Thursday, August 21, 2014

#baseballwifelife: 2 More Starts


It's crazy to think that the light at the end of the tunnel is actually in sight.  With only two more starts left for D.J. this season, I have began to think about what is going to change in the next few weeks when he returns home.  I cannot begin to describe how excited I am to actually have my hubby home.  My honey-do list is getting EXTREMELY long! Just kidding! (but not really...) 

Over the past season I have learend so many things about baseball, myself, and our relationship.  I think that having baseball season separate us really makes us a stronger husband and wife team.  This blog is not designed to be all about D.J.'s baseball career, but during baseball season a lot of my weekends are spent at any given ball park.  So if you just started following along this season, there will be plenty of non-baseball posts coming soon!

If you want to relive the season with me, check out the #baseballwifelife tab at the top of the page. I am excited for the next few weeks to finish off the season and will be doing a few more posts about how I am planning on transitioning back to having D.J. home full time soon! 

Baseball ladies- what has been your most memorable moment of the season?! I'd love to hear!

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Welcome to the World Baby Bryce!

D.J. and I are happy to announce that we are the proud aunt and uncle to Bryce Aaron Perry, born in the early hours of August 15, 2014 in Fredericksburg, VA! Congratulation to the proud parents, Brian and Amy, and big sister, Myla! 


If Amy tried to plan this pregnancy/delivery, it would never have worked out this perfectly! D.J.'s team was playing in Woodbridge, VA against the Potomac Nationals so I was already planning on heading up Friday for the weekend.  Then on Thursday night we got a text saying they were heading to the hospital, but it was probably "fake labor".  Little did they know that less than 12 hours later they would be a family of 4! 


I am so happy that D.J. and I were able to see Bryce only a few short hours after he made his grand entrance into the world.  He is already loved by so many and I am excited to see how he grows into a little athlete that I know his daddy is going to mold him into :).


Monday, August 18, 2014

The Past Two Years

August 18, 2012 was the day that would change the rest of my life! 

OK- well first off Happy Anniversary to my sister and brother in law, Amy and Brian! Yes, if you are wondering "are those the same people that just had the baby?!" you would be correct.  They managed to have two babies before their second anniversary!


D.j. and I were lucky enough to start the rest of our lives together the same day that they said I Do! Yes- that means I was proposed to at my sister-in-laws wedding!! If you haven't read the story click here



I am so happy that we were able to be a part of their speical day and they were happy to let us steal the spotlight for a few minutes.  The past 2 years have been nothingh but fun, laugheter, new beginnings, and learning to grow our marriage as we continue to better ourselves! 

Happy Proposal Anniversary, D.J!

Thursday, August 14, 2014

4 miles in the books!

I know July has been over now for about 2 weeks, but I am still so excited to share that I have completed one of my goals! I have officially worked up to running 4 miles STRAIGHT -- aka -- NO STOPPING. Saturday morning, Ryan and I woke up to do our last run together before she left for Europe! I realized at the end of the run, I felt pretty good.  I'm not sure if I could keep going for another mile, but I felt good.  I could feel myself playing a mind game around mile 2ish.  I tried to just push through it and realize that I was over halfway finished!

I am so proud of myself and I am going to continue with my running and aim for 5 miles in the month of August!!

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Mom Status: Body Back

I have always had a hard time figuring out different things to do at the gym.  Whenever I would go, its pretty typical to find me running a mile or two on the treadmill followed by some abs and then calling in a day.  Not because I didn't want to do more, but because I was always challenged with exercises that were simple but effective.

When I was getting in shape for the wedding, my former high school Western Civilization teacher invited me to come try out this workout class she did.  She said it was a great workout that incorporated HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) as well as everything you need to feel like you are getting a good workout.  Then she told me it was a program for moms that are trying to get their "body back". I was a little skeptical because I would be the only non-mom in the class, but I decided to go anyways and give it a try.  Let me tell you- IT WAS NO JOKE. These moms were kicking some booty! 


Body Back by Fit4Mom is a results-based workout designed for moms who want to get their body back, whether they just had a baby or had a baby 20 years ago! Like I said, in a typical class you will experience high-intensity workouts with a great group of women.  When you sign up you receive workout DVDs as well as help with meal planning and guides to eating the right food to be successful in weight loss and muscle gaining! Body Back is in tons of cities across the United States and if you go to the website,  you can look to see if there is one near you! 

A Typical Workout at Body Back Norfolk:
7-7:10 warming up talking about the question of the workout.
7:10-7:55 Rounds - a typical round will include 1 cardio move, 1 strength move, and 1 core move.  Each move is 1 minute and we do each move twice.  That consists of one round.  We typically have time for 5 or 6 rounds any given day.
7:55-8 Wrap up with a meditation.  They range from very inspirational quotes and stories to completely silence to reflect on your day.  

At the beginning and end of each 8 week session, we did an assessment that tracked certain exercises and how many we could do in one minute.  It was a great indication that the class actually creates results! Not only in the increase in exercise reps, but also in your weight and measurements! 

I was fortunate enough that when my teacher moved and was no longer a member of the class, the other mom's welcomed me with open arms and it's great to have a predictable workout every Tuesday and Thursday.  Over the past few sessions, I have found my favorite workouts as well as some amazing people to work out with.

