The reality of being in a Mrs. Pageant

I'm ready to fess up I guess in a way. This has felt like the everlasting marathon and I'm at the home stretch with only 3 weeks to go, can you believe it. I've seen what Miguel looks like the last mile of his marathon doing what we call the "grandpa shuffle"and that's how I'm feeling right about now. Exhausted. I'm so stressed and feel like I need to do so much more work and practice so much more, but just can't seem to fit it in. My kids are revolting on me. They look like the nappiest little things when I drag them to the gym each morning, and I do mean every morning for the last month. I'm mentally spent and the trainer ensures I'm physically spent. My husband says we are financially spent, so there is just not a whole lot left at this point. Oh, and for some reason, probably PMS or something, I just want to eat everything in sight. Forget these lousy protein shakes and bring on the chocolate cake. Am I glad I'm doing this...Yes. Have I learned what I was after when I signed up...Definately. Am I ready to move on to something else...You betcha. When I'm lucky enough to have all my kids down for their naps at the same time I'm faced with the decision, do I go take a nap? or do I go practice? I just wonder if the other ladies feel like I do? I think I'm ready to say I'm happy with who I am and the way I look! Take it or leave it.

Go get your tickets!

That's right ladies and gents, (actually just ladies I suppose). Tickets for the pageant are on sale now at http://coveycenter.org/. It is on April 25th at the Covey Center for the Arts here in Provo. Lucky me! I would love everyone to come out and support me in this adventure. It would mean a lot to me to have my family and friends there. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. We are having some wonderful guest performers from "So You Think You Can Dance," so you know the entertainment will be great. I'll try not to diappoint, although I cannot guarantee a win. Just be kind if I'm not standing at the end wearing a crown on my head. I can't believe it's only six weeks away. Yikes! Oh, and get your tickets soon, because with 25 contestants they think it will sell out. Seats are not assigned so get there early to find a good one. Thank you, thank you, thank you, to all of you who have said such kind and positive things and for all your help and advice. You've made this experience worth it. One more thing, the contestants are now up on the website, so you can go check it out at www.mrsutahus.com

The girls have left on vacation.

If you are a man about to read this post, you might want to go elsewhere. This is about the reality of having children and getting older. Can I just say that my boobs have done a disappearing act on me. I'm actually quite bothered by it. You see, I used to have a pretty full bust. Not large by any means, but full none the less. Now at age 28, having nursed two kids and dropped a ton of weight in the last year, I'm sad to report that there is nothing left. It's like they finished their job and left for vacation, but will dutifully return if I decide to have another child. This pageant makes you keanly aware of your body and I'm a little upset that the girls have left, especially when I need them the most.
I was at the gym the other day and was wearing my sports bra and glanced at the mirror and was horrified at the fact that I had not chest at all. Is there a Victoria Secret push up extra padded sports bra? I need that. Everyone tells me that for the pageant you use duct tape to tape them up, but what if you've got nothing to tape. Do you see my problem? Oh well, I guess it's wishfull thinking. I never in my life ever concidered implants, and don't worry I never will do it, but I now understand what some women were thinking. Yikes!!! The joys of womanhood.

Feeling like a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader (minus the booty shorts)!

Last night was our photo night for the pageant. It was great and a lot of fun. There are 26 contestants, so it was interesting to watch them try to configure us all into one photo. They even had the fans blowing on us. After group shots I had my headshots done. It's a fun experience and not something I would otherwise have the opportunity to do. I'm excited to see how everything turned out. I really got to meet and talk to a lot of the women and I think they are just great. It seems like everyone is just as intimidated as I am in being around so many great women. Oh and I shocked the photographer with my age and the fact that I have three kids...again. Anyway here are two shots I got last night of me with my fellow pageant buddies. Sasha, Natalie, and I

Me, Tiffany, Emily, and Camille

(Oh and by the way, I did wear my first pair of skinny jeans and check out those shoes!)

Wanted: Someone to give me some fashion advice!

It's quite pathetic actually. I went shopping yesterday to find something to wear for the pageant photos that are in a week. I knew exactly what shirt I wanted, but that is where it ended. We need jeans you see, and since all the jeans I own make me look like I have no rear end or a saggy one, it would only seem necessary that I purchase some. I keep hearing about skinny jeans, actually I've been hearing about them for a while now, and I have never put my legs through a pair. I thought, what the heck, and asked the gal where I would find some in the store. I was so embarrased to admit I was that behind on fashion. Then I check out the shoes. I see folks walking around with those skinny jeans and pumps which is so foreign a concept to me. I also see people in shoes that do not match their outfits and since when do people wear hot pink or purple high heeled shoes? I know you are laughing at my ignorance. Anyways, I grab a couple of funky shoes some tiny jeans and head for the dressing room laughing already at the thought of what I'm going to look like. Let me tell you, I felt like an idiot. I happened to walk out of the dressing room to look at a better mirror and the door shut behind me and locked. I was horrified at the thought of having to walk out of the dressing room in these pants that I look like I've been poured into. I had to go get the girl to unlock it and I ask her "are you supposed to look like you've been poured into these things?" She's like,"they look great on you...I can't wear them, but you pull them off." Lady...ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I ended up buying everything and bringing it home so my dear hubbie could help me out. He just laughs and says he knows nothing about fashion. I sure wish I could go shopping with someone who knows what's up as far as fashion goes. I think I'm going to end up sticking to what I know, so I don't come off as self concious. I'm a classic girl. I like the mature sophisticated look, that is when I'm not in my jeans, you know the normal flare kind, and my sweaters. If you've got any advice and want to go shopping or you just want to come along and laugh at me, you just let me know!

Please come and support me during a wonderful evening out with your spouse.

You can purchase tickets through the Mrs. Utah website at www.mrsutahus.com. I would love to be surrounded by friends and family that night. Let me know if you would like to attend or if you would like more information.

What I look like in my dreams!

This is how I look in my dreams!

We'll see what that tummy looks like after 3 kids.

I've got to give the girl credit though, she's got it going on.