College

I have made the important decision that will have an impact on the rest of my life..

Which college I will attend..

The answer is...

....
......

.......

THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY!

I had a gut feeling that UK is where I would end up after I found out that I was diagnosed with Crohn's, but I feel so relieved to know that I have officially made the decision.

I will be majoring in history, then going into pre-med, then I will be a Pediatric GI Specialist.

A lot of my friends are currently applying for schools and making those life altering decisions, so make sure you say a prayer for them as they are under so much pressure.

Also, make sure you remember my friends that are in "stress overload" because they are not sure of what career they want to pursue just yet.

I know this year has already been stressful enough, but I look at my disease as a blessing in disguise because if I had never gotten sick, I would be one of these students who wasn't sure of what profession I wanted to pursue.

 Also, for anyone who is interested, I am taking donations for our local homeless shelter, so if you would like to purchase items that are necessary in everyday life such as:

• toothbrush and toothpaste
• hairbrush
• lotion
• mouthwash
• baby items
• coloring books and crayons (for children)
• stuffed animals (for children)
• deodorant
• body wash
• shampoo
• razors
• tweezers
• nail clippers
• toilet paper

You can purchase any of these items, send me a message and I would be more than willing to meet you and pick them up and deliver them.

I have been speaking about my platform constantly this week due to some things that happened in school, so I am going to make a "EveryBODY is Beautiful" challenge for you this week:
-This coming week, I want you to tell AT LEAST ONE PERSON about the "EveryBODY is Beautiful" campaign, then challenge them to pass the challenge on to someone else!

I hope everyone has had an amazing week!

"Just another day in the life."

When You're 18

I woke up this morning and I was a legal adult...
Going back to when I was a little kid, I wished turning 18 would "hurry up and get here."
But now, I want to go back..

As the day was approaching everyone would say "I wish I was you." "I can't wait to turn 18." ect.
My response? "I'll trade you."

Some of my friends have unbearable parents who don't trust them to walk across the street.
It really makes me sad that a child wants to turn 18, just so they can get away from their parents.

I am blessed that my parents have "let go" enough to keep me safe, but yet let me make decisions.
The outcome of this is- I have made good decisions, in order to keep my parents trust. If I have made a bad decision (there have been a few of those, for sure), I go straight to my parents and tell them, instead of trying to "cover it up." In order to keep their trust.

I have seen it numerous times in high school (especially now that kids can drive) a child who has a strict parent will lie and tell their parents that they are one place, so they can go somewhere else.
In my opinion, I think its really sad that a child has to lie about where they are going, just to avoid a fight with their parents.

My parents gave me plenty of trust and they knew when it was time to start "letting go" so in return, I haven't made many poor choices.

I am thankful for them.

Being 18 doesn't feel any different. I can vote, and actually go to jail if I make a big mistake (YAY).

Turning 18 is so significant to me is because, I thought I would never make it past 17.
Being 17 was a rough year for me. I would write it down in the books as a pretty bad year, with a couple of good highlights (no ostomy, and Brandon).
Being really sick, made me appreciate the days that I have now. Even the horrible ones.
I continually get so caught up in everything going on around me and I never take the time to stop and say "Wow, I am alive. That's awesome. I've had worse days. I'm thankful today isn't one of them."
Challenge- When things are tough, and you seem so caught up in everything.. Stop and count your blessings.

I am looking forward to a new year full of new experiences such as senior prom, graduating high school, starting college, and so much more.
I wont lie and say that I don't want to go back to when I was about 2 or 3 and start all over.
I would love that.
I wouldn't change anything though, because good or bad, my decisions have made me the person I am now.

To quote myself:
    "When they said 18 would feel different, they lied."

Dear 18,
      Please be kind to me.
                                        -MaKenzie

"Just another day in the life."

Miss Pittsburg Homecoming Pageant

So, I kept this on the down low.. But on Saturday night, I competed in the Miss Pittsburg Homecoming Pageant and I won Miss Pittsburg Ultimate Queen of Queens, a national introduction plaque, a national donation plaque, an introduction medal, a personality medal, a prettiest smile metal, the most beautiful trophy, photogenic trophy, and early entry trophy.

I cannot wait to represent a county that I grew up in.

All the ladies in the competition were beautiful and so talented.

I am beyond blessed to have the support of my parents, my grandparents, and my boyfriend as I jump back on the pageant train.

During my pageant I got to speak about my "EveryBODY is Beautiful" campaign and now that I have won, I am looking forward to traveling around the county and speaking to people of various ages.

Also, something important I need everyone to pray about- I applied for Juniorettes last week. This is a very prestigious club at my school and I really hope to get accepted. I also applied to UK and I am working on scholarship essays. Lastly, I take my ACT on the 14th of the month.

So, I currently have a lot on my plate and I would appreciate all the prayers I could possibly get.

Now, enjoy some more pageant pics!

"Just another day in the life."

GO GOLD

As most know, or should know, September is childhood cancer awareness month.

Pediatric cancer is a subject that I hold very close to my heart.

Since I have been diagnosed with Crohn's I have been exposed to many pediatric cancer patients and I will just go out and say that they are the real heroes.

