6/9

So I got my hair lightened some more to get it to the color I really wanted. I knew it was going to take a couple of times but now next tiem I will just have to get my roots done! I am in the middle of my summer course which is on ly 3 weeks so its quick. I have already taken a midterm ( I got a B) and the Final is next Wednesday. I also have been doing some peds stuff. I have gone to the NICU, early intervention, orthotic, and this week we went to an outpatient burn center in OKC. I absolutely loved being in the NICU. I think it would be a great extra part time job after I graduate to help pay off those loans. But I have to see what is the availability in Fort Smith hospitals.

While I was in OKC on Monday for class I also checked out the place I am going to have my internship and the apartment I am going to stay. I loved both! The facility is GIGANTIC and brand new! I can already tell it is going to at least be comfortable to work there. Everyone I have talked to says I will love being there which, is one of the reasons why I wanted to go there. The apartment is about a 30 minute but it isnt too bad and it might be nice to have a little drive to adjust ?!

As far as the pageant goes I am just working out and eating healthier. I ordered clear heels which, should be interesting ;) I have been playing with my makeup to see what looks the best (as you can see in the picture). I have sent out about 20 sponsor letters including my family :) But really just local businesses so hopefully in a week or two I will start recieveing some sponsor monies!

Summer

So I finished the Spring semester strong with a 3.3 GPA and an official congrats on the pediatric grant!! Yay me!  I am know in my 3 week summer course then it is off to Italy. After Italy, I go to OKC for 8 weeks for my clinical rotation at the children's center. I am really excited to get to work with the kiddos and learn from my CI.

 I also have announcement... no I am not engaged :) I am going to be in the Miss Oklahoma USA pageant, which is over thanksgiving weekend. I am currently in the process of acquiring sponsors to pay for the sponsor fee. This fee covers the food, lodging, and clothing for the weekend. It will also help pay for the next Miss OK USA to prepare for the national pageant. I decided to do this because I think it would be a great experience and it is a great motivator to get back to the gym, plus it would be really awesome if I won! I am practicing the walk, current events, and speech. I am going to send out a mailing soon so keep a look out and if you know of anyone who owns a business or individual who would like to help sponsor have them email me at emilyrbailey@gmail.com

Howard and I also took  a trip 2 weeks ago to Oxford, Mississppi for his cousins wedding. It was lots of fun and I got to meet the rest of his family on his fathers side. We walked around the Ole Miss campus, went in his uncles pool, played with his 2nd cousins, Will and Wes and got to know his cousins better. Abbie stayed in a family owned, farm setting ranch for doggies. She seemed to have enjoyed herself and the owner thought she was very sweet. I am biased but I would have to agree with them.

I will keep you all updated on my road to the Miss OK USA pageant. So far I have been working out 5 days a week, eating better and practicing in the heels and talking to others without mumbling :)

I got my hair trimmed and colored blonde today! What do you think?? I love it, she cut off a little bit too much than I wanted but I had a lot of split ends that needing trimming. I am finishing up the semester with about 6 papers and then studying for finals. I can't believe I am turing 25 on wednesday. I won't be celebrating until the weekend after finals but until then I have gotta be in study mode. One good thing about this week was that I won 3rd place in a drawing from the tulsa bridal association I went to just for fun!! I won 25% off of the DJ, free bridal session, 50% off photograher package and videography!! How awesome is that, I am already saving money before I am even engaged, hahaha. And the places I got the discounts are really good and some are voted the best my local brides! Anyway, wish me luck with finals!

Random

So this is a recent collage I made. I enjoy making them and seeing all the pictures come together, this one is about my family. I really love the goofy ones because it shows how truely crazy we are when we get together :) There is not much to update on but I am having a terrible time with allergies and my asthma. I am having to use my inhaler up to 6 times per day. Tonight I watched a little girl, we walked down the street to the park and I couldn't catch my breath.When we got back I had to take my inhaler, ridiculous... I am going to try some samples that a pulmonary doc suggested so I will see if that helps some. There are a lot of group projects going on at school right now that I am trying to finish up not to mention individual papers as well and we have to drive to OKC Thursday for another neuro seminar. This one is covering spinal cord injuries. I do enjoy learning from the individuals with the injuries we have been talking about in class. It helps put them into perspective but it also adds more work but I think it will help in the long run. I guess that is it for now :)

Easter

Happy Easter & Happy 2nd Birthday Jackson!!

