Mrs. International Pageant

Skeeter and I arrived in Chicago on Monday July 13. We spent two days exploring Chicago in perfect sunny weather. It felt like Heaven compared to the 102 we left in Houston. Tuesday night I met all the amazing women who came for the Mrs. International pageant.

Wed. our group toured Chicago in a double decker bus. It was a great opportunity to get to know the other contestants. When we returned we went straight to rehearsals. I loved every second!


By Friday I had the opening number down and was so ready for the prelims!

Saturday night when I was announced as part of the top ten finalists, by heart leapt! I felt so honored to be among the most amazing women I have ever met.. some of whom were not standing with me in the top ten. I can honestly say that I gave my best. I prayed to be transparent so that others could see CASA through me... and I know I accomplished that goal. I was blessed to have confidence, stamina and endurance.

My name was called as 2nd runner up....so exciting! What went through my mind as they called my name was something my sister Lisa said when she finished her marathon last year. "Why not challenge ourselves to be extraordinary, even if it is just for one moment?" Lisa, I had my moment--- and it was wonderful.

American Heart Association @ The Galleria

The AHA "Beat The Heat-- Come and Play" event at The Galleria was a hit! Felicia Gann (AHA) and I gave out every last AHA T-shirt and waterbottle, talked up the new Go Red program "Better U" and spoke with many children about staying active and making healthy food choices. I also signed autographs and took pictures with many princesses! Skeeter and the kids enjoyed the Bungee Jump, taking pics with Texans Cheerleaders, winning Astros tickets and meeting the Rainforest Frog & Chick- Fil-A cow.

QUEEN FOR A DAY

What a magical day we had at The Woodlands Children's Museum for their "Queen For a Day" event! I was so pleased that both Miss Teen Texas (Dymond Hayes) & Miss Texas International (Jade Monfils)could join me as we participated in a day of parachutes, face-paint, plastic jeweled crowns, paper flowers and the most important part-- promoting CASA! The museum created a kingdom of fanciful activities and truly made all participants feel like Royalty... complete with a Red Carpet!

CASA Presentation at Woodlands KIWANIS CLUB

CASA's Diane Anderson and I presented to the Woodlands Kiwanis Club. They are huge supporters of CASA. They attend the GALA event each year and have donated generously to fund a CASA advocate. Thank You Kiwanis!

UP CLOSE

I was honored that UP CLOSE magazine chose to feature me as Mrs. Texas International in a full page article of their inaugural edition. The article focused on CASA and raising awareness about the organization and all the ways people can get invloved. It's great to know that from the article many people will learn that there are more needs within CASA than just being a child advocate. We need volunteers to serve on the GALA Committee, plan the CASA Kid's Holiday Party, CASA KIDS picnic, and more. I know that the result of the article will be an increase in awareness and an increase in a growing army of CASA volunteers! To read the full article, just paste the following url into your browser. It's on UP CLOSE page 20. http://www.thewoodlandsupclosemagazine.com/archives/09-06-june-2009.html

Blake's A Grad!

Blake graduated from Kindergarten Thursday June 4. He was so excited! He said, "The best thing about graduating is that I get to take home my box!" He also said he loves his teacher Mrs. Vogt. She exemplified all that a kindergarten teacher should be. Blake got the award for "Best Singer" and finished the year as one of the strongest readers and writers in the class. He is pumped up about finishing the school year and just before I snapped this picture he exclaimed "I am a first grader now!"

ALL ABOUT TAMALES!

TAMALES, TAMALES, TAMALES! My sweet Nanny and friend Maria Nino offered sweet service through a tamale fundraiser benefiting my Mrs. International Trip to Chicago. I collected orders for 258 dozen tamales! Supportive friends and family came May 30 to roll pork tamales---over 2000 were hand made in just 12 hours! Thanks so much to Mom, Lisa & Jeff, Lori & Steve, Kelli, Julie, Tracy, Maria, Minto, and my CASA buddies Denise and Patty. I could never have done this without you. A special thank you, too to my sweetheart Skeeter and my kids for all their support. I love you guys. All tamales were delivered two days later and everyone raved about the excellent flavor and moist masa. DELICIOSO!!