Northstar

May 10th, 2011

Our wonderful Mrs. Colorado director, Emily Stark, has two sweet twin daughters.  The girls, Sydney and Lexi, attend Northstar academy in Parker and were putting on a special Colorado History production at their school.  They so graciously invited me to attend as their guest.  What a special event to be a part of and I actually learned many things I didn't know about Colorado.  I was given a chance to talk to the children about who I was and what I had been doing.  Thank you so much for the warm welcome and special honor.



with Emily's girls, Sydney and Lexi, and a few of their girlfriends



A Special Mother's Day

May 8th, 2011

Mother's day has always been a special holiday for our family and this year was no exception, except for the fact that my Mrs. America adventure would be aired on national television.

I am blessed with a large family and one that has decided to live within the same area code, BOTH sides of the family!  We started the beautiful Sunday by attending church with my in laws and after gathered at my mother's for an early dinner and viewing party.  What a great way to spend the day and to celebrate the women in my family.  I am who I am because of the beautiful, strong, and compassionate women I call grandma and mom.

with sisters Julia, Samantha and Courtney and Mom and Grandma
Very special women in my life!

I was extremely excited to relive my Mrs. America  experience and to see how our fifteen days would fit into a two hour special.  What a treasure I will have to share with others for years to come.  What an amazing ending to an incredible adventure, receiving 2nd runner up at Mrs. America.

enjoying every minute of being on stage at Mrs. America.

Hattitude

May 4th, 2011
Diane from Soignee, whom I met last month shooting the Her Life magazine spread, invited me to attend the annual fundraising event, Hattitude.  She had two spots at her table, one for me and the other for Emily.  I have never attended, only heard great things about this event which raises funds for women in theater.
Around 600 people gathered for the afternoon festivities sporting their beautiful outfits and matching hats.  We had a lovely lunch, exciting entertainment, and the gorgeous Denise Plante emceeing the event.



with some of the amazing women I spent the afternoon with at Hattitude



Just the Begining

Less than two months into my year as Mrs. Colorado and things seem to be going really well.  I am incredibly busy, yet working on finding balance between my first priority as wife/mom and my new role as Mrs. Colorado.   This has only been possible because of the amazing support system I have and have created.  There are times that are more difficult than others, when I can see my children needing a little more mommy time, but all in all it has been just as I had hoped. 


Manor House Bridal Event
May 1st, 2011

Raeanne, a queen sister and owner of  The Royal Image Boutique, has a bridal event scheduled at the Manor House.  I jump at the chance to parade around in bridal gowns and beautiful bridesmaid dresses.   What girl does not love the idea of a wedding, even after 11 years of marriage I envision the day I will renew my vows.......someday!
The Royal Image Boutique is located in Wheat Ridge and has a wide selection of prom, pageant, and bridal gowns.


Wearing one of the beautiful reception gowns provided by Royal Image Boutique






MAY 2011

A change of Seasons

As I sit and look over my calander and focus in on the month of May, a flood of emotions are stirred up.

I am happy, after all May is my personal birthday month and within this great month there are five other family members who also celebrate their birthdays.  We also have two special holidays within the month of May, Mother's Day and Memorial Day and this means we will be gathering with family and friends.

I am overwhelmed, my calander looks as though a pen has attacked it with the many appointments, parties, appearances, meetings, and dinners that seem to fill up my days.

I am excited, I have ten appearances as Mrs. Colorado scheduled.  What a great month to get out into the community and experience something new. 

I am confused, my children are ending a school year and for me that means they are getting older and one year closer to leaving the house.  Rationally, I know I still have time until that officially happens, and I also know that it is the way of life to love and encourage your children to become self- sufficient adults, but a season shift is quickly approaching and I am not always good with change. 
My baby, my sweet little girl will graduate Pre-K, which means she will enter Kindergarten this coming fall.  I will have three children at the elementary school for the first time.  I am happy and excited that they are successful and moving along brilliantly within the education system, but a part of me is sad that the work I have done for the past nine years being a "stay at home" mom will be coming to an end.  This is what I have known, this is what I am used to, this is what I am good at!

