Pageant Life

I'm sure you have heard of Toddlers and Tiara's?  I was that kind of mom and Payce was that kind of kid. No, I wasn't on the TV show but I did have some friends that were. I just knew I couldn't be on TV because I could go all Honey Boo Boo. Can you imagine us on T.V.?

The pageant community is large and there are all different levels of pageants. Prelim, local, theme, State and National to name just a few. I love the glitz and glam in pageants. I competed as a child and all three of my kids competed. By the time Payce came along I was totally addicted and we were literally gone every weekend. It is hard to explain pageant life. You just have to live it. Don't let Matt fool you he is a pageant dad 100%. He judges all kinds of pageants and has great references if anyone needs him to judge. You know I'm always in need of a free mini vacation away from my kids..

When Thomas competed it was different, that was almost 15 years ago. A lot of the pageants were in Orange and Beaumont. You had age group winners and one Supreme. THAT WAS IT!

My Landon had the charm and stage presence. He was so debonair. If you have never seen him compete it is hard to explain. He loved the stage! He won a trip to Disney and I think he won more money the Payce. He laid the foundation of meeting friends and the addiction to pageants. Matt's rule was boys only competed till they turned three.

Payce, at age two, owned one pageant dress that was $1,500.00 along with many numerous other dresses. She had a pageant wardrobe that cost way over $3,000.00 in outfits of choices. We had so many pictures for her to compete with. If I do say so myself we had the best hair and make up artist at the time, the dynamic duo of Micheal Booth and Dane Dane. The good news is she won a lot of her money back but some days I wish I could have all that money back. Then I think of this. Family!!!

Some how during competing, crazy prop handling and crown chasing we had made a family. When we stopped at the age of three, for numerous reasons, I didn't realize for years just what a bond we had made. Until this day I'm friends with so many and we haven't competed in a National level pageant in over six years. Think about that. I haven't given one person in the pageant industry money in almost six years and they still contact me often.

We had a coach but I always looked at us as a team, Payce, Nana, Stina and I. Payce, at nine years old still tells me that Stina wasn't her coach, Dane was. That is only funny if you know how much she loved her Dane. Payce acts just like her. She was Payce's role model from day one. If you know the both of them you know their attitudes are just alike. She picked a great role model, if I do say so myself.

Why am I telling you this? Because at the time I took it for granted spending that time with my mom, weekends with the kids and making friends. I just took it all for granted. Describing the pageant world is difficult and some will never understand it but under all the sparkle are people that truly care about each other.

In 2013 when Matt and I fell on hard times with getting the "C" word and the blessings of our plus 2 the pageant community made sure we didn't go without. From dinners, calls, gifts, money to making sure my kids had an amazing Christmas they did it all, but what they really did was restore my hope in the world. From complete strangers to dear friends the pageant community held our hands and lifted us up. Some days literary till Matt and I got back on our feet. The Supreme Team saved me mentally and financially and even now I can never thank them enough.

For everyone not in pageants and in my life now here is a little name dropping so you can see just how much we became family over the last 16 years in pageants.

Kathleen, my friend that took my birthday pictures? Her daughter was in Payce's age group, The little girl Payce goes to camp with for the last three years was in Payce's age group. People always ask me how I met Nicole? Pageants.

You know Beverly, you always hosted a fair and fun pageant and your photo contest is the highlight to my month till this day.

Luane and Marilyn I'm so excited for y'alls new pageant career. You know I wish you both the best. Love you!!!

Our Cinderella Family is still amazing all these years later. Cassie I can't wait to see you this weekend and I better get a wedding invite. I will bring the cake. Marlene and Lisa it is so cool we live in the same small town. It truly is always Cinderella Magic when we're together. Payce and Emily were State Queens back in the day.

To the kids I love watching grow up on Facebook, Maci, Chelesea, Ashley, Madi Davis, Cami, Haley, Maddie, the Melea Tribe, KB, Tatum and so many others that have moved on from pageants and grown up. It has been a blast being a part of your lives.

Tessa- Renee, Payce always loved your cookies you would give out after a spray tan.

Valerie you know we love you and mean it.

Not even a year ago I watched The McAlister Family go through something very traumatic and again I watched the pageant community rally around to help. Christina and Dane's dad had a traumatic brain injury.  I was so blessed to visit with them that day at the hospital and can truly say I have not only seen but met a true miracle man. God and this Pageant community is good.

My favorite pageant quote is the characters never change but the faces do- Michael Booth

People can talk about all the drama in Pageants and I'm sure there is drama but isn't there with any sport? Been to the ballpark lately??

Pictures of Pictures

Pictures of Pictures