Pregnant Blog Friends

Over the past few months, a few of the blogs I read have had their first baby and there hasn't been that many bumpdates on the blogs lately!
Well, I'm sure that will be changing! TWO of my everyday reads just announced they are expecting in April!! So excited for Chelsea and Elise and to see what the next chapter holds for both of you!

On that topic ...

When D.J. and I got married people were making bets that we would be pregnant before our first anniversary, and I am happy to say I BEAT THE ODDS! We are happy to announce that we are NOT pregnant :).  For all those people who bet we would be, here's to proving you wrong! Love ya, but not quite yet people!!

For now, we will continue to blog about our crazy baseball life, home improvements, and our fun, CHILDLESS life!!

Happy Tuesday!

Weekending Solo

This weekend....

.....was my last weekend flying solo without my hubby for a while!

.....I read some of this awesome book (more on this later)

.....I watched Amazing Race

.....I woke up Saturday morning to find it pouring rain....

.....and went to Race for the Cure anyways! It ended up clearing up and made for perfect running weather

.....after the race we watched the Dawgs smack Missouri and move up to #10 in the poles

.....I went to dinner and drinks with some great friends Saturday night

.....then went to see The Judge - must see movie! 5 star rating in my opinion!

.....I slept in late Sunday to catch up on some sleep

.....I got some deals at the Williamsburg Prime outlets. Cannot waittttt till Christmas for Santa to bring me that drop dead sexy Kate Spade wallet!

.....I watched some football and did some yard work

.....I made a delicious dinner for my parents

.....and I ended the weekend with a relaxing soak in the hot tub at my parents!

Week 8: Entryway + Fall Decor

Holy crap.  It's been wayyy to long since I posted about our home updates! Even though I haven't been posting,  I have been updating.  I got a rug for the living room, went through the spring and summer seasons dressing the house up, and finally have finished the entryway and almost finished with the way I want it to look.  Thanks to my dad, the mirror is actually hanging on the wall instead of sitting on the piano.  The bat is just there while the mantle is being used with all the fall decoration.

 I put the B up on the wall next to the front door.  I think I am going to paint it, but haven't decided on the color yet.

The table has a little fall decor as well! I found these cute little pumpkins on the way out of Marshalls when I was about to pay.  I swear they get ya when you are walking thru the checkout line! And they were only $6.99! I was given the table runner as a wedding present last year and I think it really brings the fall season into the house!

 I found the perfect frame for my print from The Burlap Bungalow that I won on a give-a-way that the lovely Elise did a while back! Doesn't it look so good in the frame next to the lamp shade?!

 And gotta love the Haloween "trick or treat" bunting that I made for the mantle! You can't really tell, but the fabric is spiderwebs! 

How did y'all decorate for the fall?! Hope you all are having a fabulous week!! 

Anniversary Trip: Update

Beware: Bummer alert ahead.

Remember when we were planning to go to San Diego for our anniversary? Yea well, baseball called and we ended up cancelling our trip.  I tried to reschedule but I couldn't get myself to spend the extra money to change the flights and additiona money the hotels were going to cost at the new time we were looking at going.  Our fall schedule was already sooo booked up so trying to reschedule was giving me a minor panic attack.  No, seriously, ask D.J, I was getting so flustered and it wasn't worth it.  I just wanted to be with D.J. for our anniverary and create another memory in a new city. 

Well lucky enough, we live in a pretty awesome area.  When we first went over to the Eastern Shore for Ansley & Chris' wedding, we fell in love with the area.  Cape Charles is such a hidden gem over there.  Beautiful beaches, quaint little town, and delicious sea food.  Although we were a little preoccupied the one weekened we were there, we both knew we wnted to go back at some point. 

Cue anniversary trip plan B.

I AM SO EXCITED TO BE HEADING OVER TO CAPE CHARLES, VA! The area is stunning and this time I am looking forward to taking in what the town has to offer.  Time to start doing my research on things to do! Be on the lookout in a few weeks with some of my favorite must-see's when we go on our mini vacation!

#baseballwifelife: A Continuous Learning Game

Yes- it's the off season. Yes- we are still talking about baseball.  

I have found over the past two seasons that this journey is a continuous learning game.  I have found that in the off seasons I learn things behind-the-scene that I wouldn't have the opportunity to learn during the season.  

For those who are not baseball savvy, let me lay the groundwork for you.  Each professional baseball team (Indians, Dodgers, Braves, etc...) have minor league teams that are affiliated with them.  Sometimes those teams are owned by the major league affiliate and other times they are owned by local business people.  In that case, the major league affiliate will sign a contract with the team to have their affiliation be a part of that team.  And when the contract is up, that's when things get interesting. 

 

For example, the Player Development Contract the Indians had with the Carolina Mudcats was up at the end of this season.  So the Mudcats had a decision to make - stay with the Indians or open up to hear offers from other organizations. 