I am celebrating, school is ending which means it is summer.  I love having the kids home to find adventures, swim in the pool, stay up late, and sleep in.

I am inspired, I will take this change in season to again rediscover who I am.  What do I want to do, what do I like to do, and what will I do. 

I am blessed, life is good!!

My three precious babies who give me a reason to walk the walk.



I love being a sideline mom
 and seeing our baby proudly wear the family name.



Back from Nationals

Care 4 Kids

April 27th, 2011

I was honored and excited to be asked by Valentina Anderson, also a Mrs. Colorado contestant, to attend her event.  Valentina is a special woman who has a huge heart and spends much of her time raising funds and awareness for the organization, Care 4 Kids worldwide, which focuses on the essential and lifesaving needs of children in poverty.
This particular event was held at Little Europe restaurant in Denver where we indulged in traditional Russian cuisine and had the opportunity to bid on some great auction items.  The proceeds from this event went towards new playground equipment for an orphanage in Ukraine.  It was a huge success!



with Julia Bourlakou and her family.  She organized the event.



with Valentina Anderson and Julia Bourlakou

Delish Demure

April 28th, 2011

I am part of the group Douglas County Divas, which is a networking group.  The Divas hosted an event at an upscale and cheeky boutique in the DTC area called Delish Demure.  This is a great place to shop for that one of a kind outfit for any special occasion.  I had a great time visiting with everyone.

with the lovely ladies from Delish Demure

Miss Teen Colorado World Pageant

April 30th, 2011

The first year I competed I had the privilege of standing next to the one and only Christina Sacha, who that same year went on to win the title of Mrs. Colorado 2008.  I look up to and respect Christina for so many reasons, so when I was asked to make an appearance at her debut as the director for the Miss Teen Colorado World Pageant I was thrilled.
Christina has grown up in pageants and has held many titles over the years, she has judged, and also coached, but this has been a dream of hers for some time, to have her own pageant.
I love these types of appearances, it is a chance for me to see many of my queen sisters, to get completely dolled up, and to be a part of another person's life changing experience.  It was a fabulous evening, Christina and her crew did an amazing job, the contestants were all beautiful, and a new Miss Teen Colorado World was crowned.

Congratulations to all the contestants and to the new Miss Teen Colorado World queen, Victoria Korthuis.

with the new Miss Teen Colorado World 2011, Victoria Korthuis

 

with Heidi Hume, Miss Teen Colorado World 2010

with Megan McCarter, Mrs. Colorado 2009

with Shalon Polson, Mrs. Colorado 2010

Mrs. America

Competition Photos
April 11th - April 14th

Here are a few competition photos from Mrs. America.

My group of five right after interview.

My state costume, a mountain biker.
Yes, the bike was extremely heavy.



State Costume competition




Competing in swimsuit

Swimsuit competition on preliminary night

We kicked off  finals by marching through the audience carrying our state flags.
It was a very proud moment for me.



Right after being called into the top ten.
They went on to call an additional 5.




 Ccompeting in top 15 during finals.
After being announced into top 15, we had to quickly change into different colored swimsuits.



Top 6






Answering a top 6 question.
We were asked to use one word to describe how we were feeling,
I said:  Surreal.

Competing in top 6



Top 3, waiting to hear the results.



Mrs. Florida, April Lufriu, is crowned Mrs. America 2011
What an amazing women!!



