got ready and went to our final dinner before we took the red-eye home.

I have to say we had a wonderful time.  Even though I was in shock and uncomfortable at times, it was an experience I will never forget.  Thank you to Melinda for giving me this awesome opportunity and trusting me enough to do a good job for you!  We both appreciate it and thank you from the bottom of our heart!

We had alot smoother flight home and were exhausted but so happy to see the kids!  This trip taught me alot about me too.  I had to trust God to protect us and our children while we were gone.  Everytime I would get in a tizzy before our trip, I felt Him tell me that He is in control and He can take care of us better than we can.  I also learned that I need to be more confident in myself.  I met people from all over the country and I had to present myself professionally.  I am sometimes shy around certain people but this made me step out and become bold and just introduce myself and meet many interesting people.  I am thankful for that!

Thanks again for your prayers and again, Melinda, thank you for sending me!  Love ya!