Miss NFPB pageant 2010 style.

I can't believe that the NFPB finals have already come around. It seems like just the other day when I was crowned NFPB and now we are back here with four wonderful contestants vying for the title. Our contestants this year are: Micki Musick, Rachel Kelderman, Sunnie Paintin, and Suzy Fife. Judging is now over and what a weekend it has been already. I arrived to St. Joe Wednesday in time to get my nails done before heading to the banquet with Kelsea and her mother. It was early to bed and early to rise Thursday morning when I appeared on the local TV station with Jimmy Tubbs and Dustin Hall! Later that morning a few of us, including : Lucas Littles, Cory Griebel, Seth Reynolds, and a few more cowboys headed to the Cerebal Palsy Home wihere we had the chance to walk around and meet the residents. It was a truly amazing experience seeing their faces light up when we walked in! Next we booked it back to the hotel because the Miss NFPB contestants were checking in. From their we went right into horsemanship. we can not thank Duane Taylor and Travis Dillinger for bringing the horses. While I am thanking people for horses, Taylor Myers deserves a HUGE thank you for letting me use her beautiful palomino stud Goofy! I rode him at every performance as well! The frist performance was a huge success. Friday brought more fun: fashion show, breakfast with the President (Mr. Clint Jackson himself), a chance to go the Stetson outlet, a delicious Whiskey Creek meal, with so much more! This morning we had a great breakfast at Terribles then headed to the arena for the special rodeo. Every participant walked out with a smile, so thank you for coming and visiting with us! The girls just had their interview and now we have a few moments to relax before he headed to the last and favorite. As I think about tonight, I just can't believe my year is coming to an end. I won't get all sappy on you just yet, but just know each and everyone of you has made my year what it was, so thank you for that! Until next time m y friends...

Spring is here!

Oh goodness, as the weather begins to get nice, and Spring decides to show its face, I find it harder and harder to sit in class or study at the library! Well over that last month lots has gone on and I will try and catch you all up! On March 12th, my spring break had begun and rather than go somewhere warm with a beach, I went to a bull riding in eastern Iowa! I headed to Burlington, Iowa for their annual SnowBull event put on by the Extreme Bull Riding Tour. I had a great time getting to see everyone again, standing with Hannah Hilsabeck (MTRI '10) and Ryan Skillet for the opening and tribute, and greeting young fans during the autograph signing. Saturday brought just as much fun with the kids events! Saturday morning they had nearly 100 mutton busters on hand to show off their skills which was a smashing success. There were a few criers by the end, but overall it was good family fun! Before I knew it, it was time for the Saturday night performance. The second night brought just as much thrill and excitement. I cannot say enough what a great show Todd Crase, Ryan Skillet, and Shad and Vicki Smith all put on. They have really been a huge part of my year as Miss NFPB and I cannot thank you enough! Thank you everyone who made my first trip to Burlington so amazing! I hate to say it, but that was my last bull riding before finals, which made for a bitter sweet trip home. The rest of my Spring 'Break' proved to be just as busy. I had the next few days at home sweet home in Irwin which involved catching up on much needed sleep, digging out my spring clothes, and riding my very naughty Tankers. Before I knew it I was loading up the truck (yes, that is right, dad let me take the truck aka huge white dually) and heading south to St. Joe. After last years pageant I promised that I would do my best to promote not only events throughout the year, but the finals as well. I started off my time in St. Joe visiting Bessey Ellinson Elementary on the outskirts of town. I was given the chance to speak with all of the 3rd and 4th graders! They had so much enthusiasm along with some fantastic questions. I think they almost had me stumped a few times, but I pulled out the old queen tricks and answered questions like how fast bulls run or has anyone ever died, etc. I signed pictures for every student that wanted one. It made me feel kind of like a big deal! We then went to the lunch room and took that opportunity for a photo with some hungry elementary kids! I cannot thank Bessey Ellinson for inviting me come and giving me the chance to speak with the students about what I do and what bull riding is all about! That afternoon I met with the one and the only Rex Strayer! We chatted it up for a bit and he gave me promotional flyers to hang up around town. The rest of my Thursday was pretty relaxing and laid back. Friday came, and with nothing specific scheduled for my day I did my best to hang up posters around town, as well as support our sponsors. I might have done a little shopping at St. Joe Boot Co. as well as the Stetson Outlet. At the Stetson Outlet they even had my picture hung up! I then met with a few other sponsors before calling it a night! Saturday I woke up to SNOW!! The weather put a damper on our Saturday plans, but we still made it work. I spend a few hours out at Car City Dodge promoting the Bull riding and helping celebrate their 30th Birthday! The irony of that situation was I came pulling up to the Dodge dealership, in a Chevy! I then hung up some more posters in surrounding towns and chatted it up with locals. I guess it is easy to spark up conversation when you dress with sparkle and flare! I enjoyed the rest of my Saturday night relaxing in the hot tub pretending to be some where tropical without snow! I can't wait to be back in St. Joe for the finals very soon! Sunday I had to head back to school but not before stopping for my birthday lunch with my parents, sister, and grandparents! To add to that excitement, I just turned 21 on Sunday, so watch out world I am all grown up now! Last night my dad and grandpa came up and grilled steaks for my sorority and we had a delicious cake! As I enjoy the last 12 days as Miss NFPB (but who is counting) I look back at my year and think of all the places I have visited, things I have had the chance to do, and people I have met along the way. I am sad to see it all come to an end as I have truly enjoyed every moment as Miss NFPB. All I can say is that next year's Miss NFPB is very lucky to have the opportunity, as it will be the best year of her life. I would love to see all of you at the NFPB finals as well as the Miss NFPB pageant April 8th-April 11th. We have 4 wonderful women trying for the title: Micki Musick, Rachel Kelderman, Sunnie Paintin, and Suzy Fife. Best of luck ladies and keep on studying! Until next time...

