Focus...Focus...

For the longest time I have wanted to be a child advocate. It requires a long term commitment and so I waited until we were finished having babies and I felt I had life settled-somewhat. I decided to be a CASA for Lake County. As CASA's, we act as the extra set of eyes and ears for the Juvenile Court Judges. We handle individual cases in juvenile court which involve victims of child abuse and neglect. As we all know, the court systems and the caseworkers are simply overloaded. With such a time crunch, details or real life can get lost in the paperwork. CASAs are unbiased and are able to spend much more time with a child. We are able to talk with teachers, therapists, doctors,family ect about how the child is doing and what may be in their best interest. As a judge said to us this week, they only get a snapshot sometimes of a child's needs and we are able to serve them by giving the clear picture and make recommendations based on those findings. It was a wonderful six week training that made me want to be part of the organization even more and the others in our classes are outstanding! I cannot say enough about everyone involved, be it CASA, the Judges, attorneys and caseworkers. Believe me when I tell you how much they all care and work to keep the child the focus. This is when we were sworn in by the Judges Lessman and Judge Waites. Top notch ladies!

Do me a favor.

This is a wonderful video from CARE called Girl Effect. CARE is an organization that reaches out to millions of women and girls around the world in an effort to empower us all. This is done through education and health care. In turn, we females are better able to support ourselves and our families through economic and social opportunities. www.CARE.org I would post the video through You Tube here, but I am a computer novice STILL and only know how to post the address for the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIvmE4_KMNw

Too young

Here I am talking about beauty pageants and weight. My trials of baby fat and steroids and then I check my email. Tonight I learned I lost a friend of mine. Bob Rainey passed today after a three year battle with colon cancer. He was only 46. Only 46. He still had plans for a family and all that life owed him.

Bob and I became friends back when we both worked in Nashville. His former agent had become my agent. The two reunited and Bob was hired at WCCO. There he has been a sports anchor and covered his beloved Vikings. Dare I mention the Bears to him?

Bob was the kind of guy you would want to set up with your friends. He was THAT kind of great. And for three years he has taken on his battle very quietly. I thought he was managing it well, or so I was told. But now I know otherwise. It breaks my heart. There is nothing more to say, except, well I don't know. Tonight I haven't the right words because there are none. To Bob, I love you and will miss you.

Mrs. International

This was known to be perhaps one of the toughest years in terms of competition for any Mrs. system. There were former national title holders and others who had come close. There were fresh faces that had done amazing work with their platforms. Basically, it was the who's who and yet it could be anyone's game. I was thrilled to have several people there who I can call friend. Deanna Linz, Lori Donaudy, and Laine Berry were all part of the US class of 2007. They have become friends who will always have your back. They are strong leaders willing to stick their necks out there to make things better for other women. They are like sisters to me. Shannon Devine (Mrs. US 06) is one of the first queens I had ever gotten to know and is such an example of grace and humor at the same time. Janice McQueen Ward has been such a great person to learn from and it was amazing seeing her on stage. All of these ladies were incredible. I was thrilled to see Lori and Shannon make the top ten. Deanna was 2nd runner-up and Laine was crowned the new Mrs. International! It is an intense job with high expectations that she will take to new levels. Kudos to you all!
1)Deanna, Shannon, Lori and Janice.Pretty ladies.
2)Lori in her Strapless gown. Stunning!
3)Deanna and her Husband Andy. Gorgeous!
4)Laine Berry, Mrs. International and the top ten

This Just in...the new Mrs. Illinois America Is....

LISA NIEWOLNY!!!! These ladies all looked awesome and are making married women proud with their accomplishments. I am so proud of Lisa as she will continue the long tradition of representing our state and will be an incredible Mrs. Illinois. She has a strong faith and lives with her heart. The work she and her family does in Africa is changing lives there. Did I mention she has a book out to help girls with positive self-esteem? Lisa will have about six weeks before nationals and she is primed and ready to go if I don't say so myself. I must admit, being the big Mama I am right now, it was so motivating to see how fit all these women are. Man, I will have hundreds of miles to run before I can get anywhere near a swimsuit!
1)Lisa in her state costume
2)Lisa with her daughter Kennedy
3)Lisa with court
4)Lisa in evening gown
5)Jennifer Jordan Cruz-1st runner up
6)Randa allen-3rd Runner-up
7)Anji Meidel-2nd runner-up
8)Randa again

Farewell to a one of a kind.

An only child and baptist princess from the south, my grandma Lar has lived an amazing and adventure filled life. This is a someoneone who more than 70 years ago was part of a women's basketball team, long before women were "allowed," to participate in sports of such kind. That was before she fell in love with an Air Force pilot, now known as Papa. They have been together for more than 60 years

When I was in college and gave the Miss Portage pageant a try, I was on a tight budget, so she made sure my 125$ dress was tailored just right. That meant hours of undoing itty bitty beading and resewing it back into place. That was before she lost the ability to hold a steady hand. Knowing how independent I was, all she wanted was for me to be taken care of by someone instead of me always taking care of everybody else. So she was just thrilled when I met John and we later decided to get married. My parents would tell you my wedding day was one of her proudest. And then there was her great grandson Johnny and all her other great grandchildren.

About a month ago I was told Grandma Lar was in the final stages of Parkinsons. For years she has battled to keep her sense of normalcy even though her body was betraying her little by little. I was to travel in with my dad to visit her before she was not longer coherent. That week I was put on bedrest and was not able to go to Michigan with my Dad.It was one of my more devastating moments. But what can you do? I know for a while she has wanted to be free from the disease. Losing the ability to even swallow is not how I think any of us choose to live, especially when we have lived soo much. So this week she found that peace. Although I cannot be there, I say goodbye to her for now knowing there is now a new guardian angel looking out for me and my family.

1)My little brother (not so little at 6'4) after his game. Grandma Lar came to every Michigan State game to cheer him on! They were soo proud he carried on the tradition.
2)The black and white pic is of the dress she worked so hard to redo
3)Here are my Papa and Grandma Lar with meYEARS ago when I was 1st RU at Miss Michigan USA

Mrs. Illinois International

So I was supposed to lay low for another week, but I was able to talk my husband into bringing me out to see the Mrs. Illinois International pageant Saturday. It was a great time and I had to chance to hang out with a good friend and her husband. We ladies think the two men actually had a better time as the two of them we so busy chatting throughout and deciding who they thought should win. And you know what? Those two now think THEY would make great judges and they would be pretty good. So if you ever need a judge or two, just let me know. I have a couple of good men for the job. Congrats to the new queens! July is on its way.