Two more babies.

The work of Save Abanondoned Babies and the Safe Haven Alliance is to promote both laws and education so newborns can be safely relinquished. All but two states have laws in place. We're still hunting down Nebraska and Alaska. It will happen. It must. Here in Illinois we had two more babies brought to Safe Havens this month. Those are two babies who are now with families who will fully adopt them within 60-days.What an amazing holiday gift! Thank you to these mothers who cared enough to make sure their newborns were safe. www.saveabandonedbabies.org www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org

Congratulations Mrs. NY US!

This weekend I travelled to Niagara Falls, N.Y. to watch my friend Lori Donaudy pass on the title of Mrs. New York United States. Lori has been an incredible queen! She is the best. Her director, Sheila Strassburg, is also amazing and held a great show. She made sure every one of the ladies had a good time and didn't walk away empty handed.

Several of us had the chance to meet up for lunch the days of the finals. Among us was none other than Mrs. United States herself, Stephanie Hunt. The Mrs. US crown is a substantial one. Stephanie it was fun meeting your family. I love that your husband wears a picture of you in crown on a shirt! He may make a U of M fan out of me yet. I also had the chance to meet one of Lori's dear friends Amy Bell. She was Mrs. NY US 2001. We're both are named Amy and we both have husbands named John. Coincidence? I hope to see more of her out there in pageantland soon;)

What competition! I will post pictures so you can see what I am talking about. In the end, Melissa Ognibene won the title. Congrats pretty lady! It's easy to see you have a great heart and a lot you will accomplish this next year.

Pictures:
1)Lori and I
2)The two Amy's
3)Top 8 Finalists
4)The New Mrs. NY!
5)Mrs. US and royalty

My baby is 2 years old???

It's not fair! John is a little boy now and I must face it. He is such a little character. He spent most of his birthday deconstructing his Thomas the Train set. He carried that train with him everywhere and even tried to smuggle it into his bed. We had to be super sneaky about slipping it out of his tight grip. That child is strong! The last couple of years have flown by us. Before I know it, he will be dating and driving. There will be graduations and grand babies...but for now and ever, he will remain MY baby.

Happy Halloween!

This is our little man as half lion, half boy. He refused to wear the mane. I can't say I blame him. Dignity people!

Isn't She Lovely!

Congratulations Michelle! One of my best friends came out to Vegas to support me at Mrs. US. So it was my time to return the favor. She had always wanted to give a pageant a try in spite of her fear of being on stage. So in two month’s time she crammed all the pageant knowledge she could and this weekend she competed in a state Mrs. International competition. She was lovely and she did such a great job on stage. Many of the ladies had done other pageants before so she was in great company. In the end, she won People’s Choice. She was so proud that she had, “SURVIVED,” being on stage. Now, as for whether she will ever do a pageant again?? Chell had a great experience which is all I wanted for her. So here’s to Michelle-my Queen.
Pictures:
1) Michelle no far right with some of the other Mrs. delegates
2)Pre-pageant. Rona, Chell's hubby, me,and Chell's mom all anxiously wait!
3)Michelle post pageant in her evening gown.

Know More, Do more!

I was honored to MC the kick off of a major campaign here in Chicago called, "Know More, Do More." Nielsen, the Chicago Police Dept, and Chicago Public Schools have started a new program to combat Teen Dating Violence. This is the first year for the program that is peer-assisted. Each high school will eventually have a group of students who will volunteer their time to creating their own campign to spread education in their school about dating violence. 1 in 5 teen girls will become victims and 40% of teens girls say they know of someone who has been a victim. The program also is aimed at teens working to end violence in general as many times students know what is really brewing in school and can help keep it from becoming national news. The program will start in several chosen schools who recieved grants. There are more than three hundred thousand students in CPS so this is a great way to reach all of them.I also had the chance to introduce an emotional one-woman play called, "The Yellow Dress." It was based on the experiences of several victims of dating violence and hit home with much of the audience. In a time when school systmes are being criticized, CPS is moving forward. I have pictures from the event, but they are WAY too dark due to stage lighting.

Happy Anniversary!

My husband and I celebrated our third anniversary last night. We had an amazing dinner at a very Chi Chi restaurant called Gabriel's. It was worth every pound! I'm a lucky gal to have John. The past three years have flown by and we have so much to look forward to!And I can still fit into my wedding dress which is actually a little big...for now.

Time to Reach Out!

