Friday Funday

Great news this morning! Donna Knight was released from the hospital and doing very well!!! We miss her so much, but are very glad she is on a quick road to recovery. Thank you for lifting her up in prayer!

Our morning began with a visit to the Children’s Hospital in Tulsa. Taylor Treat Burget and Tiffany Tolbert were wonderful to help organize the event. Since 45 contestants can be overwhelming, we were split up as half tie dyed onesies for the NICU, and half walked from room to room. Lindsey, Damaris, Sarah, Betty, Victoria and I were fortunate enough to see the third floor and were joined by Lindsey and I’s driver, Melinda. The patients we met ranged from seven days to seventeen years old, each with a very different story. Though we always try to prepare ourselves, it is emotionally difficult to see children in pain.

Most of the new friends we made were being released shortly, though one was in remission with leukemia and would be back in just a few weeks. One sweet girl wanted to see us – crowns perched on our heads and hope in our eyes, but was so dizzy that she struggled to speak. Betty gave her an autographed photo and I know that when the medicated fog is lifted, she will cherish that picture. So many parents spoke highly of their experience at St. Francis, and while I wish children never had to visit, I am very thankful for the positive staff, cheery decor, and great care provided to them.

After lunch with one of Miss Oklahoma’s longest sponsors, Coney I-lander, we were taken to view the Miss Oklahoma museum!!! This was a major highlight for each of us and to say Steve Robinson and his crew did an amazing job would not do it justice. There are gowns, talent outfits, shoes, props, buttons, sashes, crowns, swimsuits and so, so much more. It makes you wish we could open a real Miss Oklahoma museum. If you haven’t had a chance to visit, please do – I could spend hours in there going through the history!

Tonight we will attend the Teen pageant and Top Ten party! Good luck to all the contestants!

Prelim #3

The final preliminary day was my favorite yet! With a later rehearsal, we set evening gown and on-stage question, then got to have lunch with our Oklahoma Stars! The Oklahoma Stars program is for girls ages 5-11 who are matched with a Miss Oklahoma contestant and accompany then during part of the evening gown competition. It is a great mentoring opportunity and my little Miss Maddy could not be more fun!

We had such a great time and she was very excited about her glow in the dark gifts. We enjoyed our GiGi’s cupcakes and took silly pictures together too! Maddy has also experienced extreme relational aggression at such a tender age, which is why I believe she was placed in my life. It is inspiring to see how maturely she handles any situation and how much love she has to give.

After lunch we were able to relax, and head off to a delicious dinner at Charleston’s, where we anxiously awaited teen prelim results. I was thrilled for my teen, Mi’Shell Garrett, who tied for overall talent in her group!!! Soon, we left for the Mabee Center and our final preliminary competition night.

I love interview, therefore I love on-stage question! My evening gown is my favorite part of my wardrobe, amazing as it almost wasn’t. I like to see the way it came together out of nowhere last year as a “God thing,” and have to thank Kayne again for creating something which makes me feel like Katniss Everdeen… The girl on fire! (Please refer to the Hunger Games trilogy.)

Congratulations goes out to Alicia, Damaris and Autumn for their preliminary wins! I cannot imagine being a judge, as I know talented, fit and confident our contestants are.

Green Country Greetings

In the past few weeks I have had so many fantastic opportunities! I am loving my directors, Kevin and Eddie, and am beyond thrilled with what we have planned for this year. A week after I was crowned, I was able to watch Miss Mustang. Congrats to Hailey Holloway – a wonderful winner! We will have too much fun at Miss O this June! 🙂

On Sunday, I was able to attend Miss Oklahoma’s Outstanding Teen, Clytee Burchett’s, send-off party. Words cannot even begin to describe what a perfect representative she will be for Oklahoma. Clytee has such a genuinely pure heart and I have never met someone who is exuberant with joy in everything she does. While at the send-off, I saw several friends and made a new best friend in Brian’s daughter, Caris. We had a great time playing in the gorgeous host home, oooh-ing and ahh-ing over everything Clytee wore, and eating cupcakes (June is really far away!). Kevin snapped several pictures but I don’t have them just yet! Here is a precious picture of one of my stars, Maddy! I can already tell this little angel will be more than a blast this year and I can’t wait to get on-stage with her.

This is my first week of school so I have been busy preparing, but I am already amazed by how many tiny lives I am able to touch through teaching. I have learned much more than I expected to in just one day with my 4-year-olds, and this will be the experience of a lifetime!