Couple More Photos and Thanks

An extra special thank you to a couple of folks...Mr. Hank Salemi, Park President of Six Flags, Brooke, for her coordination of the event in IL, Morgan with Children's Memorial, and Sarah from Cure Kids Cancer/Children's Miracle Network from Utah...who not only oversees each of these "A Walk in the Park" events, but works as one of the volunteers herself. Now when you see people in important positions like that getting "down and dirty", working harder than anyone else to make this happen...well, that right there is the true testimony of service. My hats off to you!

More Photos From A Walk in the Park

Photos here are:

-Red shirts mean SURVIVOR...Daniela was a darling to meet!

-Passing out the Prizes

-Meeting staff from K-Love, Positive, Encouraging Radio...loved them!

-The Security loved trying on the crown, too!!!

-And of course, Teri, who I think should have a crown for that heart of hers...she was a hoot! She did the "I won!" Pageant Pose Shot.

Thank you to everyone for their efforts, hard work, and smiling faces in REALLY hot weather...you're making a difference in little lives...and contributing to saving more. Blessings!

A Walk in the Park for Cure Kids Cancer

Today was spent working with Six Flags Great America and their annual walk-a-thon for pediatric cancer, partnering with The Children's Miracle Network, benefiting Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. I was especially grateful for the chance to work with them, not just because this was in my home town, but because we spent a year in care with Children's Memorial 2 years ago for our own daughter, Elena, for Neutropenia. Listening to little 6 1/2 year old Aiden get up to the podium and publicly thank Children's Memorial for his care during the opening ceremonies was touching (and heart-wrenching!), and made me so thankful for the health our child has now, the facilities we have to heal those that aren't so fortunate, and to remind me to keep those little ones and their families in prayer.

Here are some great places to go to see how you can be a part of this terrific outreach!

http://www.cure-kids-cancer.org/

http://www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org/

http://www.childrensmemorial.org/

http://www.sixflags.com/greatAmerica/index.aspx - see A Walk in the Park

I'll have a couple posts on this for photos. A special thank you to Jason Pawlowski for making the trip up and giving his morning to documenting the event. You are the best!

Pictured here are:

Mr. Six and Me...More Flags, More Fun!

Working the Raffle Ticket table for more support

And a couple shots of walkers wanting to be princess for once...I think that was my favorite part!

Miss Illinois America

Back to my stomping grounds when I was a Miss Illinois America contestant...well, actually, Hemmens was the physical place when I competed, which made Mrs. Illinois all the more special to me, but I digress. It's always nice to go back and visit familiar faces and meet some new ones.

As it turned out, I ran into a lady I grew up knowing in church who was in Sunday School with my mom and mom-in-law. Her granddaughter was Miss Hoopeston! When I was younger, she would go with me to The National Sweetheart Pageant (her daughter was a former). Good memories!

I was introduced to the Dupage Director, Christopher, who was a pleasure to meet and I want to wish him well for Monday at American Idol Try-outs at the United Center! He could be your next American Idol! His titleholder made top 10, so congrats on that as well! So nice to have met!

It was so nice to see Jason Pawlowski again. He gave me a beautiful photo book to keep pictures in! Thank you, Jason! He will be working with the Mrs. Illinois America Family as our photographer, but knowing how much he's done for former Miss Illinois America's, I'm sure he'll be the Jack-of-All Trades for us as well. I am proud (and thankful) to call him Friend (and yes, Jason, I did the "pageant pose" for you)!

And, last but not least I had the honor of meeting Mr. Sam Haskell (http://www.samhaskell.com/ , http://www.afajournal.org/2005/september/905haskell.asp ), former executive vice president and worldwide head of television for the William Morris Agency (WMA), Inc. and Chairman of the Miss America Organization. He is an impressive man, to say the least, humble to the core, and a huge example to me. Thank you for your time, Mr. Haskell!

And so Begins Some Royal Treatment

I believe that being a titleholder or one pursuing it is all about being in a role of service to others first and foremost.

Mark 9:35"Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

That being said, there are some very nice, very generous perks that contribute to the glamorous part of being Mrs. Illinois. My directors took me to James & Williams Jewelers, the official jeweler of the Mrs. Illinois America Pageant and the designer of the Mrs. Illinois Medallion Necklace. It is a beautiful piece, and it is an honor to receive it. Meeting Bill was such a thrill. What a gentleman! I kept thinking, "Somebody pinch me, please! This can't be real!"

We then went on to That Girl Boutique and met Annie who provided a very generous shopping spree for dresses to take to Mrs. America. Her store is beautiful, but this lady's personality was even more so! What a Darling! What a dream it was to have gowns brought in to try on and choose from!

A thank you to Bill and Annie and their staff for treating all of us like Queens, and to Marcie and Julie for giving their day to me and maintaining these terrific sponsors!

