Mrs. Maryland Pageant

I know, I know, it's taken me forever to post...can I blame it on the kids ;-) I seem to be doing that a lot lately. At the beginning of April I traveled to Maryland to judge the Mrs. Maryland Int'l pageant. It has been a lot of fun traveling to these different states and getting to spend time with some of the ladies I competed with last July in Chicago. Sherry ran a wonderful pageant... great contestants and I throughly enjoyed my time. Greg flew in after I was done with my "responsibilities" and we had ourselves a little vacation - we needed it after all that has gone down the past few months. Those will be stories shared on another blog post.

On her way to Miss America...

So, bear with me as I go back in time and start blogging from last month...I'm finally settling into the swing of things with two babies. I'm becoming a champ at major multitasking during nap time;-) A few weeks before Miss America, Melissa (our current Miss California America) spent some time with me to add some last minute wardrobe to her collection. I know how blessed I've been with so many people who have loaned/given and helped me on my way to pageants with all the items I needed...so it was a pleasure to be able to do the same for a wonderful girl like Melissa. If any of you saw the Miss America Reality Check on TLC you can see the transformation they did on her...super cute hair cut. I'm proud to report she made it to the final 6! Congratulations Melissa!

Miss Teen USA

I had a blast with my gal Judy (Mrs. Nevada Int'l) at the Miss Teen USA Pageant which happened to be held close by in Pasadena at the end of August. Gaspar happened to have extra tickets to the show that he graciously gave Judy & me. Among those I saw/met, Scott Grossman - the choreographer from back when I did USA, Casey McClain - former Miss California Teen USA, Mrs. CA & Miss Ca Int'l (just recently crowned at Eddie's pageant) & Stephanie Brink - Former Miss Ca Teen USA & her parents which are the pastor's of the church in which I grew up. At the after party I met Miss Teen USA Katie Blair (I actually met her earlier in the week at an MTV reality show she was taping), along with Rachel Smith, Miss USA - you might remember the big fall at Universe? but she certainly recovered well and is absolutely gorgeous in person...and to wrap it all up, Miss Universe - Riyo Mori.

Dothan, Alabama

This week I flew out to Dothan, Alabama for my official photo shoot as Mrs. International. Part of my prize package is a photo shoot with Clay Spann. I was so excited about this b/c his work is absolutely amazing. He truly knows how to capture the most beautiful images of a person and not only is he the photographer but the hair and makeup artist too! I've always wanted to do a photo shoot that was "high fashion" and not just the typical pageant head shot and I must say...high fashion it was. I can not wait for you all to see some of these pictures. Joey, who heads up the wardrobe side of the business donated a $10,000 wardrobe for me!!! For having only met me at nationals, he sure had a feel for my style b/c the pieces he bought for me were right up my alley. From designer pantsuits to elaborate couture evening gowns...I was a kid in a candy store. The whole day of the shoot was too much fun, I wish it didn't have to end. If you're interested in working with Competitive Image (Clay & Joey's business) don't wait till the last minute, they are in high demand and some women book appointments up to a year in advance! I can see why though, they really know what they're doing in all aspects of making you feel and look great.
So, where are pictures from my trip you ask?? After forgetting my camera in my hotel room and Terry so graciously going to get it for me, I realized I left my photo chip in the computer...so, no pics :-( You'll just have to wait to see the official ones.

Long Beach Press Telegram

The Fri. before I left for New Mexico I had a phone interview with staff writer, Adam Pringle, of the Long Beach Press Telegram. Here's a link to the article: Click here

Aerial Tram Palm Springs

After Fri. nights talent show we were all whisked away in Limos to take the Aerial Tram of Palm Springs to the Peaks Restaurant where we enjoyed our dinner. The pictures of the tram ride didn't turn out as it was very dark. I can say this... the ride was an absolute hoot! Every time it dipped at a crossing point all the ladies would scream...since you couldn't really hold onto anything we were all teetering about in heels but that made it even more fun and memorable. The food was fantastic, lots of yummy finger foods of all different types of cuisine. The views were amazing on the tram, it actually rotates as it is ascending/descending. Greg and I want to go back and ride it during the daytime although it probably is scary since you would really be able to see everything...thank you Eddie for creating such a special night for me & all of the contestants!

Cal. Intl. Talent Showcase

Tonight we held the first ever Peterson Productions Talent Showcase. Twelve of the contestants from the different divisions, Teen-Miss-Mrs. performed. Acts ranged from singing & dancing to Karate & Hula. Hillary Gushwa won the $500 cash prize with an outstanding piano performance.

