Unbelievably Proud Big Sister

So my mom tells me that when I was told that she was going to have another baby and that I was going to be a big sister that I continuously asked her if the baby in her belly had a bow in its hair.  I wanted a little sister more than anything in the world.  Note my frustration and several attitude fits when my little brother, Dylan, was born.  They had to bribe me with Hello Kitty products to make me happy... and jewelry I might add.  To multiply my frustration, Dylan was not a silent sleeper, he stole all of the attention that I had had to myself for 5 whole years, he was video taped more than me (we didn't have a video camera before Dylan) and he was a biter.  Needless to say, Dylan and I had our differences, but I am blessed that the baby in my mom's belly had a Yankees cap on instead of a bow in his hair.  That would have been odd.

Dylan and I only fought whenever parents were around, and there were several times when we even got parents involves, ruined dinner dates for them, and caused the Pritchard version of World War 3, 4, 5, 6... well you get the picture.  Each of us had to have the last word.  I was bossy and a perfectionist and Dylan was a know it all and stubborn.  So naturally our personalities didn't always match.  There were many-an-hour sitting on our knees on the living room floor in front of one another staring at each other until one of us said "I'm sorry" or "I love you".  I am sure my parents got a kick out of that.  But there were good times as well.  The ones when we were bad are easier to remember... and more fun to tell.  Dylan and I finally started getting along on a regular basis when I went off to college.  However, I think that is because he got into enough trouble in those middle school and early high school years, that whenever I came home, he didn't want to test my parents any longer.  We have grown so close over the past 19 and 1/2 years and I have always been so proud of him.

However, I have reached a pride-peak.  Dylan sent me a letter yesterday from basic training in Fort Benning Georgia saying that he was chosen Squad Leader.  I always knew that once he finally found something that he WANTED to do and that he knew he was good at that he would go far.  And look who was right.  I am so glad that he has found the path God has chosen for him.  He is good at it, and was definitely born for it.  I love him so much, and I know that he will be able to keep the position of Squad Leader (apparently that is the hard part). Love you bro! So proud of you!

For PT Students Everywhere

It has been a long week of long labs, lectures that go over class time 20 minutes, and teachers yelling at us for being late.  This definitely brightened things up just a little bit.  It was posted in our Facebook group, but Chris decided to add a little UMMC class of 2014 to it. My PT class is better than yours...

...

This video is brilliant but I gotta be real, the Thomas test is cool but it ain't the best deal. The Ober test is better cuz I let my leg hang, but my TFL's tight so I said "oh dang". It's all good cuz you think you got good knees, but last time I checked you only had 30 degrees. Flexion, extension why do you care, your hamstrings so tight can't get your leg in the air. If your readin this you better not hate, you need to go to bed dolph said don't be late. 

Like I said, My PT class is better than yours. You should hear the poems we write during class and read at the breaks. Stay strong, pray hard, and God bless.

There is a Fountain Who is a King

What a whirlwind.  So much has happened in so little time.  I have lost track of my blog. Bound to happen eventually.  Lets see... My second semester of physical therapy school is over and done.  I am still holding that 4.0 and I am learning so much, but more importantly, I have made so many precious friends.  To go into further detail would require a novel, not a blog.  Finals were stressful... to the point where I almost got addicted to studying and had to re-evaluate my priorities in life.  But I prevailed and the 4 week Christmas came and went.  The break called for a lot of family, driving, food, and laughs.  We had an amazing Christmas and made some special memories.  And though December 26th is usually the most depressing day of the year (because Christmas is another 365 days away) we left for the beautiful Smokey Mountains and had an amazing week of vacation.

The family vacation ended just as quickly as it started.  We all relaxed, played Catch Phrase and conquered the world in Risk, went shopping (maybe a little too much... so sue me), watched bowl games, cheered on Drew Brees as he broke the NFL over all record for most passing yards in a season, and enjoyed an amazing view of the Smokey Mountains from our cabin.  Though we had a good shot of the fireworks in downtown Gatlinburg on New Year's Eve, Steven and I decided to experience downtown and ended up waiting 45 minutes for a Chocolate milkshake at Johnny Rockets diner.  Terrible.  In my frustrated rage we were able to walk back to our car parked a mile outside of town in record time. We drove home on a Sunday, had just enough time to unpack and then we started planning Dylan's going away dinner.

