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Posted on July 20, 2026July 19, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Monday!

How was your weekend? Honestly, I was home quite a bit this weekend, but it was much needed to have some downtime, but to also be productive around the house. The kids were busy, but what’s new?

I’m sharing my monthly weekly report.

I put my own twist on the usual set up of: reading, eating, prioritizing, obsessing, recommending, and treating.

Reading:

Is it even summer if Carley Fortune hasn’t released a book? I’m plowing through Our Perfect Storm. I started it Friday, and I think I’ll finish it today!

Once I finish it, I will only have one book left on my 2026 Summer Reading List…Down with the Shipmans.

Eating:

I know I’ve shared how I love summer “snack plates” for lunch in the summer, but this has been the summer of breakfast. For years, I did intermittent fasting, and really only had coffee in the morning. This year, I’ve started to have a bit of breakfast, but this summer, I’ve taken the time to have a “proper” breakfast which typically includes carb, protein, fruit. It’s just been nice to have the breakfast time. Again, I think finding that I’m having more time on my hands because the kids get themselves where they need to be or are sleeping in even means I have time for breakfast!

Enjoying:

Y’all, if you have Netflix, you must watch Little House on the Prairie. Honestly, it wasn’t even on my radar, and then I watched one episode on Saturday, and I’m hooked! I’ve watched the first four now.

Prioritizing:

With the end of my summer break drawing near, I’m definitely prioritizing pool and reading time. As I’ve shared, I’m either at our pool or my sister-in-law’s mom’s pool at her house. It hasn’t been super sunny the past couple of weeks, but even an hour at the pool or in the pool has been nice.

I’m also prioritizing items on my “summer to do list…” which has included taking photos of the kids’ elementary art and uploading those to a photo book. During the elementary years, I saved their art, and each kid has a “K-2nd” and “3rd-5th” “scrapbook case” in pink and blue.

To be honest, those four cases don’t take up a ton of space, but I still thought a book would be a good idea.

Friday and Saturday I worked on and finished both kids’ K-2nd books. They are hardcover, 8×8 and I used their kindergarten photos for the covers. Maybe this week I can get the 3rd-5th books finished. They also have a few pieces of artwork from middle school, and I’ll just include those at the back of the 3rd-5th books.

Obsessing and ordering:

Y’all, the joy this little rechargeable lamp is bringing me is next level. haha

It’s water waterproof, so it can go in the shower or outside, but I just have it on my bathroom counter. I turn it on in the morning or night when needed…when I take a shower, do my skincare, etc. It will come in handy in the early morning hours when school starts, and I don’t want to turn on the bathroom light and wake up Travis when I get up at 5:50.

I’m ordering/buying school supplies. As much as I drag my feet about going back to school, I do enjoy buying school supplies.

I went to Aldi a couple of weeks ago, and I got this “clipfolio” with a clipboard on the front and a pad of paper inside. It will be perfect to take to meetings. I couldn’t resist the pens either!

I’m trying this planner this year. It’s not necessarily a teacher planner, but I like the size of it, and that it’s not too complicated. (It comes in a smaller size too)

The past few years, I’ve gotten my desk calendar at Target, and that’s where I got one this year. Truly, it’s been this same style for the past few years. It’s a 15 month calendar –not sure why a calendar would start in April, but I just need it for August-May!

Recommending:

I’m definitely recommending all things Five Star Weekend!

I read the book a couple of years ago while in Del Mar, California, and it’s still one of my favorite Elin Hilderbrand novels!

The series on Peacock was OUTSTANDING! I finished it over the weekend, and it couldn’t have been better. Jennifer Garner can do no wrong. I just love anything she’s in…and the supporting cast was top tier!

Last week, I listened to Jenna’s podcast interview with Elin and Jennifer, and it was great. I loved hearing the behind the scenes stuff, and then towards the end, they were all talking about their favorite books, and it was just the best.

Trying:

…not to panic about the end of summer break. Ugh! I still have a couple weeks, but this Friday I have a professional development day all day, and it will be fine, but it just means I need to start really thinking about school.

I’m also trying to get through the annual safety training videos. This task requires more and more each year. I usually complete them while I’m eating breakfast or lunch and chip away at the modules other times. They add more and more every year..this year, there’s SIXTEEN total HOURS of modules…and this year one additional one is playground safety. Not that it was difficult, but WHY does a high school teacher need to complete a module on play ground safety?!

I hope you have a great Monday! Feel free to share with me what you’re reading, eating, enjoying, prioritizing, ordering, recommending, and trying…

Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites {#307}

Posted on July 17, 2026July 17, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday!

How was your week? We’re clinging to summer break around here!

As always, I’m linking up with Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites.

Here are a few favorites from the week:

It’s not until early to mid-July before our limelight hydrangeas start blooming…but when they do, I snip a few each week for a fresh bouquet for the coffee table.

I finally made it to two of Hayden’s basketball games. It was fun to watch him coach a couple of games; he does a good job with his team. He did tell me he wishes they listened to him better. See, he’s learning a lot from this experience. haha!

I went to Trader Joe’s for a few things, and here are a couple of new favorites I picked up…

I’ve never seen the “Beach Day” scented candle before, and it’s lovely. These lobster candies caught my eye, and I picked up a couple of bags. They are a fun treat.

If I’m listening to something, it’s usually a book, but I got on a podcast kick on the plane ride home from Florida a couple of weeks ago. Open Book with Jenna is a new fave. She interviews so many amazing authors. I enjoyed this podcast with Shelby Van Pelt as she talked about the writing process for Remarkably Bright Creatures as well as the Netflix adaptation.

