Dreamcatcher Bingo and MMOT

It has been crazy! I haven't found time to blog for over a month, so let me catch you all up! 

The third weekend in March was the annual Dreamcatcher Bingo with Sleigh & Cutter. I have never seen Katie O'Leary's so full! It was so much fun to see so many people involved and having a great time raising money for an even greater cause! 

Last Thursday I had my first meeting with the Waseca Rotary for the Cake Auction! I am so so so excited to be helping with this event! The Rotary is raising funds for the Waseca County Weekend Backpack program and Semillas de Amor in Guatemala. The backpack program supplies food for a weekend to students in elementary school that are in need. Many people in our community do not realize how little some students have. This program allows the kids to have full bellies all weekend while they are away from school. Semillas de Amor is an orphanage in Guatemala that houses 24 children. The Waseca Rotary is donating water purification systems to the orphanage. Clean water + full bellies = healthy kids! The Cake Auction is May 15 at the Boat House in Waseca! I cannot wait for this event! It is going to be so fun! 

This past weekend was the Miss Minnesota Outstanding Teen pageant! My sister queens, Sadie and Alyssa, have been preparing so diligently and it brought me to tears to see them shine on stage (I was actually crying). There hard work definitely paid off. Sadie was the best I had ever seen her! I was such a proud sister queen. And Alyssa took 2nd runner up! It was a successful day for both of them! HUGE congratulations are in order for Miss Lauren Algyer. You rocked the stage Saturday and are so so deserving of this! Congratulations! 

Saturday was also Miss Minnesota Orientation! It is crazy that Miss Minnesota week is only 2 months away. I can hardly believe it. It is SO real now! It was so fun to finally meet everyone. I decided on being contestant number 23 which means I will have lifestyle/fitness and evening gown on Wednesday (June 11) and talent and onstage question on Thursday (June 12). I also found out who I am rooming with!!!! I am so excited (I realize I say that phrase a lot, but I can't help it) to be rooming with Miss Frazee, Ashley Laine. We both love coffee, so we will obviously get along. (: We also got complimentary sunglasses (see the pic). Lauren and I were pretty excited about them if you can't tell. 

Miss MN is sneaking up so fast! I am so excited for school to be done because that means Miss MN is here! 

xoxo,

Katie

When times are tough

I spent my night doing my usual activities. I hung out with my mom, got ready for bingo, and headed over to Katie O' Leary's. I was a card seller, so while games were being played, I had time to scroll through my Facebook newsfeed. I came across this article. I am angry. I am sad. I am absolutely sickened. 

Ever since hearing about Caleb, I have been praying and asking why. This makes me want to scream "WHY" even louder at God. All night I have been trying to comprehend the position these people are supporting. I sat at my best friend's kitchen table staring at the website that said "God hates fags". This post is not to discuss my political view on same sex marriage. It is to discuss respect.

 Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I am thankful I live in a country where I am able to speak freely about what I believe. I am thankful for men and women like Caleb, my brother, and my best friend who are willing to give up everything in order to protect my ability to speak freely. I also understand that the people of the Westboro Baptist Church also have this right. 

All over their website they have pictures of upside down flags, signs talking about how much God hates America, and how soldiers die because America allows homosexuality. The most disheartening thing I found was a quote the said "Thank God for 8 more dead troops. We are praying for 8000 more." Those troops are people's loved ones. It is so extremely hurtful to hear these things. I cannot understand there reasoning. Yet again, I understand their right to an opinion. I just do not understand why they express it in such a disrespectful way. 

This is not the first time I have heard of the WBC, and sadly, it probably will not be the last. It is because of young men and women like Caleb that they are able to continue with their protesting. I hope and pray that God can change their hearts. 

As for now, I pray that our community can grieve together and support each other. It is a difficult situation that has just gotten harder. 

I love my community.

As a titleholder, I am often asked what I love most about the community. The answer is simple: I love the way the community pulls together and supports each other during a time of tragedy. I think back to seventh grade when Alec was killed, sophomore year with Jacob, junior year with Steven, and senior year with Abby, the entire community came together and did everything they can to support the suffering families. In our community, it doesn't matter who you are, you are affected. 

Last Friday, tragedy struck our small town yet again. Lance Cpl. Caleb Erickson of the United States Marines was killed in action on a combat mission. I was driving home from school when I got the news and the first thing I thought was "why?" He had so much life ahead of him. He had so many people who loved him back home. Why does God always have to take the good ones? 