Dylan left for basic training in Ft. Benning, Georgia on Tuesday January 3rd.  The night before we had a big meal for him and invited his new girlfriend Meghan over to share the last few hours with Dylan before he left us for 5 months.  We dropped him of at the Marriot in downtown Jackson on Tuesday afternoon and surprisingly enough I only saw a few tears from Mom.  Apparently she saved them all for Tuesday night... Wednesday... oh AND Thursday.  Apparently he had over a week of what is called "reception" before he actually began the yelling 24/7 and the "Yes Drill Sergeant"s.  We got a phone call this past weekend and he gave us  his love.  I am very proud of him. As Americans, we should be grateful for all of our troops, but the troops now hold an even bigger place in my heart since Little Brother is learning to defend me and my rights.  He was born to do this, and I know God is leading him down an amazing path.

This week began the first week of my third semester of PT school.  In May, I will offically be done with my first year!  It has been a long week.  We have learned a lot already, but life doesn't slow down even if classes have started back.

Today during goniometry lab, I received a phone call from Steven informing me that a good friend from our Sunday School class suffered severe injuries from a motorcycle accident this morning (the first sunny and picturesque morning in over a week).  He was taken to UMC where it was discovered that he had completely broken his T4 vertebrae and was paralyzed from the chest down.  I know that God has a plan and that He is going to bring about good from this, but tragedy is tragedy and this was just terrible news.  Luckily he is alive and stable in the SICU, but he is in a lot of pain.  God's plan may not always be the one we want of the one we choose, but it always works out in the end no matter how detrimental the circumstances may be.  I just pray that God will place a hand on him, his wife and their families.

This past Sunday, Brother Phil spoke about Jesus washing his disciples feet.  He spoke of how humbling that experience is for anyone, and for the Lord to offer surely struck the disciples as odd.  Since He is the Son of Man, they refused at first, but explains to his disciples after washing their dirty feet why he did so:

"Do you understand what I was doing? You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord' and you are right because it is true.  And since I, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feel, you ought to wash other's feet.  I have given you an example to follow.  Do as I have done to you.  How true it is that a servant is not greater than the master.  Nor are the messengers more important than the one who sends them.  You know these things - now do them! That is the path of blessing"  John 13:12-17

Jesus showed unconditional love to his disciples -- his followers.  However, in order to show others unconditional love, the disciples needed a demonstration as to what that was.  It is our duty to show this love to everyone we come in contact with.  We aren't to pass judgement or look the other way, we are to love unconditionally no matter HOW DIRTY THE FEET.  This sermon definitely reflected on my pride and my tendency to hold my head above others because of their "dirty feet".  How humbling to be told that I am certainly not greater than the Lord my God, and yet he washed the dirt off of undeserving feet.  And since he did, so should I.  We ended the sermon with a song called "Who Can Satisfy" that always gets my tear ducts flowing.  The chorus goes:

"There is a Fountain, who is a King.  Victorious warrior and Lord of everything.  My Rock my Shelter, my very own.  Blessed Redeemer who stands upon the Throne."

I pray this song especially considering the events that have happened this week.  That that couple in our Sunday school class will feel God's unconditional and unfailing love and that he will be their rock and their shelter.  He is their victorious Warrior in this time.  And with Him, they can do all things.

Stay strong, pray hard, and God bless.

P.S. Here are some pictures from recent events. Enjoy!

Chicken Salad and SJP

Firstly, I would like to start this post with a tiny Happy Birthday (late) to my daddy.  I know that he wouldn't want me to get too mushy gushy (since he is getting enough of that every time my mom sees a man in an ARMY uniform).  So I will just say I wouldn't be where I am today without you.  You have pushed and pulled me every step of the way.  You have listened to my panic attacks, crying episodes, anger outbreaks (the bad) and my blonde moments, my silly jokes, and my nonstop giggles.  I cannot thank you enough for always being there for me.  I love you daddy.  You are such a blessing in my life.  I hope you had a great birthday and I wish you all the best.  

