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Hello all!

Thank you so much for all of your wonderful words of kindness.  It helps so much to know that I have support back home! I want to give everyone an update on my week so far.  It has been so busy I don't know if I can remember details! haha!

Monday:

I arrived at the Mobile airport and from there was settled into my host family's home.  We then ate lunch and headed back to the airport for the arrival ceremony.  It was then that I saw all of the Junior Misses for the class of 2008 (minus Hawaii!) and I realized I was in WONDERFUL company.  As it was nearing my turn to descend the staircase in the Mobile airport I began to grasp the full capacity of the support for Junior Miss.  I soon found myself staring at hundreds of fans, host parents, and girl scouts, and all I could think was, "I hope I don't fall."  Thankfully, I made it down the stairs to be greeted by my girl scout troop and state sponsor.  The troop had made beautiful posters and  my sponsor had a beautiful bouquet of flowers (complete with Iris--my state flower).  I am so thankful that my first day in Mobile was so great.  But to my suprise, it was only a taste of the week to come!

I expected to write all about my week in this post.  I even got up at 5:45 to have enough time, but Erin(my roommate) and I have a raido interview this morning and we are being picked up at seven, and today is our first practice at the civic center and now we have to start practicing in heels, and for all of you who really know me you know my boat-like feet and extra-long body do not agree with heels!! I know I will be tired (what else is new) but, hopefully I can write later.

I miss all of you dearly, and I can't wait to see those who are coming Wednesday! :)

Once again, thank you for all that you do for me.

Love,

Chandler Lawson

Chandler,

Glad to hear that you are having a great time.  Beach party, fun at the "home," chasing frogs...Meanwhile, back home, Mom and I struggle to put up the crops and to keep Miles away from the paved road.  A little good news,  my feet are much better, and I have concluded that I have one fewer room to monitor as I do my "shut off the light circut," additionally, it looks like the water and electric bills will be down since we don't have to launder your wardrobe on a daily basis.  I could not be more proud of you! (except for your room cleaning, general desire to help with housework, and utter lack of ambition associated with domestic skills) 

We are excited about seeing you Wednesday and are confident that your investment will yield great returns.  As a parent I look on with absolute pride in knowing that my "baby girl" is ready to spread wings and effectively take on the world.  While we are confident in the prospect of competition based on you and your abilities; please take time focus on the experience, treasure the relationships, and value the memories that so very few have the opportunity to enjoy.

We pray daily for protection, peace, and opportunities for you to serve others.  I will add a set of Steve Martin "Happy Feet" to my prayer.  Should we FedEx some earmuffs for practice? 

All my love!

Dad

Oh the pain of being reared Baptist...I can't dance! I truly pray that the suffering faced this week associated with not picking up a new learnning automatically, resonantes as you acquire new learnings for the next eighty years.  My guess is that the first cut you make as a surgeon may be filled with apprehension.

I am sure that your Nanny Cleo wasn't much of a dancer...until forced, or DARED to do so.  Upon that dare she became a resolute learner filled with passion to succed.  I am so loking forward to visiting tomorrow and assessing your growth.  I am truly more proud everyday, and pray that you enjoy peace, contentment, and true joy associated with meeting the creme de le creme of our nation.

We have squeezed Miles into a pair of shoes and greased up the hair, so he is ready for the doings.  Maybe when you get home we can go to Frankiln County to get you some square dance lessons.

All my love!

Dad 

Chandler,

Packin up for the trip south.  All here are excited about trip and staying in a hotel. Do you reckon they'll have lectricity...don't know if the TVA goes that far.  If you decide to pack in and not compete Saturday will you come out and sit with the family.  You know, Gavin will bring the sheets so we can judge and compare notes...will there be a pencil shapener around?  Will I get in trouble for tottin my pocket knife?

All my love!

Dad

ps   I think you will be real excited...Mom got her teeth cleaned! 

Chandler,

I know that the interview is later today so just a quick refreseher.  Since the family has quite a record of dealing with judges, I thought that I could serve as an expert.

1)   Try not to pick your nose or otherwise scratch about,  impress the judges with your restraint. If you do need to spit, hock in your hand stead of the floor.  (don't hock in the hand shakin hand)

2)   Be up on your current events, you know stuff like "Who is Phillip Fulmer?" and "why live bait are better than artificial for rockfish?"

