jgalvinwhite

Posted on January 15, 2021January 15, 2021 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and Happy Friday! This week seemed to take forever, so I’m definitely ready for the weekend. Overall, we had a great week of school, work, activities, and (my) birthday dinner + cookie cake.

I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites post.

Favorite Moment:

There’s nothing like Facebook on your birthday. I also received so many texts and a few phone calls, so I appreciated the birthday love. I’ve always been a big birthday person, and try to make those days special for others. It’s nice to feel the love in return.

The four of us went to dinner last night, and it was so nice. We went to one of my favorite places. Typically, it’s a place just Travis and I that would probably go, but Travis and I went out last Saturday, so I let the kids tag along last night. Obviously, eating out is a luxury these days, but I’m thankful for that experience.

Also, Hadley took it upon herself to text my friends and family asking for birthday wishes. She put the clips together, and the final product video left me teary eyed. I definitely feel blessed.

Favorite Pic:

Dinner with Trav and the kids last night!

Favorite Kid Quote:

I was just telling a friend this story recently, and then it popped up on Facebook. January 13, 2013, and Hadley was tossing folded clean clothes out of the laundry basket. I asked her what she was doing, and she said, “I’m looking for my damn pants.”

That story has always reminded me of Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird when, at dinner, she says,”Pass the damn ham, please!” 😂

Also, this week, Hadley got braces (for the second, and final time!), and she continuously asks me if she has something in her teeth which cracks me up.

Favorite Food:

The week started off strong with Shay’s Easy Skillet Enchiladas! We all loved them!

Then, of course, I’d say last night’s dinner was amazing followed by cookie cake!

Favoriting Clothing item:

I’ve had these leopard flats from Nordstrom saved in my favorites on the app for over a year. They’ve been on sale before but previously haven’t had my size. I so happened to click around in the app before Christmas, and saw they had my size, and they were on sale! I went ahead and purchased them. I really like them! (I wear a 9, and sized up to a 9.5 since the toe is pointy, and they fit perfectly)

Other faves:

Our church has remained closed for now, but Hadley and I went to a nearby church on Sunday. It felt good to go to an in person service.

*the people in this row are not as close as they appear 😉

I’d mentioned that I’d like a Dutch oven, and my Gma came through with one for me as my birthday present this year! I’ve been using it since Christmas and love it so much.

Another favorite gift was from one of my friends who left a present on my porch! My skin has been so dry, and I love this whipped body butter. I’d never tried Buff City Soap products, and this body butter is heavenly!

I guess I can’t call them a favorite just yet since I haven’t tried them, but my Mani Me custom fit stick on gel nails arrived this week. My gel manicure from a couple weeks ago is still looking pretty good, but I can’t wait to try these.

Mom meme:

I feel this deeply, y’all!

Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday

Thanks to Facebook Memories…January 2010. The kids were about six weeks old. I’m a sucker for a black and white photo of itty bitty babies.

Weekly Recap:

Here are this week’s posts in case you missed one!

Not Just a Mom

Let’s Look

Day in the Life

Thanks so much for reading! Don’t forget to check out the other ladies’ posts.

I hope you have a great weekend! I know that I’m excited to not set an alarm on Monday!

Take care,

Day in the Life

Posted on January 14, 2021January 13, 2021 by jgalvinwhite

Hello! How’s it going? This week has seemed to last a lifetime for some reason. I’m so tired….and the kids are too. I guess we are still adjusting to back to school life.

The good news is…today is my birthday! Hadley is trying to convince me to let us all take the day off, but I told her we’d power through and celebrate later.

Today I’m sharing a Day in the Life post. I love when others do these posts, and I haven’t done one in a long time. I chose Monday, January 11th when planning out my January blogs, and I assumed that it should be just a typical day…and it pretty much was!

That being said, it’s surprisingly difficult to remember to take pictures throughout the day….at least for me it is! Anyway, here’s how I spent this past Monday.

Monday, January 11, 2021

I woke up around 6:30. When I’m tired and struggle to get out of bed in the morning, I remind myself that during a normal school year, I get up twice a week at 5:20 to work out or get up at 6:00 otherwise! I do think I’m going to start aiming for a 6:15 wakeup call to start moving back towards reality.

From 6:40-7:20 I drank my coffee, scrolled Instagram, and read my favorite blogs. I love my quiet time in the morning. Homer usually joins me!

At 7:25, I woke the kids up and made their breakfast…waffle for Hayden (he likes to dip it in syrup), and English muffin with peanut butter for Hadley.

I finished packing lunches,

Homer wondered what he was having for breakfast, and …

I found Hayden back in bed…The Monday struggle was real!

I washed my face, made my bed and got dressed.

While the kids finished getting ready, I sorted the their clean laundry, so they could put it away after school.

Then, it was time to take the kids to the school pod.

I came back home, checked and responded to emails, and finished getting ready for the day.

