2012 Year In Review

     2012 will be one for the books in just a few short hours. It has definitely been a year for me! Here are some of the highlights:

• Car trouble, lots of car trouble. I pretty much have a new car under the hood, lol.
• My first and hopefully last kidney stone. Who knew something so tiny could be so painful?
• Spring trip to Nashville with the girls
• Started this blog! 
• Brought my total weight loss to 67 pounds! Never thought that would be possible.
• My brother got married!
• My friend, Christy, got married too!
• Summer trip to New Orleans
• Attended my first ASHA Convention and heard Maya Angelou and Gabby Giffords speak.
• Fall trip to Atlanta
• Loss of my last living grandparent, Pawpaw Red
• My dad's sickness/hospitalization two times. Thankfully he is recovering.
• Lots of time with family and friends during Christmas!

     Along with all the things I listed, this year is filled with countless memories of laughter and tears, thrills and disappointments, joys and heartaches. Many things I will never forget have happened this year. My faith has grown and God has changed me in so many ways. I am thankful for all that He has done this year. I look forward to what He will do in 2013! Happy New Year!!!

The Lord has done great things for us. And we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28

Christmas 2012 in Pictures!

Christmas Tree, 2012 Version, Candace Style!

     I think my Christmas tree looks a little different each year. This year, I decided to use colored lights instead of white lights. I also randomly placed those red stems at the top with the star. I think the 2012 version is fun! And, I totally did not pose Effie in this picture. She did that all by herself! :)

Current Events!

     Last weekend, my friend Lauren and I went to a local Christmas parade. It was unusually warm for this time of year and I got a slight sunburn! It was nice being outside on such a pretty day and we got to see a few fun floats before we left early for lunch!

I love to hear the bands play in a parade!
And the Grinch was my favorite!

     This weekend, Becky, Elizabeth, and I were able to go to a local "Christmas lights extravaganza." I've never seen so many inflatables or lights in one place. We had a great time!

We found Frosty!

Christmas Fun!
Please notice Santa is in the outhouse. So random!!

Thankful Thursdays---Laughter and Tears

     I really have so much to be thankful for! I wasn't really sure what I wanted to write about tonight, but it just dawned on me: laughter and tears. I know, I know laughter is a given. It is fun-everyone loves it! Laughter is good for the soul! But tears? Who is ever thankful for tears? God has taught me that He is with me during hard times that causes the hurt and tears. He understands pain and He teaches me in ways I can never fully understand or imagine. Sometimes He allows hard things to happen so we can get to know Him in ways we never would have otherwise. So that is why I am thankful for tears. Because I get to trust in and grow closer to my Savior. {I would like to note that this is not easy at all and I'm not good at it, but He continually helps me with it.} He is completely worth getting to know, even in the hard times! Laughter is fun but God uses tears to develop our relationship with Him. That is so amazing to me. I am thankful for both. 

Thankful Thursdays---Happy Thanksgiving!!!

     Happy Thanksgiving!!!

     Today, I am very thankful that my Daddy was released from the hospital! He has been there all week and I know he is glad to be home. I am glad to have them back too! I am also thankful for my family. I love them very much and look forward to our postponed turkey day on Saturday! Maybe by then our famous chef (Daddy) will feel more up to cooking and eating. Blessings to all!!!

ASHA 2012: Evidence of Excellence

     Last week, my friend Becky and I had the opportunity to attend the annual American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. This year it was located in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia World Congress Center. The theme was Evidence of Excellence. Thursday morning's opening ceremony featured Maya Angelou as the keynote speaker. She recited several of her poems and told stories of her childhood. She was very positive and inspiring. The rest of the activities included attending several sessions of our choosing to earn continuing education units. I attended sessions relating to autism, pediatric voice therapy, vocabulary building, dysphagia, etc. I really enjoyed most of the sessions and learned several new ideas I look forward to implementing in my therapy sessions! 
     On Friday evening, the main event was the presentation of the Annie Glenn Award to congresswoman Gabby Giffords. I heard John Glenn, Annie Glenn, Mark Kelly, and Gabby Giffords speak. It was very inspiring and touching to hear their stories and words of encouragement to us as speech-language pathologists. Annie Glenn had difficulty with stuttering her entire life. This affected her life in every way. Her husband stated that she could not even make a phone call or read to her children. She received intensive therapy at Hollins University. Her husband said she called him for the first time and that for the first time ever he heard her say more than four words without stuttering. They then introduced Gabby Giffords who was able to walk on stage with assistance from her husband. She said, "People with aphasia get better. I'm getting better." It was a very touching moment. I think we all walked out  feeling validated in our chosen profession.
     I really enjoyed going to the convention. It was fun and exhausting at the same time, ha. The Congress Center is huge and we traversed it back and forth for two and a half days! It was an excellent opportunity for continued learning and networking with other SLPs. There were so many people there from all over the U.S. and it was interesting to talk to them. I look forward to attending future ASHA Conventions!

Peace Up A-Town!

Maya Angelou

How much fun is the Super Duper Store??? A SLP's dream ha!

Very pretty building downtown

I forgot to mention that we got to meet my cousin Melody for dinner at Mary Mac's Tea Room! So fun and delicious!

Good times

Evidence of Excellence :)