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Posted in Health and Fitness

Workout Diaries: April 2023

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello!

Well, once April hits, I start getting serious about getting my workouts in.

Honestly, I workout pretty consistently year round. That being said, like most of us, December can be a struggle with the extra busyness of the holidays and then we recommit in January.

In January, I did regroup (at least better than December!) with what I was eating and started to get back in a true workout groove.

Then, usually around spring break when the weather starts to warm up…and I realize I will have to wear shorts soon, I really get a plan for working out and eating better.

So, starting April 1st, I started keeping track of my workouts. While I’d love to commit to five workouts a week, I knew four a week should be doable. I decided to “split the difference” and try to get in 18 true workouts.

While walking counts as a workout, I was really aiming to get in my Bodi (Beachbody’s new name) as well as a few elliptical workouts at the gym.

Here’s my month of movement:

April 1:

I was in the midst of Fire and Flow which is a Bodi program. I did a Restorative Flow workout before we hit the road to Greenville, SC. (Restorative Flow is a yoga type workout)

April 2– This is the day we biked 15 miles and I walked 11k steps. That was definitely a workout!

April 3– It was a rainy day, and I was sore from the bike ride! I could have lounged around the hotel while the kids and Travis went to do a track workout, but I did go for a 60 min walk around town. I ended up with 8,000 steps that day. I’m sure it would have been half that if I didn’t go on the walk.

April 4– We went on a 2 mile trail hike before heading home. Once we got home, I went on a 30 min walk to stretch my back and get a few more steps in.

*same outfit –one on the trail and one in my neighborhood!

April 5 – I did a Mobility Flow workout the day after we got home. I was tired from the trip and wanted to do low impact. This type of workout is yoga/Pilates… but with weights. It’s slow paced but makes you sweat!

April 6 – After a few previous days of lower intensity, I was ready to sweat. I did a Lower Body Fire workout which is weighted circuits and fire finishers (HIIT).

April 7 – I took advantage of a Friday with no school (still on spring break), and went to the gym for an elliptical workout.

April 8 – On this Saturday, I hit the gym again for an elliptical workout before picking up my grocery order. I do like the elliptical because it’s a good workout, it goes by quickly, and I can listen to a podcast and watch tv.

April 9– This was Easter Sunday. After church, we went to Elizabethtown to see Trav’s family. I easily could have skipped when I got home, but I knew life would get busier since we were headed back to school. Also, I wanted to walk off the big lunch and get some steps in, so I walked for 30 minutes.

April 10– We were back to school and the kids had their first track meet that evening. I squeezed in a quick Job One back/glutes/core workout. I finished this program a few months ago, but it’s a great one to go back to because the workouts are only 20 minutes.

**Also, I love when workouts have the countdown clock!

April 11 – Tuesdays are our least busy evenings. I tend to use those days for cardio which also then becomes a hair washing day. haha. I did Cardio Fire which is all cardio…no weights.

The workouts had sets of ladder workouts (20,40,60 seconds) with one minute HIIT “fire finishers” in between and core at the end. The Fire workouts always leave me tired!

April 12– no workout (track meet day)

April 13– I did the elliptical at the gym. Since Hayden had injured himself, he could only do the stationary bike at the gym. With that workout, I ended up getting 10k steps that day.

April 14– no workout. *I will say this is why Friday morning workouts used to be the best idea…because then I could guarantee getting a workout in to wrap up the week.

April 15– I did a 21 Day Fix Lower Body workout. I LOVE 21DF…it’s one of the original Beachbody programs, and I always turn to it if I need a random workout if in between programs or wanting to mix things up. All the workouts are 30 minutes which is a selling point for me as well.

April 16 Sunday is usually a rest day but I decided to walk after being pretty lazy most of the day. My friend wanted to borrow the book I had finished reading, so I walked it to her house and still walked for about 30 minutes.

April 17– I did a quick 20 min Job One workout before a track meet.

April 18– no workout – I was actually “disappointed” in myself this day. I had planned to workout, but it was a doozy of a day…I was up extra early, crazy busy at school, and then had all kinds of evening activities. I was just tired, and wanted to put my pjs on as soon as I could.