Mrs. Cali group photo

On Fri. afternoon I took pictures with the ladies vying for the title of Mrs. California International. Although our numbers were smaller this year, it was a competitive group of ladies.
Here are the ladies in order of the group shot:
Kari Jackson (Bakersfield), Natalia Miller (Desert Hot springs), Melanie Demure (El Dorado Hills), Tiffany Garvin (Folsom), Me, Helene Morris (Fullerton), Vicki Trudel (Rancho Cucamonga), Stevi McShane (Sacramento), Tamala Kelly (San Gabriel), Janice McQueen Ward (Santa Monica).
The two girls with me in the pictures are my little proteges :-) Actually, Rachel was a former 8th grade student of mine that contacted me a year or so ago interested in doing pageants. I've had such a wonderful time mentoring her...and not just in regards to pageantry. She choose the platform "Abstinence Education - you're worth the wait" and I'm so proud of her and her accomplishments leading up to this week. Kelsey decided just two weeks ago that she was going to participate...she's never done a pageant let alone seen one! But, she really wanted to try it out for the experience and I was very proud of her courage going into something so foreign and without the help of any family. Though she didn't have the family support that most teens have she had my whole family as well as Rachel's rooting her on and I think she realizes she's going to be able to accomplish whatever she sets her sights on.

CBS 2 "Eye on the Desert" interview

Mary and I kicked off the start of the California International Pageants with an interview on CBS 2's entertainment show "Eye on the Desert". We had fun being interviewed by the shows host, Patrick, about our year, platforms, and the upcoming pageant this weekend. I can't believe a year has already flown by...where does the time go??

The Royal We Prize Package

I came home today and had another fun surprise awaiting me on my doorstep. A big brown box from The Royal We was delivered to me full of super cute T's, tanks, hat, adorable "queen" undies, a jogging suit & robe. All the items are embroidered with crowns & Queen. This "queen" business is too much fun - I love it! If you get a chance, check out their website, they have lots of fun things for all of us Queens out there :-)

Pageantry Magazine Article

A month before I left for the Mrs. International pageant I had the opportunity to do an interview with Tanya Hutchison, a columnist for the magazine and former Mrs. California. The magazine comes out quarterly and this is a sneak preview of the article in which I was featured.
click here to see the article.

A special surprise

After a long day of interviews & traveling, I came home only to find the most beautiful bouquet of flowers from my new directors Mel & Mary with a card saying, "Welcome to the family"...what a wonderful surprise.

Hope you have the time...

...and yet another slideshow from Kimberly a.k.a. Mrs. Alaska - these include shots of her and Idaho arriving, North Shore Performing Arts Center & our orientation.


Mrs International 2007

Cocktail dinner Pics

As you can see, Kimberly, Mrs. Alaska, was busy catching shots of all of us - I'm so glad, b/c she preserved so many fun memories for many of us.


Mrs International 2007 Day 2 Cocktail Dinner

More Pics from Gurnee Mills-compliments of Kimberly

So my good friend Mrs. Alaska - Kimberly was the photographer extrodinaire during pageant week and has been sending me all these great photos...enjoy!


Mrs International Gurnee Mills

Miss & Teen International Pageant

It's amazing how long and hard you work toward a goal and when that time finally comes it literally goes into warp speed. Tonight was the final pageant for the Miss & Teen contestants and I now have two new sister queens to share my year. The new Miss Teen International 2007 is Alexandra DeSantis (Teen Ohio) and the new Miss International 2007 is Whitney Kudela (Miss Georgia). Again, I don't have any shots from the pageant itself, just shots afterwards. I had the privilege of introducing the prelim winners and the courts of honor at the coronation ball this evening and am truly enjoying getting to know the staff and directors of other state pageants as well as the families and other contestants. I'm looking forward to a wonderful year!

Miss Intl Prelims

Tonight was my "official first appearance" as Mrs. International. I had the privilege of sitting in the "box" with Mel & Mary, my new directors. I must say it was nice to be sitting on this side of the stage without any pressure to perform. Mary, our Miss California did a great job tonight...I personally think she has the best walk of all the gals and truly worked the stage tonight. She made us very proud. Unfortunately, I can't take pictures during the actual pageant so here are some shots from afterwards with my sister queens.

And the winner is....

I think I'm still in a bit of shock to think that I was blessed to be honored with the position of Mrs. International 2007. The group of women that I became acquainted with this week were extraordinary and I am humbled to be their representative. The night started out with the announcement of the top 10 after our opening number. I was called third. Right after the announcements we changed into our onstage interview outfits to answer a question regarding our platform. I was asked about Heart Gallery and how I would implement it on a national level. We moved right into fitness, wearing a green two piece aerobic wear outfit. The final element, my favorite, was evening gown. The part I likeed best was being escorted by my husband Greg. There's just something so calming about seeing him meeting me in the middle of that stage and helping me up the stairs that puts me in the right frame of mind. Just as quickly as the evening started it was practically over and they began announcing the runners up...beginning with fourth, Melissa Zwilling, Mrs. Gulf States, third - Jessica Smith, Mrs. Colorado, second - Terrianne Small, Mrs. Maryland, first - Kecia Pringle, Mrs. Ohio. Six of us remained on stage and moved closer to the center waiting for that last name to be called...and when I heard my name I was truly shocked...you hope to win, but you know it's a long shot, there are so many qualified women. I am excited to get started on furthering my work with Heart Gallery on a national level and to see what God has in store for this amazing opportunity I've been granted. Thank you to all who have supported me with your prayers and encouragement it has meant the world to me.

Final night rehearsals...

The week has flown by and already we are on the last day with just a few hours to go before the pageant.

Prelims