Leona Valley Community Queens Pageant

This is a very very very late post... But if you follow me on FB then you know I've been crazy busy moving and finding a place to live (yes, in that order). And now life is full of wedding preparations for my brother's wedding in just 10 days!

In October 2012, I was contacted about restarting the Leona Valley Community Queens Program. It's a great program for young women in Leona Valley. It's all about community service, grace, poise and who will be the best ambassador for the community. I was Miss Leona Valley 2005 so, I know all about it (and I had a great helper). I was very excited and honored to be asked. It was such a good time working toward the day of the pageant and encouraging the contestants.

Christie Klein and Rachel Bartfai ran for Miss Leona Valley. Olivia Bosma ran for Jr. Miss Leona Valley. Follow to the end to see who won! Enjoy the photos!

(Making the crown for the stage.)

(Bethany is the BEST. I am so grateful for all of her help.)

(Transforming a space. Love all the help!)

(The stage is almost ready!)

(Decorations going through the decades.)

(More great helpers)

(Completed stage.)

(Judges table and gifts)

(Queen's baskets that go to the winners.)

(View from the stage.)

(View from the back.)

(Opening Dance.)

(Olivia Bosma. Jr. Miss Contestant. Commercial as a news anchor.)

(Christie Klein. Miss Contestant. Commercial as a flight attendant.)

(Rachel Bartfai. Miss Contestant. Commercial as the sun.)

(The crowd! My hubby and the MC is the man in the front of this picture and I'm sitting next to him.)

(Judges.)

(Jr. Miss Contestant being escorted by her father.)

(Jr. Miss Contestant answering a series of impromptu questions.)

(Miss contestant, Christie, being escorted by her father.)

(Miss contestant, Christie, answering impromptu questions.)

(Miss contestant, Rachel, being escorted by a family friend.)

 (Olivia Bosma, Jr. Miss Leona Valley 2013)

(Christie Klein, Miss Leona Valley 2013)

(Rachel Bartfai, 1st Princess Miss Leona Valley 2013;

 Christie Klein, Miss Leona Valley 2013; 

Olivia Bosma, Jr. Miss Leona Valley 2013.)

(Christie Klein, Miss Leona Valley 2013 and Olivia Bosma, Jr. Miss Leona Valley 2013.)

Congratulations 2013 Leona Valley Queens!

If anyone ever needs any tips on running a pageant or creative event planning, send me an email!

~Emily~

High Five For Friday

I had a whole post written out so naturally ALL of my webpages reloaded. I didn't save anything. 

This is going to be a lot shorter than originally planned, which is probably a good thing for you all. ;)

ONE. Home.

We finally, finally, have a place to call home.

God is good!

TWO. Quality Time.

I have enjoyed all of the time I've been able to spend with Kristyn. We had a ton of fun and silly time and then we also were stressed about finding a place. I love this budding friendship! In a few weeks, we will actually be sisters! She is such a perfect match for Andrew (my bro). I couldn't be happier for either of them.

THREE. Walks.

I love taking walks. I know some people will just call these pretty flowers, "weeds" but, I love them. They are pretty. I wanted to upload more photos but my phone is trippin'. Photos of buttercup flowers, iris, other flowers, new growth on ever green trees (it's a much brighter green and feels so silky soft), and fog rolling in through the trees. Maybe I'll try uploading again later. ;)

FOUR. Love.

All of this wedding talk makes me reminisce about my wedding day. Mike and I have grown so much since that day. God is so good.

 He has blessed me with a wonderful man.

FIVE. Kitties.

When I'm at home by myself for almost a week, it's really nice to have other living things with you. Mojo is a cuddle bug but Mitzy is crazy. 

It makes for entertaining moments.

SIX. (yes six, it's been 2 weeks since I last posted!) Seeing More of God's Vision for Yourself.

Last Monday my bible study group went through the spiritual gifts. It was really good for me to go through this as an adult. It confirmed a few things and gave me some direction. My top 2 are Exhortation (motivational speech) and Leadership/Organizer.

 The verse references we used were the whole chapters of Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12. Here is a link to a survey also. 

http://www.spiritualgiftstest.com/test/adult

Let me know what yours are! Do you already know? How are you using them? I'm curious!

I'm off to move into our new home! Have a great Friday and enjoy your weekend.

