No Ordinary Moments: Firsts

Today was my very first day as the new Miss Coon Rapids 2008! What a busy day! The day started fairly normal with my alarm going off at 5:55 a.m. Then I usu

ally lay in bed and wish I could sleep for just five minutes longer. Fortunately, dreams really do come true because I WAS able to sleep for five extra minutes. Life really is quite extraordinary! From there I made myself get up, shower, and head to Coon Rapids by 7:25. I was even on time this morning with EXTRA time! On the way to Coon Rapids, I decided I needed some caffeine so I stopped at Caribou to fuel up. From there I headed to the Carnival to set up. Diane and I both arrived around the same time, of course she was there first. She is so on top of things I don't know how she does it all! We got to set up all the crafts and games for the day and then it was just to wait for the show to begin.

Now, we didn't really know what kind of turn out we were supposed to expect but we were looking for between 50 and 100. As soon as the clock turned 10 it was like a zoo! There were SO many cute kids that got to play some really cool games and get some even better prizes. I must say, my favorite game had to have been the

cake walk (and I think all the kids would agree as well). It was similar to musical chairs but when the music stopped, if you were standing on the number they called, then you got to pick out a box of treats. That's right, I said treats. I love treats. I hope you all are as excited about that as I am.

Then, at around 11, it was time for the magic show. Now, I didn't know there was going to be a magic show, nor did I know I was going to be in it (another first)! It turned out to be a huge success and the magician was even better! He did a great job. From there alot of our guests ate/did a medallion hunt. Finally, around one we started to run out of prizes and our guests started to slowly clear as well.

I must also put in a note that this was the first time that I met the junior royalty of Coon Rapids. What an amazing group! They are all wonderful and I am looking forward to spending the year with them! Also, I love to talk. I get it from my dad. We could be in Antartica and he would find at least three people he either knows or is a friend from back when. Not kidding. SO I had a great time today talking to all the parents, children, parents of junior royalty, and the junior royalty. I left around two, only to race home (not literally), change, touch up the make-up, and get ready to go to Mankato.

Miss Mankato was my first pageant I have ever had the chance to watch and boy was I excited! We stopped at a small pub to eat at in Mankato and I think we all thought we were going to miss the pageant! The food was great but we were short on time. Needless to say, we made it. The show started and there was a great group of girls ready to compete. All the girls were really on their game. Each competition stage came and went and picking a "favorite" was nearly impossible because they w

ere all so outstanding! I also had the opportunity to watch the current Miss Minnesota (locally, Miss Mankato), give her farewell speech and just watch her in general. She has alot of things that I could learn from so watching her and a pageant was very helpful. Finally the time came and LIZ was crowned Miss Mankato! I feel so fortunate to have been able to compete side by side with her in Miss Coon Rapids and really got to know what kind of person she really is. I am SO excited to spend a week at Miss MN with her and all the other girls as well. Tonight I also had the chance to visit a bit more with other Miss MN contestants. They seem like a great bunch of girls and I can't WAIT for June to come. What a great year we have ahead of us. It is crazy to think that one person holds so much potential, talent, drive, and personality. For those of you that may have not witnessed a pageant before, these girls are amazing and I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to join them on the same stages across the great state of Minnesota.