Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We were blessed with a beautiful white Christmas this year and plenty of time with family and loved ones.  There were lots of laughs, smiles and stories shared.  I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful Christmas!  Jarod and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and New Year full of blessings!  We hope 2011 is your best year yet! God Bless!

Firefighters Christmas For Kids Christmas Party

I had the honor attending the Firefighters Christmas For Kids Party where over 300 kids and their families were present to enjoy good food, Santa and Mrs. Claus, elves and of course, presents! It was a wonderful evening for the children and adults alike!  I made it my goal to meet every child in the room, and if I did not, I know I must have been very close! Seeing the abundance of smiles all around was the perfect Christmas gift for me.  Another wonderful gift, learning that Dani, the little girl I visited a couple weeks before, was first on the heart transplant list and should have a heart in a matter of weeks.  God is good! Merry Christmas and God Bless!

VF National Sales Meeting

I had the honor of presenting the sales awards at the Vanity Fair National Sales meeting that was held at the Lowes Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee.  What a beautiful evening to celebrate the successes of some amazing individuals.  Despite the poor economy, these individuals showed what it means to be determined in the face of adversity.  Thank you to everyone at Vanity Fair and the Lowes Vanderbilt for a wonderful evening!

Firefighters Christmas For Kids

Sometimes you experience things and meet people that touch your heart so deeply, you know their memory will stay with you forever.  This is how I feel about not only the Firefighters Christmas For Kids program, but all the people I have been blessed to meet in Joplin, Missouri.  My first day in Joplin I began early with radio interviews on several of the local stations.  I was also able to visit the City Pointe Beauty Academy to speak with the students about following their dreams.  Everyone I met at the academy was amazing! They truly are my new extended family! We finished up the day with some live news spots at City Pointe reminding everyone to come out a donate to this wonderful cause. The next day began even earlier at the KODE news station promoting the fundraiser and encouraging everyone to come make a donation and meet me later that afternoon at the Oasis Day Spa.  Before the appearance at Oasis, I was able to visit some of the area fire stations and take pictures with the firefighters.  At Oasis, everyone who made a donation was able to have a picture made with me that looked as if we were on the cover of their "Show Me" magazine!  The pictures turned out great! What a clever idea! Also, while in town, I learned of an 11 year old girl named Dani that was on the heart transplant list.  I surprised her at her home and took her and her brother and sister for a limousine ride around town.  It was such a wonderful trip for a great cause.  I can't wait to go back in a couple weeks for the big Christmas party! 

American Spirit Pageant

Do the Quad Cities know how to treat a girl, or what?!  Thank you Dennis Vanderginst and everyone involved in the first annual American Spirit Pageant for your hospitality and making your inaugural event one that I will never forget.  I had the opportunity to judge with a stellar group of individuals including Jason London, Dale Ruplinger (Mr. Universe '82), Chelsi Smith (Miss Universe '95), Gia Allemand (Bachelor Pad), Jessie Sulidis (Bachelor Pad) and my United States sisters, Jessica Black and Heather Coutts Clark to name a few.  From preliminary night to finals, I felt absolutely gorgeous in my gowns provided by Joyce's Formals in Birmingham, Alabama.  Finals night was a high energy event mixing the results of the pageant with the annual Vanderginst Holiday Bash all of which the proceeds raised benefited the HAVlife organization.  Brian McFayden and Mario Lopez hosted the evenings events while Beau Davidson, Wes Hayden and the Funktastic 5 keep us entertained.  It was a truly wonderful event benefiting an even greater cause!