Mrs. Wyoming is in Chi-town!

The ever stunning and fabulous Mrs. Wyoming 2009, Mrs. Joanna Hamilton, was in town as a Keynote Speaker for an Eczema Convention (most of her children suffer from this chronic skin disorder, in very debilitating ways...her youngest has far survived more than he should have and is a walking miracle!). We had the pleasure of getting her sweet 7 year old Logan and Elena together for a "play date" at The Children's Museum at Navy Pier on Monday, and it was a very, very good day.

Elena was over-tired from getting up way too early being excited about the trip into the city, and Logan was a bit shy at first, but every moment spent with Joanna is like seeing slivers of heaven wafting down to us in little sprinkles of light. She is one of the most beautiful people I know, from the inside out, and each word that comes from her is pure, gentle, loving and real. She is a breath of fresh air, an inspiration on so many levels, and one of the many blessings I have gotten through the Mrs. America experience. Being with her makes me want to "Seek Him First" all the more. She is an example to follow, an angel on earth, and she will be the first to humbly say "It's not me...if you see anything good, it's God..." WOW!

I hope you'll take the time to learn more about the severity and seriousness of eczema and the affects it has on people, especially children. Many think that eczema is an "itchy spot on the skin" and for some it is, but in reality it is not anything to think twice about and forget. Many, Joanna's children included, suffer over 90% of their body in inflamed, infected, and painful sores all over that can be life-threatening. Literally!

See more at: http://www.nationaleczema.org/

Joanna, thank you for giving us a day to be with you and Logan, thank you for your story, your hard work, your dedication as a wife, mom, and advocate...thank you for blessing others in such tangible ways! God bless you, Sweet Lady!

PS - I love the picture of Joanna and the kids catching leaves, sparklies...not sure what really in their arms...very cute, and also kind of poetic in that it looks like they are "catching blessings" and side note that Joanna made a point to spill them over onto the kids...I think that way because that was how the day felt, so had to say it... ;)