Pictures are of Bill and I and of Bebe and I with our crowns on...By the way, you'll probably seeing a lot of her! We did not get pictures of Annie per her request...we had torrential down pours, tornado warnings and flash flooding that we dodged through the day. She felt unkempt, but you should have seen her...Her hair was PERFECT! I gotta find out what hairspray she uses! Eric also took a picture of me before I left...awwww...

When You Wish Upon a Star...

Pictures from Disney... Family picture, Mrs. Illinois with "Princess Elena" with Walt and Mickey at Cinderella's Castle (yes, I did get teary-eyed), and us right before we left (Eric is behind the camera)! Exciting! I'll share more of those on the Family Blog.

PS - I met a family from Quincy, IL that was really tickled to see Mrs. Illinois at Disney! Sweet people! :)

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

Enjoy the Clip of Disney Wishes Fireworks Display courtesy of YouTube..."any wish is possible, all it takes is a little courage to see it through"... I wish all of you many blessings.

Thank You

I wanted to take some time to say thank you to the very dear ones who made this possible and who without this would not be nearly as special or sweet.


First and foremost to God, my Heavenly Father, His sovereignty and His Goodness to me. Not just this year because of how it turned out, but each year in this process. His hand working on me is what is the true, lasting reward. I owe Him all, and am grateful to have His love, guidance and protection in this as well as in my every day life. He is my Everything, and without Him, I am nothing. Thank you, Lord.

Thank you to my wonderful husband, who's generosity of his talent, time, and patience (which he extended far beyond what I think a lot of husbands would) has been such a gift. He is an example to me in so many ways on a daily basis as well as in this. Thank you, Honey, for your continued support and graciousness to me.

Thank you to some very beautiful, inspiring ladies that have made my life better for knowing them. Witnessing the great love they have for their families and friends, their commitment to having and maintaining a higher moral standard even in the hardest of circumstances, and their continued desire to serve others and put others before themselves is admirable, appreciated, and a testimony. To Julie, Dee, Megan, Kaili, Rena, Michelle, Billye and Maria, I stand in awe of you.

To my prayer warriors...Jeana, Kathy, Lori, Toni, Amanda, Joy, Jenny, and those they asked to pray with them...God worked through you. I am humbled, forever grateful, and indebted. Your friendship and love mean so much. God has given so much in you and through you. You are precious, priceless friends to me. Thank you.

To my family for their loving support, the cheering section miles away but right there in my heart the whole time, thank you for your unconditional love, kindness, and lives lived in such a way that I am constantly shown how I can do and be better.

To the Mrs. Illinois Family: thank you for providing a platform to serve in a larger capacity, a true celebration of married women in a fun and exciting weekend, and an opportunity to go to Mrs. America and experience a once in a lifetime event. I am incredibly excited to be a part of this.

To anyone I may have missed, please forgive me, and thank you...


Psalm 19:14May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

And at the End of the Night...and Next Day

Yep, I wear a crown to bed. I mean, doesn't everyone?!?! Ok, no, not really, but after 4 years of competing, I was very, very tempted! Here's some shots of the end of the night. Actually, it was in the wee hours of the morning, but you get it!

The first picture is of Eric and Elena picking me up from the "Princess Party", as Elena called it. She was VERY excited about the crown, "scarf" (the sash), and new pony box...she carries her My Little Pony's in a smaller version of my crown box (both gifts from Julie Rinehart). Very cute.

Welcome to 2009

Welcome to the blog of Mrs. Illinois America 2009. I'm your host, and your Illinois America gal of the moment, Anji Meidel.

We just returned from a family vacation in Florida, so my apologies for not having this up and running sooner. That, and I've yet to figure out how to set this up as far as a separate profile for just Mrs. Illinois (then again, when you're a Mrs., that DOES include everyone, right?!?!)...can we say computer dummy? Yes, yes, I think we can. Praise the Lord above for my husband who is the end all - be all of all things computer...That is part of his job after all! :0)

So anyway, until I can have his help, and the camera back (it went with Eric to work today by mistake)...this is the beginning of my blog as Mrs. Illinois...already proving I am not perfect! Personally, I think that's a good thing. Totally attainable (I'm proof!), approachable, regular, next-door neighbor, put - your - pants - on - one - leg - at - a - time - and - falls - over - doing - it kind of gal. I believe any and every woman who admits her flaws and embraces them, celebrates who she is for what she is, is a Queen in her own right. She's empowered already to do great things she was meant to do (yes, in her imperfection), and BE great for others in service, love, encouragement and care so others can be great with her(um...so...go me, too?!?! HA!).

I will be posting photos, appearances, thanks, and any information I can pass on to you. I hope you'll enjoy the journey with me. I hope you'll like me being me. I tend to get silly sometimes...note my family blog and the post with a youtube clip of Precious the Dog...you'll see!

Here's a few shots - again, courtesy of Jason P - of competition itself. When I have the other shots from the official photographer that weekend I will share those as well.

Photos:

Costume, Swim (nice walking shot), gown, all the beautiful ladies, crowning

Thank you for taking the time to visit. Many Blessings!

Philippians 1:2-4 "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy"