Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana

I am so excited to announce my partnership with Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana (PCAL), a non-profit organization whose mission is to prevent the abuse and neglect of Louisiana's children. I was approached by PCAL after they read the article about my new title as Mrs. Louisiana in The Boot magazine. They thought my platform went along well with their organization and its mission. This is also a plus for me to be able to get back to doing what I love which is using my background as a social worker. Within the first few minutes of our meeting, I knew that I had found an organization that I could really put my heart into. The more we talked, the more excited I became! PCAL is very similar to an organization that I worked with in Hawaii, with many of the same programs. One of the many important programs offered is a toll-free number for parents in need. KIDLINE (1-800-CHILDREN) is an anonymous, toll-free, statewide telephone service offering crisis intervention, support, parenting information and referrals to community resources within the state of Louisiana.

I am happy to announce that I will also join their Annual Fund Campaign, which kicks off in just a few weeks. It is my hope that together we will raise the funds to keep this organization thriving and helping Louisiana's children and parents. PCAL is funded solely through government grants and its annual fund, which makes this campaign very important. In today's economy with all of the government cut backs, it is more important than ever to support organizations such as these.

PCAL has only a small staff, so if you are interested in volunteering your time or if you would like to make a monetary donation to this very worthwhile organization, please contact PCAL or myself directly. You can also visit their website at www.pcal.org

Home, Sweet Home!

I want to apologize for the lapse in time since my last post. I have spent the last nineteen amazing days with my husband and kids on a road trip all over the Southeast. Not all of that time was vacation for Steve, he did have to do some work but the kids and I made the most of it when he was working! First, we left Louisiana and traveled to our beach house in Florida to spend time with our family. Fortunately, Steve and I share the same hometown in Florida so we were able to spend time reconnecting with our families and friends. It is times like these that I am reminded how blessed I am with so many wonderful people in my life. The kids had so much fun! We fished, scalloped, crabbed, swam and spent every minute of our days on the water. It is so important to both Steve and I that our kids grow up loving the outdoors and especially the Gulf of Mexico. We did not see any oil and I am thankful but the possibility of what is to come makes me sick. As I have watched this oil spill devastate communities in Louisiana, once again the great people of Louisiana have been tested the way no one should have to endure. I pray that this oil cap will be the beginning of good things to come. After ten days in Florida, we traveled up to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, which is where we were stationed just after we were married. It is also where Nicholas was born so it holds a special place in our hearts. We had a great time and were able to see old friends, a visit that was long overdue. From there we traveled to Quantico, Virginia to visit a squadron that Steve flew for several years ago, Marine One, the Presidential squadron. Steve flew the last two years of President George H.W. Bush’s administration and the first two years of President Clinton’s administration. Our son, Nick has always talked about wanting to see Marine One so we made a visit and the Commanding Officer, Gerry Glavy was kind enough to give us a tour! He let the kids sit in President Obama's seat but they were more excited when he let them up front in the pilot's seat! To Colonel Glavy I want to say, “A big thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule for the Simpson family!” Next, we were on to our nation's capitol, Washington DC. We visited all of the monuments and a few museums. We all had a wonderful time. I was worried the kids may be a bit young, but I feel it is so important to know our country's history, so why not start young? I had a meeting scheduled with Louisiana Senator David Vitter but unfortunately, just before our meeting, he was called to the floor for an important vote. We agreed that we would meet when we both returned to Louisiana so I am still very much looking forward to our meeting! Our last day in DC, we made a quick trip up to Annapolis, Maryland. We couldn't leave without visiting the Naval Academy! The campus is so beautiful and very impressive. Any excuse I have to show my boys an example of young men with ambition and love for their country, I will take it! I hope that one day we will be visiting our sons at that same campus! After a few days in DC, we headed to Willowgrove Pennsylvania to attend the Marine Aircraft Group 49 change of command. I love all Marine ceremonies and this one was no exception, the Marine band was fabulous and it wonderful to see all those Marines and their aircraft out on the flight line! On to Williamsburg, Virginia for a visit to Busch Gardens! The kids had so much fun and I have to admit, Mom and Dad did too! Steve did not get to ride as many roller coasters as he would have liked because the older I get, he says "the more chicken" I get. He is right! The next day we headed to Stone Mountain, Georgia. What a beautiful place! We had never been so we thought we would stop on our way through. I highly recommend a visit to all families. We stayed in a lovely hotel, right in there in the park, walking distance to everything. The people were so nice, the views were amazing, and there was no shortage of things to do. In fact, we are trying to plan a trip back in the fall! All in all, it was a phenomenal trip, and we made memories that will last a lifetime! However, all good things must end and like my five year old, Ethan said on the ride home, "Mom, it's time to go home, I miss my house and I miss my bed," and I completely agree! Not only that, I have a LOT to do to prepare for the upcoming Mrs. America pageant! I have some great things planned in the coming weeks, and I am excited to get started! I will add a few pictures of our trip. I took LOTS, it so hard to choose which ones to post but I will try! Blessings to All, Olivia

