iphone picture dump

I realized this morning that I have not plugged my iPhone into my computer (to transfer pictures) since before our wedding in July!!  I have had 452 pictures on my phone!  WHAT in the world?  So I plugged up my laptop, transferred the pics, and realized a lot has been happening in our lives....which is probably why I haven't been blogging very much!  I love this blog, and love sharing our "happenings" with our friends and family that are not near us - so, I am going to update you through pictures! 

Blake and Lara Beth got married in August.  Can't believe I forgot to mention them on the blog!
Congrats B & LB!  (please ignore the fan blowing my dress and making me look like a rhino!)

Putnam, Briley and Trey at the Manley wedding reception.

These sweet girls keep me entertained daily!

These silly boys keep me on my toes everyday at school!

 



We love our MSU dawgs!

Monday nights = Middle School football games.

 

My coach giving his post-game pep talk to his 7th grade team!

 

 

Friday nights = Booneville Blue Devil football!

Me & my Coach after our Homecoming WIN over Alcorn Central!

Tailgating in Starkville with the Manley's @ the MSU vs. Tenn game!
Hail State! 

Lilly turned 7 years old on Wednesday, Oct. 17th!
Happy Birthday sweet girl!

I've been wanting a pin to wear to the football games, but Coach wasn't crazy about me putting his picture on the pin....so, I used the MCWA slogan instead!  I love it and LOVE SUPPORTING my coach!

Friday was our last regular season home game = Senior Night!  Congrats to these senior football players!
We beat Ripley 33-28 in a game that came down to the last play!  Those of you who know me...yes, I was a nervous wreck.  Yes, I left my seat & purse on the top row where I sit because I had to run down to the front row and cheer extra loud for our defense!!  The guys played hard and as a TEAM! 
We are now 7-2 on the season and UNDEFEATED in Division 1-3A play!

 

Coach Ward and his two senior linemen - Ross Smith #79 and Daniel Hill #65!
I am so proud of yall! 
Ross made the 2012 MHSAA North/South All-Star team! 
We are so proud of you Ross & can't wait to travel to Gulfport and cheer you and the North team to victory!
Next Friday we are on the road at Belmont.  Wish us luck!  One more division game before PLAYOFFS! 

 

Fall Update

Wow!  What a busy time of year!  I have always known that football season comes with a full schedule, but never had to really live it until now, as a coaches wife.  I am enjoying all of the high school Blue Devil games, as well as the junior high and JV games!  Add on another "Meet the Jr. Blue Devils" night and all my paperwork from school and you get one tired teacher girl!  Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining at ALL!  I wouldn't have it any other way....because this is the only way I know!  Growing up with my daddy being a coach, I am very much used to being on the go from August - December.  But I didn't realize how much my Mom did to make things run and stay stable at home.  It's only me and my coach right now, and I can't begin to imagine what life would be like if little ones were running around!  I think I am figuring it out well and by the time we have a little family, maybe I will have it all figured out!  (but doubt it)  :)

I am so proud of my coach!

Last night was an open date for Booneville, so Trey went to scout an upcoming opponet.  I met up with his sister Emily and we went to Corinth to eat dinner with Trey's parents....which means I got to eat dinner with these two precious girls!

Look how much they have grown since the wedding!!

They were so sweet and the food was amazing!! 

If you haven't eaten at Pizza Grocery in Corinth, you are missing out!

 

In other news, one of my very best friends from West Point lost her father a little over a week ago.  I went to the funeral last Saturday and cannot express in words how I was touched by his service.  She and her sister sang at the service and it was unbelievable.  Not a dry eye in the place.  The words from the song "That I Could Still Be Free" were so touching:

 

Lock me up in a prison
And throw away the key
Take away the vision
From these eyes that now, now can see
Then deprive me of the food I eat
And even bind my hands and feet
For as long as I know Jesus
I can still go free

That I could still go free
What kind of man would reach down his hand and do this for me
Unworthy to live and not fit to kill
Yet a man on the cross put me in His will
And said that I could still go free

 

To hear those talented women sing at their sweet daddy's memorial service, was so touching and I am so blessed and thankful to have a friend like LeeAnn.  She is truly one of a kind!

"Each of us will be a blessing to the other."  Romans 1:12



Go Big Blue!

The first game of high school football season was this past Friday and the Booneville Blue Devils beat Walnut 35-15!  I am so proud of Trey and all the coaches and players for putting in hard work this summer and at practice after school - and I want to congratulate them on their first win of the season!  We had a great crowd - I am so glad the rain didn't keep everyone at home.  This picture was taken Monday night at "At Meet the Devils".  I am slowly getting used to wearing blue...I actually had to go shopping because I do not own anything blue!!  Haha.  I absolutely LOVE this picture and and will frame it along side the one below, which was taken at the beginning of football season last year!

I know I mentioned this on my last post...but I am so proud of my coach and the things he is doing for the community of Booneville!  I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

- Leslie

Happily Ever After!

A few pictures from our BIG DAY!

My something old...
lace from my mom's veil wrapped around my bouquet and my Memaw's wedding band.

My sweet littlest flower girl Mary Ellis! 
She was such an angel and did a great job!

Sneaking up on my groom for our first look!

Me and Daddy



Mr. and Mrs. Trey Ward

So happy and beyond blessed!

