Miss America

http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show/video/index.php?pid=etESJw1S0JtREBX9zIFgeceTsnEWRz3w

http://www.insideedition.com/videos/773/the-beauty-queen-ventriloquist.aspx

Alyse Eady was the first runner up to Miss America beating out 48 other girls vying for the crown. Tonight I'll be viewing her interview on David Letterman and looking for her on other networks such as inside edition, America's got Talent and the Ellen show. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to compete with such talented, intelligent young women like Alyse.

Making it to Miss Arkansas twice was a huge accomplishment during my years of competing. Though that's as far as it took me, I've always loved and admired the Miss America System. This year, last weekend, I got to see one of my pageant girls make it all the way to the top. Aylse Eady was a strong contender from day one. She entertained at several pageants of mine and we recently hosted Miss Arkansas River together. I am very proud of her and her accomplishments. This proves that Pageants are not all about the competition itself.

The Miss America Organization is the largest scholarship organization for women in America. Many people stereotype the system thinking it's about looks or who has the most expensive dress. Im here to tell you that winning Miss UA Fort Smith alone provided me with over 15,000 in scholarship money, free tuition for the year and a wardrobe provided by the college to compete at the State level. Due to all the amazing volunteers, they make it possible for us small town college women to go far!

To learn more about how to compete in local preliminary pageants to Miss Arkansas:

To learn more about Alyse Eady as Miss Arkansas Visit:

www.missarkansas.org

First Trimester

I've started this blog in order to keep up with my life and the life inside of me. Im 15 weeks pregnant today and Im going to get better at documenting my life for my family and future. I've always used photography as my way to document my story. Now it's time to start talking about it.

After our two year anniversary. we decided it's time to expand our family. After halting the use of any form of BC, it was immediate that we found out we were expecting. Wow.....That happened very fast. When is really a good time? When are you really ever ready for this change? Well Im about to find out.

Our first Positive Test was on November 2, 2010.

Our first time to SEE the heart beat was December 1, 2010

Our first time to see the arms and legs moving was December 29, 2010

Our next appointment is January 26, 2011

The FIRST TRIMESTER:

The 1st trimester was Great. No morning sickness, no vomiting or crazy symptoms. As I was soaring through the "what to expect when expecting" book, I thought I was very abnormal condiering every other sentence focused on ways to ease your morning sickness. Apparently I'm one of 25% of women who didn't get sick during their 1st trimester. What a blessing.

Eating often is a must or I will get weak/queazy. I haven't had any weird cravings, as Im a picky eater already. So I'd say my pickiness has probably increased. The moment I found out I was pregnant, I stopped drinking diet coke. A typical day would consist of 3 or more soda's pre-pregnancy. Not now. It's about that baby. I have realized it's okay to have an occasional soda, but 2-3 per month as opposed to day. Im a pretty healthy eater anyway, but now Im really focusing on protein, Vit C and D and eating veggies and fruits. As natural as I can. Though America makes that hard, I've chosen to change my lifestyle for my family.

I have recently experienced abdominal ligament streaching. They say with your first child your muscles and ligaments aren't use to the streaching, so there will be occasional pain when sneezing or moving in a weird dierection too quickly.

Im documenting my Belly Bump and will have that album together. But for now, I'll post my 15 week Baby Bump.

Snow Day

Recapping on my College Days in Cheyenne, as I sit here in AR with 1 inch of snow in my PJ's. It's good to be home!

In Arkansas, we have what's called Snow Days. When it Snows schools and businesses close. We don't have the equipment necessary to maintain a normal day. Now, this reminds me of College Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Their Snow Days were From Jan-Jan, but never closed from school or work. Equipment was highly necessary for their state. I once left some liquid laundry detergent in my Trailblazer over night and it froze solid as a rock. Interstates close daily due to wind, but not snow.

Cheyenne, WY- Dental Hygiene College Campus/Dorms

Two years of Marriage

Douglas and I have been married for 2 years now. I've started my career in Dentistry also started my own professional photography business, Candice Bowen Photography. www.candidsbycandice.com. Douglas has his own trucking business Southeastern Produce . We've began our journey into marriage. Wow... what you learn. I've had 2 years to learn just as much about my husband as I have about myself.

I'd have to say that we've learned mostly about my cooking skills, or should I say, the lack there of. So far, Douglas has almost broken teeth on my cinnamon rolls. He poured SALT into his tea as opposed to SUGAR because I put salt in one of the canisters. And I had the bright idea to have a humming bird feeder this spring, which required mixing Nectar of which I mixed in a gallon picture....which also simulates cherry COOL AID. At that point Douglas had figured out he might want to enter the fridge with caution!!! So I'll say that he's figured me out.

With all that being said, that is the beauty of marriage. Learning and experiencing the good and not so GOOD. He's learned that no matter how much my rescue dog tears, digs, chews, eats, rips, ruins, or pees on I'll love him with my entire heart. He knows my spankings are weak and my heart is strong. But he's accepted that and that is why I love him so much.

Of course marriage isn't always a fairytale...so that's why after about day 100 we decided it might be a good idea to FIREPROOF our marriage. Which basically means putting God first and letting him guide us and praying that he make us the Husband and Wife that he wants us to be. Not what we think we are or should become. I'd have to say, that has saved us!! I now understand the common phrase, "our first year of marriage was the toughest". I agree....and we've made it to the two year mark. We've began to look at the picture as a whole and realize it would be false to say that a perfect marriage exists. But I'd have to say that we are two very blessed people who have the desire and willpower to make it last forever.