Hi everyone!!! I have created a brand new blog... CHECK IT OUT!!!

www.blessingsandbutterflies.blogspot.com

I have also created a new page on facebook. It is "Rachel Roberts"  (click HERE to become a fan) and will be dedicated to helping other women and their families fight Postpartum Depression.

HOPE YOU ENJOY!!!!

-Rachel

A huge congrats goes out to Heidi Ducato, Mrs. Oklahoma International 2010 for placing first runner up at the Mrs. International pageant held a couple weeks ago in Chicago. In addition to her amazing placcement, she also took home the physical fitness award!!! CONGRATS HEIDI!!!!!

This picture was taken after Heidi's Mrs. Oklahoma crowning ceremony. BEAUTIFUL lady inside and out!!!

Thank you so much to Shweiki Media for this fabulous poster of the program book cover from the 2010 Oklahoma Intl State Pageant. What a wonderful gift to remind me of my year!

Hi everyone! I know I have not been the best with keeping up with my blog lately. I have been so busy!! All I can say is that I have some big plans in the works!!! I can't wait to share it with you! But.... you will have to wait.

A couple weeks ago, I had an AMAZING night. On Friday June 11, 2010 was the Miss Oklahoma's Outstanding Teen pageant. This is an organization that I love and have been honored to volunteer with. One of my long time students, Heather,  has also been a part of the Miss America organization by being a Miss Oklahoma "star" for many years. Last year, she was finally of age to compete in the teen pageant. As her coach, I had the honor of helping her prepare for her local pageants as well as the state pageant. We were both so excited when our hard work paid off and she won all three preliminary awards that were given (Rookie Talent, Overall Talent, and the Spirit Award) and then went on to place in the top 10!

We went back to work shortly after last years' state pageant. Heather won a local title and was ready to head back to the state pageant. She worked so hard on her interview, modeling and talent and most importantly on knowing herself and staying focused. She was ready.

Unfortunately this year I had a family commitment that kept me from attending the preliminary events of that week. The morning of the final pageant I flew home. My mom and I attended the pageant that night. We held our breathe as the top ten were called out. She made it!!!! She then had the opportunity to re-compete in active wear, talent and evening gown. She was flawless!! She could not have done anything different. Again it was time to hold our breathe as the top 5 were called. Finally after the first four were called, Heather was called!!!!! Talk about nerves!!!!

The top 5 each answered an on-stage question. Heather was amazing! Once again, she could not have done anything different! She was herself and had no regrets.

Then it was time for that final announcement of who was to be the next Miss Oklahoma's Outstanding Teen. Fourth, Third and Second runner ups were called. None of them were Heather. Now it was down to Miss SWOSU's Outstanding Teen, Lacy Russ and Heather (Miss Oklahoma City's Outstanding Teen). The moment of truth.... Heather was named first runner up!!!!!!!! We were so excited! Lacy was amazing as well and both young ladies deserved the title.

Heather is a true example of what hard work and dedication will do. She has come so far since her time at state last year. Everyone adores her and she is so down to earth. She is an amazing young lady and I am honored to be her coach and her friend.

In 2007, I entered the Mrs. OK International pageant. I needed professional pictures done and since I worked with a lot of Miss O pageant girls, I came to know Jim Grillot. Of course he was my first pick for a photographer. In Jan of 2007, my mom and 6 month old daughter, Madeline, accompanied me to the shoot. We all had a fabulous time and Jim treated me like a queen! The most memorable moment of the shoot was when Jim said, "Hey, how about a picture with Maddy!" Of course I said YES!!! To this day, that is my favorite picture of me and my daughter. It captured a wonderful day... one of the first days I felt like a mother even though I was in a tough battle with Postpartum Depression. I look at the photo often to remind me how far I have come in my relationship with my daughter. Jim captured that wonderful moment and I am forever grateful. I do have one regret... after winning the title of Mrs. OK Intl 2009, I told Jim that I would need another photo shoot. We always talked about that next photo shoot every time we ran into each other at local pageants. I was so excited about it and was ready to book my appointment when I heard of his first stroke. I vowed to myself to be one of his first shoots after his recovery. I am sad that now I will not have the chance to work with Jim again. The photos I do have from my first shoot will serve as a reminder to never take "time" for granted. Thank you Jim!! You will not be forgotten!

