Finally Slowing Down

After two extremely hectic weeks at Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen and Miss Arkansas and then a week in Branson at Dance Nationals... I am HOME.  

There is nothing more invigorating than after long car ride and 3 weeks of hotel beds, crawling with your little buddy (Baylor) into your own bed with a cold air conditioner and your Scentsy Cupcake Smell.  It was so good to finally be home last night and know that I would wake up to my sweet Baylor and be able to make Mickey Mouse Waffles and chill at the house, all day.  Which is exactly what Molly Anne and I did today.  I got an Apple TV for Christmas - and it has literally been the best gift for lazy days!  I have enjoyed it so much this year.  We have been watching Pretty Little Liars and Desperate Housewives all day!  It has been so nice.

I thought I would recap the last 3 weeks for you because I know that some of you are completely lost and most are disappointed I have not been posting like I usually do.

My sister, Laura Leigh (15 - green above), won Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen and will be competing in Miss America's Outstanding Teen in 2 weeks!  Yes - that means in 2 weeks I will be packing for 10 days in Orlando at Disney World.  If you know me at all... THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM!!  except the whole packing thing.

I am a little hesitant how 10 days in one bag will work.  We will figure it out :)  and I will keep you posted the whole way!  ( or will try to haha)

Then I went to Miss Arkansas and I am working on a week long video for it!  Sorry it is taking me so long... but I think I have this thing figured out now.

I had a great week at Miss Arkansas and tool from it a lot of memories, a lot of new friends, and an experience of a lifetime.  It was so much fun!
After the Miss Arkansas Pageant, my family packed up in my mom's truck and headed north.  My family and probably 300 other families were in Branson, Missouri for Showbiz Dance Nationals.  It was 5 long days full of incredibly talented little dancers.  Find me on Social Cam and you can watch several of the dancers that I videoed.  I am so proud of our Ms. Karen's Dance Studio Dancers.  They took home 5 first places, and the Overall Scored Dance!  So proud of them!!!








I have had some of the greatest 3 weeks of my life.  Spending time with my family makes me so happy.  When I am at school in Waco - I long to be here with them, and it is a blessing that I am getting to take this time to spend with them.

I have had some of the greatest 3 weeks of my life.  Spending time with my family makes me so happy.  When I am at school in Waco - I long to be here with them, and it is a blessing that I am getting to take this time to spend with them.

My cousin preached yesterday in Jonesboro at his church and this is what he said:

The way that we can daily worship God the most is be being obedient and having faith in his promises.  Wow!  We don't have to do anything except have faith him.

Sit on that and ponder it!
Abby.

Day Two Tuesday!!!

After a wild day in Hot Springs and preparing for the Miss Arkansas Pageant to get underway tomorrow,  it is nice to sit and relax on my bed in the hotel with the lights out and tell you about my day.  It started out wild and crazy (not really)!

We woke up around 6 am and get ready for the day, which meant roll call was at 7:15.  The point that the chaperones make is that the job of Miss Arkansas is to BE ON TIME.  So no matter whether it's your hair and makeup appointment or the roll call before we all make the quarter of a mile trek to the arena, we need to be on time.  And honestly, that is a great trait to have and carry with you through life.  

We went to rehearsal this morning and we were only there a couple of hours before Group B was dismissed for interview preparation.  Their interviews started at 12:30 and most of the time interviews are running behind, but their's were early!  What a great judge's panel we must have. 

We stayed at rehearsal until about 1130 and then headed back for lunch, which the Austin hotel so kindly prepares for us.  For lunch we had salad and potatoes.  Baked, that is.  Which isn't bad.  However, I have the best mom in the world and she brought me grilled chicken and vegetables!  Steamed, of course!  

I was able to see my hair dresser at that time to discuss hair and makeup times for the evening, for my interview.  Lauren is my hair stylist and she is amazing.  In fact, she is here this week and super pregnant.  Her due date:  July 16, 2012.  Can you believe that she is standing up for close to 8 hours a day doing hair?  We have such an incredible pageant family here in Arkansas. Honestly, I don't know what I would do without her!  

We headed back over the rehearsals to clean for just about an hour and headed back over to the hotel, where my mom, I know she is the greatest!, had left me a large diet sprite with cranberry.  If you know me at all, that is my FAVORITE drink in the whole wide world!  I LOVE IT!! She is such an encouraging woman.  It was actually for good luck for my interview later this evening.

