A little queen

This mama, this mama right here is EXHAUSTED! What a whirlwind weekend of fun. Jude did very well this weekend, lots of seizures, but he still did well. Once we got into town on Thursday we stopped and had lunch with Anna. I mentioned that she explained to me about the possible loss of our children in a way I could understand. I had someone ask me to elaborate on that. She explained that if we don't walk or stand up straight, that our bodies will not grow the way they are suppose to. If they don't grow properly then they will eventually have some sort of organ failure. In Katy's circumstance it was kidney failure, and I can tell her mom misses her a great deal. We have a stander on order for Jude, and we hope that it will help, but he still has very little head control. Anna, and her daughter Kristi came every single day to watch Emily. They were so patient with how busy we were, and it was such an honor to meet them both.

After lunch we ventured to our hotel in Round Rock, and we got all checked in. Mike brought his PS3, and hooked it up to the hotel TV, which is hilarious! He had also gotten a new game, and he was in his version of boy heaven. He couldn't think of a better vacay then a hotel room with a PS3, and no one bothering him. So he kept Jude, while I went and toured around the hotel. On Friday, Em and I got up, and set up our tables for Scentsy, and Smile Boxes. Mike even helped Em out by putting up her lollipop tree. People would donate a $1, and get a lollipop throughout the weekend.











After we set up our tables, Emily had to run to registration for the pageant itsself. There we finally got to meet Maura, and her daughter Caitlin. Maura and I met through email, through my blog. Her daughter Kayden also has special needs. Emily, and Caitlin immediatley became good friends, and they were pals all weekend. They cheered each other on when each of them competed, and they spent lots of time chatting together.




As you can see Jude also made great friends with Kayden. I think she may be his girlfriend now.





Kayden was truly precious, and Emily just adored her. It was amazing watching Caitlin with her too. Plus Maura is just so nice!


On Saturday we ran all day long! Emily competed in casualwear, Valentines wear, and Crown Jewel wear. Crown jewel was suppose to be your interpretation of what you think that meant. So we made Emily into an adorable miner with a pink hard hat, a fake pick axe, and a jewel bucket. She walked on the stage to "Heigh ho Heigh ho" to Snow White, and it was a hit. She had so much fun that day that she just fell into bed.

Sunday she competed in natural beauty. She went to hair and make up to receive very light make up for the bright stage lights, and to have her hair styled. She felt so pretty that she kept staring in the mirror smiling at herself. She wore a dress we found off the rack on sale, and a friend took it in for her. She honestly looked breathtaking, and she was amazing on stage. She received straight tens with 14 check plus marks.










Sunday afternoon was crowning, and I think Emily was a bit nervous, but excited. They first introduced their presidential service award winners. They had 6 girls that qualified due to community service work, but Em received the gold pin. In addition to that she also received the pageant "Diamond" award which is based on community service. They gave her a very large crown, and banner. After that Emily made a speech to the whole ballroom about why she started her charity, why she continues it, and how to donate. She didn't leave a dry eye in the house!

After she made her speech, they began calling out winners at the pageant. There were almost 100 kids competing, and they were announcing the top 15........Em didn't make it. She realized that she couldn't get the ultimate winner award if she wasn't in the top 15. I looked at her and said, "Em, we came here for your charity, the pageant was just a bonus. There are kids here that do this every single weekend and are trained for this, you are not. Be thankful for what you have received ok". She smiled, but I could tell she was a little let down because in her mind she had done very well, I think it was a good lesson for her. She her age group was called to the stage, but no one was crowned. Emily, and I both understand that this meant she won a bigger title. So we waited with our breath held while they started calling out the big winners, and we waited, and we waited. Then the emcee said "The 10 and up beauty supreme winning a beautiful crown, and banner, and a ring worth $1250 isssssssssss...............EMILY". OMG!!!!!!!!! She went running to the stage, and had the biggest smile ever! It was so big that the people behind me were laughing because she was so excited. My heart was happy for her. She received the highest scores in facial beauty. I will post pictures of her in her crown when I get them back. Caitlin won her age division so both the girls came home with crowns, and more. Emily's ring is gorgeous, and we will be putting it in the safe for her when she gets older.

After crowning we ventured back home only to find another amazing surprise. On our door step was an express package, and inside of it amazing news. In August Emily and her principal had filled out several essays for the Prudential Spirit of the Community award http://spirit.prudential.com/view/page. Prudential picks 2 children from each state that are named the top youth volunteers for the year. Out of thousands of entries........Emily was chosen! I couldn't believe it! She will receive a $1000, a silver medal, and a trip to Washington DC. The trip will include a national awards banquet where 10 national honorees will be named. Emily is up for consideration for this award. The winner will receive $5000, and $5000 for their charity, and their school will receive a crystal trophy. We are so honored and humbled!!


I was concerned all this attention may take the focus off Emily's charity so I went to chat with her. When I told her she won, she was thrilled, but then she said "I don't understand mommy, do other kids not help out people too?" I said "Yes Emily, but sometimes not as much, or they don't know how." I also explained that in this situation they looked at many kids that helped out, and she was just lucky enough to be chose. So my sweet girl I thought would be influenced by all of this said "Well I am going to use this award to tell other kids they can help out too, and make a difference". She has a good heart! Emily and I both get to go on the trip, and we are going to take Mike and Jude with us. It will be so exciting, even though I hate to fly!


Jude was visited by Angels of Care today to see if Jude qualified for nursing. While there Jude had several small seizures. He also will be suctioned out now, and they are ordering a oxygen level reader for Jude. Therefore, they believe he is going to qualify, which will be nice for Mike. He has therapy tomorrow, and I will let you know how that goes.


Tonight Emily is speaking at the Lions Club meeting in hopes of receiving more donations for her smile boxes. We also shipped three boxes to a family that needed them in Illinois today. You might say a prayer for their son who is battling Leukemia.