April 19– Fire and Flow: Functional Flow (yoga)

April 20– Muscle Burns Fat: Power Ignite– I did both the MBF and MBF Advanced programs last year and really enjoyed them.

I like the Power Ignite workout because she does EMOM – “every minute on the minute” style workouts. There are two five minute blocks and a 10 minute block, so it’s a quick by challenging workout.

April 21 – (Friday) —no workout. I headed straight to the kids’ track meet after school. It lasted until 10pm, but I did get 8k steps that day.

April 22 –I love Autumn as an instructor (from 21DF and other programs), so I did one of her Bod Exclusive workouts —Dirty 30 Sculpt. The 21 Day Fix program has a Dirty 30 workout that’s one of my faves. I enjoyed this one too.

April 23 – Restorative Flow which was much needed because I sore after Saturday’s workout. Finishing this workout meant that I finished the Fire and Flow program.

April 24- No workout (not even a quick one) before the track meet.

April 25 – I clicked around the Bodi programs, and decided to try Get Strong. I’d never seen it before, so I’m assuming it’s a newer program. It only has about two weeks of workouts.

The Strong 1 workout included 3 supersets and one tri-set. I don’t think I’ve ever done a tri-set before!

April 26 – I was so tired and really didn’t want to workout. I rallied and did another Get Strong: Sculpt workout.

April 27– I didn’t do a workout because I had a hair appointment after school. Priorities, obviously 😆

April 28- Another Friday with no workout, and I headed straight to the kids’ track meet after school.

April 29-This was a Saturday that I just didn’t get a workout in. We were up and at my nephew’s baseball game by 10:00, and then had other errands and spent time with family most of the day. It’s not that I was disappointed in myself for missing a workout, but this just reaffirms why I need to get those in early on a Saturday or the day just escapes me.

April 30- I wrapped up the month with another Get Strong workout. This was a Cardio Sweat workout and just what I needed to make up for missing on Saturday.

Fun fact: I hate cardio, I don’t mind walking or the elliptical. That being said, if it’s part of a program I will do it. That’s why I think I don’t struggle to workout at home. I might rearrange days but I will still get cardio in, so I can continue with a program.

So, I had a goal of 18 workouts. My workout total for the month:

  • Workouts: 19
  • Walks: 3
  • No workout: 8

Overall, I think April was a pretty good month of intentionally working out and making it a priority.

Even just knowing I was going to write this post motivated me to workout out a few of those days. It might sound silly, but I knew I was logging those workouts in this post, and wanted to meet my goal. I guess y’all are my accountability partners…and you didn’t even know it!

After completing the Fire and Flow program, I liked being able to turn to the Bodi workout library and pick and choose from other programs that I was familiar with but also a new one to try.

I know many aren’t motivated to workout at home…I’m actually more motivated to just go down to the basement and get the workouts in. Bodi is seriously the best investment for me. There are so many options of workouts, and I look back on some of the days I would have done nothing because I didn’t have a lot of time, but instead I “pushed” play on a 20 minute workout.

Before 2020, I was in a decent habit of getting up early two days a week to workout. On Wednesdays, I’d usually go to the gym, and on Fridays, I’d usually workout at home. That just kind of went to the wayside. Now, that life feels extra busy, I guess I just prefer the extra few minutes of sleep and the guaranteed quiet time I get in the morning with my cup of coffee.

This month, I did try to make better food choices. Again, I wasn’t perfect, but I was intentional with tracking my foods, working out, and limiting sweets as much as possible. I did end up losing 5 pounds which I’m happy about. I will be happy if I can get back down to where I was –5 more to go!

My weakness continues to be drinking water. I do drink water daily and during/after a workout. I’ve found that I tend to drink more water on the weekend, but need to drink more during the week.

Anyway, whether I post about it or not, I think I will track my May workouts as well. It’s almost pool season! 😆

What’s your workout routine like?

Posted in Amazon

Prime Purchases

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Happy Monday and happy May 1st! I can’t believe it’s already May.

How was your weekend? We had a good one with not too much going on after Friday night’s track meet.

Did you catch my bonus Saturday post?

Today, I’m linking up with Tanya for this month’s Prime Purchases.

