Mrs. Texas America Pageant

When I saw my packet in the mail, I felt like a giddy school girl who just saw the boy she had a crush on. I couldn't stop smiling. I want to tell you how much I appreciate you accepting me as a contestant. I'm sure you have heard this a thousand times, but this truly is a dream come true for me. I tried to live my dream vicariously through my little girl and entered her into a few local pageants, but after she threw herself down on the stage and had a major fit- on more than one occasion, I decided to give her a few years before trying it again. When I was a little girl, I always watched any pageant that I could find. I would write down my picks and see how accurate I was in selecting the winner- I still do this actually. I've even gotten my husband into it. Anyway, I secretly always wanted to be in pageants, but there were several reasons I never entered. First, I was embarrassed for anyone to know about my desires because I had always been seen as a tomboy. Second, I grew older but not taller. I'm only 5'1" and the odds of a "short" girl winning were pretty slim- at least in my mind. Lastly, I struggled with very low self-esteem most of my life, and I certainly never thought I could even come close to comparing to those beautiful, elegant, poised, intelligent women who were in the pageants I watched. Now, I'm going to be one of those women. I'm so excited about the whole process of getting ready for the pageant. Since having children and going through some very difficult times, I had forgotten that I am also a woman. In the last 3 years or so, I've probably "fixed" my hair less than 30 times. I haven't put on "full make-up" except occasionally on the weekends or for special events. I haven't bought myself any quality clothes or gotten my nails done. I rarely have had time to take a bath by myself. It's usually a quick shower or a bath with my children. This pageant has given me a goal and a reminder that I need to take time for myself in order to make myself and others happier. It's amazing how much more energy I've had and how much desire I've had to eat better and get myself into shape. All of my friends and family have been very supportive, and my husband has even been more motivated to get back into shape. This is truly an opportunity for me to become a better me and in doing so improve the lives of those around me as well.