Happy Birthday My Baby Caden!

Birthdays are a big deal in my family. We don't just celebrate one day, it's like a week long event. Here we are with my parents, brother and sister in law celebrating Caden's birthday. I can't believe he is now 7 years old. My baby is growing up so fast. It just brings to life the saying that time flies. This has been a realization for me in many ways this past year. We need to celebrate life, cherish our family and friends, live to make a difference while we are here, and never let a day go by without telling those that you love just how much you do!

NBC 5 Appearance

I had the honor of being asked to appear on the NBC morning show to discuss my book "Girls of Greatness". It was an early morning alright...I was to arrive and check in at 5:30 a.m.. I made sure to have my spark drink after waking up at 4:15. I got to chat with Ellie Pai Hong before our interview segment and found out that we attend the same church..what a small world. It has been quite some time since I've done live T.V so I admit there were some nerves that resurfaced. Ellie made it so comfortable, it was an easy interview. After, I had the chance to meet Ginger Zee. She is such a doll! Thank you to NBC for a wonderful opportunity! You can visit their site that features my book. WMAQ-TV Website and search Lisa Dean

Who Said It's All Work And No Play???

I have to say I have the best directors ever. I say this not because they were so supportive in preparing me for the national pageant, or because they awarded me with one of the best prize packages I've ever experienced, or that Mrs. Illinois America is the best pageant system out there. I say it because they truly are family. Once I had won the title of Mrs. Illinois America I became part of a family that I was not anticipating. Marcie and Julie are not only my directors, they are my extended family. Here we are celebrating Julie's birthday. We went to Hollywood Cinema for the great movie "Hotel for Dogs". All three of us have dogs and can relate to canine unconditional love. We laughed and cried...and ate and ate! It was an awesome day!

Making an appearance on Comcast Newsmakers

I was asked to make an appearance on Comcast News Makers. It was such an honor to be with Cindy and discuss my book, Girls of Greatness as well as the Mrs. Illinois Pageant. I have to admit, I'm used to being the one that does the interviewing and sitting in the drivers seat. This day, was not the case. I was in the passenger seat..oooh what a different feeling!

New Year's Eve with the Family!

It was New Year's Eve with my family. My brother and his family flew in from Texas as did my sister and her son. We had a ball sharing together. We did New Years like I did when I was young. I gave the babies and young children pots and pans to clang and bang to ring in the New Year. Poor Dean....for some reason all the neices and nephews wanted to clang their pots by him. He rang in the New Year with a definite "bang" in the ear. Family is everything!

Book Signing and Serving Fellowship Housing

I had the honor of being asked to attend the Fellowship Housing Christmas party for homeless women and children. It was even more meaningful because my family and I served these women and children together. I greeted everyone at the door when they arrived and gave them an autograph copy of my book. Dean and Caden were looking ever so snazzy in their "waiter" attire of black pants and a white shirt. Together, they sat the ladies and children then served them dinner. Kennedy had her own duty of making jewelry with the kids so they had a gift to then give their mom. It truly was a night of joy. For the women and children to know how special they are and that they matter. Also, for our family, to be able to use our gifts, each one different, and serve those less fortunate.

The Proverbial Christmas Card Shoot!

Ahhhhhh, yes, the Christmas card shoot. Kennedy and Caden look forward to this every year. I try to find cute matching sweaters, come up with a theme, keep saying "One More" while they say, "Are we done yet?". And, in the end we always end up with 200 choices and always choose one of the first shots. Here's to all the mothers and our quest for the proverbial Christmas card shot!

Merry Christmas!

So yes the holiday season was a wonderful one that was far to short. Dean and I took our children to a wonderful breakfast with Santa at LaStrada in Barrington. They got to speak with Santa and share their Christmas Lists. Caden had written his the night before and I think Santa was quite surprised while trying to contain his thrill in hearing him rattle it off. Thei first thing on his list? A flat screen T.V. followed by an IPhone. Of course we tried to explain that a TV or Iphone is not feasible for a 6 year old. But to Caden's credit...he dreams big!