This was a pretty light Amazon month. I think Travis even noticed that there were less packages on the front porch. 😆

This month I bought…

Jen Reed shared this, I think. I believe some of her followers told her about it, so she shared it. Anyway, I figured I’d add it into my moisturizing routine. I have noticed that crease on my chest (I’m a side sleeper), and if it can firm up my neck a bit, I wouldn’t be mad about it. I’ve been using it for a few weeks. The price point is good, and no matter what, I figure I will take as many moisturizers and vitamins on my skin as I can take.

Yes, I’m over 40. Why do you ask? 😆

Speaking of skin–I had my dermatology skin check on Friday. The past couple of times I’ve gone, she’s said my skin looks good, and I can come back every two years unless something of concern pops up. Just a friendly reminder to get your skin checked by a professional!

I swear…we are always looking for phone chargers in this house. Also, when all four of us are in the car, we all seem to need the one charger that I leave in there. I bought this three pack of the 10 foot “lightning” chargers…10 feet is pretty long, but I leave one in the car for whoever is in the backseat or third row. Also, sometimes I want a longer cable if charging my phone certain places in the house.

The one beauty product I seem to just buy whatever I can find is my daytime serum. I always just look for something with Vitamin C and go from there. I’ve been using this now this month, and I really like it.

Hayden got a new phone, so he needed another screen protector. I’ve always just purchased those from Amazon.

I’ve shared this toothbrush a few times. Both kids and I have it.

Once Hayden got his braces off, I bought him a new one. I’ve had mine for a couple of years, and Hadley has had hers for almost as long. Hayden —well, he tends to be tougher on things…or loses them. So, we’ll see –hopefully this one will last a while. Believe me, it’s user error as to why he’s on his third (or fourth!) one.

I also needed more toothbrush heads, so I added those to the order too.

Amy shared these sandals, and I just couldn’t say no. I wear a size 9, but sometimes I need a 9.5 (or 10!) in sandals. The 9.5 fit me perfectly.

That’s a wrap on my April purchases. I have my eye on a swim cover up that I will probably get this month because it’s almost pool time! I’m sure I will pick up some other odds and ends as the school year wraps up too.

What have you purchased lately?

Posted in Share 4 Somethings

Share 4 Somethings

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Happy Saturday!

I’m so used to posting during the week that I almost forgot about this link up.

At the end of the month, Jennifer hosts Share 4 Somethings to recap the month.

This month I’m…

Loving (watching)….The Diplomat on Netflix. I stumbled upon it last weekend, and watched three episodes. I love Keri Russell and then her husband on the show is just the best counterpart to her character.

I’m hoping to watch a few more episodes this weekend.

Reading: Earlier this week I shared what I read in April.

I’ve started Finlay Donovan is It, and it’s really good so far.

Eating: less sweets this month. Coming off of spring break and Easter, I wanted to make a conscience effort to cut down on my sweet tooth. I’ve also re-committed to getting workouts in at least four days a week.

I have a note on my phone where I’m tracking my goals.

My goals this month were: no fried foods (this isn’t really an issue for me, but since my kids love Raising Canes and CFA, I figured it was good to make an effort to not even eat that one meal a week), workout at least four days a week (even if it’s a 20 minute workout), cut out sweets. I will say I haven’t been perfect with no sweets, but I’ve definitely done way better than December-March with holidays and then just a bad habit of loving sweets!

Wearing:

Are y’all tired of me talking about Shop Style Your Senses yet? I have this ruffle workout tank in three colors, and I love it so much.

I love the ruffle detail and the high/low style. This top is one of the pieces they designed, and they were so intentional about the style details. You can even style it a variety of ways.

*full disclosure* I don’t love these photos of me, but I love this athleisure top enough to share!

So, that’s a little look back on this month.

I hope your weekend is off to a great start!

Posted in Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites {#155}

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday!

Shew! This week has felt like a long one. It’s just been extra busy, and I’m thinking it’s not going to be much different in May.

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

Here are some favorites from the week:

The kids had a track meet on Monday, and Hayden was back in action after his back injury. Both had a pretty good meet, and Hayden qualified for state in the 1600m. He’s close to running the mile in under 5 minutes which is another goal of his this year.