Speaking of “adaptations,” I’m loving The Five Star Weekend as much as I loved the book. I’ve watched a couple episodes a day this week, and I don’t want it to end.

This was my “view” one morning this week, and it was a favorite because I realized it was a little “snap shot” of what I love about summer mornings. I put flowers in a vase and I was making muffins. I’ve always kept my baking cups in a mason jar.

I’m not trying to get a big head about it, but I’m an Antique Candle Co fall candle tester! Well, I had to pay for these samples…but I’m still excited to scan the QR code and share my thoughts on the four scents they sent.

I’ve shared that this summer I’ve tried to make a commitment to start my days reading for a few minutes before getting out of bed. I want to do this before scrolling my phone, and I’m loving this morning habit. Homer stays in bed as long as I do most mornings (He’s hard to see in the pic, but he’s there!)

I bumped into a friend at Target the other day, and she said she had peaches in her car for me. She’d just purchased them from the peach truck, and this is the haul she gave us:

How thoughtful!

While at Target, I was tempted by another icon glass…the watermelon. How could I say no?

On my “to do” list for this summer is to take photos of the kids’ elementary artwork and create a keepsake book, so I can toss most of the artwork. I have a storage bin for each kid for kindergarten-2nd grade and then another for each one for 3rd-5th grade. Of course, this is taking longer than I thought, but I almost have Hadley’s K-2nd book finished.

Looking through the artwork was a trip down memory lane…

And I found this photo of Hayden. I think this photo was from 3rd grade, and I can’t remember all the details, but there were animals coming to school for a presentation, and I refused to send Hayden to school with $20 to pet a turtle. There was a presentation, but then they could take photos with certain animals…or something like that.

Anyway, this photo was in his backpack when he got home from school…he’d taken his own money. LOL!

Hadley had a hair appointment yesterday, and her hair turned out so pretty! She was way overdue for a trim…I think the last time she got one was December, and she wanted a few highlights in her hair. I’ve held off, but figured going into junior year, she could add a bit of dimension to her hair. I had a hair appointment Wednesday, and she had one with my hair girl yesterday. We’ve been high maintenance this week!

Favorite Mom Meme:

The way this made me LOL…

Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday.

Hayden has this picture framed in his room. Travis helped coach Hayden’s basketball teams during the elementary years, and I remember snapping this photo. The way Hayden is listening to Trav with his little hands together and his little sweet face…a fave memory for sure.

Hayden pointing in his coaching photo reminded me of this one…

Weekly Recap:

I had a few posts this week in case you missed one:

Share Our Lives

Wednesday HodgePodge

TBT: July 2010

I hope you have a lovely summer weekend!

Kids, Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday: July 2010

Posted on July 16, 2026July 15, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday!

Well, July is certainly moving right along…and these Throwback Thursday posts always make me realize how quickly time is flying by! ugh.

I’ve been recapping 2010 (January, February, March, April, May , June) and July is up next!

Is there anything cuter than babies looking festive for the 4th of July?!

We went to KC around this time, and the kids were decked out in their red, white and blue.

Here they are at my Gma’s house (their great-grandma) wearing their cute bibs. No drooling on the furniture. haha!

Quality time in the pack-n-play. I really think we only packed one for this trip…

Even when they grew out of the swaddles, they still liked to have their legs wrapped up.

Hayden and Travis reading the newspaper at Major’s house. As you can see, we did bring the bouncer/Exersaucer, and Hadley passed the time that way.

Time with all the KC family…GG, Major, Gma, and my aunt.

I love these black and white photos. Play time on the blanket…and toys at Gma’s house.

On the drive home from KC, we stayed the night at a hotel which was a first. Near the restaurant was a Chili’s or Applebees, and I think this was the kids’ first time sitting in restaurant high chairs!

Looking so big sitting up in the hotel bed. Little did they know that we still had over five hours left in our drive home. The drive from Lexington to KC is around nine hours, and when the kids were little, it would sometimes take 12! So, this pit-stop was a good call on our way home.

Back home hanging out in Hayden’s crib.

Post bath time – looking cozy!

Awe!

At the end of July, Trav and I went to Folly Beach/Charleston, SC to celebrate our five year wedding anniversary. The kids stayed home with family, but of course, we missed them.

I’m sure we did more in July including back yard pool time and walks around the neighborhood, but I clearly took less pictures in July!

This and That

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Posted on July 15, 2026July 14, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Wednesday!

It’s been a while since I’ve done so, but today I’m linking up with Joyce for this week’s edition of Wednesday Hodgepodge.

Here are my answers to her prompts this week:

1. “Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” Sam Keen. Do you feel less guilty relaxing in July than you do in January? Elaborate.

To be honest, I don’t feel guilty relaxing in January or July! haha

That being said, I guess I’d answer that I feel less guilty in July. I have the downtime in the summer, and this has been the first summer I’ve truly had slower mornings not having to drive kids anywhere. I do try and break up my morning by having breakfast and coffee and reading blogs for a bit, and then I do some things around the house or workout.

I tend to watch Jenna and Sheinelle and then carry on with my day.

That being said, I love a snowy day in January, and as I’ve mentioned January is one of my favorite months. It just feels like a deep breath after the hustle and bustle of December.

2. What’s a telltale sign you’re upset?

I usually get quiet if I’m upset. That probably hasn’t always been the case, but more so as I’ve gotten older. Then, I tend to make my feelings known.

3. July 16th is National AI Day. What are your general thoughts and/or experiences with AI? Have you purposefully used it? Does it excite you, scare you, or worry you? What do you see as a benefit? How about something relating to AI you see as a negative?