This past week has been a first for me. I have been all alone with my daughter for an entire week. I have never been all alone with her for more than 48 hours. I am so fortunate to have my parents living close by to lend a helping hand when needed, especially since my husband joined the Army. Well this week, my parents went to Vegas. No not for an amazing vacation. Vegas is where i grew up. I spent most of my life there and loved it! Now I visit and I don't know how I could ever live there again. Anyway, one of our very close friends got married last weekend and we were all invited although I decided not to go. So that left me all along for an entire week with my almost 4 year old daughter. I honestly did not know if I would be able to do it. Thankfully the dance studio where I work is closed for a short vacation, but I still worked with some girls for the upcoming Miss Oklahoma and Miss Oklahoma's Outstanding Teen pageants. So I took Maddy EVERYWHERE with me. We had some trying moments... specifically one I won't soon forget in Target. I needed to pick up some groceries and decided to make a run to Target because of the specific coupons I had for the store. Everything was going great. We looked at clothes for Maddy and she picked some out. We then walked by the Barbie aisles... my mistake! She wanted to look so I gave in. Once in the aisle, Maddy spotted a few things she wanted and began asking me over and over to buy her one. I said no, we are buying some clothes you need and maybe for your birthday, you can get a Barbie. That wasn't good enough for her. As I proceeded to the grocery side, her tantrum escalated. She began screaming to the point I thought she was going to throw up. I could have easily gone back to the toy section and let her pick out a toy... but I held my own. I do not want her to think that everytime she cries, she will get what she wants. Yes I was embarrassed walking around target with a screaming child, but I got through my shopping and toward the end, she got over it. I have never seen her act that way before.

Now that my week is almost over, I feel like I accomplished something I was so scared to do. I did it. This made me realize you can do anything if you have faith in yourself. There are so many things going on in my life right now. So many decisions and so many ways I can go. This week made me realize how much I enjoy just being at home. I LOVE being busy, but I also LOVE being at home with my family. I am so blessed!!!

I feel so lucky to be a mom. I didn't feel this way after the birth of my daughter in 2006. Postpartum Depression consumed me and I was at the lowest point in my life. I am so blessed to be able to say I am 100% well! A few days before Mother's Day, I am finding myself reflecting on that time in my life when I didn't want to be a mother. Now, I would have it NO other way! I love being a mom and yesterday I had my biggest "proud mommy" moment so far! It was dress rehearsal for the dance studio I work at. It also happens to be the studio where my daughter takes one dance class a week- ballet and tap combo class. I was a little worried when the opening number was about to start and Maddy would not let go of my hand. I had to go onstage for the opening number so another student (to whom I am SO grateful!) distracted my daughter while I danced my part. As soon as the opening was over, it was Maddy's turn. They performed a ballet dance to "Spoon Full Of Sugar" from Mary Poppins. Now... toward the beginning of the school year, Maddy's AMAZING teacher announced that they would be dancing to Mary Poppins. So I found this to be the perfect time to introduce Maddy to this movie. We have watched it almost every day since and she begs me to put the music on so she can practice. So anyway, she went on that stage and did the entire dance... and smiled!!! I was so proud!! The minute she came off she asked when her next dance was. (Her class is also doing a tap dance to "Supercalifragelistic..."). So I got her changed and she had to sit and wait for a while, but she did so very patiently. Then it was her turn to do her tap dance. Once again she marched onto that stage and really PERFORMED!!! I am the proudest mother EVER!! I am so lucky to have such a wonderful little girl.

