By the way, I'm ENGAGED!!!!

Hey ladies, long time no blog! Nothing much to report since I've been away; I mean, I got engaged. No big deal though. Yeah, right!!! Who are we kidding? It was a pretty big deal and I pretty much had the wedding all planned out by the next day. When I say I planned the wedding the next day, I'm not kidding. We set the date the night of our engagement, I booked the photographer the following day, and went looking at venues. Y'all know I'm a planner by nature and I loving having all my "ducks in a row". Why would planning my wedding be any different?

So who is the husband to be you ask. Well, let me show you. Ladies, this is Braxton. Otherwise known as my very own knight in shining armor. He's perfect and he makes me complete.

When I told him to write his name on his cup, Haley's slave for eternity wasn't what I had in mind. 

B and I were introduced by my cousin Bradley. My teaching partner and good friend, Ashley is married to my cousin Bradley. Are you following me here? Anyway, fast forward to August 23, 2013. I was in Houston, MS at the baby brothers football game. Bradley and Ashley are originally from Houston, so they tagged along to watch the game with me. Bradley went over to the Houston stands to visit with some of his old high school buddies. Well who do you think he ran into? If you guessed Braxton, you would be correct. Two points for you. They got to talking and Brax jokingly said, " Bradley, when are you going to find me a good ole teacher. I need a good girl". Bradley told him he had the perfect girl; she happened to be right across the football field on the visitors side. Bradley can back over to Ashley and I and relayed this story to us and tried his best to get me to go over and meet him. Seeing as how I had a giant zit on my chin, I was NOT about to go meet him. So, was is a girl to do? That's right Facebook stalk the boy.

Two days later this pops up on my phone.

We ended up exchanging phone numbers and talked the entire week, all day, everyday. He came to Pontotoc the following Friday night to meet me face to face for the first time. I was a nervous wreck. I bet I changed outfits 50 times. I mean, we were going to my brothers high school football game; I didn't want to be too overdressed, but I wanted to be cute. The minute I saw him, it was all over. Stick a fork in me, I was done. After the game, we went to Sonic because I was craving a route 44 Sprite. I bet we sat in his truck and talked for three hours. I went home that night and told my Mama that I had found the man I was going to marry. Come to find out, B called his Daddy on his drive back home and told his Daddy he had found his wife. Things progressed very quickly. Within the week were talking marriage. Y'all, I never ever imagined within my wildest dreams that I would meet a guy and know he was my future husband within the week. That is so not me, but that is exactly what happened.

On October 31, 2013 Braxton got down on bended knee and asked me to marry him. My response, "Are you kidding me?!?!" "Did you ask my Daddy?!?!", followed by "YES". Y'all, I was dressed as batman. Yes, you read correctly, I was proposed to dressed as batman. It was Halloween and I dressed up for the kiddos at school. I was batman and Ashley was Robin. We took one picture in my costume, just for the memory and then I promptly changed into something a little more appropriate.

I have been truly blessed by this relationship. We make each other better people. Cheesy, I know, but oh so true. I have found my better half and I can not wait to marry him. May 31, 2014 can not get here fast enough.

Anybody There?!

Hello? Is anybody out there? 

I'll just go ahead and answer my own question by saying "heck no Haley; nobody's out there because you haven't blogged in forever".

That was a little harsh, but it needed to be said. I'm so sorry for my absence. I would love to tell you my blogging hiatus was due to my life being super fabulous and crazy busy. Alas, that's just not the case. More like I've just been being lazy. My train got derailed from the blogging tracks. Well ladies, I am happy to report my good friend Lauren has set me straight. I have seen the error of my ways and I am back.

If you will....I'm bringing sexy back. Well, not really sexy...just Haley. "I'm bringing Haley back, YEAH"



Check back tomorrow for the weekend wrap up and a special post later in the week on my trip to Washington!!!

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Paperman

Leave it to Disney to make a precious video like this. I thought this was so sweet! I just had to share it with you! Patiently waiting for my paperman!

I Is Sick

Source: cheezburger.com via Ivy on Pinterest

Hello lovelies! Guess who had a sick day today?!? If you guessed me then you win a million dollars!!! Oh wait, scratch that, I'm a teacher and we don't make that kind of money. I digress. So, yep I took a sick day.

I is sick. I blame it on the 50 children I work with on a daily basis. I love them to death, but they give me all their germs (sad face).

