Category: Blog challenge

Posted in Blog challenge, Everyday Life, Other

Year in Review 2024

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy January 1st!

With the first day of the new year, I’m looking back on 2024 to share my “year in review.” These years seem to fly by, and it’s always fun to look back on all we did!

January:

I tend to take less pictures in January than any other month! It’s typically a slow month for us which is why January is a favorite month of mine.

We started off January thinking about my “words of the year” from our New Year’s Eve night dinner. Faith, forgiveness, growth…good focus for the year.

Another reason I love January…it’s my birthday month!

We had our first snow day in January which means I made snowman pancakes, per tradition.

“Snow pretty” haha

February:

The kids had their third cotollion dance in February. “Malibu Mingle” was semi-formal attire.

Trav and the kids went to Florida to cheer on our nephew as he ran an Olympic qualifying race.

I stayed home and my friend helped put the finishing touches on Hadley’s “room refresh” by putting up the wallpaper.

The Chiefs won the Super Bowl, and of course we were excited about that! I don’t want to jinx it, but we have our party prep down!

Of course, we celebrated Valentine’s Day.

Hayden’s 8th grade basketball season wrapped up. His time as a “baller” was officially over…another middle school milestone.

March:

We went to the Bailey Zimmerman concert in Cinci. This was the kids’ first concert, and he put on a great show.

We celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with corned beef, cabbage, and Irish soda bread.

Hadley had fun playing volleyball during club season.

April:

We celebrated Easter at the beginning of April…

…and then headed to Washington, DC for spring break. We had a fun few days touring the nation’s capitol.

We had one extra day of spring break thanks to the solar eclipse.

Hayden went to Louisville to run in the Eastern Relays meet.

Both kids had lots of track meets.

Trav and I went to Keeneland for the afternoon.

The kids dressed in more formal attire for their final cotollion dance.

Hayden ran in the Dream Mile in Louisville which was the top 15 8th graders in Kentucky.

While Hayden was running, Hadley was at the 8th grade dance with her friends.

May:

Travis and I went to the Oaks races with friends.

We celebrated Mother’s Day by going to church and then out to brunch.

Hadley’s club volleyball season wrapped up and they finished runner up in the tournament.

The 8th grade track season finished with both the city and state meets. Hayden holds the school record for the 800, 1600 and 3200 times and Hadley’s relay team holds the school record in three relays. The city and state meets were a perfect way to end their middle school running careers.

With the end of middle school came 8th grade graduation. The students had a wonderful celebration and then we went out to dinner.

The next day, they kids had a fun pool party with all of their friends.

June:

We were so happy to be out of school by June. We headed to KC for a few days. We went to the Royals game, and they had a huge come back win. It was nice seeing family and kicking off our summer that way.

Hadley went to camp and had the best time.

We celebrated Trav for Father’s Day.

Then, it was time for our trip to the Pacific Northwest…Oregon and Washington. We went to the Olympic Track Trials, saw the Oregon coast, stayed at a resort and toured Seattle. It was a trip we’ll always remember.

While in Oregon, Trav and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary.

July:

After a couple of days home, I went to KC to help dad after his knee surgery the first week of July. The kids celebrated the 4th as Hayden ran a 10k, and then Trav and the kids went to our spot to watch the fireworks.

When I got home, we celebrated Trav’s birthday.

Hayden had fun at running camp.

I spent a lot of time at the pool!

We celebrated Trav’s mom’s 75th birthday.

Hadley had volleyball tryouts, and was excited to make the team.

August:

Volleyball and cross country commitments cranked up. The kids had meets and games.

We all prepped to go back to school…

I tweaked our back to school breakfast/brinner to dinner at Ihop…and none of us were mad about that new tradition.

The kids started high school, and I started my 23rd year of education!

Trav and I went to the Larry Fleet concert in Lexington…on a school night!!

September:

By September, Hadley was in the thick of volleyball season.