I went to school from 9:30 to around 2:00. I was so productive at school which is always a good feeling!

Then, I had a quick errand for an Amazon return at the UPS store before heading home.

Homer was excited to see me!

I ate lunch around 2:15, checked emails, and then

picked the kids up from school!

Once we got home and settled, I checked and responded to more emails, had Zoom appointments with students and finished up at around 4:15.

Then, I ordered this sweatshirt for Hadley. She had a Valentine’s Day sweatshirt that she wore for four years before finally outgrowing it last year. So, this one will probably last her a few years as well!

Then, I took some time to respond to blog comments and read other posts since it was the first Not Just a Mom link up of 2021!

Then, I took some photos to prep for Wednesday’s Let’s Look post.

After that, I had Hadley answer questions, so I could submit them for Dance Spotlight at her studio.

I finally got to do my workout at 5:15.

Then, I took Hadley to dance because Travis was working late.

I came home and made dinner. Shay’s Easy Skillet Enchiladas were a hit! I’d never made this recipe of hers before, and it’s definitely going into the dinner rotation!

Then, I caught up with Travis about our day and finally completed the Amazon Associate info and figured out how to share links (I think!)

Around 8:00, it was time to pick up Hadley. Before doing so, I stopped by Walgreens to pick up Ibuprofen because Hadley was getting braces next day.

After picking up Hadley, I warmed up her dinner, and she showed us the dances her competition team is working on. (post-dance class tradition!) haha

Finally, it was time for a shower and PM skin care routine.

I was so tired! It was definitely a busy Monday. The kids went to bed around 9:15, and by 9:30 I was reading my book.

I could barely keep my eyes open, so I didn’t read for long. I decided to watch an episode of my favorite show with my favorite ladies before falling asleep around 10:15.

So, that was my Monday! Overall, it was a pretty average and good day…for a Monday!

See you back here tomorrow for Friday Favorites.

Take care,

Let's look

Let’s Look

Posted on January 13, 2021January 12, 2021 by jgalvinwhite

Hello! It’s already the second Wednesday of the month which means that Shay and Erika are hosting their Let’s Look link up.

Let’s Look is a post where bloggers share a peek and their thoughts on a certain topic.

Today’s topic is…Let’s look at your…coffee bar area.

Well, y’all, this is it: This is my coffee bar area. 😂

The cabinet above, holds the coffee and filters…and that’s it.

Cream, No Sugar:

I quit sugar and Splenda years ago. Now, I just add a splash of creamer to the bottom of my coffee mug, pour the coffee, and I don’t even have to stir! Stirring is just to much of an extra step when I’m tired and just need my first sip!

We are basic with our creamers around here. Basically, year round, I use Sugar Free Hazelnut. In the fall, I use that creamer, and add a dash of pumpkin spice (and stir) for more of a fall flavor. Then, in December (and January if I can still find it), I use a splash of Peppermint creamer during those months.

Favorite Mugs:

Since my coffee bar is ~~underwhelming~~ non-existent, I thought I’d share some of my favorite coffee mugs!

Through the years, we’ve collected many mugs and they range from sentimental to funny to practical and more.

My most used mug since this summer is this one from Amazon. I love it so much that I’ve taken it on vacation with me, and I’ve given it to a few friends for birthday presents! I don’t use the lid often as it’s the one I use at home most mornings, but it definitely keeps my coffee warm the longest which is a must!

{Affiliate linked photo}

Here it is this fall with my pumpkin spice concoction.

This mug was a Christmas gift this year, and I use it frequently as well.

Other mugs in the rotation:

My Magnolia mug which I purchased a few years ago, the green mug that my mom brought me back from Ireland, and the “J”mug that a friend gave me as a birthday present a few years ago.

I’ve had the Starbucks KC mug for years, and then my dad gave me the KC Royals handcrafted one after the Royals won the World Series in 2015, and then my mom gave me the KC Chiefs one after last year’s Super Bowl win!

**My Royals mug is chipped, but I still drink out of it occasionally!

My “going back to bed” mug was my take away from a family white elephant exchange, and the “Hey, Y’all” mug was a purchase when we stopped in Paula Deen’s store while in Savannah, GA a couple years ago.

I love my Golden Girls mug…

As far as sentimental mugs go, Travis and the kids gave me the “Thank you for being the greatest mom” for Mother’s Day 2020. The mug is black, and when you pour the hot coffee in it, the photo and saying magically appear!

The pink handprint mug from 2015 was the sweetest gift that the kids’ sitter helped them make. It’s seen better days, but I still use it. There’s one with Hayden’s handprint too…but I can’t find it! (Don’t tell him!). I’m wondering if it’s in Trav’s car…he tends to wander off with our mugs!

So, while my coffee bar sitch is lacking, my mug collection is thriving!

