Memorial Day Weekend | 2015

How in the world is it already Thursday?! Getting back into the swing of things on Tuesday has really thrown me off. 

This weekend was one for the record books. Who would have though that taking my 80-something year old Nana to Lynchburg would be so fun?! I mean, she's pretty awesome, but the responsibility to make sure she is doing OK while trying to talk with eleven other baseball girls and see D.J. all in one weekend was a little daunting.  But we managed just fine and Nana kept up with the youngin's just fine! 

Although it was a far and tiring drive, it was beautiful and well worth it! We didn't make it in time for the Friday game, but Nana got settled in her hotel room and Stryker and I went to the apartment to wait for D.J. to finish up at the field. 

Saturday's game was at 6:30 p.m. so we grabbed an early lunch together and D.J. left for the field around noon.  Nana and I went back to the apartment and decided it was time to teach her how to use her iPad.  I taught, but I'm not sure if she retained the information! 

We made it to the field around 5:30 so we would have plenty of time to get settled in our seats before the game started.  It was crazy packed because of free t-shirt night.  The stadium itself was pretty decent.  Almost all general admission seating and a lot of that was covered, so it was good to be out of the sun.  I can't believe how late the sun is staying up - I love it! The stadium provided a beautiful sunset on Saturday from the suit that us baseball wives were able to convince the stadium workers to let us sit in! 

It was so great to see these lovely ladies.  It's by far the most girls we have had at one game since I've been in the baseball group.  Aren't my friends hot y'all?!? I seriously cannot imagine doing this crazy journey without the friendships we have formed over the season. These girls are the only ones that truly understand what we go through and it's so comforting knowing that someone is just a quick text away to release some of the baseball stress!

And of course, baseball babies make everything better - especially when it's this cutie...

Sunday's game was at 2 p.m., so after the game we decided to have an impromptu party for the birthday boy himself! 

Seeing how Maria and Eric are with their little boy makes me so excited to be able to experience that love with my own child one day.  We had six baseball couples, both Maria and Eric's family, Nana, and two dogs to celebrate this precious babe's first birthday!

Good thing this cake looks like it does, because seconds before this photo, Maria almost dropped it straight on the ground!!

He was totally into opening his presents and seeing his new toys!

And the sunset couldn't have been more beautiful. 

Cannot imagine doing life without these people!

The proud parents of the birthday boy!

Aunt Cayte and Uncle D.J.! .....He wasn't into being held.  Oops.

Monday morning D.J. and I took a trip to downtown Lynchburg to grab some breakfast. We were pressed for time, so we didn't fully explore, but they were having a Memorial Day service that we stopped by to remember those who lost their lives defending our freedom.  It was a precious moment.  The downtown is so cute - I cannot wait to get back out there and explore more! 

We tried Market on Main Street and it was delicious.  If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend the sweet potato pancakes! 

Nana and I explored a little more of the downtown after D.J. went to the field and found the river and the active train tracks that run at the bottom of Lynchburg's downtown area.  I am determined to float the river at some point this summer!

And then the whole reason we were there, of course, was to see the Hillcats play! D.J. got the news that he was back in the rotation and luckily was playing on Monday for us to see before he left.  He only went three innings, but was on a pitch count, so we are hoping for more the next start! I couldn't be more proud of this kid and the hard work he puts in each and every day to chase his dream!

D.J. and his biggest fan, Nana.

We didn't get home till around 10 p.m. on Monday, but it was well worth it. I cannot wait to get out there for the summer - be on the lookout for my Lynchburg bucket list in the next few days! 

Hope you all had a fabulous Memorial Day Weekend and happy unofficial start to summer!

Can't Live Without It

Linking up quickly with Cait, Stephanie and Laura for today's Can't Live Without It post.  Having the opportunity to work at my high school allows me to take a walk down memory lane everyday (literally- I walk through the hallways multiple times a day).  Most of the time now I feel like I'm at work, but every now and then a smell will trigger a memory or a specific spot in the hallway will bring me right back to my high school days which I loved so much.  My love for high school comes partly because of the teachers, the community this school gave me, but mostly because of the friendships I created.  Having my ride or die ladies by my side since I was in 1st grade is something I am forever grateful for.  And on this day 7 years ago, I was 30 minutes away from being a Norfolk Collegiate graduate.

Being able to relive my graduation day every year is surreal.  I couldn't have done it without these amazing women that I am still best friends with to this day.  Whether we talk daily, weekly, or monthly - I know that when we do talk, we pick up right where we left off.

So here's a little flashback Friday to my high school graduation with some of my besties.

Carleigh's OBX Bachelorette Weekend

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to be able to celebrate the bride-to-be in the Outer Banks on Friday and Saturday with a group of 10 of her friends! IT was great that I met a good group of the ladies back in April when Jilly and I threw Carleigh's bridal shower! 

The weekend was a perfect way to celebrate the bride, relax on the beach and have some crazy fun!! On the way down to the OBX, I couldn't resist stopping to capture this beautiful sunset.  

We decided to hit the local bar Friday night and beached it up all day Saturday.  The hosts of the bachelorette party got us the sweetest gifts including t-shirts and these amazing cookies! Carleigh's soon-to-be last name is Brown, so these special cookies were perfect for this Mrs. Brown as well :)

Everyone loves a good adirondack chair!

