Josie shared another great video.  Brought tears to my eyes.  Thanks for spreading awareness and bringing hope to so many!

Good luck, Josie!

picture via Josie's Facebook page
As Mrs. North Carolina, Josie will be competing in the preliminary competition today and the final competition will be held on Wednesday, August 28th.  Josie is TLC's Awareness Ambassador, she is a part of the trich community, one of us... and she is helping spread the word about trichotillomania.  You can watch the competition live online. Go to mrsamerica.com for more details (I did check it out- it is a live stream of the pageant, but it is pay per view just so you know).
picture via mrsamerica.com
Good luck, Josie!!  The trich community is behind you and wishing you the best!

Last night wasn't great... the pulling seemed non-stop.

But today is a new day!

"Our you taking responsibility for your life... really?"

I just had to share this with you.  My church just finished watching a series by Andy Stanley called "Taking Responsibility For Your Life".  It is such a great and practical message.  If you have time- sit down and watch or listen to this four part message (Let the Blames Begin, The Disproportionate Life, This is No Time to Pray, and Embrace Your Response Ability) .

Watch message series here:

Taking Responsibility for Your Life 

Mrs. North Carolina is on her way!

Josie posted this picture yesterday

She is on her way now to Mrs. America.  And she is definitely going to make the trich community proud!  Good luck, Josie!

Watch the live stream of the pageant at www.mrsamerica.com. Prelims are Monday, the 26th (not broadcasting 100% of the time) and Finals are at 8 pm EST on the 28th.

Today is the birthday of my biggest supporter!  So thankful to have Brad as my husband and best friend!  My journey is so much better with him by my side!  Happy Birthday, Brad!

Gratitude

Years and years ago (like back in high school) I had a gratitude journal.  I think I got the idea from Oprah (my older sister Christina used to be a big Oprah fan).  I simply wrote down like 5 things a day that I was thankful for that day.  And I'm thinking I should do something like this again because...  

So I'm still deciding what I want to do exactly, but I might start a weekly post of what I'm grateful for.  And I'm hoping this attitude of gratitude will get me out of my funk, but more importantly... this is something I should be doing anyway.  God has blessed me and I want to give Him thanks for all that He has done.

So to start off... I'm going to sound cliché and say that I'm thankful for my family.  In regards to my trich, they are SO supportive.  They all know I have it and they all love me the same.  And even the little things like, my sister Kimberly posts about Trichotillomania Awareness Week on her facebook page and she bought me a spinner ring, my in-laws, parents and sisters donated money to the documentary Trichster... they support me and it means so much!  Some people suffer alone.  But I'm not alone- I'm supported and loved by my family.  And for that I am grateful!