Team Kuehl

Last weekend my family and I headed to Cedar Rapids to walk for the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes is dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature births and infant mortality. My sister, Jayme Kuehl has put together a team for the last couple of years. “Team Kuehl” had nineteen signed up to walk, but due to the weather there were only nine of us. Thankfully the rain stopped after the first mile of our seven mile walk. When we finished there were food stands and games for children to play. I was able to talk to the children and pass out candy. It was a lot of fun to help raise money for continued research for future babies!
“Team Kuehl” started a couple years ago after my sister had some complications with her pregnancy. We walk in memory of Faith, who passed away at birth. We also walk for Nash, who is now 3. Nash suffers from cerebral palsy, but has been a miracle and blessing to our family! Faith and Nash were both three months premature.
A large amount of money was raised for research and to continue to help premature births. I can’t thank everyone enough for your support! This weekend the PBR is in Des Moines and I will be signing autographs at the Texas Roadhouse Saturday from noon till 2…so stop by if you are close to Urbandale and say “Hi.” Also on Saturday, Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa, some of the Miss Rodeo Iowa board members and I will be preparing dinner for the families that are staying at the Ronald McDonald house in Des Monies. I am really looking forward to a busy, but fun weekend!

Until next time, “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” John 1 2:17

God Bless,
Jordanne

Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo

My first trip to Idaho for the Dodge National Circuit Finals rodeo was so much fun! Every morning I was able to wake up to the beautiful view of the mountains.
My trip was truly an adventure starting right at the airport in Des Moines. My flight was supposed to leave at 6:30 in the morning, but instead we didn’t leave until 8:30 because Chicago was having thunderstorms. And because of the delay I missed my connecting flight to Salt Lake City. I was lucky enough to get on a flight at 12:45, but that flight ended up not leaving until 1:30 because there was no crew! I missed my ride from Miss Rodeo Utah from the airport to Pocatello, but was able to get on a shuttle that dropped me off a block from my hotel! So after arriving 6 hours late I missed most the kick off party for the rodeo, but I am very thankful that I made it there safe!

Miss Rodeo Florida; Heather Hall, myself, Miss Rodeo Illinois; Katie Chaffin, Miss Rodeo Idaho; Measha Gittins and Miss Rodeo Missouri; Erin Watts

On Wednesday we started the morning off at Holt Arena, practicing for the grand entry. After practice, some of us headed to the Pocatello Care Center. It was so much fun talking with the patients and signing autographs. We also got to take a look at the Life Flight helicopter and take pictures in it!
The rodeo started on Wednesday night, I didn’t carry flags that night so I helped sell programs and walked around signing autographs. I was able to help with the mutton busting at the rodeo as well.
On Thursday we visited some schools, went shopping at some local western stores and a few of us went with Miss Rodeo Florida up the mountain to see the snow. I can’t say I was all that excited about it after all the snow we have had this winter, but we did have fun throwing snowballs and taking pictures. Thursday night was Tough Enough to Wear Pink night at the rodeo. Matt Kenney and Wade Sundell competed and Matt won tie down roping that night with a 7.8!! Neither of them made the short go, but they both did an outstanding job and I really enjoyed watching a couple guys that I know personally…I competed in high school rodeo with both of them.
As a queen and the spokeswomen for the sport of rodeo, we do a lot of other jobs. At a couple rodeo performances a few of us queens watched a little boy, Gator. His dad was a tie down roper and he needed someone to watch his son while he competed. Gator sat with us and even signed autographs for people on some notebook paper we gave him. We had a lot of fun with him! On Friday we visited a nursing home and then signed autographs at the credit union. I carried sponsor flags throughout the rodeo both Friday and Saturday night.

Saturday morning was the special needs rodeo…my favorite! I was paired with Anthony. He loved the roping and also liked to pull the head off of the hay bale, so I did a lot of running after him:) There was a Saturday afternoon performance and then the short go was held Saturday night. Eight people made the short go in each event and then the top four came back for the finals.
My flight home was at 7 AM on Sunday so Miss Rodeo Idaho was nice enough to volunteer to take me to the airport along with a couple other state queens. Since it is a three hour drive, we drove an hour to her house, slept for two and then got up and drove two more hours. So we all basically pulled an all nighter, I haven’t done that since high school prom! By the time I got home on Sunday afternoon, I was pretty tired!

The DNCFR was a great rodeo. The committee works very hard to put on a wonderful rodeo. I can’t thank Carma enough for putting everything together and scheduling events for us throughout the week. I would also like to thank our drivers; there were four wonderful volunteers that drove us to and from events. I rode with Fred Evans all week and he treated us like royalty! Opened the doors for us, picked us up at the front door every time and was the sweetest gentleman! He even had water and candy for us everyday in the van! Somehow Fred just knew I loved candy!!

It was a wonderful experience and I can’t wait for my next trip. I have a few things here in Iowa in the next couple of weeks and then I will be heading to Franklin, Tennessee in May.

Until next time, “If we confess with our mouth, "Jesus is Lord ," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

God Bless,
Jordanne