The sweet ladies had the house decorated perfectly for the weekend and this pretty bunting across the main window upstairs.

Thank goodness for self timers! Besides a picture on the beach, this is the only group photo we took!! 

Brightest house on the street with the pretties bachelorette in the Outer Banks! 

Brown Sisters for Life!! Love this sweet girl to pieces and cannot wait to see her marry the love of her life and one of my best friends! 

Can't wait to celebrate in exactly one month! 

Cant' Live Without It | The Beach

It's about time I joined the party and did a Friday post about what I can't live without.  Obviously I can't live without my cell phone charger, dog baby Stryker, or a good hair tie, but I'll give y'all a little more insight into what makes me tick and get by in this crazy life I live. Thank to these mamas for hosting another great Friday link-up. 

Olive & Tate | Home Sweet Ruby

Happily Ever Parker

Right now with the weather getting warmer, I cannot get enough of the beach. I have been fortunate enough to grow up with water all around me - rivers, bays, oceans, pools - you name it, we did it growing up.  When I was in high school, I couldn't wait to get out of Norfolk because it was "boring". Now as an adult and after living in other places of the country, I realize how amazing it is to live 3 minutes from the beach.  

Stryker has grown up loving the water as well, so it's super awesome to be able to take him down the street and get a fun little afternoon of swimming for him! 

We take early morning runs, go see sunsets, take a book and read for an hour or two after work, have picnics - the beach is truly amazing. 

I don't know what I would do if I didn't live by the water.  It is seriously one of the best things about this area, and I would have it no other way.

Say Yes As Enthusiastically & Often As Possible

The graduation speaker at my brother's graduation this past weekend was Amy Robach, a news anchor for Good Morning America, and a 1995 graduate of the University of Georgia. Personally, I am a Today show kinda girl, so I wasn't familiar with her story nor had I ever heard of who she was. 

She started by saying how almost exactly to the day, she was sitting in the exact same seats as the graduates and in the past 20 years she has had some amazing opportunities. From a small town reporting job to the biggest stage possible, she has "made it". 

But it wasn't without saying YES.  Amy told Sanford Stadium that you 'should say yes as enthusiastically and as often as possible. To big chances, menial assignments, and things that may not look like opportunities at first.  If you don't say yes, someone else will." She has lived with that mindset her entire career and has done some pretty amazing things because of it.  From witnessing an execution by lethal injection to interviewing a serial killer, saying yes has gotten her far in life.  It wasn't until she was asked to do a live mammogram on national television that she said no.  Her dear friend and co-worker, Robin Roberts said to her, "if you do this, you will save a life".  Little did she know that it would be her own.  After her live mammogram, Amy got the results that she had breast cancer.  So that person's life she saved was her own. 

She went on to talk about living your life by the montra of "say what you mean and mean what you say".  I love this and love that she wakes up every day ready to live her life in this matter.  Other than my own graduation, I have never been to another college graduation - BUT - her speech was the best college graduation speech I have ever heard. 

Take chances - say yes - be ready for the "right place at the right time" opportunities - say what you mean and mean what you say.

Thank you Amy Robach for such an inspiring speech. GO DAWGS! 

Athens, GA | Bobby's Graduation Festivities

What weekend this has been! Today is going to be a rough one, considering last week I had a two-day work week.  On Wednesday night, my dad and I hopped on a plane to Atlanta, GA where my mom picked us up around midnight.  The whole family was down in Athens, GA for the graduation weekend, including my aunt, uncle, and Nana.  It was similar in ways to my graduation, but one of the biggest differences was that Bobby had is college graduation on Thursday afternoon and then Friday night was the "big" one in Sanford Stadium! 

So Thursday we spent the morning going on a family run, got ready for the ceremony and enjoyed a nice reception at his college building.  Bobby graduated with a BLA - Bachelors in Landscape Architecture - so there were only 31 people in his class! The entire program lasted 45 minutes (another big difference between mine)! Before we went to dinner Thursday night, we went downtown and met a few of Bob's friends and had a few drinks. We went to dinner at a local Cuban place that is BYOB and was so delicious! Here's the Thursday picture dump.

 My beautiful sister.

Mom, Dad and the graduate!

Bobbbbayyyyy!

Two down, one to go!

I was too excited and jumping up and down, so the best picture I got was blurry.

The family with Nana post-graduation.

Bobby's senior project.

It's official!

Baby sis.

How awesome is this place? All outdoor seating, BYOB and perfect atmosphere. 

Friday we slept in, I did some work and got a Tone It Up workout in before we had to get ready for the 7 p.m. graduation in Sanford Stadium. Although it was hot as hell, super crowded and 3.5 hours long, the Sanford Stadium graduation was the coolest thing ever.  Both speakers were amazing and I will remember the stories vividly. We were able to spot Bobby amongst the thousands of graduates, watched fireworks, and sang Glory Glory! And at the end of the night, I'm not sure who was more excited to have graduated - Bobby or mom! 

Saturday we had a casual party at Bobby's house that I didn't take any pictures at and Sunday, Julie and I hit the road for an 8 hour drive home around 6 a.m! I made it home in time to mow the grass, do laundry and catch up on all my shows!

Here's a busy work week and another exciting weekend in OBX for Carleigh's bachelorette party!