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