This Is Me
Hello World! There's so many things that I would love to share but I think it would be fun to share a little bit about where I started and how I got to where I am. I grew up in Small Town, Oklahoma and I loved every minute! I'm the youngest of 4 girls. Of course I share my birthday with my clone, Shelly. Yes, we are identical twins. Having your best friend to share all of life's moments with is a pretty awesome life bonus! We did EVERYTHING together. Softball, basketball, cheerleading, horses... you name it, we did it!
Growing up in a small town may have limited our options in activities but we never lacked in the "want to" and we liked to try new things. Shelly competed in the Miss Northern District Pageant our sophomore year. That was a whole different world for this tom boy to comprehend. Shelly looked like she was having a great time up there but I never could imagine myself doing that. The next year our local fair pageant needed more girls to enter so Shelly begged me to do it with her. Reluctantly I said yes. AND the rest is history. I must say I should be very grateful Shelly stretched my comfort zone and convinced me to try something new. Pageantry has been an important part of who I am today.
After graduating high school I started college but continued to pursue my love for horses and I always dreamed I would be able to rodeo professionally. I never quite reached that goal in the barrel racing world but I did have the opportunity to be a part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association by representing my state as Miss Rodeo Oklahoma 2000. It was such an amazing honor. I had the opportunity to travel across Oklahoma and surrounding states promoting a sport that I love. Pageantry has brought amazing opportunities and my year as MRO was always full of surprises. I had the honor of singing the National Anthem numerous times, interviewed country music star Mark Wills and I even had the opportunity to be a part of the opening number at that year's NFR. All of us Miss Rodeo America contestants danced to the song "Viva Las Vegas" and performed with Wayne Newton himself. Such an amazing experience!
Winning Miss Rodeo Oklahoma opened some really amazing opportunities. The people I had the privilege to work with contributed to the moments and memories I will always cherish. Some people don't fully realize the life long relationships and skills you gain from doing pageants. Win or lose you always walk away with some sort of new perspective and definitely a whole new group of friends! Your sash sisters are ones who understand the passion for service and they lift you up and encourage you through all of life's journeys.
Speaking of life's journey, the scholarship I earned as MRO landed me in Weatherford, OK where I attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Go Dawgs! This is where I met my husband and our new journey began. Chuck and I were married Jan. 11, 2003. From that moment we have lived life to it's fullest. We have laughed together. We have cried together. Our 29 years together have taken us through seasons that we never expected but we have always embraced it together as a team.
Welcoming our daughter into this world was absolutely one of the most beautiful things I have ever experienced. With a full head of hair and lots of spunk, she has kept us on our toes all of these years. She has inspired me through her perseverance, her love for the Lord, creativity and more. I could sit and talk about her for days if given the opportunity. Now she is all grown up and on her own adventure with her new husband as they serve the Lord, serve one another, and enjoy the life of a military couple (our son in law is in the Navy).
Do you remember the part where my twin sister got me roped into trying a pageant and I ended up loving it? Well, she is also the reason I discovered Mrs. pageants as well. She competed for Mrs. Oklahoma International for the first time in 2001 and I absolutely could not wait to give it a try for myself. She looked like she was having a great time and I knew that someday, when I was married, I also wanted to walk that stage as a married woman. My first Mrs. pageant was in 2008 and I haven't looked back. Numerous titles later and many hours of advocacy, meeting extraodinary people, and serving my community has brought me here to where I am today. A lot has happened in 18 years of competing in pageantry. My heart for serving the Lord, advocating for causes close to my heart and serving others is still my mission whether that is with a crown or without. I truly believe God brings us to and through seasons to bring Him glory and to help others who face the same challenges. We must share, encourage, and educate others of all that He has done in our lives. I hope you have enjoyed a little insight to my journey. Enjoy all the photos from my many days of pageantry. But my journey is not over yet. There are many people to love on, speak to, and share with. Here's to many more years of doing the Lord's work, one day at a time!
Shelly and Aaron at the Mrs. Oklahoma International Pageant 2001
Mrs. Oklahoma
International Pageant
2008 - my first Mrs. Pageant!