March has come!

I just wanted to keep you updated on my life as my year as Miss NFPB slowly comes to an end. I took this weekend off again to enjoy Mom's weekend at my sorority, Pi Beta Phi. Not only did my wonderful mother, Deb, join me, but my sister Sarah did as well! We had a fun filled weekend of eating out, pool parties, games, and serenades from Farmhouse Fraternity! This coming weekend I will be heading to Burlington, Iowa for an Extreme Bull Riding tour event! Hope to see you all there! Happy Trails...until next time...

Life after Miss Rodeo USA

After returning home from the Miss Rodeo USA pageant, I had to get back to 'normal' life. The day after returning home, it was time to hit the books at Iowa State. I had missed the first week of classes competing, so I had my work cut out for me to catch up. I cannot thank my professors for being so understanding of my absence. MRUSA was a once in a lifetime opportunity that couldn't have happened if they hadn't been so understanding. I spent the next few weeks catching up, but before I knew it, it was time for a bull riding, this time a little closer to home. I headed to Des Moines, Iowa, for a SuperBull at Wells Fargo Arena, January 29th and 30th. Once at Wells Fargo I walked around 'backstage' chatting it up with producers, contractors and riders. After the bull riding began I was honored to sit with the secretary and announcer. I was even announced during the show. A big thank you to any of my friends that came and watched, especially Taylor Johnson and Lauren! Thanks guys! At the end of the bull riding the riders and I walked around signing autographs! Night two in Des Moines brought just as much excitement. I got more responsibility this time, running the buzzer! Queens need to be prepared for anything! Again, I was announced during the performance, making me feel very important. Mom and dad made it down for this event, bringing one of my young fans and his mom. Thanks Logan and Andria! I even got the cutest card from Logan! We signed autographs again at the end, and it was a smashing success! A great big thank you to the man in charge, George Marshall! Also thank you to the secretary Cindy, we made quite the pair! It was especially great to see some of the guys after some time off from bull ridings!