Next month’s topic is: Love Language. So interesting! I need to research this one…off the top of my head, I think my love language is “putting the dishes away” and “doing the laundry!” 😆

Don’t forget to check out the other ladies’ posts, and thanks so much for reading!

Not Just a Mom

Posted on January 11, 2021January 9, 2021 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Monday. I’m so excited for today’s post! It’s the first Not Just a Mom link up of 2021, and I get to be a co-host with these lovely ladies:

Today’s topic is “getting cozy and small comforts.” Cozy is my love language. I love nothing more than being snuggled under a blanket or wearing an over-sized sweatshirt to feel cozy and comforted.

I think the reason that fall and winter are my favorite seasons is because the temperatures are cooler, leggings and sweaters are a clothing staple, and an overcast cold day is the perfect excuse to lounge around, read, and sip on some coffee..

Well, I’ve already touched on a few things that are cozy, small comforts for me, but here are the details.

Cozy/Comforts:

First of all, I just like being at home. I’m the most comfortable at home, and I like to make my house feel like home. I also love when everyone is home. It doesn’t mean we are all together doing something (that is nice though!), it just means all my people are accounted for, I have nothing to worry about, and I just feel settled.

I start every morning with a cup(s) of coffee! Whether it’s 25 degrees out or 75 degrees, I feel comforted by the warmth of a cup of coffee.

Saturday provided the perfect cozy morning with cloudy skies and cold temps. I lit a candle, got a blanket and finished a book on my Kindle.

We use our fireplace quite a bit in the winter, and I love that it’s double sided, so we can feel the warmth at our kitchen table and in the living room. A fire definitely provides comfort and coziness during the winter.

I love an over-sized sweater, and I shared this Amazon one a couple times last week. It’s perfect because you can dress it up or down, and I’ve worn it with workout tights, leggings, and skinny jeans with booties.

Seriously, cozy could be my middle name 😉 What are your “must haves” for cozy comforts?

Next month’s topic is “Healthy Habits and Staying Motivated.” I’m glad I looked at this topic in advance, so I can try use it as incentive to continue working out and eating healthy! 11 days into the new year, and I’m off to a pretty good start.

Grab this graphic, link back to one or all of us, and share your Not Just a Mom post!

Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you have a great week!

Friday Favorites

Posted on January 8, 2021January 14, 2021 by jgalvinwhite

Hey there and Happy Friday! How was your week? We certainly are trying to get back in the school routine. Setting an alarm has been a struggle! The kids just started back yesterday, so I know they are thankful for the short week!

I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.

Favorite Pic:

These pics from the holidays got lost in my camera roll, so I thought I’d share it today.

We visited the “Magic Tree” over break which is always a fun experience.

Favorite Kid Quote:

Hadley’s new thing is to say, “Yass Queen!” when talking to me…and it makes me laugh every time.

Favorite Moment:

We went roller skating on Monday afternoon with the kids’ pod. It was a fun activity to get everyone back together and excited about the new semester. We are still learning virtually, and while it makes my heart hurt for my kids and my students, I’m thankful my kids get to have this pod experience with their friends.

I picked right back up where I left off in 1991…and the kids were impressed that “I’ve still got it!” They had no clue what I was talking about with the Limbo and couples skate. 😂

Favorite Clothing Item:

I’ve been wearing my favorite Amazon sweater on repeat! I have it in two colors (pink and navy blue) and have worn them over workout clothes as well as skinny jeans and leggings.

{affiliate linked photo}

Favorite Food:

No favorite food, but it’s been nice to get back on track eating healthy! I’ve made that a priority ( as well as drinking more water) over the past week, and I hope to keep it up!

Favorite Gifts:

Here area few of our favorite Christmas gifts:

Kids:

My grandma gave Hadley some jacks, and both kids have been loving playing. My mom, brother, and sister-in-law all got in on the fun too. My kids have played for hours and hours…with minimal fighting 😉

Hadley:

I ordered Hadley this bracelet, and I was so excited to give it to her. I’m hoping it’s something that will last for years.

Hadley also loved her new slippers and…

A few “vintage” shirts from my aunt.

Hayden:

Hayden loved his new golf book and golf clubs.

Trav:

We got Travis some new joggers.

And…I purchased this beanie with head lamp for him to use when jogging.

He was also very appreciative of the Snicker Doodle cookies my mom made for him as well as the beer that my dad gifted him as well.

Me:

Per usual, I felt very spoiled with gifts. I loved the Kendra Scott necklace, earrings, and bracelet that Travis and the kids gave me. The necklace and earrings match and are a mix of pink and blue—a nod to my boy and my girl. Very thoughtful. I also loved the jewelry dish they got me. I needed ones of those!

Hadley gave Travis and I each a rolled up piece of paper tied with pretty ribbon. When we opened them, we found this collage of pictures from the night before that she’d organized and printed. She’s a sweetheart. I’m going to take mine to school to put on the wall near my desk.