~Emily~

High Five for Friday

I'm linking up with Lauren (formerly, from my grey desk). 

One. Spring. 

Here in Eureka there are trees where instead of petals falling off of the flower, 

it's the bloom! Crazy! What are these called?

{so romantic.}

{not sure what this bloom is. cherry or pear?} 

Two. Coffee. 

This town (these towns, multiple small ones) has awesome coffee!! 

Mike and I are hooked. If you love coffee, please come visit us and we will introduce you.

{oh, coffee. I love you.} 

Three. Cute days! 

I love when I have a cute day. It's encouraging. It should also be noted that 

I only brought 2 t-shirts, 1 sweater, 1 long sleeved shirt, 1 cardigan, 2 tank tops, 1 pair of yoga pants, 1 pair of leggings, a set of PJs, 2 sweat shirts, 

2 scarfs and the necessary under things for the clothing brought up here. 

I am only up here for 3 weeks. I have done laundry 3 times. 

My weakness is shoes. Please don't ask how many I brought. 

{i love this attire. I'm glad this is going to be an everyday look for me.}

Four. Hiking Boots.

Speaking of shoes... I left my tennis shoes at home on purpose accident. So, I had to buy hiking boots. Oh my goodness. These are great! Good ankle support. Great traction. COMFORTABLE. While I was trying on another pair I kept one of these shoes on to compare. After I walked around the store a little bit I got to thinking, "Which shoe is on my left foot?... I guess that's the sign for which one I'm getting". Yes, they were that comfy. 

I'm glad to have a pair boots to take me hiking.

{hiking boots. many adventures shall be had and much shape shall I get into.} 

 {redwoods. they're tall.}

 {fallen trees.}

 {Hubby and I call this "the love nest"... Not because of us,

it just seems like it would be a good one. it's all hollowed out....}

{I love this photo.}

Five. Bridal Showers.

I co-hosted a bridal shower on Saturday for my future sis-in-law. I love Kristyn. She is a great girl, loves Jesus and is such a blessing. 

We had such a fun day of games, good food, friends and blessings!

{the only picture I got from the bridal shower. i'm bad at the photo part.} 

{pin wheel. crafting for the shower.}

How was your week?

What are your weekend plans?

Real Beauty - Dove

Have you seen this video yet? 

If not, please watch.

Now, believe that you're beautiful. 

You are seen as beautiful. 

Know it and own it.

My, oh my, has time gone by.

Wow. Can you believe it's been about 1 month since my last post. That is bad. Life is crazy (whose isn't). So, you probably just won't see me around much. I'll post when I can. I love my little blog and being to able to share with you all this way.

Anyway, here are 10 fun things from the last month.

1) I got to go visit Mike for a whole week! We had such a fun time and just enjoyed each other. My goal was to be up there for my birthday and I was there for that and Valentine's day! Oh yeah! 

2) My friend Bethany and I have been able to reconnect and spend time together. I really enjoy our time watching movies and doing our nails. Fun!

3) I got to choose the crowns for the upcoming pageant. There were so many fun SPARKLES for look at! I love bling.

4) The sista (in-law) and I got to hang out for a good amount of time. That time was precious and needed and I really enjoyed it. Plus, we went to downtown L.A. and she got my hooked on Gossip Girl and I had to finish it.

5) A childhood friend, who was a bridesmaid in my wedding, came down for the Honky Tonk Stomp and Grub fundraiser for the queens. I love the time I get to spend with her, I just wish it could've been more. Heart felt talks are the best.

6) My brother and his girl got engaged!!!! We are so excited!!! We love Kristyn and are excited to officially welcome her to the family. :)

7) Olivia, my sister, is just awesome. She is silly and so smart. I enjoy spending time with her.

8) Leona Valley Community Church has a wonderful women's bible study group. Some of the women in the group even changed my diapers in the nursery when I was a baby. It's awesome that I still get to learn from and listen to these great women.

9) The weather has been gorgeous. One part of me says "Snow day in KC? I want to be there!" and then the other part says "Wow! 75 degrees is gorgeous!!". I don't know what I want. :P

10) Skype dates and phone calls with my hubby. I miss that man but I'm enjoying the benefits of LDRs (long distance relationships). Believe it or not, there are a few. ;)

Love you all! I hope you're having a great weekend.