I then took a few more weeks off from the queen stuff to focus on school. Just this last weekend I headed to Sedalia, Mo, for one of the Jackson/Walkowe/Simon events! I had Thursday and Friday full of radio interviews, school visits, and even trying the gooberburger. A gooberburger is a hamburger with peanut butter! A huge thank you to Sharon Simon and Todd Pettigrew for taking me around to all of the events. Friday all of the flag girls and I practiced the opening and then got the famous Simon paint horses ready for the performance. Getting them ready included taking all 7 of them to the car wash for a bath! I think I counted 5 people that stopped with their camera phones to take pictures at this odd sight! I had so much fun getting to see Clint, Deana, Tara, Frank, Jeff, and the whole crew. The Friday performance went very well, and there was a great crowd. Dusty Meyers was the clown again, and of course he was hilarious! Saturday I had some time to relax and I headed out to the arena to watch them buck some younger bulls. Then a group of us headed to lunch. Before I knew it, it was time to get my queen on and head to the arena. I was fortunate enough to ride Chuck, crazy enough, Miss Rodeo Iowa 2009 had ridden him at an event not that long ago! Saturday went just as well with another fun filled night of mutton busting, cowboy poker, and of course, bull riding! Well, because I live in the new Antarctica, with all of this snow, I had to hit the road right after the bull riding to head home because of a snow storm headed our way! After a long drive, I made it back to Ames to get ready for another week of school! A huge thank you to everyone that made my stay in Sedalia so fun: Sharon, Amy, Clint and crew, Pettigrew family, and many many others! If you are around the Sedalia area this weekend (February 26th and 27th) be sure to check out the PRCA rodeo put on by the Simons! Until next time...

OKC bound...Miss Rodeo USA pageant 2010

As you read before, 2010 came in full blown. Between Nebraska and North Carolina I was off to a great year. During all of that I was still preparing for Miss Rodeo USA. Dad and I even risked our lives in a snow storm to pick up all of the clothes that I had altered and to have my hats shaped at the best place in Iowa. A HUGE thank you to Hawkeye Tack in Des Moines for sponsoring my hat shaping, I know I had the best looking hats at the pageant!

Before I knew it, we were leaving Iowa to head to Oklahoma. Being the princess that I am, we wanted to break up our trip down there so I wasn’t exhausted from the trip. This gave us time to reminisce with old friends! We stopped in the small town of Cherryvale, Kansas to see some of my dad’s old hunting buddies that used to come up to Iowa every year! They practically watched me grow up that tomboy on the farm, so for them to see me all queeny and headed to Miss Rodeo USA was a big deal! So a big thank you to Lenny and Linda Shepard for their hospitality, and delicious food during my stay! Also, thank you Tom and Vicky for stopping out for dinner. It was great to catch up with them and tell them about what I have been up too!

The next morning (Monday) we headed the rest of the way to Oklahoma City! We arrived at the Builtmore hotel, which is now my dads favorite hotel. Why you might ask? Our room was on the first floor with a door to the outside making it very easy to unload all of my necessities. In my opinion, all of the clothes, boots, jewelry, hats, make up, etc was necessary, ask my dad and he might give you a different side to that story. The rest of the day Monday we settled in and then went out for steaks which were Delicious! Tuesday came too quickly and before I knew it we were meeting up with Kelsea to get some last minute items, go through every outfit, right down to the very last detail. I think we hit up a total of 5 western stores, where we hooked my dad up with new boots and a bling bling belt! He is now a styling queen daddy. We spent the day going through clothes, speeches, and last minute pointers! After we finally got done doing all of that we went to Cattlemen’s for steaks. Again, they were delicious! I tried to hit the hay early because check in was the next morning!