Lastly, my mom gave me Air Pods. I wasn’t expecting those, and hadn’t even asked for them, but she said I’d been a good girl! 😆

Homer:

Homer received a new bowl, this new collar, and he also had a bone in his stocking! Santa must have forgotten all of the things that were #homered this year.

I do love the new collar…Travis has a similar belt that’s like a horse halter with name plate. Homer looks super handsome in his upgraded collar.

Favorite Mom Meme:

I saw this meme and laughed. Y’all, it’s so true!

Weekly Recap:

Here are my posts from the past week in case you missed one!

So many awesome bloggers take the time to link up every Friday, so don’t forget to check out their posts too!

Speaking of link ups, we have our first Not Just a Mom post of 2021 coming up on Monday!

The topic is “Getting Cozy and Small Comforts,” so feel free to join us!

Thanks so much for reading, and have a great weekend!

This and That

This and That Thursday

Posted on January 7, 2021January 6, 2021 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday….Did you know Thursday is my favorite day of the week? It’s a great day to be productive, but I like knowing that the weekend is thisclose while wrapping up my work week.

I’ve been back to work since Monday, but the kids start back to school today. It was actually nice having these few extra days off for them as we could really use the extra time to ease back into reality.

Today I’m sharing a few odds and ends about what’s been going on.

Blog:

I decided to try a new blog idea for January – A sentence a day. I’ve seen Joanne share her monthly posts, and I thought it would fun to capture the “little” things of each day. That being said, I’ve had to set a reminder on my phone to add to the post each day. Kind of like those “day in the life” posts…It’s easier said than done!

Fresh Start to the New Year:

January 1st started off lazily for me, but then I kicked it into high gear putting up all of the Christmas decorations. (Travis helped too!)

The only sign of Christmas left in the house is my favorite pencil tree that’s in our bedroom. If you remember, this guy (girl?) started out in the sun room on Election Day, and then I moved it to our bedroom. It still brings me joy, so I think I will leave it up until around my birthday (January 14th)

Then, I put the house back to “normal” the next day.

I always get a bit anxious trying to remember where things usually go…but then I also like to move items around. Once everything is back in place, I feel better! (which I know sounds silly) I made a trip to Target for a few organizational tubs, and ended up buying this tray for our coffee table. I actually purchased it for the kitchen island, but I knew if I didn’t like it there, it would look great on the coffee table.

So, I played “musical decor” and put the metal tray that was on the table on the island. So, it all worked out.

On Sunday, I finished getting organized by purging the pantry, the spices, the fridge, and the freezer. I even took the time to wipe down the shelves in the fridge.

Do you know what I still haven’t tackled? My closet. Womp. Womp. That’s been my goal for over a month…I will get to it…eventually.

Self-care:

All that hard work of purging and organizing meant I should treat myself to a manicure. I haven’t had a manicure in a salon for close to a year. Hadley received a gift card to our favorite place, so we went there to get manicures. I got a gel manicure while Hadley got a regular one.

Back to School Pod Skate:

To kick off the new semester, my friend (who runs the kids’ school pod) rented out the local skating rink for just our pod kids on Monday afternoon. It was so much fun…for Hadley…and me…but not so much for Hayden. He tried and he tried, but he could barely keep his feet under him. 😂

I skated as well as a couple of other parents too. It was so fun to have the place to ourselves, and there was no keeping us 80s kids off the rink! My kids were impressed with my skating skills, and I was happy to not be sore the next day!

Favorite Apps:

Over the holidays, I discovered this Shop app. I guess it’s synced up with your email and orders because it stores all orders in one place. That way, the tracking info on orders and status updates are all in one place. It came in so handy with Amazon, Etsy and other orders throughout the holidays.

I’ve used MyFitnessPal to track calories and macros for a few years. I haven’t used it much lately, so that’s a 2021 goal for me. I’m back to tracking everything I eat which has actually provided a great reset for me mentally and physically.

Speaking of tracking…I need to drink more water. Since working at home, my coffee drinking tends to linger until 11:00 or so. I always drink water while working out (and after), but I definitely need to drink more. This app has been perfect for tracking the ounces of water per day that I drink.

Exercise:

I’ve mentioned before that I recently subscribed to the Beach Body On Demand app/program. I’ve done 21 Day Fix before, and have turned back to those DVDs throughout the years. Post-surgery, I decided to ease back into working out with 21 Day Fix “Real Time,” on the app since I was familiar with 21 DF. So, leading up to Christmas, I completed that program. With the new year, I’ve now transitioned to 21 Day Fix Extreme and have committed to getting my workouts in most mornings.

When working out, I’ve been the most successful when I work out in the morning. With Covid and being home, I still did an ok job working out, but often times I would bump it to later in the day …or not at all. Now, since I’m still home this is super convenient, and I’m going to take advantage of completing a 30 minute workout at 7:00 am rather than 5:30 AM when I’m in a normal going to school groove. I love that I can just use the app on our basement tv where I have my workout weights, mat, and bands.