Oh, AI ….as a teacher, it’s been a very tricky thing to navigate. To be honest, I’m not super “tech savvy,” so I’m still figuring it out. In the Google waffle, students have access to Gemini. To me, if we’re putting Gemini in the Google waffle, that means students are going to use it. That being said, it’s still a gray area in some regards. Obviously, I have conversations with students about doing their own work, and there are some AI checkers/trackers that I’ve used when I’ve suspected students have used AI. I don’t love that it’s another thing that teachers have become responsible for…teaching students how to use it responsibly when I really wish they wouldn’t use it at all. To be clear, I don’t ever tell my students to use it, but I know it has a time and place these days.

I really haven’t used it much, and I’m probably missing out. I know AI can help create lesson plans, and I’ve done a bit of that, but not too much.

One benefit is when Trav used it to get ideas for the landscaping…that sure was handy!

Again, I guess it’s the time we’re living in, but I do worry that kids aren’t going to grow up using their own creativity and thinking skills.

4. You’re invited to a summer pot luck and are asked to bring an appetizer, salad/side, or dessert. Which category do you go for and what are you bringing?

Oh, I’d probably bring my favorite pasta salad.

If I was bringing a dessert, I’d bring this graham cracker pudding dessert. I got the recipe from Trav’s mom years ago, and it’s a fave!

5. It wouldn’t be summer without_______________.

Well, the list could go on and on with this prompt! My first thought was “watermelon.” It’s just nice to have fresh watermelon for a few months a year, and it’s an easy side dish. That being said, my answer also could have been “It wouldn’t be summer without …” sleeping in or pool time.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I like watching sports, and I actually caught quite a few of the Wimbledon tennis matches, and Hayden and I watched the Home Run Derby and the All Star Game the past couple of nights.

I can’t believe the World Cup is almost over. I’m not a huge soccer fan, but will watch the World Cup games. It’s been fun to see the various locations in the US (including KC), Canada and Mexico being highlighted. It seems that it’s been a success. I’ve caught most games, and I’m sure I’ll tune in to the England vs. Argentina game today…and then the final on Sunday.

For not being very athletic, I’ve always enjoyed watching sports!

I hope you have a great day.

Home Decor, Not Just a Mom

Share Our Lives: July 2026

Posted on July 13, 2026July 12, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Monday!

After a dreary weekend, I’m sure hoping we’ll see the sun this week.

It’s already the second Monday of the month, so I’m co-hosting the Share Our Lives link up with some of my favorite bloggers.

So far this year, we’ve discussed…

Ways to stay warm in winter in January
Binge worthy shows in February
Grocery list frequent buys in March
Favorite cleaning products in April
Go to lunches on the go in May
Emojis used most often in June

This month’s topic is…favorite room in your house.

Well, I hope this isn’t cheating, but my first thought was our front porch…Obviously, it’s not a room…but let’s go with that it’s my favorite space…

Besides the living room, I’d say I spend a lot of time on the front porch. It’s covered, so it’s nice to be able to use it even if it’s raining.

I sit on the front porch far more than I do the back patio, and I love drinking my coffee and reading out there.

It’s also a fun space to decorate seasonally with changing out the door hanger, door mat, and garden flag.

I also love the flowers and ferns for spring/summer and then you know I love to add a pumpkin or twelve along with some mums in the fall!

Fall is a favorite time for sure.

Now, of course I have to go off script and share a couple other fave spots…that are actually rooms.

I have a love/hate relationship with our family room because it’s just so narrow. The seating is in a row with a chair/ottoman, couch and another chair/ottoman. I wish it allowed for more conversational sitting…and maybe we’ll figure that out one day. That being said, we’re still in here quite a bit, so I like to make it cozy/comfortable.

Truth be told, it’s Homer’s world and we’re just living in it, so this is what the couch often looks like…

Since he sheds and we don’t want him scratching up the couch too much, we usually have a fitted sheet or blanket on it. We try to make it look nice if we know someone is coming over, otherwise, this is our real life with Homer. haha

I also love a mix of old and new with the trunk and even the table in the front hall.

The trunk is from my dad’s side of the family, and I think it was my great grandmother’s. I bought the mirror from Wayfair a few years ago, and I love it. On the trunk, I have a few odds and ends like a rechargeable lamp, but I also have pictures of my grandparents, and a candlestick made by my great great grandfather on my mom’s side. The stone in the middle is a lithograph stone from my great grandfather’s printing business.

The front hall table is another favorite spot. I’d like to replace it at some point, but it was one of the first pieces Trav and I bought when we got our first home, and it’s been in every home since. Quite a few years ago, I painted it and changed out the hardware, and I still like it. I also like that it’s a spot to decorate with photos, candles, and seasonal decor.

I think both the trunk and the hall entry table provide snap shots of what’s important to me…a mix of old and new, family photos, books, and fresh flowers.

In the living room, the tray is one I’ve had for years, and it includes many of my fave things…flowers, candles, and photos.

It’s been a little over a year, but our hall bath still brings a smile to my face. That update was a long time coming, and I’m so glad we finally did it.

Lastly, as I mentioned in a couple posts last week, we finally found a new rug and new bar stools for the island which have been a long time coming. This little refresh has been just the update we needed. We walk through the kitchen a lot, and it’s funny how the softness of the rug gets me every time. Also, I prefer a stool with a back, so I never sat at the island. Now, I’ve sat there a few times to have my breakfast or work on my computer.

I can’t wait to read about the favorite rooms others share. I’m always interested in homes, home decor, and favorite spaces of others!

Friday Favorites, Holidays, Home Decor, Home Updates

Friday Favorites {#306}

Posted on July 10, 2026July 10, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday!

I know I’m going to sound like a broken record over the next few weeks, but summer needs to slow down! I still have a few weeks before I go back to school, but I do feel like I should probably start checking my school email…haha!

