Happenings...

I have managed at least 1 appearance per week this past month! Sometimes, more than 1! It is such an honor to get invited to participate in great events and for great causes! 

I was an invited model at Johnathan Kayne's 2009 Evening collection line! I also participated in the launch of his new doggie couture line Kayne9! I came home with a new baby--Griffin is a 4 pound chorkie--Adorable! 

I was also an invited model at the Dillard's Winter fashion show held here in Wichita. I had the privilege of melding with Rachel Murphy, Mrs. KS US 2008 and Sierra Scott (from It's all Good).

I participated in the March of Dimes Chef Auction and helped raise over $70,000 for preterm babies! This is dear to me as Kody, our 5-year old, was born 4 weeks early and spent 11 days in the NICU. While there, he was administered surfactant (a drug that is a direct result of March of Dimes research).

I was an invited presenter at the FCCLA fall conference (Family, career, and community leadership academy) and presented to over 50 teen leaders from across KS about leadership styles.

I was also an invited "celebrity reader" at Valley Center's Wheatland Elementary school. Miss Addington's 5th grade class invited me to come read to them during Read Week! The funnest thing...Miss Addington is a former student of mine from WSU!

Most recently, I was a judge at the Miss Augusta and Miss Butler County pageants. Some great gals competed! Congrats on a job well done!

Busy times!

Whew! In the past 4 weeks, I've made appearances at the KS State Fair, Race for the Cure, Hutch Rod Run, the Augusta Homecoming parade, and the Kruizin for Kids car show (benefitting Toys for Tots)! It was fun to see Melanie Hansel, Mrs. KS International at the Augusta homecoming parade. This coming week, I will be at North High School for Reality U!

I am also very excited about 2 new opportunities I've been blessed with. First, I am launching my own Arbonne business! Arbonne is a 28 year old health and wellness company, known for "pure, safe, and beneficial" products. Also...I am now the director of the Miss Teen Kansas-World pageant (www.missteenkansas-world.us)!

Sponsorship

Ghandi once said "the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." 

Now that I've had a few weeks to catch up with work and family, I wanted to publicly thank my sponsors. 

Kansasland Tire: Nick---thank you so much for believing in the value of my opinion. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the support you've given me.

Platinum Salon & Spa: Jody and Stacy (Tambra too!)--thank you for believing in me and for helping me look fabulous! My hair ---beautiful! (www.platinumsalon.com)

Fit Physique:Eric, thank you for your continued sponsorship of me and for helping me find Pete! (316-721-2521)

Pete: Wow, how can I possibly thank you for all the hours of training you've given me? Not only did you transform my overweight, out-of-shape body into one ready for swimsuit, but you also transformed me emotionally and helped me realize the beauty of and necessity of taking care of myself! In you, I have found a lifelong friend. (www.peterohleder.com)

To all the official Mrs. Kansas sponsors--thank you!

Mrs. America

Whew! I can't believe I've been home 9 days already! I am still so tired. Just a recap of my Mrs. America experience...I'll have to post more pics later (my camera cable is being shipped back).

Monday August 25 Arrival day

I was lucky enough to meet Mrs. Georgia at the Phoenix airport. Beautiful lady! We flew in to Tuscon and met Mrs. Alaska, Mrs. Montana, and  Mrs. Washington at the airport. We rode together to Loews. What a beautiful resort!! We were early so my room wasn't ready yet. Thanks to Mrs. Tennessee and Mrs. Mississippi for letting me hang out in your room for a bit. Finally, my room was ready! I unpacked and waited for Mrs. Texas, Bobbie Jo (my roomie!!). She arrived and we got ready for orientation dinner. This is when we got to meet Mr. Marmel and the rest of the contestants! 

Tues August 26 Rehearsals

LOL Ok, if you know me, you know I can't dance! Well, we had to learn a full production number for finals night! Yikes! We spent most of the day in rehearsals. I was learning part of the dance and accidently hit Mrs. Louisiana on the head.  A photographer apparently caught it, along with my apology. She later told me that it was posted online somewhere that Mrs. KS hit Mrs. LA. LOL 

After rehearsals, we had dinner with the ladies in the Marmels' suite. Great opportunity to learn about the gals and just relax with good conversation. Met and loved Mrs. MD and Mrs. Idaho!!