I’m really enjoying these programs so far, and there are many other ones to choose from after I complete 21 DF Extreme.

Books:

After reading all the light hearted Christmas books in December, I was ready to read something a little heavier. Well, American Dirt is A LOT heavier, but I can’t put it down. I’m reading it on my Kindle while reading Make Life Beautiful in hardback. My mom got it for me for Christmas.

Shows:

Travis and I just finished watching season 3 of Ozark. Holy moly can that show be intense. I’ve balanced watching that show with more light hearted ones like Dream Home Makeover and Magnolia Table. Hadley started watching On Pointe on Disney +, and I’ve been watching it with her. It’s so interesting and inspiring to watch these dancers at SAB (School of American Ballet).

So, that’s a little bit of what’s been going on around here! See you back here tomorrow for the first Friday Favorites of 2021.

Take care,

Amazon

Amazon Lately

Posted on January 5, 2021January 13, 2021 by jgalvinwhite

Well, it’s the first Tuesday of the month (and of 2021), and I’m so happy that Tanya is still hosting her Prime Purchases link up. I love looking at what others purchase, and sharing my purchases as well.

In December, I bought a few odds and ends, some clothes (per usual), and a few gifts. So, I’m sharing those with you today!

Notes and Note pads:

I purchased some lunch box notes at the beginning of the school year, and they lasted me until the end of the semester. My kids take their lunches on the two days they go to the pod. I’m guessing next year in middle school they won’t want lunchbox notes, so I will embrace this last semester of elementary school!

I needed some magnetic pads of paper for our grocery lists, and I thought this pack was cute!

Clothing:

I’d seen this sweater swirling around IG Stories and thought it looked just my style. I ordered it in this navy blue in a large…It’s very soft, cozy and great quality. I will say I wouldn’t call this navy blue. It has more of a green coloring to it. I love the color either way. I’ve seen some style it as a sweater dress, so that’s why I got the large. That being said, I still only would feel comfortable wearing it with leggings.

I did order it in a size medium in the pink color, and it’s more of a perfect fit and still works with leggings. I’m keeping both sizes and colors because I love it and the fit is meant to be oversized anyway.

{Affiliate linked photo)

Now that I’m focused on getting back on track with working out, I purchased this zip up in blue and love it for a lightweight option to put over workout tops. I’ve seen the price fluctuate on it, but I did get it for under $20.

{affiliate linked photo}

Gifts:

As always, Amazon came in clutch for Christmas presents. I ordered quite a few things for family members and the kids, but here are a few of the items.

Travis is a runner. When I saw this beanie with the built in light, I knew it would be perfect for him on morning runs. The price was great when I bought it, but it looks like it’s even cheaper now!

{affiliate link}

TAGVO USB Rechargeable LED Beanie Cap, Lighting and Flashing Alarm Modes 8 LED Hands Free Flashlight, Easy Install Quick Release Headlamp Beanie, Unisex Winter Warmer Knit Cap Hat

I asked for this meat chopper last year for Christmas, and loved it so much that I purchased a couple for family members. It’s life changing. Seriously…it’s such a handy kitchen gadget.

Hadley has taken an interest in skincare lately, and I thought this facial spin brush would be perfect for her to use since she’s started washing her face. I swear she knows more about skincare, beauty and hair products than I ever will!

This purchase was a last minute gift. After purging Hayden’s closet, we found an ink cartridge box full of cash! Hayden quit using his piggy bank because he lost the cork that holds the money in the bank. So, he’d been hoarding his cash in the random box! It almost got thrown out! Travis suggested I look for a KC Chiefs piggy bank, but I didn’t see any options. So I put two and two together, and bought this bank…

and these stickers….

to make Hayden a KC Chiefs piggy bank. He was so excited!

So…that’s a peek at what I Primed this month! What purchases did you make?

My “dry” January typically consists of not making any Amazon purchases, but I have purchased a few organizational items because January also means purging and organizing around here. Those items haven’t arrived yet, but I can share those next month. Otherwise, I’m pausing Amazon purchases for the rest of this month. My debit card needs a break.

Check out Tanya’s Prime Purchases schedule and join us next month!

Thanks so much for reading, and happy Priming!

Holidays, Me

NYE 2020 and 2021 Goals

Posted on January 4, 2021January 3, 2021 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and Happy Monday! It’s the first Monday of 2021! Of course, I feel like our two week break flew by, but it was a good one. Technically, my kids are off until Thursday! Teachers start back today though (virtually).

To kick off 2021, I thought I’d recap our New Year’s Eve and share a few goals I have for 2021.

