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...