After dragging my happy tail out of the bed, I marched myself to the nearest clinic and was first in line at 8:00 this morning. That's right you read correctly, 8:00. I didn't even sleep in on my day off. Two steroid shots later, I was out the door and on the way to the pharmacy.

Feeling a little loopy, and a teensy bit tired I called my mama to complain about my rear hurting from that durn shot. I mean that's any southern girl would do in my situation. The afore mentioned durn shot not only hurt, but caused me to sleep ALL day, which explains why I am up now. Oops. Back to the on the way to the pharmacy story. Umm...so I hit a bird on the way to the pharmacy. I'm pretty sure I did anyway. However, in my current state at the time, I could've totes dreamed that up. The was this pretty little red bird flying in front of my car, then he was flying under my car. If you're looking for a silver lining, I can report that the bird escaped without injury. Mama thought I had completely lost my marbles when I was on the phone explaining my bird story to her. She was all, "Go home and don't drive your car anymore today". Not so sure if this was for my safety, or the local bird's.

Well, I'm off to take my meds, then off to bed. If I'm lucky!

P.S. My boss called to check on me (she's the best) and I really have no clue what I said to her. Scary thought. I'm hopping and praying to the Dear Lord above that I didn't say anything too crazy. I mean I don't think I told her the bird story. If so, I'll just blame it on the cough meds.

-Toodles

Just A Few Factoids

I am so excited to be linking up with Whitney today for Facts of Me. If you haven't checked out her precious blog, you should go right on over and see for yourself just how awesome she is. (After rereading that sentence I realized just how southern I truly am. "Go right on over"....Bless my heart. 

On with the facts....

FACT #1: I make myself laugh....We are talking full out LOL here people. I think I am ten times funnier than I actually probably am. See above statement for proof of this. I was a major class clown in seventh grade; my friends thought I was funny, Mrs. Walls did not.

 FACT #2: I am addicted to reality tv....Saying it out loud makes it sound even more pathetic than it did in my head, judge me if you wish. My current addictions include, but are certainly not limited to: The Bachelor (l mean hello, it's Sean), Dance Moms (I love to hate Ms. Abbey), and The Real Housewives (Beverly Hills and New York being my favorites)

FACT #3: The class pet hates me....Long story short, I tried to be the cool teacher and buy a class pet for my students. Lesson learned from all this, Guinea Pigs are EVIL. He bit me yesterday afternoon and I spent the rest of the day trying to convince myself that I did not contract rabies or something.

Happier Days 

Dont' let this sweet face fool you. He is vicious. 

FACT #4: I wear my heart on my sleeve....Somedays all anyone would have to do is look at me the wrong way and I will burst into tears. I have never understood those "thick skinned" people. If there was one thing I could change about myself, this would be it.

FACT #5: I am a major girly girl, but I love baseball....My brother has been playing competitive baseball for as long as I can remember. I has spend many a summer on a ball field in the middle of nowhere. His passion for the game rubbed off on me and the rest is history. There isn't one thing that could come between me and a baseball game. Well...besides Ms. Burch herself. I prefer to combine the two.

The baby brother

Ball field + Tory Burch = Perfection

FACT #6: I stink at sports....while we were on the topic, I thought I would go ahead and mention that I do not have an athletic bone in my body. I am actually crying in my t-ball picture. That's how much I hated it.

****I can not find this picture right now, but it's still hanging on my grandmother refrigrator. I will go over and steal it tomorrow. Check back for picture update, you don't want to miss this one. *****

FACT #7: I am terrified of elevators....I am so glad the good Lord didn't call me to be a nurse, or doctor. There is absolutely no way I would make it. This irrational fear goes all the way back to when I was about 8 years old. My grandmother got us "stuck" in an elevator at our local hospital. Seeing as how I live in a very small town, we only have two floors. Technically, we weren't really stuck in the elevator, she was just pushing the number of the floor we were already on, so the durn thing wouldn't move. I have totally convinced we were going to die.

The Big Picture

Just a little something that has been on my heart lately. Some times we get so caught up in the problems of our everyday lives that we forget to see the bigger picture. Things might be totally crummy from where you are sitting now, but don't forget who is writing your story. 

I'm BACK!!

Hey soul sisters!! Long time, no blog huh? Oops...I have abandoned my poor little blog and for that I am greatly sorry. Guess what girls....I'm back!!