As always, I’m linking up with Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites.

Since last week’s Friday Favorites post was a recap of our few days in Siesta Key, my favorites list is a bit longer with some faves over the past couple of weeks.

While we were on vacation, it was our 21st wedding anniversary. Once we got home, my mom had sent us a gift…she’d been at a market and spotted a water color painting of the church where we got married in KC! So cool.

Out of town cousins were in town, and the kids had lots of time hanging with them. It’s wild that they are old enough to hang out and not need us…they all hop in the car together and are out on their own. We did crash their “pool party” last Friday night!

On the 4th, the kids were in and out of the house, but we did grill out and then I caught some of the fireworks show in NYC. I love the 4th of July, and in some ways, I’m sad that it’s not the same as when the kids were little. I almost didn’t even go watch fireworks at our local traditional spot, but Hadley wanted to go as did Trav.

The fireworks show was spectacular, so I’m glad we went!

We’d borrowed a few sparklers from Trav’s brother, and Hadley had fun with those when we got home.

After celebrating America’s 250th birthday, it was time to celebrate Trav’s birthday…on Tuesday!

As a family, we went out to dinner…to a pizza/pasta place we’d never been to. It was delish.

Once my nephew was finished with baseball, my brother’s family came over for ice cream cake. Happy birthday, T-rav!

That evening, the sky was so pretty….the pic doesn’t even do it justice.

Fave beverages:

I went to Trader Joe’s last weekend, and I saw this sparkling watermelon juice, and it’s delish.

Amy shared about this flavor of Chobani creamer, and I found it at my Kroger a couple of weeks ago. I just cracked it open, and I like it! I still think S’mores is my favorite, but this flavor is #2, and I will definitely buy it again. It’s great for summer.

House Updates:

As I shared in Wednesday’s post, this summer we had a few “to do’s” that we really wanted to get crossed off our list: finish the landscaping out front, paint the primary bathroom, get a new driveway, find new rugs for kitchen and living room, and find new bar stools for the island. Well, we’ve been busy the past couple of weeks, and the only thing not accomplished now is finding a neutral rug for the living room.

While we were out of town, we had someone paint the bathroom, and we also got a new driveway. Adulting is so fun.

On to the actual “fun” stuff. I almost purchased a rug from Wayfair because they were having a sale, but then I remembered I’d saved this rug on the Walmart app after someone shared it. Well, there were a few in stock locally, so Trav and I went to pick it up on Sunday.

We got it laid out on Tuesday, and I love it. It’s an indoor/outdoor rug like what we had before, but the raised pattern is so soft, and the quality is amazing. It’s a 10/10.

A couple of months ago, I spotted some Pioneer Woman dishes at Walmart, but I didn’t get them. Then, a few weeks ago, I was back at Walmart, and the dishes were marked down, so I couldn’t resist! I bought eight dinner and salad plates as well as eight bowls. In our twenty years of marriage, this will be our third set of dishes….so I feel like this is justified, and each piece was $3-$5. (My Walmart didn’t have the set, but it’s only 12 pieces anyway)

Also of note, so far not a single person in my family has mentioned the new dishes 😂

Also, we still use some Pier One plates that we had on our gift registry, and I don’t think I will ever get rid of those.

You know I can’t say no to a hydrangea dish towel, and Drew Barrymore’s “Beautiful” brand never disappoints.

When I say we’ve been looking for new bar stools, I’m not exaggerating that we’ve been looking off and on for a couple of years. The other ones we’ve had for years were stools, and the fabric on top had seen better days. Most of our “issue” was we just never wanted to spend the money on new ones. I could always find a few I liked…and this time I did want to get a stool with a back. Patience paid off…I found these at World Market a couple of months ago, but Trav and I finally went last Friday when he was off work.

I still wasn’t 100% sure, but once we got them home, I knew we made the right choice.

I love them!

Sandals:

Well, you know since I cleaned out my closet and got rid of things, I couldn’t resist adding some sandals back to my closet. My sister-in-law had these, and my Target had one pair left in my size…I saw that as a sign. They are so comfy, and the “jelly” sandal rage is taking me back to being an 80’s baby growing up in the 90’s.

Book Trackers:

Like I do every month, I shared my book trackers on Instagram. They are are saved in a highlight, so just screen shot, use them, tag me and let me know what you’re reading!

Favorite Mom Meme:

Why do I relate to this so much?!

Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday:

I’ve shared this pool photo in a previous Throwback Thursday post…

…and here the kids are in 2012. This just popped up in my Facebook memories. We got a lot of use out of that plastic pool!

Weekly Recap:

Here are my posts this week in case you missed one:

Prime Purchases

Florida Part 2: Orlando

LEt’s Look

Share Our Lives:

Monday is our monthly Share Our Lives link up, and the topic is…favorite room in your house. We’d love to have your link up with us…I love seeing other people’s homes, so I can’t wait to read those posts!

I hope you have a lovely summer weekend!

Let's look

Let’s Look

Posted on July 8, 2026July 9, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Wednesday!

First of all, July needs to slow its roll! How is it already the second Wednesday in July?!

I’m linking up with Shay and Erika for this month’s Let’s Look.

So far this year we’ve looked at…

Things we outsource without regret in January…
Ways we’ve turned into our parents in February (I missed out on the February post, but I’m sure I’ve turned into them in the best possible ways.)
Favorite family vacations in March
Hardest thing we’ve ever done in April (I didn’t have a post, but I’d say the hardest (but most rewarding) thing I’ve ever done is raise these kids of mine!
Making couple friends in May
What I’m making more time for in June (I missed this post, but in June I was probably making more time for getting my life together after the end of the school year…and rest!)