Her team had a fun weekend in Tennessee at a tournament. Their freshman team placed high in the JV bracket, so it was a fun and rewarding experience.

Hayden ran Varsity in many competitive meets.

The kids went to more Kentucky football games then Travis and I did. haha

At the end of September, we had bad storms and lost one of our favorite front yard trees.

October:

We started October in 30A on fall break with our friends. This was the third year, and we love this tradition. We’re so lucky to have these friends and families to go on this vacation with year after year.

The KC Royals made it to the playoffs and were fun to watch!

Hayden ran an awesome race in the city meet. Trav was getting over Covid, so he watched from a distance, but I got a pic with Hayden! (Then, it was my turn for Covid.)

Screenshot

Trav and I were able to go to Keeneland one afternoon which is one of my favorite fall traditions.

The leaves changed our our remaining tree, and I got one of my fave pics of the year!

Right before Halloween, the kids carved their pumpkins per tradition.

November:

Hayden ran another great race in the state meet. He won a freshman award at the end of season banquet.

Hadley had her volleyball banquet, and earned an award too.

We’re proud of all that the kids accomplished in their first high school seasons, and they had a lot of fun with their teammates.

The kids turned 15!! How is that possible?

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Louisville.

Then, we headed to Charlotte for Hayden to run in the Foot Locker South Regional race. We’d never been to Charlotte, and it was a fun city to explore for a couple of days.

December:

In December, we did all the holiday things.

We celebrated Christmas a couple of days early, and then…

…we headed to KC for a few days to see family there!

Now, we have a little less than a week before school starts back, so we’re taking the time to relax but also be productive before heading back to the hustle and bustle of life.

Today’s the fresh start of a new year, and I hope 2025 is a great one for all!

Posted in Blog challenge, Friday Favorites

2024 Blogging Recap and Fave Posts

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday!

Well, it’s hard to believe that the Christmas season is over. I hope you had a great holiday.

As the year wraps up, I always like to share my favorite posts that I wrote in the year.

I’m linking up with Andrea for Friday Favorites…the last one of 2024!

Here’s my 2024 blogging recap.

A few stats from this year:

  • Posts: 242
  • Total words: 161K
  • Average words per post: 661
  • Best day: Friday, Best hour: 8 am
  • Most popular day: is still March 14, 2023 with 931 views

I’ve been blogging for over five years, and it is still such a fun hobby for me. This year, I’ve felt like I had a little bit less time to blog, but I made it work.

Some all time stats include:

  • Views: 475, 923
  • Visitors: 125, 931
  • Posts published: 1,186
  • Countries: At least one person in 118 countries has read one of posts. After the United States and Canada, I have quite a few views from Japan. Who knew I was so popular in Japan?!?

As I say every year, I’m not “here for the numbers.” This is just a fun hobby for me, a way to capture memories from year to year, and share my thoughts. It is fun to see the numbers grow a bit from year to year…even how many posts I write and the word count.

I appreciate every like, comment, and read. Truly, thank you!

A few thoughts first:

Well, a couple of years ago, I shared my top 10 favorite posts. Last year, it was my top 20 favorite posts…and this year, we’re up to 25! I need to learn to edit a bit…sorry for that!

I enjoyed starting 2024 off with the WordPress Bloganuary Challenge again.

I also did a November Gratitude Challenge too. I like blogging on smaller topics and sharing my thoughts that way.

I started linking up with Joyce for the Wednesday Hodgepodge posts when I could. It’s always fun finding a new link up.

I also enjoyed continuing co-hosting the Share Our Lives link up with some of my favorite bloggers.

We’ll be back in 2025!

Favorite posts from 2024:

1.

One of the “Bloganuary” topics was to write about colleges I attended.

2.

Pinterest ideas are always fun.

3.

Our February Share Our Lives post was about how we met significant other.

4.

I loved sharing all about Hadley’s bedroom refresh early in the year.

5.

Hadley shared a post with her favorite skincare products which was fun to read!

6.