Before I knew it, I was waking up, getting all queeny and checking in to compete in the biggest pageant of my life! I was one of six fabulous contestants, the others were: Jessica Chitwood, Sophia Fisher, Lacey Clover, Dakota Missildine, and Danielle Williams. This is also where we received all of our sponsored gifts! After check-in and orientation we headed to lunch at the County Line BBQ. One thing we were not deprived of during this pageant was food. We ate some of the most delicious food I have ever eaten before! After BBQ we headed to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Wow, what a neat experience we had to take a look at our history and the western heritage that as a rodeo queen we strive to help maintain. After that we had our first interview with the judges, it was mainly personality questions, and for anyone that knows me, knows that I have no lack of personality (whether that be good or bad), so I kept the judges laughing! Life is too short not to laugh a little!

After those interviews we had time to get all fancy and head to Cattlemen’s for our platform speeches. All of the contestants did great. Our platforms covered everything from the Golden Rule, to helping our soldiers, and being a lifesaver! My platform was “Be A Lifesaver”. To give my little plug, here is what mine was all about…

As we start to unroll that package of delicious hard candy we see the Cherry Red Lifesaver! Let this tug at our heart strings and encourage us to become a blood donor! What a simple gesture that could mean so much to our fellow man! Every 2 seconds someone in the US needs blood and 1 donation could help save 3 lives!

Next we see the Pineapple yellow lifesaver! Let this be a reminder to us that there is an overwhelming need for Bone Marrow Donations. With a simple online registration process we could be that special donor to someone in need! (For those of you that don’t know my sister donated, so it is very near and dear to my heart.)

Next comes the Raspberry flavored candy! We can use this to check that little box on our driver’s license to become a much needed Organ donor! Oh, its that Tangy Orange Lifesaver! This is one donation that you don’t have to be a certain "type" to give!! It is the donation of your time! Volunteering and lending and hand to those in need, whether it be in your community at a local nursing home or children’s hospital or as part of a national program like Habitat for Humanity! No amount of help is to big or to small!

And as we peel back the paper a little further we see the Watermelon Green Lifesaver which should remind us to "GO"!! Go out and make a difference in the lives of others! You never know how much your smile or kind words could influence a life or brighten someone’s day!

Whether you're craving Cherry, Orange, Pineapple, Raspberry or Watermelon let this roll of sweet treats spark not only your taste buds, but your compassion and willingness to do whatever you can to help make someone’s day special. You don't have to be a doctor, a fireman, or a policeman to be a hero. All it takes is a little bit of your time, and a small sweet roll of hard candy to inspire you to be a friend, an inspiration and truly a lifesaver...

Cheesetastic, I know, but it is all true! So please go out and “Be a Lifesaver!”. After platform speeches, we went to Leadership square to practice our modeling for the next day. Once we arrived back to the hotel we had our pajama party! At the pajama party we all received more great presents, it was like Christmas all over again! We got everything from bags, to lotion, a sweet flag holder, and even Spinach (thanks Jessica!). I cannot thank the people that sponsored items for my gift purses! Kelsea helped me out with the purses, which were a huge hit! Clint and the NFPB hooked me up with NFPB t-shirts, President Geoffrey got me Iowa State t-shirts, Deana Cain gave me some gorgeous sash pins, and they were filled with miscellaneous Iowa items including a pooping pig key chain and pig poop (chocolate covered sunflower seeds). We all had a great time, but were ready for bed!