This month we’re looking at….our “summer selves” (how is it different?)

Well, “Summer Jen” isn’t too different than “Year Round Jen,” but being a teacher and having summers off does lend itself to me having some downtime which means life looks a little different.

1. No Alarms

The best thing about summer is not having to set an alarm. It’s not that I sleep in too late, but obviously it’s nice to not have to set an alarm at 5:50 AM. Most mornings, I’m up by 8:00. I’ve started most mornings by reading my Kindle rather than scrolling my phone.

During the school year, even on weekends, when I wake up, I get out of bed. This summer, I’ve made a point to lie in bed for a bit and read to start my day which has been so nice. There have even been a few mornings I’ve even fallen back to sleep.

While I don’t set 5:50 alarms right now, most mornings I have some kind of alarm set at 9:30 or 10 to wake the kids as one of them tends to have a scheduled workout most days a week.

2. Slow Mornings, Later Nights

As I’ve mentioned in the past, during the school year, I always get up before everyone else to have my quiet time before the day begins. One thing I love about summer is having slow mornings. I do try and have a plan for my day, but most mornings, I don’t have much planned until 10:00 or so. It’s nice to have time to sip my coffee, have a good breakfast, read, watch the Today Show and start chores around the house like the laundry.

In the summer, I don’t stay up too late. During the school year, I try to go to bed by 10 and asleep by 10:30. In the summer, I tend to stay up until 11…although it depends on the day! Travis and I usually watch a show or two at night, and then he reminds me he has to go to bed because he has to work the next day. Imagine having to worry about work the next day. haha!

Right now, we’ve been watching Lincoln Lawyer and Night Agent. It’s nice that we have a couple of shows that we watch together.

I also love a summer afternoon nap when I can. Is there anything better?!

3. To Do Lists

Well, you know I have a “to do” list year round, but I do tend to have a list of things to accomplish in the summer when I know I have more time to do so.

For example, this summer, I wanted to create my Amazon Storefront, and I did get that accomplished.

I also always take the time to clean out my closet and dresser as well as the hall and bathroom closets in the summer. I did that all last week, and it’s amazing how opening the door to a tidy closet has improved my mood. haha!

I also take the time to schedule appointments, clean up my Google drive, and even prep a bit for the upcoming school year.

Usually in the summer, we take the time to make a list of a few things we want to purchase or update in the house and try and prioritize those. This summer, we wanted to finally get new stools/chairs for our island, a new rug for under the kitchen table, paint my bathroom, and a few other odds and ends. In the past couple of weeks, we made progress on all of those things!

I almost bought a new rug over the weekend on Wayfair because they were having a 4th of July sale, but then I remembered that I’d saved this Walmart rug when someone shared it, and they had one in stock at one of our local Walmarts. Trav and I went and picked it up on Sunday, and we just put it down last night.

The rug we had under the table previously was one that Kristy Wicks shared, and it was from Home Depot. It was an indoor/outdoor rug, and I loved it. We had it for probably seven years, and just in the past few months it acquired a few stains (thanks to Homer) that we couldn’t get out). This “My Texas House” rug is a 10/10. It’s also indoor/outdoor, but the pattern is raised up and so soft.

The only thing missing is I’m still looking for a new rug for the living room. Honestly, this could also probably work in my living room. I’m so pleased with this purchase.

4. Pool Time

Of course with summer time comes pool time…and I always joke that I’m happier when I’m tan! I’ve had quite a few pool days this summer thanks to our pool and my sister-in-law’s mom’s pool.

When the kids were little, we used to spend hours at the pool.

One thing I do love now is I can kind of just come and go as I please. Sometimes I go to the pool for an hour and other days for longer. Of course, some days I stay home and am productive. haha

5. More TV Time

While I do have more time to read in the summer, I tend to also watch a lot (not too much!) of TV. It’s just a good time to get caught up on shows and watch some movies. This summer, I’ve gotten caught up on The Rookie, Abbott Elementary and a few other shows. I’ve also watched both seasons of Four Seasons, finished Love Story, watched two seasons of Lincoln Lawyer (with Trav), and I’m almost finished with season three of The Diplomat.

Soon, I want to watch The People You Meet on Vacation since I’ve finished the book. I also want to watch The Woman in Cabin 10 since I read that book years ago. I’m excited for The Five Star Weekend that will be out soon on Peacock…I loved that book.

6. Meal plan/grocery

Of course, my people still need to eat! But…I am more relaxed with meal planning and grocery shopping in the summer. I’m realizing that every week is different in regards to dinner because I never really know what the kids have going on. So, I just plan a couple meals knowing I can always go back to store if needed. During the school year, I feel like I have to maximize every minute of the weekend and have a solid plan. In the summer, I have more time to figure things out.

Also, Trav grills out a lot in the summer, so that means I don’t have to cook as much. I also love that seasonal fruit really counts as a side dish in the summer. There’s nothing better than some good watermelon on my plate!

I eat most lunches at home, and I usually eat leftovers or a “snack plate.”

The kids, on the other hand…are you even 16 if you don’t eat Chipolte or Chick-fil-A five times a week?! If that’s how they want to spend their money, that’s on them! I’m content with my snack plate!

7. Air dry & Minimal Makeup

In the summer, I rarely wear makeup unless we’re going out somewhere. I also rarely blow dry my hair. Not that I wear that much makeup during the school year, but in the summer, I usually wear mascara and maybe lip glass if I can find it. Usually, my hair is pulled back in a low bun or up in a claw clip and I like to wear hats in the summer, so that always gets me an extra day or two between hair washings.

