Around 6:40AM Thursday, February 26TH, 2009 my son Alex and I was on the Channel 5 Morning News with Ashley Beck. We were there to promote a project that is near and dear to my heart. The 2ND Annual "Made With Love" Baby Quilt Drive that will benefit the St. Edward Mercy Medical Center Newborn Intensive Care Unit. My son Alex was born there in August of 2007 15 weeks early and he weighed 1 pound 9 ounces. I have been so touched my the staff at St. Edward that I wanted to do something nice for them and the families they take care. But this event would not be successful if it was not for all of the wonderful quilters who donate their time and talents.

Top Photo is me and Santa Claus.

The second photo is me, Santa Claus and the N.I.C.U. Nurses, Dr. Coloso-Neonatoligist( blue scrubs), Joye-N.I.C.U. Respitory Therapist (behind me in the green cover), and the N.I.C.U. Chaplin Brent (behind me). 

Me and Ada Floyd (who is not in the pictures) put together the this event. We wanted to have santa visit the babies in the N.I.C.U. at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center. I wish that I could have posted some photos of the babies with Santa but do to health regulations I am unable. Trust me when I say Santa did visit all 13 babies in the hospital. Not to mentin we went to the Pediatric Ward and visted two children and one baby and then stopped by the E.R. Ada and I gave each baby and child a stocking with a candy cane, stuffed animal, and a poem. All of these items were donated by the staff at Doller General located on Kelley Hwy. in Fort Smith, AR. My family bought small Christmas books that were also given away. My husband and another staff member took photos that were given to each family.

We all enjoyed this event. I think we may have started a tradition. All of the babies were so tiny. My husband and I do not remeber Alex being that small but he was. When you are going through something like the N.I.C.U. with your baby you never realize just how fragile they are. I just knew that I was his mommy and that I loved him so much no matter how small he was. You could say I lived by two motto's "good things come in small packages" and "no fear".

I would like to say thank you to Kim Sosbee and Debbie Banter for letting us do this, Keith Brown for being the star, the N.I.C.U. and Pediatric staff for letting us invade your space, Amy Rodgers-N.I.C.U. Nurse who help with the babies and their families, the N.I.C.U. parents for allowing us to share in this moment and your babies first Santa visit, my husband Brian for being a good sport and taking photos, Joye Brown for letting us borrow the "star" and taking photos, Doller General and it's staff for donating some of the items, and the biggest thank you to Ada Floyd she helped me put on this event and get some of the stuff. Ada is a N.I.C.U. Graduate mom from Oklahoma Children's Hospital. She is my partner in N.I.C.U. crime. Ha! Ha!

Me (far left) with some of the Mrs. Arkansas International contestants along with Laine Berry, Mrs. International and Carol Johnson, Mrs. Arkansas International.

Me and Amberlee Haymen

Me and Kristen. She will be competeing for the title of Teen Arkansas International.

Look at our beautiful International and State International queens.

L-R, Erin Golden- Miss Arkansas International, Paige Jeffery- Teen Arkansas International, Laine Berry- Mrs. International, and Carol Johnson- Mrs. Arkansas International

This was such a fun event that helped raise funds for AETN. The people who worked at the facility were so nice and served us such great food. After the first phone call that I took I finally started to get the hang of it. Thank you Bernee' for the photos.

Here are some of the Teen Arkansas contestant's with

Teen Arkansas International, Paige Jeffries. 

These are some of the Miss Arkansas International contestant's.

Me (in the red dress) with some of the Mrs. Arkansas International contestant's and

Carol Johnson, Mrs. Arkansas Internationsl.

Me and Laine Berry, Mrs. International.

I had such a wonderful time at the Christmas Tea. It was hosted by Laine Berry at her beautiful home. I was so glad to finally get the oppurtunity to meet some of the Arkansas International contestant's.

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