We tried Crumbl Cookie last weekend, and we are still thinking about those cookies. So good.

I finished another Bodi (Beachbody) program… Fire and Flow. I really enjoyed this program. The “fire” aspect is more weight training and cardio whereas the “flow” part is more yoga and some Pilates. After the first “flow” workout I did, I remember thinking I wasn’t sure if I’d like that part…well, I ended up really loving it. I got used to the slower (yoga style) pace, and it felt good to stretch with “flow” after the “fire” workouts. Also, as the program went on, so did the intensity. Some of the “flow” workouts reminded me a bit of Pure Barre.

Anyway, I’m glad I stayed the course and ended up really loving these workouts…and I wanted another badge in the Bodi app.

How pretty is this rainbow from last Saturday? I had to stop and take a photo!

Trader Joe’s had peony tulips, and I couldn’t resist buying them.

I tried a new dinner recipe idea this week.

I saw this “meatball biscuit cup” meal idea on one of those Facebook videos…

Here’s what you need:

  • Flaky biscuits – so you can pull them apart easily
  • Frozen Italian meatballs
  • Marinara
  • Italian seasoning
  • Shredded parm or mozz (or both)

Here’s what you’ll do:

  • Spray muffin tins with cooking spray
  • Pull apart the biscuits (One biscuit provided the base for two muffin cups) and put them in the muffin tins.
  • Spoon marinara in the biscuit cup
  • Place a frozen meatball in the biscuit cup.
  • I then topped each with a bit more sauce and sprinkled some Italian seasoning on each one.
  • Sprinkle with your cheese choice or combo.
  • Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

This dinner was super quick and delish…I made 18 cups, and we had some leftover for lunch/dinner the next day.

Favorite Kid Quote(s):

It’s been a minute since I’ve shared a kid quote (or two), but Hadley had me laughing this week.

One night at dinner, she said the school day went by slowly because she left her water bottle at home. I just kind of looked at her like, “huh?” Apparently, she has a hydration schedule throughout the day, so without her water bottle, she had trouble keeping track of time.

Also, Hayden’s phone recently quit working which meant he got an unplanned upgrade. Hadley likes to tell us when her phone is “glitchy” now in hopes of a new one. The other night, I mentioned that it didn’t seem so glitchy anymore, and she said it started to work after “I powered off my phone…I mean tablet “😆 She sure isn’t subtle about her desire to have a better phone.

Favorite Mom Meme:

Speaking of Hadley…this is her…

She likes to tell the details of her entire day at 10:00 PM. I’m not a detail person, so along with that and her timing, I’m usually wondering why she didn’t share about her day at 5:30.

Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday

This is our first spring without baseball in many years. The kids were on the same baseball team for a few years. I love this pic from April 2015 when they were Timber Rattlers!

Weekly Recap:

Here are my posts from the week. I had a mix of memes, cookies, books, and musings!

Monday Memes
Crumbl Cookie
April Books
Monthly Musings

Tomorrow, I have a Share 4 Somethings Saturday post for you too!

What are your weekend plans? Fingers crossed, I think the rain should be gone by this evening’s track meet. We have a few other plans this weekend, but that’s it for athletics!

Have a great weekend.

Posted in Monthly Musings

Monthly Musings

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday.

Since this month is wrapping up, it’s time for Patty and Holly’s Monthly Musing link up.

This month’s topic is: All About Spring

We’ve hit a cold snap this week, but thankfully the sun has been shining. I know spring weather is fickle, but I much prefer the warmer days!

1. Favorite spring fashion pieces?

Whenever this topic is asked, I always share a cardigan. Cardigans…it’s “giving” teacher fashion. When the weather starts to turn warmer, I start wearing cardigans over my dresses.

2. Favorite spring scent?

I love candles, and we always have at least one burning in the house. I always choose “lighter/fresher” scents like citrus and floral.

3. Go to spring meals?

Well, we’re so busy in the spring, I feel like I’m using my slower cooker still quite a bit. That being said, it’s always great when we can start grilling out! It’s just nice to have chicken or burgers and hot dogs and then serve quick and easy sides like baked beans, fruit, or pasta salad.