This summer…

To be honest, this summer has been a bit different. I have found that I’ve had a bit more time on my hands, and I realized that it’s because I’m not driving the kids everywhere. They do that themselves. That being said, they still share a car, so sometimes, if they both have somewhere to be, sometimes I’m left without a car. I take that opportunity to do a work out, read, to be productive at home. The kids are still busy, and I still have things they need me for, but it’s just been different…and I’m not sure how I feel about it.

I hope you have a great day!

Travel

Florida Recap Part 2: Orlando

Posted on July 7, 2026July 7, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Tuesday!

Last week, I shared part one of our time in Florida where we spent a few days at the beach in Siesta Key. Today, I’m sharing part 2…the Orlando edition.

This season, Hadley played on a national team for one of the local volleyball clubs, so we knew all along that her team would go to Orlando for the national AAU tournament. I will say that I wasn’t sure what to expect, and I did have my reservations about the Orlando part of our trip. I just knew the competition would be tough, and the girls were playing up a level so they didn’t have to play over the 4th of July time frame. The first three days were pool play, and the final day was bracket play.

Anyway, I will say, this portion of the trip did exceed my expectations, and they made the most of the opportunity, and we made the most of it as a family.

Wednesday:

We were up very early on the Wednesday we needed to go to Orlando. The teams play in the AM wave or the PM wave, and Hadley’s team was in the AM wave. So, that meant we were up early and on the road by 6:00 to make the two hour drive to Orlando.

Her first game was at 9:00, so she was supposed to be there at 8:15, and we arrived at the Orlando Convention Center right at 8:00.

They had three games that day, and all the games were close, and they were off to a solid start.

Since Hadley’s team had to ref the 1:00 game, I stayed with her, and Trav and Hayden checked into the hotel villa.

We stayed at the Marriott Vacation Club Harbour Lake because one of Hadley’s friends/teammates stayed there a few years ago when she went to the AAU tournament, and they were staying there again. It was nice to have another teammate on the property because I’m friends with her mom, we could carpool, and the girls could hang out together when we weren’t at the convention center.

Trav and Hayden had left to get some food, so Hadley and I got the lay of the land. The villas were so colorful and pretty.

Hadley had placed an order for food, so we walked to one of the pools to pick it up.

The lobby was so pretty too!

We took the food back to the room, unpacked, and lounged around for a bit before heading to the team dinner. One of the parents made a reservation for the team, the coach, and the parents for dinner at Saltgrass Steak House, and the food was delish.

Hayden opted to stay back at the villa and watch soccer, and we brought food back to him.

The girls are all about a photo opp, so we snapped a team pic after dinner.

Then, the girls “twisted” our arm, and we went out for ice cream. This day was actually mine and Trav’s 21st wedding anniversary…and this was our anniversary ice cream, I guess!

Thursday:

We had another early morning on Thursday as the girls had to ref the 8:00 game, and then played three games afterwards.

The AAU tournament had different themed days, and the second day was “pink day.” The girls always seemed to play better in their pink shirts this season. They played so well, and won a couple of games!

All the glitter for pink day!

Midway through the season, one of the hitters on the team had to leave the team, so Hadley was asked to play front row/right side as well as DS in the back. So, for the last five or six tournaments, Hadley played the entire game. She hadn’t played right side since middle school, but she was up for the challenge. My 5’3″ girl got quite a few kills/blocks/tips this season.

One of the moms ordered some fun accessories for the various days. Pink day was the easiest to be decked out on, so we took a family team pic in between games.

Trav and Hayden missed out on the pink day fun. Once Hayden realized the KC Royals were playing Tampa Bay, he asked if they could go to the game. It was an early afternoon game, and the stadium is indoors, so Trav obliged with Hayden’s request. It was about an hour and a half drive there, so it was doable.

Hayden sent me this pic, and I thought he caught a foul ball. Travis and Hayden were sitting just a few rows behind the Royals’ dugout, and Jac Caglianone threw a ball out to the fans, and Hayden got one.

Speaking of Jac…

The Royals did lose, but Trav and Hayden still had a great time.

After the game, Hayden was able to get Isaac Collins and Tyler Tolbert’s autographs, so that also made the trip worth it…at least that’s what Trav had to tell himself on the three hour drive home. Traffic was bad in Tampa at that time, and Orlando traffic always seemed to be horrible!

After games, Hadley and a few teammates hung out and we waited for Trav and Hayden to get back. The girls had a team dinner with their coach, and we just got carry out and watched soccer. The US played really late, so it was nice to stay up and watch them knowing the girls didn’t have to get up early on Friday.

Friday:

Since Hadley’s team didn’t play until the afternoon, we had some time on our hands in the morning. We had a slow morning, and Trav went out and got donuts.

Eventually, Trav, Hadley and I made our way to the bigger family pool for an hour or so.

Then, we moved to the other pool with the slide, and Hayden met us there.

We ordered lunch to eat in the room before going to Hadley’s games.

The team played well again on Friday and got a couple wins.

We didn’t get back to hotel until 8:30, and Hadley and a few teammates requested Raising Canes to eat while watching Love Island. They did that in our friend’s villa while we ate pizza with our friend in our villa.

Saturday:

Saturday was another early morning for bracket play. Trav volunteered to drop the girls off since they had to be there early, and I took a few minutes to enjoy my coffee. I will say that by this time of vacation, I was really missing my at home iced coffees!

The last day was Hawaiian themed, so I was ready to roll…

The first game was a good one that went to three sets.

But, unfortunately they lost 13-15 in the last set! It was truly back and forth the whole time. That meant the season officially came to an end….

The girls were still all smiles, but there were a few tears. This team was scrappy all season, improved so much, and really did have many great finishes in all the tournaments they played in.