Thursday we started the day going to a TV station for an interview, to help fill Jamie Virden’s spot, because she was very, very ill! After the interview we came back to the hotel for our second interview! Then it was time for more delicious food at the Rib Crib! Next thing I know we are loading up in the van to head to the Ariat Fashion and Modeling Show and impromptu questions at Leadership Square! Our first outfit we modeled was a sponsored outfit of our choice. I rocked at brown Ariat coat, a super cute Ariat button up shirt, an awesome sponsored pair of Q-baby Wrangler’s, a gorgeous hair on hide belt from Kelsea, and of course some hair on hide boots! The next outfit was a shirt decorated like our state. I had the shape of Iowa on mine, with a bronc rider, as well as some pink roses, and of course tons of bling. Our third outfit was again all sponsored items, a cute blue Ariat vet, blue button up, and an awesome pair of new kicks (boots!). My impromptu question was, who is an influential woman today? Since I thought it would be conceited to answer myself (I am only kidding, I wouldn’t have said my own name!), I said Sarah Palin. With few respectable women role models in our youth’s lives today, this was really a difficult question. Another girl was asked if Global Warming was true, she didn’t believe it was. I think I am going to have her visit Iowa and see if she still has the same answer, I woke up to -6°F today. I am sure we left a lasting impression on everyone at Leadership Square by doing a little dance to the Hannah Montana song, Hoedown, Throwdown. It is a good thing cowgirls can ride better than they dance. My highlight of the week came next when we visited a Children’s hospital. We had the chance to meet with some of the kids, and words can’t describe this experience! Next, we headed to eat at the Charlestons with interviews at the hotel to follow. We had a bit of time to get ready for the Gold Buckle Gala, speeches, and auction. At the Gold Buckle Gala they announce sponsors, contestants, etc. We had to jet out of that early to make it to our speeches in time! After six wonderful speeches we had an auction to help raise money for the Miss Rodeo USA pageant! Then it was bed time!!

Friday started off early as we headed to the arena for horsemanship. This is where my momma joined us for the week, it was crazy not to have her with me to chat with or spray that last spray of hairspray on my hair! Jamie set the pattern on all 3 horses, and we watched as each one of us competed. I will be first to admit horsemanship didn’t go as well as I would have liked, but I did get all of my leads correct and had a sweet roll back to the left. It is the little things in life that make me happy! After horsemanship we headed to Toby Keith’s Bar and Grill! While there we got to eat, of course, then modeled our fanciest dresses! We also answered another impromptu question. My question was, if I were on survivor villains vs angels, which team would we be on. I answered villains, but we all know I’m an angel! Now, comes the good stuff! We had shirts from Wildrose sponsored, and for those of you that don’t know what that is, it is a shirt that has tattoo printed sleeves. We were some bad to the bone looking girls! Since the dancing went oh so well the day before, we decided to do it again. Dakota and I decided to go into the crowd and get them involved so I danced with April Brown, a fellow rodeo queen, and one of the waitresses! Once the crowd settled down from all of the excitement we modeled an awesome sponsored outfit from Carhartt! Well, the fun was over it was time to head back to the hotel to take our test, and here I was thinking that I was getting out of school for a week! We were asked over 300 questions covering everything from rodeo knowledge, equine science, IPRA questions, to current events and world history. A rodeo queen has to know it all, or at least pretend she does! After that, was Jamie Virden’s Reception at the Builtmore. It was clear to see that she did a great job as Miss Rodeo USA and that the new girl had large boots to fill! Then we headed out to the rodeo grounds! Dusty Meyers was the clown and I have had plenty of chances to work with him this summer, and he did a fabulous job. The specialty act was a Roman Rider named Dusty, and she too did a marvelous job! We headed out of the rodeo a little early because they had six very sleepy queens!

Saturday came before we knew it with another interview! Then we headed to lunch at Texas Roadhouse, then off to the 2^nd perf we went! Our jobs at the performances were to sell programs which was quite the task, but we managed, and actually did quite well! After that performance we headed back to purchase pictures taken by the fabulous Jim Grillot! He captured quite a few good ones of me, we just had to get them! Before the 3^rd performance we went to dinner at On The Boarder then back to the rodeo grounds! It was an emotional night for Jamie Virden because it was her final ride as Miss Rodeo USA 2009.

Sunday came too quickly in my opinion, I know I have said that with everyday, but it is so true, the whole week went to quickly. We practiced coronation and then headed to the arena for the Children’s Rodeo. At the Children’s rodeo we sold more programs and helped entertain the kids. Then it was time for the 4^th and final performance. During the 4^th perf was where they announced the awards!

