Thursday, February 27, 2014

All About February

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.

Each food item had a unique name that related it to the Minnie theme! So fun!

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…
 
Loved seeing Tammy and Katie!

Katie is one of my former wish kids that came to speak about her wish granting on the radio! She was fantastic! 
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
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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Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Week One Complete

My first full week of my offsite clinic was fantastic! I honestly could not dream of a better experience. Going into my first day I was anxious beyond measure because I had no idea what to really expect. I knew most primary cases in a nursing home setting would deal with aphasia and dysphagia; however, I had never really had hands on experience with treating either of these. Incase you do not know me very well I must inform you that I am a person who likes to know what to expect in any situation. Knowing I would be walking in to treat people with areas I had never hands-on treated before made me very nervous, but I was in for a surprise! Monday morning came VERY early (4:45 a.m. and I am NOT a morning person) and as soon as I walked in to the nursing home my supervisor (who is absolutely incredible) showed me the morning routine then took me to meet with my first resident. As scary as it may sound, she literally informed me of the information I needed for each client that day then let me provide all the therapy. Yes, I was extremely nervous but I soon realized I was providing therapy and I apparently was doing just fine because she had not stopped me to correct me. (Whoo Hoo).

As Monday progressed I found myself loving every minute of what I was doing, which shocked me due to the fact I was just sure working in the geriatric population would not be my thing. I mentioned earlier my mornings start early but by Wednesday I was finding myself eager to get up and get to my clinic. Whether it is spending time with the residents I work with or the other therapists I thoroughly enjoy my days there. My heart is always full when I leave and I always have a new story to tell because I am daily told a multitude of stories and the environment in the therapy room provides much laughter! I feel very blessed to be placed at this clinical site and I look forward to each day I get to spend with the each individual there.


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