I also have to say that Hadley really had a great coach. If you have had kids on any sort of team, you know a coach can make or break a team and a season. I truly appreciate all Hadley’s coach did for the team. She was tough when needed, was always actively coaching, and she really related well to them.

Even I was surprisingly sad for the season to end.

Since we were back to the villa by lunchtime, we had leftovers and then made our way to the pool. All of us had fun on the slides. We just hung out in the pool, I read my book poolside, and Trav watched some horse races on his phone.

Around 4:00, there was lightning nearby, so we had to clear out. While that was a bummer, it was good timing because we needed to start packing, but the kids actually played ping pong for a bit…

…Hadley sent me this pic telling me they were having fun at putt putt, but Hayden was winning. haha!

That evening, we hung out in the villa and packed up.

Trav and I ran out to grab some carry-out from a restaurant in a fun part of town.

We ate dinner at the villa, watched some soccer, and then went to bed by 10:00.

Sunday:

Sunday morning came early when our alarms went off at 3:45 because we needed to leave by 4:30. Surprisingly, everyone got up and moving pretty decently. We had about a 45 minute drive to the airport, and we were on the first flight out at 6:30. The good news is that meant we were at our house close to 9:00!

Home sweet Homer! That Sunday was actually overcast and rainy which was perfect for staying home, unpacking, doing laundry, and napping off and on. I’ve never been more thankful for Kroger delivery!

Anyway, it was a good trip that exceeded my expectations. It had actually been a bit since the four of us had been on a vacation just as a family of four, so it was nice to have time together. Also, a perk of having older kids is just letting them kind of do what they want to do while you do what you want to do. They’ll find you eventually when they need money! ha!

Thanks for following along on our trip!

Amazon

Prime Purchases

Posted on July 6, 2026July 6, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Monday!

How was your weekend and 4th of July? Overall, ours was good. We had some out of town cousins in town, so my kids were busy with them, we celebrated the 4th of July by watching fireworks, and spent a lot of yesterday getting things done around the house.

It’s already the first Monday of the month, so I’m sharing my recent Amazon purchases.

First of all, I have “exciting” news…I now have an Amazon Storefront! (I hope the link works to take you there!)

The point of the storefront is to just house lists of favorite things all in one place. So, I can add and delete as time goes on. I have so many things that I’ve purchased through the years from Amazon that I love, and this will be an easy way to have links in one place. There are a few things on my lists that are currently out of stock like my favorite cardigan, but I hope that it will come back in stock in the fall. If not, I’ll delete it.

I doubt I will link everything I buy, but at least many faves and frequent purchases will be housed there. For example, I have “self-care, skin care, make-up and fitness” all in one list, but then I have a list solely for “athleisure.”

Anyway, I always appreciate you supporting my blog, and I try and link as much as possible from anywhere you can shop like Walmart, Target, etc. That being said, the Amazon Associates link I have does provide a bit of income (via monthly gift cards), and I truly appreciate when you use my links when you feel so inclined to do so.

I’ve also linked my Amazon Storefront on the blog’s homepage. (I don’t think it looks like a hyperlink, but when you click on it, it should take you there!)

Anyway, moving on to this month’s purchases…

Re -purchases:

When we were out of town, I saw Hadley’s quilted make-up bag that I got her a couple of years ago. It was so dirty, and since it’s less than $8, I purchased a new one for her.

During Prime Days, we ordered a few things again including the Medicube pads that Hadley uses.

Y’all, I love these Hanes leggings! I have them in blue and black, and then I ordered them in this navy color too. During Prime Days, they were less than $10. The price does seem to fluctuate from time to time, but even for $20, these are great. They are so soft, and I love the 7/8 length.

This is the third time I’ve ordered this 3D lifting cream. I use it a few times a week as a part of my evening skincare routine. It was only $20 during Prime Days, but I’ve paid full price for it in the past, and to me, it’s worth it.

We all love a sound machine, but Hadley and I consider it a “must” to travel with one. I purchased this travel sound machine a couple of months ago, and I got one for Hadley since I knew we’d be in separate rooms on this trip.

I purchased this Kindle cover a couple of years ago when I upgraded my Kindle. It comes in many colors, but I ordered the “sage green” color again. I take my Kindle everywhere, and it’s seen better days! That being said, I’ve picked up stickers during travel and stops at bookstores the past couple of years and those adorn my old Kindle cover. I guess it’s time to start over!

For years, Trav and I have used “jersey” sheets on our bed, and I still love them. That being said, when I saw these ruffle gingham sheets, I suggested them as a gift idea from my Gma at Christmas. She bought them, and they are now my fave…so much so that I ordered a second set for us to have.

More Prime Day finds…

I typically get this shampoo and conditioner at Ulta for $35(ish) each, but Prime Day had them for $26 each, so I snagged them! I actually didn’t know I could get them on Amazon…but of course I should have known better. I was pleased to see the deal.

Trav ordered a new waterproof cover for our patio furniture.

I shared this set back in the spring, and I loved it so much I wanted to find a similar one for the summer. I have lived in this set since I purchased it. I wore it on the plane home from Florida, while in Florida, to run errands and then to watch fireworks on Saturday night. It’s truly a new fave.

Before we left for vacation, I did buy a Kindle page turner. I’d seen these and was interested. I feel kind of lazy using it, but it comes in handy when holding my Kindle from time to time.

Last but not least, is it even summer if you haven’t purchased a colorful necklace? Do you follow Brittany Young on Instagram? Her colorful necklace game is strong! She shares so many pretty necklaces from various places…including Amazon. I was “influenced,” and purchased this one. It’s a fun pop of color for the summer months. (Sometimes Amazon doesn’t let us link if something is frequently returned? So, the one I bought can’t be linked directly…I’m not sure why it would be returned but not the other colorful one I linked by the same brand? Anyway, I’ve worn mine non-stop for a few weeks with no issues)

I hope you have a fantastic Monday!

