Photo Scavenger Hunt Contest

Join in the photo scavenger hunt contest for Save Abandoned Babies Foundation of Illinois
October 1 – November 30, 2010

Contest participants will take a photograph of a Safe Haven sign already in place at a hospital, fire or police station. The picture may include multiple people, and/or appropriate costumes and props. Pictures will be uploaded to the Save Abandoned Babies Facebook page.
Five winners will be selected based on effort, creativity, and the number of “like” votes the photo receives on Facebook. Each winner will receive $100. Interpretation of the contest rules and the final determination of winners remains the sole discretion of the Foundation. Winners will be notified by December 15th, 2010.


Entries must be submitted to: photocontest@SaveAbandonedBabies.org

For more information, visit: www.SaveAbandonedBabies.org

www.facebook.com/SaveAbandonedBabies


Tell a friend. Talk about it. You might save a life.

Here Comes the Bride

Two times I always cry, without question, are when a bride walks down the aisle and during the father-daughter dance. That was clear this weekend when our sitter, Monica, became Mrs. Geoff Kieres. Why did I not wear the waterproof mascara??

Luckily, John was out of the hospital and able to be my date as we celebrated our 6th anniversary at their wedding. Geoff is a paramedic and saves people all over Chicago, even if he finds himself in dangerous situations. He has also delivered a baby or two! And of course, we adore Monica and our children LOVE her also. She is a teacher by trade and we are blessed to have her as a part of our family. Their families have gotten to know our kids and, again, we are so lucky the children have such a fun extended family to visit. They are such a great couple! And to see her walk down the aisle in her beautiful gown with her father...John still doesn't understand why I was tearing up! Maybe I don't either.
It's a big step into the next phase of your life with someone else. There will be times of challenge and times much more rewarding than imagined. At times it can feel like a marathon and other times, like this weekend, you can't figure out how the last six years blew by so quickly.Yes, you learn so much about your partner, but even more about yourself. So here is a toast to our newlyweds. May they have more love and happiness than their hands and hearts can hold.

The Week (that felt like a year) That Was

Crazy week! Our sitter is in the midst of getting married. Yay! However, my husband became very ill just as she needed to be gone getting the details wrapped up for the upcoming wedding weekend. Given are children are too young (in my opinion) to be hanging out in a hospital, it was a challenge to find last minute back-up so I could be with John. Thank you Gina! You are the best neighbor and a dear friend of ours!
My husband noticed some inflammation moving up his leg and only getting redder by the hour. Next thing we knew, he was being admitted to the hospital. Only one problem, finding an open bed at any of the area hospitals where his doctors practice. John needed IV antibiotics and an MRI to see how far the staph had already progressed. So, 6 hours later, after locating a bed, he still had no IV. Then, by 11pm, he had an IV, but no antibiotics. Hello? Anyone?
Meanwhile, his roommate needed his very loud and large family (were talking newborns and toddlers etc)to translate. Turns out from what we couldn't help but overhear through the curtain, he was there for heart pain. He is a diabetic who was on his ELEVENTH beer when he felt heat in his chest and decided to put down the brew. Luckily here in the US, he was treated for heart burn in spite of no insurance and was discharged after a nice pancake breakfast the next morning. Yes, it did tick me off. Can you tell?
That next morning we waited STILL for the MRI as they don't perform them after 11pm. At noon he was brought down for testing. He couldn't eat or drink until after the results were back. SO, at 5pm-5PM!!, he was told he could have that much needed coffee. Better than beer I guess;) And after a few days, John was allowed to return home feeling much better, but a little worn out by it all.

You Can Never Sparkle Enough!

