Mrs International 2012. I made top 10!!!!!!

I really don't know how to begin! I didn't blog
much last week or even take photos because I just wanted to be in the moment. Look around, meet new friends, catch up with old one's and snuggle with my family every morning and night. It was an amazing week.

I am sure in retrospect I would of loved to be taller, thinner, younger but hey, I am just me and I am proud of myself. My platform, the American Heart and Stroke Association is my life, and I had so many ladies who came and asked my story and how I knew I was having a heart attack. I didn't but I will tell you when they asked it made me realize why I was there. Hopefully if someone is feeling "different" from a medical perspective, they will be proactive and get checked. It saved my life.

Let me start by saying WOW! What an amazing group of ladies. So beautiful, so true and so inspiring. We all as humans have stories but frankly in a day to day busy world the average person would not take the time to listen. We are all novels.Chapter by chapter.

I met my new BFF :) Sarah Brown, Mrs WV International at orientation. She is 5 months preggers and rocks the belly like no other. Seriously, you would not have known. God put her beside me and yes, I said God. Listen, I have lost both parents,Andy's deployments, had a heart attack, lost children, told my son would never live and if he did it would be Grimm after 165 days in the NICU and he is not so yes GOD.

I am not saying we all would end up in the same place for all of the Gods we fight for and defend but I am a Christian and I believe there is a higher power and I thank him everyday my husband, son, health and happiness. Whomever you bow your head to at a meal time is for you to relish. There is never wrong in a prayer.

I felt all week something different. It was a peace. It was family. I also learned that perhaps vertical stripes are not the best for me and I will never win photogenic but I smiled and laughed a lot.

I woke up everyday, worked out , met my day and my hubby and son where right by my side. Stand Out Salon, Thomas, Drew and Michelle are just great people and gave me color, did my hair and became a part of my family. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Did I say thank you? XXOO.

At dinner, twice, I sat next to Sarah Bazey, your new Mrs International 2012. I remember coming back to my room telling Andy just how amazing she was. Truly beautiful. Her story just is one like no other and although lets face it we all wanted to be Mrs International, Andy said I literally seemed more excited for her than me when she was called into top 16, top 10 and won. I am. I find her one of the most beautiful, engaging, warm and inspiring women I have ever met.She truly sparkled!

Ok, so now a few funny moments in retrospect. They were not so funny at the time but thank goodness for angels. On prelim night, my gown zipper just had a life of its own. I had just zipped it up prior but the zipper fairy was not in my court. Ren from Florida and Nancy Ellen Martin who literally sewed me into my dress just were so incredible. What are the odds that someone would have that skill!!!! So blessed and truly reminded me of the friendships that pageantry builds. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU and thank you to Joey from the Competitive Image for somehow getting it fixed on Saturday. Nancy and Ren, again thank you for not leaving me and love you. To Russia with love, thank you for waking me when I fell asleep in the dressing room at rehearsals:) That will teach me to get up at 4am to work out!

I love love love Clay, Joey and Terri. (and Cloey) I have placed, not placed...regardless they are the BEST when it comes to wardrobe, photos and just being so fab!!!!! Again, family!

My husband (6 out of 7 years of marriage) has been with me at Mrs International. He is my Mr International!!!!! Thank you honey.

Carter love, you are my love and Mommy when I hope you read this one day, wants you to know how special, smart , handsome and incredible you are. You are my Carter love...always and forever.

To AJ (Amy Gregorio), where to begin? You are incredible and I love you. Your love and support are tireless.

To Lori Thomas, thank you for all your support and love. Your coaching, inspiration and belief truly leaves me speechless!
To Holy Ernst, Jervaun Trier, Bill Hall, Deshawn ,Tracey,Laura, Hilary Gushwa(love love love you), Suzy Bootz, Susan Botek ( thank you for my paperwork;)), Joe Peri, Leah Peri, Bill and Argo Campbell and the Mckee's, I am eternally grateful for your love, friendship and belief.

I had an amazing week with an amazing group of ladies. I am blessed

To SC, Audrey, thanks for the memories. I have forever learned to expect the unexpected. No expressions can truly express how I feel.
I am soooo excited for whats to come and remain blessed.

Mrs International 2012 week begins!

DoubleTree Northshore Hilton! Hotel sign nnounced the International Pageants arrival!

The car packed! Have toys will travel!

I am beyond excited to be in Chicago at Mrs International. The past few years have been  journey for me. Deployment,Lois breast cancer (always my hero), Carter's premature birth and 6 mos in the NICU, my own heart attack and surgery and today I found out my Grandmother has stomach Cancer. This is life but the one thing I have learned is to hold on. Hold on to what you believe in, what you believe to be true and the belief that tomorrow will always be better than today. Saying all that, yesterday was pretty darn good!

Josie and Jack ! Halo was in my lap

We arrived in Chicago on Sunday after a great weekend at the in laws with friends (and to drop off the furry family because I don't kennel:). My poor husband is so amazing as he loaded and unloaded the car. He deserves huge props!!!! Patient is an understatement! We have been married 7 years and 6 of those we have spent at the International pageants in Chicago. So do I want to be Mrs International, heck yeah!!!!! Are we ready for the job....HECK YEAH! I do realize that to some it might seem crazy but the International system has gotten me through a lot because it has given me a voice and the legs to impact lives and make change. It truly is a system that promotes family, faith and service.  Regardless of the outcome, I am sooooo blessed to be surrounded by the love of my family and friends, to have the MOST AMAZING SON and HUBBY and to just have been given the opportunity.

Willis Tower

With all of that being said, we are making the most of it! Yesterday we went to Willis Tower after my morning workout. I try and work out at least 6 days a week for my heart health and of course fitness. Its hard to believe that although I lived in Chicago back when it was the Sears Tower, I never went. Funny how sometimes we don't take the time to see what is in our back yard. I will admit, I did fight it a bit with my hubby because I am terrified of heights but for him and Carter I put on my big girl 5 inch heels and went out on the ledge. Literally! I just did not look down!!!! We had some lunch and then headed back to the hotel.

Last night I saw the amazing team from Stand Out Salon and then I was off to bed.



I attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in California but was accepted into Second City. A missed opportunity for me for sure! I love comedy. A laugh can cure a million ailments! Chicago has been the launch pad for so many great artist!!!!!

Gym time this morning and some iced coffee and today began. I am trying to give my hubby some time to see a movie etc today because once orientation begins tonight at 6pm, the week will fly by!!!!!

Excited to meet the ladies tonight!!!!!