Now, our tests are FINALLY over and we get about a 2 day break before we either have to begin working on our documentation project, studying for our next systems exam, or practicing transfers and gait training for pass offs.  But what better way to celebrate our tiny break from the books with a little girl bonding time with Chicken Salad, girl bonding, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

SJP never fails on chick flicks, and this one was no exception.  The only downside to any of her movies is the fact that I always rethink my wardrobe and crave shopping (online or regular) because of her fabulous wardrobes.  But regardless, I think we all had a great time.  I am so glad that so many came out to eat and attended the movie.  I hope they all enjoyed the company, the food, and the movie just as much as I did.  And I am so excited for our next get together (pumpkin carving =)) 

The first round of tests have gone very well.  I have been studying non stop, but luckily, Steven has been just as busy so hopefully I haven't tainted the name of "wife" for him quite yet.  I do still make dinner... when he is actually at home (and when he doesn't insist on doing so himself).  I am so glad that it is finally football season and that fall weather is on its way (it should already be here... thank you Mississippi).  It always puts me in the best mood to be able to wear my sweaters, coats, and boots.  And like Christina and I have already established, the best part about October means Halloween which means Thanksgiving which means CHRISTMAS!

PT school isn't all study study study.  We still have our fun and I am having the best time.  We have all gotten to know each other quite well, and despite the differences in football team preferences I know that we had developed some life long friendships and memories.  God could not have planned this out more perfectly for me, for Steven and for our families.  

Speaking of families, BABY ELLIOT is HERE!!!! He is 4 weeks old today and is just the sweetest little boy in the world.  The fact that he is here has made mom's baby fever even hotter, but she can hold elliot until it is my turn.  Christy and Jeremy have such a beautiful family.  It makes me pretty excited to start my own... in a few years. 

Dylan has officially joined the ARMY ROTC and the national guard.  He will be shipping out for basic in January in Fort Benning, Georgia.  I can tell he is super stoked.  I am so proud of him and excited to see what his future holds.  He has so much potential to accomplish some stellar things.  He is already a hero, and we, as Americans, are lucky to have him fighting for us.  He is smart, dedicated, and true to his word.  He will be in the guard until he graduates college, and then he wants to go into Army special forces (I think that is the plan still).  Next summer, after basic, he will be learning how to jump out of perfectly good airplanes and land without breaking something.  That is a feat for him in itself considering the fact that he used to hate bun-jee jump harnesses and he should have ridden the go-carts.  Once again, I am very proud of you, little brother.  Can not wait to see what God has planned for your life.  It is going to be amazing and I pray that you recognize and thank Him every day for all of the blessings he has given you.  

Steven and work are going well.  The first band competition for the 2011 MCHS marching band is this weekend at the Vanderbilt Invitational in Nashville, TN.  I am rooting for those drummer boys.  I hope they get recognized for all of their hard work and dedication.  They are a completely different group from last year.  I am proud, and I know Steven is proud and honored to be working with a group of kids that WANT to learn and are EAGER to be better musicians.  And Steven lives to teach others to be better musicians.  They are making his job fun! Good luck to the drumline and the rest of the band this weekend! I can't wait to see y'all next Saturday at Pearl.

As far as life in general, things are going pretty well.  The apartment is a mess, we have hardly any room, and there is still no place for me to put my Christmas tree, but I couldn't be happier.  I am awestruck by God's grace and blessings everyday.  I only hope that I am letting him shine through me in all that I do and that I am giving Him the glory he deserves.  That's about it.  Stay Strong, Pray Hard, and God Bless

 lross

Moses Supposes His Toeses are Roses

It has been a Friday night without Madison Central football for me, and the Rosses don't have cable.  So I have been watching some of my favorite movies since Steven left me alone for the evening.  I was inspired to write in my blog after watching Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor tap dance to Moses Supposes over and over again.

