"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." is recited by all Americans with pride and is usually recited at a very early age. This pledge holds new meaning to those that are not born in America, but call this country home.

Born in France, Karine Mentzer, is a world traveler. Thanks to her father’s career as a chief financial officer for a large construction company, she has lived in Paris, Africa, Texas and Omaha.

"I don’t remember it being that hard to move around," says Mentzer. "I do remember having difficulty after we moved to the United States because kids would come over to play and we couldn’t understand English."

When asked if she misses France, Mentzer, now a mother of two young boys, married and living in West Omaha, says she has fond memories of her birth country, but doesn’t feel French – she’s all American. She still has family there and entertains the thought of taking her children for family visits when they are older and can handle the long journey.

"I loved seeing my family in Normandy," says Mentzer. "We have a close family and they live on beautifully scenic farmland."

After moving back to Omaha for the last time as a teen, she decided to call Omaha home. She chose to study interior design and architecture and after graduation worked for HDR. There she met her husband and as she laughs – "the rest is history."

Throughout her lifetime - and now a young thirty-something - she is taking the plunge and officially becoming an American citizen. According to Mentzer, she always felt American and is now ready to make her feelings a reality.

"I thought about becoming a citizen when I was in college, but I was living on a super tight budget and it was too expensive for me at that time," says Mentzer.

After 911, Mentzer was so moved by the tragedy that it was the push she needed to start the process. Her husband is American, her two boys are American and she says it was her turn. After completing a lengthy application and being finger printed, it was time to study for the test.

"I can’t wait to vote because it is such a privilege," says Mentzer. "I am so fascinated by the whole voting process."

She answered questions such as, what are the colors of the flag, how many strips are on the flag, who wrote the Declaration of Independence and a great deal of in-depth questions about American history.

After answering 140 questions, she is now ready for the ceremony that completes a long emotional journey. She looks forward to having her husband and sons present for the ceremony to honor her love for this country.

"It will be so emotional having my kids watching me and I get goose bumps when I think about that day," noted Mentzer.

As a result of her experience, she is adamant about teaching her children tolerance of other people’s differences and strives to teach them to be happy with who they are as individuals.

Mentzer is living the American dream. With the support of a loving family, she has taken her dream one step further by starting her own internet retail business.

Inherently a positive person, she describes herself as the type of person that buys a lottery ticket because there is always a chance that she will be a winner. As a result of her optimism, she has taken the plunge and started her own – www.forboysonlynogirlsallowed.com – because, in her words, "It could be a huge success".

"As a mother of boys, I had a hard time finding cute and cool clothes and toys for them," says Mentzer. "After talking with other mother’s of boys, I realized I was not alone and there is a market for the products I sell."

The site is full of colorful and unique clothing items that would entice any mom of boys. After entering the site, moms can purchase humorous shirts that read, "lock up your daughters" and "what happens in preschool – stays in preschool." She hasn’t forgotten the girls and incorporated a section entitled, For the Girls in My Life.

When Mentzer isn’t working on her business and volunteering for non-profit organizations, she has high hopes to travel with her family right here in the United States. Fascinated by meeting new people, she wants to see different cultures and beautiful sites found all over the country.