4. Spring dessert recipe

The first thing that popped in my mind is strawberry shortcake. We probably do eat that more in the summer though. I did make Shay’s Fruity Pebbles Nieman Marcus bars recently, and they were delish.

5. Spring traditions

Some favorite spring traditions are dyeing Easter eggs, going to Keeneland, and watching the Oaks and Derby.

6. Spring cleaning hack

Lauren shared about decluttering and getting rid of something (trash or donate) and the number correlates with the day of the month. I started a bit late in April, but I did spend at least a week being intentional with going through junk drawers, random drawers I rarely open, my closet, the kids’ closets, the basement, and more. I still need to go through my dresser drawers and a few things in the garage, but at least I made the effort to “spring clean” a bit.

7. Will you plant a garden this year?

I’m not sure if we will or not. Anything in the yard is Trav’s domain. We’ve only done a garden a few times, but we’ll see.

8. Spring rain…love or hate?

I love a rainy Saturday or Sunday when there are no plans. I joke that it gives me “permission to be lazy.” If it’s raining, I can sleep in and do things around the house. That being said, of course, I hate when we have outdoor plans and it rains. For example, the kids have an outside field trip today that’s TBD due to the rain. I’m worried that tomorrow night’s track meet will be in yet another torrential downpour.

9. Favorite spring flower?

I always love when Trader Joe’s has their peonies in late spring/early summer.

10. Any spring travel plans?

Well, we already did our spring travelling when we went to Greenville, SC earlier this month. We loved it.

We don’t have any other travel plans for this spring. As a matter of fact, we still haven’t planned summer vacation yet!

This link up is always a fun one. I can’t wait to see what other people have to say.

Thanks so much for reading,

Posted in Books and Shows

What I’ve Been Reading: April 2023

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello!

I had a busy month of reading…and actually finished four books! I read quite the mix, and they range from three stars to five! Today I’m sharing about them…

This month I read:

{As always, book summaries are from Goodreads…}

The Husbands:

Summary:

Nora Spangler is a successful attorney but when it comes to domestic life, she packs the lunches, schedules the doctor appointments, knows where the extra paper towel rolls are, and designs and orders the holiday cards. Her husband works hard, too… but why does it seem like she is always working so much harder?

When the Spanglers go house hunting in Dynasty Ranch, an exclusive suburban neighborhood, Nora meets a group of high-powered women–a tech CEO, a neurosurgeon, an award-winning therapist, a bestselling author–with enviably supportive husbands. When she agrees to help with a resident’s wrongful death case, she is pulled into the lives of the women there. She finds the air is different in Dynasty Ranch. The women aren’t hanging on by a thread.

But as the case unravels, Nora uncovers a plot that may explain the secret to having-it-all. One that’s worth killing for. Calling to mind a Stepford Wives gender-swap, The Husbands imagines a world where the burden of the “second shift” is equally shared–and what it may take to get there.

Quick Thoughts:

This wasn’t necessarily “my type” of book to read…which is probably why I thought it was just ok. I guess it’s a “thriller/mystery,” and I thought the plot was interesting, but the “Stepford Wives” angle and some of those details made me lose interest. Also, I felt like some parts were predictable.

Rating:

A Quiet Life:

Summary:

Set in a close-knit suburb in the grip of winter, A Quiet Life follows three people grappling with loss and finding a tender wisdom in their grief.

Chuck Ayers used to look forward to nothing so much as his annual trip to Hilton Head with his wife, Cat—that yearly taste of relaxation they’d become accustomed to after a lifetime of working and raising two children. Now, just months after Cat’s death, Chuck finds that he can’t let go of her belongings—her favorite towel, the sketchbooks in her desk drawer—as he struggles to pack for a trip he can’t imagine taking without her.

Ella Burke delivers morning newspapers and works at a bridal shop to fill her days while she anxiously awaits news—any piece of information—about her missing daughter. Ella adjusts to life in a new apartment and answers every call on her phone, hoping her daughter will reach out.

After the sudden death of her father, Kirsten Bonato set aside her veterinary school aspirations, finding comfort in the steady routine of working at an animal shelter. But as time passes, old dreams and new romantic interests begin to surface—and Kirsten finds herself at another crossroads.