In case anyone hasn't seen the masterpiece, I have found and posted the video.  Your life will be changed.  How someone can move their feet that fast and produce a decent rhythmical sound is beyond me.  Simply amazing...

I was telling my mom tonight how much I miss it.  An open room with wooden floors and nothing but good music in the background that I could express through dance.  Some of my favorite college moments were in the studios in the Sanderson center just dancing for the heck of it.  I wish there was a place like that here that I could just bring my own music and take over the room.  Thinking about how long it has been since I have done this just makes me sad.  And especially how long it has been since I have worn a pair of tap shoes.  After watching Gene Kelly and wishing he were still alive so that he could make more classics like Singing in the Rain, I have the strong urge to go the the racquet ball courts at our apartment complex and go for it.

It also make me miss teaching it.  The two years I spend at Art Camp teaching dance were some good times.  Those kids, both girls and boys, still hold a warm place in my heart.  I even taught a dance to Moses Supposes, and it was by far one of my favorites.  I hope those kids think of me and their first exposure to such a classic whenever they see that movie, if they ever do.

So that is all of my whining about my missing my passion.  I will find a way to get back onto the dance floor, and I will keep you posted.

"A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance."  Ecclesiastes 3:4

Stay strong, pray hard and God bless

Summer Break... One Week Long

What a summer it has been! I have been elbow deep in dead bodies, nose deep in anatomy and intro notes, and knee deep in all work and no play.  But it all paid off.  I earned a 4.0 for my first semester in PT school, and I plan on keeping it that way.  I am very very proud of that number.  But my pride definitely falls short to the amazing friends and colleagues I have made.  I know that the next three years are going to be unforgettable.   We have made summer Mississippi Braves baseball games a necessity. I still have people in my class that think I have an imaginary husband because they have yet to meet him (not for a lack of trying), and I have found that some of my closest friends in the class are graduates of TSUN or they wear purple shirts and yellow breeches.  Needless to say, people surprise me everyday, my prayers were answered and I am having a blast despite my nonstop studying.  Things noted during my first semester of PT school:
1. 10 minute breaks in class are great for cat naps;
2. for those not sleeping in the 10 minute breaks, twitpic opportunities are available courtesy of those sleeping;
3. studying is fun but study groups are better and study breaks are even better than that;
4. soft collars and wrist splints get you strange looks while in public
5. Renee loves pickles;
6. quoting movies definitely gets you through a tough day;
7. Intro is perfect for writing poems;
8. capitate doesn't equal capitulum;
9. Hotel California helps when dissecting dead guys;
10. studying the muscles of facial expression makes for a good chuckle, especially if you have a mullet.

We have already had so much fun.  The next 8 semesters will go by super fast.  Lets make the most of it.

Steven is finally home and he has been hard at work at drum camp, band camp, and not stop school meetings since he got back.  He starts work again on his master's this fall, and he should be finished by the end of next summer.  Just in time for me to start clinic rotations.  What a stressor that has already been.  Not only do I have to do a rotation out of state (taken care of thanks to my BFF J in Memphis), but I also have to do a rotation outside of the Metro-Jackson area.  This is a great idea for those who live outside of the area, but I am from here.  So I have to either commute an hour away for 8 weeks or move away for a second time for 8 weeks.  I need not worry so much, because I know God has this under control, but there are all sorts of scenarios going through my head regarding the rotation for the Fall of 2010 and the Summer of 2013.  Not to mention, I have pick #49 out of 52 and a friend of mine has already stolen one of my ideas.  But it will all work out.

I am pretty excited, anxious and nervous to see what is to come out of the upcoming fall semester.  I hear systems is a killer... and I have to make time for football.  And I can't forget my duties as the drumline mom.  Prayers are definitely appreciated as my life is about to get more hectic.