Wed. August 27 Rehearsals

More dancing LOL. Oh well, I resigned myself to know that I didn't need to worry about how well I had the dance down as I'd be on the back row (either by necessity due to height or by dancing ability-or lack thereof!).

The evening was spent with the president of Loews. Each delegate presented him with a gift from her home state. What fun!

Thurs August 28 Out and About

We spent some time in the morning rehearsing but got the afternoon off!! We took a bus tour of Tuscon, went shopping (Bobbie Jo, Allison and I fell in love with AJ's--an upscale grocery store! LOL can you tell we were hungry and craving junk food--shopping while at Mrs. America and we fall in love with a grocery store LOL). We also were treated to dinner at an italian restaurant. We indulged in pasta and dancing!! Mrs. AL can move!

Friday August 29 Gaspar arrives!

Ok, for a girl who is accustomed to teaching college courses for a living and not worrying much about hair and makeup---you can imagine my relief and excitement when Gaspar arrived! Even though nothing special happened today, he did my hair and makeup for me. I felt amazing!!

Sat. August 30 Interviews!

First day of actual competition. Interviews were round robin--4 minutes with each judge. I started with a 1 minute intro highlighting bits about me. Then...it was just conversation! I remember leaving feeling very comfortable in how it all went. No challenging questions...actually, few questions at all...more like chit-chat. Judges were very nice. 

My family arrived today!! The kids stayed home (too expensive to get 7 children out to Tuscon) but my mom, Jess, my hubby Troy, my trainer Pete, and my aunt and uncle all arrived. I got to spend some time with them in the afternoon! Didn't realize how homesick I was!

Sun. August 31 Prelims!!

Prelims were today! I felt great about how I did. I smiled, made eye contact with the judges and felt very sassy in my swimsuit (thanks Pete)! 

Mon.Sept 1 Rehearsals

More rehearsals for finals night. Figured out the rest of the opening number (I am on the back row LOL)~!

Tues Sept 2 Finals

Wow...can't believe it is here! I remember being backstage hearing the words of a song..."I've waited my whole life for this one night..." Very exciting! We did have to wait for what seemed like a very long time for them to announce top 12. I did not make top 12 but am very proud of how I did. I would do nothing differently! The top 12 were a great group as were the top 6. I had Maureen pegged to do very well from day 1 in rehearsal! She lights up the stage with a presence! I wish her the best of luck at Mrs. World!

Wed. Sept 3 Homeward bound!

Woo Hoo! I'm on my way home! Troy's flight left early so I arrived at the airport early and just hung out. Was so fun to get to see many of my pageant sisters one last time as they left for home as well. What an amazing experience!

Thanks so much to my sponsors!! Pete (www.peterohleder.com) you are amazing! Platinum Salon & Spa (Jodi & Stacy www.platinumsalon.com)--my hair looked fabulous! Kansasland tire--thank you for your support!!

Thank you to my family! Troy and kids---love you! Mom and Jess--thanks for the shopping trips and daily cards!

Tracy--what an amazing director you are! I felt so good knowing you were there and in my corner! Love you!

Send off Party

I leave for Mrs. America one week from today! Whew---time has flown by! Mrs. KS US Rachel Murphy and Mrs. KS International Melanie Hansel threw me a send-off party yesterday. Friends and family attended with well-wishes! It is nice knowing that I have just an amazing support system! Thanks guys--love you!

Johnson County Parade

Charalet Dunnigan, Mrs. Johnson County 2008, invited me and Mrs. Geary County (Leslie Wilson) to join her in the Johnson County parade on Aug. 9 in Gardner, KS. The parade was "Favorite Holiday." Charalet came up with the great idea of using Mother's day as our car theme. We each wore sundresses and decorated the car with signs that read "one hot mama," "to do list...," and "Happy Mother's Day." We were so concerned about the heat...no need to be! It rained and was chilly! It was great seeing the two ladies...what a great day!

Titleholder weekend

What a blast we had the first weekend of August. Rich and Alvin hosted a "Titleholders' weekend" in Dallas. Allison, Mrs. OK, myself, Bobbie Jo Compton, Mrs. TX, and our director all attended. We had mock interviews, a fashion show, and stayed up late watching old pageant videos. The weekend was a great time to form new friendships and polish our skills as we all prepare for Mrs. America! Thanks Alvin and Rich!!