Quick Thoughts:

This was a beautiful and simple read. The powerful stories of Chuck, Ella, and Kirsten had me rooting for each one of them. As their stories intertwined, I really wanted to keep reading. Each character was brave in their own way, and I loved following along on their journeys. I think this could be in my top 5 this year.

Rating:

Night:

Summary:

Born in the town of Sighet, Transylvania, Elie Wiesel was a teenager when he and his family were taken from their home in 1944 to Auschwitz concentration camp, and then to Buchenwald. Night is the terrifying record of Elie Wiesel’s memories of the death of his family, the death of his own innocence, and his despair as a deeply observant Jew confronting the absolute evil of man. This new translation by his wife and most frequent translator, Marion Wiesel, corrects important details and presents the most accurate rendering in English of Elie Wiesel’s testimony to what happened in the camps and of his unforgettable message that this horror must simply never be allowed to happen again.

Quick Thoughts:

I’d read most of this book in March of 2020 while helping some students, but then school transitioned to virtual, and I never finished it.

I was helping a group of students read this book for their English 1 class last week. They came to see me every day, we read a chapter, discussed and completed the questions. This memoir really is a powerful read. The kids had so many questions, and I had to continue to remind them that Wiesel was sharing his experience in the concentration camps.

Obviously, this isn’t a light read, but is it a pretty “classic” high school text, but I’d never taught it (or read it). I feel like students are always invested in this book and have lots of questions. I’m glad that I got to read and discuss it with my two reading groups.

Rating:

The Secret Bridesmaid:

Summary:

Sophie Breeze is a brilliant bridesmaid. So brilliant, in fact, that she’s made it her full-time job.

As a professional bridesmaid, Sophie is hired by London brides to be their right-hand woman, posing as a friend but working behind the scenes to help plan the perfect wedding and ensure their big day goes off without a hitch. When she’s hired by Lady Victoria Swann––a former model and “It Girl” of 1970’s London; now the Marchioness of Meade––for the society wedding of the year, it should be a chance for Sophie to prove just how talented she is.

Of course, it’s not ideal that the bride, Lady Victoria’s daughter, Cordelia, is an absolute diva and determined to make Sophie’s life a nightmare. It’s also a bit inconvenient that Sophie finds herself drawn to Cordelia’s posh older brother, who is absolutely off limits. But when a rival society wedding is announced for the very same day, things start to get…well, complicated.

Can Sophie pull off the biggest challenge of her career––execute a high-profile gala for four hundred and fifty guests in record time, win over a reluctant bride, and catch the eye of handsome Lord Swann––all while keeping her true identity a secret, and her dignity intact?

Quick Thoughts:

This was a “lighter” read for me this month. It was predictable but cute. I liked the secret bridesmaid aspect of the plot…it’s fun twist on the topic of weddings. This book has friendship, romance, and even a bit of drama. The email exchanges from clients for the wedding plans are funny too. It was a quick and easy read.

Rating:

It’s crazy to think that next month, I will share a few books I hope to read this summer! Do you have any suggestions?

What have you read lately?

Posted in Delish Desserts

Crumbl Cookie

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello!

Today’s post is kind of random, but do you have a Crumbl Cookie near you? We’ve had one in Lexington for probably a year or so, and over spring break the kids wanted to try it. Well, we never had time to get there, but this weekend, Hadley mentioned it. We were out running errands, so we stopped in.

I saw this meme over the weekend…and it goes nicely with this post.

While these cookies weren’t “medium rare,” they are baked fresh and decorated as you pick up your order.

There’s a Crumbl Cookie app where you can see what the flavors are for the week. You can also use the app to place a pickup order.

We just ordered right when we went in the store. They have a few kiosks where you choose how many cookies you want (one, four, six, or party box) and which flavors you want. You pay, and then they put your cookies in one of their pretty pink boxes for you to take home.

We were in and out in ten minutes or less. Hadley was so excited:

The flavor options this time were:

  • Milk chocolate chip
  • Cotton candy
  • Peanut butter munch
  • Birthday cake (Oreo)
  • Caramel Shortbread
  • Classic pink sugar

The only one we didn’t order was the caramel shortbread; instead we picked up two peanut butter munch.