 Caleb and I went to ECFE together. I have pictures of us hanging out with Sparky the Waseca Fire mascot, reading books at the library club, and so much more. So many people have posted on Facebook about how Caleb was known for making them smile. Although our exchanges were limited to youth group and quick hellos in the hallway during high school, he really did always make me smile. 

I will never understand God's plan. I have come to peace with that. Right now, I am able to appreciate the sacrifice that Caleb made to protect our freedom and a loving, supportive community. I believe that Catie DeBates said it the best, "Bluejays are known for their calls that carry for long distances. Remember to call upon one another during difficult times, and be there for one another." I am so beyond blessed to have had the opportunity to grow up in such an amazing community and so many bluejays to call upon. 

And the 1st ever Mr. Waseca is….

A few months back, I casually mentioned the idea of a Mr. Waseca pageant to Sadie as a way of fundraising money for our CMN accounts. We both agreed it would be a great idea! We talked it up with our directors and put it in motion right away! They were all so great with helping us along the way because they are the ones who know how to run a pageant! As Sadie and I were crazily running around getting sponsors, contestants, and advertising, Molly, Jen, and Christy were writing scripts, printing programs, and collecting silent auction baskets! 

About a month before the event, I was getting pretty nervous about how the turn out was going to be. We only had 3 locked in contestants (one being Joey, so actually 2) and little talk about it. Out of the blue I received an email from the Mankato Free Press asking about the event and if I could be interviewed (WHAT?!). After the Free Press, the Pioneer Press wrote an article and many other newspapers followed. Just a few days after, Jen called me and said the WCCO wanted to interview us (Okay, crazy right?). I was so excited! I set a date for us to meet up with Frank (yes, Frank Vascellaro) and Chris Shaffer! They were a hoot! Sadie and I taught them the fitness routine, witnessed their talents, taught them how to walk, and asked them on-stage questions. If you missed it on WCCO ,you can watch us here! Just a few days before, Molly said she heard about us on the radio! But even with the publicity, I was still nervous (just ask Sadie)! Thankfully, we had 10 contestants in no time! 

I don't remember which director said it, but one of them said that with big events, something always goes wrong. Honestly, I was not a fan of that statement. But they were right, we had a contestant drop out last minute…and the night went on :) JUST LIKE THEY SAID! 

Our contestants were such good sports (even though they all complained about the fitness routine (: ) They all got pretty creative up on stage whether it was interpretive poem reading, singing, or ripping their shirts off during the fitness routine…

Larry cooked us up a DELICIOUS Italian dish for his talent. #nomnomnom Cooking was a great talent for him to perform! Lauren and I sure enjoyed eating it (: 

My lovely sister queen, Miss South Central, Lauren, helped in the deciding factor of who would be crowned! The beautiful Miss Minnesota Outstanding Teen, Corinna Swiggum, helped us judge and impressed the audience with her sweet ka-rah-tay moves. Ken was, of course, such a hoot. I sat right next to him and he was cracking up the entire time which made my night 100x better. Our emcee was HILARIOUS. Shout out to Ann Fitch for being so great. Our event would not have been as successful without you! 

Congratulations again to Mr. Waseca 2014, Larry Johnson! Thank you for allowing us to use the American Legion and everything you do for our program! 

At the end of the night, we ended up raising $900! It was way past anything that I expected! Sadie and I could not have been more excited about it! It was such a great way to get the community involved in our program! 

Thank you to everyone who helped put this event on! Sadie and I are so grateful to all of you! 

xoxo,

Katie

Polar Plunge take 2

Yes, you read that right…TAKE 2! I was crazy enough to take the plunge AGAIN. Why? I have no idea. The plunge in Waseca had the proceeds go to the Waseca Marching Band (That's probably why…) I was a band kid in high school and I loved every minute of it (maybe not every minute, but most minutes. Definitely not when Mr. G made us do bleachers in the gym) Waseca is so lucky to have such a wonderful band program. If I wasn't in band in high school, I would not be the leader that I am today and I would definitely not have as many friends. I owe so much to this program, the least I could do was to jump into a frozen lake. 

Wondering what the heck we are doing...

And we're off! 

It was MUCH MUCH MUCH colder than the plunge in White Bear Lake. Sadie and I had the power of pink on our side though :) Also, the swords were to pretend we were fighting for Narnia…but we chickened out once we actually got up there. Whoops! Did I mention that the night before Sadie and I stayed up until 3:30AM decorating our superhero masks and watching Hercules? #sisterqueenprobs I have always wanted a little sister and I am so glad I can experience this year with her! 