Here is a breakdown of the awards: Miss Congeniality-Jessica, Program Sales- Danielle, Horsemanship-Dakota, Speech-Dakota, Test-Lacey, Scrapbook-Sophia, Photogenics-Dakota, 4^th runner up-Danielle, 3^rd runner up-Sophia, 2^nd runner up- Lacey, 1^st runner up-Rachel, MRUSA 2010-Dakota! I cannot tell you how great of an experience this was and how much fun I had. I truly had a great time meeting all of the girls. I enjoyed getting to know my roommate Jessica and all of the other girls. I can honestly say I came out with friendships that will last forever. I could not be happier for Dakota, and can’t wait to keep up to date on her blog, we still talk and text as often as we can! Dakota, if you read this, I am so glad I had the chance to meet you and you truly are one of my new besties, have a fabulous years as MRUSA miss salty! After the awards were handed out, photos were taken, and friendships made, it was time to pack it back up and head home to Iowa! Well, needless to say we filled our vehicle up on the way down, so after all of the sponsored items and prizes we got, it was clear to see that it wasn’t all going to fit back in leaving room for me to sit, unless they strapped me to the roof. Dad came to the rescue and rented a U-Haul to get me home! I am so fortunate to have parents that love me so much and are helping me reach my dreams.

One last set of thank yous. First, to Miss Amy DuVall, the pageant director. Amy, you truly did a great job and you were so fun the entire week. Second, to the judges. You three were so personable and did a fantastic job picking the right woman for the job! To our chaperons, thank you all so much for watching over us and taking us under your wing! Lastly, thank you to anyone else who made this experience as great as it was!

Catch Up

Hello devoted blog readers! It has been entirely too long since I have told you all what I have been up to, so it is time for me to play catch up. The first weekend in October, yes that is 2009, we had the Cyclone Stampede! Heidi Gansen (Miss Rodeo ISU 2009) and I had a great time chasing out carrying flags, despite the coldness! Lindsey Miss Rodeo Iowa 2009 also joined us for one of the four performances! Momma Burton joined me for the entire weekend as well, it was some great bonding time! She even drove the big rig home, I was so proud!

The following weekend I ran my very first 5K and survived to tell about it. The 5K was called Blue Sky Days, and money raised from entries was used to support the Lutheran Services of Iowa! Needless to say it was on the first snow of the year, but it was wonderful little jaunt through the great ISU campus.

Before I knew it I was on the road again! This time, mom and I were headed to Oklahoma for the Miss Rodeo USA clinic! Momma Burton and I had a great time in the car, all 22 hours, there and back, great bonding experience! I learned so much, and it all prepared me for the Miss Rodeo USA pageant in January. I also met some great people! One of whom I think has became one of my greatest friends, Dakota Missildine from Alabama, more to come on her later. Other people I met and truly enjoyed getting to know that weekend were: Jamie Virden (MRUSA 09), Amy Duvall, Katie Woods, and JoAnna Blackwell, all clinicians and former MRUSAs! Thank you ladies for teaching us so much and preparing us for the pageant!

October 24th I was bummed to miss the Miss Rodeo Iowa 2009 Vegas send off fashion show, but was honored to attend the "Meet the Professional Bull Riders" meet and greet at the new Bass Pro Shop in Altoona, Iowa. Again, mom joined me for hours of shaking hands, signing autographs, kissing babies, and taking photos. It was great publicity for the sport of bull riding, and what a great way to showcase the new Bass Pro!

Halloween was the last weekend in October and I took it off to enjoy some much need time with friends, I even got to dress up as a bumblebee! Being the slacker I was I took the month off, getting so much accomplished: initiation for my sorority, ISU football games, Thanksgiving deliciousness, ANOTHER 5K with my favorite sister, Sarah, and of course school!

Before I knew it, December was here and I was officially running for Miss Rodeo USA! After completion of all of my finals, even the dreaded Organic Chemistry, I was ready to begin my "break". Now, I say that in quotes because it was that much of a break! I went to visit my friend Meghan for the first few days, just to have some time to unwind after finals, but as soon as I got home I hit the ground running! "Break" was filled with preparation for Miss Rodeo USA: studying rodeo knowledge, the IPRA, equine science, MRUSA sponsors, etc. All of this was done in between power outages (due to that silly snow), Christmas celebrations, grandpa breaking his hip, trying to figure out how to keep water to all of the livestock, you know the usual Iowa winter happenings.