Recently the Save Abandoned Babies Foundation was part of the state police expo. It was a great way to reach out to the various agencies statewide and let them know that as of NOW, they (those with 24-hour services)must all have signs posted they are a Safe Haven for newborns to be relinquished. Some did not know they were require by law to have the signs, but everyone was so supportive of the efforts.

Too Busy to Blog!

Man, the last couple of months have FLOWN by. It has been great to be part of a yahoo group that is for the US class of 2007. It helps us all keep updated on one another. We've had alot to pray for and alot to celebrate! Work has been really busy lately and my little man is growing too quickly for my taste! Since I got back from what was Vegas, I have been part of a fashion show that was simply amazing. It was put on by the Service Club of Chicago. This is a dynasty of sorts where the women are of all ages and they help not only raise funds for the organization, but then they distribute it out to those organizations in need. What a crafty idea! So each year they have a fabulous fashion show and I was invited to wear the fall fashions. It's so weird, because on-air I am AJ Sterling. As Mrs. Illinois- I am Amy Gregorio. So who would I be? A little of both it turned out. I wore the latest styles from the likes of Armani and Blu Marine ect. Granted it was at the top notch Pennisula Hotel's garden terrace on the roof, but it was, I don't know, 97 degrees at 10am. Wearing tights and wool coats (some wore fur)was a little hot and a reminder of Vegas. One of the MC's and a true lady fainted from the heat and got banged up. She is just fine. The good news is I did some shopping there, (after all the preps for US, I am a shopper now!) the bad news is, I did a little shopping there.

Speechless...For once!

Let me preface this by saying that my husband is a scratch golfer who competes around the state and country on the amateur level. So he has plenty of silver cups and crystal bowls for his efforts.

We in the top five were given trophies...he was a little surprised that was it given the time and energy everyone in Vegas had devoted. I had not even unpacked and my son got a hold of my trophy. I swear within five minutes he had that disassembled. Can you say ,"Choking hazard?"

Today my husband said he had as surprise for me. Surely he wasn't pregnant?? He said he "wants to make the presentation." Such golfer's talk. He had ordered a crystal trophy for me engraved as Mrs. Illinois 2007. He also had them create this enormous (think the Stanley Cup) crystal Vase that I swear is two feet tall. He had it engraved with my name and Mrs. United States 2007 Top Five Finalist.

Being my biggest cheerleader,he feels being Mrs. Illinois is a huge deal. He also felt being 4Th runner-up was a great accomplishment and deserved a trophy that can not be taken apart by a toddler.He told me how proud he was of my hard work. How sweet is that?

Pageant pictures from the professional

Here are some pictures taken by the pageant photog. It took forever to get these up as the first disc wouldn't open for me. The second one I lost. Only recently it was found in the corner of a random desk drawer. How did it get there? So here are some pics.

1) Preliminary swimsuit competition.
2)I love this lady. Mrs. Iowa, Amanda Brink Hull. We stood next to each other for most of the rehearsals. She was a doll.
3)Our intros. I wore this dress (when it was a full length gown) YEARS ago. I found it at my parents and it fit. So I chopped it off for this. Back then I didn't know a thing about labels. So imagine my surprsie when I find it is a (vintage yet?)Sherri Hill.
4)Evening Gown. I adore this dress.

Some more from the pageant professional...

Here are some more candids from the week.
1) Rehearsals. It was so HOT out side, I had to concentrate on which arm was left and which was right.
2) My dear friend and roomate, Tracy Rodgers (Mrs. NV)
3) Swim shoot. I was one of the lucky ones to be able to keep my feet cooling in the water. At 8am, it was already pretty toasty.
4) Group shot before a night out on the town.

And the New Mrs. United States is!!!!!

Finals night was a whirlwind and here are pictures just in from my fabulous siter-in-law Lisa. Stephanie is GLOWING!!!!

It turns out July 12th marked an important day for a couple of reasons. Hawaiian Governor Lingle had vetoed a Safe Haven Law. But we across the country emailed and called and helped persuade Representatives and Senators who then came together in an overwhelming majority and voted to over ride her. So now we have our 48th state to have a Safe Haven law in place.

I also returned home to find an email asking me to appear on Larry King Live that finals day concerning a missing persons case. Pretty cool, but I missed the deadline. Vegas was worth missing Larry. Next time, right?

1)Top ten questions
2)Top ten Evening Gown. What a handsome Escort! Va va va Voom!
3)The new Mrs. United States is!!!!
4)Stunning Stephanie

This Just in!!!