So lets do a little bit of catch up since I haven't posted in a while. I had midterms the week before spring break and I have to say I was quite pleased with the outcomes. B in Adult Neuro, A in Assistive technology, and an A in Teaching. I also had another adult neuro test this Friday and recieved a high C. Not as good as I would have liked but I still have a B in the class. I am enjoying most of my classes and am excited to get on to the clinical aspect of this summer and next year.
During spring break I was in Fort Smith. I painted a bathroom, lounged, read and went to Eureka Springs where it decided to snow on us :) Pictures to come later. Abbie had to get a chipped tooth removed a few weeks ago but is all better now. I am so happy that it is finally starting to warm up here, I have been so sick of the below 30 degree weather!!
I have a second idea about the non-profit. Ideally, I would do the whole grand idea for Zambia but unfortunantly I am still a ways off unless God does a miracle or inspires some persons to make a large donation to a company that does not exist yet :) So, my newest thought is a day camp for children with disabilities out at the Vernon's farm. It would include fishing, horseback riding (hippotherapy), fourwheeling (with supervision), games, volleyball etc... One day it would be awesome to have an overnight camp but you have to start small and work up. I have talked to my friends and said they would love to help plus the people I meet when I start working would probably be willing too!! Thoughts?
Another thing I can't get out of my head is the DSLR camera that I really want!! I have already $400 saved from doing some odd jobs and babysitting. My thought was that I could get it after the semester is over and while in OKC this summer, take a class and learn more about photography. Thoughts?

Anyway, I hope everyones easter is great and Jackson I hope you had the best brithday you will never remember :)

Howard and I at John and Ashleys wedding this last weekend. The ones with the boa were from a photo booth they had at the reception. The bottom one with Howard yelling is only kind of funny because we were suppose to take a nice photo but I poked his flower pin into his chest and the camera just happen to catch the action :) I also was very proud of my hair, I did the updo my self and I thought it looked very nice! Had a good time and now just waiting for spring break that starts on Friday! By the way... I got an 80 on my first neuro adult test. I had one today and one tomorrow so hopefully I can keep the B's coming!!

A thought to ponder

   I recently bought a daily devotional book to get my "God fix" for the day. I needed something that didn't take to much time but started my day of right and in the mind frame of why I am doing what I am doing. My friend Rachel has one that she recommended, My utmost for His highest. I bought it and love it. Everyday the message is somehow related to something I have been thinking or struggling with. I wanted to share today's with you because I think it has to do with my pull towards Zambia and the therapy clinics.
       " None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself..." (Acts 20:24)
    It is easier to serve or work for God without a vision and without a call, because then you are not bothered by what He requires. Common sense, covered with a layer of Christian emotion, becomes your guide. You may be more prosperous and successful from the world's perspective, and will have more leisure time, if you never acknowledge the call of God. But once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God asks of you will always be there to prod you on to do His will. You will no longer be able to work for Him on the basis of common sense
     What do I count in my life as "dear to myself"? If I have not been seized by Jesus Christ and have not surrendered myself to Him, I will consider the time I decide to give to God and my own ideas of service as dear. I will also consider my own life as "dear to myself." But Paul said he considered, and he refused to use his energy on anything else. This verse shows an almost noble annoyance by Paul at being asked to consider himself. He was absolutely indifferent to any consideration other than that of fulfilling the ministry he had receive. Our ordinary and reasonable service to God may actually compete against our total surrender to Him. Our reasonable work is based on the following argument which we say to ourselves. " Remember how useful you are her, and think how much value you would be in that particular type of work." That attitude chooses our own judgement, instead of Jesus Christ, to be our guide as to where we should go and where we could be used the most. Never consider whether or not you are of use - bu always consider that "you are  not you own"  (1 Corinthians 6:19). You are His.
  
  Thoughts? 
     Howard and I are going to a wedding this weekend and he is a groomsman so we also have the rehearsal dinner on Friday night, it should be fun minus the fact that in between fun I have to study for exams for next week :( First exam tomorrow, wish me luck. 
  Abbie had to go to the vet again for a chipped tooth I found yesterday when I was brushing her teeth. They have to extract it and while she is out I also am having them clean her teeth. Hopefully she won't have any health problems for a while!  


This picture is from Lisa and my hiking trip we went on recently!