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?