On the drive home, Hadley was watching some Crumbl Cookie Instagram reels/stories, and one guy rated the cotton candy one 3/10. Hadley was nervous. 😂

We split them up and each tried a bit of some over the weekend.

As far as favorites, Travis and Hadley loved the peanut butter munch. It was really good…you could taste the mix of peanut butter and chocolate.

Hayden’s favorite was the birthday cake oreo.

The cotton candy one was a sugar cookie, but the icing really did taste like cotton candy. We all thought it was better than a 3/10…but not one that you’d want all the time.

My favorite was the sugar cookie. It’s just a classic taste, and the icing was so good. Honestly, a close second was the chocolate chip. Delish.

I think they have some of the cookies all of the time — like the chocolate chip and sugar cookies. I just looked at this week’s menu includes those two and cookies and cream milkshake, strawberry cupcake, buttermilk pancake, and triple chocolate chip.

Hadley even said it would be fun if you were having a birthday party to let the guests choose which cookie they’d like rather than getting cupcakes. I think she’s on to something!

Do you have a Crumbl Cookie near you? If so, what’s your favorite flavor? I’m sure we’ll go back and will want to try other flavors.

Posted in Memes

Monday Memes

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Monday!

How was your weekend?

We had a pretty good one….after we made it through the torrential downpour during Friday night’s track meet.

The rest of the weekend was spent running errands, and doing some things around the house. Both of the kids had fun with their friends, and I was able to watch some shows and read my book.

I probably say this every month, but I can’t believe this is the last Monday in April. So, I’m sharing some memes that made me laugh this month.

My friend sent this to me. She knows me so well 😆

This one really made me laugh. I always panic if we’ve run out of fast food napkins for the car.

I saw this one right after my school computer prompted me to change my password…and then told me my new one was too similar to my old one. There’s only so many passwords that I can remember.

Why does everything at the grocery store seem like it’s at least $5?!

Relatable:

LOL! Fun fact: if I’m home on a Friday night, I do like to watch Dateline.

This one feels so true. My bigger issue is the people who have a full load of groceries and do the self-checkout. I feel like that should be a 15 item or less situation.

Yes! My type A personality feels this deeply…

I hope these start your week off with a laugh or two! Have great day!

Posted in Clothes, Friday Favorites, Kids

Friday Favorites {#154}

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday!

I’m really feeling the TGIF energy today. This week has been a good one but filled with lots of extras. Every day this week had at least one extra appointment on top of the usual evening activities, so I just kept feeling like I didn’t want to forget something!

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

Here are some favorites from the week…

Favorite Picture:

Well, I have to start with the absolute best news…look at Hayden’s new smile!!

No more braces! Also, why was I more excited for this milestone than he was? After over 2.5 years, the braces are off!

Both kids had “phase 1” braces in second grade. They had them put on in January 2018, and had them for less than a year.

For Hayden, “phase 2” started in July of 2020 with a Herbst appliance. A few months later he got the braces, and the appliance was taken out in July 2021. Then, he continued with braces until this week.

It’s crazy to see how much older he looks too!

Favorite Clothes:

I wore a new dress from SSYS to Keeneland on Saturday. I want to buy it in another color, but I think they are creating a sleeveless version for the summer, so I will hold off for now. I love lavender, and just couldn’t say no.

**Also, I was inspired by Amy and visited Sun Tan City for a spray tan last week. I hadn’t been there in years, but I was so happy with the results.

(A week later, and I still have a bit of color!)

SSYS also has the cutest athleisure pieces, and this quilted top has been perfect to throw on over my workout tank and leggings. I’ve already worn this one three times in a week. I think they have some cute new pieces dropping this weekend.

Other faves from the week:

On Monday, the kids had their yearly checkups, and they always ask for ice cream afterwards. Parenting teens is a tough job, so I deserved ice cream too.

Last week, Travis came home from Kroger with these flowers, and said they were free. They still hadn’t bloomed after a few days, and I told him that I thought that’s why they must have been free. 😆

Well, they finally did start to bloom, but I don’t think a couple of them ever will. They are pretty and freshen up the living room.

