LA Literacy Week

I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in Louisiana Literacy Week, by visiting 2 schools in NW LA. Calvary Baptist and Central Elementary invited me in to read to a few classes. What a joy for me as I was a teacher for 7 years, so it was so much fun to be able to interact with these precious kiddos! I read to a 4th grade class- No More Homework Excuses 1st grade- Little Ant and Kindergarten- 17 Things I'm Not Allowed to Do Anymore Great stories with a purpose. A special thank you to these campus' for allowing me to be a part of their week- What a treasure!!!

RIO ROCKS!!!!- Feb. 2-6

Rio parade day trolley ride

King and Queen of RIO

The KING and his friends!

Evening fireworks and festivities

Festive Nuns praying for our Saints!

Radio station #2

Over 30 pairs of beads for Muhammad- so precious!

Mini Parade at hospital

Children's Hospital- gotta love that sweet smile!

I had the great honor to be selected the Grand Marshal for the Krewe of Rio in Lafayette, LA. I enjoyed a week of festivities and appearances leading up to parade day. The most special memory for me will be the visit to the Women's and Children's Hospital of Lafayette. It truly made me reflect on how blessed we are to have a healthy little boy in Gabriel. My continued prayers go to the sweet families we met that day. From 2 radio apprearances, and 2 TV apprearances, then a concert with fireworks and the key to the city all led to the big day! We boarded a trolley and headed downtown for face painting and lunch with of course great music. King Don Pedro and Queen Isabella were fabulous and the Captain Mrs. Rebecca was so kind and sweet all weekend really making me feel at home and a part of Rio! I will say I don't think I have ever been as cold as I was in that costume before the parade- Thanks Dad for the hand warmers and bodysuit- they were life savers. This was a once in a lifetime experience that I am so thankful for and will NEVER forget. Seeing my family as the float approached all cheering me on and waving was so special- I love you guys and RIO ROCKS!!!

Krewe of Rio Mardi Gras Ball- Motown 2010!

WOW! that's the words that came from us all this past weekend at the Rio Ball! It was true Carnival at it's best with fireworks, pyrotechnics, live percussion band, motown music, and a mini parade. The Krewe of Rio pulled out all the stops to create an unforgettable evening for everyone. Thank you to Rebecca and her gang for making me feel so welcome and truly apart of the Rio family. Mrs June was a doll to take care of me and my family all evening. Parade week is around the corner and I am looking forward to all of the festivites that are in store. Special thank you to my dad, sylvia, and stacey for being with me this evening and all year long, and an extra special thank you to my wonderfully handsome husband- you make me feel like a queen everyday- I love you!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

October Appearances

These are the GORGEOUS 5 Carat Diamond earrings I wore all evening-

Thank you Stuller Jewelers!

Washington Parish Fair- it was in the 50's and we were OUTSIDE!

Did I look cold? I WAS!

Mosely and Hollard Fashion show- these were the other ladies modeling

Council women from the district they were so welcoming!

I'm a Good Kid Too- event with Miss LSU

The winner of the diamond necklace raffled off that evening.

Virginia Alexander and his BEAUTIFUL purse, I believe he said was made from silver and gold- he is designing one for me to carry for the Krewe of Rio Mardi Gras ball!!!!

Diamonds and Champagne Gala- the lady of the house Anna Cefalu far left

Miss Camila City Pageant- Prelim to Miss LA USA/Teen USA-judges and winners

Even though the month is not over I thought I needed to update! At one point I had NOTHING on my calendar and it seemed to magically POOF get real busy, real fast- which I love. Right after I returned home I was asked to judge the Miss Camelia City pageant a prelim for Miss LA USA and Teen USA- it was a great night and I can't wait to see the girls compete at the end of the month1 I had the wonderful opportunity to participant in the Diamonds and Champagne night to benefit the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra. This included a live jewelry auction, to which I doned a pair of 5 CARAT diamond earrings. I tried to convince Tim I needed them, but he wasn't buying- literally! A great time was had by all. Also in October I attended the " I'm a Good Kid Too" camp and recognition ceremony in honor of children who were making the right choices in life, despite their circumstances. It was a wonderful morning in Baton Rouge with the kids and several of the council women from that area. I was then asked to partake in the fashion show for Mosely and Hollard for Women at the Lafayette Decorators Showhouse- this boutique was gracious enough to sponsor my interview suit for Mrs. LA and Mrs. America! They are a fabulous store check them out! But what truly made this special was my Dad and Step-Mom are the builders of the beautiful home the style show was held at- plus my family was there! Lastly, I was honored to return home to Washington Parish and emcee the Washington Parish Fair Queens contest. There were 17 young ladies competing that night- it was a packed fair grounds on a beautiful fall night! What more could you ask for? I was able to spend time with my Mom and reminisce of days traveling as fair and festival queens- and see a few people I had not seen in probably a good 10 years! I have one more appearance this month and the rest of my time is spent with Gabe and work! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Mrs America Slideshow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The above slide show is a great synopisis of my Mrs America experience, but it is rather long. Although I did not make top 10, I had the time of my life! This was the most incredible group of women/friends that I will have forever. Louisiana did walk away as the state costume WINNER! Thanks goes to Rebecca from the Lafayette Krewe of Rio for loaning me her incredible outfit. A little side note- the zipper BUSTED in the costume as I was dressing for competition and beautiful Mrs Illinois safety pinned me in the dress! She was a lifesaver, she kept me from lossing it- she has a beautiful spirit about her!



A very special thank you to my family- you will never truly understand the gratitute and love I have for each of you. This would NEVER have happened without you ALL! To the family that traveled to Tucson- Tim, Momma, Lindsey, Dad, Sylvia, Brandon, Matthew, and Christian words cannot express how awesome it was to have you there cheering me on- the flags and signs were fabulous! Louisiana definitely had the best cheering section! Mom and Lindsey thanks for keeping me calm and helping with hair/make-up and EVERYTHING else I needed. Dad and Sylvia- you 2 were my rocks as I prepared for this journey I don't know that I would have made it without you both. And lastly to Tim my Mr. Louisiana- I love you more than you will ever understand, your smile alone speaks volumes- Thank you for the dress to wear on my Big Day at Mrs America- it was the talk!



To all at home who were unable to travel with me- Thank you thank you thank you for all your cards, flowers, text messages that kept me going this week. My wonderful in law- Greg and Lettie I am so blessed to have you, you keeping Gabe at home meant I didn't have to worry, especially on his birthday. I love you both.



I am thrilled to be home back to normal being a wife, mom, co-worker, friend, and still Mrs. Louisiana! I look forward to the rest of my year serving my GREAT STATE!

Jen

Prelims!- ENJOY

Here are some pictures from preliminary competition tonight! Enjoy

Interview Day

OK well I have exhausted 3 sets of batteries and 2 cameras! We have had long days and sorry for not posting. I went to pull pics from camera tonight and well you must have battery to take them off-so NO pics still. I will post the rest of my pictures from my time in Arizona when I return home Wed. Thank you for all of your support and encouragement- Interview went FABULOUS today and I really enjoyed the conversations I had with all of the judges. Keep your fingers crossed and the prayers coming as prelims are tomorrow. My family will post on facebook so be on the look out!