On a positive note, we are soon to welcome another nephew into the Ross clan.  Elliot James Bounds is expected to greet the world of August 31st, and I couldn't be more excited!  I still need to purchase his first cowbell... Rileigh is about to start 1st grade, Madison Central's High School Band will be performing songs from Carmen the opera as their halftime show, and Dylan Pritchard will be joining Mississippi State's Army ROTC with the hopes of becoming special ops some day (oh yeah... and he got a tattoo in California).  Mom and Dad are well despite the termite issue earlier this month, Mr. Mark Kitchens and his family are moving to North Carolina in order for beautiful Kirsten to become a famous ballerina, and Meagan Kinsley is the new k-2 computer teacher at Madison Station Elementary.  Everyone's life is just taking off.  God is so amazing.  I can't wait to see what else he has in store!  Stay Strong, Pray Hard, and God Bless!

Being Like King Hezekiah

I cannot believe that it is almost July 17th.  It seems I was just venting on here about how Steven was gone, school was starting, and that this summer was going to go on and on.  I was sadly mistaken.  So many awesome things have happened in the past few weeks.  

School is going really well.  I am thoroughly pleased with my grades but even more grateful for all of the wonderful friendships I have found in my classmates.  We really do lift each others spirits and support each other already! And we are only a month and a 1/2 in.  Very grateful that everyone is accepted, and that everyone can share a smile with each other.  I don't think I could have made it through this summer thinking I was all by myself.  My biggest prayer going into PT school wasn't about the grades or the classes, but it was a prayer for new friendships.  I had been out of school for 2 years and I had kind of gotten out of the swing of things when it came to introducing myself, opening up, and just being myself.  How God has answered that prayer.  I know that I am still showing my true colors to my class mates, but I know that these friendships will be everlasting.

Steven come home on SUNDAY!  I am so glad he has had this opportunity to instruct the Troopers drumline again, but I am SO ready for him to be home.  I think that I will definitely be myself when he is here.  A part of me has been missing.  It sounds like the Troopers have had an awesome summer so far, and according to last nights performance, they are peaking at a good time.  Beginning to "feel" that performance.  Very excited to see the show when we go to Atlanta.  

I spent my evening tonight, not studying, but with my Sunday School girls in bible study.  We are doing Beth Moore's Breaking Free study, and lets just say that God speaks through Beth Moore like no other.  She is not afraid to tell it like it is.  We were in Isaiah Chapter 37 tonight.  Studying how the Assyrians were trying to take over Jerusalem that was under King Hezekiah's rule at the time.  The message was breaking free from our captor even when he tries to coax us into making peace with our own bondage.  Instead of listening to the enemy and surrendering to the Assyrians past triumphs, King Hezekiah took his trouble to God, trusted God with the protection of Jerusalem, and God pulled through like He always does.  Such an awesome message.  Especially when we, as Christians, claim to "believe" in God and that Christ is his son, but when it comes to trusting him every day, in the little and big things, that He will protect us, and the He won't give us anything we can't handle.  As a sinner and a Christian, I will admit to not being completely trustworthy 100% of the time.  I am a worry wart.  And most of the time, it is my prideful nature that tells me that I can fix it myself or worry about the problem enough to where it will be solved.  But that HAS NEVER been the case.  In all of the BIG and little trials that I have been through in my 24 years, I cannot think of one time where I was the one that fixed it.  That I was the one that solved my problems al by myself.  Usually when that was attempted, the problem got worse.  So it is a matter of sucking up my pride not listening to the enemy, and trusting that God will be there in EVERY situation.  "Our captor likes to remind us of all who have fallen and poses the question 'What makes you so different?'".  I am different because I am a follower and believer of Christ.  And I may not have confidence in my own flesh to seek out every up and down in my life and conquer it alone, but I have confidence in Jesus Christ and that with Him, I know that I will never be in a situation that WE can't handle. My confidence lies in Christ.  So, my prayer is to be more like King Hezekiah.  To take what the enemy is telling me to God, and have confidence and trust that God will take care of it.  For it states in Isaiah 37:36-37 that the angel of the Lord slain the Assyrian armies and the King Sennacherib of Assyria retreated to his own land and left Jerusalem alone.  God will protect and watch over his children. 

Just a little food for thought.  Stay Strong, Pray Hard, and God bless.