Before I was diagnosed with Crohn's they were testing me for Leukemia.. I remember just how horrified my family was at the thought that their daughter, niece, or granddaughter may have cancer. I am so thankful that it was just Crohn's. Now, people who know their stuff know that Crohn's and cancer are very similar, yet they can be very different.

Here are some facts about pediatric cancer:

• Each year around 13,500 children are diagnosed with pediatric cancer in the US.
• 35,000 children are currently in treatment for cancer.
• 74% of childhood cancer survivors have chronic illnesses.
• Cancer treatments can affect a child's growth, fertility, and endocrine system.

Aside from all of the sad things about cancer, all of the cancer kids I have met have the biggest hearts around. Many of the kids I see are always smiling, even when they don't feel like it. They laugh, they play.
They are truly phenomenal kids and they make the most of every single moment.

My challenge for you this month-

• Learn all you possibly can about pediatric cancer.
• Educate others about pediatric cancer.
• If you have the financial means, DONATE.
• Simply pray for the children and families.

"Just another day in the life."

Miss Laurel County Homecoming Pageant

So, I totally forgot about my blog posts!
I was in the car with Brandon and he was like "You really need to post on your blog!"
I was like "OH MY GOSH I DO!!"

So then I realized that I didn't even talk about my pageant!
I didn't win a title, but I won in such an incredible way.

A few years ago, I never even thought I would be experiencing anything ever again, let alone a beauty pageant.

I met so many amazing women, got to speak about my "EveryBODY is Beautiful" campaign and get back out of my comfort zone and begin to feel beautiful again.

I am so lucky to have such an awesome support system..
The Hill Street Loft for being my sponsor and helping me look amazing
My mom helping me get ready
My boyfriend recording the whole thing and sending me encouraging texts during the pageant
My dad sitting front row and texting me telling me to "just be myself"
My grandpa for being my escort
My nana, for crying and telling me how beautiful I am (like she always does)
All my friends who came to support me and screamed at the top of their lungs every single time I set foot on stage.

Every single one of my competitors are absolutely beautiful inside and out.

Huge congratulations to Brooke and Makinlee for wining the titles, they will serve the county well.

Now, TIME FOR PICTURES

"Just another day in the life."

School Update

I was super nervous about starting my senior year.. But so far, it's going okay.
I decided that instead of "taking it easy" like I said I would this year, I applied to the new CFI school and I am taking two AP Classes.
I absolutely LOVE going to CFI.
It's a change of scenery for me instead of staying at school all day.
I go to CFI for the first half of the day, then to the high school for the second half of the day.
The awesome thing about CFI is it helps me prepare for my future career as a Pediatric GI Specialist. I am in the BioMed program and it is absolutely wonderful. I have had such an amazing time at the center and after only being there for a few weeks, I have learned so much. I can't wait to see what the rest of this year has in store.

I still would rather the school day be from 10-6 instead of 8-3.. But, what can ya do?

I think the strangest thing about me going back to school this year, was for me to take a step back and see how much some people have changed in the year I have been gone..
The people I thought would always be there for me, I am now awkward around and I can't hold a conversation with them.
The people I had grown apart from, I am now super close to..
It is so weird to see how much change a year has made.. For all of us.

I wish my fellow classmates a successful year.
I hope you grow and change.
I hope you mature.
I hope you find yourself.
I hope you do your best in everything.
I hope you push yourself.
I hope you never settle.
I hope you make the most of every moment.

My weekly challenge for my EveryBODY is Beautiful platform is-
I am going to team up with the "Pay it Forward" foundation.
Do a random act of kindness for someone..
It could be, paying for someone's food, buying someone flowers, giving them candy, etc.
Along with this, leave an encouraging note, such as "You are one of a kind."
Make sure you end it with "EveryBODY is Beautiful" and "Pay it Forward."

Have a great week!

"Just another day in the life."

Senior Year..

So, I am going to school tomorrow.

I AM A WRECK.

Buying supplies, packing my backpack, laying out my outfit.. It all felt so weird..

Even though I am super nervous, and I am not one bit excited about going back.. I am thankful I am still alive to experience feeling this way.
I am blessed to be able to experience my "last first day of high school."

I am super thankful for my boyfriend, for helping me pick up my school supplies, pack my backpack, lay out my clothes, and even paint my toenails (which he spent at least 30 minutes on because he wanted them to look perfect).

I went to pick up my parking pass today and everyone was super surprised to see that I was coming back to school after everything.. Which, I guess in their eyes, I have done the unthinkable.
My response- "Life has to go on, regardless of what you've been through."

So, aside from dreading school, and being nervous.. I'll talk about something more exciting..

My contest tea is this Sunday!

I am super excited to "get all dolled up" and hangout with all of my other contestants. This has been such as amazing journey and I am so lucky to have met all of these girls and gotten to spend so much time with them.

To end my weekly post, as I mentioned in my blog post last week, in honor of my "EveryBODY is Beautiful" campaign, my challenge for you this week is when you look at yourself in the mirror first thing in the mornings, point out something POSITIVE about yourself. NOTHING NEGATIVE. It is in our nature as humans to automatically point out the flaws in ourselves at first glance. I want us to stray away from this horrible habit.

I hope everyone has had an awesome week so far and it continues to be awesome.
Make sure to remember those kids going back to school tomorrow and their parents.
I am sure it'll be an emotional day for the parents of kindergarteners and seniors.

"Just another day in the life."