In March, I hit a blog milestone writing my 1,000th blog post.

7.

We had so much fun in Washington, D.C. in April. I had a few posts recapping our spring break trip.

8.

This Thursday Thoughts post… if you would have told me…was a fun reflective post.

9.

In April, I wrapped up my fun “ABC of” series writing about spring.

10.

At the end of the school year, I had fun reflecting on the kids’ middle school years and then shared about the last few days of school.

11.

This summer, I really enjoyed my “Summer Sunday” series, including the one I wrote about self-care.

12.

Our trip to Oregon for the Olympic Trials will go down as one of our favorite family vacations. It was truly a great trip filled with memories.

I wrote five posts recapping our time in the Pacific Northwest.

13.

I did a few “Throwback Thursday” posts this summer too. I loved the one reminiscing about summer reading through the years.

14.

Another “Summer Sunday” post was summer craft ideas for kids. It was a fun post that was reminiscent of how I used to spend my summers with the kids.

15.

Another sweet Throwback Thursday post was when I shared about the summer of 2010. I loved that summer with the kids!

16.

In August, I had a couple of “Teacher Talk” posts…the first one, I shared about the first week of school (including before and after the students arrived)

17.

Then, I had another Teacher Talk post specifically about my schedule this year.

18.

The September Monthly Musing topic was all about fall things including back to school. I love writing about fall, so this was a fun post to put together!

19.

We’ve enjoyed fall break on 30A for the past three years. I always love writing that vacay recap.

20.

I did two “day in the life” posts recently, but they were “hour by hour” for a weekday and a weekend day. I love reading and writing those kinds of posts, so this was a different way to capture those days.

21.

I was scrolling Instagram, and saw this graphic for a Gratitude Challenge, and decided to blog every single day in November!

22.

I always enjoy recapping the kids’ birthday, and this year they turned 15! that was definitely worthy of a Friday Favorites post.

23.

Hayden ran in the Foot Locker South region race after Thanksgiving. We’d never been to Charlotte, NC, so it was fun to recap our time there as well as Hayden’s running season.

24.

I pretty much kept everything the same as last year for Christmas decorations, but I did share a few new Christmas decor touches for this year.

25.

One of my favorite traditions is baking Christmas cookies, and this year we baked cookies with my brother’s family which was even more fun.

I also love sharing the books I read this year and a recap of our year, and I will have those posts next week! While the last couple weeks of the year are typically “quiet” in the blogging world, I have more time to blog and always have post that I want to share at the end of the year.

It’s been another great year of blogging, and again, thanks so much for reading!

Posted in Blog challenge

Nov. Gratitude Challenge {days 29 & 30}

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Saturday!

Well, it’s the last day of November…how is that even possible? It’s time to wrap up this gratitude challenge.

Day 29: 3 of your favorite foods

Only 3?!

Off the top of my head, I’d have to say:

  • chips and queso
  • sushi
  • a warm chocolate chip cookie from Starbucks

Day 30: 3 things you love about your family

Listen, there are plenty of days where I seek the peace and solace of my quiet bedroom to get away from the crazy. That being said, I’m part of the crazy too haha! I’m very grateful for my family or four.

To keep it simple, I’ll share what I’m grateful for in regards to my three faves:

  • Trav: He takes care of all of us. He knows when I’m feeling overwhelmed and will take something off my plate. Listen, I’m an independent woman…until I don’t want to leave the house one more time 😂He takes care of the things that I have no desire to take care of…for example, bills that need to be paid. He’s just the best. I remember when we first started dating, I got the flu. He brought me medicine and a People magazine. He’s been taking care of me since day 1. He’s the best role model for the kids, and he’s always there for anything they need too.
  • Hadley has the best smile and gives the best hugs. She brightens anyone’s day!
  • Hayden will tell me he loves me out of nowhere. (Don’t tell him I told you! haha) Listen, no one prepares you for raising a teenage boy, but he’s maturing right before my very eyes. I appreciate his love when he’s willing to give it to me 😉

This challenge was a great way to keep up with my blogging and share things that I’m grateful for in my life…including my blog readers 🙂

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Posted in Blog challenge, Holidays, Seasonal

Nov. Gratitude Challenge {days 27 & 28}

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday…and…

I can’t believe my November gratitude challenge is almost over. I only have a few days left.