{This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for supporting my blog.}

Friday Favorites, Travel

Friday Faves {#305}: Florida Part 1

Posted on July 3, 2026July 2, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday!

How was your week? We spent most of our week getting back on track after being out of town last week. I did lots of laundry, meal planning, grocery shopping, and other odds and ends. The kids had their yearly check up yesterday, and I am almost finished with my closet/dresser clean out. It’s nice to get a couple of things checked off our list.

Anyway, as always, I’m linking up with Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites.

Last week, we spent a couple days at the beach before heading to Orlando for Hadley’s volleyball tournament. Since Siesta Key is one of our favorite places, I’m recapping those days today.

Father’s Day Sunday:

We were up very early (which was honestly, unfortunately, a theme of most days on this trip) on Father’s Day to catch our 9:30 flight from Lexington to Orlando. The flight ended up being delayed a bit, but it was a direct flight, and we landed around 11:30. We had to rent a car and then drive the couple of hours to Siesta Key. Traffic was pretty bad for most of the way, but we arrived at the house we rented by late afternoon.

We typically stay at Trav’s aunt’s house, but her grand-daugther was there with friends during the time we were there.

No problem though because Travis does a good job finding places for us to stay. This house’s name was “White Wake.” It had three bedrooms, and was spacious and really nice!

This was the view in the backyard. The house had a pool and was on the canal which was lovely.

We settled in, unpacked, and even “rested our eyes” for a few minutes before heading to one of our favorite places…The Daiquiri Deck!

We got a drink and a few apps before going to the Siesta Key Market to pick up some grocery essentials.

We went back to the house and hung out for a bit. We decided since we were tired, we’d just eat at the house, so Trav went to Publix to grab some groceries.

I caught the sunset from the backyard, and we had tacos for dinner at home.

It had been a long travel day, so we had a low-key night at the house. College baseball was on as well as soccer, so we all hung out in the living room until going to bed.

Monday:

Three of us slept in on Monday (Trav is always an early riser), but when I got up, I enjoyed my coffee poolside.

Once Travis got back from his walk, he had a morning swim.

Then, we got packed up for the beach. Hayden wanted to go back to the Daiquiri Deck and also look for sandals, so Hadley and I headed to the beach. Trav joined us later.

Of course, it was HOT, but we appreciated the breeze and got in the water when needed.

I love reading with the sound of the ocean nearby.

Mid-afternoon, we headed back to the house, had a late lunch and swam in the pool for a bit. Then, it was time to get ready for dinner.

We went to Owen’s Fish House which is a restaurant in Sarasota that we’ve gone to through the years.

Meet Owen…

Both kids were “adventurous” with their meal selections. Hayden does like seafood, and he wanted to tackle the seafood boil on the menu. It is for two, so I split it with him. He almost mastered cracking the crab legs….almost.

Hadley only likes salmon and cocktail shrimp. She has had lobster bisque before, and liked it, so she said she wanted to try the lobster. She loved it. So, overall, it was a good meal!

We got back to the house, and I took a pic of Trav and the kids as a belated Father’s Day photo.

Hadley will always take a pic! ha!

Trav and I headed to the beach to catch the last few minutes of the sunset. This is always a favorite walk.

We got there just in time.

So so pretty!

We stayed for a few minutes, and as we walked back to the car, the sky was showing off!

Then, kids wanted ice cream, so we picked them up for that. Once back at the house, we settled in for the night.

Tuesday:

We had a very low-key Tuesday. The long travel day Sunday and the sun on Monday had us all seeking the shade. Well, not Hadley…she doesn’t shy away from the UV. haha

Anyway, we had a slow morning, and I spent time by the pool off and on throughout the day. I’d finished a book on Monday, so I was excited to start this one while on vacation…

Later, Trav and the kids went out to lunch, but I stayed home and had leftovers.

Hayden and I watched some soccer…

Then, Trav and Hayden went to get oysters at Siesta Key Oyster Bar…another tradition of theirs.

Before we had taco dinner at the house, I snapped a pic of the kids…

Then, Trav and I headed to Turtle Beach for the sunset. It was about a twenty minute drive, but it’s my favorite beach. It’s a short walk to the sand, and it’s not very crowded.

My favorite view:

We brought chairs and were there for about an hour. It was so lovely.

I collected a few seashells like I always do when we go to the beach. I didn’t snap a pic of them until we get home, but then I added them to this vase I have in our sun room.

Look at all the seashells I’ve collected through the years:

Once back at the house, we spent some time out back…

….while waiting on the laundry to be finished. Then, it was a somewhat early bedtime because we had to leave by 6:00 on Wednesday morning to head to Orlando.

It was a quick couple of days, but I’m glad we made it happen. We’d hoped to go a day earlier, but we had to go to Trav’s cousin’s wedding on that Saturday before Father’s Day. So, we made the most of the time we had at the beach.

Trav and Hayden hadn’t been to Siesta Key since 2020, and Hadley and I went a couple of years ago for a few days. Since our fall break beach tradition, we’ve mostly moved away from beach vacations in the summer since it’s so hot, and we’ve been spoiled by the temps in the fall. That being said, it was nice to have a couple of days in Siesta Key.

Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday:

Here’s a look back at the first time the kids went to Siesta Key. We drove that very long drive and arrived late at night. They were up early the next morning, and they couldn’t wait to check out the beach. That’s the pic on the left! Hayden was still in his PJs!