I saw this graphic on Instagram Stories, filled it out and shared to my stories! It’s one form of reflection 😉

I also always think it’s fun to see the Top 9 posts on Instagram. This was my Top 9 of 2020 on Insta:

New Year’s Eve:

NYE 2020: (and most years, actually)…

I kind of miss the years when we could “trick” the kids with a countdown at 9 PM. haha That being said, we had a great evening at home. Truth be told, I’ve never been a big fan of NYE. I’m not big on dressing up, going out in the cold…or staying up late 😂That being said, we’ve spent some fun New Year’s Eves with friends sharing dinner and drinks at someone’s house, and we’ve also had some fun years at home. This, of course, was an “at home” year.

Both kids were adamant about staying up…Hayden said he was going to stay up until 3! I could barely commit to midnight, but glad that I did.

We got carry out from a local favorite: OBC Kitchen. I set the table using wrapping paper as a runner, used our winter dishes for place settings, and gathered a few decorations from around the house for the centerpiece.

The kids love cranberry Ginger ale while Travis and I had adult beverages. We had bacon and peanut butter for an appetizer, and then had dinner of salmon, steak, gnocchi, bread and salad. So good.

Hadley was ready to party!

After dinner, the kids did their own thing for a while, and then we played Emoji Uno for almost two hours. At one point I couldn’t find Homer, but found him in our bed. Apparently, he wasn’t going to stay up until midnight!

Around 11:30, we turned on the countdown, poured the Ginger ale and champs and celebrated with the countdown. We were in bed by about 12:30. I think Hayden watched TV until about 1:30. We figured with it being NYE and break almost over, we’d let him stay up. Both kids have been sleeping so late…but they slept until almost 11 on Friday and Saturday!

As I mentioned in Friday’s post, 2020 had highs and lows, but I’m still thankful for this most random year and certainly continue to count my blessings.

2021 Goals:

I’m going to start with these goals:

and focus on…

Allowing for “me” time: This has always been of importance to me which is why I’ve always started my day solo with my cup of coffee, favorite blogs, and scrolling social media. With having the kids home most of the time since March, “me time” has been hard to find. I still get up before them, of course, but it’s still difficult to take some time for myself. I hope to carve out a little bit of time in the evening too.
Drinking more water: This is usually an easy goal for me in the summer, but I need to drink more daily all year long. While being home so much, I’ve been drinking more coffee than I should, so I need to cut that off at a certain time and drink water the rest of the day.
Eating whole food nutrition: For January, I plan on eating healthy but also limiting fried foods and sugar. I don’t eat tons of fried food, but even on Fridays I usually pick up Chick-fil-A for the kids and indulge myself. I do have a sweet tooth and zero willpower, so I’m going to try to cut out sweets as well…except for some birthday cookie cake mid-January for my birthday.
Working out: While I’ve never been one to bounce right out of bed to workout, I do enjoy working out. I feel better physically, mentally and emotionally when that’s a part of my regular routine. I’ve shared a bit before, but I struggled with endometriosis prior to my October hysterectomy which really affected my being able to work out for the past couple of years. I didn’t make excuses and tried to continue to work out, but I still could never give it 100% and couldn’t work out daily. For the past month, I’ve eased back into working out, and will now continue to kick it up a notch and do so almost daily.
Keep reading: I love to read and have made it a part of my daily life. I usually average around 40 books per year, and I hope to read that many or more in 2021. Also, I think last year was the first year I started using Goodreads, and I hope to get more organized with my book lists on there this year!
Blogging: I love that I’ve been able to blog a bit more this year. I was blogging three days a week, and then was able to write 4-5 posts a week in the past six months. I think four posts a week for me is usually manageable, so I hope to continue doing that. I’d like to branch out and join some other link ups. I’d love to know of link ups you read or join, so let me know, and I can add them to my list!

and then there’s this:

I want to work on owning my time, setting boundaries, and not be so critical of myself. As far as crying and showing emotions…I’ve always been ok with that…but sometimes I let things build up (due to lack of time to deal with it) rather than process what I’m feeling in the moment. I’m reflective enough to know I’m forever a work in progress over here! 😆

What goals do you have for 2021? I’m so hopeful it will be a great year!

Have a great week (and a great year!)

Everyday Life

2020: Year in Review

Posted on January 1, 2021December 31, 2020 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and Happy January 1st! 1/1/21! Can you believe it?

Who knew when we started 2020, that after only a few months in, we’d be in the midst of a worldwide pandemic?

Just when I think I could sum up 2020 with “it sucked,” I scroll through my photos and blog posts and see that our normal experiences like holidays, sports, and vacations looked different, but they mostly still happened. Also, we took the time to cherish the small things like going for family bike rides, watching movies, and reading books. We adjusted. (PIVOT!) What choice did we have?

We had some…

highs: We were forced to slow down, spend quality time with family, and simplify our lives.

There were also some…

lows: We missed family. We couldn’t have traditions and holidays like normal. We had to be careful and think about every decision. We lived in fear of the virus.