I went back up to my room and turned on Desperate Housewives to unwind and prepare for the long evening I was about to have and I fell asleep until about 5:30.  I woke up to a text message saying that the hair and makeup room was ready for me!  So I got up, put rollers in my hair and headed out the door to the hair and makeup room!  I am sure I will post pictures soon from that room, because we spend so much time in there.  

[I just got finished with the video today!!  some GREAT questions were asked so I hope you enjoy them!!] - Click here to watch it!

My interview was supposed to start at 8:59 - but I ended up going into the interview at 9:30 -ish.  the 5 judges knew their information about current events and especially about the Miss America Program!  I am so lucky to have such a supportive, prayerful family!  They have been praying all day for a good interview and I came out with the peace knowing I left it in the room.  Which is good!  

However, after we got back from rehearsal I didn't take any more pictures - the next several days' videos will be better, but today's video is all about rehearsal and answering the questions that I was asked.  I am looking forward to your feedback!

This picture was actually taken Monday Night.  This is Abby Lindsey, and my roomie - Makenzie!  They are both in Group C!  We had a water taste test between Ozarka, Fiji, and this special Alkaline Water Makenzie drinks.  Needless to say - she didn't get any of them right - thus proving the point... water is water!

These pictures were taken at rehearsal - and yes, we are being completely goofy.  Please notice that we are having the greatest time in the world!  And that is what it is all about!  

Some girls from Group A reading the newspaper!  we are so well-informed :)


See you tomorrow!

Abby

Miss Arkansas Day One

Sorry I can't really write a whole lot about what happened today because I am trying to get ready for my interview which will be tomorrow night!  

These are some pictures from our intensive rehearsal that lasted all day today!  But we made it through and opening number will be fabulous!  

I am really enjoying getting to know all of the new girls and they are all so very sweet!

I have had a blast with my roommate, but I can honestly say being on the top floor by the 

"official" suite and we have had a blast hanging out in there so far! 

That room will provide more than enough entertainment for the week.  

Several of us watched the Bachelorette tonight because after getting dismissed at 3 pm this afternoon we haven't had anything to do all night - so after studying on and off for 

our interview tomorrow, we watched Emily choose the WRONG 2!  

All of your Miss Arkansas contestants LOVE SEAN! 

The official video is coming!  I promise!  BUT until then - enjoy some pictures! 

Oh and I will be doing interviews with the girls everyday... if you have a question to help us get 

ready for On Stage Question, or just want an inside look at the pageant girls' mind - Leave a comment

and we can get those questions answered!

Have a great night!  See you tomorrow!

Miss Arkansas Arrival Video!

The First Day of the Best Week EVER!

We moved into Hot Springs last night around midnight and have been going ever since then!  This morning was Arrival for Miss Arkansas and may I say it was the best year for Arrival yet (and I have been to quite a few).  And that is all thanks to the fabulous board of directors of Miss Arkansas.  Mrs. June Felix has been working so hard to make this year so special.  And she succeeded.  She was able to recover countless headshots of the former Miss Arkansas' throughout the years!  It was such an exciting experience.  Her husband also hand decorated our backdrop, of course the crown, but he has put in countless hours - and let me be the first to tell you... it was AMAZING!!

This year marks the 75th Anniversary of Miss Arkansas - and I am ready to compete for the opportunity to be the next Miss Arkansas.  What a privilege that will be for whomever wins the cherished crown.

The day started off in the hair and makeup room and ended up on the top floor in the suite of Miss Arkansas learning about the job and hearing over 2 hours of rules for the next 7 days.

I. CANT. WAIT!  I am ready and I am hear.  My roommate, Mackenzie Moore, is adorable and sweet and we have had so much fun so far!  I can't wait to share more memories with her!  I hope you enjoy my pictures!!!


Bethany and I and then my old roommate, Kathryn, and I!

 Of course the beautiful Ouachita Baptist University Girls.  From Left to Right, Brooke, Bethany, Mary Ellen, Sarah Liz, Mackenzie, Abby, Candace, MaryLacey, and me!

The girls I will be competing with all week - my Group C girls!  

 The Group B girls!!

And then finally the Group A girls!  

Maegan Inzer and I waiting to go to Arrival!!

The first video - should be up shortly!  Looking forward to it!

Miss Arkansas Hear I COME!

Abby