The entire time up to the warming house, I couldn't figure out what was on my head! I was saying, "WHAT IS ON MY HEAD?! SADIE WHAT IS ON MY HEAD?!?!?!" And of course she was shivering and not even paying attention, so I just panicked that I had a fish on my head until we got up to change and I realized it was just my cape :) 

If you didn't notice, our pink shirts say "Girls rule the world" because clearly, they do! In case you are wondering where we got our amazing outfits, they were purchased at Wal Mart in the little girls section of all places. We just really like pink. At least I do, and I was really convincing when picking out our outfits :) 

The night before, Sadie, Alyssa, and I helped out at the American Legion's Adult Carnival. We helped with games, played games, and Larry even read us our fortune! We are so grateful for the American Legion allowing us to use their space for our Holiday Extravaganza and for our Mr. Waseca pageant on February 22 at 7PM (shameless plug). Larry has been such a wonderful sponsor and is so great about letting us use his space when necessary! THANKS, LARRY!!! 

Molly also discovered a game that "WAS JUST LIKE THE PRICE IS RIGHT!!!!!!" She was so excited about it that all of us had to try. :) If you can't tell by our faces, it was pretty exciting. Sadly though, we did not win. But Molly did get some tee shirts for us because no one can say no to the crown :) 

xoxo,
Katie

Kruger Memorial Vintage Snowmobile Dragraces

It is no secret to anyone that knows me that the Krugers have a very special place in my heart. It is always hard to think back to that horrible day, but I find myself doing it more and more often as I get older. It is still as clear in my mind today as it was 7 years ago. When someone is asked the question "Who is the most influential woman in your life?" most would answer with their mom or grandmother. Since that day in seventh grade, I have always answered "Hilary Kruger". Not that I don't love my mom and grandmas, I do love them. But Hilary has always stuck in my mind. She is the kind of woman I want to be someday. She is strong and confident and funny. She is down to earth and loving. She went through something that none of us can imagine and she came out on top. I hope that someday I am able to be half the woman that she is. 

Saturday after the parade, I headed out to the lake to see the Kruger Memorial Races. I got to catch up with Hilary and Zak for a few minutes while we watched a couple races. It is crazy to think that Zak is already a junior. I remember Hilary and Zak coming to pick up Alec from my house in seventh grade. Zak was just a little 10 year old then. He is now towering over me. It makes me so sad. I am so thankful God has put these two in my life. They are a true inspiration.

xoxo,

Katie

Sleigh and Cutter

What a weekend!!! I still haven't caught up on my sleep yet. I had to bring Joey back down to Waseca today because no matter how many times I told him he should bring dress clothes to school, he wouldn't listen. Boys will be boys I guess…but, I did get a nice nap in :) So that was a plus! 

Thursday afternoon Sadie and I attended the opening of the new Waseca Safety Center. What a beautiful building! The amount of work that the people of our community put into that project in such a short period of time is amazing. You would never know by looking at it that it was build in just a few short months. Ellie gave us a wonderful tour around the entire building! 

New parking for the firetrucks!

Trevor arrested us :(

Thursday night Sadie and I were interviewed by Frank and Chris from WCCO about what it took to be Mr. Waseca! If you watched the segment, I think it is safe to say they would both make wonderful titleholders! They were a hoot! Thank you so much WCCO for promoting our event! If you didn't catch us on tv, find it here ! 

Noah and the ladies :)

Ryan loves the crown!

Chris Brooks and the Silver City Boys!

Chris Brooks. That is all I have to say. Holyyyyyy smokes! Friday was a BLAST with my lovely team. I temporarily lost my voice from singing so much!! We literally danced the night away. Also, shout out to Lau's Meat Market for the amazing stuffed pork chops. So delicious. And to the VFW bartenders for making the best Shirley Temples ever. YUM! I also got to dance with my first one on one student, Eustice :) What a goofball. He was too embarrassed to dance with me at first because "YOU ARE MY TEACHER!" but eventually he came over and grabbed me by the arm. 

Too sleepy at the dance...

Saturday came REAL early. We were up and at 'em for the parade registration! It was only the start of an eventful day. The weather was beautiful and it was snowing just a little (it was perfect winter engagement weather). I had two of the best horses in the parade, Jeff and Rocky. Team Waseca was joined by royalty from all over southern Minnesota! It is always great to see the other girls! Special shout out to Katie Bull. :) It is so great to see all of the people that are involved with the festival! Ken does a wonderful job putting on this festival. If it wasn't for him, I am sure it would have died out many years ago. We are so blessed to have such a caring man in our community. 

xoxo,

Katie