How many doulas does it take to hold a conference?

I'll soon know the answer. I leave in a few hours for my first DONA International conference in Washington, D.C.

I am terribly excited for the chance to...

...meet doulas from across the country.
...hear from DONA founders Penny Simkin and Marshall Klaus.
...walk through the exhibition hall and look for birth bag additions.
...read "The Life of Pi" on the plane and Metro.
...drink a bottle of wine with my sister, whom I'm staying with.

Am I having my usual pre-flight anxiety that the plane will crash? Yes.

Am I missing my boys already? Yes.

Did I have the conversation with Spouse last night that if I am killed in a subway bombing he must be silly with the boys from time to time? Yes.

Then the trip must really be happening. This isn't just a daydream.

I'll be back on-line Monday to debrief from the weekend.