Picking up where I left off…

Day 27: holiday traditions you are grateful for…I’m grateful for many traditions. Of course, Thanksgiving and Christmas typically have quite a few traditions. For us, Thanksgiving looks different year to year. Some years, we stay home (but have to travel to E-town or Louisville for Thanksgiving), and other years we are in KC.

On Thanksgiving, a tradition I have no matter where I am is to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

As for Christmas, we always bake cookies at some point during the holiday season. We also go to the Horse Park to drive through their lights display.

One of my favorite traditions is letting the kids pick out a gift for each other to open, usually on Christmas Eve if we are home. It’s always fun seeing what they pick out for each other.

Day 28: something that made you smile today…

Thanksgiving always makes me smile. It’s my favorite holiday…great food, time with family, and no stress of buying gifts!

Gobble til you wobble! If you need a way to use up your leftover turkey, this recipe is a day after Thanksgiving tradition in our family.

If you need me, I will be sipping my coffee and watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade this morning.

I hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving.

Posted in Blog challenge

Nov. Gratitude Challenge {days 25 & 26}

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Tuesday!

This Tuesday feels like a Friday for me! For that, I’m grateful. Speaking of gratitude…I’m picking up where I left off with the gratitude challenge.

Day 25 is a favorite quote that helped you…

I love a good quote! I wrote this post four years ago (wow!), and so many of them are still my favorites.

Day 26: 3 hobbies or activities you love

I love when I find time to read, but I haven’t been in a great reading groove lately.

I’ve always loved to color. When the kids were little, I’d sit down and color with them. Lately, I’ve been loving this marker set and coloring in my “cozy girl” book. I’m going to order the Christmas one soon I think.

Ok, while not really a “hobby” or “activity” (that I’m proud of…) I enjoy watching the Real Housewives franchise. I don’t watch them all, but I watch most of them. My faves are OC and Beverly Hills. I think sometimes my mind needs to relax and doesn’t want to think, so I veg out with my trash TV. Hayden asks me, “Mom, is that one of your trashy shows?” haha

What’s one of your favorite hobbies or activities?

Have a great day,

Posted in Blog challenge

Nov. Gratitude Challenge {days 23 & 24}

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Happy Sunday!

I’m continuing to play “catch up” with my gratitude.

Day 23 something you often take for granted

Well, I try not to take things from granted, maybe one thing is that most of the time Trav is able to help take kids to school, pick them up, run out on his lunch break to pick up gifts, etc. Not everyone has that kind of support. Since we don’t have family in town, it’s nice that we are able to help each other out as needed.

Day 24 something you have that you used to hope for

I’d say my kids. It took us a while and a little help to have them, so I of course I’m grateful that the wish was granted (x2). We were never able to add to our family of four which makes my gratitude for them more meaningful as well.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Posted in Blog challenge

Nov. Gratitude {days 20-22}

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Saturday!!

With a full week of blogging, I got a bit behind with my gratitude challenge.

Day 20 is a risk you are happy you took.

Moving to Kentucky was definitely a “risk.” Granted, Travis and I were engaged, but I just mean that I did pick up the life I knew and moved to a new place. I joke that I was “young, dumb, and in love,” but that’s not to take anything away from Travis…I just mean, I would never do that now that I’m settled in my life….if that makes sense. We have a really blessed life that I’m thankful for.

It is hard being away from family, but are in a pretty good visiting routine during the year and for holidays.

Day 21: something from your childhood you are grateful for

Growing up, I can now look back and appreciate the sense of traditions and family. Family is important to me as well as creating traditions and memories with my kids.