I was so fortunate to spend New Year's Eve with one of the best sponsors around, the Extreme Bull Riding Tour. They held their annual event in Madison, NE, and I was privileged to be a part of it. Their Extreme Royalty, Abby and Hannah, had been working diligently all year to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and they had a goal in mind for end of year totals. My family has been incredibly blessed so I was honored to write Miss Abby a check to help her reach that goal! After some awesome bull riding in Nebraska, we went to the dance hall to dance 2009 away! As 2010 drew closer, the excitement grew as Hannah realized that she was officially Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa 2010 now! It was bittersweet for me, because as you might remember just a year ago that night I was sad to be giving up that title! These girls make me feel old now!

Well, my parents and I left Madison and got home with just enough time to Celebrate the Burton side Christmas before packing up and heading to Lincoln, NE for the first stop for the Extreme Bull Riding Tour 2010. I was so excited to see the gang so soon again! It was another great night of bull riding and a wonderful family show! We left Lincoln as soon as the autograph signing was over so mom and dad could make the snowy trek home, but before they could do that, they had to drop me off at my hotel near the airport in Omaha.

That following Monday I flew out to North Carolina to pick up my gorgeous dress for Miss Rodeo USA, made by Brooke Lange from Blue Ridge Rags. Well, for anyone that knows me, you will know that me + flying alone = a horrible, horrible idea. Between delays, missed flights, 9 hours in the Atlanta Airport, and wearing high heels, it made for a long day, but....I came away from that trip with so much more. I noticed, as I was waiting on about 7 stand by lists to get to N.C. that I was surrounded by many men and women of the Army, also trying to get to Fayetteville, NC. Finally as I was not put on the 4th flight out of Atlanta I decided to make small talk with the Army men. All of them were coming home on leave from active duty overseas. They had 14 days from the time they left overseas, until they had to pack up and leave home again. The men were trying to get home and see their families! One man whom I spent much of the day with just wanted to get home and see his wife and 4 kids, all under the age of 8. I felt so selfish fighting for my space on the same flight that these men were trying to take, just so they could have a few extra hours with their families. Time flew by while I talked to Mr. Army man for hours, about life in the military and just our lives in general. Try explaining to men what this queen thing is all about was quite difficult! Before I knew it I was actually getting on a flight out of Atlanta, Mr. Army man was still on stand by. I boarded the plan with such guilt knowing he could only hope that someone on the list before him didn't show up so he could see his family! Once I was on the plane I kept watching and never saw him board, so I assumed he didn't make it.

With a heavy heart we took off for North Carolina. When we arrived in North Carolina I set my stuff down on a bench to reach my phone to call Brooke to pick me up, and what do you know, but Mr. Army man himself had managed to get on that flight! He was so excited to have made it, and that just made my day! Well he didn't need to waste anytime with me, he found a taxi and was off to surprise his wife and kids, whom didn't know he was coming home! He was truly and inspiration to me and I wish him and his family the best! God Bless you!

After all of that I had my dress in hand and was ready to fly back! As if I didn't have enough fun on the way there, I made enough excitement for the way home! Our plane left NC late, go figure, so I had to run through Atlanta to make my connection, with heels on and dress in my arms. I made it to the gate and it was closed. I stood there in disbelief for a moment and a man came up and asked if I had tickets for that flight and I told him I did. I asked him if he thought it had already left and he said he sure hoped not because he was the pilot! Holy buckets it was my lucky day! Well when the gate guy came and let the pilot on he said I couldn't board anymore and thank heaven for a pilot with a good heart, he said, "Just let the girl get to Omaha." So with hesitation from the gate guy I boarded and was one step closer to home! What an adventure that turned out to be, but so so worth it!! Well I think I have created quite enough for you to read for now, my next entry will be all about the Miss Rodeo USA pageant! Until next time...