NEVER FORGET 9/11

It is so difficult to believe that 10 years ago,  the United States of America was attacked by terrorists and our world changed forever!  I remember that moment so vividly!  Today, as I watch the Memorial Dedication on TV, my heart is breaking & I just can't hold back the tears as they flow down my face as I listen to the children (especially) call out their parent's name or share a story. I just can't imagine, I get chills every time I think about it!  If we can learn something from this horrible tragedy, it is to cherish every day, every moment because life can change in an instant.  In memory of all we lost 10 years ago, God bless all who died, gave their lives to help others & all that lived who have to carry the burden in thier daily lives. But please...... NEVER FORGET & continue to be vigilent in our efforts to eliminate terrorism!

Ground Zero after 9/11

The Twin Towers before 9/11

We Love Selena Gomez!

What a highlight to our 2011 summer..... taking the girls to the Selena Gomez concert with opening act, All Star Weekend at the Meadowbrook Pavilion!  They were so excited and had a blast!!! 

Miss US of America 2011 ~ National Pageant

Congratuations

"Little Miss US of America 2011" ~ Evmorfia Alton

and

"Mrs. US of America 2011" ~ Irene Raissis Alton

On the weekend of August 13- 14, 2011.... an extraordinary event took place and 2 unexpected life goals were achieved!  That's right, both Evmorfia and I participated and competed at the Miss US of America National Pageant in CT with our reigning titles of Little Miss New Hampshire 2011 and Mrs. New England 2011.  It was a long filled weekend of competition, pageant friends both old and new and fun as we had a unbelievable time!  We competed in all levels of competition from Interview, Talent, Modeling, Outfit of Choice and Evening Gown.  I was so proud of my daughter. This was only her 2nd pageant ever and she did amazing!  The best part for me was hearing her sing and play the piano.  It was honestly the best I ever heard her sound, I had tears.  Then to top it off... they called her name as she won the National Title of Little Miss US of America 2011!!!  I think I screamed so darn loud it even hurt my own ears - HA!  As if that wasn't enough, I also won the Mrs. US of America 2011 title!  Boy, someone was on our side that day and we both came out of this pageant experience with (for me) a lifetime dream of someday winning a National Title and for Ev, her first ever National Title!  To have had the opportunity to do and achieve this together, I just cannot begin to find the words to express how special this day was for our family!  I think this was one of those "Rare" once in a  lifetime experiences and moments that will forever be etched in time for us!  There is so much we want to do and accomplish in this reigning year - we can't wait to get started!!!

We are so thankful to Christina Couto and her staff really do a wondeful job and run a pageant system filled with class and involve everyone and truly believe in making the experience one to remember and cherish - thank you so much to her and her staff and now our new Director  - you are precious Christina!

Life is Like a Box of Chocolates!

For the first post in my new blog, I wanted to reflect on a quote that always seems to come to mind.  Years ago when the movie "Forrest Gump" came out, I will never forget the line in the movie when he said "life is like a box of chocolates, you just never know whatcha gonna get"!  I remember the line for two reasons.  First, I love chocolate, dark chocolate specifically.  Second, I've come to realize that the statment is so true to life!  Think about it, when you open up a box of chocolates, as much as you think you are going to pick a piece of chocolate that has a particular flavor, texture, smell etc, you just never know if in fact, it is what you will end up with.  Isn't that the same with life?   As a hard core organizer, planner of all things humanly possible, I usually have a plan A, B, C and D (just in case the first three don't work out), but at the end of the day, you just can't predict what will come your way in each day.  Some days you can be disappointed and on other days, you can be pleasantly surprised and overjoyed!  It's the ying and yang of life.  So, what is one to do?  LIVE!  Live each day to it's fullest, take each moment for what it's worth, learn from each experience and remember to take a breath along the way to notice life and it's surroundings in all of it's glorious ways!  And if all else fails, well my friends, open up that box of chocolates, eat a few pieces and try, try, try again!