I still decided to go ahead an recap this year because I do want to be able to look back on it and remember ups and downs of it all. And, as my blogging friend Amy said, “Reflection helps with gratitude.” I love that. I am so very grateful for my family, our health, and this time together.

That being said…Warning: lots of photos coming your way! Apparently, my love language is pictures! 😂

January:

In January, we kicked off the year with my 40th birthday!

Travis threw a surprise party for me. It was so much fun.

A few days later, Hadley and I had the flu…and it kicked my tail! I missed a week of school.

The kids had fun playing basketball!

February:

In February, Travis and Hadley went to the father/daughter dance with some friends.

We went snow tubing with friends which is something we do every February.

The kids had a snow day.

We all enjoyed Hadley’s performance in the school musical.

Our Chiefs won the Super Bowl!

March:

In March, I went with Hadley and her troop on an overnight field trip in a museum.

My dad visited right as we learned school would be moving to virtual learning.

The world officially shut down. We started spending lots of time at home baking, crafting, having fun with sidewalk chalk, reading, and bingeing Netflix.

We came together as a community, as a state, and as a country.

April:

In April, we celebrated Easter at home.

We went on lots of family bike rides.

We updated our sun room.

We admired sidewalk chalk artwork in the neighborhood.

May:

In May, we celebrated Mother’s Day.

The kids had good old fashion fun with the Slip n Slide.

We ate out for the first time in a couple of months at The Stave.

The kids wrapped up 4th grade with virtual learning.

June:

In June, we headed to Florida for a week.

Thankfully, the beach was perfect for social distancing.

I felt rejuvenated by the beach sunsets.

Once we returned home, I sought out some outdoor activities for us to do to to fill our summer days.

We picked strawberries,

and visited the Cincinnati Zoo.

Baseball started back for Hayden.

We celebrated Father’s Day with Travis.

Then, Travis and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary.

July:

In July, we celebrated the 4th of July.

We went canoeing with friends.

We celebrated Trav’s birthday.

The kids and Homer enjoyed pool time (I did too!)

We went to Kansas City to see family.

August:

Hayden and Travis played a few rounds of golf during the summer.

As a family, we went on a hike.

Then, school started back virtually. We started the year off with our tradition Back to School Breakfast.

First day of virtual school…

at the pod…

Hadley had her dance recital with no audience. We we received the DVD of the performances a couple months later.

September:

In September, online school continued, we got in the 2020 school groove knowing this may be our reality for quite some time.

Oaks and Derby were finally celebrated over Labor Day weekend with very few fans in attendance which broke a piece of Trav’s heart.

Thankfully, cross country was able to start for the kids with Travis as their coach.

Hayden was able to play fall baseball.

October:

In October, we traveled to Asheville, NC for fall break.

The perfect place to hike and eat outside.

Hadley started playing the flute.

Hayden got braces.

Per tradition, we visited the pumpkin patch.

I took the time to make myself a priority and had my total hysterectomy with an overnight stay at the hospital.

The kids were an M &M, and Patrick Mahomes for Halloween.

November:

In November, we enjoyed the beautiful fall leaves and mild weather.

The kids turned 11!

My runners wrapped up their elementary cross country season.

We celebrated Thanksgiving with my brother and his family.

December:

In December, my mom visited and we baked cookies.

The kids were able to visit Santa.

As a family, we continued traditions like decorating a gingerbread house and seeing lights at the horse park.

Mustard Seed Hill was a new outdoor holiday activity for us.

We took Christmas card photos…

and sent those cards out later than usual…

We celebrated Christmas Eve at home after watching church service online,

and woke up to a white Christmas.

We’ve spent the last week of the year with family, moving at a slow pace, enjoying a few more days of the twinkle of the tree lights, and preparing for the new year.

Final 2020 Thoughts:

While this year has been filled with stress and uncertainty, I still feel very blessed. I never knew how much we needed to slow down until we were forced to do so. I treasure the time with my family and the slower pace.

Of course, all these pictures remind me that there were times that we were still busy even in the midst of “the great pause,” but kids keep you busy. We were blessed that they were able to be safe while doing their activities. We never would have gone on vacation if we didn’t have a family house to stay in. We adjusted our thinking and allowed the kids to go to a pod a couple days a week to maximize their virtual learning experience, and more.

These photos literally are snapshots of reality. At sporting events, there should have been family members besides immediate ones in attendance. Hand sanitizer doesn’t belong at the beach. Holiday decisions shouldn’t be stressful ones (or more stressful than usual 😉) The list goes on and on…and on.

I feel like in 2020, no decision was made without my over-thinking it…😅

Honestly, though, that has taken its toll on me. I, at times, have felt mentally and emotionally exhausted.

This year has been one to remember. It’s brought times of stress, worry, and sadness. There have been times of uncertainty and times of strength. I hope that 2021 can bring us a sense of peace…and relief. I know we are all ready for a fresh start which is exactly what the new year always brings.

