Joey + NaToya

If you haven't already heard or seen the good news on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Myspace (iKid iKid)....we are ENGAGED! Joey K. Sanders asked me, NaToya R. Hill to be his wife on August 6, 2013 after 2.5 exciting years of dating.  Of course, my answer was "yes".  Well, I think it was. I'm not sure what all I managed to say with tears streaming down my face.  To say we are blessed would be an understatement.  

I have found the one whom my soul loves 

Song of Solomon 3:4

I could go on and on about what a good man I have, but I would be doing him an injustice.  Words truly can not describe the love I have for my Joey, my fiance, my soon-to-be husband.  Joey has all the characteristics that I look (well looked) for in a spouse. Not a boyfriend, but a spouse.  Who knew telling this man happy 26th birthday would turn into a lifetime of happiness? Thank you, God for giving me the courage to text him! Haha! I will say, he was mighty hesitant to embrace this "young buck" as he called me; I was 22.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues,they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.  For we know in part and we prophesy in part,  but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.  When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.  For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-13

My mom has always told my sister and I to find a man that would treat us like the Queens we are.  But it doesn't just stop there.  Once we find "the one"...we are to treat him as a King.  In my opinion, Joey and I are made for each other. God knew exactly what he was doing what he paired us. I'm anxious, always on the go, talkative, and sometimes quick to judge...Joey is calm, quiet (at times), and he always always sees the best in others.  On June 21, 2014 we will proclaim our love for each other during a small, intimate ceremony in Starkville, MS.  We ask that each of you continue to keep us in your prayers as we begin our journey to forever.

The day I said "Yes, I will be your wife!"

Our very first photo

Another first...but who's counting?!

Coach Sanders and I

We are TRUE MAROON....are YOU?

The photo speaks for itself!

25 IN A YEAR: TOYA RAE ADDITION

    So, today is my birthday..whoop whoop(I wrote this post on Tuesday...use your imagination).  There is sooooo much I want to do in life so I have decided to create a challenge for myself: 25 in a year.  Below you will find 25 things that I want to accomplish by 8/6/2014.  My HOPE is to have the entire list marked off within a year. Wish me luck and hold me accountable! xoxoT

   1.       Stay up past midnight (because I'm such a grandma when it comes to my sleep)

2.       Eat exotic food (because I'm a very picky eater)

3.       Write a 5-year plan (a vision board will suffice)

4.       Develop healthy habits

5.       Buy a Macbook Pro

6.       Print all of my picture and put them in albums

7.       Host a girl’s night IN

8.       Do something spontaneous (ehhhh that scares me)

9.       Learn to create a website

10.   Learn to knit

11.   Go natural (already in the works)

12.   Meet at least 5 new people

13.   Blog more often 

14.   Bake a cake from scratch

15.   Attend an NFL game ( I know I'm like the only person in the world that hasn't..go figure)

16.   Run the 10K [again…all of it]

17.   Give back to my community

18.   Spend an entire day in bed (oh that won’t be hard at all)

19.   Volunteer for a cause

20.   Buy an expensive handbag or pair of shoes (it’s easy to splurge on someone else, but not myself)

21.   Watch a classic movie (any suggestions?)

22.   Write a note to my little brother

23.   Create a family tradition

24.   Go to a concert

25.   COMPLETE a pinterest meal and/or DIY craft

Getting to Know You (MWB link-up)

1. What part of Mississippi are you from?

I am from a small town in Northeast Mississippi called Corinth!

2. How long have you been blogging?

I have been blogging since 2011

3. Why did you start blogging?

 For me, blogging is a way to give others a glimpse into the wonderful world of NaToya, haha.  Honestly, I've always had a passion for writing, and blogging is a very informal way to express my thoughts on various topics.

4. Tell us what we can expect when reading your blog.

My blog is like life....you never really know what you will get from day to day.  Overall you should expect humor, my thoughts/opinions on world-related news, and photos from family trips, etc.  Most of all, expect to receive a message from the heart.

5. What does your blog title mean?

As a child, my aunt always called me Chatty Cathy because I talked nonSTOP.  24 year later and nothing has changed.  I lost my aunt suddenly 9 years ago and this is a way to keep her tradition alive (so to speak).

6. What do you love about being part of Mississippi Women Bloggers?

I have always been interested in others.  I like to hear and see things from other's point of view.  Blogging affords me with that opportunity.  Oftentimes, bloggers share things going on in their personal lives that they would not and will not share openly on any other social network.  I like this because I feel as though I can express myself...free of judgement and there are several women on the sideline to cheer me on!

7. Who inspires you to blog?

Myself and my readers.  There have been several times when I posted a blog and never knew if it touched a soul, but suddenly I would get a message from someone saying my post was exactly what they needed to get through the day....THAT'S my motivation.

8. If you could pick a favorite blog post from this past year, what would it be?
Overcoming Rejection

9. Do your real life friends know you blog?  How do they respond?
YES! Only because I stalk them to ensure they read my posts!  They [sometimes] respond on the blog, but often to my personally with positive feedback.  They also share it on social media sites and THAT'S what makes me really really happy :) (hint hint)

10. What is your blogging routine (if you have one)?
Oh my! As much as I love routines...I do not have a blogging routine. But, since the topic has been brought up...I am making a promise to develop one!

11.  We all love social media! Are there any social media links you would like to share so we can follow you?
 Most of my social media pages are private [at times] due to the nature of my job.

12. Name 3 bloggers who have not joined Mississippi Women Bloggers that you would like to see join us!
Mindi Kern   http://mindiandjoey.blogspot.com/

BJ Mazurkiewicz http://bjandmark.blogspot.com/

(when I think of another I'll let you know haha)