Photos: Top L-R, Me and Miss River Valley International, Evonna Surrette standing in front of the retired Razoback football helmet vehicle.

Thank you Paris Ford for allowing us to borrow a car for the parade. And thank you to my husband Brian for driving for us.

Second Row, L-R, Here we are before the parade started.

It was a cold night in Paris, AR but I remembered to wear thermals under my outfit. I was afraid that we would have to follow behind the horses but instead we followed the fire trucks. So much for playing christmas music in the car. I had such a great time getting to know my sister queen. We went through two huge bags of candy that we threw out to the children along the parade route. I felt so bad for the children at the end of the route because we ran out of candy. My son Alex only watched the first few minuates of the parade with his grandparents. Then he decided that he did not enjoy the loud fire trucks or his winter coat. At that point they took him home. Maybe next year he will do better.  I can not wait to take him to see Santa!

Top Row-, L-R, This is the ballroom where the event was held. The third photo is the table where the silent auction item's were located.

Second Row, L-R, One of the resturants set up a cocktail lounge. Next is a table full of wonderful treats including lavender truffles. The third photo is Me and Max, the Arkansas State Director of the March of Dimes.

Third Row, L-R, Max, Me, and Shannon Langston the NWA Community Director for the March of Dimes. Final photo is Max, Me, Shannon, and Beth Lakis, NWA Community Director for the March of Dimes.

What a wonderful event! I had such a good time and meet some wonderful people. This event was held to honor the Stallbaumer Family as the March of Dimes Citizens of the Year and to raise funds for the March of Dimes. Many local chefs donated food for this event. Along with the food was a silent and live auction.

I was given the responsability to greet people and check them in. I had a great helper with me. Her name was Heather and she is a local college student at the University of Arkansas.  Along with her I also met some of the kindest and well mannered FBLA high school students from Rogers High School. At the end of the night Me, Heather, and the March of Dimes staff took care of the Silent Auction winners.

I would like to say "congratulations" to the NWA Chapter of the March of Dimes for a successful event. It was a beautiful evening that honored a family that knows first hand the emotional rollercoaster of having a child born to early.

Miss River Valley International, 2009 Evonna Surrette and I volunteerd at the Russellville March of Dimes, Jail and Bail. At this event they were able to raise over $4000.00.

The night of Saturday, October 18th, 2008 was the 2nd annual "Music For Kids" benefiting Children's Miracle Network and Arkansas Children's Hospital. Earlier in the day their was a rodeo along with events for kids. That night was a concert featuring Ricochet and the opening act was Jimmy Walker with the Tin Cup band. Between the two acts I was the guest speaker. I was given the chance to share my son Alex's story and talk about our experiance at Arkansas Children's Hospital. There was about 300 people in attendance. These event's were sponsered in part by Wal-Mart and Pepsi.

Photos Top L-R

Opening act Jimmy Walker and Tin Cup band

Mellisa Kelly from Channel 40/29 News with Alex and that is me in the white coat


Photos Second Row


That is me telling my families story

Melissa Kelly is presenting me with a check for $55, 660.00 for Arkansas Children's Hospital. That did not include what was raised that night.

Thursday, October 2nd, 2008 Alex and I raised $535.00 for the March of Dimes, Jail and Bail. This event was held at Lone Star Steak House in Fort Smith, AR.

Saturday, September 13th, 2008 I was one of three judges for the Prairie County Fair Queen pageant. The winner of the Miss divison will represent her county at the Arkansas Fair Queen Pageant. The pageant was located at Hazen High School in Devalls Bluff, AR

Top Left, Queen-Rani Heinmiller, First Runner-Up- Reagan Swaim

Top Center, Queen-Alexadria Skouras, First Runner-Up- Jalen Bell, Second Runner-Up- Jade Bell

Top Right, Queen-Gracen Felty, First Runner-Up- Alex Davis, Second Runner-Up- Taylor Aycock

Bottom Left, Second Runner-Up- Kourtney McBride, First Runner-Up- Candice Major, Queen- Heather Burroughs

Bottom Center, L-R,Judges- Katie, Courtney Chivers-Mrs. Arkansas America, and Christina Stengel, Mrs. River Valley International

Bottom Right, L-R, Katie, Director-Cara Petrus, Courtney Chivers-Mrs. Arkansas America, and Christina Stengel, Mrs. River Valley International

On Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 me, my husband Brian, and our son Alex presented St. Edward Mercy Medical Center Newborn Intensive Care Unit a check on behalf of the children from St. Anthony'c Catholic Church in Ratcliff, AR. Every Sunday the children would donate their quarters. The total came to $140.00. The money will be used to by needed baby equipment for the N.I.C.U. Such as baby slings, bouncer's, and swings.

As an artsit I feel that it is important to use my talent to help those in need. I donated my time and artistic abilities to paint these doors for a CASA Playhouse fundraiser.

I decided to move all of my pageant stuff to this blog. That way my issue of Tiny Miracles could have it's own pages. My platform is growing by leaps and bounds and every week it seems that I am needing more room on my website for more information about preematurity.  I hope that many people find my website useful and educational.

The purpose of this blog will be to promote my platform Tiny Miracles: Providing Support and Hope For Neonatal Intensive Care Units and  communicate with my supporters about the things I am doing as Mrs. River Valley International 2009.

Please check back soon for new post!