It has been way too long since my last blog post but married life has me incredibly busy.  Our wedding day was so perfect.  I know everyone always says that, but July 21st could not have been any sweeter.  Our family and friends came to Starkville and celebrated this wonderful part of our lives.  My mother and two of my aunts worked their fannies off decorating the Bryan Building and my gorgeous cake!  It was a family affair for the Brett's and the Ward's and we would not have had it any other way.  We are slowly getting adjusted to married life, 2 new jobs, a new home, and unpacking all of our (but mostly mine) stuff!

Speaking of jobs, my new job at Thomas Street Elementary is so wonderful!  Everyone is so nice and welcoming.  I am always being offered help and of course I take it!!!  I am teaching 2nd grade, which is a huge difference from Kindergarten & PreK.  The kids have been so sweet and are SO FUNNY!  They tell me all the time that they love me and that I'm so pretty...and I get about 25 hugs a day (and I only have 16 students).  They have made me feel welcome at TSE too!  I have a lot to learn, but I'm very excited about this school year and all that we will do.  Trey started teaching at Booneville High School this week!  He is teaching Mississippi Studies and Economics.  He is doing a great job on and off the field!

Speaking of fields, my favorite season begins a week from today!  Booneville High kicks off the 2012 season with a home game vs. Walnut.  The guys have been practicing hard and are going to play great!  I have been to a few practices (I tell Trey that I come by to make sure they are doing what they are supposed to do!) and Trey is having a ball out there coaching his O line.  I am so proud of him and the impression/impact he is making on these young men's lives.  At the scrimmage last Saturday, I had a mother of one of Trey's players come up to me and introduce herself.  She wanted to meet me and also said she wanted to tell me how much her son loves Coach Ward and enjoys his time at practice.  Her son was having trouble with a certain technique, but was scared to ask anyone for help.  She told him to talk to Coach Ward about it and he decided to do so.  Long story short, the young man asked Trey to help him and to teach him the correct way to do the technique.....and Trey did - and was more than happy to help him.  After the mother told me all of this, I was grinning ear to ear.  The next practice I was at, I met a Dad who said his son "sings Trey's praises" and is so pumped that Trey is his coach.  Today I talked to our new insurance agent and he said that he has heard from several parents that Trey is doing a great job and the guys are really enjoying him.  I have never been more proud in my life.  My husband is making a difference in the lives of young men...and we haven't even played a game yet.  I am so proud of "my coach" and can't wait to cheer him on this season!  Go Blue Devils!

I hope that all of you have a wonderful and blessed weekend!
Leslie

wish list wednesday

My wish list for this week:

#1:  I wish that I didn't miss these sweet faces so much!  I can't believe they will be starting Kindergarten very soon!

#2:  I wish my house would miraculously pack itself in  boxes and be in our apartment in Booneville when we return from our honeymoon!  (not happening)

#3:  I wish and pray for safe travels of those driving/flying to Starkville for our wedding weekend, beginning tomorrow!  I can't believe the time is here, but I am so excited to see all of mine and Trey's friends, family members, and co-workers all at the same time!

#4:  I wish for the next three days to be full of laughter, fun, tears, dancing & picture taking!

#5:  My last wish is that my new school district's school board approves my employment so I can officially tell everyone about my new job that I am BEYOND EXCITED about!!!!  (and that starts 4 days after coming back from the honeymoon)

Throwback Thursday

Summer 2010
One of our first pictures together!

Mississippi Coaches Wives Association

"This organization is meant to minister, share, laugh, cry with and encourage other women who have dedicated their lives to the gridiron - or any other field or court - in support of their husbands calling. Join with me as we grow in what God has called us to - "a helper fit for him" (Gen. 2:18) - the very important role known as "the coach's wife". - Carrie Cook

This morning I rode with Ashley (teacher friend & coaches wife from West Point) to Jackson to attend the 1st Annual Sterling Rose Brunch put on by the Mississippi Coaches Wives Association (MCWA).  A super sweet coaches wife named Carrie Cook had a vision several months ago to start this wonderful organization.  I found out about it on facebook, and instantly knew that I had to go.  I was a little nervous because technically I'm not a wife yet, but figured that since I will be a coaches wife in 10 days that it would be okay for me to attend.....and I am SO GLAD that I did.

Talk about encouraging!  We had four wonderful speakers. 

But the most touching of all was Ron Price.

As many of you know, New Albany's head football coach Ron Price lost his wife earlier this year.  While holding his 5 year old daughter, he spoke to us at the brunch this morning.  I was so touched by the way he talked about her and how she lived her life for the Lord and how she supported and loved her husband and her coach.  The entire New Albany football staff and their wives were also at the event.  Amanda's parents were there.  It was truly a special time for them and for coaches wives from around the state.  I learned a lot today.  I am blessed to be given this job as "coaches wife".  It's not for everyone, but it is for me.  Why "sterling rose" you may ask?  Because as a coaches wife, you have to be as strong as sterling while also being as delicate as a rose. 

If you are reading this and you are a coaches wife and haven't heard about this great organization, please visit Carrie's blog - Mission Gridiron and I promise you will be touched just as I was.

And if you want a super cute shirt like the one I got, you can order them on her blog!

MCWA Tshirt

Have a blessed week! - Leslie