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Favorites Workout Moves:
+ slow, wide burps
+ Beast Reach (even though its seriously impossible at first!)
+  Cards Workout - this is a different workout that we typically do.  Each card in a standard card deck is paired with a workout.  Each person draws a card and we do the workout then we continue on for the rest of the hour!
+Tricep Dips - hard, but worth it.

Not-so-favorite Workout Moves:
- Tuck Jumps - I think this is because the moms that I workout with make this look so simple and I can't keep up!
-  Resisted Monkeys - can never get all the way through without taking a break!
- I'm sure there are many more workout moves that when they are announced I say UGH, but all in all, they make me stronger and it's for my own good!

These moms push me to my max and make me a better person.  I know that when I do have the honor of becoming a mama, these ladies are going to be my go-to people for advice!  As we are getting ready to start up the next sessions, please take a look at the Norfolk/Suffolk Body Back Facebook page to get more information on times and prices! 

I promise you, it will be the best and most rewarding money well spent on yourself, your children, and your family!!! And since all these ladies are mom's and have little ears around all the time, this is a little quote I feel best describes my experience with Body Back!
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Get out there and get moving people!!

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Happy [blog] Birthday To Me!




HAPPY BLOG BIRTHDAY TO BLOG WITH THE BROWNS!

It's crazy to think that I have been "seriously" blogging for a full year now.  This started off as a follow-up blog to the traveling lifestyle I was living when I worked for Alpha Sigma Tau.  I also blogged about our wedding but didn't get super committed until around Christmas time.  I am so incredbly grateful for the friendships I have made, people I have met in real life, and the outlet to share my crazy life with everyone that cares to know! Today I want to take a look back at the blog's first year and share some of my posts!

FIRST GUEST BLOG POST: Believe in the Sparks
PROUD DOG MOM POST: Stryker's First Award


TWO LESSONS LEARNED- 

1. I think one of the biggest things I have learned is this is a creative outlet, and is a way for me to explore my gifts, passions, and thoughts in a unique way...it is not something that should consume me, or something I should look to in order to define me by how many pageviews, followers, or unique visitors I have each month...it is to share my passions. This is a place to inspire others to be Godly women by using their gifts.

2. Reach out. Always ask questions, and step out in faith. I found that 9 times out of ten when I asked a blogger a question about coding or sponsorships they almost never ignored me, and almost always helped me with my question. I have had great success and encouragement from just simply being willing to reach out to others and not be prideful in my ignorance or uncertainty. 

TWO GOALS FOR YEAR 2- 

1. I want to start blogging more about food.  I need a reason to try new recipes with my husband so I feel like being able to blog about them would help me actually try the new recipes out. They always say you have to practice cooking and fail a few times before something good starts to happen! 

2. Continue to guest blog and have others on the blog as well.  I truly believe that I have the followers I do because of all the guest posts and social media sharing we do for one another!

I hope this next year at Blog With The Browns continues to entice my readers with fun and exciting new from our little family! I want to continue to make improvements on the house, do more DIY projects, and of course, continue the love of baseball through #baseballwifelife!


Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Anniversary Trip Planning


With a little less than two months till our first anniversary, I am happy to say D.J. and I will be taking in all the beauty that San Diego, California has to offer for a long weekend at the end of September! 

First we were going to do something low key, like where we could drive. Then we decided lets go big and venture down to Jamaica.  Then we settled on somewhere in the United States but far enough that we have to take a plane. And with Ansley and Chris out in San Diego, we had a no-brainer choice there.  

We will be staying a few nights at the Sheraton Hotel and Marina and then celebrating our actual anniversary in The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarters.  I was born in California, but have only been back to visit in San Fransisco and Monterey.  D.J. has never been that far west and never touched the Pacific Ocean!! I am so excited to explore someplace where we both have never been and make all new memories together.

I've heard great things about this area from the food to the outdoor activities.  So I am reaching out to all my lovely blogger friends for some input. Delicious restaurants? Great outdoor activities? Local places we need to see? I have a few ideas of what we will do during the day, but I would love some more suggestions!

Hope you all have a fabulous Wednesday! 

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Housewarming Gifts

 Its crazy to think that D.J. and I have almost been in our house for a full year. Where did the time go?!  Summer activities and vacations are dying down, people are excited about football season, and what better way to kick things off than a housewarming party?! We have yet to have a house warming party and I'm not sure if we will, but I am excited to eventually get some of these house warming gifts for all our friends moving into their new places!

1. The Clean Bucket
One of the most annoying things to spend money on, in my opinion, is cleaning supplies.  This gift basket full of Lysol, gloves, and a bucket is the perfect gift for a first time homeowner.  When we moved into our house, we needed everything from light bulbs to cleaning supplies. I would also add some Clorex wipes, a can of Pine-sol, and a bottle of wine to open at the end of cleaning!

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2. Lets get hammered
 Perfect gift for a husband and wife - the wine for the wife and the hammer for the husband! I love this idea. It's perfect for someone that has done a lot of work to their house and needs a break to enjoy their home and their hard work.



3. Wooden String Art 
Who wouldn't love this hanging up in their house?! Such a great way to showcase your love for your state.  I love the handmade look of this piece.  
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4. Watercolor Print

I am absoulelty in love with this print.  It's on my 2014 Christmas list already.  Having a watercolor print of your home is such a cool way to showcase where you have lived on the journey of life!
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What have you gotten people for house warming gifts in the past? Please let me know!