A Year

My paternal grandmother met our Father one year ago today.  It is almost unfathomable the year that I have had.  Not only did I lose my paternal grandmother, paternal aunt, and maternal grandmother, but I also got engaged and married.  This day a year ago marked the beginning of one of the saddest and happiest years of my life.

March 30, 2010 my grandmother, Hazel Ruth Harbour, passed away.  She lived one of the most amazing and inspiring lives I have ever known.  She gave life to 7 wonderful children, raised them in the most loving and responsible way, but most of all, taught to her children to love the Lord and demonstrated what a marriage is all about.  She is the first person I remember going to church with.  She was the woman I looked up to the most while growing up.  I just thought it was so cool that she was so active with church, friends, and family so late into her life and that is what I want for mine.  Unfortunately, she got a tumor on the right side of her face which had to be removed several years ago.  Her health steadily declined since then. 

It still amazes me how my loss of her still affects me to the extent that it does, but I think the wedding just amplified it.  I just wish she could have been there.  But, I had a lot of my family there, which was comforting, and I know she was watching over me.

The Puppy!

So, I recently realized that I hadn't mentioned the other big part of the proposal....The Puppy!  I have wanted a dog since I graduated but didn't want to really have one in an apartment.  But, when I bought my house, it was probably at least a weekly desire.  In theory, it was my house so I could do what I wanted.  But, with me already very sure that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Austin, I really wanted at least his blessing to get a dog before I just did it.

So as part of the proposal planning, Austin went puppy searching ALL BY HIMSELF.  I figured he would at least consult with my dad, but he really wanted to do it himself.  In fact, other than a week or two before he proposed, NO ONE knew what he was up to.  After that.....is another post :)

He knew that I wanted and Australian Shepard since I told him all the time.  At one point I had tried to buy a Rottweiler, but my homeowner's insurance wouldn't cover me if I did (don't even get me on my soapbox about that!).  He found a liter and, partially because it was the only puppy left and partially because I don't think he realized how much harder a male dog is to handle, he picked out a male red tri.

The day before we got back from NYC, my dad went an picked up the puppy and kept him overnight.  My mom picked us up at the airport and my dad was at my house when we got there.  I was trying to unload the car and Austin was like "Just leave it, I'll get it all."  So we went in and I slowly saw the little kennel with a puppy in it.  I was sooooooo happy.

Soon we named him Baxter from one of our favorite movies, Anchorman.  Since then, he has wreaked havoc all through the house.  I eventually started taking him to daycare.   Not really for him to enjoy, but for him to be worn out so he was more manageable at home.  The strange part about it is that the daycare I have been taking him to is the same daycare I went to as a kid!!  The people daycare went out of business and was bought by a doggie daycare.  It's like going back in time when I go there though.  It's still so much the same!

Although the daycare helps, he is still a young dog.  Here is some of the havoc he has wreaked lately:

Married Life

I officially introduced Austin as my husband on Tuesday.  It was almost difficult to physically say the word.  Not that I don't want to be married (anyone who knows me knows that is not the case), but the word is so foreign to me. This week, Austin worked from home and refereed to me as wife many times without hesitation on the phone.  WEIRD!

Anyway, Austin left this morning for a conference in Ft. Lauderdale.  I wish I could have gone too but work is just too crazy to have that distraction.  I was sad to not get to do something special for our one week anniversary.  It seems kinda silly but I thought it could be fun to celebrate in a more personal setting.  Not to worry though, Austin will be back next Wednesday!  And won't be leaving for NYC until April 9th! 

Let the Showering Begin!

So, with us getting engaged on August 27, it left me with a decision to make regarding our wedding timeline.  I always said I didn't not want to have an incredibly long engagement.  I mean after 6 years, lets get this show on the road!  But, my good friends Shannon, Nikki, and Caro were getting married before the end of the year and my other good friends Nicole and Courtney were getting married in May and June of next year.  So, I had to decide to get married before Nicole in May (well before because I didn't want to impede on her day) or next fall (because there was no way this sweater bride was getting married in the Texas summer heat!).  So March it was, and during spring break to boot.

So, the quick process of planning a wedding in about 6 months was begun.  I made almost every decision at the last possible minute, especially the dress.  Those things are ridiculous!  Why in the world does it take so long to order something!

My bridesmaids quickly sprung into action and I had a lovely bridal shower in January:

And a really fun couples shower in February:

I GOT MARRIED (Well, first I got engaged)

So, I got married on Saturday.  Crazy!  I know!  My husband and I (that even feels weird to type) met at the Alpha Chi Omega Crush Party on October 1, 2004.  Nicole (My Sorority House Roommate) and Chris (Austin's Fraternity Big Brother) were dating at the time.  After a few pre and early party incidents, Nicole introduced us.  We danced the night away and had to be dragged off the dance floor at the end of the night.  The rest.....IS HISTORY!

After dating for about 6 years, it was going to be quite a feat to surprise me since I thought any moment could be the moment that Austin finally proposed.  Austin got an interview in New York City and we decided to make a trip out of it since I had never been to NYC.  Austin saw the perfect opportunity to surprise me.  I did not suspect a thing due to the last minute nature of the trip from the quickly scheduled interview.  Little did I know, Austin had already put the wheels in motion to propose the next weekend so he was fully prepared to move the date up and surprise me when I least expected it.

The second day of our trip, we switched hotels from the boring business hotel the interviewing company had paid for to a cute boutique hotel near times square.  After arriving at the hotel, Austin kept coming up with things to do (unpack, write thank-you notes to his interviewer, write several thank-you notes because he can't write in a straight line, scope out places to eat online because I was starving by now, go to the bathroom, etc.).  When the time was right, Austin finally let me leave the hotel room and we went for a walk around Times Square to see the sights and get something to eat.  When we got to the Hershey's store, Austin asked me to stop for a photo op.  I waited, and waited, and waited for Austin to take the picture.  But apparently the camera wouldn't work.  (Actually, the scrolling marque was malfunctioning and Austin was trying to wait for his message to come up.  All the while, I was getting really annoyed!).

After that didn't work, we decided to go look around the store.  Now, the Hershey's store is not as big as you would think.  In fact, I think the M&M's store across the street is about four times larger.  But, in that small store, Austin managed to lose me enough to talk to the manager to see what was going on with the message.  After stalling, and stalling, and stalling, and me getting really annoyed and hungry, Austin finally allowed us to leave the store.

As much as he thought it would irritate me, Austin asked me to try the photo op one more time.  This time, as Austin was taking the picture (actually taking a video), Austin told me to turn around.  The scrolling marque said "Haley, I like it.  Can I put a ring on it?"  In case you don't get the reference, it's from a Beyonce song that I have always given Austin a hard time about. 

When I turned back around, Austin got on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him!  I said YES!