In the end, I look back and realized how much of my daughter's life I missed and wish I could take back. But... I do have to thank my Heavenly Father for teaching me about life and how precious it is. Now, because of my experience, I am able to help others and I have found my calling. I have some amazing things in the works because of my experience and I can't wait to share them with you all!! Make sure to check back for updates!

This week has been a busy one... I was able to volunteer for the Tulsa Go Red For Women luncheon this past Tuesday. I had a blast as usual!! Next week I will attend the OKC Go Red Luncheon as a guest and I cannot wait! Sitting and listening to stories of Heart Disease survivors was so inspiring! I have to admit, I have not done the best job of keeping in shape lately, but Go Red always inspires me to get back on track!

This weekend, as I mentioned before, is dance recital and then the ever wonderful Mother's Day! I cannot wait to spend Mother's Day with my family... especially my very talented :), and VERY sweet little girl! I am so blessed!

Happy Mother's Day!!

-Rachel

Click below to hear the MOM RN radio interview from Monday, April 26...

CLICK HERE

So I am finally getting a chanceto sit down to write about the past few weeks. This time of year is always a little crazy but for some reason, it seems like this year was even more so!

Last weekend I was honored to be a judge for the Teen, Miss, Mrs and Junior Miss Arkansas International Pagants. I drove to Arkansas on a Thursday. The judges had dinner and orientation. The following gave more time to eat and to review our judges books. In the afternoon, we judged the Mrs. interviews. What an amazing group of women! I have to say I truly learned something from each and every one of them! The following day was a busy one. Saturday was full of more interviews and the Junior pageant. That was a difficult one to judge. The ages ranged from babies to young teenagers and each of them were beautiful. Saturday evening we went to a wonderful Italian dinner with the reigning Miss International, Erin Golden. What a stunning lady! She is truly beautiful inside and out. Sunday afternoon was the final competition. In the end, three stunning ladies were crowned and I wish them the very best at the national competition!!

After a quick visit back home to teach and repack, I drove to Dallas for the regional New York City Dance Alliance Convention and Competition. I got to Dallas a little early and managed to do some shopping at a nearby outlet mall. The weekend was full of dance classes and an amazing competition! The drive home Sunday was long and I am very glad to be home.

I have some exciting things in the works... today I will be interview on MOM RN about my battle with PPD. I am also excited to be interviewed by the Tennesse International family about my trip to nationals. Recital is coming up and of course is keeping me very busy! I will post some pictures of my last couple weeks soon! Check back for more updates!!

Love,

Rachel

This past week was full of reunions. On Wednesday, I was reunited with my friends at the Margaret Hudson Program in Broken Arrow. I was invited to speak for the second year in a row about my experience with PPD. The Margaret Hudson program is a high school for teenage moms. They attend this school to finish their high school requirements as well as learn how to have and care for their baby. It is a wonderful organization! I spoke at their weekly assembly fr a group of about 40 young ladies. Some had already had their children and some were still pregnant. Either way, I was so blessed to be able to share my story and answer any questions they had about what to expect during the postpartum period.

On Saturday, I attended the Miss OK and Miss OK Outstanding Teen Talent Day. It was wonderful to see some old friends and support a beautiful student of mine, Heather Rasmussen. All of the contestants had the chance to perform their talents. The pageants will take place the second weekend in June and will be a wonderful showcase of talented and beautiful young ladies!

The best reunion of the week took place in OKC at Rococo's Restaurant. The past, present and future titleholders of the Mrs. OK International pageant met up for dinner, live music, pictures and fun! I loved seeing all of my pageant sisters especially Brooke Good (Mrs. OK Intl 2007), and Stephanie Anello (Mrs. OK Intl 2010). The only one missing was Shelly Warren (Mrs. OK Intl 2004). Our fabulous director, Lauri Rottmayer and her husband David were there to share in the fun. A special thank you goes out to Melissa Baunum for organizing the evening.

I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends! Check out the photo gallery for some new pictures!

This week I am headed to Arkansas for the Arkansas International State Pageants! I am so excited to see more old friends and meet some new ones as well!

-Rachel