Cover Mama

From YouTube Queen to Beauty Queen, meet local Mama Marissa

MarissaSandDunes

We are so excited to introduce you to our first Cover Mama, Marissa (a 20-year Las Vegas resident)! We sat down with her to learn more about her journey to becoming a Mom again after 15 years!

Tells us about your start on YouTube

“My start on YouTube was an accident really. It was 2008, I had uploaded a video of the twins dancing. Gosh, they must have been 4 years old! Any who, I stumbled across a smokey eye makeup tutorial that was hard to follow. Being that I was a product specialist working at MAC Cosmetics, I taught was I applied makeup to my clients. So I decided to make my own video on how to put on lashes. That was years ago and I actually became a YouTube partner within a few months, one of the first! i stayed active for about 5 more years making beauty tutorials and weekly blogs and then just had like take over.

And then you got interested in beauty pageants?

I set a new challenge for myself and entered my first pageant at the age of 32. I earned my first title as Mrs. Nevada in 2016. It changed my life. I was selfless and spent my free time doing community service and aimed to inspire women of all ages. Before my reign came to an end, I decided to direct my first preliminary pageant. I wanted to share my love for pageantry and keep it in my life. And so I did. Since 2016, I have been able to direct and grow the #1 and official preliminary pageant for Miss Nevada USA. Miss Silver State USA is my contribution to our community and my way of promoting women empowerment. With Miss Silver State USA I am able to crown 5-6 title holders in both Miss and Teen Divisions, with pageants happening 3-4 times a year.

What’s most satisfying about your role?

Prepping and grooming these women to be the best versions of themselves. They will be mentally and physically fit to take the stage at their state pageant! I also am the Executive Director of USOA Miss Nevada where we have a division of Teen, Miss,  Ms. (29+) and Mrs. Women of all ages celebrate themselves and are able to promote their platforms!”

Tell us about your journey to becoming a mom again.

“I longed for another little baby, but let the idea set sail when I hit 30. I was 20 when I had given birth to my twins. Single, scared and so overwhelmed, I didn’t get to enjoy them growing up. However, raising twins on my own has been the biggest accomplishment and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Then I met a man that changed my mind. A man that I could love forever and have a family with. With him, my pregnancy has been joyous. I’ve been pampered and fed all my cravings, no matter the time of day! He is just an amazing individual and already is a great father. Having the twins along for this pregnancy has also been a dream. They are 15 now. They always wanted a little brother actually. Together we have named our little addition, set up her room and have been daydreaming about the things that will happen when she arrives.”

What’s been the biggest challenge?

“My body is definitely not as energetic as it once was! Fifteen years has certainly shown me the difference in my body. I don’t mind it one bit, I think more about the mentality I have in this pregnancy. I’m a woman now. I have support and I have raised two smart and intelligent young ladies. I am soooooo ready for my little girl!

Tell us about your family.

“I’m sure like any other family, we are busy! The twins stay active with sports. So that alone is a lot of activity. We go camping with my dad, we like to go out to eat, watch movies and just hang out when we can. Treston has brought so much love to our trio as well. Seeing Alexis and Dezirae grow their own relationships with the man I love has been such a priceless journey to witness. Now with Santana joining us, our circle will be bonded and sealed.”

Cover Mama

What do you love about living in Las Vegas?

“The convenience! Not to mention four hours one way, and you’re at the Pacific Ocean. I do need to mention that I have been the most pregnant during the Las Vegas Summer and I HATED IT!”

Your newest addition will have a big age difference to your girls, what has that journey been like for you?

“I KNOWWWWWW! I’m starting all over again! I keep making the joke, “Man, I had three more years till they graduated and were out!” But honestly, I couldn’t be more happy. I have lived my 20s and my 30s and I’m a MOM. This is what I do! Yes I own my own business and I have some independence, but being a mother is my #1 job and I’m blessed to be able to do it all over again – and with a full family. Complete with siblings, a Mother AND Father. As I mentioned earlier, the twins have been such a big help and they will be awesome big sisters. They’re very excited to take on that role. Santana has some big sisters to answer to too!”

Have you had any wild cravings during your pregnancy?

I wouldn’t say weird, but demanding! I needed really cold strawberries at one point. If I didn’t have them within minutes I’d go crazy. I also liked cold apples. Not just any apples, but Gala apples. Coke Slurpees were my jam for a few weeks during the blazing heat. (Don’t tell my doctor. I was supposed to be on a high-protein, no-sugar diet.) I enjoyed hearty meals, but those naughty cravings won! I’m confident I polished off a few gallons of Haagen Daaz coffee and chocolate ice cream in the first few months.

Cover Mama

What has been your favorite part about being pregnant and least favorite?

This time around I love that I was able to make it to the last trimester. I’m not afraid of the unknown. I love having my daughters witness the process. I love having a partner comfort me when I feel overwhelmed. And I’ve loved having a baby shower with my friends and family.

As much as I am SO SO ready to have this baby be born, I know I will miss my belly as I did with the twins. A woman’s body is incredible, we are capable of so much. Being pregnant is the most exquisite event to happen to mankind. I don’t take it for granted and I am blessed.

Follow Marissa’s journey on social media.


Photography: Taylor Made Photography

Pink Dress: Sexy Mama Maternity

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