What a night!!!!! I placed 3rd runner up and very proud and excited for how well I did. Yes, we all want to win and I was there to win (as we all were) but God has other plans and it wasn't my time. Considering the calibur of ladies competing, I was shocked and beyond thrilled when they called my name! Laine won and I am excited for her. Go Red is her platform and I think she will do a lot for the partnership this year. She also won photogenic, evening gown & fitness awards.

Top 10:Deanna Linz:), Meredith Boyd, Jessica Plante,Shannon Devine, Lori Donaudy,Sasha Townsend,Patti Mercer, Laine Berry, Joy Pfister, Tiffany Love.

Top 5:
4th runner up: Sasha Townsend
3rd runner up: Deanna Linz
2nd runner up: Patti Mercer
1st runner up: Meredith Boyd
Mrs International: Laine Berry

Here are some pictures from last night and the coronation ball.

Thank you Joe & Leah, I hope I made you proud! To Joey, Clay & Terri...I love you guys!!! Thank you for the laughs and support, fabulous wardrobe & hair/makeup...I felt like Mrs International. Ms Bernee, Jodi, Deshawn...AMAZING DIRECTORS!!!! You all are fabulous. To Mary, Mel & Susanne & Susan and the entire Mrs International Staff, thank you for a wonderful week and fabulous journey. I am and always will be an International gal. You are a class act all the way.

To Andy, I know we all say we will never do it again and I won't make any promises but.....:))))) I love you my Mr International!!!! You are my everything. Today, tomorrow and always!!!!!

TO ALL OF THE LADIES OF THE CLASS OF 2008, Hold your head up high and be proud. You are all amazing ladies and so beautiful inside and out. As Matt reminded us (daily:))) there can only be one winner. In my mind, we all are just for being there. And if anyone ever ask why we do pageantry just turn to them and say..., " YOU DON'T KNOW MY LIFE:))))"

To my friend Laine...what a year this has been. I am so proud of you. I know you really wanted this and I think you will do great things. Rock it this year. Its your time to shine.

Lots of love to all and signing off from Chicago....Deanna & Andy

(very much looking for a week in Florida!!!!! and seeing my babies!!!!!)

Well this is my final post before the big night! We had rehearsals this morning and everything went well. The judges were in attendance and I have to say that Suzy Bootz, Victoria Woods & Kimberly Takla look like contestants themselves. Stunning & classy ladies.

I am heading back to rehearsal but I wanted to say thank you again to my sponsor and GREAT friends, Joe & Leah Peri with SKINN Cosmetics(Dimitri I wish you were here), the Competitive Image for my wonderful wardrobe and Clay Spann for his FABULOUS MAKEUP, my friends & family for their well wishes and most of all...my husband for loving me and being the MOST INCREDIBLE MAN....EVER! (ok so I may never get to give a farewell speech but I just wanted to say THANK YOU!))

To all the ladies of the class of 2008, I never thought 2006 could be replaced. You inspire me. I love you all!!!!! And to LAINE, SHANNON, LORI, AJ, JERVAUN, AUTUMN, DESHAWN, DARLENE, CONNIE, Ang, Rebecca & GRETCHEN and of course Lois Lane....I LOVE YOU ALL.....thank you.

Laine, I am so proud and excited for your photogenic win last night!!!!!

Rebekah- you have been such an amazing representative!

Good luck ladies!!!! Who ever wins is blessed and just do the system proud. It is like no other....

I love you all and almost signing off for the class of 2008!!!!

Deanna

As Wives, Mothers, Daughters, Sisters...we put our heart into everything we do. As contestants in a pageant, we do much the same but we are blessed with the love of those around us as we embark on the journey. Tonight we had prelims and it was a wonderful night. I have said this many times and it holds so true, God has already chosen our parts and in the end there can only be one winner. Regardless of the outcome I am so blessed to have been able to take this journey and share it with those I love.

Andy did a wonderful job of walking me across the stage tonight. I hope I made him proud!!!! I had some great friends whom I love dearly (and Andy who is my best friend:))) remind me to smile and enjoy the night and I did. Joe and Leah, thank you for being here! It means the world to us!!!!

Laine won photogenic.

Here are a few pictures from the day.

Lots of love-

Morning rehearsal is over. The judges stopped by to see how the rehearsals were going. Heading out soon for the afternoon rehearsal. The men will be joining us this afternoon after the Gentlemen's Orientation!

Back in my room. Rehearsal went well. I am having a allergic reaction so my eyes are not looking there best but we are pressing on!!!!!

The production number is fabulous. I am excited and just continuing to do my best!!!!

God bless and please pray for the safe travels of all the families and friends arriving this week.

Heading off to the 2nd Rehearsal!

Well, my interview is over and the judges are wonderful. Everyone left the room feeling great, relaxed and excited. It feels great to be past that as I do think it is the most nerve wrecking part!!!!! I will post the judges tonight but I will say they are a VERY impressive group with welcoming hearts.

My day started off with an allergy attack and besides all the redness and looking like a cabage patch doll, I hope and pray it went well. My journey has already been determined by God but I hope I did us all proud but most of all I did my best.

I am sorry I don't have more photos of all of the ladies as we are in groups. Arkansas was in our group also and I just want to say she is a doll and I love her! I just didn't catch her earlier enough for the shot but she looked BEAUTIFUL (as all Bernee's queens do!!!!!!)

Rehearsal tonight and then tomorrow rehearsal and prelims.

To Andy, thank you for being the love of my life and the strawberries after interview!!!!!! You love, belief and support makes me a better person daily.

To Marcia, Tom, Mic, Carrie, Tom, Lois & Todd....THANK YOU FOR THE WELL WISHES, WE LOVE YOU!

Jervaun- I wish you were here!!! Thank you for your love, thoughts and prayers!

Mom & Dad...I hope I am making you proud! I feel your love and encouragement...I miss you but your here.

Well, what a busy and great day and I am exhausted, excited and enjoying this week immensely!!!! I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so much love, family & friends. Thank you for all the well wishes!!!!

I also want to say thank again my sponsor Joe & Leah Peri and Dimitri James from SKINN Cosmetics for your love, support, belief and fabulous wardrobe!!!! God has our journey planned out but you make me feel like a queen daily. I love you all.

(shameless plug moment but SKINN launches on Shop NBC next weekend. Don't forget to tune in! Tonight I wore peacocks for you!!!! NBC!!!! :))))


Tonight we had a wonderful dinner! Thank you so much to the International family for making this week so amazing!!!!! What a class act all the way!!!


I am off to prepare for my interview tomorrow and get some sleep!!!!! Wish me luck!!!!

Lots of love to all!

Deanna & Andy