20 Hours in N'Awlins

Yep, that's how long I got to spend in New Orleans...we spent 12 hours traveling there and back, and 20 in "The Big Easy". But, I loved every minute of it! Brad is taking Hybrid classes this semester - he goes to campus once a month where he's in class 6 hours - and, the rest of the classwork is online. I decided to go with him on his whirlwind trip for the month to keep him company while he drove. I absolutely love to go to the seminary with him - it's such a BEAUTIFUL campus, and there is peace when you go through the gates. I know that sounds kind of crazy, but it's true. I've always felt it every single time, and I know it's the presence of God.

We left as soon as church was over Sunday morning, and headed down. We stayed at Providence House, a hotel owned by the Seminary, and Brad had to get to studying for his classes the following day.


While Brad was in class, I decided to take a walk and take some pictures...

Hardin Student Center - this is where all of Brad's classes are this semester.

What do you think of when you see the Christian Flag?? I ALWAYS think of Vacation Bible School...it's flying high every day though at the Seminary!

Beautiful, picturesque Leavell Chapel standing tall in the middle of the Seminary grounds.



River City Cafe

John T. Christian Library

There are these gorgeous old trees everywhere! The "Gateway to the World"

This is a garden that Brad and I always seem to end up at :)

I LOVE the beautiful architecture of all the old buildings!
We had a great trip, and I'm already looking forward to tagging along again in November! There is so much peace and contentment that we are following God's will for our lives - and we have such an excitement in our hearts for this season of our lives...we are so blessed by what the Lord is doing with us and through us!

Desert Song

Whatever road you are walking, every single person has felt as if they've "walked in the desert".

"I know that my circumstances and this season of life doesn't change that God is still God. It doesn't change what He has called me to be, or what he's called me to do. He is still on His throne, He still rules, and He is bigger than everything I'm facing." - Jill McCloghry, Hillsong lead singer

You MUST listen to this. Incredible, powerful testimony and song...

Tying the Knot...In the Rain!

The past 2 days I have been tying bouquets, making arrangements, and adorning anything that would sit still with flowers for a wedding in Guntersville. The wedding was planned for outside - rain or shine - and, let me just tell you...it rained, and rained, and rained some more!!! Even wearing my raincoat, I still looked like a drowned poodle by the end of the day Saturday!


The family was kind enough to have umbrellas available for the guests! :)

I TRIED to take a picture of the front porch where the ceremony took place...but, it was raining sooo hard, I didn't get a very good picture!

So, I just stuck to taking pictures of things inside the house and tents. The theme of the wedding was fall, and we used the beautiful colors of fall in the flowers and decorations. We also used lots of wrought iron and crosses. This was on the front door -

The bridesmaid's bouquets -

Here's a sampling of some of the arrangments in the reception...

This was the "Gifting Station". The bride and groom are dog lovers - insanely addicted to dogs. They chose to have a place for people to make donations to the Humane Society and Golden Retriever Rescue...and, they had doggie bones and treats for the guests to take home to their own pups. There were also bags available for guests to fill with a variety of yummy candies to take home for themselves :)
The wedding was very Christ-centered - my favorite type of ceremony! At the end of the wedding program, there was a note to guests from the bride and groom that said, "Dear guests, we ask that you join our hearts in praying that Christ will always be the center of everything that we do and in how we love one another. Please hold us accountable to the love we have for one another and the sacred commitments you have witnessed today." WOW!!! I just thought that was incredible!!

I noticed on several different things - the wedding program, wedding party gifts, etc. - that Hebrews 11:1 was printed on them: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see." That's just what we saw today, because the bride refused to change her wedding plans no matter what the weather was like....right before the ceremony started, the rain stopped and the skies cleared. It was a beatiful, faith-filled exchange of commitments day - in more ways than one!

We are the Champions...

YEA!!

WE WON 1st PLACE ON OUR BOOTH!! WOOHOO!!

k...know you're probably thinking "You're a little too excited about winning at the lil' old county fair"...but, it's been a boring day...gotta find some excitement some where, right??!!??

VVVRRRROOOOMMMM...Start Your Engines!

There is only one word to describe this week - BUSY!!! I literally feel like I've been running a race all week long! Between normal everyday responsiblities, PIE Night, home visits, unexpected reports that were due....and, then the COUNTY FAIR...Oh my WORD, it has just been crazy! We had to put together a booth for the fair, and although we had good intentions to get it together early...well,...it just kinda got put on the back burner. But, today was the day it HAD TO BE DONE, so me and my two school partners in crime - Gina and Kim - had to get in decorating override mode and do something AWESOME (because, of course - We HAVE TO WIN!!)