So I am going to try and put this as simple as possible.  5 teams were up for contract negotiation - Carolina Mudcats, Lynchburg Hillcats, Myrtle Beach Pelicans (all in the Carolina League), one team in the Florida League and one team in the California league. Word on the street was that the Braves (Hillcats) were going to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.  But that was all just word on the street!!

The first move that happened was the Cubs came into the Carolina League and are now affiliated with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.  After that, the Indians announced they were going to be moving their affiliation from the Mudcats to the Hillcats (more on how I feel about that to come....). Then the Reds announced they would be coming back to the east coast and joining the Florida league.  So that leaves the Braves and the Rangers (Hillcats and Pelicans) homeless.  Their only options left are the Carolina Mudcats and the California league team.  For all my baseball followers out there, you know that the Cali league is one of, if not, the worst league to play for in the entire minor leagues.  Lots of wind, old ball parks, and little to no fans. So needless to say neither of those teams wanted to move out there. The announcement was made on Monday that the Braves would sign with the Carolina Mudcats which left the Rangers with the California League.  I feel for them because going from Myrtle Beach to California League is like going from a BMW to a Kia.  Not the best move for them, but someone had to do it!

So - long story short, if D.J. starts next season with the high A team, he will be in Lynchburg, VA with the Lynchburg Hillcats! As much as I loved the Mudcats, I am also excited to explore a new city if we are there.  For now, this is just a general announcement about the Indians, not D.J! So until the end of Spring Training, we will enjoy the off season and look forward to what next season brings!

4 out of 6 2014 Weddings: Stephanie and Matt

Stephanie and Matt have been some of my dearest friends since freshman year at JMU.  I met Steph when we were making up our pledge class song and we both decided to take charge.  Of course we did - because that's the type of people we are! We ended up living together in the AST house and moving into 855 in Forrest Hills the next two years after.  We shared so many memories and I was so excited to see her marry the love of her life, Matt.  Matt has always been so endearing to Stephanie and I loved being able to see their relationship blossom over our college years together.

The wedding ceremony too place at St. Veronica's Church in Chantilly, VA.  The ceremony was a full Catholic Mass and was so beautiful.  I loved the way the priest engaged the couple and made it all about them.  D.J. specifically loved the pews becuase they had so much leg room!

Steph made a beautiful bride.  The dress was stunning and her flowers beyond gorgeous. After the ceremony was over, we had a little time to kill before heading out to the reception.  We checked into the hotel with all of our friends and had a drink or two before calling a cab to take us to the reception.

The venue they had for their reception was STUNNING.  The view when we pulled onto the property was one in a million. I was so excited to see the entire place.  After we got out of the cab (yea.. rolled up to the mansion in a cab --classy) we walked down to the renovated barn where we had cocktail hour.  The first thing I saw where these beautiful flowers. AHHH! BEAUTIFUL!

We walked in, set our gifts down and were able to see the timeline for the night.  It was a nice touch that allowed the guests to know what was happening during the night. 

 Love the way that this is so neatly done, but I can still tell it has a little "Stephanie" touch to it!

Another beautiful bouquet of flowers from the bridesmaids.  

Guests were directed to their seats from these cute name cards that matched the program from the ceremony as well as the invitations.

On the other side of the cocktail hour barn area were the cakes.  Such a beautiful (and delicious) wedding cake and pretty awesome grooms cake.  Although I am a Georgia fan, it was fitting for all the Gamecocks in the house. 

Out back behind the barn was another beautiful view of the outskirts of Northern Virginia.  Such a pretty area and crazy to think how close we were to all the hustle and bustle of the DC area. 

 Best wedding date ever right here y'all. 

 The tables were awesome.  It was one big table with all of our friends from JMU.  It was perfect and allowed us to all catch up while we ate.  The food was delicious.  I had chicken, salmon, potatoes, and veggies. YUM!

I have some hot friends! 

Ok - I won't bore you with a bunch more photos, but the sunset was gorg.  We all took a million photos out by the sunset during dinner.  The speeches were priceless and the dancing was top notch.  The guest book was so awesome.  We were able to take the polaroid camera and answer a question we wanted the bride and groom to look at later down the road.  What a fun way to remember everyone that was a part of your special day! The bride and groom exited to a sparkler walkway and then this picture happened...

Needless to say, I think we had a great night! Matt and Stephanie -- congratulations on a beautiful wedding and marriage.  We cannot wait to see what the future holds for both of you and little Nugget! 

Next wedding - November 8!

9.28.13. Our First Anniversary

365 days ago I made a commitment to someone else that would change my life forever.  I gave my whole heart away to someone that would hold it for the rest of time.  And over those 365 day, I have realized that without a doubt, it was the best decision I have ever made. 

On that day I vowed to stay true in good times and in bad.  In sickness in health.  In richer or poorer. And we may not have had to experience all of those yet, but I am so happy to know that D.J. will be by my side for whatever life throws at us! 

Although we may not be together to celebrate today, I know we will be together soon! Oh and remember when I said we are going to San Diego?? Well those plans changed.  Be on the lookout for a new anniversary plan on the blog sometime this week!

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful, hard-working, better half - - D.J.  LOVE YOU!