I think we can all agree—February should come with a built-in breather. Between pageant prep, community events, family life, and my career, I’ve been juggling more than a dozen spinning plates. And just for fun, the universe decided to throw in a household-wide round of winter sickness.
With eight people under one roof, germs move through my family like they’re on a mission. One child goes down, and we all start bracing for impact. Somewhere between cough syrup refills and taking turns playing nurse, I’ve managed to squeeze in everything from National Anthem performances and grant writing to lasagna deliveries and gown fittings.
It’s been a lot—but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
A Night to Shine: Beauty in Its Truest Form
One of the absolute highlights of this past month was volunteering at Night to Shine, an event dedicated to making people with disabilities feel like royalty. Red carpet, paparazzi, dancing, tiaras—it was pure magic.
The energy in that room was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The smiles, the joy, the pure freedom to celebrate life exactly as you are—it was a powerful reminder that beauty isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. It’s about how we make others feel.
That night, every single guest was the star of the show.
As someone who speaks often about confidence and resilience, this event was a humbling reminder: sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do for others is simply see them, celebrate them, and lift them up.
The Gown Journey: Online Regrets & My Husband’s Grand Plan
So, let’s talk about The Dress. dun-dun-duunnnn
I had a plan. I thought I could skip the hassle (and exorbitant costs) and order my pageant gowns online. The models looked stunning. The gowns looked luxurious. I felt confident in my choices.
And then… they arrived.
Let’s just say the fabric quality was questionable at best and Halloween-costume-adjacent at worst. (I’m not sure what material they used, but I do know it should never be allowed near a stage with bright lights.)
That’s when my husband, Alex, took charge. He saw me staring in disappointment at my pile of online regrets and said, “Nope. We’re fixing this. We’re going gown shopping. In person.”
So off we went—dragging along one of our eight kids, the only one who could be convinced that spending hours in a formalwear boutique was a good time.
Fabiola at Sparkly Gowns was a dream to work with. I tried on dozens of dresses. There were contenders. There were immediate absolutely nots. There were moments when I questioned my entire vision. But eventually, I narrowed it down, considered every angle, and made what I truly believe is the best possible choice.
It fits the vision, the vibe, and the stage. And I cannot wait for the big reveal in May.
The Balancing Act: Career, Community, and a Whole Lot of Hustle
Somewhere in the midst of all this, I’m still balancing a demanding career, my service work, and the daily life of a "Brady Bunch" mom.
I recently took a grant writing course and have already started putting those skills to work with the Beaverton Downtown Association, helping them apply for funding to grow and support the community.
My Rise Through Resilience initiatives—Bridge to Resilience, Resilience Hubs, and Resilience in Action—are in full development mode. This work is all about getting real resources into the hands of people who need them, building connection, and teaching practical resilience skills.
And of course, I’m available and ready to bring my resilience training programs to organizations, schools, and communities. (Because let’s be real—we all need a little more resilience these days.)
Balancing these projects isn’t easy, but when your work aligns with your purpose, it fuels you instead of drains you.
Serving in My Own Way: A National Anthem Honor
One of the greatest honors I’ve received this year is being invited to perform the National Anthem at the 446th Airlift Wing Awards Banquet.
This is so much more than a performance to me. It’s a chance to represent not only myself, but my husband, his unit, and the Commander’s Key Support Program. It’s a way to show my gratitude for the men and women who serve—and an opportunity to contribute in my own way.
Music has always been a part of my life, and being able to use it to honor others and bring people together is something I never take for granted.
Lasagna Love: When Food is More Than Just a Meal
Recently, I had the opportunity to begin my volunteer journey with Lasagna Love, and I am officially hooked on this simple but deeply meaningful movement.
The idea is beautiful in its simplicity: volunteers cook a lasagna and deliver it to a family in need—no questions asked, no strings attached. Just a home-cooked meal, made with love.
In a world that can feel so disconnected, small acts of kindness like this make all the difference. Whether it’s a lasagna, a handwritten note, or simply taking the time to check in on someone—you never know how much impact a single act of care can have.
Community, Sisterhood, and Pageant Prep
This month, I also had the privilege of helping with mock interviews at Sunset High School. Watching young people step up, put themselves out there, and grow through the process was inspiring. It reminded me why confidence and self-presentation matter so much.
And speaking of confidence—getting together with my sash sisters for a Mrs. World watch party was another highlight. There’s something so powerful about being surrounded by strong, accomplished women who lift each other up. This isn’t just about competition—it’s about sisterhood, mentorship, and shared purpose.
What’s Next?
Exciting collaborations are on the horizon, and I cannot wait to showcase the incredible businesses I’m partnering with. If you had told me a year ago that I’d be stepping into the world of content creation and brand partnerships, I probably would have laughed—but here we are. And I am loving it.
This is just the beginning.
I don’t have all the answers, and I definitely don’t have all the time in the world—but I do have passion, purpose, and a whole lot of resilience.
So, here’s to the road ahead. Here’s to showing up, even when it’s hard. Here’s to learning, growing, and lifting others along the way.
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