3)   Dress nice, you know, like Mom wore last time she went to traffic school.

4)   I know it's a long time till Saturday, but go ahead and splurge...take an extra bath this week.

Now back to current issues.  Can your base hit count in place of an academic score?  It peers to me that since you had the first hit at the game tonight, you ought to be able to trade up...you know, a double ought to scratch out a "C" GPA.  

Miles has been crying most of the day over the new shoes.  Don't really know why, both are left footed and a little oversized, but we got a great deal.  Papaw is bringing his harps so I guess he will try to play along in the balcony...if he misses a bit, just sing on, he'll try to catch up.  You may want to check to see if the other girls want help too.  He said he could help most ceptin the karate girl...never heard one of those played.

When we get to Mobile this afternoon, you will have finished interview and scholastics...all downhill now.  Soon you will get back to the farm and back to singing to the livestock.  I do believe the pigs are a lot more content when listening to your wail.

All my Love!

Dad 

Chandler,

We made it!  Got away a little later than planned, you know the livestock misses us so when we leave so I had to make nice.  Dropped by the Co-op to fill a propoane bottle.  Seeing yall forced to eat raw mussels nearly made me tear up.  Don't know if there is another fish fry scheduled, but, me and mine got no call to eat raw mussels. 

Great news!  Gavin got permission to leave Tennessee (and I think he will get the OK to go back).  I guess the charge held, cause he had his momma drive him down.

Now back to that fitness thang...reckon they'd allow you to cut wood stead of dance.  You know, back on the Ponderosa, person could work up a healthy froth just choppin.  By the way, in lookin at the program, one of the girls was talkin bout Chopin...I didn't understand the spelling and guess that could be a talent, I always figuered it to be fitness.

Mom was HOT over the tooth cleaning line. Said I spoiled the surprise.  I really don't think so, she bought pack of Red Man at the Co-op so a few hours in the pick-up got those teeth back to that "backy brown" that we all love. 

All my Love.

Dad

Ps    When ya lay in a singin just think of life back in Tennessee.  You don't have to want to be a Prima Donna, you got er done! 

Chandler,

It has been fun visiting with Gavin bout the prom...you woulda thought that three would have been nuff for him, but for some strange reason he felt left out at the last one...little confused about places to eat.  We walked around the meat locker that yall performed in, sure that there would be meat cookin soomewhere...I know the meat had to be hangin hind the curtins, cause I had a touch a frostbite on my good ear (you know, the regular sized one, not the long one that Peyton took holt of...).

Momma grinned and grinned tonight, said it was on account a being so happy to see you...I reckon its more likely that she knows your OK but we was to fer away to argue much...

You'd be proud of Miles...sat as still as does at preachin.  He woulda also made you proud at dinner (by the way, the mussels are fine when they lop a bit a greens and cheese on em and call em Rockerfellers) Momma and Mrs. Cindy was a visitin about the grandbabby on the way. Miles looked a bit surprised and said Gavin and Chandler?  While he was a touch embarrased, Gavin really colored up nicely!

Treasure the fleeting moments that you have!

All my love!

Dad

Chandler,

In the Chinese culture the number eight is seen as blessed.  A harbinger of success and wealth.  Based on that cultural belief, there will be an abundance of weddings on August 8, 2008.  Not coincidentially, the Olympics open on that same date.

No Olympian is counting on her or his success to align with a calendar.  Like a marriage, performance in the Olympics is not a function of fate or luck.  Rather performance is a function of the investments made on a daily basis.  I am sure that I was like every other parent last night.  I saw only one child on the stage, and I couldn't have been more proud.  I know the investments you made and know that those investments may mean something this week, but certainly will mean something as you face your future.

You success is not a function of your "winning, placing or showing" in this incredible horse race.  Your success in life is about your attitude, investments, and effort.  This is a great beginning!

All my Love!

Dad

Hey!!! Im at the airport right now about to leave, and I am so sad that I wont be there to cheer you on. I know you are going to do great, and I cant wait to hear how much fun you've had!

Love you,

Sydney :)