Let me tell you, it was HARD work getting ready for this thing! I had to read a TON of stuff! I didn't read some of it close enough the first time and ended up buying two dresses. Picture a big sigh here. However, it worked out because one of them worked well for the talent portion. We ended up working hard to raise the money she needed, fill out the forms, get the outfits, reserve a room, decide what to take with us...
We got up EARLY on Saturday morning in order to be in Waterloo by 7:00 AM. It's nearly two hours away. I stayed home the night before because the Big Boys had a track meet. I wanted to see them. So, we took off, got her checked in, found our hotel and started the insanity that is a pageant weekend.
Once we were there, the real work began! We had to get here, get there, get out all within specified times. There were certain outfits to be worn at certain times. We had to take breaks to eat. We had to literally run to get to some events. I had to fix hair, make ribbons, fix clothes, make sure she had her badge at all times, get her where she was going, and keep her going. No, I really didn't have to keep her going. She did that herself! She was ready to go every time, everywhere. She never fought me fixing her hair, she had ideas she wanted done. She asked for matching hair bows and I made them. She didn't beg and plead for all the little things that were for sale this weekend. She just looked and pointed out things she liked.
The people at this pageant (National American Miss) run a tight ship! There was a schedule to be followed the entire time. My Daddy's military career taught me something. If you are 15 minutes early, you are on time. If you are on time, you are LATE! Well, that's the way it is in pageant world, too! We had to get where we were going with time to spare. For one part, ABBI wanted to be ready an hour early. You don't understand, this child is the kind who walks out the door five minutes AFTER she is supposed to be somewhere. She has been a challenge to me all her life with this tendency she inherited from her father! I couldn't believe how she changed that aspect of herself for the pageant.
I was most impressed this weekend with my daughter. I have always known I had one tough girl. She chose to perform in this pageant. She practiced her flute as much as she could. She got up in front of the judges and played. She messed up. She paused. She gathered herself and she went on. She finished, got off the stage, and smiled for all the world!
She did her formal wear and self-introduction in front of over 300 people! She had a little flub in each. Again, she gathered herself, and smiled her gorgeous smile the entire time! She acknowledged that she had made a mistake and was frustrated with herself. But, she chalked it all up to learning. She says she will do better next time. Next time?!
Once the final pageant was over, I went to find her. I was worried. While her name was called out and she was singled out on stage for an accomplishment, she didn't even make top 20. Does anyone expect it for the first year? I hope not. She didn't either, but, she got further than many girls. I was worried she would be disappointed or hurt. What's wrong with me? I should have known better! My girl was not disappointed or hurt. She was worried. Some of her friends were crying! She had to go check on them! She wanted to congratulate others. She wanted to hug some she had gotten really close to.
Next time? You better believe it. I learned a lot about my daughter this weekend. I already knew she was smart, beautiful, talented, outgoing, and just all around awesome! I also learned that she is a hard worker, she is caring, she is vivacious, she is poised, she is compassionate, and she is just incredible. She is already planning how she will fix her mistakes from this year for next year. She is talking about how she will raise her money. She is thinking about the other competitions she wants to do. She is talking about how she will adjust her talent. And, she is texting up a storm to her new friends. Look out world, here comes Abbi...