This afternoon we went jewelry shopping at James and Williams in Berwyn. James and Williams is a family (3 generations now)owned jewelry store. They have been huge supporters of Mrs. Illinois for 30 years!!! Jules has equisite taste in jewelry and opened my eyes to a whole new world;) Bill Hlavack is a business leader and community leader with such a generous spirit. Thank you for designing my one-of-a-kind Mrs. Illinois medallion necklace. I cannot wait to see it and wear it!
Thank you Marcie and Jules for lunch at Redstone. It's becoming our weekly habit to get together and I love it. The Acetos are so dedicated to Mrs. Illinois and there is really soo much hard work that goes on throughout the year by them and their staff of volunteers. And loyal sponsors like James and Williams make it even more special.


1)James and Williams
2)Owner Bill Hlavack
3)Jules,Bebe, me and Marcie

Soder World Wellness and Spa

Soder World Wellness and Spa held an open house and I was invited to come and meet everyone. Soder World is an enormous spa that offers all types of healing and wellness. Acupuncture, yoga and massage are just some of what they offer to help you renew. Ginny Soderholm is one of the owners and was Mrs. Illinois America 1985. It was a fun afternoon in Burr Ridge and I hope to return soon.
1)Soder World
2)The ceiling of the yoga room
3)An outside area near a waterfall for massage therapy
4)Jules, Marcie, me and Ginny.
5)Me with Ginny's granddaughter, Michaela.

Ooo, try that one on...

A few days after we returned from Tucson, I travelled with Marcie and Jules Aceto to Naperville. That's where you'll find BriZan Couture. I had the chance to catch up with Miss Illinois Teen All-American, Jessica Jacksa and Miss Illinois Jr. Teen All-American (and 2nd RU at nationals) while we met dozen upon dozens of young ladies. Sue Zanayed owns BriZan and has hundreds of cocktail dresses, gowns,suits and accessories you just won't find in your department stores. Right now is the height of homecoming season. I have never seen soo many girls shopping and buying at once. I noted to the owner, Sue, her store was jamming. She said that was nothing! How she gets is done, I have no idea.
1)Taylor, me and Jessica
2)We made Sue (AKA Salma Hayak)wear a tiara. WHEN she marries that great boyfriend of hers, I am signing her up for Mrs. Illinois. Jules and I have already begun planning the destination wedding;)

Thank You!

Thank you!

I must thank my husband for his support in helping me become Mrs. Illinois and for his encouragement as we prepared to head to Tucson. He was the self-proclaimed Head of the Illinois delegation and did a great job of organizing the details and everyone and making sure the kiddos were in good hands while I was away.I love you dearly. Thank you Johnny and Ali for being you as I took you on stage with me each time. Mom and Dad, thank you for coming in and I will see you soon, Shhsshh. Ha Ha!
Thank you to Joe, Marcie and Jules Aceto. You have been even more incredible than I could have hoped for as directors and I cannot wait to get started on our year.
Lisa,you embrace what a queen should be and you have been invaluable as a friend first and always! Michelle, thank you for making the trip out and for always cheering me along the journey and thanks to Christopher for coming with you. Rona, again, you are always there as a dear friend I am so lucky to have.
Michele Strom, you made me feel great as I walked into interviews and Fawnia, you are a miracle worker for getting my straight hair to curl. Holly and Sarah, you two are the reason I found THE gown and the knit dress for interview. Holly, you give good insight that helped me become Mrs. Illinois and Sarah you made sure I always had options to consider just in case;) Gaspar, you create living works of art. I want to frame my gown and hang it on a wall along with the earrings and bracelet, but I want to wear them EVERYWHERE instead. You made me look and feel like a queen. Deanna and Jennifer, you are always my queens. Thanks for your calls and texts and the chocolate covered strawberries. Shannon, my Devine one, your humor and advice has been always been so helpful and luckily I didn't need to "Phone a friend," while there, but I will phone you soon. Thank you to Lori, Holly and Dee for the gifts and flowers and to everyone else who called and left messages during the week.
I also must thank Monica for holding down the fort while John and I were in AZ and to Kelly for helping keep Johnny and Ali busy and entertained so they didn't miss us too much.
And thank you to all my sister queens. You all are amazing and I miss you.What a truly wonderful experience we've had!