Our blank palette...

Gina and Kim racing to the finish line to get the booth COMPLETE!
Our Community Education booth - "Get an Even Start". Sure am hoping to see a big blue 1st place ribbon on it Monday!

Whew! I'm so glad it's Friday - I'm ready for some rest!! Hope everyone has a GREAT weekend!

"Destination:China" Family Night

Tonight was our first PIE (Parents Involved in Education) Night. Our school year theme is "Around the World", and each PIE Night will have an international theme. Tonight, was China - doesn't some of our faculty look cute?? This is Mrs. Julie Livingston (4th Grade), Mrs. Tenna Anderton (Union Grove Principal), and Mrs. Anna Sweat (1st Grade). We had so much fun with the Asian theme...Chinese lanterns hung all around the lunchroom, Asian music could be heard all over the school, and of course we had Chinese cuisine - fried rice, eggrolls, and fortune cookies!


Fun was had by all, and so many families came together and had a night of family fun complete with story time and crafts...what a blessing to be apart of that!!!

SURPRISE!!

So, if you're catching up, you probably haven't read that Brad turned 30 just a few days ago! You can read about all his little surprises on his birthday here, and you can also read about my birthday here.

So the whole day of my birthday Brad thought my mom had taken me shopping, BUT I was decorating and setting up to have him a SURPRISE birthday bash! A HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you to Valerie and Robby for hosting the party, and to mine and Brad's parents for all the help!!!

A house full of anxious friends and family anxiously awaiting our arrival...

Carolyne and Kailey were parked at the door to be the first ones to see Uncle Brad!!

SURPRISE!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Bradley!!!

The food was sooo very yummy!! Some of Brad's absolute favorites :)


Is this cake not AWESOME!!!???!!! Each layer was a different flavor - red velvet, chocolate with peanut butter filling, and strawberry......yes, it was GOOOOD!! The cookies were favors for the guests, and were chocolate chip, sugar, and peanut butter.

Blowing out the candles!

Kenedi loves her Uncle Brad!

Sam says, "Happy Birthday!"

Me with my 2 partners in crime- Lori and Valerie.

It was such a FUN night!!!!! I hope you had an incredible 30th birthday that you will always remember, Brad!! I love you!

WAR EAGLE!

Tonight, Brad and I enjoyed some DELICIOUS wings and great AUBURN football. Although this was the 2nd ballgame of the season, I didn't get to really enjoy last week's game because of the Surprise Party. So, I had to get my camera out :)

Say it's great to be an Auburn Tiger!!

Weagle, Weagle, WARRRRR EAGLE!!

Brad said, "Why do you insist on taking my picture all the time??" In which I replied, "Until I have a little girl to put a big blue and orange bow in her hair, or a little boy to wear a smocked 'Go Tigers' jon jon...you'll be getting your picture made. So, just humor me, please ." So, of course...this is what I get -

...and this -

...welcome to my world! HA! He's so crazy - he always keeps me laughing though!

Go Tigers!

One boring week...

This week has been a little stale - nothing exciting to share or big event to plan, which doesn't happen very often. And, no birthdays this week!!! Just a week of hum-drum routine, so I haven't really had anything to tell you...but, wait til next week because things will be back to "normal" Hayley Powell fashion - hectic, scattered, and busy!! Several of you have been asking about the Surprise party pictures, and I promise I will share those soon...

Til then, I hope everyone has a BLESSED Friday, and enjoys the weekend! Love :)

30 Years Young

Today is Bradley's 30th birthday!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know if any of you have noticed, but my family has ALOT of birthdays during the months of August and September - my mom, Brad's mom, both of my grandmothers, Carolyne, Sam, myself, Brad, and Valerie all have birthdays within 6 weeks of each other!!! Birthdays are a big deal at our house - mine and Brad's birthday are only 2 days apart, so we party for several days around our house when birthdays roll around! But, this year is a little extra special since it's Brad's 30th...

This is what I woke him up with this morning....a chocolate eclair and a few gifts


This is what was delivered to him at work....oh how I wished I could have seen his face!!


This is what he found when he got ready to come home....


And, this is how he ended his day....with his sweet family!


This was Kailey, Kenedi, and Brad's sad faces that Uncle Brad is no longer 29!! haha
Brad's request for his birthday supper was breakfast foods and pecan pie for dessert...yes, I definitely married a country boy!!


Happy 30th Birthday, Brad!!!!!! I love you!

And, now the countdown to my birthday...only 2 days!!