Fall, Candy, Treats and Sweets!

There's no question that Halloween and Fall Harvest parties are just right around the corner. As I walked through the grocery store I couldn't help but notice the candy laden and sugary treat saturated grocery isles. On average 41 million Americans will go trick-or-treating  will eat 1.2 pounds of candy a piece! This is a tremendous amount of candy!

With all of this information many parents are wary of letting their children even go trick-or-treating because of the immense amount of sugar they bring home. Instead of completely banning candy we should use this season as an opportunity to teach kids about eating everything in moderation.

I used to love filling my pumpkin bag to the top with goodies at my church's harvest party! My parents taught me that it is ok to have a few pieces of candy, but not the whole bag at one time.

One of my really good family friends would have her children make individualized "Treat Bags" and place all of their candy inside of them. If her children asked to have a treat they could pick a few pieces from the bag and save the rest for later! This way the candy would be spread out over 4-6months and the kids looked forward to having a small dessert when they wanted it.

Love,
Victoria

P.S.

How do you fix a broken Jack-O'-Lantern?

Take it to the pumpkin patch!!

Creative Cleaning

Do you ever dread deep cleaning your dorm room, room or house? Well dusting and vacuuming certainly did not used to be one of my favorite chores, but now I love it! I think of it as a time to relax, get some physical activity and refresh my room!

Some fun things I like to do to expedite the cleaning process are...

• Allot a specific time each week to clean
• Listen to music with a good dancing beat! 
• Use Swiffer pads as shoe covers and skate across hardwood and tile floors (Very carefully of course!) 
• Sing a song 
• Make the bed first (It makes the room look cleaner! )

"Whatever you do, work heartily as for the LORD, and not for men." 

Colossians 3:23

Love,

Victoria

Fit for Life

Hi everyone! This summer has been flying by! I've had the opportunity to do a lot of traveling, visiting with friends, attend the Miss Washington pageant and relax a little bit.

My dad is such a fitness inspiration! He has always been an avid runner and started competing in triathlons in his twenties. In the midst of running his own business, and keeping up with his busy wife and daughters he has continued to live a healthy and fit lifestyle running, biking and swimming all through out his life. In fact he says that he feels better and is making faster times now than he ever did when he was younger. Tomorrow he will be competing in a half IronMan Triathlon and this August he will be in the Canadian IronMan!

Although most of us will never attempt to enter an IronMan Triatholon it is encouraging to know that exercising can be a part of our lives forever!

Hanging Loose at the Cour de A'lane Iron Man 2010

Love,
Victoria

Miss Oklahoma

What an incredible week! It was such an honor to take part in the 40th anniversary of Miss Oklahoma with the Tulsa Kiwanis Club. Kent Parham did an incredible job with the production. Rehearsals were a blast and I met some of the most talented, beautiful and accomplished young ladies in the nation. I was also blessed to be the Omega Rookie Talent Award winner.

Photo by LEIGH THOMSON

Miss Edmond LibertyFest Alicia Clifton was crowned the new Miss Oklahoma. She will represent our state well and has an exciting year ahead of her!

Thank you to all of the volunteers and redcoats who make Miss Oklahoma possible. I also can't express how much it meant to have the prayers support of all of my family and friends during the week! I love you all so much! I can't wait to compete again next year!

God Bless,
Victoria Renard

My family came to support me including Grandpa Dan, Aunt Debbie, Cousin Megan and Cousin Kathy and her husband Michael! 

My beautiful Stars! :)

Miss Oklahoma Here I come!

I can't believe Miss Oklahoma is finally here! This is the 40th anniversary of Miss Oklahoma with the Kiwanis Club of Tulsa. What an exciting year! Tomorrow morning I check in and the fun begins!

My competition schedule for the week is...

Monday PM- Interview
Tuesday-Talent
Wednesday-Evening Wear and OnStage Question
Thursday-Swimsuit
Saturday-Finale!

If you want to keep up-to-date with the competition "Like" the Miss Oklahoma Facebook page, or follow my mom and sister on Facebook and Twitter #misssoonerstate. I am choosing to not take my computer with me, so will not be updating Facebook, Twitter or my blog during the week.

 My mom and I met with my beautiful stars and their mother at at the Waterfront Grill! 

They even made me dorm room decorations! 

To God Be the glory!

Love,
Victoria

As for God His way is perfect: The Lord's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in Him. 

Psalm 18:30

Nicole Renard Photography

Thank you Nicole Renard for the wonderful pictures! They look fabulous! 

Take a look at her headshots, senior, family and wedding photos on Nicole Renard Photography Facebook Page!

Girls On the Run

This fine Saturday morning I helped out at the Bridge to Bridge 5K with Girls on the Run. These pre-teens learn how to be healthy and confident through the running program!

Check out their website for a Girls on the Run council near you! http://www.girlsontherun.org/map.html

I helped spray paint hair and cheer the girls on close to the finish line :)