Day 22 3 things about your personality you love

I like that I’m sarcastic….it gets me through being with teens all day and at home. I’m an honest and loyal person too. Those traits are important to me.

Tomorrow, I will catch up with today and tomorrow’s topics.

I’m off to hopefully pick up a few Christmas gifts and get my house decorated for the holidays.

Posted in Blog challenge

Nov. Gratitude Challenge {days 18 & 19}

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Tuesday!

I’m getting caught up on a couple of days of gratitude.

Day 18 is something that makes you feel safe…

My house and locked doors! haha

I can’t imagine those who have had their homes robbed and what an invasion of privacy that must be.

Before I got to bed, I always make sure all of the doors are locked.

Does anybody else always watch their garage door shut just to make sure it closes all the way? I do!

Day 19 is 3 things about your body that you love…well, love is a strong word. lol

I like my eyelashes….no need to curl them, and I get compliments on them from time to time.

My teeth…especially after my two years of Invisalign. I still find myself sometimes smiling with a closed mouth out of habit I guess. Also, my teeth weren’t bad at all before Invisalign, but that helped my bite and straighten a few teeth.

My arms and legs are ok for an almost 45 year old. I’ve still been in a workout slump, but I hope to get back in a routine soon.

While I am grateful for my health, of course, it is easy to nit pick about things I don’t like about my body. Like…what’s it like to have abs?!? haha

I do try to be a good role model for Hadley and not talk negatively about my body. And, working out is something that I do enjoy when I’m in a routine. Having a daughter puts into perspective being positive (or at least not saying the negative) things about our bodies.

What’s one thing you are grateful for right now?

Posted in Blog challenge

Nov. Gratitude Challenge {day 17}

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Sunday!

Another day, another gratitude post…

Day 17 is something that comforts you…

The first thing that popped in my mind is my weighted blanket…haha

Truly, when we travel, and I don’t have it, I’m sleep so well when we get home and I have it. It’s an essential part of my bedding.

A warm cup of coffee in the morning is comforting….especially with the glow of the Christmas tree.

In this busy stage of life where I feel like we’re often pulled in many directions, it’s comforting when all four of us are at home. Even if we are doing our own thing, I don’t have to wonder where anyone is or what they’re doing or what time I have to pick a kid up from practice. haha

Enjoy your Sunday,

Posted in Blog challenge

Nov. Gratitude Challenge {days 15 & 16}

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Saturday !

I hope your weekend is off to a great start. Today, I’m sharing my thoughts on the topics on days 15 and 16.

Day 15 is…3 books you are grateful to have read…

Three? You expect me to share only three? haha

I will stick with a few that have stuck out for me from the past few years.

  • The Women – to me, this one lived up to the hype!
  • All the Light We Cannot See (LOVED the limited series on Netflix)
  • The Paris Library
  • The Things We Cannot Say

**Clearly I love historical fiction!

  • Maid – This was such an eye opening read for me as Stephanie Land shared her experience cleaning houses as she raised her daughter while earning her college degree. (I also loved the Netflix series. Margaret Qualley was amazing in this role)
  • Lessons in Chemistry- This was another great read that sticks out to me. It was a heartbreaking, interesting and inspiring book. Elizabeth Zott and Calvin Evans were amazing characters. I loved the miniseries on Apple TV.

Day 16 is a skill you are grateful for.…I guess cooking? I’m not sure what other skills I have. I enjoy cooking….I don’t so much enjoy meal planning, shopping and putting away groceries though. I like making dinner for my family, and even better is when we can all eat dinner at the same time.

Just Thursday night, I did something I never do….and called Travis to tell him I didn’t feel like cooking…and asked him to pick something up for dinner on his way home. I always cook Sunday – Thursday, and we rarely eat out during the week. It was nice to just come relax and put up my Christmas tree instead of cook dinner!

I guess I’m officially halfway though this challenge, and I’m enjoying it.

See you back here tomorrow!