Reunited and It Feels So GOOD

Yesterday I headed down to Hannibal bright and early with my sister and mom.  I was finally reunited with my sister queens (Heartland/Gateway St. Louis/Chesterfield Valley girls) and our directors.  

We started our day off with a mock interview.  Later, we worked on our strut.  Finally, we did a talent review and picked out our songs for Miss MO.  It was so exciting to start prepping for June!

After our pageant prep, we headed to our director's house and had a girls night!  Eating Mexican food, playing the Minute to Win It card game, and watching Pitch Perfect were just some of the best highlights from the night.  Getting to bond with these amazing girls and having a weekend to relax was much needed and incredibly fun!  Although we are a competitive and momentarily idiotic group (Yes, there are 26 letters in the alphabet), we are going to have such a great year!

After being the first one asleep and woken up by Keitt, Ray Ray, and Phillip, we enjoyed delicious eggs and pancakes for breakfast.  We then headed out to Mexico, MO to watch Miss Missouri, Tippe Emmot's, wardrobe showing for Miss America.  She looked stunningly beautiful in all of her attire!  She is going to represent our state so well in Las Vegas. 

I hope everyone has a safe and happy new year!

"A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same."
~Elbert Hubber

Amanda (Miss Heartland), Me, Anna (Miss Heartland's OT), Jenn (Miss Gateway St. Louis), Stephanie (Miss Chesterfield Valley), and Brooke (Miss Gateway St. Louis's OT) at Miss MO's Send-Off Party

Spreading the Christmas Cheer

Yesterday morning I headed out to Assumption Parish's St. Vincent DePaul Society to help organize Christmas baskets for the local families in need.  We filled each box with pastas, snacks, cake mixes, soup, canned fruits and vegetables, stuffing, and much more.  With so many helping hands, we got done very quickly, and families were able to pick up their baskets later in the day.  This experience reminded me that I need to keep in mind the true meaning of Christmas even when the world around us tries to avoid it.  These next 4 days couldn't go by faster!  I hope everyone has a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! :)

"Not all of us can do great things.  But we can do small things with great love."
~Mother Teresa

Helping organize the Christmas Baskets

I was the Stuffing Queen. 

Thank you Sarah for waking up early to help us out!

A Night of Fun at the Magic House

Last night I was able to meet some of the CMN Miracle Families and play with the kids at the Magic House!  From playing cashier to being a detective, I was able to be a kid again and take a break from my hectic life.  Stephanie, Anna, and I made many new friends including Hannah and Hayden which we look forward to working with throughout this year!  

"Blessed is he who has learned to laugh at himself, for he shall never cease to be entertained."
~John Powell

Anna, Stephanie, and I playing in the Nursery

My favorite part...The Blues Zone!

Anna, Stephanie, and I

CMN Miracle Families

Playing pizzeria...Yummm