Let's get right down to business by discussing where the heck I have been hiding for the last few months. No, I haven't been under a rock. ;)

How about we just hit the highlights with a little photo session. I mean who doesn't appreciate a good photo post?

1. New teaching job!!! Well, technically I just went back to my roots. I love being back home and working with the kiddos in my community. So thankful to have a job I LOVE!

Before....

...and after. Many long days and hours went into making this room look so super cute. 

2. Job #2...Ella Ivy. This lucky girl gets help our  wonderful customers play dress up every weekend and I love every minute of it. I am knee deep in Karlie, Free People, Uncle Frank, and Wish just to name a few of my favorite brands. It also doesn't hurt that I get to work with one of my besties. Love you E!

My E!!

My work Mama!

3. Building friendships. Some new and others old. I love these girls so much! Words can NOT describe how much each of these beautiful ladies mean to me. I am truly blessed the Lord placed them in my life.

Buddies since pre-K!

These two girls are my sanity!

Sweet little Mama! I am so blessed to call this amazing woman my friend. She is going to be the best mama in the entire world. I think it goes without saying that I in turn will be the best aunt. Le duh!

And then Landon...we both love leopard print so it was obvious we should be friends. 

Sweet Emily...the blushing bride to be. Love you!

Mrs. Nelson, I like to refer to her as Nelly. God has blessed me with many "Mamas" to watch over me. This little lady just happens to be one of them. 

My little world traveler. This girl is my rock!

The little family from the college days. Mama, Daddy, and the two girls. Miss them so much!

4. Oh by the way...the teacher became a student again. What can I say? I'm a bit of a nerd. There I said it. I have always wanted to continue my education and I jumped head first into grad school last fall. Is it the most fun I've ever had? Um...NO. However, it will be so worth it in the end.

5. What's going on the boy department you might ask. Well ladies, I have no news to report at this time. Still waiting on my prince charming. Trusting in His timing and enjoying the single life.

6. Family time. You all know how important family is to me. I am pleased to announce that we have added a new addition to my crazy family. I love this little girl so very much!! Sports were played by the brother. Which in turn means that I lost my voice quite a few times yelling like a crazy person. What can I say? I get a little too into the games sometimes.

The parental units. I'm am a wonderful mixture of these two. Sweet like my Mama, but feisty like my Daddy. 

Baby Sarah!! Don't you want to just pinch her chubby little cheeks?!?!

They say that daughters eventually turn into their mothers. I hope it's true. 

My boy. The baby brother has me wrapped around his little finger.

Now that you all know I'm alive and we have had time to do a little catching up, let's get this little blog back on track! ;)

Love you ladies!!

Josh + Emily = Engaged

I can hardly contain my excitement, my beautiful friend Emily is engaged! 

The proposal was so sweet. I was truly honored to be a part of it.  Hiding in Vault Hemingway Stadium watching Josh propose to Emily was one of the best moments of my life. I still get goosebumps thinking about it.  Josh did such a great job planning and organizing everything. It was so perfect and I think it's safe to say that Em was completely floored. 

Josh called me Tuesday and told me he was planning on proposing to Emily Thursday at the stadium. He asked me if I would be willing to take pictures of the engagement. I'm pretty sure that was the moment I about wanted to throw up. I love photography and it is one of my true passions. However, it is SO nerve wracking to take pictures for friends. Especially when we are taking about taking pictures of major life changing events, such as engagements. 

I made it through the shoot, shaky hands and all. I was so excited and nervous all at the same time. I am truly amazed that all the pictures didn't turn out completely blurry because of the earthquake that decided to take up residence inside on hands. 

Here are a few of my favorites from the day.

Picnic on the 50 yard line

What they had on their first date.

About to pop the question..

If there was any doubt in your mind, she said YES!

The happy couple.

My girls! 

Josh did such a good job with the ring. Gorgeous! 

Saturday night we all got together to celebrate the engagement. Of course we had to have a mini photo shoot at the restaurant.

Emily and LP were rocking the floral. 

Sweet Em! 

Josh and Emily,
     I am beyond excited for you! It has been a pleasure to watch your relationship grow over the last few years. I am so blessed to call you guys my friends. You both mean the world to me! I can't wait to see what God has in store for your future. Let the wedding planning begin!!