The Boot Magazine Launches!

I would like to share with everyone a new magazine, The Boot. The goal of the magazine "is to capture the essence of the people of Louisiana and celebrate the rich, diverse culture. We hope to enlighten our audience through our tales about the many exciting facets of life in Louisiana-music, sports, entertainment, food, politics and everything else which makes up the fabric of our heritage". Another thing that makes this magazine very special is "The Boot Salutes" section. This section salutes members of our armed forces who are all from Louisiana! Now, doesn't that make you want to pick up an issue and read it from cover to cover? What is better than all things Louisiana? Oh, and did I mention that I have the honor of being on the cover of their very first issue?!?! Thank you to Jamey and the rest of the staff over at The Boot! If you would like to find out where to pick up your copy, go to http://www.thebootmagazine.com/ to see a list of distribution sites. If you are not lucky enough to live in Louisiana, you can also visit their website for a digital copy!

Zephyrs Baseball with the 4th Marine Air Wing

There have been many summer evenings that Steve and I have taken the kids to watch a Zephyrs Baseball game. This past Friday night was different because I was throwing out the first pitch! I had VERY mixed emotions about being asked to do this! On one hand, it was truly an honor to be asked, AND my sons would think I was SO COOL! On the other hand, I am the least athletically inclined person you will ever meet. As always, my supportive husband was there to encourage me. He spent a few evenings in the back yard with me catching the ball, sometimes chasing the ball. I am happy to report that I actually threw the ball, the catcher caught it AND he didn't have to dive for it....SUCCESS!!! In addition to having the honor of throwing out the first pitch, I also was privileged to spend the rest of the evening enjoying the game with the 4th Marine Air Wing and their families. I would like to thank the Marines and their families for sharing their evening with me! God Bless America!!!

Pictured above -
Myself with Stacey Richard-Martin, Mrs. LA America Director

The beginning of a wonderful journey....

WOW! Where do I begin? The past few weeks have flown by and I still can't believe that I have the special honor of representing the married women of Louisiana! On the evening of June 6th, I was crowned Mrs. Louisiana America! This has come as quite a shock to many of my friends and family since until last year, I had never competed in pageants. This was way out of my comfort zone, but isn't that what life is all about? I love the glamorous side of pageants, the hair, the make-up, and beautiful gowns but most days, I am a working Wife and Mother, who no one would suspect has a crown and banner! Some have asked why I had the sudden interest in pageants and though it may seem sudden to most, this has been on my mind for over four years, since the birth of our daughter, Sarah-Claire. I remember so vividly holding our newborn daughter while sitting on the sofa, I turned on the television and I saw the Mrs. America pageant. Until that moment, I had no idea there was such a thing as a Mrs. Pageant! As I watched, I thought to myself, "I could never do something like that, I wouldn't have the courage or the confidence". It was in that same moment as I held my daughter I realized, unless I believed in myself, I could never teach her to reach for her dreams and believe in herself. Steve and I have always taught our children that they can do or be anything they dream, but NOTHING is without hard work and perseverance. I worked hard on my mind, body and spirit to earn that crown and I can now say that yes, I can walk across that stage and be confident doing it! I look forward to the year ahead and the travels across our great state. I hope that you will follow my journey as Mrs. Louisiana, I intend to make the most of it!