2020 is also the first full year I’ve had this blog. I continue to be grateful for this community.

Weekly Recap:

Top 5 Books of 2020

Posted on December 31, 2020December 30, 2020 by jgalvinwhite

Happy New Year’s Eve! I can’t believe it’s the end of 2020. Even in this crazy year, reading has still been an important part of my life and one of my favorite hobbies.

Truthfully, with quarantine and more time at home, I didn’t necessarily read more because I took the time to binge shows on Netflix. 😂 I did read 39 books this year which is as many as I read in 2019 as well.

Today, I’m recapping the books I read this year as well as sharing my Top FIVE reads of 2020.

I saw Tanya’s link up, and it’s perfect timing for today’s post.

Before I get to what I read in 2020, here’s my Top 5 books post from 2019.

My 2020 Reads:

January:

A Woman is No Man
The Wives
The Hate U Give

February:

I had the flu in January, and I think I got behind on reading and didn’t post in February…

March:

American Royals
The Broken Girls
Small Great Things
The Secret to Southern Charm

April:

Regretting You
Our New Normal
The Matchmaker

May:

Two Girls Down
The Southern Side of Paradise
Defending Jacob

June:

Little Fires Everywhere
Paper Ghosts
The Unhoneymooners
The Simple Wild
One in a Million

July:

Our Little Lies
Ugly Love
Feels like Falling

August:

The Family Upstairs
Maid
28 Summers

September:

Wild at Heart
In Five Years
Two Can Keep a Secret

October:

The Flatshare
November 9
The Guest List

November:

The Jetsetters
Louisiana Lucky
Winter in Paradise

December:

Seven Days of Us
Mr. Dickens and His Carol
In a Holidaze
25 Days ’til Christmas
Let it Snow
Jingle All the Way

Top 5 of 2020:

Before I share my Top 5 reads of 2020, these deserve honorable mention recognition 😉…

November 9 #crazylovestory

The Jetsetters #forcedfamilyfun

Little Fires Everywhere #likeditbetterthantheseries

and…

The Matchmaker #anotherEHfave

Here are my 5 favorite reads of 2020 in no particular order…

A Woman is No Man:

I started off 2020 with this powerful read…and I mentioned it would probably be a to pick for this year…and it is. This novel about arranged marriages, early motherhood, and silenced voices was a book that opened my eyes to other cultures and left me feeling grateful for the choices I have as a woman.

In Five Years

The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle was the last book I read in 2018, and it’s one of my favorite books of all time. I was so excited to read In Five Years by Serle after being on the library wait list for a few months. This was definitely a page turner for me, I loved the characters, and it tugged at my heartstrings. The ending almost lost me with labeling this a fave as I thought, “Huh?!” when I neared the end. Then, as the story wrapped up, I thought, “Ohhhh!!” and those final pages redeemed this book for me as a favorite.

Ugly Love:

I love Colleen Hoover books, and Ugly Love is another fave for me written by her! Miles and Tate had a very complicated relationship with baggage to sort through as they grew as individuals and as a couple. You know I love a book when I share favorite quotes from the story like:

“…that God gives us the ugliness so we don’t take the beautiful things in life for granted.”

I loved this (R-rated at times) book a lot!

August was a great reading month for me with these last two books.

28 Summers:

Y’all know I love Elin Hilderbrand. I was so excited to read 28 Summers. As I mentioned in my August recap, while I’m not about the idea of “28 summers/same time, next year” in real life, I couldn’t stop rooting for Mallory and Jake. I know, I know. BUT…I just kept reading wanting to know how things would end up for them. Also, I loved the structure of the text with a recap of events from that year. It was amazing how time flies for them as well as how they navigated life the other 51 weeks of each year without each other.

Since The Matchmaker was another hit for me this year, Hilderbrand continues to be a favorite author of mine…and I love following her on Instagram!

Maid:

Maid had been on my reading list for quite some time. I was out for a walk this summer and saw it in a neighborhood library. I grabbed it and was excited to dive right in.

This book forever opened my eyes to poverty in America especially as it pertains to single income families. Land’s tenacity to make a better life for herself and her daughter while working at low paying jobs, putting herself through school, and navigating government assistance was inspiring. I literally re-read certain parts to try to fully understand what it must have been like for her choosing jobs based on proximity to where she lived, buying certain foods at the grocery store, and completing paperwork and applications for opportunities all seemed so overwhelming. I was so inspired by her story and amazed by her journey!

So, those are my thoughts on my favorite books from this year. Looking back at my monthly posts, I was really on with my guesses of top reads as I read throughout the year.

Maybe in 2021 I can read 40 books? That’s a good goal, I think!

What have you read this year that you have loved? I’d love to add more books to my ever growing list!

I hope you have a great last day of 2020…I know we all would like to end on a high note, right?

Happy reading!