It has clearly been over a month since I have had the time
to sit down and write a blog post. Life happens…what can I say?! February was
an extremely busy but fun month! I started with celebrating my daddy and
Adalynn’s birthdays seeing as how they have the same one. Adalynn’s party theme
this year was Minnie’s Bowtique! I must say all the pink and bows was right up
my ally. I still cannot believe my sweet little ball of energy and attitude of
a niece is TWO years old! My how time is flying! Here is a sneak peek at some
pictures from her birthday party. More can be viewd on my Facebook page.
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| Each food item had a unique name that related it to the Minnie theme! So fun! |
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| Adalynn loved having all of her family & friends together to celebrate her 2nd birthday! |
And yes, Valentines Day occurred during this month but it
was no ordinary Valentines Day. Nathan and I don’t make a big deal out of this
holiday because we make a great effort to show we care and love for one another
on a daily basis, so we ‘celebrated’ on the Thursday before Valentines Day.
This year the national day to show and spread your love was just that for me
and many other individuals because we witnessed love and generosity like not
other. On February 14, 2014 over $323,725.00 was given to the Make-A-Wish
Foundation at the Have-A-Heart Wish-A-Thon! I could not think of a better
Valentines Day than to know children right here in northeast Arkansas who are
dealing with life-threatening medical conditions will see the power of wish
because of the many, many generous people who gave. Year after year I leave this
fundraising event in awe! Here are some pictures from throughout the day…
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| Loved seeing Tammy and Katie! |
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| Katie is one of my former wish kids that came to speak about her wish granting on the radio! She was fantastic! |
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| One reason I love this day is because I get to spend it with my cousin, CarolAnne! |
The very next weekend I did what I thought could never in a
forever happen (not sure if that is proper wording but I used it, ha!). At the
end of January I was asked to begin a local preliminary pageant because
northeast Arkansas had lost another local preliminary, which means another
opportunity is no longer available for girls to win scholarship money and have
a chance to win Miss Arkansas and Miss Arkansas’ Outstanding Teen. I originally
said no, there is no way I can pull this off…maybe next year. Then I thought of
the young ladies in this area who so badly wanted to win a local preliminary
and I thought about my first local title that I won. Immediately, I knew God
was piecing the puzzle together. You see my first local title that I won was a
brand new preliminary just like the one I had been asked to create, and if it
was not for a lady taking the time to give me the chance then I would have
never had that opportunity. By the way, that lady is Lindsay Henry and she is
the director of Miss Southeast Arkansas (THANK YOU, LINDSAY!). So, I think it
is obvious I called back and said yes I will do this but I am going to need
help making this happen. Let me just say I had no problem with finding ‘help’.
You can reference my Facebook page to see my long list of help that I can never
say thank you enough to.
Anyway, at the end of four weeks I had created a local
preliminary pageant to both Miss Arkansas and Miss Arkansas’ Outstanding Teen
complete with scholarships, crowns, sashes, wardrobe allowance, and much more thanks to generous sponsors and donors.
I also had ten young ladies that I knew I would be privileged to work with no
matter which of them won. By the end of the night on February 22, 2014 I was
given two very articulate, talented, and motivated young ladies to call the
very first Miss Arkansas Delta and Miss Arkansas Delta’s Outstanding Teen! I am
so eager to see what they accomplish this year and how they mentor not only one
another but also all who they come in contact with this year. Be sure to come
support them at the state pageants this summer:
Miss Arkansas’ Outstanding Teen: June 12-14 in Russellville,
Arkansas
Miss Arkansas: June 11-14 in Hot Springs, Arkansas
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| The very first Miss AR Delta's Outstanding Teen, Mercedes Bell and Miss AR Delta, Jacey Winn!
I am sure by now you may be wondering if I am still even
going to grad school with taking on all of these endeavors and the answer is YES! Somehow, I have managed to continue successfully passing my exams, turning
in projects on time, making it to my early morning clinical rotations, and
working my graduate assistant position. I often ask the Lord for energy,
knowledge, and patience as that is the only way I am making it through.
I hope your February was as blessed as the one I was given!
Until next time…
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