More pictures thanks to my wonderful sister-in-law Lisa. She should be a professional photographer!DISCLAIMER-The fuzzy shots aren't hers!

1)I'm Amy Gregorio, Mrs. Illinois!
2)Prelim Eveing Gown
3)After Prelims
4)Some of the top ten

Mrs. International 2007 is....

Mrs. International came to Chicago this weekend and I went with some friends who know many of the ladies competing. Not only was it Mrs. International, it was also the meeting of the Mrs. queens. I had the chance to meet so many people I had only seen in pictures. I joked they probably thought I was stalking them. I met Mrs. CT US 2006 Phyllis Winters. I just saw her and asked, "Are you from CT?" I also met Holly Ernst. This was a big one for me as I loved, no ADORED, her blog as Mrs. MN America. She was so great at updating it while in AZ and it made me want that kind of an experience. To finally meet her in person was very cool. The evening was also a chance to hang out with Lisa Neiwolny (Who I am urging to compete again as she is the all around amazing package-What do you say Lisa?), Janice McQueen Ward (unbelievably good advice), and Diana Pizza (a new friend). Mrs. IL America 2006 Julie Rhinehart was there and is so graceful as is Mrs. IL Int'l 2007 Randa Allen (who made top ten!). Mrs. Int'l 2006 Suzy Bootz is a true lady and the New Mrs. International Rebekah Negrete (CA) was stunning on stage. Congrats to everyone.

1)Lisa,me,and Diana
2)Lisa and I with Randa Allen in the middle
3)leftThe new Mrs. International with Diana, Janice, me, and Lisa.
4)Pretty ladies including Holly Ernst on my right and Julie on my left

Thanks to my favorite people

I had some of the best supporters around while in Vegas. My husband John has been outstanding. He didn't know very much about what he was getting into when I became Mrs. Illinois,but he has been a willing participant. His friends joked he should have to wear white gloves and walk behind me carrying the crown in a glass box. I just told them he should wear a crown as well. That won't happen! But he has proven to be a quick study. He made sure energy bars and water were sent to my room along with fruit. I never loved water so much in my life! On prelimiary night and finals night, it was so wonderful to see family and friends in the audience while I tried to seem polished and cooridnated on stage. They say they couldn't see my knees knocking! Thank you to everyone who made the effort to fly out west. This includes my mother-in-law Bernice, neice Caroline, sister-in-law Lisa Kelly, Gayle Lingle, and Lisa Cannon. My best friends from Nashville, Rona and Michelle, also made it out. It was their first pageant and for Michelle, her first Vegas experience. And to Lisa Neiwolny-Mrs. Illinois US 2006-thank you for guiding me and John through this process. You have been a lifesaver and dear friend. OH! And thanks to my son John for not staying mad at me for being gone.

1)John and I after prelims
2)Rona and Michelle with me after prelims
3)Gayle, Lisa K., Caroline, John, and Bernice
4)Michelle,Rona, John, and Lisa Neiwolny

Pictures from Vegas!

What a whirlwind of a time in Las Vegas. We all pretty much arrived Sunday at the Silverton Casino. I was so excited to meet some of the ladies I had gotten to know before hand, but only via email. Mrs. Nevada, Tracey Rodgers, was my roommate. I already knew through Mrs. Il US 2006, that Mrs. NV had a heart of gold. And she does! Mrs. NY, Lori Donaudy, and I bonded well before Vegas. Her director Sheila Strassburg is a ture gem as well. At one point I remember trying to figure out what day of the week it was because there was so much to do and still get done. The ladies are so amazing. Seriously!!! And I met a long lost twin...Mrs. Colorado! Apparently people think we are related-don't I wish!

It was hot as expected. Thanks to Mrs. NV, Mrs. ND, and Mrs. HI, we had on site medical help as needed. It came in handy when the heat proved too much for a couple of ladies.

Five days flew by and before we knew it, Finals night came. I was lucky enough to make the top ten and at the end of the night the results were:
Mrs. United States 2007-Stephanie Hunt (MI)
1ST Runner-up April Britt (NC)
2nd Runner-up Wendy Knapp (WY)
3rd Runner-up Janet McCulloh (FL)
4th Runner-up Me

It was a once in a lifetime experience for all of us I am sure. Although the time went in a blink of the eye and I never had enought time to get to know each person there, it felt like I had not seen my son in years. So getting home the first thing Friday was wonderful.

More Pictures from Vegas!