At the first track meet of the season, Hayden hurt himself doing the long jump, so he’s had to sit out the last couple of meets.

Hayden is the distance runner, and Hadley is more mid/shorter distances. She loves the 200m, and also runs the 800, 400, and some relays. In the off season, she started training, and it’s been so amazing to see that translate to her races. In the 200, she came in 2nd out of 100 runners and is close to qualifying for state. She’s also on some relays which are fun to watch too.

I can’t wait for Hayden to get back out there.

4×200 relay

Kind of random, but I have a new favorite podcast. I loved the show Hey Dude! on Nickelodeon in the 90’s. Christine Taylor and David Lascher talk about the show, but also have a 90’s guest on each week. I’ve listened to their interviews with the Hey Dude cast, Ben Stiller (Christine’s real life husband), Scott Wolf, Melissa Joan Hart, and a few others.

It’s a fun listen!

Favorite Mom Meme:

Real talk:

Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday

Because I love the toothless phase so much, I have to share this one of Hayden.

*He actually had two loose top teeth and thanks to a play at first base where he crashed into the 1st baseman, he lost one and the other was super loose. The next morning, he woke up with the other tooth gone…we found it in his bed!

Truly, the toothless phase was my absolute favorite with both kids.

Weekly Recap:

Here are my posts from the week:

Hello Monday
Blog Challenge Part 10
Mother’s Day Gift ideas

What are your weekend plans? The kids are running in a track meet tonight, and I’m hoping it’s not a torrential rain the entire time. The rest of the weekend, we actually don’t have much going on. I feel like we all need a bit of downtime to recover from this non-stop week.

See you back here Monday!

Posted in Gift Ideas

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday.

It’s almost the weekend, and I’m ready for it!

In only a few weeks, it will be Mother’s Day, so I’m sharing some gift ideas. While I have most of these items, I also have thrown in a few that I know I’d love to receive.

Jewelry:

I’m a bracelet girl. I typically wear the same three pairs of earrings, and rarely change out my necklace. That being said, I will change up the bracelets I wear while also wearing some of the same ones every day.

  • I still love my three bracelets from Daily Gold Co. I’ve had them since September and I’ve never taken them off.
  • I’m still loving the two bangle style bracelets I have from Amazon. I have one silver and one rose gold. You can’t beat the price.
  • Shop Style Your Senses has so many pretty accessories…bracelets, rings, necklaces, and earrings!

Amazon:

  • It’s no secret how much I love my Kindle. I think I’ve had mine for four years now, and it’s one of my favorite things. My mom got one recently and really likes it.
  • I purchased these slippers after Christmas, and they are another favorite. I put them on my feet as soon as I wake up and as soon as I get home from school. It looks like they are an Amazon deal right now.
  • While I don’t own this robe, I want to! I have a favorite fuzzy robe from Target, but this one looks perfect for warmer months!

Other ideas:

  • For Christmas, I asked for perfume. I’m not super picky, and I told Travis what I’d previously used but to choose something he likes. Well, insert Hadley into the equation —she took him to Sephora. They gave me three scents: Perfect and Daisy Dream by Marc Jacobs and Juliette Has a Gun. I love all three!
  • I’ve seen others share these this Barefoot Dreams dupe blanket that’s at Walmart. My sister-in-law has one, and it’s so cozy. I’ve been meaning to pick up one or two.
  • I love Antique Candle Co. candles. Besides smelling amazing, they even have so many cute options. The “vintage white teacup” is too cute! They have other options too like a vintage white goblet, wire closure candles, and stoneware crocks.

One more idea:

We gave my mom Storyworth subscription a couple of years ago, and she did such a great job answering the prompts.

This year for Christmas, she gave me a copy of the book. It’s a great keepsake.

I say it every year, but for Mother’s Day, I’m happy with a card and going out to brunch. We always get two hanging ferns for the front porch, and Travis will plant flowers in our planters that weekend. Basically, for Mother’s Day, I want one of my favorite spots at our house looking pretty…the front porch.

Hadley has a dance competition Mother’s Day weekend this year. We don’t know the exact times yet, so I’m not sure what we can expect yet on that day. Lucky for them, I don’t mind being celebrated 365 days a year! 😆

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