Top 15




Top 6



Top 3





An Experience of a Lifetime

Mrs. America
March 31st - April 15th, 2011

As I browse through my pictures and reflect on my time spent at Mrs. America, I am taken back to an indescribable experience.  It was nothing like I thought it would be, it was so much more.  No words or pictures can even come close to describing my adventure.  The feelings or emotions  I felt during the fifteen days I spent at Mrs. America are similar to that of being on a roller coaster.  I was excited, thrilled, exhausted, nervous, homesick, pumped and READY!! 
The most challenging part of this whole thing had to be the packing.  Fifteen days with sometimes several activities a day and also accounting for weather, plus accessories, this was a huge job! : )

Ready to head out the door for Mrs. America



These two boxes  full of clothes and shoes were shipped in addition to what I brought on the airplane.
This picture is what they looked like returning home, pretty beat up!



I arrived in West Virginia and was ready and open to what ever happened.  The outcome was already determined, I just needed to do what I had prepared to do, and let it unfold.  I think this attitude is what helped me the most during my days spent at Mrs. America.
I met my roommate, Mrs. California- Jennifer Glava that first day and was so excited to find we had many things in common.  I have found a lifelong friend in her, as well as, in many other ladies.  I enjoyed meeting many of the state representatives and hearing about their goals during their reign.  What amazing women.

My roommate, Jen, and I receiving our opening number dresses.



with Mrs. Minnesota, Mrs. South Dakota, and Mrs. Montana at one of our formal dinners



with Mrs. Connecticut, Mrs Rhode Island, Mrs. California and Mrs. South Dakota in the lobby after lunch




with Mrs. Michigan, Mrs. DC, Mrs. California, Mrs. Delaware, and Mrs. Hawaii at one of our cocktail parties.
It was so much fun getting dressed up for the evening events.




with Mrs. Nevada, Mrs. Maine, Mrs. California and Mrs. Idaho at our Habitat for Humanity Building project.
The little boy, who we were building the home for, came out that day and handed out safety goggles to us.
Very fashionable!!





all of the girls at the Habitat for Humanity Build

 


We were taken in groups to experience the many activities offered at the Greenbrier.
Our group getting ready to go horse back riding.




with Mrs. Minnesota, Mrs. New Hampshire, Mrs. Hawaii, and Mrs. Kentucky at our dignitary dinner.
We presented our state gifts to the owner of the Greenbrier, Jim Justice.



with Mrs. Delaware, Mrs. Hawaii, and Mrs. California getting ready to hit the greens.
We had fun practicing our golf swings.




with Mrs. Vermont, Mrs. Utah, Mrs West Virginia, Mrs. New York and Mrs. Florida
exploring the beautiful shops at the Greenbrier




with DianeTucker, Mrs World 2007, at our orientation dinner.




with Mrs. Hawaii, Mrs. Florida, Mrs. California, and Mrs. Idaho getting ready to have dinner



Our time spent rehearsing for the show seemed monotonous and exhausting, but looking back those are some of my most fondest memories.  It was a chance for us to learn something new, like a dance routine, a chance for us to get to know each other, without the competition on our minds, and a chance to experience something that so few would ever get the opportunity to, and appreciate the honor.

with Mrs. Rhode Island during one of our MANY rehearsals



with Mrs. Kansas, Mrs. California, Mrs. Hawaii, Mrs. Connecticut, and Mrs. Florida
taking a very quick break from rehearsals to grab some lunch.



with my roomie, Mrs. California, enjoying high tea, which was held every day at 4pm

What a wonderful tradition, the exchanging of state gifts.
Everyone is to bring a gift from their state, it was like Christmas all over again!

Florence and her daughter, Barbara, rehearsing for the big show

with Mrs. Hawaii at rehearsals before preliminary competition

 Having so many loved ones by my side as I crossed the finish line really made this whole journey complete.  I would not be where I am today if in were not for the love and support of my family and friends.  It meant so much to me that they made the trip out to West Virginia.  Team Colorado definitely had the biggest and best supporters.



After the preliminary competition



Having a little fun after finals

with Becca and Sheli

more family

I am so proud of myself and the way everything worked out, of course I would have loved to bring home the title of Mrs. America, but at the end of the day I am just as excited to be Mrs. Colorado 2011.